Fragile Eternity (Wicked Lovely #3)

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 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.