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Two Lines
“I am not a monster.”
Or at least that’s what Eavan tells herself. Though Eve knows she is a Glaistig, and that hunger for sex and death – preferably together – runs in her blood, she is determined to keep herself human. She will turn full Glaistig only in the event that she engages in both sex and murder within one month – and so far she’s managed to avoid both.
But staying away from temptation is harder than ever before. A mysterious man – as seductive as he is dangerous -- has been drugging and taking advantage of girls in the local night clubs and Eve’s determined to stop him, even as she’s finding it increasingly difficult to control her warring instincts around him. When her grandmother calls in alluring mortal to watch over Eve, Eve may be pushed beyond her limits.
Can Eve hang onto her mortality when Glaistig instincts run in her blood? Can she keep herself safe and human, both? Two lines are all that stand between who she is and who she wants to be . . . and Eve will need all her self-control not to cross them both.
Or at least that’s what Eavan tells herself. Though Eve knows she is a Glaistig, and that hunger for sex and death – preferably together – runs in her blood, she is determined to keep herself human. She will turn full Glaistig only in the event that she engages in both sex and murder within one month – and so far she’s managed to avoid both.
But staying away from temptation is harder than ever before. A mysterious man – as seductive as he is dangerous -- has been drugging and taking advantage of girls in the local night clubs and Eve’s determined to stop him, even as she’s finding it increasingly difficult to control her warring instincts around him. When her grandmother calls in alluring mortal to watch over Eve, Eve may be pushed beyond her limits.
Can Eve hang onto her mortality when Glaistig instincts run in her blood? Can she keep herself safe and human, both? Two lines are all that stand between who she is and who she wants to be . . . and Eve will need all her self-control not to cross them both.
89 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2011
10 people are currently reading
1089 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Marr
108 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
March 30, 2016
Yet another book where a bisexual character is erased from every review. Eavan is interested in both guys and girls, and I just want to shout that from the rooftops because EAVAN IS BI AND THIS BOOK IS LGBTQIA+ AND STOP WITH BOTH THE LGBTQIA+ ERASURE IN GENERAL, AND ALSO THE BI ERASURE.
I felt like I could have read an entire novel about Eavan, and the storyline of Two Lines. I feel like there could have been so much more to explore, especially in terms of her relationships. The ending was incredibly abrupt, and I felt like I had just gotten settled into the story, and was waiting for a lot of stuff to happen, and then it was just finished.
It was interesting to read about a mythological creature I didn't know much about, and Eavan's struggle between her human/mortal side and her glaistig/immortal side was one of the best aspects of this novella.
trigger warning: murder, forced drug use, sex slavery, domestic abuse, and sexual assault in this novel
I felt like I could have read an entire novel about Eavan, and the storyline of Two Lines. I feel like there could have been so much more to explore, especially in terms of her relationships. The ending was incredibly abrupt, and I felt like I had just gotten settled into the story, and was waiting for a lot of stuff to happen, and then it was just finished.
It was interesting to read about a mythological creature I didn't know much about, and Eavan's struggle between her human/mortal side and her glaistig/immortal side was one of the best aspects of this novella.
trigger warning: murder, forced drug use, sex slavery, domestic abuse, and sexual assault in this novel
June 5, 2025
I am always impressed by Marr’s ability to pack so much into a short story, make me care about a whole new cast of characters, foreshadow without spoilers, and include so many world building details without making it seem like info dump.
I also thought the story examined a lot of interesting questions about consent and sex and identity and family. I love Marr’s portrayal of sexuality as well, adding it in so naturally to every narrative.
"Sex with women is real sex, and we're not crossing that line.”
"Interest doesn't mean consent."
I liked the way that red flags were actually acknowledged, not glossed over.
“There was nothing particularly exceptional about him. Except for the way he provokes me.”
“he was a pretty specimen, wrapped up in Armani and attitude.”
I also like how Marr always adds beautifully crafted lines AND funny lines in her books.
"Eavan hated family meetings with a passion she reserved for...actually, a passion she reserved for family meetings.”
“Secrets were all the more poignant for the fact that they were openly known, but never spoken.”
“It was something between a bawdy house and the results of a Victorian decorator on acid.”
