Ink in the Blood by Kim Smejkal

Ink in the Blood (Ink in the Blood Duology, #1)

by Kim Smejkal

Celia Sand and her best friend, Anya Burtoni, are inklings for the esteemed religion of Profeta. Using magic, they tattoo followers with beautiful images that represent the Divine’s will and guide the actions of the recipients. It’s considered a noble calling, but ten years into their servitude Celia and Anya know the truth: Profeta is built on lies, the tattooed orders strip away freedom, and the revered temple is actually a brutal, torturous prison.

Their opportunity to escape arrives with the Rabble Mob, a traveling theater troupe. Using their inkling abilities for performance instead of propaganda, Celia and Anya are content for the first time . . . until they realise who followed them. The Divine they never believed in is very real, very angry, and determined to use Celia, Anya, and the Rabble Mob’s now-infamous stage to spread her deceitful influence even further.

To protect their new family from the wrath of a malicious deity and the zealots who work in her name, Celia and Anya must unmask the biggest lie of all - Profeta itself.

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on

4 of 5 stars

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Kim Smejkal's debut novel, Ink in the Blood, is a bold and brilliant fantasy novel, one I won't be forgetting anytime soon. It's a novel that I might otherwise have missed, if not for being an option for BOTM (Book of the Month).

Celia Sand and Anya Burtoni are best friends. They're also inklings – meaning that they work (not entirely willingly) for the main/only religion of Profeta. They create tattoos full of messages, and under orders send them off to those needing to receive them.

It's a practice that neither of them are fond of, as they know the truth about those messages – and the cost that could come with them. They don't believe that they are truly coming from the Divine, and thus they won't hesitate if they are given the opportunity to escape from this life.

“Nearly everyone boasted a tattoo; ink made nonbelievers believe, turned half believers into fervent ones. Magic staining their skin meant that the Divine cared for them.”

Ink in the Blood is a rich and captivating world. It took a unique spin on the concept of magic and tattoos, and created something entirely different from that core. I think that is one of the many reasons why I found myself enjoying is so much.

A fact which surprised me a little bit, as I don't normally adore novels that are so full of religion and stigma. Yet there's something to Celia and Anya's struggles and determination here, and it made it impossible to look away from.

I think it's at least partially the fact that the story, at its core, felt similar to the Night Circus. That's not to say that they are the same – other than a few circus/carnival themes, they actually don't have much in common. But still, that vibe is there.

Combine those circus elements with magic, tattoos, love, friendship, and an overwhelming and overly powerful religious sect, and you've got something to write home about here! I adored most, if not all, of these elements.

Even while parts made my heart race – like that terrifying yet impressive conclusion. That also worked well to leave a mark (pun intended) on my mind. It's really no wonder that I'm eagerly looking forward to the sequel – Curse of the Divine (which is expected to release early 2021).

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 14 December, 2020: Finished reading
  • 14 December, 2020: Reviewed
  • Started reading
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  • 14 December, 2020: Reviewed