A review by betterthanhamlet
Ink in the Blood by Kim Smejkal

5.0

This started with really great worldbuilding--I loved the magic tattoos, and the ceremony and ritual surrounding them was really interesting. The characters were compelling from the start, and once the found family hit, the characters and bonds only got better and more satisfying. The end surprised me with a depth I hadn't expected--some wonderful emotional notes and thoughtful things to say about the relationship between former believers and the still-devout. Really enjoyed this book. I loved how it understood the depth of affection of all sorts of bonds, not just romantic ones. (There's romance, but it's not put on the highest pedestal necessarily which was refreshing.)