Ink Blood Sister Scribe

A Novel

By: Emma Törzs

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 13 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

NAMED A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR & ONE OF THE BEST FANTASY NOVELS OF THE YEAR

“Astonishing and pristine, the kind of debut I love to be devastated by, already so assured and sophisticated that it’s difficult to imagine where the author can go from here. . . . It’s simply a delight from start to finish.” – AMAL EL-MOHTAR, New York Times Book Review

“Follow where this novel leads and you will be lost in a bewitching spell, a book of magic about books of magic . . . extraordinary.” – MARLON JAMES

In this spellbinding debut novel, two estranged half-sisters tasked with guarding their family’s library of magical books must work together to unravel a deadly secret at the heart of their collection—a tale of familial loyalty and betrayal, and the pursuit of magic and power.

For generations, the Kalotay family has guarded a collection of ancient and rare books. Books that let a person walk through walls or manipulate the elements—books of magic that half-sisters Joanna and Esther have been raised to revere and protect.

All magic comes with a price, though, and for years the sisters have been separated. Esther has fled to a remote base in Antarctica to escape the fate that killed her own mother, and Joanna’s isolated herself in their family home in Vermont, devoting her life to the study of these cherished volumes. But after their father dies suddenly while reading a book Joanna has never seen before, the sisters must reunite to preserve their family legacy. In the process, they’ll uncover a world of magic far bigger and more dangerous than they ever imagined, and all the secrets their parents kept hidden; secrets that span centuries, continents, and even other libraries . . .

In the great tradition of Ninth House, The Magicians, and Practical Magic, this is a suspenseful and richly atmospheric novel that draws readers into a vast world filled with mystery and magic, romance, and intrigue—and marks the debut of an extraordinary new voice in speculative fiction.

"Ink Blood Sister Scribe is so many things at once: an adventure, a puzzle, a twisty thriller, and a tender romance. . . . I adored it.” – ALIX E. HARROW

"If, like me, you’re a fan of Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo, pick up this book at once.” — KELLY LINK

©2023 Emma Törzs (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

GMA book club fail

Very disappointed in the GMA book club pick! Story all over the place with characters that didn’t pull you in! The reader did a good job but the story was just ok. Kept waiting for it to get better!

Enjoyable listen

Two sisters, separated, different, but in inextricably tied. They must solve the puzzle of their linkages and team with others to put right the magic world.

Lovely Contemporary Fantasy

Stars: 5
Spice: 0
Narrator: 4.5

The first half-ish of the book is a little slower with more character development, and then it picks up quick with so many twists. Some of the reveals gave me full-body chills and made me gasp out loud. But some twists were more heavily foreshadowed, so I saw them coming and wanted to yell at the characters to hurry up and figure it out! Super interesting magic system, a great mix of characters, and globetrotting settings (including Antarctica!).

Incredible Story Couldn’t Stop Listening

I took the long way to work just to finish this book. Will be buying the hard copy.

Spell Binding!

Don’t let the beginning throw you. I didn’t expect a book to begin that way, but man are there some twists, turns, and roller coaster moments😱 you won’t be able to put it down!

Mesmerizing

This book was incredible. I could not stop reading it, it held my attention until the very end! Well done!

Loved it

Magical and fun all the right elements for a summer vacation read on the beach

excellent!

this book is quick, fun, & engaging. a joy to read, I hope there's a sequel!

Compelling and lovely

I stayed up way too late for 2 nights running. The plot is very compelling, and the characters charming. Such an enjoyable read. The narrator was one of the best I've listened to--I will seek out her other reads.

Intriguing twist

Interesting to listen to. Sometime, it felt a bit circular and I was lost a few times. The characters are not shallow and the story is new.