Review – Between Ink and Shadows by Melissa Wright

Title Between Ink and Shadows
Author Melissa Wright
Release Date December 1, 2020
Date Finished December 10, 2020

Description

She’ll win back her freedom, even if she has to steal it.

Nimona Weston has a debt to pay. Her father’s dealings with the dark society known as the Trust cost Nim her freedom. There’s one way out of the contract on her life and that’s to bide her time and pay the tithes. But when the Trust assigns Nim to a task in the king’s own castle, her freedom is not the only thing she’ll risk.

Warrick Spenser has a secret. As king’s seneschal, he should be the last soul in Inara to risk association with dark magic, but long-hidden ties to the Trust are harder to shed than simply cutting the threads. When the Trust sends a thief to his rooms, Warrick thinks he’s finally found a way to be rid of them for good. But Nimona Weston is hiding secrets of her own.

Initial Thoughts

I didn’t love the last Melissa Wright book I read. It had good bones, but wasn’t as good as I was expecting. This, however, sounded more up my alley so I thought I’d give this author another chance.

Some Things I Liked

• Regency inspiration mixed with interesting magic and world building. I really liked the world created here with contracts, magic, and bargains.
• Romance. I liked the subtle romance here. It definitely echos back to the regency inspiration and it seemed right for the setting. It’s not the main plot but it’s a nice addition.
• Web of secrets and lies. I thought the complex web of lies and secrets was well executed here. I didn’t guess the big reveal until quite late into the story and it was very well hidden. It definitely kept me on my toes.

One Thing I Wasn’t Crazy About

• While I enjoyed the world building, I found that it was dense in the beginning of the story and a bit poorly explained. I was confused initially and struggled to really get into the story initially.

Series Value

I would definitely read the next book in this series. I’d even go so far to say that I’d try to get my hands on a ARC. Given the other releases coming out that week, that’s high praise from me.

Final Thoughts

I liked this book. I liked it a lot more than I liked the last Melissa Wright book I read. I think the fact that it’s a duology gave it more leeway with pacing and world building and that was a welcome change.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

• Before Crown and Kingdom by Melissa Wright – this book is coming out on September 7, 2021. I haven’t read it yet but I definitely will read it when it’s out.
• Seven Ways to Kill a King by Melissa Wright – if you liked the writing style here and enjoy historical fantasy, try this standalone by the same author.