“There was no normal, only degrees of beautiful lies.”
“He's selling mortals. It upsets Evvie, and she's behaving foolishly. He's moving drugs that are causing you complications. If I kill him, she'll be happier; your employer will have resolved a drug flow. I can always use a snack. Where's the downside?"
While I do wish for more closure to the story, it does stand on its own.
Favorite character: Cillian, I think. He was very brave, remarkably understanding given the circumstances, and respected consent in a difficult situation. It shouldn’t be remarkable when a male character actually listens to what a female character wants, but here we are.
If you like this book, I would recommend anything else. This author has written as she has a very distinctive style and I would also recommend Nameless by Lili St. Crow.
I also thought the story examined a lot of interesting questions about consent and sex and identity and family. I love Marr’s portrayal of sexuality as well, adding it in so naturally to every narrative.
"Sex with women is real sex, and we're not crossing that line.”
"Interest doesn't mean consent."
I liked the way that red flags were actually acknowledged, not glossed over.
“There was nothing particularly exceptional about him. Except for the way he provokes me.”
“he was a pretty specimen, wrapped up in Armani and attitude.”
I also like how Marr always adds beautifully crafted lines AND funny lines in her books.
"Eavan hated family meetings with a passion she reserved for...actually, a passion she reserved for family meetings.”
“Secrets were all the more poignant for the fact that they were openly known, but never spoken.”
“It was something between a bawdy house and the results of a Victorian decorator on acid.”
“There was no normal, only degrees of beautiful lies.”
“He's selling mortals. It upsets Evvie, and she's behaving foolishly. He's moving drugs that are causing you complications. If I kill him, she'll be happier; your employer will have resolved a drug flow. I can always use a snack. Where's the downside?"
While I do wish for more closure to the story, it does stand on its own.
Favorite character: Cillian, I think. He was very brave, remarkably understanding given the circumstances, and respected consent in a difficult situation. It shouldn’t be remarkable when a male character actually listens to what a female character wants, but here we are.
If you like this book, I would recommend anything else. This author has written as she has a very distinctive style and I would also recommend Nameless by Lili St. Crow.
September 4, 2019
Wish this had been longer! I don't think I've ever encountered glaistigs in UF before, so definitely points for originality. Eavan and Muriel are both characters I'd have loved to spend more time with (Cillian? Who needs that guy?)... like an entire novel's worth.
May 17, 2015
Really liked the characters of this story, but the end left the relationship completely hanging when I expected some kind of closure.
January 19, 2018
Eavan doesn't want to turn out to be like the other people in her family. Even though she knows she is a Glaistig and they have hunger for sex and death – preferably together – and even through it runs hot in her blood, she is determined to keep herself human but not doing either. but their is a human who is very temping. and he is doping up girls and selling them as sex slaves. Evie is determine to stop him but she is determine to remain human to. and finding it difficult. Then she meets a man she really wants but can she keep she control and not kill during sex.
July 15, 2018
Normally I love Melissa Marr & while I found the characters and premise intriguing I just...didn't like this. There was something in the writing that jarred me and felt rushed & maybe it was just bc it was short but I just ...didn't much like this which is a shame. (Especially since I spent $15 on the ebook. Welp)
Great idea, so much potential but missed the mark for me.
Loved Nyx & Muriel tho, they were great tbh.
Great idea, so much potential but missed the mark for me.
Loved Nyx & Muriel tho, they were great tbh.
December 13, 2019
3
Rápida de leer con un argumento llamativo, un desarrollo centrado en Eavan y su resistencia a transformarse en una criatura cruel. Me gustó como la autora lo sacó adelante en tan pocas páginas y si tuviera una continuación, la leería feliz.
Rápida de leer con un argumento llamativo, un desarrollo centrado en Eavan y su resistencia a transformarse en una criatura cruel. Me gustó como la autora lo sacó adelante en tan pocas páginas y si tuviera una continuación, la leería feliz.
October 8, 2018
I always enjoy Melissa Marr stories.
June 18, 2019
Not my usual thing but not bad.
