Think you know faeries? Think again! Faeries live alongside humans in this novel set in gritty, violent America. It is a dangerous world which mortals would do well not to become involved in. Rabbit is horrified when Leslie asks him to give her a tattoo that will irrevocably bind her to the Dark Faery King, Irial, but the Dark King's wishes must be obeyed. Leslie yearns for a tattoo. A physical mark to symbolise the start of a new life, free from her traumatic past. Her choice of tattoo makes her far from free tough, instead binding her to the notorious faery Irial, King of the Dark Court. Leslie becomes embroiled in a fantastical world she never dreamt existed, a nightmarish world where mortals are easy prey to the King and his dark fey. A world which her best friend Aislinn, the new Summer Queen has tried desperately hard to conceal from Leslie. Does the ink exchange give Leslie her much desired freedom? Or has she exchanged one nightmare for another?

Described as a sequel of sorts, this is the second in a trilogy by new author Melissa Marr. Although 'Ink Exchange' does not continue from the first book, the fantastical world is the same and I found this slightly problematic to my enjoyment of the book. Although I enjoyed parts of this book there were some parts I had to skip as I was unfamiliar with the set-up of the world, thus lacking clarity. Despite this, Marr's prose is beautiful and she writes convincingly, penning a credible cast of characters. Her world is thorough, detailed and will undoubtedly appeal to older teenage readers. This needs to be read after 'Wicked Lovely' for maximum enjoyment.

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2008-08-03