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aksmith92's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.5
Sometimes, there is nothing better than a book about books!
The setup: The novel follows two sisters, Esther and Joanna, born and raised in a magical family - those who can read magic from books and cast certain spells. While Joanna can produce this magic when reading it, Ester seems untouched by the magic. When she reads the books, nothing happens. More perplexing, magic seems to have no impact on her. Esther and Joanna's family is complicated, and we are met with many fascinating tales about mothers, fathers, stepmothers, and overall familial ties.
In addition, we also travel alongside the tale of someone named Nicholas and his bodyguard, Collins. We know little about Nicholas and his ties to Esther and Joanna's story, but he lives in The Library, a heavily guarded magical library in London. Nicholas is a Scribe, meaning that he writes magical books.
Throughout the novel, we learn of the characters, the magic, and their connection through many ups and downs.
What I liked: I found this novel quite innovative and original. The theme of magical books has no doubt been done before, particularly in witchy settings, but I just thought this one was unique. Additionally, the writing style and prose were just lovely. I found it atmospheric but still grounded in modern times, which was an interesting touch. To me, this seemed to sway to the side of magical realism versus fantasy, but it is about magical books and spells, so I can see why it wouldn't necessarily be too close to real life. Either way, I just thought it worked so well. There were also a couple of twists and turns throughout this novel that I didn't see coming, which I always LOVE!
What didn't hit the mark: The beginning was slow, and while I loved the character development, once the connection was there between plots, I felt some things were a little rushed. That said, I gave this 4.5 stars, so it didn't impact my overall reading experience and love for the book.
I recommend this as a nice in between of magical realism, contemporary literature, and fantasy. It was super readable, yet poetic at times, and I loved the plot. I look forward to checking out this author's other works in the future!
The setup: The novel follows two sisters, Esther and Joanna, born and raised in a magical family - those who can read magic from books and cast certain spells. While Joanna can produce this magic when reading it, Ester seems untouched by the magic. When she reads the books, nothing happens. More perplexing, magic seems to have no impact on her. Esther and Joanna's family is complicated, and we are met with many fascinating tales about mothers, fathers, stepmothers, and overall familial ties.
In addition, we also travel alongside the tale of someone named Nicholas and his bodyguard, Collins. We know little about Nicholas and his ties to Esther and Joanna's story, but he lives in The Library, a heavily guarded magical library in London. Nicholas is a Scribe, meaning that he writes magical books.
Throughout the novel, we learn of the characters, the magic, and their connection through many ups and downs.
What I liked: I found this novel quite innovative and original. The theme of magical books has no doubt been done before, particularly in witchy settings, but I just thought this one was unique. Additionally, the writing style and prose were just lovely. I found it atmospheric but still grounded in modern times, which was an interesting touch. To me, this seemed to sway to the side of magical realism versus fantasy, but it is about magical books and spells, so I can see why it wouldn't necessarily be too close to real life. Either way, I just thought it worked so well. There were also a couple of twists and turns throughout this novel that I didn't see coming, which I always LOVE!
What didn't hit the mark: The beginning was slow, and while I loved the character development, once the connection was there between plots, I felt some things were a little rushed. That said, I gave this 4.5 stars, so it didn't impact my overall reading experience and love for the book.
I recommend this as a nice in between of magical realism, contemporary literature, and fantasy. It was super readable, yet poetic at times, and I loved the plot. I look forward to checking out this author's other works in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Child abuse, Body horror, Grief, Violence, Confinement, Blood, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Medical content, and Medical trauma
akswhy's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.25
A truly unique magic system wedged in a satisfyingly deep plot. One of those that unfolds perfectly so you come to the realizations right before the characters do. I wouldn’t mind a sequel, but it’s a well-contained stand-alone as it is. Only note is that it could have been gayer. But that’s my note for most books soooooo
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Gun violence
Minor: Death of parent
shadowspinner's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Death and Gun violence
Minor: Child abuse
laura_berger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, and Violence
pompompuri's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
Honestly one of my favorite reads of 2023, and it's December.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Gun violence, and Blood
Minor: Eating disorder, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
nialiversuch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Gun violence, Violence, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Confinement, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
zias's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
It was very slow to get into for me, but around the halfway point it really picked up. I enjoyed the author’s writing and descriptions. I also enjoyed the relationships built by the main characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Medical content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Gun violence
passionatereader78's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
This is well written. I enjoyed this book! It makes you want to stick to ebooks and audiobooks. I loved the settings and the flow of the book. Esther hasn't been home since she turned 18. Her father told her she has to stay on the move so the bad guys won't find her. Now she's in her 30s and is ready to plant roots. On the other side of the world her sister Joanna has isolated herself from the rest of the world. They both are protecting the family secret. In the meantime Nicholas is in England draining his blood to explore the same secret. The secret of Blood and Magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Gun violence
laurenleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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? No
4.0
Very cool premise about books containing magic! And the characters were delightful. I loved the mirror magic conceit too. I would likely be interested to read more in the world if there’s a sequel, but I do have some major hang ups around blood that made the reading experience challenging at times. Honestly I can’t write more about it because it makes me feel sick, but I’m a baby about this. If you don’t feel squeamish and you like magic/fantasy/books about books, you’ll love this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Gun violence
palmkd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This story is about many things, perhaps you'd think Ink would be the biggest as it's listed first but really that's Blood. Then it's possibly a tie between Ink, Sister and Scribe.
This is a captivating fever dream type tale where books are magic but only if the book was written with a special ink. The kind imbued with blood.
Joanna and Esther, sisters, were raised in a house that admired and protected the books, but when Esther turned 18 everything started to be weird and the secrets started piling up.
This book has major dark academia vibes as it explores the bounds of family and secrets and what people are willing to do for power and magic.
It was a very easy story to get lost in and devour in just a few settings. It's one of those where I feel it's best to not know too much going in. Know that it is dark, there's a lot of blood and lack of self care, and there's magic blended in with the regular world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, Gun violence, and Classism