January 16, 2012
"Two lines are all that stand between who she is and who she wants to be . . . and Eve will need all her self-control not to cross them both"
Two Lines is a novella by Melissa Marr which is set in the Wicked Lovely world.
It doesn't have any of the main characters from the original books series in it (I don't think so anyway, I've only read the first two).
Two Lines follows Eavan, born to a family of Glaistig and trying her hardest not to turn into one herself. There are two things that Eavan must stay away from in order to keep herself from turning, killing someone and having sex. Eavan has kept herself almost human for this long, she isn't going to let herself turn now.
But when her grandmother hires someone as a "bodyguard" for Eavan, she sees right through it for what it really is. Her grandmother has hired someone to tempt her.
Eavan is also chasing after a hottie who has been drugging girls in clubs in order to find out what he is up to and what exactly he is planning to do with these girls.
I really enjoyed this short story. It was a bit darker and more adult that her Wicked Lovely series, and her writing style is memorising, I was sucked right into the story!
I enjoyed the fact that it was a short story, I think if Melissa made it any longer it wouldn't work the same and draw me in as much.
It is a bit faced paced, but again it is only a short story so it kinda needs to be, I can see that.
I would have liked it to maybe be a bit longer, say 10 pages or so just so we can see a bit more about Evan and her family.
Apart from that though it was a really great short story, and it's actually made me want to go back and finish reading the Wicked Lovely series.
Two Lines is a novella by Melissa Marr which is set in the Wicked Lovely world.
It doesn't have any of the main characters from the original books series in it (I don't think so anyway, I've only read the first two).
Two Lines follows Eavan, born to a family of Glaistig and trying her hardest not to turn into one herself. There are two things that Eavan must stay away from in order to keep herself from turning, killing someone and having sex. Eavan has kept herself almost human for this long, she isn't going to let herself turn now.
But when her grandmother hires someone as a "bodyguard" for Eavan, she sees right through it for what it really is. Her grandmother has hired someone to tempt her.
Eavan is also chasing after a hottie who has been drugging girls in clubs in order to find out what he is up to and what exactly he is planning to do with these girls.
I really enjoyed this short story. It was a bit darker and more adult that her Wicked Lovely series, and her writing style is memorising, I was sucked right into the story!
I enjoyed the fact that it was a short story, I think if Melissa made it any longer it wouldn't work the same and draw me in as much.
It is a bit faced paced, but again it is only a short story so it kinda needs to be, I can see that.
I would have liked it to maybe be a bit longer, say 10 pages or so just so we can see a bit more about Evan and her family.
Apart from that though it was a really great short story, and it's actually made me want to go back and finish reading the Wicked Lovely series.
March 8, 2012
A quick read for those fans of Melissa Marr's supernatural books and written for the adult audience rather than the teen like her Wicked series and Graveminder.
Two lines takes us into the world of Eavan aka Eve and her nightly excursions of stalking drug dealer Daniel Brennan. He has a drug that turns girls into Zombies and then he sells them - the girls not the drugs on the black market. He is one of the biggest providers in not only drugs but human trafficking. Eve finds it her job to save these girls and she delivers them to her friend Muriel - whose a Vampire , the girls then have two options depending on their state and how they live their lives whether they live or not as Muriel needs her fix somehow. However, Eve has a secret - she is in fact a glaistag and in order to finish the transition she needs to kill and have sex preferably with the same person but not nessecarily. She has however, used strong self-control to keep her glaistag away and stay human-mortal. This part reminded me of the Lockwood curse on the Vampire Diaries as in order for the Lockwoods to turn into Werewolves they had to kill somebody and only then would the curse come into place otherwise they would remain mortal. Will Eve capture and put Daniel to rest when she discovers the secret ingredient in his drugs ? Will Eve remain mortal or be turned into a glaistag ?
A nice quick read by Melissa Marr.
