After a bunch of books which I thought would work for me but failed to stick the landing, this book was a really pleasant surprise. There's been a plethora of books in recent years about magical libraries or magical books, so I have to admit I wasn't expecting all that much.

The book opens with one of our protagonists, Esther, who is working as an electrician on a research station in Antarctica where she's just signed on for another 12-month contract - prior to this, she's led a very peripatetic lifestyle, having been warned by her father not to stay in anyone place longer than a year. This is, we discover, all to do with the possession by her family of some magical books and how they react to both Esther and her half-sister Jo. One of those books, we later discover, has taken life of Esther and Jo's father and something about Esther means that if she goes home, their hidden farmstead can be located and staying in one place too long puts Esther at risk as well. It doesn't take long before one of a new set of workers coming into the Antarctic base turns violent towards Esther and her girlfriend, meaning that Esther has to protect them both and then also leave both her job and girlfriend behind.

Meanwhile, literally on the other side of the world in London, we meet our other main protagonist, Nicholas - his family is involved with these magical books too, as he leads a sheltered life as someone whose blood is literally used as part of the ritual to create them. While he's gone along with what's been asked of him before, Nicholas starts to question what he's been told about how his very constrained world actually works, especially when his uncle's long-term partner helps him discover things aren't quite as he's always been told. When Nicholas takes the opportunity to leave the world he knows, his path naturally crosses with that of Esther and things develop from there.

The author does a really nice job of keeping all the moving parts of this novel working out, with some solid character work and some nice touches to the world-building - I particularly liked the idea of magical NDA, which were used/broken effectively as a way to drop new information in and take things in directions I didn't 100% see coming. At least one of the twists later on was a little predictable but others weren't and that kept me involved all the way through to the end. This looks like being a standalone novel but I'd be happy to read more about these characters and will also definitely keep an eye out for whatever this author does next.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley. This is my honest review of the book in question.

Esther never stays more than a year in one place, forced to move on the same date through a promise made to her father. Her sister Jo feels abandoned, alone in the family home with her own curious responsibilities since her mother moved out and the even more recent death of her father, which did not even draw Esther home for the funeral. Across the Atlantic, Nicholas appears to live in privileged luxury, protected for his unique skill, with access to a restricted and guarded library of magical books.
Esther however has fallen in love whilst working in the Antarctic, and tries to stay longer, but when she spots blood in the corner of the mirrors, and an anonymous message tells her to leave, it is clear she has made a mistake and heads home, worried that Jo is in danger.
A contemporary thriller set in a world where few know that magic exists and those that do maximise their power, this is a gripping and entertaining novel where the characters most loved by the protagonists have secrets that are only slowly uncovered. It kept me hooked throughout and I will recommend it to my book group.

Utterly readable!
I was hooked on this from the very beginning, and it didn’t disappoint. The story twists and turns, character positions change, and I got to the end immediately hoping there’s be a sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC copy to review

I really enjoyed this book. I love thrillers and fantasy stories so this was the perfect blend of the 2. I found the characters were well written and likeable, the plot was engaging and the settings well described. The plot did not lag and I was transported into a world of book magic, I just wish they were real.

This book was absolutely magical. What a delight to be introduced to a story that combines magic and books together in a way that doesn't feel gimmicky. Starting a book off with murder is one way to capture my attention and it didn't end there. The two sisters are endearing, I feel like they develop well through their journey together and there's a level of sympathy and relatable for the roles they have to do in life. I will be getting a physical copy of this book and it's definitely one to reread

A fantastic book which kept me reading into the early hours.
Joanna has stayed at home looking after her family’s collection of magical spell books - this is a solitary role which she has taken on. Esther, her magic immune sister, suddenly left home aged 18. Esther moved around constantly, never staying anywhere for more than a year - until now.
Nicholas is on the other side of the world. He is looked after and protected by his uncle and the Library a place he has always felt safe - until now.
And now, their lives are in danger. Secrets are everywhere and they must uncover the truths and learn who to trust if they are to survive.
A story of family (and the lengths they will go to keep each other safe), secrets, friendship and mist of all magic.

What a great story! It was really the blurb that grabbed me in on this one - I love a dark mystery and the added fantasy element definitely suggested it would be right up my street.

This is one of those stories that you need to bare with a little at the beginning with the differing POVs - I definitely favoured Esther’s chapters to begin with as they got straight to action and found Nicholas’ a little slower, but as the story progressed I loved the way each time the perspective changed you were left wanting in another.

As the story approached the half way mark I felt like things really took off and I was solidly invested in what because a twisting and turning, dark and thrilling mystery. I loved the world building, the magic and the themes of power and privilege - this was a fantastic read and I’ll definitely be adding a physical copy to my shelf on publication!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

My first read of 2023 and off to a fantastic start.
This book was absolutely magical!
I love the trope of magical books and libraries and this one didn’t disappoint. Mystery, intrigue and magic. Definitely my cup of tea.
The beginning is a little slow as we meet the characters and start to understand the magic system but by chapter 3 I was hooked and couldn’t wait to find out where the story was going to go.
I love the characters, especially Nicholas and Collins and I’m already excited to see what happens next!!
Definitely one I’ll be adding to my bookshelves as a physical copy 💕

Wow, so much love for this book! I was hooked from chapter one, loved the characters, the setting, and the world-building. I will do a fuller review later. My only criticism is the title, it doesn't fully capture the magic of the book and felt cumbersome. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book, a great concept of books only being able to be written by a scribe who had no other magical powers. I hope there will be a second book.

Ink Blood Sister Scribe follows the story of estranged sisters Joanna and Esther and their family connection to rare magical books. Joanna has stayed home her entire life to be the protector of their book collection while Esther has moved to a new place every year to avoid the deadly magic that she lost her mother to. When a situation happens, she realises both her and Joanna are in danger and they must figure out family secrets and so much more.
Though the beginning of this feels quite slow it’s definitely worth sticking with and the second half of the book really picks up the pace and I didn’t want to put it down! The characters are all really well developed and believable, the world building is fantastic and I enjoyed all the details. Looking forward to whatever comes next from Emma Törzs!

Esther must move her life once a year, Joanna stays at home, never changing, Nick lives a life of privilege with no freedom.

The books are the magic that will bind the sisters and Nick.

When Esther is in Antarctica and content, she makes the decision to not move on this year. But when she realises that using magic, someone has found her, she understands why her father told her she must move on November 2nd every year.

The magic that we book readers suspect our books have anyway, is used here with the last Scribe, the wards, the spells written in blood.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC, thoroughly enjoyed this book and will look forward to more books by Emma Tőrz

Ink Blood Sister Scribe is a smashing new debut from Emma Torzs in the dark academia genre. Magic is real and spells are cast from books, spells that are written with the blood and life of Scribes. But the magic is getting rarer, books are limited and valuable and this story follows two different families who have libraries to care for. Joanna cares for a small library of books, alone and isolated, following her father's wishes, whilst her sister Esther mysteriously cannot come home, and is forced to move every 12 months or something bad will happen.

On the other side of the world, the majority of the magical books left are housed in a giant library, controlled by a family who also contain one of the last known living Scribes, Nick, allowing them to make - and sell - spells for massive amounts of money. But this puts their Scribe in great danger, and he lives an isolated and controlled existence, whilst the act of making spells takes a huge physical toll.

These two families are going to come together in unexpected ways to solve a thrilling mystery - why does Esther have to keep running? Who is killing Scribes? Twisty, dark and exciting, I loved it!

A must read for any urban / modern fantasy or dark academia fans.

I was offered this book as an ARC by NetGalley and found it to be an enjoyable, easy read. To me Ink Blood Sister Scribe is a refreshing slant on the dark academia genre that is so popular at the moment (there are no universities or lecturers here but it has some similar vibes).

Joanna Kalotay lives a lonely existence, in the woods of Vermont. She lives in a remote house in the middle of the woods, completely alone. No one ever comes to visit her, because they can’t. She is the protector of a collection of books, books with power. Some allow you to walk through walls, others to turn water to wine, others to control animals. Others, to make the world forget where you live, to keep you and the books safe. Others still can kill you if you read them.

Her older sister, Esther, ran away when she turned 18, and changes jobs, and countries year after year. They don’t talk, and only keep in touch via postcards that Esther sends Joanna from each new location. Joanna is desperate for Esther to return. But she doesn’t realise that Esther is keeping away in order to avoid bringing danger to Joanna’s door. While working on a research base in Antarctica, Esther finds herself happy, and in love. Rather than moving on at the one year mark, she decides to stay another year. What could happen? Then she finds blood marks on the mirrors in the base, and knows someone is using magic to try to get to her. She is in danger, and her sister and the book collection too.

Their parents kept so many secrets from them, but now, in order for the sisters, and the books to survive, they have to unravel the secrets, and find the truth behind the books and their magic.

For those of us who find books magical, this is a book about magical books, and gives us what we wish for, when a book is read it is a truly magical experience. This story was a journey into a new fantasy world, fantastically written. I was gripped from the first page, and truly hope it becomes a series. The characters were engaging, and believable, and the story full of twists, turns, and more and more questions. The pace and flow really set the story up very well, and immerses you into this world, full of tension, danger and mystery. I really enjoyed this book and didn't want it to end!

*I received this book from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs

Joanna Kalotay lives alone in the woods of Vermont, the sole protector of a collection of rare books; books that will allow someone to walk through walls or turn water into wine. Books of magic.

Her estranged older sister Esther moves between countries and jobs, constantly changing, never staying anywhere longer than a year, desperate to avoid the deadly magic that killed her mother. Currently working on a research base in Antarctica, she has found love and perhaps a sort of happiness.
A very different type of book to my usual read but I enjoyed it and the characters especially Joanna and her purpose in life to protect her books of magic.

What a great read
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First, I must start by saying I'm not a big fan of this book's title, it just feels wrong. However, the story itself is brilliant, with some great characters and a refreshing plot idea that keeps the reader hooked.

Its about two sisters, Jo and Esther, and their family's connection to some dangerous magic books. They are not witches as such, in fact I don't think the word is used other than a brief reference to the Salam trials, but spells can be cast.

An elite organisation seek to get these books at any cost, so they have to take drastic action to keep the family safe.

It's a slow starter, but do stick with it if you find it at all lagging, as the plot really picks up after some initial scene setting/character development. After that, all the little threads become entwined, with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout. I hope there are going to be more, as there is definitely the opportunity to expand, but it does work well as a stand alone too.

Intriguing name for an intriguing book. It’s got witches, mystery, suspense and drama. The concept of the book initially drew me in but it did struggle to grip me.

It’s a slow starter that plants some great seeds to keep you questioning what’s going to happen and what direction it’s going to take. A slow burner, it didn’t instantly pull me in and I found it difficult to stay in the book. I’m not sure why as it’s a lot of what I love. Some characters were better than others and I think you always find some that you back more.

The writing is fantastic though. An exemplary example of ‘how to set the scene’ and you really feel immersed. The language is brilliant and it’s so atmospheric. Definitely one of those books that you need to give a go to form your own opinion of and not read the reviews beforehand as it’s full of potential and it’s one many will love!

I struggled with this. Reading I found myself quickly losing interest as I just didn't gel with the characters enough to keep me pulled in. I'm sure others will love this book but for me not so much