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Ink Blood Sister Scribe
In this spellbinding debut novel, two estranged half-sisters tasked with guarding their family's library of magical books must work together to unravel a deadly secret at the heart of their collection--a tale of familial loyalty and betrayal, and the pursuit of magic and power.
For generations, the Kalotay family has guarded a collection of ancient and rare books. Books that let a person walk through walls or manipulate the elements--books of magic that half-sisters Joanna and Esther have been raised to revere and protect.
All magic comes with a price, though, and for years the sisters have been separated. Esther has fled to a remote base in Antarctica to escape the fate that killed her own mother, and Joanna's isolated herself in their family home in Vermont, devoting her life to the study of these cherished volumes. But after their father dies suddenly while reading a book Joanna has never seen before, the sisters must reunite to preserve their family legacy. In the process, they'll uncover a world of magic far bigger and more dangerous than they ever imagined, and all the secrets their parents kept hidden; secrets that span centuries, continents, and even other libraries . . .
For generations, the Kalotay family has guarded a collection of ancient and rare books. Books that let a person walk through walls or manipulate the elements--books of magic that half-sisters Joanna and Esther have been raised to revere and protect.
All magic comes with a price, though, and for years the sisters have been separated. Esther has fled to a remote base in Antarctica to escape the fate that killed her own mother, and Joanna's isolated herself in their family home in Vermont, devoting her life to the study of these cherished volumes. But after their father dies suddenly while reading a book Joanna has never seen before, the sisters must reunite to preserve their family legacy. In the process, they'll uncover a world of magic far bigger and more dangerous than they ever imagined, and all the secrets their parents kept hidden; secrets that span centuries, continents, and even other libraries . . .
416 pages, Hardcover
First published May 30, 2023
About the author
Emma Törzs
8 books1,078 followersEMMA TÖRZS is a writer, teacher, and occasional translator based in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. Her fiction has been honored with an NEA fellowship in prose,
a World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction, and an O. Henry Prize. Her stories
have been published in journals such as Ploughshares, Uncanny Magazine, Lightspeed,
Strange Horizons, and American Short Fiction. She received her MFA from
the University of Montana, Missoula, and is an enthusiastic member of the
Clarion West class of 2017.
Minnesota. Her fiction has been honored with an NEA fellowship in prose,
a World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction, and an O. Henry Prize. Her stories
have been published in journals such as Ploughshares, Uncanny Magazine, Lightspeed,
Strange Horizons, and American Short Fiction. She received her MFA from
the University of Montana, Missoula, and is an enthusiastic member of the
Clarion West class of 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,555 reviews
April 18, 2023
MY SISTER WROTE THIS BOOK 🥰
February 22, 2024
I feel a little conflicted with this one. It was interesting but it never pulled me in… it started to pick up at the 70% mark (and it’s a 624 pages book) - and by that time, I find I didn’t really care about any of the characters except Collins 🥲
I felt so sleepy while reading this and had to force myself to pick it back up 😅
I think this book is for you if you want to read about protecting magical books from malevolent hands. It’s a slow story in my opinion, so if you like to savour your books rather than devour them - this will definitely be for you
Pre read ; Took a little reading break yesterday. Hope this delivers 💝
I felt so sleepy while reading this and had to force myself to pick it back up 😅
I think this book is for you if you want to read about protecting magical books from malevolent hands. It’s a slow story in my opinion, so if you like to savour your books rather than devour them - this will definitely be for you
Pre read ; Took a little reading break yesterday. Hope this delivers 💝
February 17, 2023
THIS BOOK DESTROYED ME AND MADE ME LOSE FEELING IN MY HANDS WITH HOW ANXIOUS IT MADE ME FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS BEST 2023 RELEASE BY A THOUSAND MILES
March 16, 2023
“Blood. Herbs.
Somebody here had a book.
Somebody here was doing magic.”
Emma Törzs seamlessly meshes together fantasy, thriller and dark academia to bring us a spectacularly spellbinding debut. Buzzing with atmospheric prose, charismatic characters and a cryptic plot, Ink Blood Sister Scribe sumptuously bleeds magic from every page.
We follow Joanna and Esther, two estranged half-sisters who must protect their family’s collection of magical books as their ancestors for generations have done. However, where our story begins Joanna and Esther have been separated for several years with hardly any contact with one another. Joanna lives in their family home in Vermont and is now the sole protector of their magical books, each night she must reset the wards which stop outsiders from discovering where they are, thus meaning Joanna can never leave home for long. Whereas Esther has spent years traveling the world, never staying in one place beyond a year as her father had warned her against the night before she ran away. She now resides in Antarctica on a research station and when she falls in love with a girl named Pearl, she decides to stay beyond her limit. Yet when she discovers blood on all the mirrors in the station she knows the people who have been hunting her family are now coming for her. Then there’s Nicholas, who lives in London, confined within his family’s mansion which holds another secret magical Library. Nicholas is constantly under the protective eye of his uncle Richard, for Nicholas is the last Scribe, only his blood holds the power to write magic. These three characters are caught in a dark tale of magic, lies and secrets and when they discover the truth, it changes everything they thought they once knew.
The first half of this novel paints a wonderfully vivid picture of our three key characters by showing us their present lives and tenderly giving us glimpses into their backstories. Joanna and Esther both recall memories of their childhood when the pair had been so close, when their family had been whole, when magic and wonderment had filled their home. A spell to create blooming flowers and vines in their bedroom, another to make them swing high into the air, both girls had grown up with books which had the power to bring them so much joy. Before it all fell apart. Before magic divided them. Nicholas similarly has paid the cost of magic, though creating spells has its honour and sense of purpose, using blood to create magical spells takes a significant toll on one’s health, meaning the more Nicholas creates the more he deteriorates. I loved exploring these various sides of magic, the beauty and the loss.
“In the house, surrounded by the remnants of her father's life, books buzzing beneath her feet, she sometimes felt so alone she worried she might vanish like the ink in an overused book. But here, with wildlife all around her and magic sweet in the air like good cider, she felt her lines and colors returning, her edges darkening, her core filled in.
She cupped her hands around the coyote's beautiful face and stared into those beautiful eyes, which stared right back, the pale green of the last changing leaf. How many other people could say thev'd done such a thing? How many people had wielded this kind of power?”
This is a tale that’s so multilayered, so richly woven together that the narrative entertainingly meanders through puzzle solving, uncovering long hidden family secrets and self discovery. Throughout Törzs deliciously blends together contemporary with classic fairytale staples such as various enchantments, magic mirrors, forest animals, a quest, absent parents and even a stepmother. Like any dark fairytale, it is also drenched in blood. There is a fascinating twist on witches and mages as instead of spells just being read aloud and cast, blood is the key to activating the magic or for creating it. There are those who can feel and even hear magic but cannot create it, and there are those who can create it but never feel or hear it. Then there are some spells that are ongoing, that are a work in progress, that hold the power to drain the user’s blood dry.
I was also impressed by the clever way Törzs writes each different POV in a different tone and style befitting to the character we are with. Joanna is written in an almost fairytale-esque way, Esther holds a contemporary style with breezy dialogue and Nicholas has a scholarly tone. The contrast between Nicholas’s British posh manner and his more surly Boston bodyguard, Collins, was rather amusing whenever the pair bantered with one another! Joanna and Nicholas were of course my favourites, their love for books and their introverted nature echoed mine in many ways. You also cannot help but love Sir Kiwi, a very good and loyal, if a touch pampered doggie.
Though I can’t mention the identity of the main villain in Ink Blood Sister Scribe, I must mention how fantastically they too are written. Their manipulation is subtle, sugar coated with love and false affection, they hold the power of wealth, privilege and dominance over others, they orchestrate plans on a level to get exactly what they want no matter how cruel, how deceitful. They strive on other’s dependence upon them, they are a true narcissist. I did suspect them from the moment we met their character but this didn’t dampen my enjoyment in any way, I still had a lot of pleasure watching them get discovered and eventually get their comeuppance.
“Nicholas had loved myths and fairy tales, but unlike most children he'd never seen himself in the plucky heroes and heroines who spat jewels from blessed mouths or spun wheat into gold or stumbled across magic beans, magic lamps, magic geese. His place was outside the stories, where someone, he imagined, was writing all the spells that made the magic possible.”
A significant theme within the book is that of isolation. Through these characters Törzs reflects upon various ways one can experience loneliness. Nicholas is trapped within his warded mansion, he’s surrounded by employed staff, but feels he has never made deep connections with any of them, not even his former tutor Maram, Collins nor his uncle, Richard. Similarly, Joanna is isolated in her warded cottage in Vermont but she is completely alone with only the occasional contact with her mother, she desperately seeks companionship with animals such as the elusive cat who scratches at her door. Whereas Esther is free to roam the world as she pleases, but never being able to stay in one place for long brings its loneliness too as she eventually has to leave the ones she gets attached to behind. Protecting these books has caused these characters to exist but not truly live, and as the book progresses and their lives entwine, as they experience love and companionship they slowly begin to realise that perhaps magic was never meant to be theirs alone. Maybe some spells were meant to be broken.