Two lines takes us into the world of Eavan aka Eve and her nightly excursions of stalking drug dealer Daniel Brennan. He has a drug that turns girls into Zombies and then he sells them - the girls not the drugs on the black market. He is one of the biggest providers in not only drugs but human trafficking. Eve finds it her job to save these girls and she delivers them to her friend Muriel - whose a Vampire , the girls then have two options depending on their state and how they live their lives whether they live or not as Muriel needs her fix somehow. However, Eve has a secret - she is in fact a glaistag and in order to finish the transition she needs to kill and have sex preferably with the same person but not nessecarily. She has however, used strong self-control to keep her glaistag away and stay human-mortal. This part reminded me of the Lockwood curse on the Vampire Diaries as in order for the Lockwoods to turn into Werewolves they had to kill somebody and only then would the curse come into place otherwise they would remain mortal. Will Eve capture and put Daniel to rest when she discovers the secret ingredient in his drugs ? Will Eve remain mortal or be turned into a glaistag ?
A nice quick read by Melissa Marr.
March 23, 2012
I'm not really sure why I read this novella. I had put a hold on it at the library and by the time I took it out I didn't even remember requesting it. If I had to guess at my motivations I would say it was probably something to do with delving into the horror genre, although I'm not really sure this counts as horror. My experience with this novella was a bit of a disappointment. Ultimately, the problem is the fact that this book is a novella. It really shouldn't be. The story is a little too big for the word count. And the ending is really dissatisfying. I honestly feel that the author just couldn't be bothered to take the time to tell this story properly. She just blatantly states character facts and information so a lot of it feels more like summary than storytelling. The characters are interesting, but not enough time is spent fleshing them out to make any one of them truly stand out. The plot races along and at times seems really contrived. There is a sense of intrigue, but instead of revealing the clues slowly and drawing the reader in the end reveals everything bluntly without building up to it. Overall, the story extends too far beyond the parameters of the narrative and makes this novella unsuccessful.
May 29, 2012
Eavan aka Eve or Evvie is trying desperately against her true nature and that of her family. Her grandmother is trying just as hard to turn her.
Eavan's undoing is her compulsion to stop a dealer who is drugging and selling young girls. Daniel has some pull with her and she doesn't know why.
Interlocked in her efforts to thwart both Daniel and not give into Nyx Eavan is not prepared to deal with the man that Nyx has blackmailed into being Evvie's bodyguard. Cillian has been investigating Daniel and wondering about Eavan. He isn't prepared from what he is drug into with Nyx and her family. Neither is he prepared fully for Evvie.
How will they contend with what is between them, or will they contend at all?
Eavan's undoing is her compulsion to stop a dealer who is drugging and selling young girls. Daniel has some pull with her and she doesn't know why.
Interlocked in her efforts to thwart both Daniel and not give into Nyx Eavan is not prepared to deal with the man that Nyx has blackmailed into being Evvie's bodyguard. Cillian has been investigating Daniel and wondering about Eavan. He isn't prepared from what he is drug into with Nyx and her family. Neither is he prepared fully for Evvie.
How will they contend with what is between them, or will they contend at all?
November 11, 2012
I'm going to keep this short and sweet: Marr is an exceptional writer. For five books she rocked my world; rocked HER world of faires and politics and love.
But this attempt at a novel for adults was disappointing. It didn't have the character building, the emotions, the passion her other books did.
She kept repeating, like we'd forget, what would happen if Eavan has sex and killed. And the subjects of drugs and human trafficking mixed into Eavan's attraction...
Yep.
Fell flat.
Very flat.
Don't do that Melissa.
Don't go there.
Make them older but keep what you have and you're golden, if you want to write for us not-so-fresh chickies!
But this attempt at a novel for adults was disappointing. It didn't have the character building, the emotions, the passion her other books did.
She kept repeating, like we'd forget, what would happen if Eavan has sex and killed. And the subjects of drugs and human trafficking mixed into Eavan's attraction...
Yep.
Fell flat.
Very flat.
Don't do that Melissa.
Don't go there.
Make them older but keep what you have and you're golden, if you want to write for us not-so-fresh chickies!
September 4, 2011
I personally found this story thought-provoking and brilliant. For those unfamiliar to Melissa Marr's writing style, you'll get acquainted with her prose. For those who have read Wicked Lovely and are fond of the Dark Court, you will learn more about the fey creatures called glaistigs that are very Other, and for me, are more similar to gancanaghs.
This story simmering with sexual tension and blurred the lines between good and bad. Definitely worth the read.
This story simmering with sexual tension and blurred the lines between good and bad. Definitely worth the read.
