Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Synopsis:

Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.

Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .

This is Marr's second book, following the brilliant Wicked Lovely. The main characters from that book are present in this novel, but in a secondary way. This time, Aislinn's friend Leslie takes the lead and falls into her own frightening love triangle.

This book is much darker than the first, and rightfully so since we are entering the world of the Dark Court. It's still a fantastic read and once again, Marr's writing leaps right off the page and yanks you into the story.

Leslie is such a tragic character and I really just wanted to cheer for her through the whole book, or at least give her a hug. In fact, this book is filled with heartbreaking characters, like Niall. Oh Niall, how I love you so. This is the kind of guy I want in my life. And then there's Irial. Bah!

I find this world that Marr has created so magical and I find myself not wanting to leave when the story is over. One thing in particular that I liked about this book was all of the tattoo knowledge that was included. My best friend used to date a tattoo artist and she's pretty heavily tattooed. It just really fascinates me and it blended so well into the story of these characters.

Overall, I liked it just as much as Wicked Lovely and I can't wait to read Fragile Eternity. I really can't wait to meet Melissa Marr in Naperville on June 2nd. She just seems like such an awesome person. And anyone who creates magic on the page like she does, must be incredible.