(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
I think I’d give this book 4.5 stars. I got a bit confused with the characters and the events going on at first (particularly to do with the marking), but as the book went on, I found myself drawn really easily into the world and the storyline.
There were a few different plots that did eventually converge with each other. I enjoyed learning about the different races there were on the planet and it was good to have information revealed in stages through the book, rather than all at once.
I was drawn more into the book when the five marked were all drawn together. I found myself intrigued by their different strengths and weaknesses and it was good to see that it wasn’t all about fighting. I found myself feeling really sorry for Kenrya… even though I’m sure she wouldn’t want someone to feel sorry for her.
I thought it was good to see the different cultures’ attitudes towards the young people who had been marked. It was good as well to see the different kinds of abilities/skill sets those different peoples were known for. I did like learning about the history of the planet and I also thought it was good to see that even the races who were considered ‘bad’ had reasons behind their behaviour… or that there was the potential for further development with some of the characters.
I really disliked Nord as a character. His attitude was an awful one and I couldn’t see any redeeming qualities to him. I had slightly different feelings towards Natal. He was a character I could understand a bit more.
I have to say, my favourite character was probably Tip. I enjoyed the fact that, although he wasn’t exactly a warrior, he still had valid skills and did work to save people. I also liked Jurth as a character… and it was nice to see him have a potentially surrogate father.
I really cared about the characters in this book and it was good to see them working together. I’d very much like to read the next book in this series at some point in the future. I definitely felt that it was worth reading.
Ink of Blood 