Ink Blood Sister Scribe transported me into a world where magic is real and books truly do hold power, and it was a world I cherished escaping into. From the author’s note in the book, this is exactly what Törzs had been looking to achieve, to make her readers once again believe.
ARC provided by Rachel at Century Books and Eliza at William Morrow. Thank you both for the copies! All quotes used are taken from an early ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
Ink Blood Sister Scribe is out 6th July in the UK
Somebody here had a book.
Somebody here was doing magic.”
Emma Törzs seamlessly meshes together fantasy, thriller and dark academia to bring us a spectacularly spellbinding debut. Buzzing with atmospheric prose, charismatic characters and a cryptic plot, Ink Blood Sister Scribe sumptuously bleeds magic from every page.
We follow Joanna and Esther, two estranged half-sisters who must protect their family’s collection of magical books as their ancestors for generations have done. However, where our story begins Joanna and Esther have been separated for several years with hardly any contact with one another. Joanna lives in their family home in Vermont and is now the sole protector of their magical books, each night she must reset the wards which stop outsiders from discovering where they are, thus meaning Joanna can never leave home for long. Whereas Esther has spent years traveling the world, never staying in one place beyond a year as her father had warned her against the night before she ran away. She now resides in Antarctica on a research station and when she falls in love with a girl named Pearl, she decides to stay beyond her limit. Yet when she discovers blood on all the mirrors in the station she knows the people who have been hunting her family are now coming for her. Then there’s Nicholas, who lives in London, confined within his family’s mansion which holds another secret magical Library. Nicholas is constantly under the protective eye of his uncle Richard, for Nicholas is the last Scribe, only his blood holds the power to write magic. These three characters are caught in a dark tale of magic, lies and secrets and when they discover the truth, it changes everything they thought they once knew.
The first half of this novel paints a wonderfully vivid picture of our three key characters by showing us their present lives and tenderly giving us glimpses into their backstories. Joanna and Esther both recall memories of their childhood when the pair had been so close, when their family had been whole, when magic and wonderment had filled their home. A spell to create blooming flowers and vines in their bedroom, another to make them swing high into the air, both girls had grown up with books which had the power to bring them so much joy. Before it all fell apart. Before magic divided them. Nicholas similarly has paid the cost of magic, though creating spells has its honour and sense of purpose, using blood to create magical spells takes a significant toll on one’s health, meaning the more Nicholas creates the more he deteriorates. I loved exploring these various sides of magic, the beauty and the loss.
“In the house, surrounded by the remnants of her father's life, books buzzing beneath her feet, she sometimes felt so alone she worried she might vanish like the ink in an overused book. But here, with wildlife all around her and magic sweet in the air like good cider, she felt her lines and colors returning, her edges darkening, her core filled in.
She cupped her hands around the coyote's beautiful face and stared into those beautiful eyes, which stared right back, the pale green of the last changing leaf. How many other people could say thev'd done such a thing? How many people had wielded this kind of power?”
This is a tale that’s so multilayered, so richly woven together that the narrative entertainingly meanders through puzzle solving, uncovering long hidden family secrets and self discovery. Throughout Törzs deliciously blends together contemporary with classic fairytale staples such as various enchantments, magic mirrors, forest animals, a quest, absent parents and even a stepmother. Like any dark fairytale, it is also drenched in blood. There is a fascinating twist on witches and mages as instead of spells just being read aloud and cast, blood is the key to activating the magic or for creating it. There are those who can feel and even hear magic but cannot create it, and there are those who can create it but never feel or hear it. Then there are some spells that are ongoing, that are a work in progress, that hold the power to drain the user’s blood dry.
I was also impressed by the clever way Törzs writes each different POV in a different tone and style befitting to the character we are with. Joanna is written in an almost fairytale-esque way, Esther holds a contemporary style with breezy dialogue and Nicholas has a scholarly tone. The contrast between Nicholas’s British posh manner and his more surly Boston bodyguard, Collins, was rather amusing whenever the pair bantered with one another! Joanna and Nicholas were of course my favourites, their love for books and their introverted nature echoed mine in many ways. You also cannot help but love Sir Kiwi, a very good and loyal, if a touch pampered doggie.
Though I can’t mention the identity of the main villain in Ink Blood Sister Scribe, I must mention how fantastically they too are written. Their manipulation is subtle, sugar coated with love and false affection, they hold the power of wealth, privilege and dominance over others, they orchestrate plans on a level to get exactly what they want no matter how cruel, how deceitful. They strive on other’s dependence upon them, they are a true narcissist. I did suspect them from the moment we met their character but this didn’t dampen my enjoyment in any way, I still had a lot of pleasure watching them get discovered and eventually get their comeuppance.
“Nicholas had loved myths and fairy tales, but unlike most children he'd never seen himself in the plucky heroes and heroines who spat jewels from blessed mouths or spun wheat into gold or stumbled across magic beans, magic lamps, magic geese. His place was outside the stories, where someone, he imagined, was writing all the spells that made the magic possible.”
A significant theme within the book is that of isolation. Through these characters Törzs reflects upon various ways one can experience loneliness. Nicholas is trapped within his warded mansion, he’s surrounded by employed staff, but feels he has never made deep connections with any of them, not even his former tutor Maram, Collins nor his uncle, Richard. Similarly, Joanna is isolated in her warded cottage in Vermont but she is completely alone with only the occasional contact with her mother, she desperately seeks companionship with animals such as the elusive cat who scratches at her door. Whereas Esther is free to roam the world as she pleases, but never being able to stay in one place for long brings its loneliness too as she eventually has to leave the ones she gets attached to behind. Protecting these books has caused these characters to exist but not truly live, and as the book progresses and their lives entwine, as they experience love and companionship they slowly begin to realise that perhaps magic was never meant to be theirs alone. Maybe some spells were meant to be broken.
Ink Blood Sister Scribe transported me into a world where magic is real and books truly do hold power, and it was a world I cherished escaping into. From the author’s note in the book, this is exactly what Törzs had been looking to achieve, to make her readers once again believe.
ARC provided by Rachel at Century Books and Eliza at William Morrow. Thank you both for the copies! All quotes used are taken from an early ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
Ink Blood Sister Scribe is out 6th July in the UK
November 14, 2023
Part of my Review Roundup on Before We Go Blog.
Ink Blood Sister Scribe has an intriguing premise: two half sisters guarding their family's library of magical books. Unfortunately, this interesting premise is marred by cringey dialogue and an amateurish narrative style that prevented me from developing any emotional connections with the characters.
Ink Blood Sister Scribe is clearly intended as a book for adults, but its writing style is like a poor imitation of a YA book, or like fantasy for readers who aren't actually into fantasy. Ink Blood Sister Scribe was selected as a Good Morning America Book Club pick, and I think that sums it up perfectly: it's a low fantasy for the GMA crowd. My advice is to pass on this if you are a fantasy fan.
Ink Blood Sister Scribe has an intriguing premise: two half sisters guarding their family's library of magical books. Unfortunately, this interesting premise is marred by cringey dialogue and an amateurish narrative style that prevented me from developing any emotional connections with the characters.
Ink Blood Sister Scribe is clearly intended as a book for adults, but its writing style is like a poor imitation of a YA book, or like fantasy for readers who aren't actually into fantasy. Ink Blood Sister Scribe was selected as a Good Morning America Book Club pick, and I think that sums it up perfectly: it's a low fantasy for the GMA crowd. My advice is to pass on this if you are a fantasy fan.
June 28, 2023
3.5 stars!
I enjoyed this book! This was an intriguing book about family, loyalty, power and betrayal. Ink Blood Sister Scribe follows sisters Joanna and Esther who have been around magical books their whole lives and have been taught to protect the books. Esther now lives in Antartica after her mother was killed and Joanna hides away in her house in Vermont. When the sisters father dies they must come together to protect the magical books and they uncover deadly secrets that will change their lives forever.
It took me a while to become immersed in this story, the pacing in the beginning was very slow and the plot dragged. The second half of the book was so good, the pacing picked up and the plot was engaging. I really liked the premise of this book, the idea of books of magic and curses is so awesome and honestly to me books are magical. Ever since I was young I've loved reading and I've always believed that books are magical and take you to unique worlds and places. The characters were interesting, although a few of the characters felt a bit flat and didn't have much growth. I really liked Esther, she is brave, kind, and independent. I liked Joanna, she is interesting and smart, but she felt flat. My favorite character was Nicholas, he is brave, strong, friendly, smart and energetic. I felt that the character development was lacking, I was hoping for more backstory and growth from the characters. I did like that there was a bit of romance in the book but I didn't feel a connection between Esther and Collins. The writing was descriptive and easy to follow, but I wasn't blown away by it. The ending was so good! There were several surprises and I liked how the story was resolved.
I enjoyed this book! This was an intriguing book about family, loyalty, power and betrayal. Ink Blood Sister Scribe follows sisters Joanna and Esther who have been around magical books their whole lives and have been taught to protect the books. Esther now lives in Antartica after her mother was killed and Joanna hides away in her house in Vermont. When the sisters father dies they must come together to protect the magical books and they uncover deadly secrets that will change their lives forever.
It took me a while to become immersed in this story, the pacing in the beginning was very slow and the plot dragged. The second half of the book was so good, the pacing picked up and the plot was engaging. I really liked the premise of this book, the idea of books of magic and curses is so awesome and honestly to me books are magical. Ever since I was young I've loved reading and I've always believed that books are magical and take you to unique worlds and places. The characters were interesting, although a few of the characters felt a bit flat and didn't have much growth. I really liked Esther, she is brave, kind, and independent. I liked Joanna, she is interesting and smart, but she felt flat. My favorite character was Nicholas, he is brave, strong, friendly, smart and energetic. I felt that the character development was lacking, I was hoping for more backstory and growth from the characters. I did like that there was a bit of romance in the book but I didn't feel a connection between Esther and Collins. The writing was descriptive and easy to follow, but I wasn't blown away by it. The ending was so good! There were several surprises and I liked how the story was resolved.
March 30, 2024
First things first: I wanted to love this. I love the purple US cover and would've been so happy to slot this into my shelves, but I just don't think it's for me. (sorry, kerry!)
The Magic:
This is probably the part that I like the most, though I feel like it's not explored enough. Most of the magic is just around wards, spying, and then finding/possessing/hoarding/hiding these sources of power. It seems like the magic that can be done is nearly infinite, but the tiny sliver that we see is just a series of very basic magics that have been done time and time again.
Character Agency:
There are, to start this book, too many POVs with not enough time spent in any one (let alone something happening in any POV) so it was really hard to care about any of them. But I think what I struggled with most is that the 3 main characters have all stagnated in their lives, locked into a very isolated life based on the desires of the male authority figure (living or dead) in their family.
Even once the plot picks up and things start happening, they're just spending a good amount of time in exposition delivered through dialogue, and then following the breadcrumbs someone else has set before them. The most their own agency comes into play is when they briefly wonder if they should put their blind trust in the breadcrumb-leaver, before immediately deciding to just go along with it, even if they don't entirely know what they're doing or what the outcome will be.
Which ultimately means that their POVs hold no interest for me. They can't make interesting observations or enrich the world or the stakes for me. It just often feels like watching a child complete a scavenger hunt.
The Big Bad:
While it's not a trope I mind, it's definitely one that has been used to death. (hahahaha, ironic) I think that seeing more into the backstory or the ramifications of the villainous side of the story would have made me care more. But the stakes seemed so low and since no justification was given, it just seemed impersonal and bland. And there's a lot of emotional depth that could have been dug into here! It just wasn't.
Relationships:
I think the sister relationship and the daughter/mother relationship were the strongest here, but still pretty weak overall. Part of it is that the characters don't feel real to me since they never make choices and don't really seem to have passions outside of the scripted path I mentioned above in the section about their agency. Likewise, the romantic relationship is so brief and unimportant to the story that I honestly forgot about it until it resurfaced at the end.
The Writing:
The first 30-40% was pretty meaningless to me. I don't feel like I understood the world or what was happening, grew any attachment to the characters, built intrigue surrounding mysteries to be unraveled.. it was just there and I literally forgot anything of import. Then the plot kicked in, but it was so entirely exposition heavy. There's a long portion toward the end where one character just recites the backstory of another character who isn't present. And I feel like this is supposed to be a big reveal, but also there weren't enough clues that I could have picked up on it beforehand. And I really hate being told instead of shown.
Setting:
Especially when it comes to Fantasy, I've got a preference for things that aren't set in our current world, and definitely not in our current time. But this very much a book set in the present. I think it ultimately works with the Big Bad, but ymmv.
Overall:
While I like elements of it, I feel like the execution is going to bring out the ranter in me. Which is a pity, because it's so close to being something I could have loved. And for a book about books, there's very little concern with the contents inside them. It's more about the physical object and the feeling you have when you either hold one or walk into a room full of them. Which is fine and I relate, it just doesn't make me personally connect with the novel or its characters in any way.
It gets better beyond the point I was considering DNFing it, but I don't think it paid off enough. And while the first half is a 1, the second half is a 3.5, so I'll split the difference and rate it a ~2.
The Magic:
This is probably the part that I like the most, though I feel like it's not explored enough. Most of the magic is just around wards, spying, and then finding/possessing/hoarding/hiding these sources of power. It seems like the magic that can be done is nearly infinite, but the tiny sliver that we see is just a series of very basic magics that have been done time and time again.
Character Agency:
There are, to start this book, too many POVs with not enough time spent in any one (let alone something happening in any POV) so it was really hard to care about any of them. But I think what I struggled with most is that the 3 main characters have all stagnated in their lives, locked into a very isolated life based on the desires of the male authority figure (living or dead) in their family.
Even once the plot picks up and things start happening, they're just spending a good amount of time in exposition delivered through dialogue, and then following the breadcrumbs someone else has set before them. The most their own agency comes into play is when they briefly wonder if they should put their blind trust in the breadcrumb-leaver, before immediately deciding to just go along with it, even if they don't entirely know what they're doing or what the outcome will be.
Which ultimately means that their POVs hold no interest for me. They can't make interesting observations or enrich the world or the stakes for me. It just often feels like watching a child complete a scavenger hunt.
The Big Bad:
While it's not a trope I mind, it's definitely one that has been used to death. (hahahaha, ironic) I think that seeing more into the backstory or the ramifications of the villainous side of the story would have made me care more. But the stakes seemed so low and since no justification was given, it just seemed impersonal and bland. And there's a lot of emotional depth that could have been dug into here! It just wasn't.
Relationships:
I think the sister relationship and the daughter/mother relationship were the strongest here, but still pretty weak overall. Part of it is that the characters don't feel real to me since they never make choices and don't really seem to have passions outside of the scripted path I mentioned above in the section about their agency. Likewise, the romantic relationship is so brief and unimportant to the story that I honestly forgot about it until it resurfaced at the end.
The Writing:
The first 30-40% was pretty meaningless to me. I don't feel like I understood the world or what was happening, grew any attachment to the characters, built intrigue surrounding mysteries to be unraveled.. it was just there and I literally forgot anything of import. Then the plot kicked in, but it was so entirely exposition heavy. There's a long portion toward the end where one character just recites the backstory of another character who isn't present. And I feel like this is supposed to be a big reveal, but also there weren't enough clues that I could have picked up on it beforehand. And I really hate being told instead of shown.
Setting:
Especially when it comes to Fantasy, I've got a preference for things that aren't set in our current world, and definitely not in our current time. But this very much a book set in the present. I think it ultimately works with the Big Bad, but ymmv.
Overall:
While I like elements of it, I feel like the execution is going to bring out the ranter in me. Which is a pity, because it's so close to being something I could have loved. And for a book about books, there's very little concern with the contents inside them. It's more about the physical object and the feeling you have when you either hold one or walk into a room full of them. Which is fine and I relate, it just doesn't make me personally connect with the novel or its characters in any way.
It gets better beyond the point I was considering DNFing it, but I don't think it paid off enough. And while the first half is a 1, the second half is a 3.5, so I'll split the difference and rate it a ~2.
January 27, 2023
collins is so sexy, i just want to know who is going to play him in the inevitable HBO adaptation
January 31, 2024
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Rating: 3.5 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟
Despite the simplicity of this design, the red, gold, and black colours make it eye-catching. The book’s title and the illustration also nicely convey key aspects of the story.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟
Lush details and descriptions brought this story to life but were jarringly excessive - especially in the first half of the story. On top of this, a third-person point of view was used, which made the writing style even less engaging. There were some cute moments of humour, though, and fewer information dumps in the second half of the story, making the pacing better.
"when things are very beautiful and comfortable on the surface, it can be harder to see the ugliness underneath."
"power is always a reflection of the world that has created it, regardless of intention."
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Layers of context were continually woven into the first half of this story as the three main characters and the concept of magical books were established. While this made for a painfully slow and tedious start, the hints of danger and mystery kept me interested. The storyline then gradually picked up, with surprising twists and moments of action building to a strong, satisfying climax and resolution to the mystery.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Esther, Joanna, and Nicolas are extremely well-developed characters who are given distinct and complex backstories, struggles, and personalities from their points of view. Although they did not always make clever decisions, their detailed motives and emotions made it very easy for me to connect with and root for them.
"How many people in this world could claim to know exactly what they’d been made for"
"he looked like the kind of man who probably owned a lot of recreational outdoor equipment and wanted to teach her how to use it."
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
Several secondary characters help drive the mystery aspect of this story, but they failed to make a strong impression on me. Collins was the only character I found somewhat memorable, as he formed great relationships with the main characters.
Romance: 🌟🌟
Even with two romantic connections, this aspect of the story contributed little and seemed underdeveloped. One relationship, formed before the story began, was mainly told rather than shown, leaving it feeling shallow. The other connection developed towards the end of the story and seemed cute but received little focus.
"Mystery creates intrigue, which creates desire, which creates commodity."
"being in danger is its own kind of lock and key. There’s a freedom in safety "
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Saskia Maarleveld gives a terrific performance with accents and voices for the different characters, along with vocal changes to convey the various emotions. However, her narration seemed somewhat formal, which did little to make the information-filled narrative more engaging.
Ultimately, ‘Ink Blood Sister Scribe’ was a fascinating read filled with rich characters, magic, and mystery. The slow start and excessive details just made it less engaging and difficult to get through. I would recommend The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers for those who enjoyed this, as it has a similar blend of fantasy and mystery.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟
Despite the simplicity of this design, the red, gold, and black colours make it eye-catching. The book’s title and the illustration also nicely convey key aspects of the story.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟
Lush details and descriptions brought this story to life but were jarringly excessive - especially in the first half of the story. On top of this, a third-person point of view was used, which made the writing style even less engaging. There were some cute moments of humour, though, and fewer information dumps in the second half of the story, making the pacing better.
"when things are very beautiful and comfortable on the surface, it can be harder to see the ugliness underneath."
"power is always a reflection of the world that has created it, regardless of intention."
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Layers of context were continually woven into the first half of this story as the three main characters and the concept of magical books were established. While this made for a painfully slow and tedious start, the hints of danger and mystery kept me interested. The storyline then gradually picked up, with surprising twists and moments of action building to a strong, satisfying climax and resolution to the mystery.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Esther, Joanna, and Nicolas are extremely well-developed characters who are given distinct and complex backstories, struggles, and personalities from their points of view. Although they did not always make clever decisions, their detailed motives and emotions made it very easy for me to connect with and root for them.
"How many people in this world could claim to know exactly what they’d been made for"
"he looked like the kind of man who probably owned a lot of recreational outdoor equipment and wanted to teach her how to use it."
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
Several secondary characters help drive the mystery aspect of this story, but they failed to make a strong impression on me. Collins was the only character I found somewhat memorable, as he formed great relationships with the main characters.
Romance: 🌟🌟
Even with two romantic connections, this aspect of the story contributed little and seemed underdeveloped. One relationship, formed before the story began, was mainly told rather than shown, leaving it feeling shallow. The other connection developed towards the end of the story and seemed cute but received little focus.
"Mystery creates intrigue, which creates desire, which creates commodity."
"being in danger is its own kind of lock and key. There’s a freedom in safety "
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Saskia Maarleveld gives a terrific performance with accents and voices for the different characters, along with vocal changes to convey the various emotions. However, her narration seemed somewhat formal, which did little to make the information-filled narrative more engaging.
Ultimately, ‘Ink Blood Sister Scribe’ was a fascinating read filled with rich characters, magic, and mystery. The slow start and excessive details just made it less engaging and difficult to get through. I would recommend The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers for those who enjoyed this, as it has a similar blend of fantasy and mystery.
April 30, 2024
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Now, I think this mayhaps have been a "right book, right time, right person" kind of thing, but wow I fell in love with this book. I found myself absorbed in its pages and struggling to pull myself away even to sleep or eat. And upon closing it, I found myself disappointed to leave the world behind. That certainly is not an occurrence with everything I read. Lately, reading has felt like meandering through a thick forest, trudging along different paths looking for a sign that I'm heading in the right direction, but Ink Blood Sister Scribe felt like finally finding the perfect little spot to settle down in, like Celia in the forest of Arden: "I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it."
In a magical world not unlike our own, we follow three characters:
Joanna: a young woman protecting and caring for her late father's personal library of magical books. Though in her attempt to protect the books from the outside world, she's holed herself in as well. Yet despite her expertise on her own collection, she can't seem to figure out where these books come from. Especially the book that killed her father.
Esther: Joanna's older sister who has been on the run for 10 years, after her father commanded her to move to a new location every November. Estranged from her family, and in a constant state of motion, she has no ties. But after spending the past year in Antarctica, she's decided to stay another season. For the first time she has a reason to stay: a girlfriend she's really starting to feel something for. And besides, what could possibly go wrong?
Nicholas: who is absolutely sick of his life. He's been giving his blood, sweat, and tears (quite literally) to the Library since he was a child, creating new magical books. But as the world's last and only Scribe, he's reluctantly resigned to his fate. At least his uncle–the head of the Library–and his uncle's girlfriend care about him, and at least he lives in a mansion out of a fairytale. At least he's safe, or so it seems.
But when all three of these characters discover hidden secrets that redefine their lives, they're thrown together on an unexpected and emotional journey.
Emma Törzs has crafted a brilliant little sandbox. This story was filled with the type of magic often reserved for children. One of mystery and whimsy; one that feels graspable and close to the heart. This feels like a world I could dream in, and it made me want to play pretend again. Any fellow fantasy-loving adults wanna meet up and play Magical Library with me? We can pull up weeds and mix them together as the herbs for spells and use berry juice and leaves as we pretend to write magical books with our blood. And we could even set up sticks into little frames and pretend they're magic mirrors. It's incredible that any fantasy book, especially an adult anti-colonialist fabulism tale, could make me filled with such childhood joy and imagination. This is a huge testament to the author's accomplishments.
Because of myself and my audience, I have to mention the biggest surprise of this book: its Jewishness. In fact, I had no idea it had any Jewish characters, and was so pleasantly surprised to see the casual representation for most of the story, but even more so to see the characters' connection to Judaism emotionally move the story in a moment of need. It meant a whole lot to me. In general, I was really a fan of this book's diversity. Two of the three main characters were queer (likely bisexual), one of the characters was half-Mexican, and another was disabled, using a prosthetic eye.
I must say, this is not a story of twists and turns, but one of nooks and crannies. Rather than dramatic surprises and mind-blowing reveals, it felt more as though the plot of this story was a picture slowly coming into focus. Some of the "twists" were easily spotted, but never felt predictable in a way that disappointed. And I've always said that I'd rather read a well-written and obvious twist than a shocking one that feels out of nowhere. I don't need to be caught off guard, I just need to be caught up in a story. And I was certainly swept off my feet by this one.
(Though a note for the editor: there's no airport in Brattleboro, and NYC is a 3.5-5.5 hour drive from Vermont, not 8 hours.)
I'm so grateful to have found this story at this point in my life, when I needed to be convinced that just a sprinkle of imagination reveals so much magic in the mundane. I can't wait to dive back into these pages someday, and I can't wait to see what Törzs does next.
Content Warnings: violence, gun violence, blood, self-harm (for magic), dead body, death of parents (past), grief, alcohol consumption, fire, emesis, abusive guardian, character death, kidnapping (past, recounted), torture (past, recounted), hospitalization (past, recounted), antisemitism (brief mention)
Now, I think this mayhaps have been a "right book, right time, right person" kind of thing, but wow I fell in love with this book. I found myself absorbed in its pages and struggling to pull myself away even to sleep or eat. And upon closing it, I found myself disappointed to leave the world behind. That certainly is not an occurrence with everything I read. Lately, reading has felt like meandering through a thick forest, trudging along different paths looking for a sign that I'm heading in the right direction, but Ink Blood Sister Scribe felt like finally finding the perfect little spot to settle down in, like Celia in the forest of Arden: "I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it."
In a magical world not unlike our own, we follow three characters:
Joanna: a young woman protecting and caring for her late father's personal library of magical books. Though in her attempt to protect the books from the outside world, she's holed herself in as well. Yet despite her expertise on her own collection, she can't seem to figure out where these books come from. Especially the book that killed her father.
Esther: Joanna's older sister who has been on the run for 10 years, after her father commanded her to move to a new location every November. Estranged from her family, and in a constant state of motion, she has no ties. But after spending the past year in Antarctica, she's decided to stay another season. For the first time she has a reason to stay: a girlfriend she's really starting to feel something for. And besides, what could possibly go wrong?
