kiiitasticbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book had me, within the first page, putting on my clown makeup. Because despite literally telling my friends the only thing I would hate in this book is for [specific bad thing to happen to Griffin], I had to read that exact fate in the first few pages.
I was actually really surprised by the story in this book, however. In order to find a way to defeat Diavala for good, Celia and Griffin travel to Wisteria to find Halcyon, the only person recorded to have ever survived Diavala. However, readers are immediately clued in to not everything being as it seems when Celia and Griffin explore Wisteria and find that the town… is weird.
Like magical weird.
One of my favorite things about this book was how it expanded upon the ink’s powers and what inklings can do with the ink in their blood. While we know from the first book that the ink can be transferred between bodies in the form of a tattoo, seeing all the different ways Celia uses ink throughout this book really opened up a whole new world we didn’t know existed!
I also found the way this book treated Diavala’s story to be very interesting. In expanding Diavala’s story, we get to care for her more, and I think that really helps strengthen her role throughout both the first book and this one. The best villains are ones readers can understand, rather than just being evil to be evil, and I think a lot of readers will really look back on this story with awe as they realize how different everything they thought they knew really is!
However, I am unsure if this sequel was really necessary. Because Ink In The Blood was so well-contained, Curse Of The Divine feels like both a sequel and like it could stand alone itself. The best comparison I have to explain the feeling to readers is like if this was a series of connected mystery novels: while they do have similarities in repeating characters and an overarching plotline, each book in the series has it’s own plot that opens and ends within that book.
I think that if there were more books in this universe, Curse Of The Divine wouldn’t feel as awkward as it does. But with it having been a couple years since Curse Of The Divine has been published (and the Diavala plotline being completed within this book), I don’t think the author has any plans to continue Celia and Griffin’s story.
aikay's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
4.0
theelizabethjoy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jojodancer420's review
5.0
I absolutely love her style of writing
Incredible- even better than the first book. Such an original idea, nothing seems to be a trope or overdone. My favorite concept in the world she created in the idea of "tenors". I picture them as sort of auras, different colors to represent gender fluidity and identity. it's beautiful and refreshing. I hope she will be writing more books soon!
Incredible- even better than the first book. Such an original idea, nothing seems to be a trope or overdone. My favorite concept in the world she created in the idea of "tenors". I picture them as sort of auras, different colors to represent gender fluidity and identity. it's beautiful and refreshing. I hope she will be writing more books soon!
bookish_spoonie's review
5.0
4.5 stars
Curse of the Divine is a fantastic ending to an incredibly unique and interesting duology. The first book Ink in the Blood was so amazing that I was worried this wouldn't live up to it. Thankfully, I didn't have to worry.
The Ink in the Blood series is a "lush, dark YA fantasy debut that weaves together tattoo magic, faith, and eccentric theater in a world where lies are currency and ink is a weapon." If you enjoy fantasy that is weird and unique then you definitely should read this series. I promise that it is unlike anything you have ever read and it won't let you down.
The writing of this series is magical and filled with poetic words and stunning imagination. Each character is so well defined that I felt an instant connection or intrigue with them. The lead Celia is an absolute gem of a character, her story takes us on an incredible adventure filled with dramatics and danger. There is also a slow grow romance which I absolutely adored.
The books are surprisingly easy reads despite being so intricate and imaginative. The world building is solid which really helps the story flow so easily.
As you can probably tell, I HIGHLY recommend this series. It is so underrated and more people need to discover it's genius.
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
Curse of the Divine is a fantastic ending to an incredibly unique and interesting duology. The first book Ink in the Blood was so amazing that I was worried this wouldn't live up to it. Thankfully, I didn't have to worry.
The Ink in the Blood series is a "lush, dark YA fantasy debut that weaves together tattoo magic, faith, and eccentric theater in a world where lies are currency and ink is a weapon." If you enjoy fantasy that is weird and unique then you definitely should read this series. I promise that it is unlike anything you have ever read and it won't let you down.
The writing of this series is magical and filled with poetic words and stunning imagination. Each character is so well defined that I felt an instant connection or intrigue with them. The lead Celia is an absolute gem of a character, her story takes us on an incredible adventure filled with dramatics and danger. There is also a slow grow romance which I absolutely adored.
The books are surprisingly easy reads despite being so intricate and imaginative. The world building is solid which really helps the story flow so easily.
As you can probably tell, I HIGHLY recommend this series. It is so underrated and more people need to discover it's genius.
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
book_gremlin_caitlyn's review
3.0
I really enjoyed the first book however had a harder time getting into the second one. Still a beautifully written story.
bbailey10's review against another edition
5.0
Ugh, I loved, loved, loved this continuation of Ink in the Blood. It sparkled and dazzled like the Plague Doctor always did. Celia Sand is the perfect heroine, imperfect, doing right by doing wrong, being human. Loved it.
mousereads's review against another edition
4.0
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Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book. I loved the magic in it and the way the tattoo magic evolved. I found Griffin much more entertaining in this book than in the last book. I also found Diavala more satisfying to read about than in the first book. However, Celia Sand is still the same impulsive Celia Sand. There only seemed to be a little bit of character growth for our Celia, and it didn't come till around the end. This was a bit frustrating, as you would think that she would have changed more with Anya's death. The relationship between Griffin and Celia was charming to read. I liked the experience in the second half a lot.
However, the ending of this story was not satisfying. When I finished the book, I felt like I needed more. The end of the first book left me feeling that way as well, and I find that frustrating. As the story began to wrap up, it felt like I read 75% of the book to pass the time and only the last bit of the book really concluded things. The only reason this is salvageable is because the characters and world is so fascinating to me. This is why I have given this book 3.5 stars instead of a full star review. I was left wanting more, and knowing I wouldn’t get it.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book. I loved the magic in it and the way the tattoo magic evolved. I found Griffin much more entertaining in this book than in the last book. I also found Diavala more satisfying to read about than in the first book. However, Celia Sand is still the same impulsive Celia Sand. There only seemed to be a little bit of character growth for our Celia, and it didn't come till around the end. This was a bit frustrating, as you would think that she would have changed more with Anya's death. The relationship between Griffin and Celia was charming to read. I liked the experience in the second half a lot.
However, the ending of this story was not satisfying. When I finished the book, I felt like I needed more. The end of the first book left me feeling that way as well, and I find that frustrating. As the story began to wrap up, it felt like I read 75% of the book to pass the time and only the last bit of the book really concluded things. The only reason this is salvageable is because the characters and world is so fascinating to me. This is why I have given this book 3.5 stars instead of a full star review. I was left wanting more, and knowing I wouldn’t get it.
a_potter_nerd's review against another edition
4.0
I received this and as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and HMH Books for Young Readers for giving me access.
This was a better continuation of the first. While Ink in the Blood was a little slow to my liking, Curse of the Divine was a much better pace. The use of ink magic was better displayed and the world building grew so much more.
Not my favorite duology, but Curse of the Devine redeems my opinions on the first novel. As described, I would agree that this is a great read for those that love Wicked Saints bu Emily A. Duncan.
This was a better continuation of the first. While Ink in the Blood was a little slow to my liking, Curse of the Divine was a much better pace. The use of ink magic was better displayed and the world building grew so much more.
Not my favorite duology, but Curse of the Devine redeems my opinions on the first novel. As described, I would agree that this is a great read for those that love Wicked Saints bu Emily A. Duncan.