A review by iamcreature81
Inked in Blood and Memory by Allison Ivy

dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Okay. I have a few things to say about this book. First I almost dnf’d but I’m glad I didn’t. I did end up liking it, but that’s why it took me longer to finish and that’s why I’m not loving it. And that’s okay. 

It started off with a bang. we learn that Ren and Sophie’s parents are part of a cult that basically sold their first male born to a demon that they made a deal with. 

Sophie and Ren are young and they’re left traumatized by the event. Losing their friend Jeremy when he was only 10. 

Now at around the 35% mark through 60% things weren’t jiving for me. There was a lot of time jumping and while at the same time POV jumping. This was very confusing for me. 

However once the cat came back onto the page at around 63% we were back to cooking. 

The strain between Sophie and Ren and the sapphic attraction were great. I enjoyed seeing their relationship blossom into what it should have been from the start, but, you know, trauma. 

The story within the story could have worked better had there not been so much time jumping in that section I mentioned. 

Nonetheless I feel people can enjoy this sapphic horror just as is. 

Thank you netgalley, publisher and author for the opportunity to read this novel.