Book Review: Inked by Eric Smith

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publication: January 2015 from Bloomsbury Spark
Acquisition: bought

Synopsis:

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.

Now Caenum, Dreya, and their reluctant companion Kenzi must find their way to the Sanctuary, a secret town where those with the gift of magic are safe. Along the way, they learn the truth behind Ink, its dark origins, and why they are the only ones who can stop the Citadel.

Eric Smith takes you on a high-octane fantasy adventure, perfect for anyone who has dreamed of being different… only to discover that fate is more than skin deep.

(from Goodreads)

5 / 5 Stars

I really enjoyed Inked.

I'm a big fan of a this specific type of fantasy story. You know, a small specific story about a tiny piece of a much bigger world. A world with it's own set of rules that folks have to work their way through. A set of characters that are thrown together against a common enemy. Magic! Magic (almost) everywhere!

THAT type of story! That's what this is and it was pretty great.

Reminded me of The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab -- it had the same type of magical, fantasy awesomeness about it.

And, brace yourselves!

IT'S A STANDALONE!

Not that I don't love a good series. But sometimes, I prefer to take a smaller bite. And Inked tasted great!

...yeah...

Any who!

If you like YA fantasy / magic / realistic characters with personality and lives you care about -- read this book!

AND!

While you're at it -- keep an eye on Eric Smith. He has a real passion for (really good) YA fiction and it totally shows in his writing.

Catch a ride on the Tardis the next time it passes through your town (what? that doesn't happen to you?) and add all Eric's future books to your wishlists...in the future...so you won't have to do it later... (don't look at me like that - it totes makes sense!).

Bottom line? -- READ THIS BOOK