Saturday, April 12, 2014

Early Review: Nightmare Ink by Marcella Burnard

Nightmare Ink
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Publisher: Intermix
Living Ink Book #1
ASIN:  B00CLFCP14
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher
With her art and magic, Isa Romanchzyk has the power to create or destroy. In her tattoo shop, Nightmare Ink, Isa helps those in need by binding the power embedded in their Live Ink—the magical tattoos that can enhance the life of the wearer, or end it. But binding tattoos has earned Isa the contempt of her fellow artists—including her former lover Daniel.

When a friend comes to the shop with a tattoo on the verge of killing him, Isa can’t turn him away. For the first time in years, she works Live Ink—something she swore she’d never do again. But a broken vow soon becomes the least of her problems.

The real nightmare begins when she’s abducted and inked with a Living Tattoo against her will. Now, saddled with a powerful, amoral entity willing to do anything to win his freedom, Isa must fight to keep her Living Tattoo from consuming her completely...

I was pleasantly surprised by NIGHTMARE INK. I wasn't totally sold on the whole living tattoo concept before i started reading, but it was nothing like I thought it would be when I started turning the pages. Isa is a talented tattoo artist, but she can go a step further and work rare magic with living tattoos. She had an unfortunate event during training and refuses to practice. Her one concession is binding living tattoos that go rogue. Nobody likes the fact that she binds their work and when she goes against threats to help a friend her life is put in danger.

NIGHTMARE INK was pretty emotionally charged. Isa has a lot of regrets and pain in her past. She has made a life for herself but still keeps herself apart in a way. The events that happen during NIGHTMARE INK show her how much support and love she has around her in her friends. The way they all came together to help her in dangerous times and stand by her, helped her heal a little bit. Through healing she was able to tap into what she can and wants to do.

A few parts of the story didn't feel as strong as other parts and the storyline wasn't as smooth as I thought it could have been which is why I am giving the score I am. Overall I really enjoyed the plot and I am interested in continuing the series.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.