This review is part of Melody’s Summer Reading: Diversity Spotlight. Enjoy!
Inked by Eric Smith
Release Date: January 20, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Source: Bought
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Tattoos once were an act of rebellion. Now they decide your destiny the moment the magical Ink settles under your skin.
And in a world where Ink controls your fate, Caenum can’t escape soon enough. He is ready to run from his family, and his best friend Dreya, and the home he has known, just to have a chance at a choice.
But when he upsets the very Scribe scheduled to give him his Ink on his eighteenth birthday, he unwittingly sets in motion a series of events that sends the corrupt, magic-fearing government, The Citadel, after him and those he loves.
A high-octane fantasy adventure, perfect for anyone who has dreamed of being different… only to discover that fate is more than skin deep.
If you’ve been following my reviews recently, you know that I’m not a huge fantasy reader. I take many chances and that’s what I did here. I found the concept of this to be quite interesting. Not intriguing enough to read as soon as I got it but I felt like I had a really good handle on the world and what to expect before reading and I’m happy to say that the world is basically laid out as I expected. I loved the meaning behind the tattoos and that true definition was literally put on people’s skin. This book definitely makes you think twice about what your first or next tattoo will be!
That said, I really wanted more. I wanted more all around. More from the world. I love the character names but I wanted more character depth. Stronger relationship dynamics. More emotional resonance. Maybe a slower pace and more words for more moments. The story starts off strong, has many humorous moments, and I love that there’s no shortage of action. That really kept me reading, the story was always in motion which I can’t say enough how much I appreciated. Still, I wasn’t connected enough to the coming war at hand to really be super excited at every turn, on every page.
So overall, this is a solid, well written fantasy that didn’t resonate with me in particular but I’m sure it will for a reader who can wholly connect to all that this book has to offer. As someone who is very hit or miss with fantasy, this for me was a miss but I know it can be a hit with someone else. So while I can’t personally recommend this title and then look over your shoulder excitedly as I wait for you to finish reading, I can say it’s worth giving a shot if the concept intrigues you!
Inked by Eric Smith is available today.