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Wicked Lovely #2.5
Stopping Time
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.
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.
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2010
48 people are currently reading
4843 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
December 28, 2024
K seriously . . . someone needs to write some MMF fanfic for Irial, Niall, and Leslie.
For REALZ.
For REALZ.
December 31, 2020
4 out of 10
ревью на русском/review in russian
Leslie, Irial, and Niall are... trio? They love each other, they sleep or slept with each other while I am asking myself... when these guys had managed to fall that hard for this girl?? And why...
Wicked Lovely (Коварная Красота):
— Wicked Lovely (Коварная Красота) #1/5
— Ink Exchange (Роковая татуировка) #2/5
— Stopping Time (Останавливая время) #2.5/5
— Old Habits (Старые привычки) #2.6/5
— Fragile Eternity (Темное предсказание) #3/5
— Radiant Shadows (Смертные тени) #4/5
— Darkest Mercy (Жестокое милосердие) #5/5
— Faery Tales & Nightmares (Сказки и кошмары)
— Desert Tales (Рассказы о пустыне)
July 1, 2014
A true love triangle! They actually all love each other - the men love each other as much as they each love the girl. I like it!
And, it features my three favorite characters, Leslie, Irial, and Niall!
And, it features my three favorite characters, Leslie, Irial, and Niall!
May 12, 2015
The Wicked Lovely series would have gotten 5-stars from me across the board if it weren't for the weird Leslie-Irial-Niall love-triangle/threesome situation. It makes me really uncomfortable. And my least favourite character in the whole series is Irial, so I was pretty disappointed that the extras are about them. I do and dont want to read Old Habits. I still love the world. I am not sure what I will do.
March 8, 2022
Mi manca il 5⁰ ed ultimo volume ma mi manca anche Lesley che, a quanto pare è uscita di scena :(
Così quando ho letto che in questa novella era presente non ho potuto resistere!!
La novella è molto breve ma è carina, sfortunatamente, alla fine, Lesley resta del suo parere di non far parte del mondo fatato e Niall e Irial continuano a proteggerla di nascosto...
Niente happy ending! :(
Così quando ho letto che in questa novella era presente non ho potuto resistere!!
La novella è molto breve ma è carina, sfortunatamente, alla fine, Lesley resta del suo parere di non far parte del mondo fatato e Niall e Irial continuano a proteggerla di nascosto...
Niente happy ending! :(
September 24, 2024
I’m zooming through them
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2011
Stopping Time is a little novella that picks up a short time after the events of Ink Exchange, where Leslie severed her ties to Irial and the Dark Court, and to Niall as well, in order to save herself from who she might become as a member of the Dark Court, IF she even survived the Ink Exchange experiment.
At the end of Ink, Irial bestowed the leadership of the Dark Court to Niall. Everyone is trying to adjust to these recent changes. Leslie is now trying to live her life without faerie influence, going back to school, having new MORTAL friends, although that is almost impossible to do when you're still under the Dark Court's protection, as she is receiving mysterious phone calls that have her spooked, and Irial and Niall even more protective of her. Even though Leslie is no longer a conduit to feed the Dark Court, she is still a potential pawn in the constant power struggles between the courts.
Irial & Niall both still love Leslie, and she struggles constantly with her feelings towards them... knowing that if she tries to pursue a relationship with either of them, she'll lose herself in the Dark Court... she doesn't want to be that person who lives amongst the Dark Court. She had a glimpse of that version of herself when she was under the influence of the ink exchange... and that terrified her enough to find the strength to sever those ties (with Niall's help).
Leslie constantly fights the addictive pull to she has to both Irial and Niall... that's one side of the story... all the while, it seems, Niall and Irial are trying to figure out exactly what their own relationship is to each other. There is a strange sort of intensity between them that is further explored as the story unfolds.
I liked how this filled in the little gap left between Ink and Fragile Eternity... as well as what happened to Leslie's brother Ren. However, what I don't think got answered was what happened between Michael (Leslie's new mortal friend that likes her) and Irial??? Curious...
At the end of Ink, Irial bestowed the leadership of the Dark Court to Niall. Everyone is trying to adjust to these recent changes. Leslie is now trying to live her life without faerie influence, going back to school, having new MORTAL friends, although that is almost impossible to do when you're still under the Dark Court's protection, as she is receiving mysterious phone calls that have her spooked, and Irial and Niall even more protective of her. Even though Leslie is no longer a conduit to feed the Dark Court, she is still a potential pawn in the constant power struggles between the courts.
Irial & Niall both still love Leslie, and she struggles constantly with her feelings towards them... knowing that if she tries to pursue a relationship with either of them, she'll lose herself in the Dark Court... she doesn't want to be that person who lives amongst the Dark Court. She had a glimpse of that version of herself when she was under the influence of the ink exchange... and that terrified her enough to find the strength to sever those ties (with Niall's help).
Leslie constantly fights the addictive pull to she has to both Irial and Niall... that's one side of the story... all the while, it seems, Niall and Irial are trying to figure out exactly what their own relationship is to each other. There is a strange sort of intensity between them that is further explored as the story unfolds.
I liked how this filled in the little gap left between Ink and Fragile Eternity... as well as what happened to Leslie's brother Ren. However, what I don't think got answered was what happened between Michael (Leslie's new mortal friend that likes her) and Irial??? Curious...
February 29, 2020
Nice to catch up with Leslie, Niall and Irial, the book seemed a lot longer than 36 pages though!
Read
July 11, 2010I read Ink Exchange more than a year ago, and I don't remember all the details, but I do remember the basics. Great characters, good plot, fantastic writing, and pretty much just that I loved it. But, this isn't a love-letter to Ink Exchange (I promise).
So, liking Ink Exchange as much as I did, I was thrilled to find this short-story in the back of my paperback copy of Fragile Eternity.
Stopping Time picks up a while after Ink Exchange ends, and Leslie has moved away from the town where the rest of the Wicked Lovely-world characters live (what's it called? There's one of those things I don't remember. I think it starts with an H though). And there was one of my favorite things about Leslie; She was strong enough to walk away. So many of these paranormal-YA girls have the "Oh, it's so awful but I positively can't leave" and they're really dumb. Leslie is not one of those girls. She knew what she couldn't handle, and she got out before anything caused her permanent harm. But leaving didn't mean she didn't still love Niall and Irial. Meaning, basically, that she's a brilliant character.
This short-story is about what happened after Ink Exchange, and after Leslie left. Irial and Niall still love her (and are okay with knowing the other one loves her. No competition. It's refreshing, actually). I won't give away anything about this short story, other than the fact that it's really, really good. It's the ending I wished Ink Exchange had, but I'm glad it's a separate story. I also lovelovelove the ending of this story. It's perfect. I also love how the ending ties into the title, Stopping Time.
And then there's Melissa Marr's writing, which is always great. She's an amazing story-teller, and the writing is beautiful and flows really, really well. I also find it pretty amazing that she wrote a short-story that was so great, because a lot of novelists can't write short-stories. She obviously can.
True, everything in this story went really fast (like all short-stories) and I would've liked to have seen more, but I think the way it was done was close to perfect. It leaves the reader with only a glimpse of what happened, and with a few hints about how the characters will continue after the story itself ends. I don't really know how I should rate a short-story though, so I'm just going to leave the star-thing blank.
If you loved Wicked Lovely, and, more importantly (for this), Ink Exchange, you should definitely read this.
So, liking Ink Exchange as much as I did, I was thrilled to find this short-story in the back of my paperback copy of Fragile Eternity.