Nicholas: who is absolutely sick of his life. He's been giving his blood, sweat, and tears (quite literally) to the Library since he was a child, creating new magical books. But as the world's last and only Scribe, he's reluctantly resigned to his fate. At least his uncle–the head of the Library–and his uncle's girlfriend care about him, and at least he lives in a mansion out of a fairytale. At least he's safe, or so it seems.
But when all three of these characters discover hidden secrets that redefine their lives, they're thrown together on an unexpected and emotional journey.
Emma Törzs has crafted a brilliant little sandbox. This story was filled with the type of magic often reserved for children. One of mystery and whimsy; one that feels graspable and close to the heart. This feels like a world I could dream in, and it made me want to play pretend again. Any fellow fantasy-loving adults wanna meet up and play Magical Library with me? We can pull up weeds and mix them together as the herbs for spells and use berry juice and leaves as we pretend to write magical books with our blood. And we could even set up sticks into little frames and pretend they're magic mirrors. It's incredible that any fantasy book, especially an adult anti-colonialist fabulism tale, could make me filled with such childhood joy and imagination. This is a huge testament to the author's accomplishments.
Because of myself and my audience, I have to mention the biggest surprise of this book: its Jewishness. In fact, I had no idea it had any Jewish characters, and was so pleasantly surprised to see the casual representation for most of the story, but even more so to see the characters' connection to Judaism emotionally move the story in a moment of need. It meant a whole lot to me. In general, I was really a fan of this book's diversity. Two of the three main characters were queer (likely bisexual), one of the characters was half-Mexican, and another was disabled, using a prosthetic eye.
I must say, this is not a story of twists and turns, but one of nooks and crannies. Rather than dramatic surprises and mind-blowing reveals, it felt more as though the plot of this story was a picture slowly coming into focus. Some of the "twists" were easily spotted, but never felt predictable in a way that disappointed. And I've always said that I'd rather read a well-written and obvious twist than a shocking one that feels out of nowhere. I don't need to be caught off guard, I just need to be caught up in a story. And I was certainly swept off my feet by this one.
(Though a note for the editor: there's no airport in Brattleboro, and NYC is a 3.5-5.5 hour drive from Vermont, not 8 hours.)
I'm so grateful to have found this story at this point in my life, when I needed to be convinced that just a sprinkle of imagination reveals so much magic in the mundane. I can't wait to dive back into these pages someday, and I can't wait to see what Törzs does next.
Content Warnings: violence, gun violence, blood, self-harm (for magic), dead body, death of parents (past), grief, alcohol consumption, fire, emesis, abusive guardian, character death, kidnapping (past, recounted), torture (past, recounted), hospitalization (past, recounted), antisemitism (brief mention)
February 2, 2023
Briefly - I enjoyed aspects of this a lot.
In full
Ink Blood Sister Scribe starts with Esther at a research station in the Antarctic. She has found love in the shape of an Australian, Pearl, who has been there for a year with her. However new people are now arriving and Esther moves on every year on the 2nd of November discarding her old life. Meanwhile her younger step sister, Joanna, is still in their old home in Vermont. She is the only one living there now and she is tasked with looking after the collection of magical books that her family has. This role leaves no time for her to do much else as the wards need to be set on the house each day.
Joanna does wonder about how magic books got written. She has tried experimenting with herbs and blood (her own sometimes) but has never had any success. Herbs and blood seem to be the main ingredients of the ink used. Joanna is tied to the books and the family house while Esther has to move on every year - this doesn't like a great way to live for either of them. The 3rd voice in this book is Nicholas's. It seems as though he is writing magical books for the "family business" and profit in the UK. The book follows these three voices and threads as the story develops.
Maybe the first half (roughly) isn't that pacey however by the end of that half I felt I had some idea about some parts of the story. Indeed I did spot some likely outcomes and aspects of this in advance. This is not a complaint however for me this does feel like a YA read in some ways I think. In the second half the pace increases and I certainly would not have stopped reading this book. I guess it's obvious that the story's three threads will become one at some stage.
Esther and Joanna were good characters for me and their storylines were well developed. I found them both interesting and convincing. However Nicholas was never very convincing to me - he felt more like a caricature of a posh boy. His storyline seemed rather naive and possibly contrived. In terms of the magic content I thought this was generally good. In particular the mirror magic was very good and well used.
I did find echoes of previous books I'd read in this. However this didn't have the depth or tensions of some that have stuck with me for years now. I did enjoy reading this but I felt I wanted more from it in terms of depth and maybe a little less that was obvious. Even if I was not blown away this was a decent read and I'd recommend it if it appeals to you. 3.5/5
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
In full
Ink Blood Sister Scribe starts with Esther at a research station in the Antarctic. She has found love in the shape of an Australian, Pearl, who has been there for a year with her. However new people are now arriving and Esther moves on every year on the 2nd of November discarding her old life. Meanwhile her younger step sister, Joanna, is still in their old home in Vermont. She is the only one living there now and she is tasked with looking after the collection of magical books that her family has. This role leaves no time for her to do much else as the wards need to be set on the house each day.
Joanna does wonder about how magic books got written. She has tried experimenting with herbs and blood (her own sometimes) but has never had any success. Herbs and blood seem to be the main ingredients of the ink used. Joanna is tied to the books and the family house while Esther has to move on every year - this doesn't like a great way to live for either of them. The 3rd voice in this book is Nicholas's. It seems as though he is writing magical books for the "family business" and profit in the UK. The book follows these three voices and threads as the story develops.
Maybe the first half (roughly) isn't that pacey however by the end of that half I felt I had some idea about some parts of the story. Indeed I did spot some likely outcomes and aspects of this in advance. This is not a complaint however for me this does feel like a YA read in some ways I think. In the second half the pace increases and I certainly would not have stopped reading this book. I guess it's obvious that the story's three threads will become one at some stage.
Esther and Joanna were good characters for me and their storylines were well developed. I found them both interesting and convincing. However Nicholas was never very convincing to me - he felt more like a caricature of a posh boy. His storyline seemed rather naive and possibly contrived. In terms of the magic content I thought this was generally good. In particular the mirror magic was very good and well used.
I did find echoes of previous books I'd read in this. However this didn't have the depth or tensions of some that have stuck with me for years now. I did enjoy reading this but I felt I wanted more from it in terms of depth and maybe a little less that was obvious. Even if I was not blown away this was a decent read and I'd recommend it if it appeals to you. 3.5/5
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
April 7, 2024
Dosyć powolna ale taka pełna profesjonalizmu i dopracowana
May 27, 2023
DNFd at 30%. My policy as a reader and to juggle my busy schedule is to give 30% of a book before deciding what to do. 30% into this one and literally nothing significant has happened. The pacing is painfully slow and boring. I am all for vivid descriptions but I couldn't stand the fact that out of 8 pages of a chapter, 6 were narrative that just kept dragging on and on explaining the character's experiences or thoughts. It just felt like I was being told so many things without being told anything of importance or something to make me be remotely interested in these characters. I heard great reviews about this book and the premise was so interesting. But it failed to deliver for me.
April 27, 2023
4.5* This has be one of the most enjoyable fantasies I've read in a long time. Seamlessly weaving together fantasy and reality, Ink Blood Sister Scribe is a thrilling and spellbinding read that not only kept me glued to its pages but pulled at all of my heartstrings.
It’s got magic, books, estranged sisters, family secrets, Pomeranians and grumpy bodyguards, which apparently is everything I need in a fantasy novel. It’s a slow burn but in the best way possible and despite being desperate to see how it all ties together, I also kind of didn't want it to end as I found myself incredibly attached to these characters (especially said Pomeranian and grumpy bodyguard) and their story.
Captivating and incredibly immersive, Törzs' debut felt almost cinematic at times. I had so much fun with this book and I'd love to see more stories from these characters in the future. I loved it.
It’s got magic, books, estranged sisters, family secrets, Pomeranians and grumpy bodyguards, which apparently is everything I need in a fantasy novel. It’s a slow burn but in the best way possible and despite being desperate to see how it all ties together, I also kind of didn't want it to end as I found myself incredibly attached to these characters (especially said Pomeranian and grumpy bodyguard) and their story.
Captivating and incredibly immersive, Törzs' debut felt almost cinematic at times. I had so much fun with this book and I'd love to see more stories from these characters in the future. I loved it.
June 26, 2023
This was so bad...I am shocked to see all the high ratings that everyone has given this.
This book is 400 pages long...why? I couldn't tell you. I feel like there was so much unnecessary fluff added in throughout this story. The first 50% I found pretty slow and boring...but I figured that we had to do a little bit of world building and that the last half would be better. Unfortunately, it didn't pick up from there. I understand that this was a debut, but the pacing was so off and the writing just felt disjointed. This story dragged on for so long and I couldn't care less about any of the characters.
