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