A mysterious letter. A forbidden magic. A lie that led to war—and two girls who know the truth.
Lifelong friends Brenna Malley and Katiel Salzbruck are looking forward to a summer visit, but their plans are ruined when war breaks out between their rival homelands, Bar Kur and A’slenderia. Then, they find a shocking message hidden on the back of a letter, claiming the war started because of a treasonous plot. Determined to end the war before their loved ones die in battle, Brenna and Katiel leave their small-town lives behind and embark on a quest for the truth.
Following a trail of letters, Brenna and Katiel learn about the involvement of the ore—a legendary magical substance that can transform into anything. To restore peace to the Continent of Kerafin, they must harness the magic, navigate questionable allies, and survive harrowing ordeals. But as love, secrets, and betrayal complicate the journey, the friends must determine where their true loyalties lie—before it’s too late.
Perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone, Divine Rivals, and Spark of the Everflame, Ink and Ore is the first installment in The Kerafin Chronicles, a character-driven, young adult gaslamp fantasy trilogy.
Hayley Whiteley is the author of the young adult gaslamp fantasy trilogy, The Kerafin Chronicles. She earned her Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University and enjoys using her technical background to create unique magic systems. When she's not dreaming up fantasy worlds, she can be found reading, exploring the outdoors, or watching bad reality television. Hayley lives in Florida with her wonderful husband, sweet toddler, and two crazy cats.
I really wanted to like it because there were parts that are really enjoyable like when they were solving puzzles or during the first few chapters but the deeper I get into the book the more I felt like it was too stretched out. I was really hoping that after the dull part it will get better but it didn't.
Then I actually almost forgot about Inigo until they finally met him. To be honest, I also forgot the reason for their journey since the reveal about Katiel somehow overshadowed everything else. The story seemed to have focused on her instead of the war or the assassin.
In addition to that, I really don't understand what Brenna's purpose is in this story aside from being that friend who convinced Katiel to find Inigo and also later on to push Katiel to fulfill her fate (or whatever the Ore meant). Dakier also. I don't know their purpose here. Maybe in the next books they will have an actual purpose? For now, they are very forgettable characters.
There are still things I like about this book like when they are solving puzzles, I feel like I was solving it with them. I still think that the first few chapters were interesting and Katiel is by far the most interesting character among everyone else (which because she has the Ore). The story itself has potential and really just needed some improvements like in the dialogues and pacing so it won't feel like the story is being dragged.
💎 Received a copy but all thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily
This book has good plot with characters I now have a personal attachment to. There are subplots of romance for both Brenna and Katiel which I LOVED, despite hating dakier. And beyond that the ending of this book absolutely destroyed me. Crying on public transport kind of destroying.
Despite absolutely eating this book up, I would say the first part of it is quite slow and there were a few instances where there was an excessive amount of detail for really random unimportant things, but I found the quality of the writing improved throughout the story.
Thank you for the arc! Im already excited for the next book!
I really wanted to like this book better. But it’s so slow and very little happens in the first half.* However, even past the halfway mark, the book has just dragged for me, with a few exceptions.
Surprisingly, a large complaint I have is the stilted dialogue. The lack of contractions in anyone’s speech (rare if there at all) is quite distracting. No speaks like that unless it’s in a second language perhaps, and usually not even then. It’s very cumbersome to read and drew attention to itself when it really wasn’t necessary. E.g. “It means I do not want to hear your jokes. This is not funny. It is serious. We are in a prison cell.” Yet it’s not at times of emphasis—but on every single page. It really drove me crazy and constantly pulled me from the narrative.
Beyond that, this is a nice coming of age story that has a lot of naiveté and innocence about it. The entire premise is really the characters acting quite naively, and that’s all right within reason, but I did grow a little skeptical by the end that they really believed they could change the outcome of a war by their entire journey.