Stopping Time picks up a while after Ink Exchange ends, and Leslie has moved away from the town where the rest of the Wicked Lovely-world characters live (what's it called? There's one of those things I don't remember. I think it starts with an H though). And there was one of my favorite things about Leslie; She was strong enough to walk away. So many of these paranormal-YA girls have the "Oh, it's so awful but I positively can't leave" and they're really dumb. Leslie is not one of those girls. She knew what she couldn't handle, and she got out before anything caused her permanent harm. But leaving didn't mean she didn't still love Niall and Irial. Meaning, basically, that she's a brilliant character.
This short-story is about what happened after Ink Exchange, and after Leslie left. Irial and Niall still love her (and are okay with knowing the other one loves her. No competition. It's refreshing, actually). I won't give away anything about this short story, other than the fact that it's really, really good. It's the ending I wished Ink Exchange had, but I'm glad it's a separate story. I also lovelovelove the ending of this story. It's perfect. I also love how the ending ties into the title, Stopping Time.
And then there's Melissa Marr's writing, which is always great. She's an amazing story-teller, and the writing is beautiful and flows really, really well. I also find it pretty amazing that she wrote a short-story that was so great, because a lot of novelists can't write short-stories. She obviously can.
True, everything in this story went really fast (like all short-stories) and I would've liked to have seen more, but I think the way it was done was close to perfect. It leaves the reader with only a glimpse of what happened, and with a few hints about how the characters will continue after the story itself ends. I don't really know how I should rate a short-story though, so I'm just going to leave the star-thing blank.
If you loved Wicked Lovely, and, more importantly (for this), Ink Exchange, you should definitely read this.
July 29, 2011
Boy, I just love Melissa Marr. My only complaint about her beautifully written Wicked Lovely series is that we don't get a lot of closure on the different story arcs. Some of that was resolved with Stopping Time, a sequel to Ink Exchange. Stopping Time is a novella (boy I wish it would have been a full-length novel) which picks up where Ink Exchange left off.
Leslie left the Dark Court and Niall and Irial behind. She loves both of them and they both love her. They are still looking out for her, protecting her, and Irial meets with her once a week in a public spot, but never speaks to her. Leslie fights her attraction to both fey and fights her dark side, which sanctioned the immorality and violence of the Dark Court when she was a member. Leslie is determined to make a new life for herself but she can't let her feelings for the two fey go.
Stopping Time was one of the best novellas I've ever read. It had its own plot and twists, unlike many other novellas which just provide a back story or a closer look at certain characters. Stopping Time is a must-read for fans of the Wicked Lovely series. It was the perfect thing to tide me over until the final Wicked Lovely book--Darkest Mercy---is released February 22, 2011.
Just One Gripe:
This is my gripe with all novellas: I always want more. Reading a novella is like taking one bite of a delicious dessert---just enough to tease me. I really felt this way with Stopping Time because it was so good!
The Best Thing About This Book:
I had always suspected that something was going on with Irial and Niall. It was so gratifying to have my suspicions confirmed...
Appropriate for a younger audience:
It's no more explicit than any of the other Wicked Lovely books.
Score:
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Setting/Imagery: 5/5
Originality: 4/5
Ending: 4/5
Total Score: 21/25
Leslie left the Dark Court and Niall and Irial behind. She loves both of them and they both love her. They are still looking out for her, protecting her, and Irial meets with her once a week in a public spot, but never speaks to her. Leslie fights her attraction to both fey and fights her dark side, which sanctioned the immorality and violence of the Dark Court when she was a member. Leslie is determined to make a new life for herself but she can't let her feelings for the two fey go.
Stopping Time was one of the best novellas I've ever read. It had its own plot and twists, unlike many other novellas which just provide a back story or a closer look at certain characters. Stopping Time is a must-read for fans of the Wicked Lovely series. It was the perfect thing to tide me over until the final Wicked Lovely book--Darkest Mercy---is released February 22, 2011.
Just One Gripe:
This is my gripe with all novellas: I always want more. Reading a novella is like taking one bite of a delicious dessert---just enough to tease me. I really felt this way with Stopping Time because it was so good!
