Stopping Time and Old Habits

Wicked Lovely #2.5, 2.6

by Melissa Marr

With "Old Habits," Melissa Marr returns to the ravishing world of Faerie with a story set between her bestselling novels Ink Exchang e and Fragile Eternity . Recently anointed king of the Dark Court, Niall struggles to forge a new relationship with his subjects—and with the former Dark King, Irial, his once-friend, once-enemy, and now possible-advisor. "Stopping Time" is an exciting e-story original sequel to the bestselling 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….

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fairies, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Short Stories

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2011

About the author

Melissa 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.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can i just say that Irial is among my fave characters in WL series (besides Devlin and Keenan)?

There's really not much in here though, just answers on unaswered questions in Ink Exchange. mostly Stopping Time revolved on Leslie-Iri-Niall love triangle (dunno if it is fit to call them that since they all love each other). Then Marr delved on Iri-Niall's complicated relationship in Old Habits.

what i love about Irial: he knows what he wants (and he goes after it), he knows what he is (and isn't afraid to show it), and he loves unconditionally :) be it to Leslie or Niall, it is apparent that his love knows no bounds. and i love that the most about him!

the only problem i have is Marr's continuous insinuations on what kind of relationship Iri and Niall have. so they love each other sexually, romantically. so what? faeries are known to not have any sexual preference right (just like vamps in Sookie Stackhouse series)? it's not wrong. it just is. i'm so frustrated with Marr, i wanted to shout, "just say it! just tell me they love each that way!" gosh, if she's worried YA audience will get the wrong idea about it, well, let them! it is still the reader who will be the judge of that. it's pretty disappointing, because the fact that she keeps on implying Iri and Niall are more than friends yet doesn't say it aloud makes their relationship look like somehow... wrong. and i don't think it's wrong at all.

oh well. bits of the story in Old Habits intrigued me. Irial consorting with an unlikely regent. Niall's relationship with a specific summer girl. :) Ha. these made reading this book worthwhile.

[Alyssa De jesus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irial and Niall

I just love these two :) Let me just say they are my favorite pair out of the bunch. Cheers!

[Tammy ~Witching Hour Reads~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

These short stories take place right after Ink Exchange

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stopping Time is a dark and hauntingly beautiful glimpse at what happens shortly after Ink Exchange leaves off. Melissa Marr never fails to disappoint, when it comes to bringing the stories that she tells to life with captivating attention to detail and dark beguiling imagery that has a way of drawing readers in and capturing their attention. It was wonderful to see Irial, Nial, and Leslie together again even if only from a distance in some instances. Stopping Time was so much more than just the title of this novella. It was bigger and more infinite, somehow, the fact that you could possibly stop time as it is and make the world stand still, for just one brief moment and then all goes back to normal the next day. It was...beautiful...in a word. I honestly don't think anyone else could have possibly pulled off the stunning emotion and depth that Marr has done, in this brilliant shining novella. If you enjoy wickedly delicious and dark haunting fantasy, I would definitely recommend the Wicked Lovely series to you. There's just something about it, that has this way of reaching out and pulling you into the world. You will for sure be left in awe!

The insights that Marr gives into the beloved characters, Irial and Nial in Old Habits, is wonderfully rich and delicious to read about. It was intriguing to see them having to deal with the complicated mess of their relationship, their feelings for Leslie and being tasked with having to respect her wishes to live a normal life away from the courts or anything fae, and the power struggle in general between these two, when it comes to the Dark Courts. Melissa Marr weaves a long and intricate past between these two, that gives new introspect into who they are on their own and both together. There is such a brilliant dynamic to the way that she sets up the dark mythical world she creates and the depth that she gives her often complicated and deeply complex characters. It is incredibly too easy to become addicted to this stunning and captivating series, Wicked Lovely. You'll have to read it for yourself, if you'd like to find out what I mean.

[Amanda Rose]

Stopping Time: It was so nice to go back to Leslie. I really, really liked her in Ink Exchange. I liked her strength and spirit, and those are both in play in this story. We also get more of Irial and Niall, so it was three of my four favorites all in one place. We see Leslie's emotions and relations to both of the boys, and a wonderful scene between Niall and Irial. Honestly, this was perfect. It wasn't the happily ever after that a fanfiction would have given, but that wouldn't have fit the characters or the situation. Instead, it was a beautiful insight to all of them and what they mean to one another.

