Q&A: Old Habits (Book #1 / 2011)
Q&A on Melissa Marr's Old Habits. Changed the questions around a bit.
Title: Old Habits
Author: Melissa Marr
On the book:
1. Summarize the book without giving away the ending.
The short story takes place where IE ends, as Niall assumes his role as the new king of the Dark Court and his struggle to make sense of the nature of his relationship with Irial.
2. What do you think of the cover?
Pretty plain, but then again, this is an E-book short story. It resembles Stopping Time, so I suppose it goes with the series.
3. From whose point of view is the story told?
Niall, Irial, and Sorcha.
4. What did you think of the main character?
On Sorcha, I still feel bad for her. At this point in the series, she really has no regret for being unable to feel emotion, yet you can see she does have some form of longing for it, judging by her "understanding" with Irial. I can see how her character later progresses to want a relationship with others rather than continue to drive them away. I love the fact that she and Irial are close friends despite the glaring contrasts of both monarchs. It's really unexpected.
As always, Irial is amazing. Even as he has stepped down as Dark King, readers will notice that after being the head of his court for so long, stepping away from the role is incredibly difficult for him. He still feels he is responsible for what happens to those around him and will try everything to prevent Niall from being harmed. It's very bittersweet that he would love nothing more than to resume his relatinonship with
Niall, but he knows how nearly impossible it is for him to be forgiven for his past actions.
As for Niall, I've always been partial to him. I empathize for him and the position he is in. It's really interesting to see him take up the mantle so well.
5. Was location important to the story? Was the time period important to the story?
The locations were not necessarily important to the story. Time period is, as it fits between Ink Exchange and Fragile Eternity.
6. What did you like the most about the book? The Least?
I love seeing more into Niall as king and how he deals so well with it. I kind of figured him be suffering some sort of crisis. There isn't anything I particularly dislike about the book, now that I think about it.
7. Share a quote or two from the book.
"Understand this: if you so much as lift a hand to my king, I will bring such destruction into Faerie as would make War in all her fury seem like an infant in a snit" (page 50)
Ah, Irial. You're awesome.
"Do not move... Either you kneel there and give me your vow to all that I just said... or you may stand and walk out the door" (page 53).
Damn. Niall's not kidding around...
8. Share a favorite scene from the book.
Irial being forced to kneel while everyone is fighting. Some faeries begin to throw shit at him and says something about fighting while kneeling is pretty difficult. I LOL'ed.
9. What was the book's central question, and how was it answered?
The book centered around Niall accepting and handling his new found role as king of the Dark Court.
10. Did you like the way the book ended?
Yes. No complaints there. It bridges nicely with the third WL Book.
11. Did you learn something new from the book?
In terms of character developments and events that took place between books, yes.
12. Would you recommend this book? How would you rate it?
Yes, I would recommend this e-book to fans of the series who can't get enough of Marr's characters. I would rate it 5/5.
On Characters:
1. How did the main character change during the novel?
Niall goes from being apprehensive of becoming the Dark King to fully embracing the role and responsibilities. Irial also learns that he must adapt to his new role as a subject despite his natural instinct to protect Niall, and do things his way. It's still pretty obvious that Irial has to come to terms with trusting in Niall's abilities and decisions. Sorcha, in the time of this story, makes a change from emotionless High Queen to a fairie who has never known anything outside of her role. She has never loved anyone romantically and keeps her brother at a distance despite being his creator. Although Devlin may be her most trusted advisor and he is truly committed to his loyalty, Sorcha distrusts that his being a part of Chaos will keep him truly loyal.
2.; Which character do you like the most and why? The least and why?
As always, I love Irial (Who doesn't?). Charming, intellectual, mysterious, with a hint of danger. I really love his character development, from IE to RS. The first time we meet him as the Dark King, we encounter an individual he will readily sacrifice his most cherished loved ones for the sake of his court. By the end of IE, we see there is a bit of change in his priorities when he steps down as king for the sake of his court. Although we still see traces of the Dark King that he once was in RS as he experiments on Ani, Old Habits makes a point of showing readers that he is sincerely sorry for the pain he has caused Niall and that the reason he believes himself unworthy of leading the Dark Court is that he is no longer willing to put the court ahead of Niall and Leslie.