March 6, 2012
Only a short story but packed with action and a good plot. Another Fae child wanting to retain her humanity while her Fae family want her to become full Fae. I felt bad for her and the good love interest Cillian. I wished he was something that would allow him to be with her but sadly not. If you like the Wicked Lovely series you should read this. It's different characters from the series but the same sort of dilemma's in some respects.
September 24, 2011
3.5 Stars
Melissa Marr sucks you in with her writing right off the bat. This story was really good, especially for a short story. The only reason I rated it 3.5 stars is because of the ending. I really thought I missed a page or something when I got there. Other than that the story was intriguing and sensual, in a dark way.
Melissa Marr sucks you in with her writing right off the bat. This story was really good, especially for a short story. The only reason I rated it 3.5 stars is because of the ending. I really thought I missed a page or something when I got there. Other than that the story was intriguing and sensual, in a dark way.
October 14, 2011
I liked this story. The conflict to stay mortal was interesting. Eve and Cillian worked for me. I liked Muriel too-she added a bit of humor. The ending seemed abrupt to me, but overall a great story. I wouldn't mind reading more about these characters. Especially to see how far Nyx will go to corrupt her "granddaughter".
October 27, 2011
I hesitate between one and two stars b/c I like Melissa Marr but I have to be honest. I just didn't like this story. Eavan being lovestruck with a human trafficker was a huge turn off. That and her angsting all over the place. The constant switching from third to first person POV was annoying and unnecessary. To top it off the ending left me thoroughly unsatisfied.
July 31, 2013
*Still adding books from the past two months*
This is set in the Wicked Lovely 'verse, so if you've read those books... It doesn't deal with the same characters though.
Could stand alone, but it felt like having read the other books and being familiar with the way that world works helped in setting the tone.
This is set in the Wicked Lovely 'verse, so if you've read those books... It doesn't deal with the same characters though.
Could stand alone, but it felt like having read the other books and being familiar with the way that world works helped in setting the tone.
March 4, 2012
Meh. Not much to say, not much to care about. I read it, it was okay, but that was about it. I wish I had more to say, but I really don't, it was that much of a non-starter for me. I know, I know... I'm usually such a fangirl for Melissa Marr, but this was just... meh.
Once again, e-book only format for this one.
Once again, e-book only format for this one.
September 28, 2011
I can't get enough of Melissa Marr's work. She draws me in every time, and even in this shorter length book she managed to snag me and keep me begging for more. I have no idea if she is going to write anything more in Eve's world, but I really hope she does!
Read
January 30, 2012I liked it. Very different, Heroin. I could see that she struggled with trying to keep her humanity. I don't know if, given the same circumstances, I could do the same. The lure of immortality is very strong. I do however, like my legs just as they are!! A+++, Loved It! Very Good Read Indeed!!
July 21, 2012
This was a strange story. The concept was interesting, but the characters weren't fleshed out enough (even for a novella). I didn't find myself emphathizing much with the main character, Eavan; frankly, her villanous grandmother, Nyx, was much more interesting.
January 5, 2013
I found the ending unsatisfying in the sense that I feel so much more could be done with this story, and what is here only feels like a few chapters, not a completed work. The characters could be fleshed out more, and the world in which they live. That being said, I enjoyed it a great deal.
March 11, 2016
I think this novella would be fantastic developed into a trilogy or series.
It would be fascinating to know more about Eavan's background and why she wants to stay human.
Also how did she come to know/find Daniel?
It would be fascinating to know more about Eavan's background and why she wants to stay human.
Also how did she come to know/find Daniel?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2024
Almost
I liked this story, but it felt a bit rough still: rushed in many places, repetitive in others, and a bit jerky in the end. I thought I was reading a beta copy at the very least.
I liked this story, but it felt a bit rough still: rushed in many places, repetitive in others, and a bit jerky in the end. I thought I was reading a beta copy at the very least.
June 2, 2013
This was interesting....kind of wish there'd be a series in Eavan's story! I *think* I'd heard of glastaigs before, but now I want to find out more about this creature.
August 28, 2011
Different, dark, and sexy. I love Melissa Marr's stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews