What do you think?
Rate this book
Wicked Lovely #2.5 Part I
Stopping Time, Part 1
An exciting e-story original sequel to INK EXCHANGE!Leslie walked away from the Dark Court, determined to reclaim her life and live it on her own terms—even if it meant leaving behind the two faeries who love her. She knows Niall and Irial watch over her, and she would give almost anything to keep them from hurting. But she resists the pull to be with either one of them. Someone knows about Leslie’s past, however, and is intent on using her to reach the fey. And he doesn’t care who gets hurt….
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2010
69 people are currently reading
3702 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Marr
106 books13k followersMelissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
May 3, 2010
God, I still feel the heat from this thing and I read it more than 12 hours ago. I had forgotten how incredibly alluring Irial was. Thankfully, he is back in all of his menacing, enticing glory in Stopping Time Part 1 and2.
Leslie is slowing mending the shattered pieces of herself. It’s been months since she left the Dark Court and the two Faerie Kings that love her. And she’s getting better. But she still isn’t well. She made the right choice, in her mind, she knows that. But knowing that she made the right choice doesn’t make the truth hurt less. It doesn’t keep her pulse from pounding when she sees Irial watching her each week. Silently observing her, admiring her, confirming his love for her, and his devotion to keeping her safe. Leslie can feel his presence like a palpable thing, and still she does not to speak to him. Doing so would erase the progress she has made. One word to Irial would follow in non-words, and Leslie can’t afford the price. Leslie now lives by two rules, don’t speak to Irial, don’t see Niall. For months these three characters have danced around one another. Knowing that it can’t continue but unable to resist, or to find a solution that will afford Leslie her needs. And so they keep dancing along the fine lines they have drawn. But a visit from Leslie’s past may make the crossing of those lines necessary, even if for only a day.
For such a short story, Marr packs a deliciously mean punch. I can’t decide which couple I am most in love with! Leslie, Irial and Niall once again enchanted me with their hurt, heartbreak, despair, loneliness, hope and love that are so tangible they throb. I smiled, I cried, and in the end was left hopeful that these three will get their happy ending when they are strong enough to reach out and take it. On a final note…Please please please please please Melissa Marr, don’t kill off Irial! He is the best of the three, in fact, he is the best of all your characters and I couldn’t endure the devastation that would occur if he were to die. Please!
Leslie is slowing mending the shattered pieces of herself. It’s been months since she left the Dark Court and the two Faerie Kings that love her. And she’s getting better. But she still isn’t well. She made the right choice, in her mind, she knows that. But knowing that she made the right choice doesn’t make the truth hurt less. It doesn’t keep her pulse from pounding when she sees Irial watching her each week. Silently observing her, admiring her, confirming his love for her, and his devotion to keeping her safe. Leslie can feel his presence like a palpable thing, and still she does not to speak to him. Doing so would erase the progress she has made. One word to Irial would follow in non-words, and Leslie can’t afford the price. Leslie now lives by two rules, don’t speak to Irial, don’t see Niall. For months these three characters have danced around one another. Knowing that it can’t continue but unable to resist, or to find a solution that will afford Leslie her needs. And so they keep dancing along the fine lines they have drawn. But a visit from Leslie’s past may make the crossing of those lines necessary, even if for only a day.
For such a short story, Marr packs a deliciously mean punch. I can’t decide which couple I am most in love with! Leslie, Irial and Niall once again enchanted me with their hurt, heartbreak, despair, loneliness, hope and love that are so tangible they throb. I smiled, I cried, and in the end was left hopeful that these three will get their happy ending when they are strong enough to reach out and take it. On a final note…Please please please please please Melissa Marr, don’t kill off Irial! He is the best of the three, in fact, he is the best of all your characters and I couldn’t endure the devastation that would occur if he were to die. Please!
February 13, 2011
Tomorrow you can love me from a safe distance. But it’s okay to stop time every so often to be with someone you love.
Stopping Time takes place shortly after Ink Exchange. I’ve always wondered what came of Leslie after her bond to Irial was broken by Niall, and in this installment, we learn that Leslie goes off to college, but her tie to the Dark Court is as strong as ever.
Irial and Niall watch her from a distance and vow to protect her, and this proves to save her life as someone from her past comes back to harm her. There seems to be a true love triangle between these three characters. Leslie loves both Irial and Niall, but Irial is a Gancanagh now and any touch he imposes on Leslie would create an addiction she vehemently opposes, so Irial makes a sacrifice for the two people he'd give his existence for.
Great addition to the Ink Exchange story line. I didn’t realize how much I like Irial and Niall. I can’t wait to see what comes of those two because there are emotions that run pretty deep and I don’t mean just where Leslie is concerned. Very interesting!
Stopping Time takes place shortly after Ink Exchange. I’ve always wondered what came of Leslie after her bond to Irial was broken by Niall, and in this installment, we learn that Leslie goes off to college, but her tie to the Dark Court is as strong as ever.
Irial and Niall watch her from a distance and vow to protect her, and this proves to save her life as someone from her past comes back to harm her. There seems to be a true love triangle between these three characters. Leslie loves both Irial and Niall, but Irial is a Gancanagh now and any touch he imposes on Leslie would create an addiction she vehemently opposes, so Irial makes a sacrifice for the two people he'd give his existence for.
Great addition to the Ink Exchange story line. I didn’t realize how much I like Irial and Niall. I can’t wait to see what comes of those two because there are emotions that run pretty deep and I don’t mean just where Leslie is concerned. Very interesting!
September 17, 2010
This (parts one and two together) was 35 pages long. Luckly, I knew this going in, or I would have been very angry.
This is a short story published only in e-book form(originally released in two parts)that fleshes out what happens to Leslie after the end of Ink Exchange.
As you'll recall, if you've read my bi-polar review of Ink Exchange, I felt very connected to these characters, then felt completely dropped like a bad habit at the end of the story. Just when we were getting ready to dive into Leaslie's issues, we (the readers) were unceremoniously abandoned. STOPPING TIME helped bridge that gap alittle, but with mixed results.
The plot was fast and thin (that's the only way to describe it), the character development almost non-existant. But then, the reader already knew all these characters, so there was little need for high-arcing, detailed development.
The short of it: I wanted more. I wanted to know more about the characters' motivation. I wanted to know more about the inner workings of their mind. I wanted to know more about what the hell Ren had been doing. I wanted the whole thing to be more gritty, more real and more sticky. Let's face it, Leaslie does not live in a happy place. She does not have a happy life. She knows it, Irial and Niall know it and the reader knows it. Let's feel more of that greasy film of ick, please!
So why, you ask, did I give it three stars? For the life of me, and despite myself, I cannot get enough of Irial and Niall. And this story, for it's lack of grit and realism in relation to Leslie's story, DID give us a much clearer glimpse into Irial and Niall's relationship. Delicious. I feel like I understand their characters and motivations better now. And I like that.
This is a short story published only in e-book form(originally released in two parts)that fleshes out what happens to Leslie after the end of Ink Exchange.
As you'll recall, if you've read my bi-polar review of Ink Exchange, I felt very connected to these characters, then felt completely dropped like a bad habit at the end of the story. Just when we were getting ready to dive into Leaslie's issues, we (the readers) were unceremoniously abandoned. STOPPING TIME helped bridge that gap alittle, but with mixed results.
The plot was fast and thin (that's the only way to describe it), the character development almost non-existant. But then, the reader already knew all these characters, so there was little need for high-arcing, detailed development.
The short of it: I wanted more. I wanted to know more about the characters' motivation. I wanted to know more about the inner workings of their mind. I wanted to know more about what the hell Ren had been doing. I wanted the whole thing to be more gritty, more real and more sticky. Let's face it, Leaslie does not live in a happy place. She does not have a happy life. She knows it, Irial and Niall know it and the reader knows it. Let's feel more of that greasy film of ick, please!
So why, you ask, did I give it three stars? For the life of me, and despite myself, I cannot get enough of Irial and Niall. And this story, for it's lack of grit and realism in relation to Leslie's story, DID give us a much clearer glimpse into Irial and Niall's relationship. Delicious. I feel like I understand their characters and motivations better now. And I like that.
April 1, 2010
Okay. I want you to prepare yourself for a bit of a déluge in the way of me describing to you just how ecstatically in love I am with this short story. Yes, you heard me right. Short story. What's that you say? You thought I already covered my love for Irial and Niall in my review of Radiant Shadows? Well, I thought so too. But then I stumbled across a little thing called "Stopping Time" and it became clear that this kind of love cannot be "covered" in a single review. Consider this fair warning. I've never actually reviewed a short story here before. So here goes. This review will include a few unavoidable spoilers for Ink Exchange and Fragile Eternity if you haven't read them yet, but none at all for Radiant Shadows. So if you're up-to-date on the series, you're good to go as "Stopping Time" takes place in between Fragile Eternity and Radiant Shadows and is the absolutely perfect read right now if you're anxiously awaiting the fourth book's release. And I really recommend that you do read it. Having already read Radiant Shadows, I can testify that it would be extremely beneficial (read: so much more awesome) if you'd read this short story first.