Old Habits: This gave us a better look at both the Dark Court and faerie politics in general. The Dark Court is my favorite, so I loved it. Irial is trying to protect Niall and help him transition into his new role by taking care of some of the darker, secret Dark Court business himself, which Niall resents. It delves further into their relationship, as well as their Court's relationship with the High Court. It was interesting and fun, and I loved the way it showed Niall and his Court.

I would be happy with a thousand stories like these, just little fragments of my favorites living their lives and navigating their relationships with each other.

[Nomad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was GOOD. Irial/Nial/Leslie are one of my favorite polyamorous trios in fiction and both of these short stories give you glimpses of their lives inbetween books. They also let you know that Irial and Nial have been having contact with Leslie, regardless of their protests to the contrary. It's not a lot of contact, but it's enough to whet the whistle for more.

These stories are moments in time and as that they are superb. However, they are just that and so without knowledge of the Wicked Lovely series/world, they don't really work. Also, they were released only as e-books, which is unfortunate for those people who do not have e-readers. I had to wait until I got a Nook for Hanukkah to read these. Ultimately though, I felt it well worth the wait.

What can I say? This trio never fails to entertain and engage the reader. Like a nice chocolate nugget between books. If you can get your hands on them, do so and enjoy the read. Well worth it!

Lack of 5 stars due to lack of print availabilty. Sorry, but that is a sticking point for me. Marr is a writer who can get what she wants out in print and these were never even anthologized.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stopping Time

I really enjoyed this short story because I liked reading more about Leslie and her realtionship with Irial and Niall. I liked reading about her trying to move on with her life while still keeping contact with the two fairie she loves. We also saw a soft side to Iri and his love for both Leslie and Niall, which I liked. Overall, another great story by Melissa Marr.

Old Habits

While I didn't like this as much as I did Stopping Time, tis was still a good story with Niall trying to adjust to being the new Dark King, and Irial trying to adjust to not being in control of everything. Overall, nice story with two of my favorite guys that I'd still like to read more about.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these little peaks into the lives of Irial and Niall. They give a little more depth to the story line of Ink Exchange and the following novels of the Wicked Lovely Series. It was fun to see the dynamics between Irial, Niall and Leslie and their bizarre, but clever and intriguing, love triangle. I only wish I had more to read!

[Brianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed stopping time much more than old habits, but they were both decent. The strange love-triangle becomes a little more explained... even though I sort of felt incomplete after reading this because I wanted to see more... but alas it shall not come. A good read if you like the Wicked Lovely series.

[Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these two short stories.

Niall and Irial have one of the most complex and interesting relationships of the series and I loved delving deeper into it. There was a lot of great character and relationship development which was a wonderful surprise.

I would recommend reading this before Radiant Shadows because a lot of things that happen in that book are foreshadowed here.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stopping time is sweet (if dark, as usual). Old Habits is very adult emotionally. I don't think I'd have gotten much of it as a kid, but kids these days are more sophisticated. Both are fun stories, worth the price for fans of the series.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can also find these stories in Marr's collection of short stories, Faery Tales & Nightmares.

[Alison Smith Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good. It's just been about a year since I've read the Wicked Lovely series and I had trouble placing which book these events took place in. But I love Melissa Mar's writing style and I wish she would have kept the story going for a little longer.

[~Linda~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meissa Marr has made a very happy reader!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading stopping time. I really love these in-between novellas.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this first when it was release on the Rath I think. Stopping Time was also added to my paperback copy of Ink Exchange.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

was okay for being about lesile, irial and niall, but i am not a big fan about them.

[Abby Gray]

so far it is good .

[Viv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stopping Time shows the bittersweet Leslie-Iri-Niall love triangle. I have to say Irial is now my favorite character in the Wicked Lovely Series.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading the in-between stories.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so glad to find this book. It answered so many of the questions that I had during the series, particularly after reading Ink Exchange.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked these storise very intresting.

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved more Niall and Irial stuff

[Kyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5/5 Stars

Just bored the heck out of me.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite faerie books!!!! I love Melissa Marr!!!

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was a great introduction to Devlin, and The High Court, and yeah, loved it!

[Margaret]

Loved it! What a great little accompaniment to the series!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful additions to Ink Exchange. I'm saddened by what Leslie must go through. Still hoping Niall can work it out with her.

[Chrissy Stoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Fills in the gaps after Ink Exchange.

[luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved it. both short stories tell us more about the relationship of leslie, niall and irial and i love all three of them so very much.