Fragile Eternity

A few months have passed since the events of INK EXCHANGE, and there have been many changes in Huntsdale. The three faery courts have enthroned new rulers. The Summer Court is experiencing a rebirth since Aislinn became the immortal Summer Queen, co-ruling with Keenan the Summer King. The Earth is enjoying a welcomed respite after years of suffering from the unrelenting winter, and mortals and Summer fey alike are thriving. However, despite the celebratory mood, not all is well. Aislinn seeks to find a balance between her once mortal life and her unending future. Her relationship with Seth is strong, but she worries about the life she'll have without the people she loves and cares about. And her platonic partnership with Keenan, already difficult, has become more awkward as the summer approaches. As Aislinn navigates the unstable Faerie politics, Seth is navigating his own path in the world of faeries. As the love of the Summer Queen, a brother-figure to the Dark King, and a friend of the Winter Queen --- who also gave him the Sight --- Seth's position in the Courts is unique even compared to other faeries. Unfortunately as a mortal, Seth is vulnerable and knows that he won't be able to stay with Ash forever. However, that disheartening issue won't stop him from being a part of Ash's world, even if that means standing up to the Faery King who his true love is fated to be with. Meanwhile, the Winter and Dark Courts are dealing with their own issues. Donia is at a crossroads in her stormy affair with Keenan. Niall is adjusting well to his rule as the Dark King, but his anger towards the Summer Court --- both in regard to his past with Keenan and to the horrific situation with Leslie --- is at odds with his friendship with Seth. At the same time, the raven-faery Bananach, the epitome of War, is stirring up major trouble that involves all of the Courts including the High Court, where Sorcha the Unchanging Queen --- considered the epitome of Reason --- has created a dangerous plan of her own. Old grudges and new hurts threaten to destroy the delicate balance. Will Aislinn be able to live a peaceful eternity, or will her worst fears come true? With shifting alliances, family issues and a rather disturbing series of events, FRAGILE ETERNITY offers plenty for fans of this mesmerizing series to talk about. All I have to ask is, when is Melissa Marr's next book going to be published? --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle

Fragile Eternity begins where Ink Exchange ends. The young Aislinn has taken on her new role as the Summer Queen and has accepted her transformation as a faery queen. She is still coming to grips with her new life that is filled with both wonderment and danger. Aislinn wants to stay as close to mortal as she can but each day she is one step closer to turning her back on her human side. Her anchor is her mortal boyfriend, and love of her life, Seth keeps her grounded. Seth adores Aislinn and wants to stay with her always. But Seth knows he has so much going against him because he is a mortal. He also has to fight for Aislinn's heart as she is courted by Keenan, her Summer King. Aislinn may love Seth and not Keenan, but she knows by denying Keenan she could tear apart her court. It is one thing to care for Keenan, but they need more a bond between them, which is sex. Aislinn refuses to be intimate with Keenan and only gives that part of herself to Seth. (The sex between Seth and Aislinn is very, very subtle. It is a YA after all) Keenan needs Aislinn desperately and wants to love and cherish her but she keeps turning away from him and will only settle for friendship. Keenan is uneasy because he also loves. He longs for Donia, the Winter Queen who was once mortal. Because they are total opposites, Keenan and Donia can never be together the way they long to be. Aislinn tries to push Keenan toward Donia, but even touching Donia is dangerous. And because Donia can't be with Keenan, she decides to do what is best for her court and refuses to even see Keenan. Because of the turmoil between these two, the Winter and Summer courts are on their way to becoming enemies. There is one who would love nothing better than having the Summer and Winter courts destroyed and that is Bananach, the twin to Sorcha, the Queen of the High Court. Bananach is blood thirsty and as close to deranged as one can be. Bananach loves pain, violence, chaos and destruction because it resides deep inside her soul. Bananach exists because of the pain others feel. She wants her sister to join her in starting a war with all the courts which also includes the Dark Court that is ruled by Niall who used to serve Keenan, but now has become his adversary. Sorcha longs for harmony and peace because that is her nature. She wishes to stop Bananach, but can't and because of that Bananach could start a chain of events that may destroy all the faery courts. There is much unrest and instability among the faeries. Seth feels he is losing Aislinn. Keenan taunts Seth because he knows in the end that Aislinn will be his, because Seth will age and die. Seth refuses to leave Aislinn and comes to a disturbing decision. He will turn into a faery and goes to Sorcha who can change him. She is willing to do this, but for a price. And that price will alter Seth and Aislinn's relationship forever. Melissa Marr has created a very dark world where faeries and mortals collide. Even though Fragile Eternity is a