3. Were the characters and their problems believable?
In terms of the story, yes.
Thoughts/Questions?: None.
Title: Old Habits
Author: Melissa Marr
On the book:
1. Summarize the book without giving away the ending.
The short story takes place where IE ends, as Niall assumes his role as the new king of the Dark Court and his struggle to make sense of the nature of his relationship with Irial.
2. What do you think of the cover?
Pretty plain, but then again, this is an E-book short story. It resembles Stopping Time, so I suppose it goes with the series.
3. From whose point of view is the story told?
Niall, Irial, and Sorcha.
4. What did you think of the main character?
On Sorcha, I still feel bad for her. At this point in the series, she really has no regret for being unable to feel emotion, yet you can see she does have some form of longing for it, judging by her "understanding" with Irial. I can see how her character later progresses to want a relationship with others rather than continue to drive them away. I love the fact that she and Irial are close friends despite the glaring contrasts of both monarchs. It's really unexpected.
As always, Irial is amazing. Even as he has stepped down as Dark King, readers will notice that after being the head of his court for so long, stepping away from the role is incredibly difficult for him. He still feels he is responsible for what happens to those around him and will try everything to prevent Niall from being harmed. It's very bittersweet that he would love nothing more than to resume his relatinonship with
Niall, but he knows how nearly impossible it is for him to be forgiven for his past actions.
As for Niall, I've always been partial to him. I empathize for him and the position he is in. It's really interesting to see him take up the mantle so well.
5. Was location important to the story? Was the time period important to the story?
The locations were not necessarily important to the story. Time period is, as it fits between Ink Exchange and Fragile Eternity.
6. What did you like the most about the book? The Least?
I love seeing more into Niall as king and how he deals so well with it. I kind of figured him be suffering some sort of crisis. There isn't anything I particularly dislike about the book, now that I think about it.
7. Share a quote or two from the book.
"Understand this: if you so much as lift a hand to my king, I will bring such destruction into Faerie as would make War in all her fury seem like an infant in a snit" (page 50)
Ah, Irial. You're awesome.
"Do not move... Either you kneel there and give me your vow to all that I just said... or you may stand and walk out the door" (page 53).
Damn. Niall's not kidding around...
8. Share a favorite scene from the book.
Irial being forced to kneel while everyone is fighting. Some faeries begin to throw shit at him and says something about fighting while kneeling is pretty difficult. I LOL'ed.
9. What was the book's central question, and how was it answered?
The book centered around Niall accepting and handling his new found role as king of the Dark Court.
10. Did you like the way the book ended?
Yes. No complaints there. It bridges nicely with the third WL Book.
11. Did you learn something new from the book?
In terms of character developments and events that took place between books, yes.
12. Would you recommend this book? How would you rate it?
Yes, I would recommend this e-book to fans of the series who can't get enough of Marr's characters. I would rate it 5/5.
On Characters:
1. How did the main character change during the novel?
Niall goes from being apprehensive of becoming the Dark King to fully embracing the role and responsibilities. Irial also learns that he must adapt to his new role as a subject despite his natural instinct to protect Niall, and do things his way. It's still pretty obvious that Irial has to come to terms with trusting in Niall's abilities and decisions. Sorcha, in the time of this story, makes a change from emotionless High Queen to a fairie who has never known anything outside of her role. She has never loved anyone romantically and keeps her brother at a distance despite being his creator. Although Devlin may be her most trusted advisor and he is truly committed to his loyalty, Sorcha distrusts that his being a part of Chaos will keep him truly loyal.
2.; Which character do you like the most and why? The least and why?
As always, I love Irial (Who doesn't?). Charming, intellectual, mysterious, with a hint of danger. I really love his character development, from IE to RS. The first time we meet him as the Dark King, we encounter an individual he will readily sacrifice his most cherished loved ones for the sake of his court. By the end of IE, we see there is a bit of change in his priorities when he steps down as king for the sake of his court. Although we still see traces of the Dark King that he once was in RS as he experiments on Ani, Old Habits makes a point of showing readers that he is sincerely sorry for the pain he has caused Niall and that the reason he believes himself unworthy of leading the Dark Court is that he is no longer willing to put the court ahead of Niall and Leslie.
3. Were the characters and their problems believable?
In terms of the story, yes.
Thoughts/Questions?: None.