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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
(4.5 stars) Blood! Tears! Bisexuality! No, seriously, so much blood.
This was definitely the logical follow up to [b:Of Fire and Stars|25164304|Of Fire and Stars (Of Fire and Stars, #1)|Audrey Coulthurst|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457102645s/25164304.jpg|44868262]. Like the original book, this book has enough dull spots that I'll understand when people don't love it as much, but in the end it made me feel so many things I couldn't possibly not love it.
Also worth noting that despite being labeled "book 0.5", this book can definitely be a standalone, read before, after, or without Of Fire and Stars.
So let's get the book's flaws out of the way so I can end with why I love it. The book starts out a bit clunky. It didn't immediately draw me in, and the writing felt a bit contrived (or at least the utter peacefulness of Asra's setting did). It took a little while for the writing to hit its stride, but it did eventually amp up with the plot. I think the main problem was the book doing more telling than showing. In order to quickly establish Asra's goals and what's at stake, we keep being told that she wants to join a community and have a family — which is a cool motivation, but it would have come across better if we were shown it more at the beginning.
In terms of worldbuilding, I would have liked it to be more fleshed out. I want to know more about how the animal forms work, just because it's cool, and I want the "magical rituals" Asra can do to be less vague so it would be more unique.
But I still really liked this book! And I know that's because the ending always sticks with me more than whatever problems the beginning had, but that's just how it is. The book is filled with betrayal, plot twists, and a slow burn romance. I wasn't sure if I would fall for Audrey Coulthurst's romance when the main ship wasn't wlw (our bi mc meets a guy after her ex-girlfriend goes all murder-y), but I did end up happy with it.
The villains are so complex, and some of them so fleshed out they make me feel so many things. I would totally read more about them, actually? And Audrey Coulthurst has this way of writing scenes with such deep injustice that make you actually fill up with anger and emotion and it's so good. It's a torrent of emotions and then the ending is so satisfying. Plus it's so casually full of queer characters (bi main character and side character, other wlw background characters, even a genderfluid god casually mentioned once or twice)!
This was definitely the logical follow up to [b:Of Fire and Stars|25164304|Of Fire and Stars (Of Fire and Stars, #1)|Audrey Coulthurst|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457102645s/25164304.jpg|44868262]. Like the original book, this book has enough dull spots that I'll understand when people don't love it as much, but in the end it made me feel so many things I couldn't possibly not love it.
Also worth noting that despite being labeled "book 0.5", this book can definitely be a standalone, read before, after, or without Of Fire and Stars.
So let's get the book's flaws out of the way so I can end with why I love it. The book starts out a bit clunky. It didn't immediately draw me in, and the writing felt a bit contrived (or at least the utter peacefulness of Asra's setting did). It took a little while for the writing to hit its stride, but it did eventually amp up with the plot. I think the main problem was the book doing more telling than showing. In order to quickly establish Asra's goals and what's at stake, we keep being told that she wants to join a community and have a family — which is a cool motivation, but it would have come across better if we were shown it more at the beginning.
In terms of worldbuilding, I would have liked it to be more fleshed out. I want to know more about how the animal forms work, just because it's cool, and I want the "magical rituals" Asra can do to be less vague so it would be more unique.
But I still really liked this book! And I know that's because the ending always sticks with me more than whatever problems the beginning had, but that's just how it is. The book is filled with betrayal, plot twists, and a slow burn romance. I wasn't sure if I would fall for Audrey Coulthurst's romance when the main ship wasn't wlw (our bi mc meets a guy after her ex-girlfriend goes all murder-y), but I did end up happy with it.
The villains are so complex, and some of them so fleshed out they make me feel so many things. I would totally read more about them, actually? And Audrey Coulthurst has this way of writing scenes with such deep injustice that make you actually fill up with anger and emotion and it's so good. It's a torrent of emotions and then the ending is so satisfying. Plus it's so casually full of queer characters (bi main character and side character, other wlw background characters, even a genderfluid god casually mentioned once or twice)!
I think this book would be greater improved if it wasn't a setup for something else.
Otherwise it's fine! Decently written with a fairly interesting story. It's not spectacular, but it's a decent way to spend the time.
Otherwise it's fine! Decently written with a fairly interesting story. It's not spectacular, but it's a decent way to spend the time.
I loved everything this story had to say about choice and fate, and the courage needed to take responsibility for your actions and their consequences. I loved its exploration of themes of trust and betrayal, and the need to put the past into context and move on from it in order to make the best of the future. I loved the worldbuilding, particularly the animal transformation magic, the political and social tension, and the dragons. And I loved seeing Asra come into her own over the course of the book – the ending was deeply satisfying, and I’d love to see what she did next.
Read the full review at Starship Library.
Read the full review at Starship Library.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Edelweiss for review purposes.
Asra is a demigod, and she has a very dangerous gift: the ability to rewrite the past and shape the future with her blood. But it comes with a painful price, and she must keep her gift hidden at all costs. To do so, she lives in the mountains as a healer, content to help the village below and spend her free time with Ina, the girl she loves. Asra's peaceful existence is uprooted when bandits threaten Ina's village and the King does nothing to help. Ina, desperate to protect her village, begs Asra for her help in finding a manifest – an animal that she bonds with and can transform into as a rite of passage into adulthood – and Asra uses her blood magic to help. But things go wrong, and Ina's village is attacked by the bandits, and her friends and family murdered. Ina, unaware of Asra's involvement, swears revenge upon the King and takes a dragon as her manifest. To stop Ina, Asra embarks on a journey across the kingdom and discovers a dark secret of her history and the powerful legacy she carries with her.
Last year I read [b:Of Fire and Stars|25164304|Of Fire and Stars (Of Fire and Stars, #1)|Audrey Coulthurst|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457102645s/25164304.jpg|44868262] and, despite some issues, I really enjoyed it. So when I heard that Coulthurst was writing another fantasy – a companion novel – I was very excited and I ended up really really loving it. Audrey Coulthurst has definitely improved from her debut, and I thoroughly enjoyed Inkmistress.
My favourite aspect (and definitely a standout part of the book) was how well developed our cast of characters were. Asra, our protagonist was a favourite and she was such a breath of fresh air for a fantasy protagonist – she was kind, compassionate, selfless, and she took responsibility for her actions. She was definitely a lover, not a fighter, and did the things she did out of the goodness of her heart, even when she was blinded by love, and I really enjoyed her progression and character arc throughout the story. Ina, Asra's initial love interest and later antagonist of the novel such a complex and surprising character. I wouldn't call her a villain because it is definitely too simplistic of a word for her motivations and development, and hello SHE IS A DRAGON.
Also, we have a bi protagonist! Whilst the word bisexual is not on the page, Asra is attracted to both men and women throughout the novel (starts off with an f/f relationship). Her later love interest, Hal is the embodiment of a 'beautiful cinnamon roll' and he is such a beautifully soft and loving character and CAN WE PLEASE HAVE MORE BOYS LIKE THIS IN YA BOOKS PLEASE?
As with Coulthurst's companion novel, Of Fire and Stars, Inkmistress does suffer from a sluggish pace at times, but the world-building is phenomenal, and the characters are so well rounded, and Ina is such a complex character. For those of you who are fans of fantasy, magic, dragons, soft-hearted boys, and fierce and loving protagonist, then Inkmistress is the book for you.
Asra is a demigod, and she has a very dangerous gift: the ability to rewrite the past and shape the future with her blood. But it comes with a painful price, and she must keep her gift hidden at all costs. To do so, she lives in the mountains as a healer, content to help the village below and spend her free time with Ina, the girl she loves. Asra's peaceful existence is uprooted when bandits threaten Ina's village and the King does nothing to help. Ina, desperate to protect her village, begs Asra for her help in finding a manifest – an animal that she bonds with and can transform into as a rite of passage into adulthood – and Asra uses her blood magic to help. But things go wrong, and Ina's village is attacked by the bandits, and her friends and family murdered. Ina, unaware of Asra's involvement, swears revenge upon the King and takes a dragon as her manifest. To stop Ina, Asra embarks on a journey across the kingdom and discovers a dark secret of her history and the powerful legacy she carries with her.
Last year I read [b:Of Fire and Stars|25164304|Of Fire and Stars (Of Fire and Stars, #1)|Audrey Coulthurst|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457102645s/25164304.jpg|44868262] and, despite some issues, I really enjoyed it. So when I heard that Coulthurst was writing another fantasy – a companion novel – I was very excited and I ended up really really loving it. Audrey Coulthurst has definitely improved from her debut, and I thoroughly enjoyed Inkmistress.
My favourite aspect (and definitely a standout part of the book) was how well developed our cast of characters were. Asra, our protagonist was a favourite and she was such a breath of fresh air for a fantasy protagonist – she was kind, compassionate, selfless, and she took responsibility for her actions. She was definitely a lover, not a fighter, and did the things she did out of the goodness of her heart, even when she was blinded by love, and I really enjoyed her progression and character arc throughout the story. Ina, Asra's initial love interest and later antagonist of the novel such a complex and surprising character. I wouldn't call her a villain because it is definitely too simplistic of a word for her motivations and development, and hello SHE IS A DRAGON.
Also, we have a bi protagonist! Whilst the word bisexual is not on the page, Asra is attracted to both men and women throughout the novel (starts off with an f/f relationship). Her later love interest, Hal is the embodiment of a 'beautiful cinnamon roll' and he is such a beautifully soft and loving character and CAN WE PLEASE HAVE MORE BOYS LIKE THIS IN YA BOOKS PLEASE?
As with Coulthurst's companion novel, Of Fire and Stars, Inkmistress does suffer from a sluggish pace at times, but the world-building is phenomenal, and the characters are so well rounded, and Ina is such a complex character. For those of you who are fans of fantasy, magic, dragons, soft-hearted boys, and fierce and loving protagonist, then Inkmistress is the book for you.
Absolutely loved this. Full review here: https://acebookworm.wordpress.com/2018/10/05/review-inkmistress-by-audrey-coulthurst/
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It has more world building than in Of Fire and Stars, but there wasnt any info dumps which was a relief. Although I did guess some of the twists, there were plenty more to keep me guessing and interested.
Actual Rating 4.75
I loved so many aspects of this book! I love how it is a sort of origin story for the magic system and world found in "Of Fire and Stars". I also loved how this story had a dark and political tone while still retaining the swoon-worthy romance that I now am calling an Audrey Coulthurst staple. Another thing I truly enjoyed about this book was how fundamentally flawed all of the characters, especially Asra, were. It is so refreshing to have characters that back-stab each other out of pure self-interest yet somehow still maintain their humanity and were still enjoyable and lovable to me. The only reason this isn't five stars is because the beginning of this book felt extremely rushed to me, almost as if the author wanted to get to the politics and back-stabbing. And even though I adored the ending and middle of this book the start was a bit jarring because it was so rushed. That aside I highly recommend this book and I will be eagerly anticipating the next book in this companion series.
Booktalk - https://youtu.be/Li3DG17mEVM
I loved so many aspects of this book! I love how it is a sort of origin story for the magic system and world found in "Of Fire and Stars". I also loved how this story had a dark and political tone while still retaining the swoon-worthy romance that I now am calling an Audrey Coulthurst staple. Another thing I truly enjoyed about this book was how fundamentally flawed all of the characters, especially Asra, were. It is so refreshing to have characters that back-stab each other out of pure self-interest yet somehow still maintain their humanity and were still enjoyable and lovable to me. The only reason this isn't five stars is because the beginning of this book felt extremely rushed to me, almost as if the author wanted to get to the politics and back-stabbing. And even though I adored the ending and middle of this book the start was a bit jarring because it was so rushed. That aside I highly recommend this book and I will be eagerly anticipating the next book in this companion series.
Booktalk - https://youtu.be/Li3DG17mEVM
Of Fire and Stars was one of my favorite books of 2017, so naturally I was ELATED to find out there was a prequel story. While I did enjoy Inkmistress, it just didn't have the excitement I felt while reading the first installment of this series. That being said, I am still very happy I picked up this story.