It's been months since Leslie walked away from the allure and abuses of the Dark Court and the two loves of her life and went the equivalent of solitary fae. Going to college, seeing a therapist, and trying to make new friends, it hasn't been anything resembling easy. But it was the right decision. And Leslie knows that. She just wishes her heart would remember. That it didn't race every week when Irial sits across the street from her study group and watches her, silently letting her know he's there. That he loves her. He will keep her safe. Depending on the day, the hour, the slant of light passing through her empty apartment, Leslie wishes just once she could break one of the two defining rules that form the shape of her life now. No talking to Irial. No seeing Niall. With the former and the current Dark Kings, the guidelines "look but don't touch" and "listen but don't look" may be exquisitely hard to follow, but they go a long way toward keeping Leslie the kind of safe and independent she relies on these days. Meanwhile, Irial and Niall circle each other warily, quietly dancing around their loss of Leslie and the impossible chasm that is forgiveness and reconciliation. The three of them push on every day until an outside force alters their routine abruptly and it becomes clear someone who knows the intimate details of Leslie's past is intent on using her (and those who love her) for their own purposes. And Leslie realizes she may be forced to break one of her rules in order to protect herself and the two men she loves.
I could not believe how brilliant this story was. I mean literally just the other day I was finishing Radiant Shadows, half-lost in love with Irial and Niall, and wondering desperately why I was spending all this time with Ani and Devlin when all I really wanted was to cozy up and watch the absolutely riveting drama that is the two Dark Kings. Just ask DH. I turned to him multiple times and said, "These characters are freaking awesome. I need a book of just them. And I need it now." It was like the literary gods were listening to me, smiling knowingly. Because the next day I find out that not only has Melissa Marr written a story featuring my three favorite characters, but it's free. And available for immediate download. DH took one look at my face, laughed, and then wisely left me alone to soak it up. And that is exactly what I did. There are so many beautiful scenes in this story. So much concentrated awesome packed into such a small package. This is exactly what I wanted. And Irial, Niall, and Leslie were exactly themselves in all their heartbreaking loyalty, love, pain, and longing. And honestly I couldn't have asked for anything more. And I haven't been precisely right since. For instance, I may have spent an inordinate amount of time haunting The Rath forum thread dedicated to discussing "Stopping Time." I may have read my favorite bits over and over late at night. (The café scene. *dies*) And I may have listened to Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" on repeat after Ms. Marr mentioned it makes her think of Niall. And, okay, I may have a problem. But the first step is admitting it, right? My name is Angie. I have an obsession with a couple of fictional characters. It's not the first time. But I absolutely cannot wait for Darkest Mercy--the final installment in the Wicked Lovely series--to find out what happens to my beloved boys. I, for one, am hoping happiness is in the cards if they're strong enough to choose it. In the meantime, I simply cannot recommend "Stopping Time" highly enough. I am all kinds of in love with it and it has won an instant spot on my Best of 2010 list--a first for a short story. So. What are you waiting for? Go! Soak it up! And don't worry about me. I'll just be over here reading the café scene again...
It's been months since Leslie walked away from the allure and abuses of the Dark Court and the two loves of her life and went the equivalent of solitary fae. Going to college, seeing a therapist, and trying to make new friends, it hasn't been anything resembling easy. But it was the right decision. And Leslie knows that. She just wishes her heart would remember. That it didn't race every week when Irial sits across the street from her study group and watches her, silently letting her know he's there. That he loves her. He will keep her safe. Depending on the day, the hour, the slant of light passing through her empty apartment, Leslie wishes just once she could break one of the two defining rules that form the shape of her life now. No talking to Irial. No seeing Niall. With the former and the current Dark Kings, the guidelines "look but don't touch" and "listen but don't look" may be exquisitely hard to follow, but they go a long way toward keeping Leslie the kind of safe and independent she relies on these days. Meanwhile, Irial and Niall circle each other warily, quietly dancing around their loss of Leslie and the impossible chasm that is forgiveness and reconciliation. The three of them push on every day until an outside force alters their routine abruptly and it becomes clear someone who knows the intimate details of Leslie's past is intent on using her (and those who love her) for their own purposes. And Leslie realizes she may be forced to break one of her rules in order to protect herself and the two men she loves.
