chelsea_jack's review
5.0
For me, this book was all about developing identity. Kellie's trying to figure out her place in the world, what sets her apart and gives her value, and struggling to do it during those painful teenage years. Kellie's older sister suddenly has no time for her, her father thinks she's a screw-up and her mother is proud of her just for existing. It's hard to figure out who you are when no one else seems to care!
I found this book charming and think that it's an excellent YA read.
For my complete review, see To Each Their Own Reviews
I found this book charming and think that it's an excellent YA read.
For my complete review, see To Each Their Own Reviews
paperiot's review
2.0
Rating: 2.5 stars
Ink is Thicker Than Water is one of those books that left me utterly conflicted. One the one hand, it is a heart-warming story about family and struggling to find yourself. One the other, there were things that annoyed me terribly, and I was slightly bored for parts of it. It didn’t start that way. At the beginning, I really loved main character Kellie’s voice: it was realistic, slightly snarky and very down-to-earth – my favorite combination. While not laugh out loud funny, her inner monologues made me smile a lot. I was also curious to learn about her family, and the part she played in that. But I think that Kellie lost her spark for me somwhere in this story. The main reason for that is that her choices rubbed me the wrong way.
Read the full review at Paper Riot.
Ink is Thicker Than Water is one of those books that left me utterly conflicted. One the one hand, it is a heart-warming story about family and struggling to find yourself. One the other, there were things that annoyed me terribly, and I was slightly bored for parts of it. It didn’t start that way. At the beginning, I really loved main character Kellie’s voice: it was realistic, slightly snarky and very down-to-earth – my favorite combination. While not laugh out loud funny, her inner monologues made me smile a lot. I was also curious to learn about her family, and the part she played in that. But I think that Kellie lost her spark for me somwhere in this story. The main reason for that is that her choices rubbed me the wrong way.
Read the full review at Paper Riot.
heykellyjensen's review
4.0
Amy Spalding is quickly becoming one of my favorite contemporary YA writers. She knows what a teen story is, and she is able to tell it with not just heart, but with a hearty dose of humor. She never talks down to teen readers and the respect she has for teenagers is obvious.
This is a story about what a family looks like, how one fits into a family, what a friendship looks like, how one fits into a friendship, what a romantic relationship looks like, how one fits into a romantic relationship, and maybe most importantly, it's a book about what it looks like and feels like and is like to figure out who YOU are in the midst of all of those.
If you liked Reece Malcolm List, you'll love this. It's perfect for fans of Sara Zarr and Siobhan Vivian.
Longer review to come!
This is a story about what a family looks like, how one fits into a family, what a friendship looks like, how one fits into a friendship, what a romantic relationship looks like, how one fits into a romantic relationship, and maybe most importantly, it's a book about what it looks like and feels like and is like to figure out who YOU are in the midst of all of those.
If you liked Reece Malcolm List, you'll love this. It's perfect for fans of Sara Zarr and Siobhan Vivian.
Longer review to come!
nitabee's review
2.0
I really, really liked The Reece Malcolm List, but I was pretty disappointed with Ink is Thicker Than Water. I thought Kellie came across as pretty young, and I found the writing to be simplistic. I had a hard time identifying with/caring about Kellie, and I thought the ending, tying up the Sara conflict, was too abrupt. I liked Kellie's mom and Russell and Finn, I thought they seemed like a great family unit. Hoping I enjoy Spalding's next book more.
readingdate's review
4.0
After loving The Reece Malcolm List earlier this year, Amy Spalding earned a place on my auto-buy list. Family relationships have never been as intriguing as they are in Spalding’s hands. Plus, her characters are artistic, witty and quirky. INK’s book title refers to Kellie’s family business, a tattoo shop, and looks at what it means to be a family. Is ink thicker than water?
I like Amy Spalding’s YA books because they are such well rounded coming of age stories, with complex relationships, style, and heart. The family relationships are unconventional but at the same time totally normal as well. Her mom and stepdad run a tattoo shop and are half-vegan, creative, and hippieish, but have traditional values as well.
The sisters Kellie and Sara are just a year apart and are very close. The fact that Sara wants to connect with her birth mother feels like a slap to Kellie, who is protective of her mom. Everyone is supportive of Sara and understands that this is what she needs to do, but it still rocks the family foundation.
Kellie is also dealing with the gradual loss of her BFF Kaitlyn, who ditches her for a more popular clique. It’s realistic to see alliances change in high school as interests change, and their experience feels authentic. It’s also refreshingly different for Kellie to have a new group with the newspaper crew, led by the efficient, intellectual Adelaide. I wouldn’t mind Adelaide getting her own book.