I would have liked this more had the story focused on the ore wielding and the magic within the world, but there was very little of that. The three points of view also made it very hard for me to actually invest myself in the story—who am I supposed to care about the most? I couldn’t have cared less about Dakier, and the girls (Brenna and Katiel) really just felt the same to me. Had I not been told whose POV we were in, I wouldn’t have been able to tell.
Ultimately, several things about this just made it hard for me to connect and a difficult read to get through. I appreciated the theme of friendship and doing what was right even when it was hard or even impossible to change things, but I found it very difficult to enjoy.
*Note: according to the author, some of that has been addressed due to ARC reviews.
** I was given a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
*** I rated 2 stars because Goodreads says that 2 stars equals an "it was okay" rating. That's essentially how I felt walking away. Had I not been reading this as an ARC, I probably would not have finished.
I love this story, it’s so fun and different from what I normally read. The characters and their stories are well put together and totally endearing. I highly recommend this one.
If you're looking for a book full of deep friendship, breathtaking magic, and plot twist after plot twist, you HAVE to read Ink and Ore. Hayley's story of two best friends fighting against all odds to reveal the truth and stop a war is one for the record books. I was kept guessing at every turn. Each character was so thoughtfully created, individual, and relatable. The world Hayley created jumped off the page with each word, making it easy to immerse myself even further into the story. I highly recommend Ink and Ore!
It should not have taken me six days to read this book because at every opportunity, I was picking it up to read some more. My opportunities were just limited. I loved this book. I loved the characters. The friendship is WOW. Absolute goals. The magic is unique, and the struggle is real. My jaw dropped in more than one place and this has multiple POV which meant that just when my jaw drops, we switch POV to someone else and you have to wait at least two chapters or more to find out what happened in the other stream of thought! I teared up at the end and now I have to wait for the next one. Ink & Ore releases on January 23rd, but you can pre-order it now to read it the moment it comes out!
A refreshing entry in the YA space—full of heart and adventure. On the surface, it might seem like your standard YA fantasy setup with some unique elements: two best friends caught in the middle of a looming war, uncovering a long-buried truth, and determined to set things right. But what sets this apart is how the story knows it’s treading familiar ground—and uses that to its advantage.
Brenna and Katiel are naive in the way that most teenage protagonists are—believing that with enough honesty and determination, they can stop a war that has far more complexity than they can really understand at their age. But the story doesn’t let them off easy. The book gently but firmly unpacks that assumption and introduces the hard truth: sometimes power wins over truth. And still, these girls don’t give up. That’s where the story’s strength lies—it challenges its characters and makes them grow without stripping away their hope.
The world-building is solid but not overwhelming, with distinct cultures, politics, and social dynamics that mirror some of our own real-world injustices. I appreciated how the story dipped into those issues without becoming heavy-handed. The magic system involving ore is intriguing, though a little confusing at times—I wouldn’t have minded a bit more clarity there.
The love interests are pretty predictable but enjoyable. The romantic threads follow well-worn paths at least initially (less so when complexities and conflict arise), but the real standout here is the friendship. This book prioritizes female friendship in a way that feels rare and refreshing. Brenna and Katiel’s bond is the emotional core, though I do think it could have been expanded upon even more. And there is a gut-wrenching ending I did not see coming that makes it SO easy to pick up the next book.
Is it a little convenient in places? Sure. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying the ride. Ink and Ore is fun, emotionally resonant, and full of strong girlhood energy. If you’re looking for a fantasy that centers on friendship and isn’t afraid to complicate its optimism, this one’s worth it!
Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
I read this book as an ARC and now here I come forth to present my review!
I absolutely LOVED this book. I'll admit, it took me a bit to get into it (life got in the way) and the momentum of the story telling was a tad jaunty BUT it jaunted and jutted in places that honestly made sense to me. The characters flow together nicely and the world building was BEAUTIFUL. You could almost see it in your minds eye while reading where you were.
Katiel and Brenna talk about more than just boys, they are the heroines of their story in every way possible. Friends to the end, some minor characted building conflict and of course, ✨️magic✨️.
