Thursday, September 9, 2010

Book 43 - Fragile Eternity


When I was young, I discovered Lady Cottington's Pressed Faery book - a fascinating and stunning collection of young and old faeries the author had "caught" between the glossy pages of a now-famous journal. Faces and arms and legs - and at the back of the book, even breasts - are artistically smeared and distorted, until they resemble strangely beautiful blobs with elongated limbs.

This was my first introduction to faeries - and I admit my fascination with them grew over the years. I share a love of Tinkerbelle with my stepdaughter, and of course believe whole heartedly in the tooth fairy...

But those are light-hearted sprites and as my writing became darker (thriller vs romance), I found a deeper connection with supernatural of a less wholesome nature -- vampires, werewolves, demons and the occasional witch.

Melissa Marr has changed that for me.

Fragile Eternity is the third book in Marr's brilliant Wicked Lovely YA series, and I'm going out on a limb to say it is my favourite. In truth, I loved Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange for distinct reasons - the characters of Ash and Seth in the first novel, and the beautiful exploration of sensory detail in the second. In Fragile Eternity, we return to Ash and Seth's un-orthodox (and complex) relationship and witness an incredible adventure through each of their eyes. Not only is it a compelling read, it is a wonderful lesson in writing - and a reminder of how much I have left to learn.

For readers who swooned over Edward and Bella's chemistry in the Twilight series, Marr offers something even more real. Snippets of dialogue from Fragile Eternity might not be sprinkled in journals, and recited by teens across the globe, but Seth will grab a piece of your heart and hang on long after the book is closed. He is a mortal caught in Faerie, alive only because of his will to survive - and his unconditional love for Ash.

Make no mistake, however. Fragile Eternity is not just a love story - though I challenge you not to fall for Marr's characters in some way. It is a dark, haunting tale of immortality and the lengths people would go to achieve it.

To delve deeper into the plot here would ruin not only the essence of this book, but the series in general - and I'd hate to cheapen the experience. (You're welcome.)

Marr's writing is so wonderful, I cant help but be swept into her Faerie world. I want to live amongst the Summer Girls and vie for the affections of Niall (yummy!) and the rest of the fey in the Dark Court. I would love to be trapped in another dimension where my purpose was to create, or run alongside the mortals, taunting them with my heightened speed and glamour.

Alas, I am back to reality and wishing I had another Marr novel to satisfy my lust.

The Book In My Bag Today: Shiver, Maggie Stiefvater

13 comments:

  1. I'm reading Wicked Lovely!!! You talking about it was what pushed me to finally pick it up! LOL! Got the other ones in the series on the Kobo!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your book did look well... um loved :-) I can tell you enjoyed it. xo
    Are they stand alone books as well?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Karen - YAY!!! I am so glad you are reading it. I am reading Shiver because when I started it on your Kobo I wanted to steal your Kobo to finish it. Amazing. I hope you love it :-) xo

    Jamie - uh, yeah, definitely loved :-) I suppose you could read them out of order, but I wouldn't. The first book, wicked Lovely, really sets the scene and plunges you into the dark otherworld Marr has so skillfully created. BTW - I have NOT forgotten the Nora on my shelf. Shiver has been calling to me for more than a year and I read the first five chapters on Karen's e-reader. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since! xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my god I LURRRVED Lady Cottington's Pressed Faery book!!! I think I was about 14 when it came out. I was engrossed by the pictures. I had wished I could have been squashed into the page! Um .. morbid, I know ...

    ReplyDelete
  5. You're up to book 43! Nice work.

    I admit, I swooned a bit over bella and Edward. Sounds like I really should start reading Marr's work so I can swoon big time! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jessica - I'm so happy someone else read this amazing book. Pressed Faeries changed my life :-) And I totally know what you mean - I wanted to be one of those pressed beauties, too!

    Suzanne - yes, read Marr. And then read Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater. I am less than 100 pages in and completely, utterly, in love with Sam and Grace. (I know, I'm jumping the gun, but I can already feel the chemistry and am swooning BIG time...)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mmmmm...

    I love Seth. He's a dream isn't he? Looking forward to reading this one as well.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Donna - you will REALLY love Seth after Fragile Eternity! <3 Shall I bring it to crit?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Interesting concept - faeries! It sounds like an engaging book!

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's fantabulous, Jan. You should pick it up :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yes Dawn,

    I'd love it if you brought it to crit :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. This normally wouldn't be for me, but you've made it sound intriguing ...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Matt - aww, thanks. Very few guys in my life read, but I really enjoyed this series. If you DO give it a try, I'd be interested in your thoughts...

    ReplyDelete