Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - Ink Blood Sister Scribe

Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

65 reviews

tigger89's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This was a fantastic modern fantasy. I enjoyed the twists, even the ones I saw coming. I thought that the way the books worked was intriguing, especially how the knowledge had to be rediscovered by some of the characters. Once it gets going, the story moves along at a fast pace, leaving me desperate to know what happens next.

This book does contain blood magic. I've given it a good, hard look, and I think it avoids coming too close to invoking blood libel, for the following reasons. First, the magic doesn't have to involve the unwilling taking of someone's blood for the benefit of another. While it can take that form, in the form presented as good the blood is freely given and the magic is viewed as a positive thing of beauty. Second, while there are powerful people who take the magic for their own profit, they are not Jewish-coded in any way I noticed. And third, Jewish tradition is explicitly present elsewhere in the story and used as a source of positive strength. Obviously this is something each reader will have to decide their own comfort level on, that's just the reasoning I followed for my own feelings.

The only thing I didn't like was the romance. I didn't mind Esther's romance, though. I thought that was fine, and just messy enough to make me feel like she earned it. What really ground my gears was Joanna's romance. It's okay for characters to be single. She didn't need a man, and furthermore I never got any kind of vibe that he was particularly right for her. It felt like it was shoehorned in because the author thought she needed to end up with someone in order to be happy, and he was the most convenient guy.

Now, the most important part of the review: does the dog and/or cat die?

There's a pet dog and a pet cat owned by different characters. Both are completely fine. This book is certified adorable for pet lovers!

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tallulahlucy's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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litstyleguide's review against another edition

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4.0

This was such a unique story, y’all. I really enjoyed this fantasy standalone. It was an interesting concept, kept me intrigued, and kept me gasping plenty. I figured out a few of the plot points, but that didn’t take away from enjoying the book. Familial secrets, separated sisters, lovable characters, magical books, and a dog named Sir Kiwi? Say less.

My only problem with this one was it started really slow. I was never bored, but it felt like it took a long time (~65% in) for it to pick up. Overall, really enjoyed this one though.

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emrockwell14's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

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_teoeo's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

It took me a few chapters to get into the story but after that I enjoyed it so much!! But I have to agree with another review here: Collins and Nicholas should've been endgame ://

I didn't see any chemistry between Joanna and Collins except "oh I think they are attractive (also him being the first man I ever spoke to in my life besides my father), now I'm in love"

Cw: This book tiptoes the line of blood libel, especially with some of the protagonists being Jewish. That made me really sceptical at first! I think in the end it didn't fully cross the line but other opinions may differ. (Also, I'm not sure but I think the author is Jewish herself?) I'm certainly no expert in this and will still see this from a critical point of view!

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lizgriffinwords's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Suspenseful and voicy! Part action thriller, part magical realism, part dark academia!

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trippyotter's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It's a good story, and I was immediately intrigued by the first chapter, but it's a slower pace, and I often wondered if there was going to be a sequel.

But everything wraps up nicely in the last 50 or so pages. That being said, this would be a great starting point for a spin-off or the next gen.

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