Dakier has won my heart over and I honestly can't wait to see where his story goes (I say this with an intense amount of anxiety because of what Hayley has already written giving me nerves).
If you're looking for a good, new YA book to read with magic, war/conflict, strong female friendships and politics, this book is for you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐ (5/5 Stars) Hayley Whitney’s debut ya fantasy, Ink & Ore, is a thrilling adventure that follows two brave teens as they set out to end a war that was established on false pretenses. Along this journey love is discovered, truths are revealed, betrayal is uncovered, and so much more. I was sucked into their world and truly felt their triumph and struggles along the way. At one point I had to close the book and step away to process what I had just read as the shock set in. No question, this is a five-star read. I recommend it. This is book one of a trilogy, so there is more to come. However, Hayley did a beautiful job of wrapping this book up without a gaping cliffhanger. I’m not going to say there are no questions left unanswered, but it’s a perfect pause point that gives you enough answers to feel fulfilled and leaves enough questions to keep you intrigued.
Thank you to Hayley Whiteley for providing me with an ARC for an honest review! I often read fantasy, but I love how unique the magic system is in this book. I also really enjoyed the friendships of all the characters in this book, especially Katiel and Brenna's which is definitely the heart of this book in my opinion. I will definitely be picking the final form of this book in a couple weeks when it's published! And I will also be counting down the days to the next book because I am still reeling (in a good way) from the last few chapters (Hayley knows what she did lol). If you like fantasy books with unique magic systems, high stakes, and the power of friendship (cheesy but I think it's true), this is probably the book for you!
I gave this a shot. I gave this a long shot because a few friends said they really liked it.
I couldn't get into it. These two naive 17 year olds (I think 17) find a letter plotting the death of the king, after the King is assassinated, and decide to go track down who wrote it to convince them to go to the palace and explain the plot so it stops the war about to erupt.
They have no training, barely any supplies, and somehow expect to not get murdered? I found them just really dumb and couldn't read any more. Which is unfortunate because I was FINALLY getting to the part where magic is starting to be pointed out.
Hi, I received this book as an e-ARC and here is my review.
The first line was what drew me in immediately and for the rest of the book I was brought along for the adventure of Brenna and Katiel, our brilliant FMCs. They have such a wholesome friendship, especially for females in fantasy which isn’t something I see a lot of but found it so refreshing in this novel. The world-building, politics and government were all incredibly easy to follow. I LOVED the uniqueness of the magic system in Ink & Ore, I haven’t seen anything like it before and it was wonderful to read about. Reading about the journey these two women and their crew go through on the pages, the arcs they’re steadily building towards, I can’t wait to see how it plays out in Book Two.
Fantasy is my favorite genre, but frequently in fantasy FMC's are pigeonholed into the role of warrior or assassin. In "Ink and Ore" that convention is completely thrown out the window. Both FMC's are relatable and formidable in their own completely different ways, but they aren't trained killers which is a breath of fresh air. The friendship between Brenna and Katiel is central to the story, and while there is some romance, it takes a back seat to the girl's relationship. I love seeing a healthy and uncompromising female friendship in a fantasy book.
The magic system in this book is really different than most, and its tangible. In this world, magic has a source, and that source needs to be on the wielders person for it to work. Very interesting.
The characters in this book are young. They are a little naive and they encounter situations that young adults do when they leave home for the first time. Can I trust this new person? Do I follow my heart? How deep do my morals run? All these 'coming of age' themes are addressed in the book, but in an easy to digest/lighthearted sort of fashion. There is banter and joking to lighten some of the darker and more intense situations in the book.
I thought the pacing and character development were pretty good. There are some tedious conversations and scenes I didn't always resonate with but I wasn't often bored reading through chapters, and I thought the action within the book came about organically. I know we've all read books where fight scenes and drama happen for seemingly no reason, but in this case the action and excitement all drove the plot.
