Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs Published by HarperCollins on May 30, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Family Life / General, Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary, Fiction / Magical Realism, Fiction / Women
Pages: 416
Format: Audiobook, eBook
Source: ARC, Library
NAMED A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR & ONE OF THE BEST FANTASY NOVELS OF THE YEAR
“Astonishing and pristine, the kind of debut I love to be devastated by, already so assured and sophisticated that it’s difficult to imagine where the author can go from here. . . . It’s simply a delight from start to finish.” – AMAL EL-MOHTAR, New York Times Book Review
“Follow where this novel leads and you will be lost in a bewitching spell, a book of magic about books of magic . . . extraordinary.” – MARLON JAMES
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 . . .
In the great tradition of Ninth House, The Magicians, and Practical Magic, this is a suspenseful and richly atmospheric novel that draws readers into a vast world filled with mystery and magic, romance, and intrigue—and marks the debut of an extraordinary new voice in speculative fiction.
"Ink Blood Sister Scribe is so many things at once: an adventure, a puzzle, a twisty thriller, and a tender romance. . . . I adored it.” – ALIX E. HARROW
"If, like me, you’re a fan of Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo, pick up this book at once.” — KELLY LINK
I’ve found it difficult to categorize this book! A contemporary fantasy with a hefty dose of mystery and some suspense. Magical books tucked away in private libraries that are protected ruthlessly from unscrupulous individuals… Kinda. Also, these books require blood to activate and read and some don’t just stop with a little blood.
Törzs juggles three POVs: Esther, Joanna, and Nicholas. Each POV distinct and enjoyable, though I think Nicholas was my fav to follow around. Don’t jump into this read thinking it will be constant magic and tension. Truly, Ink Blood, Sister Scribe has a slow build up with a fantastical pay off! That slow start definitely has its draw back though.
I picked it up almost a year ago only to set it down and kind of forgot about it. When I finally picked it up again when I saw the audiobook was available and that helped me! Once the foundation was laid, everything picked up around 40% and by 60% I couldn’t put it down!
Overall? This is a great debut filled with magic, family, found family, and mystery. I would absolutely revisit this world if given the chance. After all, we all know the power of books. It was a delight to have them contain magical powers!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.