Ink Exchange. In Wicked Lovely we are introduced to Aislinn and Keenan. Keenan is the Summer King of the faery world and he wants Aislinn to be his Queen. If she becomes the Queen he will get stronger and he can overtake his mother Beira, the Winter Queen who has bound his strength as well as the strength of his court. In Ink Exchange we meet Iriel and Leslie. Iriel is the Dark King and he wants Leslie to join his court. Not exactly as the Queen but so that he can "feed" his court. They feed off negative emotions as well as desires. Leslie gets a tattoo (ink) that allows Iriel to do that but he becomes attached to her. Fragile Eternity focuses mostly on Seth Morgan. Seth has decided that he is not strong enough to stay with Aislinn in his mortal state and he wants to change but everyone, including Niall, has turned him down. He believes that being a faery will put him on equal footing, not just with Aislinn, but Keenan too! There was a lot of foreshadowing regarding Seth's humanity and how he's losing the cool he's fought so hard for (p. 115). Although you *know* he's going to be changed, you are not sure if he's going to turn into a dark faery or what! The writing in Fragile Eternity was beautiful and kept you engaged. Marr introduced characters in the beginning who we met again later in the book, bringing the plot full circle. There was a focus on love and it's separation from lust. You saw Aislinn and Seth drifting while Aislinn and Keenan drew closer - even though they don't love each other. "love can give a person strength to break through glamours and magick" - p 134 "We're at the beginning today. I'm yours. Wholly without reservation." p 199 Many choices are made in the hopes that someone will notice. Seth goes with Bananach to Sorcha's despite his own feelings of unease. How many times have we done that? But he wants to be a faery. Will Sorcha grant him his request? Definitely my favorite of the three books. I was about 10 pages from the end before I realized there was going to be a fourth book! I enjoyed the way Marr wove pertinent parts from the other books into this one without bogging down the story. The ending was well done and totally unexpected, just when I thought I knew what was going on! Will purchase for school!

""Seth Never Expected he would want to settle down with anyone-but that was before Aislinn. She was everything he'd ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is and immortal faery queen..."" I decided to read Wicked Lovely last year and 'liked' it. I thought it a decent read and looked forward to going more into this world that Melissa Marr created. I liked Ink Exchange too even though I thought I wouldn't be as interested because the key characters from the first book took second. Fragile Eternity on the other hand blew a lot of how I looked at the other two books into a larger light. I enjoyed the story greatly and I know without giving too much away that there will be another book. I had some doubts that I would like this story as much but that proved to not turn out like I expected just like the novel itself. There were some predictable turns but I think what counts I didn't see coming. (SPOILERS ALERT) I thought that Seth going to Faerie was a mistake at first. Lore on the fey plainly tells that if you make a deal with them in some way you'll be screwed. I had no idea what Sorcha's intents were for Seth and after finally getting to that part in the book I was amazed that she didn't have any real ill intent towards Seth. But I am not telling why ;) I liked Aislinn character a lot less in this book though I do think that Seth messed up royally by leaving her in the lurch for all those months. Her character was so depressed after that and then she finally decides to give Keenan a chance just to get rid of the pain. I just kind of see it as a cop-out but then it wouldn't have set the stage to leave Aislinn with some very difficult choices to make in the next book. I overall enjoyed the book immensely and hope that Ms. Marr is already on her way to writing the next book, though I know it is doubtful we will see it anytime this year. But Bravo to her and I certainly say that it is worth giving her stories a chance.

When last we saw Aislinn, she had become the embodiment of Summer, and taken her rightful place as Summer Queen. Aislinn has had to adapt quickly to her new faery abilities, and it is certainly not easy. She struggles with her feelings towards Keenan, her Summer King, and her mortal boyfriend, Seth. She loves Seth, but is drawn to Keenan in a way that is inexplicable. Aislinn searches for a happy balance, but it eludes her. Keenan is also facing troubles of his own. Donia, the new Winter Queen, is his heart's desire, but she cannot bear sharing him with Aislinn. They also face a physical barrier that could destroy them both. Aislinn, Keenan, and Donia continue their search for middle ground, but it all comes crashing down when Seth disappears. Aislinn becomes lost and wonders if joining the Faery Court was the right decision. Melissa Marr's sequel to WICKED LOVELY is wonderful. She delves more deeply into the story of the Dark and High Courts, and gives a larger presence to Seth, Aislinn's mortal, and Sorcha, queen of the High Court. Fans of both WICKED LOVELY and INK EXCHANGE will not be disappointed. I am looking forward to further installments in this amazing series! Reviewed by: LadyJay