In the next book I would like to see more world building, more information into the magic system, and delve into Brenna and Katiel's different personalities. I want to know what they're like apart from each other and what their individual pitfalls and strengths are since we know how well they work as a unit. I would be remise if I didn't talk about my favorite sub-character Dakier. He's a golden retriever boy with brains. I ate up every chapter with him in it.
All in all, this book is cute and well worth the read. If you are looking for a cozy read that intrigues you and makes you want to hug your best friend all at the same time - you are in for a treat. I look forward to seeing what comes next!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) Spice: 🌶️(1/5) Format: e-ARC (328 pages) Recommendation: Preorder! Highly recommend for anyone looking to explore a story of strong female friendship, unique magic systems, and coming of age.
Ink and Ore is a beautiful coming of age novel by Hayley Whiteley that follows long-distance, childhood best friends, Brenna and Katiel.
While the pace of the novel is slow to start, Hayley does a wonderful job world building in a way that is both beautifully nuanced and lighthearted. The moment I sat down to read I felt like I was transported to the cobblestoned streets of Germany and the idyllic mountain towns of Switzerland. I was quickly immersed in the settings, cultures, and personalities that were told through multiple POVs.
I found myself reading the first 60-70% of Ink and Ore in small increments, rather than binge-reading due to the pace, however, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The sarcastic banter, brazen quips, and heartfelt moments had me laughing and awh-ing out loud. There were definitely moments where it felt like the beginnings of a D&D campaign full of side quests, puzzles, and character development which I loved.
When I got to the last 30-40% I could not put Ink and Ore down! To say the plot thickens is an understatement. I was hanging onto every word, flipping back to reread, and mentally mapping everything out. I love that Hayley neatly tied up Book 1 of The Kerafin Chronicles with a satisfying conclusion while also building up to a cliffhanger that has me (im)patiently waiting for Book 2!
I also have to highlight the unique magic system in Ink and Ore. It’s truly one of a kind and I cannot wait to learn more over the course of the next two books in the series.
Favorite Quotes:
“What if there is something we can do? Could you really live the rest of your life always wondering, ‘What if we had done something? What if we had gotten the truth out there and ended it?’”
“For the record, I think we are worth more than that paltry sum.”
“War was a cruel twist of fate, and they were all pawns in it.”
“But there was no room for melancholy on their adventure, so Brenna crossed her legs and opened the newspaper with a crack.”
Wow, I couldn’t put this book down! As both Hayley’s debut novel and the first of her series, she does an excellent job of setting up the world, magic system, and characters. Multiple POV’s with love interests that are layered, a unique magic system, and an overarching mystery? Count me in! I looove to be kept guessing throughout a book, and the ending in particular both made my jaw drop and made me want to read book 2 asap!
One thing I absolutely need to enjoy a book is layered, interesting characters. While Ink & Ore tackles a fantasy war, it does so with a fresh perspective via the two female leads, Katiel and Brenna. Not only do they have great chemistry, but they have their own distinct personalities as well. Hayley knows how to keep you reading with chapters that end at just the right time to make you think, “No, wait, what happens next?”
Oh, what was that? I mentioned love interests before? Why, yes, yes I did. I am so happy that this book didn’t have the two main characters fight over a boy. It was so refreshing to have them paired up with their own love interests and at a realistic pace. There will definitely be a ship in here for you. I know I’m a Dakier x Brenna girly and I can’t wait for what’ll happen in book 2 after that wild ending!! That being said, I also like that the romance is sprinkled throughout instead of the main focus. There is plenty of mystery, character development, and action throughout that kept me engaged, and the romance added a little extra flavor on top of it all. Ink & Ore had a good balance of everything, and I liked the pacing.
Hayley tied up just enough at the end while leaving questions and themes to explore in book 2 and I simply cannot wait to continue Katiel and Brenna’s journey! I highly recommend picking up Ink & Ore!
What a surprise this book was! 4++ stars as far as I am concerned, one + for world building, and one + for character development. And this book didn't start easy with me, because I generally avoid YA. The "teenagers saving the world" trope is one I don't deal well with, but the author took it, went along with it, and finally turned it upside down. I was IMPRESSED when I reached the end of the story. In Bardugo's Grishaverse style, the world is one of fantasy but resembling ours in customs and traditions, particularly when it came to clothing style and architecture. I personally enjoy this type of characterization and was immediately sucked in. The characters stood all out from each other from early on, and I grew to care about them (some more than others, to be honest). Their cheerfulness/youth in the face of a war was something realistic and endearing, as it was the way their "fall from innocence" was depicted, the way they were forced to change when the conflict finally caught up with them, and became a part of their reality. It was beautiful and heartbreaking, and unexpectedly bitter in its irony, a masterful touch I had not expected. I cannot wait to continue reading this story, and I commend the author for the talent and depth she handled this tale of youth and war with.
Happy release day to Ink and Ore!! I just finished reading this ARC yesterday (thanks for sharing it with me!!) - it’s a fun and highly immersive YA fantasy built around mysteries, war, and the wonderful magic of female friendship. The story has magic, romantic tension, and a little touch of betrayal and left me slack-jawed at times (honestly - how DARE you throw the twist in you threw in 😮💨).
The novel is the first in a series and follows multiple third person POVs but the main narrative centres around Brenna and Katiel - two best friends from countries on opposing sides of war after a brutal royal assassination.
The pacing of this book is so good - there’s never a dull moment and, as many others have, I would also liken the authors writing style to Rebecca Ross, and throw my hat in the ring to say fans of Divine Rivals will absolutely love this.
I’ve given it 4 stars rather than 5 as I feel like there’s so much more potential for the world-building. I want to know more about the magic system and I hope the author provides this in the sequel which I will 100% be picking up when the time comes. This is a strong start to what promises to be a strong series!
‘Just a girl on a camping trip, laughing with her friends and noticing a boy who noticed her.’
Ink and Ore is a beautiful new fantasy book coming out in 2024. I had the chance to ARC read, and I am ever so thankful that I did. This book is the opening to a series that has you wanting more the second it ends.
I loved reading about teenagers who acted like actual teenagers/kids instead of grown adults. So many authors choose to have young characters shoved into adult roles and I was so thankful that this wasn’t one of those.
One of the main characters, Katiel, discovers on their journey that she has magical powers. Through the whole book you see her learning how to use this ability, and the internal struggle she deals with not thinking shes good enough.
Both characters go through major growth in this book, learning to trust new people and how to adapt to sticky situations. They are each from separate countries at war with each other and yet you see that all they truly want is for war to stop, for everyone to get along. They’re each on their own path to help stop the war, but are aiding each other as well.
I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and see how the characters and plot develops further.
thank you to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for my review!
The premise of this book sounded so interesting - YA fantasy, war, a cool magic system & two girls who discover a secret.
PROS: This book was easy to read & the world building was very easy to follow. Katriel & Brenna’s friendship reminds me of having a high school bff that you tell everything to & would do anything for, while being giddy about each other having a crush on a boy. At the end there were a few twists I didn’t see coming & they set up book two well. The magic system with ore is super cool & I am excited to learn more about it as the series continues!
I am also a sucker for changing POV throughout a book.
CONS: While the book was easy to read, I felt like there wasn’t a ton of depth to it & sometimes extra sentences were added to get a point further across when it was obvious what the previous sentence/the scene was saying. I would have liked Katriel & Dakier’s POVs to have had a little more of a wrap-up that set up their story for book two. While the magic system was super cool, I also felt it lacked depth. It was kind of explained how to use it & suddenly the magic wielder suddenly figured it out without any official training.
Thank you Hayley for sending me the ARC for this book. I absolutely enjoyed it! I gave it 4.5 and rounded it up to 5 ❤️
This is a young adult, gas lamp fantasy. A gas lamp fantasy is like steampunk, but with magic. Which may be a new fave.