The Best Thing About This Book:
I had always suspected that something was going on with Irial and Niall. It was so gratifying to have my suspicions confirmed...
Appropriate for a younger audience:
It's no more explicit than any of the other Wicked Lovely books.
Score:
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Setting/Imagery: 5/5
Originality: 4/5
Ending: 4/5
Total Score: 21/25
March 15, 2011
You know, I can easily see Irial becoming my favorite Faeries. He's got the sexy, powerful thing going for him, topped with a dark streak and a willingness to do the right thing for his people. That's just... hot.
This was one of those nice little glimpses into the world of our characters after the end of a book. Leslie made the choice to walk away from Niall and Irial and from the Dark Court because she didn't like the person she was when she was in it. It wasn't an easy decision for her to make and it's still not easy. She's struggling. Against her yearning for both men and with the fears she has to live with after the attack on her. Although it would be easy for her lean on either Irial or Niall, when the chips are down she doesn't. She made the choice to stand on her own two feet and she's going to do it, come hell or high water.
I really like these stories that let us see that everything wasn't magically perfect after the last paragraph. Life is dirty and hard and sometimes brutal, but Leslie is finding her way.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
This was one of those nice little glimpses into the world of our characters after the end of a book. Leslie made the choice to walk away from Niall and Irial and from the Dark Court because she didn't like the person she was when she was in it. It wasn't an easy decision for her to make and it's still not easy. She's struggling. Against her yearning for both men and with the fears she has to live with after the attack on her. Although it would be easy for her lean on either Irial or Niall, when the chips are down she doesn't. She made the choice to stand on her own two feet and she's going to do it, come hell or high water.
I really like these stories that let us see that everything wasn't magically perfect after the last paragraph. Life is dirty and hard and sometimes brutal, but Leslie is finding her way.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
November 29, 2010
Ok, so I read this as a bonus within Fragile Eternity. And I'm surprised by how much I like it, given how I felt about Ink Exchange. Maybe the story just works better as a short one, since I don't think much happened in the novel anyway. It took me until this story to realize that this is a true love triangle - in which all three people involved in it actually do love the other two people.
That's so fascinating (and not in a sexual way at all! Although I imagine if they really had a threesome it'll be explosive), and the longing and love between them just really got to me for some reason. I was a bit indifferent to them all in the actual novel, so I don't know what it is about this short story that made me suddenly sympathize with them all so well. Maybe it's the angsty tone that I just couldn't resist, and the fact that it's just about their relationship here without all the complicated court stuff. Anyway, I really liked it and I almost want more.
That's so fascinating (and not in a sexual way at all! Although I imagine if they really had a threesome it'll be explosive), and the longing and love between them just really got to me for some reason. I was a bit indifferent to them all in the actual novel, so I don't know what it is about this short story that made me suddenly sympathize with them all so well. Maybe it's the angsty tone that I just couldn't resist, and the fact that it's just about their relationship here without all the complicated court stuff. Anyway, I really liked it and I almost want more.
April 23, 2011
OHMYGAWD!!!
If I didn't love Niall in Ink Exchange, then I'm completely, utterly, irrevocably 190% more taken by him in this short story.
Niall is one of those characters that will really get you hooked, simply by the fact that their whole background is a bit mysterious. And who doesn't like a good mystery?
Leslie and Niall's story was by far, more interesting than Ash&Seth's will ever be.
And with Irial in the picture, this combo (or trio?)'s adventure will be anything but easy :)
If I didn't love Niall in Ink Exchange, then I'm completely, utterly, irrevocably 190% more taken by him in this short story.
Niall is one of those characters that will really get you hooked, simply by the fact that their whole background is a bit mysterious. And who doesn't like a good mystery?
Leslie and Niall's story was by far, more interesting than Ash&Seth's will ever be.
And with Irial in the picture, this combo (or trio?)'s adventure will be anything but easy :)
February 17, 2023
This was a really great story, loved seeing this time where Leslie has separated from the Faerie wold! Such a great story!