I honestly should have just DNF'd this, but I was reading it for my book club and was already about 70% of the way through so I didn't want to drop it.
This book is 400 pages long...why? I couldn't tell you. I feel like there was so much unnecessary fluff added in throughout this story. The first 50% I found pretty slow and boring...but I figured that we had to do a little bit of world building and that the last half would be better. Unfortunately, it didn't pick up from there. I understand that this was a debut, but the pacing was so off and the writing just felt disjointed. This story dragged on for so long and I couldn't care less about any of the characters.
I honestly should have just DNF'd this, but I was reading it for my book club and was already about 70% of the way through so I didn't want to drop it.
July 6, 2023
Ink Blood Sister Scribe is a tightly woven story of family, loyalty, and power. This book is a unique love letter to books that reminds me a lot of The Starless Sea. What I enjoyed the most was how everything connected together. None of the reveals were particularly shocking, but it is incredibly satisfying when an author effectively uses every single element of the story. There are no loose threads in this one.
There are three POVs in Ink Blood Sister Scribe: sisters Joanna and Esther and, finally, Nicholas. Each character starts this book relatively isolated, from each other and from the rest of the world. This isolation affects their lives in different ways and it was incredibly interesting to see each of them grow beyond what was familiar to them. I was not expecting Nicholas’ POV, however, he quickly became my favorite character. His unique relationship to the magical books is what really hooked me. With the inclusion of his POV, slightly later in the book than the others, the reader's understanding of the magic system is flipped upside down. I struggled to connect with Joanna’s POV the most as I found her chapters a bit dull compared to the others. Though the limitations of her character reflect the restrictions she has imposed on her own life, I would have liked to see her get the same level of character development that Esther and Nicholas had (and not just a romance).
I loved the book based magic system and I really appreciate how the author explored the topics of conservation, power, and control through the library and the books. I always appreciate when a magic system has very strict and clear rules. Each character in this book had their own advantages and limitations within the magic system. This helped build the “found (or reunited?) family” vibes.
This book had been described as a magical realism thriller. Though I wouldn't say that it was ever shocking or suspenseful, the fast pace made it a quick and engaging read.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ebook ARC.
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
There are three POVs in Ink Blood Sister Scribe: sisters Joanna and Esther and, finally, Nicholas. Each character starts this book relatively isolated, from each other and from the rest of the world. This isolation affects their lives in different ways and it was incredibly interesting to see each of them grow beyond what was familiar to them. I was not expecting Nicholas’ POV, however, he quickly became my favorite character. His unique relationship to the magical books is what really hooked me. With the inclusion of his POV, slightly later in the book than the others, the reader's understanding of the magic system is flipped upside down. I struggled to connect with Joanna’s POV the most as I found her chapters a bit dull compared to the others. Though the limitations of her character reflect the restrictions she has imposed on her own life, I would have liked to see her get the same level of character development that Esther and Nicholas had (and not just a romance).
I loved the book based magic system and I really appreciate how the author explored the topics of conservation, power, and control through the library and the books. I always appreciate when a magic system has very strict and clear rules. Each character in this book had their own advantages and limitations within the magic system. This helped build the “found (or reunited?) family” vibes.
This book had been described as a magical realism thriller. Though I wouldn't say that it was ever shocking or suspenseful, the fast pace made it a quick and engaging read.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ebook ARC.
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
September 17, 2023
When I first tried Ink Blood Sister Scribe at the beginning of Summer, I knew from the first line that it had potential, but I wasn't in the right mood for it. I decided to wait, and I'm so happy I did, because do you know? When I started it again last week, it just *clicked*.
But what is Ink Blood Sister Scribe, really? Is it a book about books? Yes. Is it a mystery? A book about sisters? About family secrets? Yes, yes, and yes.
The book in a glance:
✨Standalone literary/mystery novel with magical elements
✨Magic in the real world: spells written in blood-inked books
✨Estranged sisters
✨Family secrets and legacies
✨Secret organization
Considering it's a standalone novel, the plot was rather contained and I personally enjoyed that: I read so many Fantasy series that it made for a good change. I do think that expectations matter: if you go into it expecting a Fantasy novel with complex world-building and in-depth characterization, you might be disappointed. First, it feels more like a literary/mystery novel with magical elements than a Fantasy book. Secondly, I'm not saying that the characters are one-dimensional, because they aren't, and I did care about them, but they're still sketched in rather broad lines, and some of the relationships shifts were SO abrupt that they didn't make sense to me (*cough* what the second romance even was? Is that insta-lust or whatever? I'm too demi for that haha)(also I had another romance in mind for this specific character, ngl).
As for the plot itself, I did find some of the assumptions the characters made rather *convenient*, and there were a couple inconsistencies, but overall my reading experience was great—it was well-written, I flew through it, and if the "big bad villain" identity was predictable, I enjoyed his demise very much 👀
I'll definitely check out Emma Törz's next books.
But what is Ink Blood Sister Scribe, really? Is it a book about books? Yes. Is it a mystery? A book about sisters? About family secrets? Yes, yes, and yes.
The book in a glance:
✨Standalone literary/mystery novel with magical elements
✨Magic in the real world: spells written in blood-inked books
✨Estranged sisters
✨Family secrets and legacies
✨Secret organization
Considering it's a standalone novel, the plot was rather contained and I personally enjoyed that: I read so many Fantasy series that it made for a good change. I do think that expectations matter: if you go into it expecting a Fantasy novel with complex world-building and in-depth characterization, you might be disappointed. First, it feels more like a literary/mystery novel with magical elements than a Fantasy book. Secondly, I'm not saying that the characters are one-dimensional, because they aren't, and I did care about them, but they're still sketched in rather broad lines, and some of the relationships shifts were SO abrupt that they didn't make sense to me (*cough* what the second romance even was? Is that insta-lust or whatever? I'm too demi for that haha)(also I had another romance in mind for this specific character, ngl).
As for the plot itself, I did find some of the assumptions the characters made rather *convenient*, and there were a couple inconsistencies, but overall my reading experience was great—it was well-written, I flew through it, and if the "big bad villain" identity was predictable, I enjoyed his demise very much 👀
I'll definitely check out Emma Törz's next books.
March 16, 2023
This book I picked for the title I think - it just grabbed me and I thought it would be interesting. Here's the description:
"For generations, the Kalotay family has guarded a collection of ancient and rare books. Books that let a person walk through walls or manipulate the elements--books of magic that half-sisters Joanna and Esther have been raised to revere and protect.
All magic comes with a price, though, and for years the sisters have been separated. Esther has fled to a remote base in Antarctica to escape the fate that killed her own mother, and Joanna's isolated herself in their family home in Vermont, devoting her life to the study of these cherished volumes. But after their father dies suddenly while reading a book Joanna has never seen before, the sisters must reunite to preserve their family legacy. In the process, they'll uncover a world of magic far bigger and more dangerous than they ever imagined, and all the secrets their parents kept hidden; secrets that span centuries, continents, and even other libraries . . ."
The first half of the story was kind of slow, and somewhat confusing. I have to admit to getting lost a little. I found the characters interesting and felt sorry for Nicholas. I found the second half of the book much more interesting as things started moving along at a better pace. I liked both Esther and Joanna. I loved Joanna's interaction with the cat and trying to win it over. The 'mirror magic' was good.
Thanks to William Morrow through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 30, 2023.
"For generations, the Kalotay family has guarded a collection of ancient and rare books. Books that let a person walk through walls or manipulate the elements--books of magic that half-sisters Joanna and Esther have been raised to revere and protect.
All magic comes with a price, though, and for years the sisters have been separated. Esther has fled to a remote base in Antarctica to escape the fate that killed her own mother, and Joanna's isolated herself in their family home in Vermont, devoting her life to the study of these cherished volumes. But after their father dies suddenly while reading a book Joanna has never seen before, the sisters must reunite to preserve their family legacy. In the process, they'll uncover a world of magic far bigger and more dangerous than they ever imagined, and all the secrets their parents kept hidden; secrets that span centuries, continents, and even other libraries . . ."
The first half of the story was kind of slow, and somewhat confusing. I have to admit to getting lost a little. I found the characters interesting and felt sorry for Nicholas. I found the second half of the book much more interesting as things started moving along at a better pace. I liked both Esther and Joanna. I loved Joanna's interaction with the cat and trying to win it over. The 'mirror magic' was good.
Thanks to William Morrow through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 30, 2023.
June 24, 2023
Estranged half-sisters Joanna and Esther haven't seen each other for 10 years. Joanna lives an increasingly lonely life amid a houseful of magical books while trying to master the secret of ink used to write them. Esther lives a wandering life and is now working in Antarctica. Meanwhile, in the incredible magical Library, a pampered and carefully protected young man begins to discover truths about the Library and his role in it.