The story follows Brenna and her friend Katiel. They’re looking forward to a summer break when war breaks out and they’re forced to find out the truth after they find a letter with a crazy secret. After learning about the letter, they find out about a magic ore that can transform into anything.
Some of the book had me sweating and on the edge of my seat! And I love how they use magic along the way. The author did an amazing job appealing to emotion which is always so important to a fantasy with a small romance subplot.
What I loved most about this book was the strong friendships and focus on family. The main character was so sassy and I enjoyed the humor in this book.
The ending had me devastated and I did not see it coming at all! I’m very excited that there will be three books in this series.
This is the first one in the series The Kerafin Chronicles. I have an okay rating for this book. This has a YA, coming of age feel. The characters are initially confusing but this got better quickly. They are likeable people but I'm not quite invested in them. The magic system is unique actually, none that I've seen anywhere as of now, and it was good and entertaining to see what the characters would do. The plot itself is good. However this book is very slow paced up to 40%. There were "small talk" and stories that the characters tell and while there's some that are relevant, some are also fillers. There's no purpose to the actual plot. So I found myself skimming a lot, just hurrying it up to get to the essential point in the story and move on. 60% is where it picks up. I did like the last push of the story. But how it ended was nothing jaw-dropping for me. I still thought it was a good debut novel and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book!
Ink and Ore is a story about art, resilience, and the kind of scars—both visible and invisible—that never really fade. It follows a protagonist who’s torn between the weight of their past and the relentless need to create something meaningful. Their journey is raw, emotional, and full of struggles, but also those quiet, powerful moments of triumph that make it all worth it. The relationships—whether messy, broken, or fiercely loyal—add so much depth, making every interaction hit just a little harder.
The world itself is rich with magic, where ore wielders have the ability to shape reality itself—but that power comes at a cost. Feared, hunted, and exploited for what they can do, they live constantly at risk, forced into hiding just to survive. The connection to this magic makes everything even more intense, and the tension builds with every decision they make. The stakes are high, the betrayals sting, and the fight to carve out a space in a world that wants to erase them is gripping from start to finish. I totally loved this book!
Thanks to the author for providing a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
This was a good debut, but I admit I didn't love it as much as I wanted. The pacing was very slow, the main characters seemed to just figure things out without a good explanation as to why they were able to, and a lot of the dialogue just felt....forced? Not sure that is the best description but I struggle to find a better one.
Overall - I did enjoy it, and it's a good premise. Not quite enough fantasy for me but that's just personal preference! The writing wasn't bad, I think there is just room for more growth and maturity in the storytelling. I think a lot of people will really love this book and I am truly very impressed by it as a debut. However, for me it was very mid and I never felt myself dying to pick it back up.
3,5 🌟 for this great debut rounding up to 4🌟 because the ending leaves you with the urgent need to pick book 2, and this is a wonderful and satisfying feeling!
▪︎ Characters: very likeable, relatable, and diverse. You see the character development more towards the end. Also, there is a very interesting secondary set of characters that can be further developed into back stories to benefit the world building, lore, and history background to give a deeper dimension to this story. ▪︎ Atmosphere/Setting: Well accomplished, the map is believable, the cultural differences and languages make sense and are well tied up. The descriptions are vivid, and I could visualize the world and scenes as I read. ▪︎ Writing: The writing is good, fluid, and the pace of the book it also flows nicely, giving you an overall positive experience. The short chapters and the page turner moments help with the flow. The language is straightforward and becomes more flowery in scenery descriptions and relationship moments. ▪︎ Plot: There are smaller plot lines and lead/secondary events that intertwined well. I enjoyed the few plot twists the author cleverly positioned. I just felt, in a few different scenes, some abrupt moments and others too easy and convenient, which removed a portion of the depth, and these moments fell a bit flat. ▪︎ Intrigue: Fantastic! I kept wanting to know more. I was at all times interested and trying to imagine what would happen next! ▪︎ Logic: Similarly to the plot, some events felt to serve the end result a bit too much where rationale seemed somehow forced, sometimes even naive.However, considering the character development, we see in both Brenna and Katriel, it may make sense for book 1. I also like when an author does not shy away from tough moments/decisions, especially in situations where stakes are high. I had a lot of fun with the banter between two characters and how their love interest developed. I'm very curious to see where this goes! ▪︎ Entertaintment: I really enjoyed this book. It had the perfect length for the piece of the story we received. It has great potential, and I can not wait to see what the author does with book 2!!
Note: I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own. I truly thank the author for this opportunity! 🙏
I was given this book as an ARC read. All the opinions in this review are mine.
I couldn’t put this book down. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was about to happen next.
The characters and the plot were well done. There were several twists and turns I wasn’t expecting. The cliff hanger at the end left me with so many unanswered questions that I can’t wait for the next one! The multiple POVs were cleverly placed to keep you wondering what was about to happen.
I loved seeing the friendships and loyalty that was shown. The growth of the MCs during times of challenges was great seeing them learn and realize their own strengths, weaknesses, and the ugly truths of the “real” world.
I don’t want to give any spoilers. If you like fantasy, I highly encourage you to give this a read.
I enjoyed this book and I think it’s a great first novel! I haven’t read a YA book in a while so I was nervous going into a book knowing there wasn’t going to be much romance as that’s always a change. I found myself along for the ride and not missing the smut aspect as much as I expected. I enjoy multiple POV books and this one switched between several. The journey moves very quickly and so much happens in this book. I liked the characters we met along the way. There are small pieces of mystery woven in and clearly a lot more to be done in future books. I hope that we get more in depth with some of the side characters in the future books because I think there’s a lot more to them than meets the eye. I would definitely read the next book.
I think this series has great potential. 3 stars because the book started off quite slow but when the action finally started, it was great! Once I broke through the first half, I couldn’t put it down. I ended up enjoying the story. There were twists that made me smile and twists that broke my heart.
This is a true YA fantasy novel which is great! The MCs are clever, naive teenagers who are on a mission for the greater good. I would have found them relatable when I was 15-17. I can picture them as people I grew up with - they’re so real and well written.
With the first leg of the adventure completed, I’m interested to see what comes next!
The king has been shot and now starts the story for Brenna and Katiel to postpone their summer visit and aim to stop a war developed through a lie. The chapters switch between Brenna, Katiel, and Dakier to allow readers to follow their journeys. Brenna and Katiel travel together while Dakier travels solo, all three decoding letters. Along the way, they reflect on the choices they make and learn about the consequences. This is a young read and is a character-driven story.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily. Thank you to VRO, Booksprout, and author.
The ending was well done and showcased the realities of war. The friendship between the two female main characters was beautiful. The magic system was interesting and unique. This series definitely has potential, and I'm excited to see what the author writes next!
Content Warning: mf makeout sessions (very low spice romances), violence, coup, close friends from different countries on different sides of war, imprisonment
Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntarily written and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.
This book was my first ARC, and I feel so fortunate to have read it before its release date.
“What could be worse than not knowing the truth about oneself.”
“War was a cruel twist of fate, and they were all pawns in it.”
What if you and your best friend accidentally discover the war between your countries was caused by a treasonous plot? What would you do if keeping your friendship meant becoming a traitor in the eyes of your country? Ink and Ore is a story of two best friends from different countries on a journey across the continent to stop a war.
This book has deep friendships, prohibited magic, teenage romance, death, and the quest to find the truth that could save two nations.
This book moves at a nice pace, making the story flow nicely. It contains relatable characters, and we see character growth as they take their role in the story. I enjoyed its quirky humor; I gasped out loud at the multiple plot twists, and I almost cried towards the ending. Ink and Ore is a Young Adult Fantasy story that will captivate you. I highly recommend it.