As a note, I listened to the audiobook of this story and did not enjoy the narration very much. For some reason, I cannot stand British audiobook narrators that sound significantly older than the actual YA protagonist? (Even though the audiobook narrator is pretty young). The narration just was not my cup of tea so I would maybe recommend sticking with the physical/ebook version of this book.
Inkmistress is a prequel to Of Fire and Stars though the stories are completely separate and you do not need to read one to read the other. As much as I enjoyed both, I don't think I would ever connect the two had I not known Inkmistress is a prequel before starting. Both stories are great, but I can scarcely find anything similar about these stories. They take place in different times and different kingdoms (which is to be expected of prequels), but what really confused me was even the magic system did not seem consistent despite taking place in the same overall world. I think I probably would have enjoyed Inkmistress more had there been a stronger connection to Of Fire and Stars. In my opinion, the two are great, but completely independent high fantasy stories.
I love Audrey Colthurst's writing style. The prose is beautiful and descriptive, though I do feel it is not 100% engaging. I enjoyed the romance of this story (Yay for more bisexual m/f representation!) and all of the characters, even the antagonists, are fascinating and well-developed. This series consistently features characters from the LGBTQ+ community, and now a main character of color and main character with a disability. I sincerely appreciate the author's contributions to diversifying young adult high fantasy. I also noted significant improvements to world-building and developing a magic system compared to her debut (Far from flawless, but more finely executed!)
Overall, there weren't many significant flaws I found in Inkmistress, I just didn't love this book as much as I wanted to. I wasn't as invested in the storyline. The events of the story just weren't all that interesting to me. Though I liked the characters and romance, it is nowhere near the love I felt for Of Fire and Stars. Nonetheless, I am happy I read this book.
As a note, I listened to the audiobook of this story and did not enjoy the narration very much. For some reason, I cannot stand British audiobook narrators that sound significantly older than the actual YA protagonist? (Even though the audiobook narrator is pretty young). The narration just was not my cup of tea so I would maybe recommend sticking with the physical/ebook version of this book.
Inkmistress is a prequel to Of Fire and Stars though the stories are completely separate and you do not need to read one to read the other. As much as I enjoyed both, I don't think I would ever connect the two had I not known Inkmistress is a prequel before starting. Both stories are great, but I can scarcely find anything similar about these stories. They take place in different times and different kingdoms (which is to be expected of prequels), but what really confused me was even the magic system did not seem consistent despite taking place in the same overall world. I think I probably would have enjoyed Inkmistress more had there been a stronger connection to Of Fire and Stars. In my opinion, the two are great, but completely independent high fantasy stories.
I love Audrey Colthurst's writing style. The prose is beautiful and descriptive, though I do feel it is not 100% engaging. I enjoyed the romance of this story (Yay for more bisexual m/f representation!) and all of the characters, even the antagonists, are fascinating and well-developed. This series consistently features characters from the LGBTQ+ community, and now a main character of color and main character with a disability. I sincerely appreciate the author's contributions to diversifying young adult high fantasy. I also noted significant improvements to world-building and developing a magic system compared to her debut (Far from flawless, but more finely executed!)
Overall, there weren't many significant flaws I found in Inkmistress, I just didn't love this book as much as I wanted to. I wasn't as invested in the storyline. The events of the story just weren't all that interesting to me. Though I liked the characters and romance, it is nowhere near the love I felt for Of Fire and Stars. Nonetheless, I am happy I read this book.
This is just purely my own subjective experience. I don't think it was a bad book, but it didn't work for me, at least in audio format. I lost track of what was happening, and although I liked elements of it, my overall feelings are "it was okay." Which is too bad, because I adored Of Fire and Stars.
(Full review at the Lesbrary to come.)
(Full review at the Lesbrary to come.)
I finally finished reading!!! Y'all I'm so happy. The book was amazing but I couldn't really get into it because I just didn't have the time but!!! I did it! Only took me like three weeks or so but yay!