Review Detail

Reader reviewed by jocelyn

Anyone who reads Melissa Marrs debut, Wicked Lovely (not necessary to reading this book, but certainly highly recommended, as its quite brilliant, and will give readers a fuller grasp of what is going on in Ink Exchange), will have very high expectations for Ink Exchange. I know I did, and I was far from disappointed.

Ink Exchange is not a sequel to Wicked Lovely, but the main characters here were minor characters there, and the main characters in Melissa Marrs first novel do have parts to play in her second. Leslie is a friend of Aislinns from schoola good friend of hers, one of the friends that Aislinn wants to protect from her new life as a faerie queen.

Leslie has a tough life, no question about it. A father who hasnt been much of a father since her mother left and a brother whos addicted to drugs are Leslies family, and, add that to the dangerous people her brother brings home, you can see why Leslie doesnt like to go home more than she has to. Aislinn has guards protecting Leslie, but they cant keep her safe from her own family very well.

Leslie wants to take control of her own body after an awful experience, and the way she sees to do it is to get a tattoo. None of the typical images, however, appeal to her, so Rabbit, the tattoo artist, shows her a book of designs that most customers dont get to see. When she finds one that she likes, however, she has no idea of what the consequences will be, that she will soon be involved in a world that has, up until now, been invisible to her. I dont want to give too much away, but, trust me, its awesome. Ive talked about Leslie, but shes not the only main characterIrial is the king of the Dark Court, and he certainly plays a major part in this story, but I feel like talking about him might be giving a little too much away, more than Id like. The same goes for telling Nialls part of the story, beyond the fact that he is one of Keenans top people, and one of Leslies guards, and that she has feelings for him, but neither of them can act on it.

Ink Exchange is a captivating, well-told story. Its haunting and dark and lovely and amazingjust as good as, and maybe even better than Wicked Lovely (though I couldnt decide for sure). Its a darker story than its predecessor. Melissa Marr creates a wonderful story, dealing with serious topics such as addiction and rape (yes, it is a faery story, but these are certainly not of the Walt Disney variety!). There is also the same fascinating mythology from Wicked Lovely, and Melissa Marr again shows her talents at creating wonderful characters. This is yet another brilliant book from a brilliant author! I cant wait for her third book, which will be a more direct sequel to Wicked Lovely.

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