**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.**
I’d like to begin by thanking The Fantastic Flying Book Club for choosing me to be a part of this tour. Please check out the other stops along the tour for other reviews, playlists, and other fun posts about this book and the author, Kim Smejkal.
Check out the full tour schedule here!
Giveaway
Prize: Win (1) of (2) finished copies of INK IN THE BLOOD by Kim Smejkal and temporary tattoos (US Only). Please note, there are two copies that can be won for the entire tour. There is also a copy that can be won on Instagram. Please see @theffbc and @books_over_everything for more information regarding the Instagram giveaway.
Starts: 5th February 2020
Ends: 19th February 2020
Enter here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86456/?
Title Ink in the Blood (Ink in the Blood #1)
Author Kim Smejkal
Release Date February 11, 2020
Description from Amazon
Celia Sand and her best friend, Anya Burtoni, are inklings for the esteemed religion of Profeta. Using magic, they tattoo followers with beautiful images that represent the Divine’s will and guide the actions of the recipients. It’s considered a noble calling, but ten years into their servitude Celia and Anya know the truth: Profeta is built on lies, the tattooed orders strip away freedom, and the revered temple is actually a brutal, torturous prison.
Their opportunity to escape arrives with the Rabble Mob, a traveling theater troupe. Using their inkling abilities for performance instead of propaganda, Celia and Anya are content for the first time . . . until they realize who followed them. The Divine they never believed in is very real, very angry, and determined to use Celia, Anya, and the Rabble Mob’s now-infamous stage to spread her deceitful influence even further.
To protect their new family from the wrath of a malicious deity and the zealots who work in her name, Celia and Anya must unmask the biggest lie of all—Profeta itself.
Initial Thoughts
I am super excited to say that I was chosen for a blog tour for this book in February. This book was on my radar before the tour was announced but I’m so glad I got my hands on an ARC.
Some Things I Liked
- Magic system. I loved that the primary source of magic in this world is tattoo ink. It’s such a unique concept and I loved it.
- Social structure. I thought the society and the rules that governed it were fascinating. For example, I loved that children chose their own names.
- Symbolism and the duality of light and dark. I loved the contrast between Anya and Celia, angel and devil, etc. I thought the symbols used in the story painted a beautiful picture and there was so much detail and thought in every word.
Something I Wasn’t Crazy About
- This book kinda gave me the creeps. I have this weird thing about books that tackle religion and devils and the such. I’m not sure why (murder, monsters, etc. don’t scare me), but demons, devils, the scary stuff of religion, all give me the absolute creeps. I didn’t love feeling creeped out.
Series Value
I really enjoyed this book. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next installment. There is a lot of story left to be told and I am looking forward to seeing how everything plays out.
Final Thoughts
This book had a super unique premise and tons of sequel potential. Despite creeping me out a bit, this book was a really enjoyable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommendations for Further Reading
- Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan – if you liked the gothic vibes as well as the concepts of zealots and heretics, give this series by Emily A. Duncan a try.
- Beneath the Haunting Sea by Joanna Ruth Meyer – if you liked elements of the divine and religion used in Ink in the Blood, try this series by Joanna Ruth Meyer
- We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faisal – if you enjoyed the divine / demon component of the story, as well as the plot twists, try this duology by Hafsah Faisal.
Author Bio
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: https://kimsmejkal.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18143421.Kim_Smejkal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimsmejkal
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimsmejkal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimsmejkal/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.es/KimSmejkal/
BOOK LINKS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43261156-ink-in-the-blood
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2qMRYSc
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ink-in-the-blood-kim-smejkal/1130010706?ean=9781328557056
iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/ink-in-the-blood/id1453250044
Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Ink-Blood-Kim-Smejkal/9781328557056?ref=grid-view&qid=1573650612981&sr=1-1
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/ink-in-the-blood-4
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The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club – Welcome Post
February 6th
Write, Read, Repeat – Interview
@onemused – Review
L.M. Durand – Review
Jinxed Reviews – Review + Favourite Quotes
Books Over Everything – Review
February 7th
NovelKnight – Guest Post
A Court of Coffee and Books – Review + Favourite Quotes
Moonlight Rendezvous – Review + Favourite Quotes
A Bookish Dream – Review
Reads and Thoughs – Review
February 8th
A Book Addict’s Bookshelves – Interview
Here’s to Happy Endings – Review
The Reading Corner for All – Review + Tattoo Magic
Not Just Fiction – Review + Favourite Quotes
Story-eyed Reviews – Review
February 9th
BookCrushin – Guest Post
The Book Lyst – Review
The Magical Pages – Review
Sincerely your books – Review + Favourite Quotes
Sohinee Reads & Reviews – Review
February 10th
Belle’s Archive – Review + Favourite Quotes
Portrait of a Book – Review
Sometimes Leelynn Reads – Review + Playlist
Starlight Reads – Review + Favourite Quotes
PopTheButterfly Reads – Review
February 11th
Foals, Fiction & Filigree – Review + Favourite Quotes
Booked J – Review + Favourite Quotes
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Reader Voracious – Review
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