I could not believe how brilliant this story was. I mean literally just the other day I was finishing Radiant Shadows, half-lost in love with Irial and Niall, and wondering desperately why I was spending all this time with Ani and Devlin when all I really wanted was to cozy up and watch the absolutely riveting drama that is the two Dark Kings. Just ask DH. I turned to him multiple times and said, "These characters are freaking awesome. I need a book of just them. And I need it now." It was like the literary gods were listening to me, smiling knowingly. Because the next day I find out that not only has Melissa Marr written a story featuring my three favorite characters, but it's free. And available for immediate download. DH took one look at my face, laughed, and then wisely left me alone to soak it up. And that is exactly what I did. There are so many beautiful scenes in this story. So much concentrated awesome packed into such a small package. This is exactly what I wanted. And Irial, Niall, and Leslie were exactly themselves in all their heartbreaking loyalty, love, pain, and longing. And honestly I couldn't have asked for anything more. And I haven't been precisely right since. For instance, I may have spent an inordinate amount of time haunting The Rath forum thread dedicated to discussing "Stopping Time." I may have read my favorite bits over and over late at night. (The café scene. *dies*) And I may have listened to Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" on repeat after Ms. Marr mentioned it makes her think of Niall. And, okay, I may have a problem. But the first step is admitting it, right? My name is Angie. I have an obsession with a couple of fictional characters. It's not the first time. But I absolutely cannot wait for Darkest Mercy--the final installment in the Wicked Lovely series--to find out what happens to my beloved boys. I, for one, am hoping happiness is in the cards if they're strong enough to choose it. In the meantime, I simply cannot recommend "Stopping Time" highly enough. I am all kinds of in love with it and it has won an instant spot on my Best of 2010 list--a first for a short story. So. What are you waiting for? Go! Soak it up! And don't worry about me. I'll just be over here reading the café scene again...
May 26, 2010
Um, Edward Cullen who?
Irial is where my heart belongs!
(Just kidding about the Edward thing. He's still my #1.)
But there is something so deliciously alluring and dangerously enticing about Irial, the former Dark Court ruler.
After I read Ink Exchange, my heart pained for both him and Niall. And heck, Leslie, too. Aislinn is too cookie cutter and boring for me, Leslie had some grit and grim going on. I liked that she was so devastatingly flawed, though the majority of it was not of her own doing. In this short story that Melissa Marr graced us with, Leslie's grit remains. She's going through therapy in an attempt to cope with the tragedies of her past and making progress. She's separated herself from the Dark Court, but cannot forget the torch she holds for both Irial and the new Dark King, Niall. She's designated two rules for herself: Don't speak to Irial, don't see Niall...
...except for every week when she studies at the local coffeeshop and has some serious visual intercourse with Irial.
The same goes for the menacing faeries: they will put their own lives at stake to keep the former Shadow Girl safe.
Her older brother, Ren, made a reappearance, threatening to expose the faeries and to drag Leslie back to the life she was desperately trying to escape. Naturally, Irial and Niall do NOT take kindly to a threat to Leslie.
This short story made my breath hitch several times, which often doesn't happen at all even in 400 page books. My heart has a soft spot for Irial, the one who formerly took pleasure in ruining lives, death, and debauchery. His original purpose for Leslie was just to use her as a pawn in his diabolical treachery. In him still, as in all of us, is the potential for disorder, but the idea that Leslie sparked a kindness in him that has not weakened since her departing is so incredibly heart-melting that I will be reading this over and over.
Even in the first 10 pages, my heart fell into my stomach in a swoon to the 5th power. Irial had been watching over her every day since she chose choice. The wordless scene where Leslie was straining to see which book he was reading and he smiled lifted it up for her to read the title almost made me stop breathing. That small gesture made me want to jump into the pages as Leslie and say "screw it all, Irial, death would be worth being with you!" But of course, that's impossible. So I read on, hoping Leslie would change her mind.
She didn't, of course, but it ended in such a way that was pleasing to me (even though it didn't include her with Irial. Apparently Leslie is much more skilled in practicing discern than I am.)
Then there's the matter of Irial's apparent bisexuality and his longing for Niall. Though I'm not a homophobe, this just isn't a turn-on for me as a straight woman. But Melissa Marr wrote the interaction in the cafe in such a way that their longing for each other made me want to cry.
Not only was there a rawness and love between the two of them, Irial's regret over what Niall endured under his reign was so heartwrenchingly depicted. I wanted to hug both of them and tell them it was going to be okay. Irial is handsdown one of my favorite fictitious characters of all time. I wouldn't mind a series about him alone...hint, hint??
The best scene of the entire story was at the end.. and this is incredibly spoilery, so please don't read on (not that the whole frickin' review hasn't been full of spoil):
Leslie opened the door; then, she looked back at the feary standing inteh shadows watching the two of them. "But it's okay to stop time every so often to be with someone you love."
Niall paused. "You make it sound so easy."
"No." She led him inside. "It's not easy. Letting go in the morning will hurt, but I don't mind hurting a little if it's for something beautiful."
A shadow passed through Niall's eyes.
"He wouldn't ask you to change who you are, anything between you, if you stopped time there either." Leslie started up the stairs, holding on to Niall's hand as she did so. "But not tonight."
"No, not tonight." Niall kissed her until she was breathless.
And then they let time--and worries and fears and the rest of the things that meant they couldn't have forever--stop for the night.
That, my friends, is perfection.
Irial is where my heart belongs!
(Just kidding about the Edward thing. He's still my #1.)
But there is something so deliciously alluring and dangerously enticing about Irial, the former Dark Court ruler.
After I read Ink Exchange, my heart pained for both him and Niall. And heck, Leslie, too. Aislinn is too cookie cutter and boring for me, Leslie had some grit and grim going on. I liked that she was so devastatingly flawed, though the majority of it was not of her own doing. In this short story that Melissa Marr graced us with, Leslie's grit remains. She's going through therapy in an attempt to cope with the tragedies of her past and making progress. She's separated herself from the Dark Court, but cannot forget the torch she holds for both Irial and the new Dark King, Niall. She's designated two rules for herself: Don't speak to Irial, don't see Niall...
...except for every week when she studies at the local coffeeshop and has some serious visual intercourse with Irial.
The same goes for the menacing faeries: they will put their own lives at stake to keep the former Shadow Girl safe.
Her older brother, Ren, made a reappearance, threatening to expose the faeries and to drag Leslie back to the life she was desperately trying to escape. Naturally, Irial and Niall do NOT take kindly to a threat to Leslie.
This short story made my breath hitch several times, which often doesn't happen at all even in 400 page books. My heart has a soft spot for Irial, the one who formerly took pleasure in ruining lives, death, and debauchery. His original purpose for Leslie was just to use her as a pawn in his diabolical treachery. In him still, as in all of us, is the potential for disorder, but the idea that Leslie sparked a kindness in him that has not weakened since her departing is so incredibly heart-melting that I will be reading this over and over.
Even in the first 10 pages, my heart fell into my stomach in a swoon to the 5th power. Irial had been watching over her every day since she chose choice. The wordless scene where Leslie was straining to see which book he was reading and he smiled lifted it up for her to read the title almost made me stop breathing. That small gesture made me want to jump into the pages as Leslie and say "screw it all, Irial, death would be worth being with you!" But of course, that's impossible. So I read on, hoping Leslie would change her mind.
She didn't, of course, but it ended in such a way that was pleasing to me (even though it didn't include her with Irial. Apparently Leslie is much more skilled in practicing discern than I am.)
Then there's the matter of Irial's apparent bisexuality and his longing for Niall. Though I'm not a homophobe, this just isn't a turn-on for me as a straight woman. But Melissa Marr wrote the interaction in the cafe in such a way that their longing for each other made me want to cry.
Not only was there a rawness and love between the two of them, Irial's regret over what Niall endured under his reign was so heartwrenchingly depicted. I wanted to hug both of them and tell them it was going to be okay. Irial is handsdown one of my favorite fictitious characters of all time. I wouldn't mind a series about him alone...hint, hint??
The best scene of the entire story was at the end.. and this is incredibly spoilery, so please don't read on (not that the whole frickin' review hasn't been full of spoil):
Leslie opened the door; then, she looked back at the feary standing inteh shadows watching the two of them. "But it's okay to stop time every so often to be with someone you love."
Niall paused. "You make it sound so easy."
"No." She led him inside. "It's not easy. Letting go in the morning will hurt, but I don't mind hurting a little if it's for something beautiful."
A shadow passed through Niall's eyes.
"He wouldn't ask you to change who you are, anything between you, if you stopped time there either." Leslie started up the stairs, holding on to Niall's hand as she did so. "But not tonight."
"No, not tonight." Niall kissed her until she was breathless.
And then they let time--and worries and fears and the rest of the things that meant they couldn't have forever--stop for the night.
That, my friends, is perfection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2010
Leslie has been doing better since she left the world of fairies behind. With no more Irial or Niall, she might be alone, but she is safe. They are of course watching over her, forever bound together in a love triangle that none can escape. While Leslie and Irial had their time together, albeit with her in a drunken haze as she was the conduit for Irial to feed his people, she never got her time with Niall. While it's impossible that her and Niall could ever be together, could they perhaps stop time and get just one night?
I really loved where Ink Exchange left off, with Leslie reclaiming her life. This just seemed to be two steps back for her. The fact that they will never really be apart and that their lives are a convoluted mess, a quagmire that she was stepping out and distancing herself from as best she could made great sense. To go back and temporarily revel in that mire seemed part wish fulfillment , part falling back into bad habits. Sometimes you should not go back into stories, sometimes the ending you wrote is right. Also sometimes you get too much information between Niall and Irial and this makes it even more of a love triangle. I liked the vague. I didn't so much like this.
But, if you want to check it out, and if you're a fan of the series who wouldn't, it's wonderfully free for Kindle on Amazon, likewise it's included in the extras of the paperback release of Fragile Eternity.
I really loved where Ink Exchange left off, with Leslie reclaiming her life. This just seemed to be two steps back for her. The fact that they will never really be apart and that their lives are a convoluted mess, a quagmire that she was stepping out and distancing herself from as best she could made great sense. To go back and temporarily revel in that mire seemed part wish fulfillment , part falling back into bad habits. Sometimes you should not go back into stories, sometimes the ending you wrote is right. Also sometimes you get too much information between Niall and Irial and this makes it even more of a love triangle. I liked the vague. I didn't so much like this.
But, if you want to check it out, and if you're a fan of the series who wouldn't, it's wonderfully free for Kindle on Amazon, likewise it's included in the extras of the paperback release of Fragile Eternity.
May 7, 2010
My understanding is that "Stopping Time" takes place between Fragile Eternity and Radiant Shadows. Part 1 of the story is mostly from Leslie's point of view (who we were introduced to in Ink Exchange). She is back to her normal life as a college student, but she still can't stop thinking about both Niall and Irial. And she knows she can't be with either of them, but that doesn't stop her from loving them both and wishing for things to be different. I normally don't go for love triangles, but this is really a triangle. Leslie loves both Niall and Irial. Niall loves Leslie and Irial. Irial loves Leslie and Niall. It's angsty for sure, but Marr's writing keeps me reading, even if things like this normally aren't my thing.
March 28, 2010
A short story only 20 pages, but enough of an opening especially with Part 2 as well to make me want to read the entire Wicked Lovely series
October 8, 2017
It was free. It was short. I must have been going through a phase, but it was clearly a juvenile book.
March 4, 2024
I don’t like Leslie as much as other characters, but I am intrigued by this world. If this was pure fantasy without the romance bit I think I would be really into this series.
February 13, 2011
Why did I read this:
So I read this immediately after I read Ink Exchange. I was so thoroughly engrossed in the characters, that and I simply had to know what happened. This is only a short story, but it’s a tale that needed telling and ties up a few loose ends.
Reaction/Review:
Irial had given his court to Nial, both out of love for Nial and Leslie, and because that love also made him a weaker King. Leslie is in college and pushing through on her own. It is hard, but it is her own choice. She misses both Nial and Irial immensly. Possibly Irial more because of what they shared.
Her brother comes back to use her as bait to get his hands on a fey to pay off some debt he has to some dealer. Her brother, the one who had sacrificed her before to pay off a drug debt. The one person with a death warrant on his head from the Dark Fey court.
Leslie couldn’t make the decision before to get rid of him, as he was family, despite the evil he inflicted on her. However, after threatening her life, and she just barely escaping him, he is finished off by Nial. Except Irial asks to take the blame for it before Nial can go to Leslie. Irial once again does this for love of them both.
There was hope to this story. Irial left for love. And that makes me completely respect him. In this short story I felt even more connected to Leslie. She understands the darkness and doesn’t begrudge either Nial or Irial it, but she knows what she would become in that court and that she would not be able to survive it. They would love her no matter what, accept whatever she became. But that is not the person who she wants to be.
Final Thoughts:
This girl has courage, and a strong fortitude. While I felt this a rather rushed installment with perhaps a bit of info dump, it really does help to tie up some of the loose threads and cement the decisions made at the end of Ink Exchange. A good companion piece to read at the end of the novel, I would think.
Rating: 8/10
So I read this immediately after I read Ink Exchange. I was so thoroughly engrossed in the characters, that and I simply had to know what happened. This is only a short story, but it’s a tale that needed telling and ties up a few loose ends.
Reaction/Review:
Irial had given his court to Nial, both out of love for Nial and Leslie, and because that love also made him a weaker King. Leslie is in college and pushing through on her own. It is hard, but it is her own choice. She misses both Nial and Irial immensly. Possibly Irial more because of what they shared.
Her brother comes back to use her as bait to get his hands on a fey to pay off some debt he has to some dealer. Her brother, the one who had sacrificed her before to pay off a drug debt. The one person with a death warrant on his head from the Dark Fey court.
Leslie couldn’t make the decision before to get rid of him, as he was family, despite the evil he inflicted on her. However, after threatening her life, and she just barely escaping him, he is finished off by Nial. Except Irial asks to take the blame for it before Nial can go to Leslie. Irial once again does this for love of them both.
There was hope to this story. Irial left for love. And that makes me completely respect him. In this short story I felt even more connected to Leslie. She understands the darkness and doesn’t begrudge either Nial or Irial it, but she knows what she would become in that court and that she would not be able to survive it. They would love her no matter what, accept whatever she became. But that is not the person who she wants to be.
Final Thoughts:
This girl has courage, and a strong fortitude. While I felt this a rather rushed installment with perhaps a bit of info dump, it really does help to tie up some of the loose threads and cement the decisions made at the end of Ink Exchange. A good companion piece to read at the end of the novel, I would think.
Rating: 8/10
March 17, 2010
I loved the glimpse back into Leslie, Niall and Irial's lives. I admit that I was a bit sad that there was no HEA at the end of Ink Exchange, so it was really nice to see what's happened to Leslie and to see her continued struggle to stay away from the two men who changed her life. Reading it has reminded how much I love Marr's world and has me quite keen to reread the first three books in the series. Until I have time for that though, I'll look forward to the continuation of this story in Stopping Time, Part 2 next week, and the upcoming release of Radiant Shadows (Wicked Lovely, #4)
March 22, 2010
It was wonderful to fall back into Marr's world of fairy. There is something so ethereal and delicate about her writing. This is a short story that takes place sometime after Leslie leaves Irial, Niall, and the dark court to strike out on her own. And while she's doing just that she's never really alone. Irial and others from the Dark Court watch over her. She meets Irial in a coffee shop every week, and while they don't speak, they have come to expect it from each other.
Again, Marr has a way with words like no other author I have encountered. I can't help but be enchanted by her writing and by Leslie's struggle to be free, but still love her Dark Kings.
Can't wait for Radiant Shadows.
Again, Marr has a way with words like no other author I have encountered. I can't help but be enchanted by her writing and by Leslie's struggle to be free, but still love her Dark Kings.
Can't wait for Radiant Shadows.
April 24, 2010
If you were interested in reading more about the love triangle between Leslie, Irial and Niall, or you just wanted to know whatever happened to Leslie’s brother Ren, read this short story.
It picks up where Ink Exchange ends: Leslie has moved on with her life, in a new town, with new friends–yet she can’t entirely escape her past, nor can she forget her feelings for Irial and Niall. They too can’t forget her or let her go completely….
Great chemistry among the characters… was a quick read, yet satisfying.
My only scruple with the story is Michael's immediate acceptance of Irial's identity as a faery. But I suppose love makes us capable of anything, even if it's accepting something out of the ordinary.
It picks up where Ink Exchange ends: Leslie has moved on with her life, in a new town, with new friends–yet she can’t entirely escape her past, nor can she forget her feelings for Irial and Niall. They too can’t forget her or let her go completely….
Great chemistry among the characters… was a quick read, yet satisfying.
My only scruple with the story is Michael's immediate acceptance of Irial's identity as a faery. But I suppose love makes us capable of anything, even if it's accepting something out of the ordinary.
January 2, 2022
Wow, for such a short story (and only the first half of the action) I'm really impressed. I have no background on the book that came before this story but the characters instantly came to life and the world of the fae and Leslie's relation to the Dark Court came through quickly and without info-dump. In just a few pages we met 5 or 6 characters who all came to life, felt real, and had a strong sense of identity. Tensions were a web among the characters and by the time the immediate plot began we could feel how those threads would reverberate with the action.
I'm moving on to part 2 now and I think I may add Melissa Marr's longer works to my Want To Read list. She's got talent.
I'm moving on to part 2 now and I think I may add Melissa Marr's longer works to my Want To Read list. She's got talent.
April 14, 2015
Stopping Time
is a novella about Leslie, Irial and Niall. Since Ink Exchange was my favorite book in this series so far, I really enjoyed this short story. These three characters are my favorite. I wish the story would've included a bit more about Irial and Niall, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
[Format Read: Adobe Digital Edition]
[Format Read: Adobe Digital Edition]
April 20, 2010
Wow. I can't believe I did like this short story.
Leslie had moved on with her life. But she couldn't forget the two men in her life: Irial & Niall. She met Irial once a week in a coffee shop but all she could do was gazing at him and so did he. She wanted to talk to him etc, but no, she couldn't. No more Irial. No more Niall. No more feys. She wanted to live a normal life.
This novella is awesome!
Leslie had moved on with her life. But she couldn't forget the two men in her life: Irial & Niall. She met Irial once a week in a coffee shop but all she could do was gazing at him and so did he. She wanted to talk to him etc, but no, she couldn't. No more Irial. No more Niall. No more feys. She wanted to live a normal life.
This novella is awesome!
May 18, 2010
**Kindle Read**
I kinda devoured this half and most of Part 2 before I even MOVED from where I was sitting.
There just wasn't enough Leslie/Irial, Irial/Niall, or Niall/Leslie by the end of Ink Exchange to satisfy me. haha.
It's just a short story (in two parts), so it still isn't enough of any of the aboveespecially Irial, but then I doubt there would ever be enough. haha.
If you enjoyed the rest of Marr's Wicked Lovely series, be sure to check this out.
I kinda devoured this half and most of Part 2 before I even MOVED from where I was sitting.
There just wasn't enough Leslie/Irial, Irial/Niall, or Niall/Leslie by the end of Ink Exchange to satisfy me. haha.
It's just a short story (in two parts), so it still isn't enough of any of the above
If you enjoyed the rest of Marr's Wicked Lovely series, be sure to check this out.
July 28, 2011
This was a little short story at the end of Fragile Eternity about Aislynn's bff, Leslie. Leslie misses Niall and Irial, but feels it is best for herself to keep her distance.
In this little short story, Marr explains to her readers the love in which Leslie, Niall and Irial endure for eachother. It was truly captivating. There was a moment shared between Niall and Irial that made me like Irial just a little bit more. I was glad to see the empathetic side of Irial.
In this little short story, Marr explains to her readers the love in which Leslie, Niall and Irial endure for eachother. It was truly captivating. There was a moment shared between Niall and Irial that made me like Irial just a little bit more. I was glad to see the empathetic side of Irial.
March 26, 2010
Well this was a cool treat from this author. This was a free ebook download she just put out there this week. I love it. The characters of Book 2 of her series, Ink Exchange were my favorite,Leslie, Irial and Nial. This is the continuation of their story. I am psyched about it. But ugh, I hate that it was so short. Part 2 next week. I'll be there!
May 1, 2010
Downloaded free e-book, actually a short story.
Story is short and sweet and gives some insight into the characters of Leslie, Niall, and Irial.
Looking forward to reading
.
Story is short and sweet and gives some insight into the characters of Leslie, Niall, and Irial.
Looking forward to reading
.
April 9, 2010
I was upset when It ended so fast but then realized I had part 2 and quickly began reading it! I loved part 1 and have not finished part 2 but I am sure I will. They are a short read and right to the point. I love anything by Melissa Marr and in her Wicked Lovely series I loved Leslie and Niall! :-)
April 19, 2010
This is an ebook. If you want to read it just go to Amazon and download their free beta of Kindle for PC. Both parts of Stopping Time and Wicked Lovely with bonus reads are on there for free. I loved catching up on what happened to Leslie, but do not read unless you have read at least up to Ink Exchange, otherwise you will be totally lost. :)
June 30, 2010
It's been awhile since I've read "Ink Exchange" so I was a little fuzzy on the characters. I remember not liking Leslie very much and thought she was weak and a little lame about her ideals with tattoos. But I like this story so far. Leslie is still pretty weak though but all things considering (from what I remember) I guess she has the right to be a little broken.
April 15, 2010
Hehe! I am so excited! I got this for free off the internet and it is my first eBook, even though I don't have my own Kindle or whatever you call those thingies. Hehehehehe!
Ooh, by the way, I thought I'd mention my incredible love for Angie and her blog (Angieville), because without her, I would have no idea these books even existed. Love you, Angie!
Ooh, by the way, I thought I'd mention my incredible love for Angie and her blog (Angieville), because without her, I would have no idea these books even existed. Love you, Angie!
December 31, 2011
Really liked reading this straight after reading Ink Exchange.
Loved knowing that Leslie was getting on with her life and that the Niall and Irial were still protecting her even though she had asked them to stay away.
Not sure whether Michael just loves her and is being overprotective or if there is something else happening there.
Loved knowing that Leslie was getting on with her life and that the Niall and Irial were still protecting her even though she had asked them to stay away.
Not sure whether Michael just loves her and is being overprotective or if there is something else happening there.
May 12, 2011
This was so good! So much better than I thought it would be! I was so excited to read more of Leslie and Niall! This story really had me wondering about who would know! I was completely suprised! Definitely the best short story I have ever read, It caught me from the first word and made me stay 'til the last!!
December 27, 2011
I don't remember much about Leslie and her story with the Dark Court because when I read it, it wasn't as fascinating as I thought it would be. The idea with the tattoos was so promising, but it just didn't break through.
This novella was a good reminder of the potential it had and it also piqued my curiosity. Maybe I will pick it up and read it again...
This novella was a good reminder of the potential it had and it also piqued my curiosity. Maybe I will pick it up and read it again...
March 23, 2010
This was a great short story. I always wanted more from Ink Exchange's characters and story line. I cannot wait until the second part comes available today. So nice of Melissa Marr to offer up the E-version for free!
March 30, 2010
i never really liked leslie and i like her less in this book i don't know i get that she's human and the men she loves are fairies but that is no excuse to treat them the way she does if i was either of them i'd forget about her
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews