Fragile Eternity

Melissa Marr’s 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 haven’t read Wicked Lovely yet, all I can say is that you really should. I never wrote a review for it myself, Briana at The Book Pixie recently did, and (though I am a fantasy-lover at heart) I agree with most of her thoughts on the book. So, you should check out her review over here.

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 Queen’s 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. Seth’s 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 Marr’s 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 can’t 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 Marr’s 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.

P.S. Check out deleted sequences on Melissa Marr’s blog. You can find her first post here and the second one here. Enjoy!