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brendalovesbooks's review
2.0
Although there were some original elements in Inked, I couldn't help but feel like it was a story I'd read before. There was nothing that really drew me in, and I spent the whole time while I was reading waiting for it to get going. I never warmed up to the characters, setting, plot, or any of it, for that matter.
This might appeal to someone (maybe teenage or younger boys) looking for a book with a male protagonist, but it just wasn't my thing.
This might appeal to someone (maybe teenage or younger boys) looking for a book with a male protagonist, but it just wasn't my thing.
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
3.5/5 Stars
This review and many others can be found on my blog - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Inked is a fun fantasy story that starts out really strong, but loses a little bit of it’s flair as it moves along (at least for me). Overall, I still did really enjoy the book, though. I loved the concept, and I enjoyed the characters, but I found my interest waning a bit in certain parts. Here’s more of an explanation why:
What I enjoyed:
The tattoos.
I loved the concept of this book – that people are tattooed with an image that basically defines who they will be for the rest of their lives. And the tattoos themselves were incredibly interesting – I loved the descriptions of Dreya’s tattoos and how they move and wind around her body and change with her emotions (and the seasons). It was also intriguing how the changes in the tattoos affected Dreya emotionally. The explanation for how the tattoos were created was imaginative and surprising, so I really enjoyed that too!
Dreya and Caenum.
I thought that the romance between Dreya and Caenum was sweet. They grew up together, so they already had a connection when the book began, and I enjoyed seeing it blossom into something more. Both Dreya and Caenum started the book as kind of naive kids and had to grow up a bit as the book progressed. They have to learn to become stronger and to embrace their strengths. I thought that Smith did a great job with this aspect of the book.
The magic.
There was lots of magical mayhem in this book. I loved the different powers that were explored and magical battles are always fun!
The negatives:
The journey.
I found that, during parts of Caenum, Dreya and Kenzi’s journey (when they’re on the run), I started to get a little bored. It seemed like they kept escaping and getting caught, escaping and getting caught, and I was starting to lose interest.
The climax.
I just wasn’t all that impressed with where the story went in the end. While I did think parts of it were very exciting, I also found myself rolling my eyes at certain things. Caenum takes on a bit of a leadership role at the very end of the book, and I couldn’t quite determine how or why (he hadn’t shown any leadership skills up until that point, and the people who were suddenly following him didn’t even really know him that well). It just seemed a little too convenient.
So, overall, I definitely enjoyed this book. I think that it might be better for younger YA readers because it just had a sort of younger feel to it (I’d feel comfortable giving it to my 12-year-old son to read). I give this book 3.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This review and many others can be found on my blog - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Inked is a fun fantasy story that starts out really strong, but loses a little bit of it’s flair as it moves along (at least for me). Overall, I still did really enjoy the book, though. I loved the concept, and I enjoyed the characters, but I found my interest waning a bit in certain parts. Here’s more of an explanation why:
What I enjoyed:
The tattoos.
I loved the concept of this book – that people are tattooed with an image that basically defines who they will be for the rest of their lives. And the tattoos themselves were incredibly interesting – I loved the descriptions of Dreya’s tattoos and how they move and wind around her body and change with her emotions (and the seasons). It was also intriguing how the changes in the tattoos affected Dreya emotionally. The explanation for how the tattoos were created was imaginative and surprising, so I really enjoyed that too!
Dreya and Caenum.
I thought that the romance between Dreya and Caenum was sweet. They grew up together, so they already had a connection when the book began, and I enjoyed seeing it blossom into something more. Both Dreya and Caenum started the book as kind of naive kids and had to grow up a bit as the book progressed. They have to learn to become stronger and to embrace their strengths. I thought that Smith did a great job with this aspect of the book.
The magic.
There was lots of magical mayhem in this book. I loved the different powers that were explored and magical battles are always fun!
The negatives:
The journey.
I found that, during parts of Caenum, Dreya and Kenzi’s journey (when they’re on the run), I started to get a little bored. It seemed like they kept escaping and getting caught, escaping and getting caught, and I was starting to lose interest.
The climax.
I just wasn’t all that impressed with where the story went in the end. While I did think parts of it were very exciting, I also found myself rolling my eyes at certain things. Caenum takes on a bit of a leadership role at the very end of the book, and I couldn’t quite determine how or why (he hadn’t shown any leadership skills up until that point, and the people who were suddenly following him didn’t even really know him that well). It just seemed a little too convenient.
So, overall, I definitely enjoyed this book. I think that it might be better for younger YA readers because it just had a sort of younger feel to it (I’d feel comfortable giving it to my 12-year-old son to read). I give this book 3.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
jessethereader's review
4.0
This was a fun little read! I loved the characters and the adventure that they found themselves on. There were heartbreaking moments and then there were down right hilarious moments. I would've liked the world to have been fleshed out a bit more, but it was still interesting and I loved the idea behind the tattoos and how they move. All in all, I enjoyed it. It left me wanting more from the world!
hiveretcafe's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on my blog, Hiver et Cafe
I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion whatsoever and I was not compensated in any shape or form in exchange for this review.
This book is a really great starter book for beginner fantasy readers. It's world building is quite simple and doesn't give a super complicated world with different countries and the like. However, it has the elements of fantasy required to ease beginners into the world of fantasy.
My favourite bit of this book has to be the magic system. When youth are of age, "scribes" come to the town to ink them. Essentially they are magical tattoos that come alive on the skin and take on the form of whatever occupation you would be suited best to. One of the main character's ink takes on the form of flowers and so she helps run the greenhouse. Later as the book progresses, we learn more about the magic system, it gets a little more complex. It's very clear that Eric Smith put a lot of thought into the system.
The plot was highly enjoyable and I only wish it had been longer or just slightly more drawn out, because it felt a little short to me. But then again, I am an avid fantasy reader and I'm used to reading the super long fantasies. However, I liked the ambiguous ending that leaves room for adding another book should the occasion arise, as at this moment in time, Inked is a standalone.
I think my favourite character is Kenzi. He isn't outright good in the beginning and doesn't see the merit of being "good" when it could get them killed. Kenzi has to be steered in the right direction by Caenum who is outrageously good. I also find it quite hilarious how absolutely smitten he is later with Rhys, a character that is introduced later on in the story.
Inked is an easy, quick fantasy read that's a lot of fun. It doesn't ask a big commitment of you, but still has you drawn into the world and characters. I really hope there's a continuation to this! I would love to read it!
I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion whatsoever and I was not compensated in any shape or form in exchange for this review.
This book is a really great starter book for beginner fantasy readers. It's world building is quite simple and doesn't give a super complicated world with different countries and the like. However, it has the elements of fantasy required to ease beginners into the world of fantasy.
My favourite bit of this book has to be the magic system. When youth are of age, "scribes" come to the town to ink them. Essentially they are magical tattoos that come alive on the skin and take on the form of whatever occupation you would be suited best to. One of the main character's ink takes on the form of flowers and so she helps run the greenhouse. Later as the book progresses, we learn more about the magic system, it gets a little more complex. It's very clear that Eric Smith put a lot of thought into the system.
The plot was highly enjoyable and I only wish it had been longer or just slightly more drawn out, because it felt a little short to me. But then again, I am an avid fantasy reader and I'm used to reading the super long fantasies. However, I liked the ambiguous ending that leaves room for adding another book should the occasion arise, as at this moment in time, Inked is a standalone.
I think my favourite character is Kenzi. He isn't outright good in the beginning and doesn't see the merit of being "good" when it could get them killed. Kenzi has to be steered in the right direction by Caenum who is outrageously good. I also find it quite hilarious how absolutely smitten he is later with Rhys, a character that is introduced later on in the story.
Inked is an easy, quick fantasy read that's a lot of fun. It doesn't ask a big commitment of you, but still has you drawn into the world and characters. I really hope there's a continuation to this! I would love to read it!
yourbookishgamermom's review
5.0
This book was absolutely amazing! I loved it! (and am REALLLLLLLLLLLY hoping there is a book two one day.) The first couple chapters I was unsure about where this was going story wise but was really enjoying it but then after those first couple chapters (and the end of interruptions at that very moment when I was trying to read) I was suddenly pulled into this awesome, action packed adventure! and I loved it! I absolutely loved the setting too! It felt like I was standing there amidst everything. I was whisked away to another world for sure! As every chapter went on I fell more and more in love with the characters and the story. Even better some of the characters had super powers! Eep! *jumps up and down in excitement* I mean, it doesn’t get much better than that!…Though, there was one point in the story where I MIGHT have become jealous of this characters powers…I was basically sitting there reading and being like: Hello Character? Yes, yes you. Can you just give me your powers please?
If I had powers, man. It would be all sorts of awesomeness…. *cough cough* Anyways…back to what I was saying.
This book was absolutely amazing and gave me all sorts of feels. Shipping feels, sadness feels…Feels all over the place! The characters were totally awesome and I loved them a lot!
Caenum was a really great character! (being the POV character that is good! :P) I liked his personality and his protective-ness of Dreya just about killed me every single time! It was just so sweet and adorable and- *shipping feels*
With that said, I really liked Dreya’s character as well. She was quite a sweet little thing but most definitely tough and could take care of herself without anyone’s assistance.
I am not going to lie though that Kenzi was my absolute favorite of the bunch though. A little stubborn at times and doesn’t seem to take orders all that well, Kenzi was an interesting addition to the little trio that consisted of himself, Caenum and Dreya. To be honest it seems like Kenzi always brought trouble with him wherever he went. (But that’s the fun of it, right?)…I don’t know if its just me but I found him to be a bit quirky too.
One thing I didn’t like (probably a minor thing in most peoples eyes and shouldn’t hinder you from reading the book! …That would be bad. Don’t not read the book cause of this little note!) was the language in the book. There wasn’t much of it but language in books just isn’t my favorite. So yeah, just a quick little note there…..
If I had powers, man. It would be all sorts of awesomeness…. *cough cough* Anyways…back to what I was saying.
This book was absolutely amazing and gave me all sorts of feels. Shipping feels, sadness feels…Feels all over the place! The characters were totally awesome and I loved them a lot!
Caenum was a really great character! (being the POV character that is good! :P) I liked his personality and his protective-ness of Dreya just about killed me every single time! It was just so sweet and adorable and- *shipping feels*
With that said, I really liked Dreya’s character as well. She was quite a sweet little thing but most definitely tough and could take care of herself without anyone’s assistance.
I am not going to lie though that Kenzi was my absolute favorite of the bunch though. A little stubborn at times and doesn’t seem to take orders all that well, Kenzi was an interesting addition to the little trio that consisted of himself, Caenum and Dreya. To be honest it seems like Kenzi always brought trouble with him wherever he went. (But that’s the fun of it, right?)…I don’t know if its just me but I found him to be a bit quirky too.
One thing I didn’t like (probably a minor thing in most peoples eyes and shouldn’t hinder you from reading the book! …That would be bad. Don’t not read the book cause of this little note!) was the language in the book. There wasn’t much of it but language in books just isn’t my favorite. So yeah, just a quick little note there…..
octobertune's review
3.0
Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This has not changed my opinion on the book in any way.
Last year I saw a tweet from the author about a blog tour for his book, Inked, that (on the day I post this) came out exactly one year ago! I decided to apply for the blog tour, because I had never been in a blog tour before, and I thought it would be a cool think to do. I had been interested in this book for a while now, but I just never went and picked it up because there were so many other books I wanted to read. So I am super happy to be one of the people chosen for the blog tour!
Inked tells the story of Caenum, who is not looking forward to his Inking at all. What if he doesn't like the Ink he's going to receive? He doesn't want his fate to be decided by a tattoo! So he plans to run away, but his grandmother and his best friend Dreya don't want him to leave. That is until they find someone in a field, with a power that no one has ever seen before. Caenum, Dreya and Kenzi must find a place that no one thinks exists in order for them to be safe.
I was really intrigued by this book, mainly because of the whole moving tattoo's idea. I once read a headcanon that in the world of Harry Potter, magical tattoo's could move and change with the seasons, so when I heard about this book I really hoped it would be like that. The tattoo's in Inked are similar to this, for example Dreya's tattoo does actually change with the seasons. During the winter season, the plants on her body actually wither and lose their leaves and stuff, which is really cool (okay maybe not for Dreya, but to me it sounded cool).
Caenum is our main character, and I'm honestly not too sure what to think about him. I like him, especially his relationship with Dreya and his determination to solve stuff without so much violence, but I don't know, there was something about him that annoyed me. Maybe the fact that he kept getting knocked out so much (I mean not his fault, but yeah it did happen a lot). Dreya could have been an amazing character, but I felt like she was pushed to the background more to give Ceanum and Kenzi more room to improve. I hope that in the sequel - I mean there is going to be a sequel right - that she gets more attention.
My main question mostly during this book was - where do these magical tattoos come from? what is the story behind them. I can say that even though the answer was a bit obvious when I thought about it, it did satisfy me a lot when I found out the cruel truth. I really liked the magic and the many different forms of magic. I believe it was mostly inspired by the four elements; water, air, fire and earth, and honestly elemental magic is something I love.
I did feel that there was something lacking, and I hate myself for not knowing exactly what, but I guess I just expected more, especially from the first half of the book. The latter part really picked up and I honestly enjoyed that part better than the first. The fight in the city was just my favourite part, as much as I hated to see those innocent people hurt. But honestly that's what I'm here for, the battles, the hurt, the deaths, the betrayal, that's my kind of thing!
So in the end, I really liked Inked and I will certainly be picking up the second book! If you're really intrigued by the whole magical moving tattoos like I was, and you love books with battles and magic; you should definitely pick up this book! The sequel, Rise of the Unprinted, will be released in May this year (at least, that's what Goodreads says)!
Last year I saw a tweet from the author about a blog tour for his book, Inked, that (on the day I post this) came out exactly one year ago! I decided to apply for the blog tour, because I had never been in a blog tour before, and I thought it would be a cool think to do. I had been interested in this book for a while now, but I just never went and picked it up because there were so many other books I wanted to read. So I am super happy to be one of the people chosen for the blog tour!
Inked tells the story of Caenum, who is not looking forward to his Inking at all. What if he doesn't like the Ink he's going to receive? He doesn't want his fate to be decided by a tattoo! So he plans to run away, but his grandmother and his best friend Dreya don't want him to leave. That is until they find someone in a field, with a power that no one has ever seen before. Caenum, Dreya and Kenzi must find a place that no one thinks exists in order for them to be safe.
I was really intrigued by this book, mainly because of the whole moving tattoo's idea. I once read a headcanon that in the world of Harry Potter, magical tattoo's could move and change with the seasons, so when I heard about this book I really hoped it would be like that. The tattoo's in Inked are similar to this, for example Dreya's tattoo does actually change with the seasons. During the winter season, the plants on her body actually wither and lose their leaves and stuff, which is really cool (okay maybe not for Dreya, but to me it sounded cool).
Caenum is our main character, and I'm honestly not too sure what to think about him. I like him, especially his relationship with Dreya and his determination to solve stuff without so much violence, but I don't know, there was something about him that annoyed me. Maybe the fact that he kept getting knocked out so much (I mean not his fault, but yeah it did happen a lot). Dreya could have been an amazing character, but I felt like she was pushed to the background more to give Ceanum and Kenzi more room to improve. I hope that in the sequel - I mean there is going to be a sequel right - that she gets more attention.
My main question mostly during this book was - where do these magical tattoos come from? what is the story behind them. I can say that even though the answer was a bit obvious when I thought about it, it did satisfy me a lot when I found out the cruel truth. I really liked the magic and the many different forms of magic. I believe it was mostly inspired by the four elements; water, air, fire and earth, and honestly elemental magic is something I love.
I did feel that there was something lacking, and I hate myself for not knowing exactly what, but I guess I just expected more, especially from the first half of the book. The latter part really picked up and I honestly enjoyed that part better than the first. The fight in the city was just my favourite part, as much as I hated to see those innocent people hurt. But honestly that's what I'm here for, the battles, the hurt, the deaths, the betrayal, that's my kind of thing!
So in the end, I really liked Inked and I will certainly be picking up the second book! If you're really intrigued by the whole magical moving tattoos like I was, and you love books with battles and magic; you should definitely pick up this book! The sequel, Rise of the Unprinted, will be released in May this year (at least, that's what Goodreads says)!
kimreadsthings's review
2.0
2.5
Inked is a decent enough fantasy novel that just doesn't have enough originality or interest to make it stand out from an already saturated genre. The concept of the magical tattoos is interesting and beautifully executed, but unfortunately that's about it for Ink's originality. The rest of the book is your typical hero quest (alongside witty sidekick and love interest) uncovering hidden magic, and fighting the bad guys to save the day. It's all very formulaic.
I think this would've been a stronger book without any romantic plot line at all. There is no build up as Caenum has already had feelings for years when we're dropped into the story and there also just isn't really any time in the plot for the little romance there is. It would've been a great opportunity for a platonic m/f friendship in YA but ah well.
I would agree with what others have said before me-this would definitely be a book for Intro to Fantasy readers. In fact, I'd recommend it to my middle school YA readers, and I can see it being especially useful in trying to ensnare those ever so tricky boy readers.
All in all not a bad a book-really! I just suffer, perhaps, from reading one too many fantasy novels before it.
Inked is a decent enough fantasy novel that just doesn't have enough originality or interest to make it stand out from an already saturated genre. The concept of the magical tattoos is interesting and beautifully executed, but unfortunately that's about it for Ink's originality. The rest of the book is your typical hero quest (alongside witty sidekick and love interest) uncovering hidden magic, and fighting the bad guys to save the day. It's all very formulaic.
I think this would've been a stronger book without any romantic plot line at all. There is no build up as Caenum has already had feelings for years when we're dropped into the story and there also just isn't really any time in the plot for the little romance there is. It would've been a great opportunity for a platonic m/f friendship in YA but ah well.
I would agree with what others have said before me-this would definitely be a book for Intro to Fantasy readers. In fact, I'd recommend it to my middle school YA readers, and I can see it being especially useful in trying to ensnare those ever so tricky boy readers.
All in all not a bad a book-really! I just suffer, perhaps, from reading one too many fantasy novels before it.
thegabecole's review
3.0
Fun read with a fascinating magic system—I mean, magic tattoos? AWESOME. It didn't grip me quite as much as some fantasies I've read, and I thought the villains at the end were a little overly evil for my tastes (I tend to prefer more sympathetic, nuanced antagonists), but overall this was enjoyable and interesting.
laclos's review
5.0
There's never a dull moment in this adventure-packed fantasy focused on a trio of kids who each manifest magic that has been repressed and controlled in their realm. They head out in search of a destiny of their own, and along the way, they encounter all manner of variety of people who skirt the outer boundaries of what is deemed acceptable for different reasons, from not getting "inked" to showing signs of supernatural powers. While the action is riveting, it's the study of how these diverse people live on the fringes and choose to fight to find a place in society again that really makes this book so powerful. This is the first book in a series, and I see that book #2, Branded, will be out next month!