Fragile Darkness

Midnight Dragonfly #3

by Ellie James

Mystery, suspense, romance and a touch of the paranormal, makes Fragile Darkness a strong, unique entry into the YA market! How do you stop someone you can't see? For as long as she can remember, sixteen-year-old psychic Trinity Monsour has seen things before they happen. But now, in the wake of tragedy, her visions have gone dark. She can still feel, though, and the danger she senses swirling around a new friend sends her into the New Orleans party scene, where nothing is as it seems, surprises wait at every turn, and the last guy she wants to see is the one she needs the the mercurial Dylan Fourcade, part stranger, part friend, part so much more. It's the so much more that confuses her. How can she be drawn to someone she barely knows? But whether she wants him there or not, he's by her side, shadowing her every step of the way, until the darkness clears, and a shocking truth emerges―a truth that changes everything.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

352 pages, Paperback

First published November 27, 2012

About the author

Ellie James believes in dreams, destiny, and possibility. A native of south Louisiana, she grew up immersed in legend, surrounded by history and drenched in mystery. She penned her first work of fiction at six, turning to suspense three years later with Jacquie and the Swamp. Even before graduating from the LSU Manship School of Journalism, Ellie always had a tragic poem, tender story, or intriguing mystery for her friends, a trait that has continued as her fascination with danger, adventure, love, and the unexplained has grown.

Ellie now splits her time between exploring story worlds and creating her own adventures with her husband and their two children.

Reviews

[CJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

just the ending I was hoping for...

[Sxperimental Mauritius · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok, I like some ideas in it. But the plot was all over the place and the relationship between Trinity and Dylan...ah! Why all the beating around the bushes...like frankly! Sigh. Book 3 was the weakest of the 3 books of the series if you base it off the plot. Still, the overall series was nice. I'm happy I stuck around until the end.

[Kimberly Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you follow this blog at all, you know that I'm a big fan of the paranormal. What you may not know is that I'm also really into the mysticalness of New Orleans. I even once took a trip there for Halloween, and went on a (sadly) unsuccessful ghost hunting tour.

So Ellie James' MIDNIGHT DRAGONFLY trilogy (Griffin Teen) has always hooked me in that department -- a creepy, mystical paranormal mystery set in New Orleans. And with her final installment, James does not disappoint.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS from here on out.
You've been warned.

At the end of BROKEN ILLUSIONS, Trinity was dealing with a lot of stuff. Her boyfriend Chase had died, killed by her aunt's boyfriend (a cop she thought she could trust). Her emotions were all over the place when it came to Dylan, who continued to show up just when she needed him most. Trinity always struggled with the whole Dylan thing -- fighting the connection they had -- but now her grief over Chase makes things all the more confusing.

Her aunt is not coping with all that's happened either, going from sullen silence to redecorating on a whim to over-the-top cheerfulness.

So when Trinity gets a chance to use her visions to (possibly) help someone, she kind of jumps at the diversion. Unfortunately, the object of her assistance may be mixed up in some bad stuff, and, well, Trinity kind of has a reputation for KNOWING things. People doing bad stuff are not keen on having someone like her poking around.

And, then there's Dylan.

We finally find out why these two have such a strong connection, and James gives us more about Trinity's past, wrapping up the story while keeping the pages turning at a furious pace. Expect some late nights with this one. Some unanswered questions linger, but that's okay, because what is New Orleans without a little mystery? I've enjoyed traipsing around NOLA with Trinity and her friends, and look forward to seeing what's next from James.

http://coolkidsreviews.blogspot.com/2...

[Jennavier · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure what to say about Fragile Darkness. This isn't me saying that I haven't thought out this review. It's me saying that I really, honestly have no clue what was going on this book. All the things that could make a good book are there. Yet somehow I ended up so lost that when the big reveal came at the end I had no clue who the bad guy was. I want to say that it was me that caused the problem. Considering book two caused the same confusion I just can't. There is something incredibly distancing in the way James portrays Trinity and her life. Maybe it's the intense level of violence and grief Trinity goes through. Maybe it's Trinity's lack of personality. I know, I know, why did I love the first book if the heroine was a cardboard cutout? All I can say is that she had one in the beginning and it slowly disappears until she's just a plot device. All I know is that I avoided this book like the plague for something like eight months until I forced myself to sit down and finish it this weekend. It's kicking off phase two of my personal Blah-athon where I get rid of all these books that have piled up that I don't want to read.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read the first two books. First my library never got book three in, and then I kind of sat on the ebook version for a while. So I wasn't 100% sure I'd remember all the details I needed.

But from the very beginning, things started coming back to me.

Fragile Darkness was a cute end to the series. But I wasn't as in love with the book as I initially thought I was going to be. It wasn't bad, and it wasn't lacking, I just didn't care so much for her whole fluctuation between *cries* ___ is ____ and ____ won't kiss me. Though I understood her struggle.

The plot was about the same as the others, interesting and entertaining, but I'm not too surprised things ended up the way they did.

Overall it was a cute, quick read, and I am glad I finally got to finish this series.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was just okay. It seemed like the plot took a while to get too. A lot of piddling in the story line. In the last 20 pages is when the '"bad guy" in this story was revealed and why he did what he did. I thought with the way the last book ended, that this would be fast paced and interesting but alas it wasn't what I was hoping for.

Trinity is the most frustrating. Her growth throughout the series was very minimal. It was great the she had a better understanding near the end with her gift but her character isn't a great one. Dylan was still a mystery with a little insight of his character near the very end. I didn't feel that their relationship was authentic. The ending with them was just a sloppy way of adding romance.

Overall I don't feel that this series will be memorable and not a satisfying way to end it.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't post reviews often, because I'm not too good with writing down how I feel about a book, but Fragile Darkness deserves something :)

I loved the first two book in the series, but this one really blew me away! It was deep! Made you think! I like that in a book! I love how it all came together in the end, but ohhhh how I did NOT want it to end! The character development throughout these 3 books is astounding! Trinity has grown into herself so much. And Dylan, amazing, mysterious Dylan... Finally we get to SEE him! Get to KNOW him!

If you haven't read the series, I suggest you do. If you don't, you are really missing out on something truly amazing!

Thank you Ellie for sharing you amazing gift of story telling with us!

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

It may have just been me but the story felt disjointed and confusing and not particularly well plotted. Trinity's relationship with Dylan which had progressed in book 2 was suddenly pretty much non-existent and back to him mysteriously popping up to save her then disappearing again. After a rambling middle and no relationship development with Trinity & Dylan we have an abrupt and brief climax and then Trinity and Dylan are together. Disappointing.

[Dr susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to delay reading Fragile Darkness . The darkness in Broken Illusions was too much, and I need some laughter today, so I will start Darkness tomorrow...I took several breaks even after starting Darkness, because I was scared that I would not like the way this trilogy ends. This book made me cry several times. I will read this trilogy again so that I can pick up things I missed the first time. Writing a review for this book is difficult, since I do not want to give away the story.

[Kristin Whitehouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the 3rd book in the trilogy. It was okay, but I wasn't really into it. I found myself confused a few times and had to backtrack. I don't know what it is with me and trilogies, I usually like the first 2 and then could care less about the last.

I still have 3 books that are the 3rd in trilogies and they've been sitting around for at least six months.

[Kirstyn-maree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gripping conclusion to the 'Midnight Dragonfly' trilogy, Fragile Darkness has everything you could ever want. Romance, supernatural/fantasy, mystery, and above all, crime solving that almost leads to Trinity's demise several times over. With such a deep and addictive story-line, you will be glued to the edge of your seat until the very last page.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Beautiful. Deep and emotional. Wonderful in every way. I am so happy that I found this series, and that I took a chance on it. Ellie James has been cemented into my list of top favorites. Please, everyone, read this series. You won't regret it.

[Connie Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww this was such a wonderful but sad ending to a beautiful series. I still miss Shane but part of me started to have a soft spot for Dylan!! Trinity is such a smart & strong minded girl would love to see more stories from this series !!

[Jessi Miller]

I won a copy of Fragile Darkness (Midnight Dragonfly, #3) by Ellie James in a giveaway for free on Goodreads First-Reads. I'm so excited am going to purchase the first two books in the series so I can catch up hopefully by the time it gets to me :) Thank You!!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite frankly, meh. Although well written, it wasn't thrilling or compelling (unlike the previous book) and pretty much seemed like an add on to further the story of trinity and dylan. And the villan? In spite of the teasers, kinda random. Le yawn.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting ending

[Andrea Lira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously an amazing book! Ellie James is an amazing writer. I hope to God that Ellie James writes more books of this series because it feels like there's more to the story than there is. Loved it!

[Debra K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my review below:

Debra's Book Cafe


Debs :-)

[Haley Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this, not knowing that it was the 3rd in the series as I haven't read the others, and I loved it.

[Sharon Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in the series.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not happy when the series ended, but what better way to end it then this

[JaimemarieG · Rating 2 out of 5]

i am not sure i can finish this book. its so disjointed and makes no sense. i thought the same thing with the second book as well. Trinity is the most annoying and unaware main character who has no growth whatsoever.