Some of the humor comes in the form of Kellie’s op-ed pieces, where she riffs on meatless options in the school cafeteria (not) and the manure smells of the school courtyard. That she has a knack for writing gives her a confidence boost, something that extends to other parts of Kellie’s life.
I got so attached to the stories and characters that I was sad to let them go at the end. The ending is hopeful but a little open ended. I like when endings aren’t neat and tidy but at the same time I wanted just a bit more resolution.
INK is smart, fresh and real, and a quick, entertaining read. I like that it doesn’t go for over the top dramatics to get the point across but feels true. The dialogue is spot-on and witty, and Spalding doesn’t talk down to her readers. The sex-positive message is a bonus too as is the strong female characterization. If you loved The Reece Malcolm List you’ll definitely want to pick up a copy of INK.
I like Amy Spalding’s YA books because they are such well rounded coming of age stories, with complex relationships, style, and heart. The family relationships are unconventional but at the same time totally normal as well. Her mom and stepdad run a tattoo shop and are half-vegan, creative, and hippieish, but have traditional values as well.
The sisters Kellie and Sara are just a year apart and are very close. The fact that Sara wants to connect with her birth mother feels like a slap to Kellie, who is protective of her mom. Everyone is supportive of Sara and understands that this is what she needs to do, but it still rocks the family foundation.
Kellie is also dealing with the gradual loss of her BFF Kaitlyn, who ditches her for a more popular clique. It’s realistic to see alliances change in high school as interests change, and their experience feels authentic. It’s also refreshingly different for Kellie to have a new group with the newspaper crew, led by the efficient, intellectual Adelaide. I wouldn’t mind Adelaide getting her own book.
Some of the humor comes in the form of Kellie’s op-ed pieces, where she riffs on meatless options in the school cafeteria (not) and the manure smells of the school courtyard. That she has a knack for writing gives her a confidence boost, something that extends to other parts of Kellie’s life.
I got so attached to the stories and characters that I was sad to let them go at the end. The ending is hopeful but a little open ended. I like when endings aren’t neat and tidy but at the same time I wanted just a bit more resolution.
INK is smart, fresh and real, and a quick, entertaining read. I like that it doesn’t go for over the top dramatics to get the point across but feels true. The dialogue is spot-on and witty, and Spalding doesn’t talk down to her readers. The sex-positive message is a bonus too as is the strong female characterization. If you loved The Reece Malcolm List you’ll definitely want to pick up a copy of INK.
aprilbooksandwine's review
4.0
Ink Is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spalding is a book that sat unread on my Kindle for longer than necessary. Seriously, every time I finish an Amy Spalding book I am all, wow that was good, I should read the rest of the books I have by her. Read my full review here Link goes live 2/15/2017
kailiasage's review
4.0
Since I like to be honest in all of my reviews, I'm not going to hide my thoughts on this book. I didn't think I'd love this book as much as I did. Nor did I expect Ink is Thicker than Water to be full of so much heart and realistic aspects of life. While I thought the summary gave everything away, I was pleasantly surprised at the twists and turns of this book. This is my first book by Amy Spalding and I know it won't be my last.
We're going to stat this review with the characters, as I usually do. Kellie was such a fantastic narrator that I didn't want this book to end. She'd gone through so much and the events of this book didn't make it any better. As a high school junior, Kellie never felt like she fit into her family. She always seemed to disappoint her parents and could never find her place. While Kellie started out as a great character, as the plot unraveled, I expected her to become a dramatic, over the top character. Instead, Spalding wrote Kellie in a very realistic way. Kellie didn't make the best decisions and sometimes she said things she regretted; nothing was always resolved to perfection and I loved that. Kellie's mistakes and her growth throughout this book was not only astounding but not perfect. She has more room to grow and that aspect made me happy. After all, who's to say that a character has reached their growth potential by the end of a book.
As for the other characters, I LOVED the family. While the summary makes it seem like Oliver is such a big part of Kellie's life, Ink is Thicker than Water is a story about family and friends. So much of the plot for this novel deals with Kellie and her family dynamics and all the changes. While Kellie's mom, dad, step dad, older sister and baby brother are not the main characters, each go through their own development. While some are more prominent, like Kellie's mom, dad, and sister, others (like Russell the step dad and her baby brother) are also present with different personalities. While I didn't always care for Kellie's sister, her situation was so different that I wasn't always sure how to take the situation. I'm going to admit that I didn't like Oliver at all. Not only was he too overbearing, his need for control over Kellie just scared me. I'm honestly glad Kellie was able to see the signs and break from something I feel could have been very harmful.
But I will admit, the plot was a little overbearing at times. I felt that all of the different plot lines could have either been dealt with in a better fashion or some could have been taken out all together. In the end, while all of the plot lines did work out, the execution sometimes felt muddled. I think that maybe some of Kellie's issues with her friends could have been taken out. Sure, the result wouldn't be the same but the focus of this book was mainly about family.
Overall, I loved this book a lot. I read it in about two sitting because I fell in love with not only Kellie but the other characters as well. It may seem like there is too much going on at first, and sometimes during the book it does get overwhelming, the overall plot was handled well and with great care. Ink is Thicker than Water has a lot of heart and so much abut this book is amazing. Don't let the cover keep you from reading this book. Plus, Amy Spalding's writing is wonderful and she's an author to look our for!
We're going to stat this review with the characters, as I usually do. Kellie was such a fantastic narrator that I didn't want this book to end. She'd gone through so much and the events of this book didn't make it any better. As a high school junior, Kellie never felt like she fit into her family. She always seemed to disappoint her parents and could never find her place. While Kellie started out as a great character, as the plot unraveled, I expected her to become a dramatic, over the top character. Instead, Spalding wrote Kellie in a very realistic way. Kellie didn't make the best decisions and sometimes she said things she regretted; nothing was always resolved to perfection and I loved that. Kellie's mistakes and her growth throughout this book was not only astounding but not perfect. She has more room to grow and that aspect made me happy. After all, who's to say that a character has reached their growth potential by the end of a book.
As for the other characters, I LOVED the family. While the summary makes it seem like Oliver is such a big part of Kellie's life, Ink is Thicker than Water is a story about family and friends. So much of the plot for this novel deals with Kellie and her family dynamics and all the changes. While Kellie's mom, dad, step dad, older sister and baby brother are not the main characters, each go through their own development. While some are more prominent, like Kellie's mom, dad, and sister, others (like Russell the step dad and her baby brother) are also present with different personalities. While I didn't always care for Kellie's sister, her situation was so different that I wasn't always sure how to take the situation. I'm going to admit that I didn't like Oliver at all. Not only was he too overbearing, his need for control over Kellie just scared me. I'm honestly glad Kellie was able to see the signs and break from something I feel could have been very harmful.
But I will admit, the plot was a little overbearing at times. I felt that all of the different plot lines could have either been dealt with in a better fashion or some could have been taken out all together. In the end, while all of the plot lines did work out, the execution sometimes felt muddled. I think that maybe some of Kellie's issues with her friends could have been taken out. Sure, the result wouldn't be the same but the focus of this book was mainly about family.
Overall, I loved this book a lot. I read it in about two sitting because I fell in love with not only Kellie but the other characters as well. It may seem like there is too much going on at first, and sometimes during the book it does get overwhelming, the overall plot was handled well and with great care. Ink is Thicker than Water has a lot of heart and so much abut this book is amazing. Don't let the cover keep you from reading this book. Plus, Amy Spalding's writing is wonderful and she's an author to look our for!
nagam's review
4.0
Probably more of a 3.5, but I did really, really enjoy the story.
- - - - -
Review originally published on Rather Be Reading:
Yesterday in our Nailed It post, I teased you guys with hints of why I really enjoyed Amy Spalding’s secondary novel, Ink is Thicker Than Water. The family dynamics were absolutely one of my favorite aspects of the entire book. Kellie is a girl who doesn’t really know her place in her diverse family — her older-by-a-year, adopted sister, Sara, is extremely gorgeous and über smart. Kellie is most like her mother, but she’s scared that she won’t figure out who she is until much, much later in life, just as her mom did. And while he has the best intentions, her dad is always pressuring her to apply herself more and comparing her accomplisments to Sara’s. Her step-father Russell is a gem because he seamlessly fits into the family, but doesn’t overstep his bounds. Finn, Sara and Kellie’s half-brother, is this four-year-old ball of adorableness that everyone loves to take care of.
Is this family flawed? Yes. Do they have some issues? Absolutely. Do they fall-to-pieces because of them? Well… not necessarily, but things do get interesting when Sara’s biological mom emerges out of thin air. Everyone tries to give Sara the space to figure out her relationship with her mom without interfering, but just imagine how hard that would be without feeling like you’re being replaced. Kellie’s mom is the biggest proponent of personal space and there not being “gossip” amongst the family — she wants everyone to be open and honest, but when Sara begins distancing herself, no one knows how to navigate this bumpy road.
Aside from the family, there are some pretty strong secondary stories woven into Ink is Thicker Than Water. To make her dad happy and to quit being such a wallflower, Kellie immerses herself in the school newspaper, an activity she finds both a bit nerdy and uncool, but still intriguing. Meanwhile her best friend, Kaitlyn, suddenly transforms into this gorgeous babe that makes Kellie feel a little inferior, especially when Kait decides to try to connect with the popular crowd. There’s so much self-discovery woven into the pages of Ink; how does Kellie find her place amongst her family and how does she deal with the abandonment of two people she’s closest to — Sara and Kaitlyn?
Romantics, you may be wondering where the love interest comes into play. Oliver is a guy Kellie met several months prior, but didn’t keep in touch with. When they run into each other again at a local diner, the text and chat marathons begin. Except Oliver seems to come on a little too strong; his intensity level is set to high and Kellie’s a little unsure of how to talk with Oliver about his eagerness. While I am typically so invested in the love lives of main characters, I felt like something was askew with Oliver and Kellie’s relationship. I wasn’t fully invested, but maybe that’s purely because I was so concerned about how her family dramatics would work out. It’s really difficult when I’m extremely interested in one storyline and another doesn’t quite capture my attention in the same way. The romance was definitely there, but my heart wasn’t.
Despite the few things I felt needed to be finessed a little more, Ink is Thicker Than Water was an enjoyable read that allowed me to disconnect and relax in exactly the way reading should. And if you haven’t read Amy Spalding’s The Reese Malcolm List, you absolutely should. Both Estelle and I give it our stamps of approval.
- - - - -
Review originally published on Rather Be Reading:
Yesterday in our Nailed It post, I teased you guys with hints of why I really enjoyed Amy Spalding’s secondary novel, Ink is Thicker Than Water. The family dynamics were absolutely one of my favorite aspects of the entire book. Kellie is a girl who doesn’t really know her place in her diverse family — her older-by-a-year, adopted sister, Sara, is extremely gorgeous and über smart. Kellie is most like her mother, but she’s scared that she won’t figure out who she is until much, much later in life, just as her mom did. And while he has the best intentions, her dad is always pressuring her to apply herself more and comparing her accomplisments to Sara’s. Her step-father Russell is a gem because he seamlessly fits into the family, but doesn’t overstep his bounds. Finn, Sara and Kellie’s half-brother, is this four-year-old ball of adorableness that everyone loves to take care of.
Is this family flawed? Yes. Do they have some issues? Absolutely. Do they fall-to-pieces because of them? Well… not necessarily, but things do get interesting when Sara’s biological mom emerges out of thin air. Everyone tries to give Sara the space to figure out her relationship with her mom without interfering, but just imagine how hard that would be without feeling like you’re being replaced. Kellie’s mom is the biggest proponent of personal space and there not being “gossip” amongst the family — she wants everyone to be open and honest, but when Sara begins distancing herself, no one knows how to navigate this bumpy road.
Aside from the family, there are some pretty strong secondary stories woven into Ink is Thicker Than Water. To make her dad happy and to quit being such a wallflower, Kellie immerses herself in the school newspaper, an activity she finds both a bit nerdy and uncool, but still intriguing. Meanwhile her best friend, Kaitlyn, suddenly transforms into this gorgeous babe that makes Kellie feel a little inferior, especially when Kait decides to try to connect with the popular crowd. There’s so much self-discovery woven into the pages of Ink; how does Kellie find her place amongst her family and how does she deal with the abandonment of two people she’s closest to — Sara and Kaitlyn?
Romantics, you may be wondering where the love interest comes into play. Oliver is a guy Kellie met several months prior, but didn’t keep in touch with. When they run into each other again at a local diner, the text and chat marathons begin. Except Oliver seems to come on a little too strong; his intensity level is set to high and Kellie’s a little unsure of how to talk with Oliver about his eagerness. While I am typically so invested in the love lives of main characters, I felt like something was askew with Oliver and Kellie’s relationship. I wasn’t fully invested, but maybe that’s purely because I was so concerned about how her family dramatics would work out. It’s really difficult when I’m extremely interested in one storyline and another doesn’t quite capture my attention in the same way. The romance was definitely there, but my heart wasn’t.
Despite the few things I felt needed to be finessed a little more, Ink is Thicker Than Water was an enjoyable read that allowed me to disconnect and relax in exactly the way reading should. And if you haven’t read Amy Spalding’s The Reese Malcolm List, you absolutely should. Both Estelle and I give it our stamps of approval.