This is dark academia story, part gothic horror and part fantastical magical adventure, with the almost required secret and sinister organization behind it all and young scholars determined to overturn the evil orthodoxy. It's an odd aesthetic, but it works well here. I will caution that it takes ages to get going, but once it gets there, it grabbed me well enough. A solid 4 star book for me.
This is dark academia story, part gothic horror and part fantastical magical adventure, with the almost required secret and sinister organization behind it all and young scholars determined to overturn the evil orthodoxy. It's an odd aesthetic, but it works well here. I will caution that it takes ages to get going, but once it gets there, it grabbed me well enough. A solid 4 star book for me.
April 19, 2023
You are either naturally attuned to magic or you bleed for it. Törzs's debut novel is a suspenseful and utterly transformative read, crossing oceans and portals into magical libraries where a centuries-old secret waits to be uncovered by two estranged half-sisters brave enough to seek the truth.
I absolutely loved this story and all the twists and turns, including the complicated family dynamics; however, I will read anything based in Vermont or a remote location. I will also never pass on a story about magical libraries or books about books. If I was an agent, this would absolutely be my #mswl.
“Ink Blood Sister Scribe” won’t be out until late May, but I am absolutely recommending it to everyone. So, everyone put this on your “anticipated reads of 2023” list.
I absolutely loved this story and all the twists and turns, including the complicated family dynamics; however, I will read anything based in Vermont or a remote location. I will also never pass on a story about magical libraries or books about books. If I was an agent, this would absolutely be my #mswl.
“Ink Blood Sister Scribe” won’t be out until late May, but I am absolutely recommending it to everyone. So, everyone put this on your “anticipated reads of 2023” list.
June 11, 2023
Scribe magic is some of my absolute favorite! I tend to grab any book that has it in it. I went blind into this one so I had no expectations but it was disappointing nonetheless.
This is a story, told in third person, that follows three different characters in three different parts of the world. It also has flashback scenes. 😵💫😬 there’s a lot going on! The flow suffered. My attention suffered. I wish I would have DNFed in the beginning but pushed through because the magic really was interesting.
It gets slightly better once the action starts except that then the author has chosen to change scenes to another characters POV every single time something exciting is happening. It’s like a million cliffhangers in one book. Someone pulls a gun on a character, whelp let’s switch POVs. Ooo, a secret door? Nah, reader that’s too exciting so here’s another pov change. I was fed the fuck up. This isn’t suspenseful. This was killing all the suspense. I’m honestly kind of shocked that this was published like this. Once or even twice would have been fine but it’s literally every time the pov changes it changes on some sort of pivotal moment.
The characters were atrocious. Whiny and completely passive. They’re all in terrible situations yet they’re all fine to just live them until the other players in the plot force them into action. So they’re forced to finally do something but it isn’t like they’re coming up with ideas to get themselves out of these messes on their own. They’re perfectly fine to just accept whatever these notes from the magic mirrors tell them to do. They have access to thousands and thousands of magical spells!! They can write their own spells!! They fucking do nothing!! I can not. They suck. I hate them. 😂. They are just pawns and puppets. I want heroes and underdogs and I want them to actually do the work. The annoying stepmom Cecily was the star of this show. She was the only one who showed independence and assertiveness.
There’s entirely too much deception for me. I would have liked to have seen the four of them working together instead of their strings just being pulled. As a whole it’s just a very depressing story. There’s no trust, no camaraderie, these people have lived very isolated duty based lives and so I would have liked for them to have had some thing at the end that didn’t come about in the last 3%. I absolutely needed the MCs to be more capable.
So I push and I push to finish this thing and what do we get in the end?? Info dump!! You’re kidding me right?? All of that to get the ending told through info dump??
This is a story, told in third person, that follows three different characters in three different parts of the world. It also has flashback scenes. 😵💫😬 there’s a lot going on! The flow suffered. My attention suffered. I wish I would have DNFed in the beginning but pushed through because the magic really was interesting.
It gets slightly better once the action starts except that then the author has chosen to change scenes to another characters POV every single time something exciting is happening. It’s like a million cliffhangers in one book. Someone pulls a gun on a character, whelp let’s switch POVs. Ooo, a secret door? Nah, reader that’s too exciting so here’s another pov change. I was fed the fuck up. This isn’t suspenseful. This was killing all the suspense. I’m honestly kind of shocked that this was published like this. Once or even twice would have been fine but it’s literally every time the pov changes it changes on some sort of pivotal moment.
The characters were atrocious. Whiny and completely passive. They’re all in terrible situations yet they’re all fine to just live them until the other players in the plot force them into action. So they’re forced to finally do something but it isn’t like they’re coming up with ideas to get themselves out of these messes on their own. They’re perfectly fine to just accept whatever these notes from the magic mirrors tell them to do. They have access to thousands and thousands of magical spells!! They can write their own spells!! They fucking do nothing!! I can not. They suck. I hate them. 😂. They are just pawns and puppets. I want heroes and underdogs and I want them to actually do the work. The annoying stepmom Cecily was the star of this show. She was the only one who showed independence and assertiveness.
There’s entirely too much deception for me. I would have liked to have seen the four of them working together instead of their strings just being pulled. As a whole it’s just a very depressing story. There’s no trust, no camaraderie, these people have lived very isolated duty based lives and so I would have liked for them to have had some thing at the end that didn’t come about in the last 3%. I absolutely needed the MCs to be more capable.
So I push and I push to finish this thing and what do we get in the end?? Info dump!! You’re kidding me right?? All of that to get the ending told through info dump??
July 1, 2023
With decadently rich prose and an intriguing mix of magic and mystery, Emma Törzs’ Ink Blood Sister Scribe explores loyalty, sisterhood, betrayal and obsession —in this gorgeously interwoven tale about two estranged sisters, their family’s magical book collection and the shady organisation willing to do anything to possess them.
I absolutely loved this and really enjoyed how suspenseful, immersive and lush the world building was. The detailed and exquisitely rendered introduction we get into the day-to-day lives (and backstories) of all three of our protagonists was really well written—I was particularly intrigued by the depth and nuance we explore in Esther and Joanne’s sisterly bond.
Especially in how their childhood has shaped their adult lives (namely their ambitions, motivations and approach to relationships) as well as the complicated feelings surrounding their long-time estrangement.
I also found Nicholas’ upbringing quite fascinating and really enjoyed the juxtaposition between his own sheltered upbringing and that of Esther and Joanne’s, which, despite the similarities highlights just how severely lonely and starved of affection he is. Seeing how easily Nicholas risks his own well being to gain approval was genuinely quite heartbreaking—and his earnest attempts at friendship, with both his surly bodyguard and Esther made me want to give him a big hug.
Given the magical realist thriller-esque tone, the pace was slightly slower than I had anticipated, however, the slow-burn build up definitely helped to keep the multilayered and interwoven mystery dripping with tension and drowning in a sea of exquisitely crafted emotion. Trust me—the twists, turns and revelations uncovered will have you on the edge of your seat.
Not to mention the comedy gold we get in the Sunshine x Grump dynamics between Nicholas and his bodyguard Collins, or the utter adorableness of female Pomeranian Sir Kiwi (whose bond with Collins is soo sweet.)
Overall, an evocative and utterly spellbinding literary fantasy that’s full of vibrant, compelling characters you’ll be hard pressed not to root for. So, if you love books full of magic (and magical books) then you definitely don’t want to miss this!
Also, a massive thank you to Century UK for the fabulous proof.
I absolutely loved this and really enjoyed how suspenseful, immersive and lush the world building was. The detailed and exquisitely rendered introduction we get into the day-to-day lives (and backstories) of all three of our protagonists was really well written—I was particularly intrigued by the depth and nuance we explore in Esther and Joanne’s sisterly bond.
Especially in how their childhood has shaped their adult lives (namely their ambitions, motivations and approach to relationships) as well as the complicated feelings surrounding their long-time estrangement.
I also found Nicholas’ upbringing quite fascinating and really enjoyed the juxtaposition between his own sheltered upbringing and that of Esther and Joanne’s, which, despite the similarities highlights just how severely lonely and starved of affection he is. Seeing how easily Nicholas risks his own well being to gain approval was genuinely quite heartbreaking—and his earnest attempts at friendship, with both his surly bodyguard and Esther made me want to give him a big hug.
Given the magical realist thriller-esque tone, the pace was slightly slower than I had anticipated, however, the slow-burn build up definitely helped to keep the multilayered and interwoven mystery dripping with tension and drowning in a sea of exquisitely crafted emotion. Trust me—the twists, turns and revelations uncovered will have you on the edge of your seat.
Not to mention the comedy gold we get in the Sunshine x Grump dynamics between Nicholas and his bodyguard Collins, or the utter adorableness of female Pomeranian Sir Kiwi (whose bond with Collins is soo sweet.)
Overall, an evocative and utterly spellbinding literary fantasy that’s full of vibrant, compelling characters you’ll be hard pressed not to root for. So, if you love books full of magic (and magical books) then you definitely don’t want to miss this!
Also, a massive thank you to Century UK for the fabulous proof.
May 16, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.25-5
Thank you to @centurybooksuk @delreyuk for sending me an arc in exchange for a review.
Magic exists, channeled through certain books. Esther’s family can sense those books: they call to them, and they’ve spent their lives collecting them and protecting them. Esther can’t hear those books, and she ran away from home years ago, chased by a warning from her now dead father.
The writing is luscious and enchanting, as magical as the story it’s telling. The book takes you from rich, endorsed, sprawling mansions to cozy, comforting cottages hidden near the woods. The writing was touching. Intimate and soft, it was beautiful to read.
This is a poignant book about power, knowledge and how greed can capitalise on magic and something that deserves to be shared with the world.
Finally, I was enamoured by the descriptions of the sisterly bonds and the longing for belonging, affection, and an identity. A sense of knowing who you are, who your people are, and where you can belong.
If you enjoyed the Atlas Six or Inkheart, this standalone fantasy might be for you!
Bookstagram
Thank you to @centurybooksuk @delreyuk for sending me an arc in exchange for a review.
Magic exists, channeled through certain books. Esther’s family can sense those books: they call to them, and they’ve spent their lives collecting them and protecting them. Esther can’t hear those books, and she ran away from home years ago, chased by a warning from her now dead father.
”Wherever you are, you must leave on November 2 and keep moving for twenty-four hours, or the people who killed your mother will come for you, too."
The writing is luscious and enchanting, as magical as the story it’s telling. The book takes you from rich, endorsed, sprawling mansions to cozy, comforting cottages hidden near the woods. The writing was touching. Intimate and soft, it was beautiful to read.
When she pictured a map, however, it was always as a network of veins with her house as the heart.
This is a poignant book about power, knowledge and how greed can capitalise on magic and something that deserves to be shared with the world.
”You say 'responsibility,' I hear ‘power’.”
Finally, I was enamoured by the descriptions of the sisterly bonds and the longing for belonging, affection, and an identity. A sense of knowing who you are, who your people are, and where you can belong.
If you enjoyed the Atlas Six or Inkheart, this standalone fantasy might be for you!
Bookstagram
September 3, 2023
The easiest five stars I’ve ever given. Full review to come when I can compose myself.
March 28, 2024
Ink Blood Sister Scribe is a contemporary fantasy novel that treads some well-worn tropes and plot structures that make it rather predictable, but because of the execution, still very enjoyable. If you haven't spent your life reading fantasy books, you probably won't think this was as predictable as I did, so in that way it might be a good intro to fantasy book, particularly since it's set in our world. But there really is enough here to interest regular fantasy readers as well (unless you're the kind of fantasy reader that only likes young farmer-type dudes out to save the world from the Dark Lord or whatever—there will be too many women and queer people in this for you).
We have three main characters here: Esther and Joanna, half-sisters who share the same father, and Nicholas, a sheltered young man raised in a magical library by his uncle. Esther left home at age eighteen and hasn't stopped moving in ten years, and Joanna hurt by her sister's actions, has stayed at home with the magical books she and her father have cared for her entire life. Now he's died, and Joanna is on her own. Then there's Nicholas, who we meet only to realize there's something important enough about him that he's kept hidden away on the library's estate, and that people want to kill or possess him. These three people are mixed up together in the same thing in various ways, and by the end of the book their paths will cross. And all of their pasts and presents are mixed up with these magical books, the thing Joanna and Esther's father died for.
This was a bit slow to start for me. I liked it, but it didn't really hook me until Nicholas was introduced, and with him, the main conflict of the story. But once I was hooked, I finished this really fast, like in a day (after having spent three days on the first 75 pages). This isn't getting five stars from me, because of the abovementioned predictability, but also because 'Sister' is right there in the title, and I thought that aspect of the book was the most underdeveloped. It felt more like parent/child relationships were overall more important to the themes of the book. I will definitely be reading more from this author, because I like her style, and I liked the characters she created (Collins!). I feel like she could have a Really Great Book inside of her waiting to come out. But in the mean time, you could certainly check this book out and have a good time with something that is slightly flawed and a bit overdone, but full of love.
Lastly, I do want to lodge an official complaint with the authorities that we never find out what they named the cat.
We have three main characters here: Esther and Joanna, half-sisters who share the same father, and Nicholas, a sheltered young man raised in a magical library by his uncle. Esther left home at age eighteen and hasn't stopped moving in ten years, and Joanna hurt by her sister's actions, has stayed at home with the magical books she and her father have cared for her entire life. Now he's died, and Joanna is on her own. Then there's Nicholas, who we meet only to realize there's something important enough about him that he's kept hidden away on the library's estate, and that people want to kill or possess him. These three people are mixed up together in the same thing in various ways, and by the end of the book their paths will cross. And all of their pasts and presents are mixed up with these magical books, the thing Joanna and Esther's father died for.
This was a bit slow to start for me. I liked it, but it didn't really hook me until Nicholas was introduced, and with him, the main conflict of the story. But once I was hooked, I finished this really fast, like in a day (after having spent three days on the first 75 pages). This isn't getting five stars from me, because of the abovementioned predictability, but also because 'Sister' is right there in the title, and I thought that aspect of the book was the most underdeveloped. It felt more like parent/child relationships were overall more important to the themes of the book. I will definitely be reading more from this author, because I like her style, and I liked the characters she created (Collins!). I feel like she could have a Really Great Book inside of her waiting to come out. But in the mean time, you could certainly check this book out and have a good time with something that is slightly flawed and a bit overdone, but full of love.
Lastly, I do want to lodge an official complaint with the authorities that we never find out what they named the cat.
June 21, 2023
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Oof I really enjoyed this book. It took a bit to get into... give it 100 pages and you'll be sucked right in. There's magic and action and a love story or two and lots and lots of books. Tbh, what more could you ask for?
I love when magic is treated in a new and interesting way, and I got it in this novel. The characters were all distinct and likeable and had their flaws. When the storylines all came together, this book started to sing for me.
Who Should Read It: Anyone who likes magic and magical realism. Anyone who enjoys action packed novels.
Oof I really enjoyed this book. It took a bit to get into... give it 100 pages and you'll be sucked right in. There's magic and action and a love story or two and lots and lots of books. Tbh, what more could you ask for?
I love when magic is treated in a new and interesting way, and I got it in this novel. The characters were all distinct and likeable and had their flaws. When the storylines all came together, this book started to sing for me.
Who Should Read It: Anyone who likes magic and magical realism. Anyone who enjoys action packed novels.
July 30, 2023
3.5 stars… half point for sir kiwi
May 5, 2024
3,0 ✨✨✨
(Audiobook)
(Audiobook)
June 15, 2023
4.25/5
Many thanks to HarperCollins for a free copy of this book. Please assume all normal legal jargon here- but most importantly, these thoughts are my own.
I ended up inhaling this book via physical and audio. Saskia Maaleveld reminds me of a slightly younger January LaVoy. Which means her narration status is golden with me.
I’ve been trying to read new authors each month and my goodness, Törzs makes this nerdy goal very worthwhile. I should have known when Alix E. Harrow wrote an intriguing blurb for it.
Now historically, I have had a hard time enjoying magic in contemporary worlds, but this was a perfect mix. The modern & secluded worlds complemented each other nicely.
This book ends on such a satisfying and hopeful note, I really hope it turns into a series!
Recommended:
- To buddy read with your sisters.
- If you like chapters that end on cliff hangers.
- When you are looking for fantasy + PG love/romance.
- For fans of Naomi Novik, Robert Jackson Bennett and Holly Black.
Many thanks to HarperCollins for a free copy of this book. Please assume all normal legal jargon here- but most importantly, these thoughts are my own.
I ended up inhaling this book via physical and audio. Saskia Maaleveld reminds me of a slightly younger January LaVoy. Which means her narration status is golden with me.
I’ve been trying to read new authors each month and my goodness, Törzs makes this nerdy goal very worthwhile. I should have known when Alix E. Harrow wrote an intriguing blurb for it.
Now historically, I have had a hard time enjoying magic in contemporary worlds, but this was a perfect mix. The modern & secluded worlds complemented each other nicely.
This book ends on such a satisfying and hopeful note, I really hope it turns into a series!
Recommended:
- To buddy read with your sisters.
- If you like chapters that end on cliff hangers.
- When you are looking for fantasy + PG love/romance.
- For fans of Naomi Novik, Robert Jackson Bennett and Holly Black.
April 2, 2023
Review coming soon.
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