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missgarceau's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Alcohol, Body horror, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Murder, Violence, Grief, Classism, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Sexual content, Confinement, Death, and Abandonment
litstyleguide's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a unique story, y’all. I really enjoyed this fantasy standalone. It was an interesting concept, kept me intrigued, and kept me gasping plenty. I figured out a few of the plot points, but that didn’t take away from enjoying the book. Familial secrets, separated sisters, lovable characters, magical books, and a dog named Sir Kiwi? Say less.
My only problem with this one was it started really slow. I was never bored, but it felt like it took a long time (~65% in) for it to pick up. Overall, really enjoyed this one though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Death, and Body horror
Minor: Vomit and Injury/Injury detail
manonh90's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, Death, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Confinement, and Body horror
quirkykayleetam's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
In this contemporary fantasy, some books are magic. That magic can be beautiful, but it is also dangerous. Because magic is power and there are those who seek to control it.
The book focuses on half-sisters Joanna and Esther as well as a surprise third narrator who appears a fourth of the way through the book. The complicated family dynamics surrounding these characters, especially Joanna and Esther are the strongest part of the book.
But then the novel becomes less of a fantasy and more of a thriller, chasing the characters around the globe until they all end up together and the plot is tied together perfectly by a one-dimensional villain, a side romance, and a family surprise. While this gave the book a emotionally satisfying ending with found family and a focus on the next generation, I felt like it did a disservice to the complex people, schemes, and magic in the book up to that point. It made things feel like a story when it never did before. That jarred me and left me feeling off when I am normally head-over-heels for books about magic.
Are there dragons? No. I love the little pomeranian named Sir Kiwi (she's a girl btw), but am disappointed by the lack of dragons.
The book focuses on half-sisters Joanna and Esther as well as a surprise third narrator who appears a fourth of the way through the book. The complicated family dynamics surrounding these characters, especially Joanna and Esther are the strongest part of the book.
But then the novel becomes less of a fantasy and more of a thriller, chasing the characters around the globe until they all end up together and the plot is tied together perfectly by a one-dimensional villain, a side romance, and a family surprise. While this gave the book a emotionally satisfying ending with found family and a focus on the next generation, I felt like it did a disservice to the complex people, schemes, and magic in the book up to that point. It made things feel like a story when it never did before. That jarred me and left me feeling off when I am normally head-over-heels for books about magic.
Are there dragons? No. I love the little pomeranian named Sir Kiwi (she's a girl btw), but am disappointed by the lack of dragons.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment, Body horror, and Gun violence
campisforever's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Well written overall. The magic system, however, toes—if not fully crosses—the line of a blood libel trope. I do not make that argument lightly. See below for short explanation.
The magic of the books relies on the ritual harvesting (there’s no other word for it, as willing as some may be) of Scribes’ blood to make the ink, at the very least. The length of the book determines how much blood, and Scribes do die in the process of making books. More complex spells are composed of other ritually harvested parts, e.g., hair, sinew, skin. That the magic system relies on the ritual harvesting of the blood, lives, and bodies of a specific group of people (Scribes) in service of magic they themselves cannot enact or be affected by, toes the line of blood libel. That the book is focused on a specific, elite group and one influential character being the ones doing the ritual harvesting… you see what I mean.
Read with care and caution.
I do agree that Collins and Nicholas should have been endgame.
Read with care and caution.
I do agree that Collins and Nicholas should have been endgame.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Vomit, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Classism, Gore, Grief, Medical content, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement
kylieqrada's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Unabashedly in love with this book. If you like books, magic, family drama, and/or queers, please read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Body horror
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Vomit
risaleel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Violence, Bullying, Gore, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Murder, and Child abuse
sovner736's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Body horror and Injury/Injury detail
elizabeth_lepore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Death of parent, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
With decadently rich prose and an intriguing mix of magic and mystery, Emma Törzs’ Ink Blood Sister Scribe explores loyalty, sisterhood, betrayal and obsession —in this gorgeously interwoven tale about two estranged sisters, their family’s magical book collection and the shady organisation willing to do anything to possess them.
I absolutely loved this and really enjoyed how suspenseful, immersive and lush the world building was. The detailed and exquisitely rendered introduction we get into the day-to-day lives (and backstories) of all three of our protagonists was really well written—I was particularly intrigued by the depth and nuance we explore in Esther and Joanne’s sisterly bond.
Especially in how their childhood has shaped their adult lives (namely their ambitions, motivations and approach to relationships) as well as the complicated feelings surrounding their long-time estrangement.
I also found Nicholas’ upbringing quite fascinating and really enjoyed the juxtaposition between his own sheltered upbringing and that of Esther and Joanne’s, which, despite the similarities highlights just how severely lonely and starved of affection he is. Seeing how easily Nicholas risks his own well being to gain approval was genuinely quite heartbreaking—and his earnest attempts at friendship, with both his surly bodyguard and Esther made me want to give him a big hug.
Given the magical realist thriller-esque tone, the pace was slightly slower than I had anticipated, however, the slow-burn build up definitely helped to keep the multilayered and interwoven mystery dripping with tension and drowning in a sea of exquisitely crafted emotion. Trust me—the twists, turns and revelations uncovered will have you on the edge of your seat.
Not to mention the comedy gold we get in the Sunshine x Grump dynamics between Nicholas and his bodyguard Collins, or the utter adorableness of female Pomeranian Sir Kiwi (whose bond with Collins is soo sweet.)
Overall, an evocative and utterly spellbinding literary fantasy that’s full of vibrant, compelling characters you’ll be hard pressed not to root for. So, if you love books full of magic (and magical books) then you definitely don’t want to miss this!
Also, a massive thank you to Century UK for the fabulous proof.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Blood
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit