Ink Exchange, by Melissa Marr

Ink Exchange (Wicked Lovely), by Melissa Marr: I have to admit, I was a little dubious about this book. When we met Leslie in Wicked Lovely, she seemed like an airheaded party girl...how could she possibly have the strength and depth of character to survive in Marr's fey world?

We find out that Leslie is just as strong, if not stronger, than Aislinn. Living with her drunk, absentee father and drug-dealing brother, she goes to great lengths to hide the dark turn her life has taken, lying to her closest friends and hiding deep scars from horrific betrayals to keep up appearances. She wants one thing and one thing only for herself; a tattoo, which she believes is the only step she can take to reclaim her body and spirit for herself.

But her desire for ink entraps her in the world of the fey, when she unknowingly chooses a design that will link her to Irial, king of the Dark Court, by way of an "ink exchange," which will feed the Dark Court with humanity's chaotic emotions.

So many times, when an author follows a story by way of different characters, there's a certain repetition, but not in this book. Leslie's story is both radically different and just as captivating as Aislinn's. I'm loving this author, and can't wait to read Fragile Eternity (Wicked Lovely).


Buy Surviving Serendipity at Amazon or Quake Direct!