*First Read August 8th, 2012*
Great short story, and seeing Leslie again, really great, can't wait to read Old Habits!
*First Read August 8th, 2012*
Great short story, and seeing Leslie again, really great, can't wait to read Old Habits!
November 28, 2011
4.25
I really liked this short story that continues after Ink Exchange. I knew that there was a relationship between Niall and Irial but I guess I just didn't pick up on the extent of the relationship in IE. This story really shows us more and is quite good.
I really liked this short story that continues after Ink Exchange. I knew that there was a relationship between Niall and Irial but I guess I just didn't pick up on the extent of the relationship in IE. This story really shows us more and is quite good.
August 6, 2020
Honestly, I had way more thoughts about this short story than I did about the entire book (Fragile Eternity).
First off... WHAT?
Did I miss something between Irial and Niall? I did not see that uhm.. physical interaction.. coming at all. But part of me was all the happier for it, even if it doesn't go any further.
As for the rest of the story, I loved getting an update on Leslie as well as Irial. It got very intense, and though the type of intensity changed, it was still quite vivid until the very last sentence.
Absolutely loved this. Definitely recommend as long as you've read Ink Exchange first.
First off... WHAT?
Did I miss something between Irial and Niall? I did not see that uhm.. physical interaction.. coming at all. But part of me was all the happier for it, even if it doesn't go any further.
As for the rest of the story, I loved getting an update on Leslie as well as Irial. It got very intense, and though the type of intensity changed, it was still quite vivid until the very last sentence.
Absolutely loved this. Definitely recommend as long as you've read Ink Exchange first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2024
“For tonight can we just be two people who don’t know that tomorrow isn’t ours?”
Poignant, dark, and heartbreaking, this short story draws you in instantly to the angst of the love triangle of Leslie, Niall, and Irial. Lots of backstory is given and I believe readers could enjoy this without having read the other books in the series, although obviously this story definitely hinges on the main books.
Love the little nod to American Gods.
Favorite character: Irial.
Irial is such a stunning example of unconditional love that it makes my heart ache.
Poignant, dark, and heartbreaking, this short story draws you in instantly to the angst of the love triangle of Leslie, Niall, and Irial. Lots of backstory is given and I believe readers could enjoy this without having read the other books in the series, although obviously this story definitely hinges on the main books.
Love the little nod to American Gods.
Favorite character: Irial.
Irial is such a stunning example of unconditional love that it makes my heart ache.
February 22, 2020
Umm.. another quite accepting love triangle.. After Seth, Keenan and Aislinn.. I thought it would be different.. but nope!! So much repetition of same phrases in 37 pages. I think ink exchange had a great ending and this one is written just to undo that great ending.
July 13, 2017
Absolutely loved this story! Sweet and sad. A nice bridge between Ink Exchange and Fragile Eternity.
July 31, 2017
Can I please have like five more books about Irial, Leslie, and Niall's relationship? Can I please have their happy ending where they live happily ever after in their amazing threeway?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2017
Meh, cute.
June 30, 2018
A quick little glimpse into the love between mortal girl, the dark king, and the former dark king. A love that has the power to destroy and also protect.
January 10, 2020
What a great way to get some closure. Really like how this wrapped up. Worth the read.
December 13, 2020
Nah, didn't like it. She could have made this work with both men who wouldn't be apposed to being with each other and being with her too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2021
i said what i said ab being glad that the irial/niall/leslie relationship didn't get super romanticised like darklina but i will always remember the og hot faerie threesome 😌
February 5, 2021
Um conto fofinho sobre Leslie, Irial e Niall.
July 25, 2021
I DIED.
August 11, 2022
So glad someone finally killed the shit brother, Jesus.
August 26, 2022
K seriously . . . someone needs to write some MMF fanfic for Irial, Niall, and Leslie.
For REALZ.
For REALZ.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews