“INKED,” by Eric Smith, Bloomsbury Spark, Jan. 20, 2015, ebook, $4.99 (young adult)
What if your future depended on a tattoo you received when you turned 18? That’s exactly the case in Eric Smith’s “Inked.”
It’s tradition in Caenum’s village, as with all villages in the land, that young people get inked when they come of age. Getting inked isn’t just getting a tattoo — the ink decides your destiny. The ink is magic, creating moving pictures that determine how and where you will work for the rest of your life.
Caenum doesn’t want his fate decided by ink. He is ready to run from everything he has ever known, but when he unwittingly sets in motion a series of events that threaten the lives of everyone he loves, he finds himself on a wild journey with friends Dreya and Kenzi. They hope to find a place where magic is safe and where the land’s rulers leave people be. Along the way, they gain a new understanding of the ink and the power it holds.
“Inked” is a digital imprint from Bloomsbury Publishing dedicated to publishing a wide array of fiction eBooks to teen, YA and new adult readers. That means digital is the only format in which this book is available. For most people, that’s not a problem, but if you’re new to digital readers, it may take a little getting used to.
I initially picked up “Inked” because of its cover. It certainly caught my attention. The opening chapters were fast-paced and interesting, and I found myself eagerly wanting to read more. Unfortunately, it’s as if Eric Smith had two editors, one for the first half and one for the second. The plotting is somewhat predictable, and the author missed his opportunity to truly develop his characters, stopping midway as if he thought, “Phew. I’m glad that’s done.”
The premise behind “Inked” is interesting. Eric’s writing is accessible and has a nice rhythm to it. It’s a fine read — better than many out there. I just wish there was a little more polish. Perhaps, if this becomes a series, that’s just what the author will do.
