Prepare to enter a world of tattoos and fantasy and magic.
In our world, the choice is yours as to whether or not you want to get a tattoo. Imagine living in a world where getting tattooed, or Inked, is law. Once you turned eighteen, it is time for you to get Inked to discover what will be your job in life. Will you be a healer? Is gardening your thing? Maybe you are destined to be a cook. The Ink decides.
The Ink not only forms tattoos on your body, but it also continually moves and changes. It is as though the tattoo is alive.
A corrupt government that imposes far too many rules on it citizens must be defeated. But where did this government arise from? What were the beginnings of this Ink that is used to decide the destiny of every citizen?
What is supposed to be an exciting time in life for those coming of age has filled Caenum with fear and dread. He has decided that he will not submit to being Inked. He has determined to run away and join the Unprinted, the ones without Ink who must stay hidden from the scribes or be killed.
Caenum is about to change his mind and submit to the scribes to be Inked when events happen that show him he must run. He must lead another who is one of the Unprinted to a village where he will be safe and join others like him. Not only is this one he must help Unprinted, but he also has magical powers.
Along the way to this hidden place, Caenum makes many discoveries about himself and who he really is. After a few harrowing experiences, they do reach this hidden village where there is a huge surprise waiting for Caenum.
This is also a tale of love and betrayal. There are two with Caenum that he loves dearly. One will stand by him forever; the other will betray him and even try to kill him.
Did I enjoy this story? Yes, I did. The beginning was fast-paced and so was the end. I thought it got a bit slow in the middle, but it was still interesting and quite readable.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you love a good fantasy story filled with tattoos, magic, love, and betrayal, please click on the Amazon link below to purchase your own copy.
Amazon link: Inked
Favorite Sentences:
Her Ink was beautiful that season, with white honeysuckle petals dripping with dew, multicolored nasturtiums that made their way down her forearms, all of which rustled when a breeze licked her sun-kissed skin.
My tongue felt like a dried strip of leather.
From where we stood, I could see the shells of houses and storefronts, standing like charred skeletons inside, the outlines of fallen bodies dotting their doorways.
Twigs were lodged in my flesh, and I stared, awestruck.
About the Author:
Eric Smith is the co-founder of Geekadelphia, a popular hyperlocal blog in Philadelphia, covering all-that-is-geek in the City of Brotherly Love. In 2011, he co-founded the Philadelphia Geek Awards with Tim Quirino and the Academy of Natural Sciences, a ceremony honoring local geeks.
His writing has appeared locally in the Philadelphia Weekly, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly.com, and you can catch him blogging almost daily on Geekadelphia. He contributes to BookRiot and his personal essays have been published in the literary journals “The Apiary” and “The Bygone Bureau”.
Eric holds a BA in English from Kean University and an MA in English from Arcadia University, two schools he adores. He uses those fancy degrees to teach the occasional literature and composition course at Peirce College. His mom keeps these degrees hanging in his childhood home, and won’t give them back.
In another life, he used to photograph and tour with rock bands. He was a serious scene kid and once won an award from Alternative Press. Don’t believe the scene cred? Check out this Silverstein’s music video for “If You Could See Into My Soul”. Done? Did you see someone familiar? That should tell you enough.
A native of New Jersey (don’t hate), he currently lives in Philadelphia. You can find him on Twitter at @ericsmithrocks and @geekadelphia.
This review is amazing!