Title: Radiant Shadows
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2010

Ani is one of my favourite secondary characters throughout the whole Wicked Lovely series. I mean, she’s a fire cracker, and a really fun character. Plus, as the stories unfold, you realise that she has a whole lot more power than previously understood. Then there’s Devin, he’s a bit more of a mystery, but also a character that I very much liked. I always felt kind of bad for him as to his treatment by his sisters. Which meant that reading their story and how they are both able to reshape a lot of the world of the fae was really enjoyable. They might both flirt with the grey lines of morality, but that’s honestly how I generally love my characters. And it was certainly how I loved both Ani and Devin – guided by morality that might not quite hold up in a human court.

As with every story in the Wicked Lovely world, this novel bought to light more and more layers of the different courts and politics that run rampant. I love that for every book I read, Marr is able to layer in more details and intrigues. The Higher Court was one that I really wanted to know a whole lot more about, and just how Scorcha’s decisions in Fragile Eternity are going to impact the rest of the world. The changes that can be felt at the very beginning of this story with Aislinn in Wicked Lovely seem to be gaining traction as well. Both of which to combine to make Radiant Shadows feel like a book that is perched on the precipice of change. Change that I am seriously keen to learn more about!

Not only did Radiant Shadows highlight some of the consequences of the actions in the past stories, but it also foreshadows the potential for future conflicts. It’s a great way to build up to the finale of this series. And it meant, that, although this story finishes out nicely without any cliffhangers, it did finish with that lingering sense of the unfinished. Plus, there is now a huge separation between the real world and Fae – again, something that I can’t wait to see how it translates throughout the rest of this series. Radiant Shadows is all about changing the playing board and making way for Bananch to finally be removed from everyone’s displeasure. At least, that’s how it felt to me.

There were a few hints to some of the actions that occurred throughout this story in Cotton Candy Skies. Because, as usual, I did read things slightly out of order. Yet, even with some of those hints, this was a very intense and enjoyable journey. One that still surprised me. And, honestly, the reveals that I read about in Cotton Candy Skies, they just meant that some of the more horrible moments had their edges a little dulled. Probably something that I needed, because there were points in this which made me want to cry, just a little.

There is so much darkness in this, but what do you expect from a book that is called Radiant Shadows? Yet, Ani’s strength and determination provide points of light and joy throughout. I love that this story deals so heavily with the Dark Court and the more negative emotions that people experience – grief, horror, and confusion. Even through this all, Ani is able to be amazing and shine a light, even in the darkest moments. Probably why I just like her so much as a character. And this story so much – she gets her place in the world and happily ever after.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Love Hurts
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely #5.1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel, Short story
Year: 2019

After the revelations in Cold Iron Heart, I did kind of need to know what was going to happen next. I mean, there was a lot of important things in the past that were revealed. And it changed a whole lot of my thoughts on the series as a whole. This short story pretty much helped to put a lot of those realisations and revelations to rest. Thank goodness. Like I said, I really needed it.

Irial, Niall and Leslie together, although not quite the outcome I expected, works really well. I’m not normally into a triad of lovers, and it is definitely not traditional, but somehow these three make it really sweet. Still not what I’d like, but I do love them as a “couple”. The fact that both Leslie and Niall are able to help Irial get through the revelations in this just helped to cement them as a great couple in my mind.

I got a taste of it in Cold Iron Heart that Irial loves completely and truly. This helped to drive home just how much he cares and loves. How he will literally destroy the world for his love. But, also how this is a weakness and how easily he can be hurt by this. I really hope that that love is rewarded after the closing of this short story, his tale throughout this was a little bit tragic if I’m being honest.

Love Hurts is a pretty true title, but it is also a great and engaging short story. It almost operates as an epilogue for Cold Iron Heart, and opens the Wicked Lovely world up to so much more turmoil in the future…

Image source: Amazon

Title: Cold Iron Heart
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

I have two of the main books left in the Wicked Lovely series, but I decided that I wanted to read this ‘prequel’ just for a bit of a change of pace. And it was pretty damn good. Set a few generations before the activities in Wicked Lovely, this was a pretty great and intense book. I’d actually thought that it would give a bit more insight into the Niall and Irial relationship, but instead, there were numerous connections to Aislynn and the Summer King’s curse. A whole heap of surprises that I honestly wasn’t expecting. And ones that I, of course, loved.

Thelma is such a brilliant lead. She’s driven to find her own life and happily ever after, in a time and city that really isn’t ready to permit her to have that. In fact, her need to prove herself and drive herself to find a better reality is something that made me fall in love with her immediately. That, and when she discovers that her future is at a crossroads, she chooses what will make her happy and completely goes against convention. It kind of makes me sad that she only gets this one book and one story.

Irial has been a bit of a different character to feel connected to throughout this series. On the one hand, he is incredibly loving and caring. And you really like him. But, as with all morally grey characters, he has a whole side that is seriously dark. Plus, the selfishness with which he acts is sometimes a little difficult to stomach. There was still a lot of that unsurety (for me) throughout this story. But, understanding how strongly he loves helped to break through some of that barrier. I wonder how I’ll view him in the next Wicked Lovely books that I read…

A great story set in 1800s New Orleans – probably one of the only American places that sounds even remotely interesting to visit to me… it’s got this great feeling of history and power, with all of the modern trappings of independence and free will. I absolutely adored this story, and not only did it help to set up the rest of the series really well, it’s given me a whole heap of other hints and clues I’ll love looking for in the next reread.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Fragile Eternity
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2009

From their beginning in Wicked Lovely, Seth and Aislinn’s relationship is kind of always on tenterhooks. I mean, why wouldn’t it be? She’s tied to two worlds and two very different men. So, even when Wicked Lovely ended on such a positive note, I did wonder how Seth would be able to negotiate these new relationships. And how they would cope. This novel begins to answer all of these questions. There are still quite a few unanswered ones, but that will hopefully be answered later in the series.

I love that although they are constantly challenged, both Seth and Aislinn will do anything for each other. And most of the issues stem from Aislinn’s inability to see how she is being manipulated. Her weird blinders for Keenan’s behaviour are actually really frustrating, she is powerful, but so damn naïve about so many things. Contrastingly, she is constantly suspicious of Niall and Donia, who would actually make better allies than Keenan throughout this. Niall and Donia’s alliance is also something that I can’t wait to see unfold a little more…

Keenan is sort of the bad guy throughout this story, without being specifically evil. I mean, his selfish manipulations are actually kind of evil in and of themselves. But, he’s honestly just being selfish, not actually actively trying to be a horrible being. I did love that he actually realises how damn stupid and horrible he’s been at the end. And finally acknowledge all of the mistakes that he’s made. But, ultimately, that doesn’t happen until the very end of Fragile Eternity. And now I really want to see just how his decisions work out in the end. And what Aislinn chooses when she finally realises just how manipulative Keenan has been.

Lastly, Fragile Eternity introduces the High Court. We’ve spent time with Winter, Summer and Dark so far in this series. But now for the High Court, what I would normally picture when thinking of the fae. It also shows how problematic Banach is becoming or is about to become. It’s a reminder that all of the fae world is about balance, the balance is beginning to shift and I think that there are some really great and epic battles on the horizon.

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Ink Exchange
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2008

This is probably one of the most dark (in a psychological way) stories that I’ve read in a long time. I mean, it is incredibly dark and twisted. And features the Dark Fae Court, so you kind of expect that. Yet, it is the darkness that the humans bring into the storyline that really had me feeling uncomfortable. It’s one thing for a fantasy creature who is created to be part of the “dark court” to be… well, dark. But, it’s another to realise that that darkest and most evil characters are those who are human and have no real excuse.

Leslie’s background and her journey throughout this story is seriously heart breaking. I mean, it was hard to read when I read this as a young adult and didn’t quite get how dark things could truly be for some people. Reading this as an adult? I can’t believe that this is a young adult book! Yet, Marr does a fantastic job of not only talking about rape and abuse. But there is also beautiful, powerful and potent symbolism about the recovery from, well, any kind of assault. Again, the darkness and the emotions in this are just… phenomenal. And unforgettable. And kind of painful to read about.

Although I kind of liked Irial, I also kind of hated him. In the end, Leslie goes from one bad situation of control to another. He might do it with the noblest intentions for his people. And he might even do his best to keep Leslie happy and assuage his guilt. But, ultimately it is a very toxic love and one that definitely isn’t one that I enjoyed reading about. This story also made me like Keenan a whole lot less as well. I mean, the fae aren’t in any way, shape or form painted as good and kind creatures. But these two monarchs are absolutely cruel in their actions. Cruel in a way that hurt my heart more than a little.

Irial might kind of be the leading man in this story, but he’s definitely not the one I want the happily ever after for. He is, as I said before, problematic. Not quite evil and not someone that you hate. In fact, I do want him to be happy. But it’s Leslie and Niall that I thought were a fantastic couple throughout this storyline. The couple that I’m hoping will end up together in the future as the rest of the Wicked Lovely stories unfold.

Image source: HarperCollins Australia