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hpstrangelove's review
5.0
Jack Pyke is my second favorite author these days (Manna Francis being my number one). I'll read anything she writes - I just wish she'd write more! It's difficult having to wait for her next book in the Don't series.
Broken Ink is her most recent work. It's a dark story, dark in a different way than in Don't. There's child abuse and rape which will keep most mainstream readers away, and even those who enjoy dark and twisted plots may not be able to handle this book. The idea that tattoo ink could be composed of some sort of chemical that would allow mind control over the person inked may seem far fetched, but with some of the off-the-books funding of government experiments, I find it certainly believable.
The opening three chapters lay the foundation of the story and are difficult to read. Several times I was brought to tears by the childrens' plight and the decision the one main character is forced to make.
The rest of the book takes place thirteen years later. I was somewhat confused as to what was going on as I began to read the forth chapter, but that was because the main character, Kiyen, was confused, not knowing where he is or why because he'd lost his short term memory. It's an amazingly powerful, explicit, dub-con sex scene. The descriptions the author uses is like reading poetry. I only wish I was an artist so I could draw the image of ink and ice with the mirror.
The story is fast paced with twists and turns, sex, death, and love. There is a scene towards the end that was definitely hard to read because of the rape involved, but it's not gratuitous and I think is necessary to the plot.
But what stays with me is the death of one of the characters. I still cannot think about it without getting tears in my eyes. There is so much love and regret in that scene - it simply breaks my heart.
I've read this book twice now, picking up on things during my second read that I'd missed on the first. The cover art is beautiful and even though I don't buy books anymore (no where to store them!), this is one I want to have on my self.
Actually, I want all of Jack Pyke's books on my shelf, right there next to my Administration books.
(And Jack, please hurry up with Grey Matters! I'm dying here waiting to read it!)
Broken Ink is her most recent work. It's a dark story, dark in a different way than in Don't. There's child abuse and rape which will keep most mainstream readers away, and even those who enjoy dark and twisted plots may not be able to handle this book. The idea that tattoo ink could be composed of some sort of chemical that would allow mind control over the person inked may seem far fetched, but with some of the off-the-books funding of government experiments, I find it certainly believable.
The opening three chapters lay the foundation of the story and are difficult to read. Several times I was brought to tears by the childrens' plight and the decision the one main character is forced to make.
The rest of the book takes place thirteen years later. I was somewhat confused as to what was going on as I began to read the forth chapter, but that was because the main character, Kiyen, was confused, not knowing where he is or why because he'd lost his short term memory. It's an amazingly powerful, explicit, dub-con sex scene. The descriptions the author uses is like reading poetry. I only wish I was an artist so I could draw the image of ink and ice with the mirror.
The story is fast paced with twists and turns, sex, death, and love. There is a scene towards the end that was definitely hard to read because of the rape involved, but it's not gratuitous and I think is necessary to the plot.
But what stays with me is the death of one of the characters. I still cannot think about it without getting tears in my eyes. There is so much love and regret in that scene - it simply breaks my heart.
I've read this book twice now, picking up on things during my second read that I'd missed on the first. The cover art is beautiful and even though I don't buy books anymore (no where to store them!), this is one I want to have on my self.
Actually, I want all of Jack Pyke's books on my shelf, right there next to my Administration books.
(And Jack, please hurry up with Grey Matters! I'm dying here waiting to read it!)
c0uldyimagine's review
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Child abuse
Moderate: Self harm
reedkaye's review
5.0
I'm reviewing the audio edition. I just recently found this story. I have listened to the Don’t series and love it so when I found there was another series out there, I had to listen to it.
This is an extremely emotional story. It starts with events happening to kids and Kiyen is one of the special kids. He broke my heart right from the start and following what happens to him and his reaction to a life he is forced into made me keep listening every chance I got. I think part of what held my attention is that maybe this could touch on reality. Tattoo ink being used for mind control. I’m amazed the author can come up with the stories so well thought out and how the characters are all so much a perfect part of the story. Since this audio is over 12 hours, I was surprised how smoothly the plot flowed and the characters involvement in the story. This is one of those stories I will have to listen to again just to remember all the happenings. The narration by Dan Calley added to my enjoyment of the book by bringing the characters to life.
This is an extremely emotional story. It starts with events happening to kids and Kiyen is one of the special kids. He broke my heart right from the start and following what happens to him and his reaction to a life he is forced into made me keep listening every chance I got. I think part of what held my attention is that maybe this could touch on reality. Tattoo ink being used for mind control. I’m amazed the author can come up with the stories so well thought out and how the characters are all so much a perfect part of the story. Since this audio is over 12 hours, I was surprised how smoothly the plot flowed and the characters involvement in the story. This is one of those stories I will have to listen to again just to remember all the happenings. The narration by Dan Calley added to my enjoyment of the book by bringing the characters to life.
leelah's review
2.0
2,5 stars
Trigger warning:
Bare bones: Kiyen has ink on his body that gives him very special powers. He works for government agency as an assassin, but he is currently on the run..only, he has no idea why. He can't remember just what made him leave only family he ever knew and warranted psychic attacks and sexual torture from fellow assassin who is his brother in every other way that counts but blood. It doesn't help there is Second ink in town his Ink responds to.
******
Mixed feelings about this one.
There is a great premise and idea behind it, but
1)you have to be patient, because plot picks up seriously after 50% mark and
2)you have to dig up for story between copious amount of sex scenes.
About 1): Opening chapters are some of the best stuff I read from Pyke. It's a scene set in past- one that triggers everything else and determines main character's life. It's also suspenseful and pretty damn terrifying. But, as soon as we are switched to present time, with Kiyen awakening in a room, it's a mess. :| Seriously, everything is vague and dreamlike and you have no idea if it's in his mind or real. Now, I wouldn't mind this taunting with lack of info, but it simply dragged too long. At some point keeping reader in dark stops being suspenseful and just becomes confusing.:\
About 2): Here is the thing : I am a plot-driven reader. I am with you as long as plot is progressing in some direction. Any direction! Unfortunately, we follow Yen as he has these obscure sexual cravings for several guys, we don't know really understand why- we just know it has something to do with his ink. Then between those scenes he also have sex(?) with other dude who talks in his head, but he is actually there with him or not...you see what I mean? I am all for smut...as long as it's not suffocating the plot progression.
There was simply too much sex scenes...and not all of it was hot, imho. -__-
Now I am a bit conflicted about world-building simply because whole mythology and magic behind ink remains a mystery for reader. In after piece author writes that it's was hers and editor's choice to give as less information and explanations about ink as it's possible. I can't say I didn't need more, but for the life of me, I can't understand why was its use only restricted to sex. Especially in second part where we see that there are some other powers involved... I would think if you have psychic powers you would make people do all kind of things.. not just those of sexual nature. But if it was a deliberate move, I am not going to poke that. What I am going to poke is this: whole First Ink/Second Ink sexual dynamic was completely fucked up. I don't like it because it basically implies that person who bottoms is somehow lesser than person who tops. It's just wrong.. Even when Kiyen and Falon fight, Yen as First is looking at Falon from position of superiority because Seconds are sluts, but the only reason Falon rejects and dislikes about Yen's status of First ink is that he is capable of mind control!
"Fuck you, you slut!"
"No, fuck you, you mindfucker!"
:\
What kind of effed up, irrational fight that is?! Oh, yeah, you got him there, Falon,nothing worse then being able to screw with everyone's head. -__-
But, second half was much, much better.
Pace picks up, some things get more clear and it's just as suspenseful as opening chapter.
Pyke can tell a story and she is not afraid to take all kind of risks with her characters, but I just think some tiding up in first part would be significantly better. This really interesting premise was wasted on being only setting for so many erotic scenes... It was too beautiful and elaborate and it had potential to be much more. This is why I wish there is a prequel story where we can see Firsts on a mission.. We don't get to see why Kiyen is top MI7 assassin, we just know he is in this novel, and it would be fun seeing how he uses his powers.
Trigger warning:
Spoiler
Scenes of physical violence against children, implied sexual violence against children.Bare bones: Kiyen has ink on his body that gives him very special powers. He works for government agency as an assassin, but he is currently on the run..only, he has no idea why. He can't remember just what made him leave only family he ever knew and warranted psychic attacks and sexual torture from fellow assassin who is his brother in every other way that counts but blood. It doesn't help there is Second ink in town his Ink responds to.
******
Mixed feelings about this one.
There is a great premise and idea behind it, but
1)you have to be patient, because plot picks up seriously after 50% mark and
2)you have to dig up for story between copious amount of sex scenes.
About 1): Opening chapters are some of the best stuff I read from Pyke. It's a scene set in past- one that triggers everything else and determines main character's life. It's also suspenseful and pretty damn terrifying. But, as soon as we are switched to present time, with Kiyen awakening in a room, it's a mess. :| Seriously, everything is vague and dreamlike and you have no idea if it's in his mind or real. Now, I wouldn't mind this taunting with lack of info, but it simply dragged too long. At some point keeping reader in dark stops being suspenseful and just becomes confusing.:\
About 2): Here is the thing : I am a plot-driven reader. I am with you as long as plot is progressing in some direction. Any direction! Unfortunately, we follow Yen as he has these obscure sexual cravings for several guys, we don't know really understand why- we just know it has something to do with his ink. Then between those scenes he also have sex(?) with other dude who talks in his head, but he is actually there with him or not...you see what I mean? I am all for smut...as long as it's not suffocating the plot progression.
There was simply too much sex scenes...and not all of it was hot, imho. -__-
Now I am a bit conflicted about world-building simply because whole mythology and magic behind ink remains a mystery for reader. In after piece author writes that it's was hers and editor's choice to give as less information and explanations about ink as it's possible. I can't say I didn't need more, but for the life of me, I can't understand why was its use only restricted to sex. Especially in second part where we see that there are some other powers involved... I would think if you have psychic powers you would make people do all kind of things.. not just those of sexual nature. But if it was a deliberate move, I am not going to poke that. What I am going to poke is this: whole First Ink/Second Ink sexual dynamic was completely fucked up. I don't like it because it basically implies that person who bottoms is somehow lesser than person who tops. It's just wrong.. Even when Kiyen and Falon fight, Yen as First is looking at Falon from position of superiority because Seconds are sluts, but the only reason Falon rejects and dislikes about Yen's status of First ink is that he is capable of mind control!
"Fuck you, you slut!"
"No, fuck you, you mindfucker!"
:\
What kind of effed up, irrational fight that is?! Oh, yeah, you got him there, Falon,nothing worse then being able to screw with everyone's head. -__-
But, second half was much, much better.
Pace picks up, some things get more clear and it's just as suspenseful as opening chapter.
Pyke can tell a story and she is not afraid to take all kind of risks with her characters, but I just think some tiding up in first part would be significantly better. This really interesting premise was wasted on being only setting for so many erotic scenes... It was too beautiful and elaborate and it had potential to be much more. This is why I wish there is a prequel story where we can see Firsts on a mission.. We don't get to see why Kiyen is top MI7 assassin, we just know he is in this novel, and it would be fun seeing how he uses his powers.
mrella's review
3.0
WARNING: Graphic rape scenes, severe child abuse, torture, sexual assault, violent death/murder. It’s not just an 18-year old teenager who suffers throughout this book, the children in the beginning of the story (the episode is mentioned again closer to the end) are anywhere from 4 to 9 years old.
knutsoel's review
3.0
This was so much out of my comfort zone.
It's more a (psychological) thriller than a romance, but that genre tag didn't show here on goodreads.
If it had I probably wouldn't have picked this one up, because it's completely not the type of book I like to read.
Plus to me it came across as more a case of lust than romance with the Mc's, it could still develop, but that's not in the book.
Finally there should also be a warning about child abuse content.
Still a book well written.
It's more a (psychological) thriller than a romance, but that genre tag didn't show here on goodreads.
If it had I probably wouldn't have picked this one up, because it's completely not the type of book I like to read.
Plus to me it came across as more a case of lust than romance with the Mc's, it could still develop, but that's not in the book.
Finally there should also be a warning about child abuse content.
Still a book well written.
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