Reviews with content warning for Body horror - Ink Blood Sister Scribe

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

manonh90's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

quirkykayleetam's review

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

campisforever's review

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings