Fragile Eternity (Wicked Lovely #3)

Where to start? I loved the first book of this series, it had all my favorite things. Action, hot alternative guys, sweet romance, and a strong female. Donia not Ash. This book though... what was the plot? Seth getting turned in a faery? That's pretty much all that happened. There was lots of lust and people wanting someone they couldn't have. It was a book of nothing but talking! The only cool things that happened was Niall punched Keenan and Donia stabbed Ash! That's it. Not even kidding everything else was talk and someone wanting someone else.

What happened to plot from the first two? They were great and this.... I honestly would've quit reading if not for my mad love of Seth. Even when he got his wish to be faery, that was too easy. Northing to prove himself just a simple talk and bam, insta-faery. I just ugh! I want to scream from the top of my lungs, why!?

All the characters we have grown to love are still here but just.... boring. No one even had a true character arc, they all stayed the same except Seth. Then the way Ash so easily gives into Keenan when Seth is gone for a while (6 months), I want to smack her. I needed to stop before I have a heart attack from how truly upset I am. I'd give this book a huge F and no stars but I just love Seth and this world so much that I'll give it a two and hope the other two are better. What did you think of this book?

Reader reviewed by Jessica

While listed as the third book of the Wicked Lovely series, this is the second book to focus on these characters specifically. It was a major disappointment for the series. Nearly the entire book was about the love triangle, quadrangle, or what not. I dont read fantasy genre books and expect them to be entirely romance, some romance, yes, but this was too much. There was so much whining from all four characters that are involved in this love equation that it was unbearable. I wanted to hurry through this book so I could be done with it and not have to sit through all of the oh I cant be with this person because of this person, this person cant be with me because of who I am crap.

The only thing that saved this book was when about halfway through we encounter a change in Seth when he is in Faerie. Finally we get some characters that arent as whiny, but unfortunately there wasnt much depth to them either. I wanted more from Bananach, or War, and to see some action actually take place. Instead we went from one basic storyline the entire way through with nothing eventful taking place. Ok, there was one eventful moment, but it was written so boringly, that you nearly missed it and you certainly didnt get to experience it with the character since it happened towards the end of the book.

Marr left the ending open which will hopefully lead to a more eventful story for the next in the sequel, Radiant Shadows (due out April 20, 2010). This book could have been added as an epilogue to one of the others as it was just filler. It was missing all of the wonderful focus on characters that she covered in the first two books of this fantasy realm, Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange.

Reader reviewed by Em

Absolutely wonderful, as to be expected. I love Melissa's writing style
and am encouraging everyone to read her books. Unlike a large selection
of the books I fan girl over, Melissa's are third person and work for
both the male and female audience. That said, this book blew my mind
and I was sad that it was over when I finished it last night (even more
sad I didn't have time to read it sooner). I love how the characters
have grown and progressed. No stoic characters to be found in this
series. I was a bit amazed I loved it as much as I did because a large
majority of time was spent from the Summer court POV, or pining over
it. And I'm not a Summer court fan. But it was really good and
enthralling regardless. I'm trying to find the words to convey how I
feel about this book without Spoilering anything. I will simply say,
this series is a must read. Ignore that it's in YA because it reads
like an adult book and deserves your attention.

Reader reviewed by Yan

So I may be the only girl alive who has qualms with this book. In fact, I had so much trouble that it took me a whopping 5 days to read. Although I read Graceling over the span of 3 months, I actually had only spent 2 days actually reading it because it was a huge read. This means that Fragile Eternity was by far the longest book it has ever taken me to read. If I had it my way, meaning I did not have to mail this book out to a friend, I would have taken another week or so, hoping to drag the pain out over the course of time.

Fragile Eternity takes off immediately where Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange left off. So if you are like me and read those books ages ago, read it again before starting Fragile Eternity. Or you will be lost. Case in point, me. I had trouble beginning the book because I forgot some of the events that happened in those prior books which forced me to be completely and utterly lost. It took about 100 pages in that until I got comfortable again.

Give me another hundred pages and the plot begins to pick up. That is right. More than halfway through the book, page 250 or so, did the actual storyline make any sense. It was a grueling pace from the start. Excessive descriptions, unneeded dialogues, and bouts of what did I just read? I can basically sum up the entire first half in a few sentences. In fact for a hefty read like this, around 400 pages, the entire series moved 3 steps forward and 2 steps back.

Is anyone else not overly obsessed over the characters like me? Aislinn is too naïve for me like she has on a pair of rose-tinted glasses in every wake of her life. Keenan is just a shy of being a man whore (excuse my French) for mejust a bit more loving before I stick a label on his forehead. Seth was kind of there. Well some times&. I just see no appeal to him compared to others who fawn over his hard rock appearance and multiple piercings. I mean really though!? I get that he has a lip piercing, but can you please stop mentioning it every other page! For me the real star was Niall. He was the mighty stone who made sense! He who does not whine and complain ever few pages shines like a thousand stars! (does anyone else see the irony of me saying this and what I am saying?)

So that was the bad parts of Fragile Eternity. The good news was that the book definitely had the drama aspect down pat. The relationships between every character had its ups and downs, its hugs and kisses to pain and anguish. I found the brotherhood between Seth and Niall refreshing. There were no love quarrels and no dramatic scenes of I love you! and I hate you! Simple gestures that make me smile. There were also bits of surprises mainly involving Seth and Sorcha which never would I have imagined! And also a very cute cameo from the cover, the iron flowers of Wicked Lovely in the book.

The ending screams SEQUEL! I mean screamed!

Overall: Fragile Eternity definitely could have done better. Too much fluff and not enough of an actual plotline happening.

Reader reviewed by Rachel Connell

Sequal to Melissa Marrs Wicked Lovely. This goes from the views of Scorcha, Aislinn, Seth, and Donia. Seth sees that Aislinn is growing closer to Keenan and he can't do anything to stop it. Aislinn loves Seth but she still feels the pull and longing with her Summer King. Donia loves Keenan but shes the only one making commitments while Keenan does anything in his power for his Queens attention and love. All of the faery courts are making new alliances and new enemies. Will Seth find a way to be with Aislinn for eternity and will Donia be able to keep the Summer Kings love? 
This book was great. I personally have been waiting for the sequel to Wicked Lovely which I loved. You really see a different side of all the characters. Keenans complete lack of feeling for anyone else besides himself and his faeries. Donia starts to see reason where Keenan is concerened. Niall is a little more dark since he became the Dark King and he makes an unlikely alliance with some. I felt a little sad for Seth that Aislinn wasn't more trust worthy. I'm guessing there will be another book because the end leaves a lot of details open. I hope we see more action and someone do something to Keenan. It was a good book all in all if you liked Wicked Lovely.

Reader reviewed by Kris

            Melissa Marrs Fragile Eternity is the third (or second, depending on how you look at Ink Exchange) in a series about faeries that started with Wicked Lovely. If you havent read Wicked Lovely yet, all I can say is that you really should. Fragile Eternity returns to Seth and Aislinn, centering on the challenge of their love. Aislinn is adjusting to her role as Summer Queen, learning how to rule a faerie court while protecting Seth and trying to understand exactly what she feels for her King. Seth in the meanwhile grows frustrated with his position as the Summer Queens mortal love and his own fragility. Searching for a way to give Aislinn eternal love and secure her love in return, Seth discovers that there are more worlds beyond Huntsdale than he ever imagined. All the while, a war is on the horizon for the faerie courts. Seths search and its consequences, as well as his protection under multiple faerie courts despite being a simple mortal, draws attention and brings the courts that much closer to fighting.

            Fragile Eternity is just as good as, if not better than, Wicked Lovely.  Like Melissa Marrs other books, the cover is gorgeous and entrancing. I love how the butterfly and is sharp while the rest of the cover is out of focus, and the hues of blue and purple are beautiful. Then of course, the worlds Melissa Marr creates are so elaborate and well thought-out that the reader cant help but be sucked in, wishing to believe in faeries.

            I like how Seth came into himself in this novel. Melissa Marr showed that, like any human, he has his flaws, but is not without redemption. Seth became bolder and more independent than before, though I was sometimes bothered by how stubborn he could be. This is absolutely gripping to read, especially as Melissa Marr brilliantly blurs the distinction between good and evil and plays around with alliances while the potential for war looms ahead. If you've read Melissa Marrs other works, you really must check out this sequel, Fragile Eternity, and if you haven't read Wicked Lovely, you should really get on that. 9 out of 10.

Reader reviewed by fayeflame

synopsis

Seth never expected he would want to settle down with
anyonebut that was before Aislinn. She is everything he'd ever dreamed
of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning,
though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

Aislinn
never expected to rule the very creatures who'd always terrified
herbut that was before Keenan. He stole her mortality to make her a
monarch, and now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd
ever imagined.

