Read Time:2 Minute, 10 Second
It isn’t always easy to read people—to understand their motives and intentions. But that’s not the case in the town of Saintstone. Everyone in author Alice Broadway’s Ink is an open book—because every achievement, every mistake, is written on their skin.
The story introduces Leora Flint at a challenging time in her young life. Not only is she about to take the tests that will determine whether she’ll be allowed to be one of the city’s few female inkers—the artists who tattoo memories and accomplishments on people’s skin. But she’s also awaiting the weighing of her late father—the ceremony where his life will be judged to determine whether he’ll be remembered or forced to be forgotten, his name never spoken again. And as she waits, Leora discovers some worrying things about her father and his past.
This gritty young adult novel is loaded with secrets and deception and surprises. The town of Saintstone is supposed to be one that’s entirely black and white—so much so that residents have their entire life stories tattooed in their skin. But Leora soon discovers that the marks don’t tell the whole story. Leora’s father wasn’t really the man she thought he was, and his death brings all kinds of revelations that force Leora to make some critical decisions.
But, of course, there’s so much more to this story than just a girl coming to terms with her father’s—and her own—true identity. And as Leora learns more about Saintstone’s battle against the blanks—the rebellious outsiders who refused to be marked—the story will make readers think about their own identity, as well as about the value of fresh starts and second chances.
Admittedly, Ink features many of the standard elements of today’s female-focused dystopian young adult adventures, but it’s still a thought-provoking and suspenseful novel. It uses legends and fables to tell a powerful story, but it’s also clear that this is just the beginning for this young woman who’s starting to see the world around her in a whole new light. And as a new, stronger Leora emerges in the end, you’ll be eager to see what comes next.
Tense and gripping yet beautifully, lyrically written, Ink is more than just another coming-of-age novel. This introduction to Leora’s story will also teach readers a valuable lesson about seeing others for more than just what’s on the surface.
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Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
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Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
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