In Melissa Marr's third mesmerizing tale of
Faerie, Seth and Aislinn struggle to stay true to themselves and each
other in a milieu of shadowy rules and shifting allegiances, where old
friends become new enemies and one wrong move could plunge the Earth
into chaos.

I have to say this was not my favorite book in the
series. I was so lost, Seth and Ash, Ash and Keenan it just never
ended. Keenan and Ash's "love" is weakening the Summer Court and when
Ash had to choose between them she couldn't, but she always love Seth,
why does she have to think about it, she only loves Keenan as a friend.
Keenan and Ash try to make it work. Keenan and the Winter Queen can't
work.i was just so frustrated. I was lost in the bickering love
triangles. Everybody just steps all over Ash. War.... with people who
were suppose to be her "friend". I just didn't love this book. It was
o.k. I hope this gets all sorted out in the next book.

Reader reviewed by Debbie

This book was not bad per se but I did not enjoy it as much as
Wicked Lovely.  Aislinn seemed extra whiny to me and pretty
self-centered.  In a way I guess that makes her a better match for
Keenan.  I did wish I had read Ink Exchange before this even though it
mentioned it was the sequel to Wicked Lovely.   There are things that I
assume took place in that book that helps explain how things are in
this one.  I think what may have bothered me most was this book was
mostly set up for I assume the next book in the series so not much
action takes place.   The best part for me was when Seth seeks out
Sorcha and we see what happens in his quest to become a fairy.

Even though this book was not that exciting for me it definitely
seems to be setting up for some great action in the next book and
hopefully the resolution of the love dilemmas between Seth, Aislinn,
Keenan and Donia.

Reprinted here with author's permission.

Reader reviewed by stephanie

Reader reviewed by TheBookworm

Exotic, Chaotic, Wild, And& Weird

Fragile Eternity
By Melissa Marr
Pub. Date: April 2009
3 out of 5 stars
R- Violence, Sexual Content, and Profanity
Not Recommended

Aislinn is not only struggling to understand Faerie politics, but also her involuntary pull to her King, her partner, Keenan. She tries to extinguish her lustful thoughts and feelings, but the spark never dies. Seth is her true love, not Keenan& right?

Seth is feed up with being Aislinns vulnerability. She is now a Faerie Queen and its wrong to burden her even more. He is determined to once again become Aislinns equal and to truly be able to spend eternity together.

But who will Seth turn to if the good guys are unwilling to help? And will Aislinn stay true, or succumb to her lustful desires?

Fragile Eternity was exotic, chaotic, wild, and & weird. The Faerie in this book were almost intoxicating. Magic, lust, envy, and greed were all present in huge amounts. I havent read Wicked Lovely and I found Fragile Eternity confusing quite often. This Faerie world was extremely broad and assorted, making it difficult to learn about one specific branch. I could not grasp the boundaries of Faerie. Did all these Faerie Courts sit on one block? The characters, figuratively speaking, flew from one house to another quickly and back to the Mortal World. Or did the Faerie world exist in the Mortal World? Wait, I mean& do both Immortal and Mortal share the dimension? Or& Im so confused!

Melissa Marr did an excellent job with giving an almost even amount of face time to each character in the book. Every one got their moment of perspective, so I got a little insight into every character also.

I found it very odd that my favorite characters were the bad guys. The good guys all acted frivolous, in-the-moment, and even ditzy. Niall, Sorcha, and Seth, the bad guys, all expressed courage, compassion, responsibility, strength, and logic skill. They each were feared by other Faeries because of their inability to be swayed, their constant cool/relaxed attitude, and their maturity. The whole time while reading I felt the urge to yell, She doesnt deserve you, Seth! and its true, Aislinn didnt. I was happily surprised and impressed at the choice Seth presented Aislinn at the end. You go, Seth!. The only reason why Im going to finish this trilogy is, Seth. I wish the best for him and I hope to see that he receives it.

I dont feel any reason why I should recommend Fragile Eternity. It was overall, an okay book, but why would I want to recommend an okay book full of lust, envy, greed, and confusion? If you have read Wicked Lovely or you think this book sounds interesting, go ahead and read it. But if you are kind of iffy or younger than 14, just skip it. There are plenty of other books worth your time!

Date Reviewed: March 30th, 2009

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