The Ink Eater

by Alice G. Brooks

"The Ink Eater" is a gothic romantic tragedy exploring the foundations of freedom, identity, and the battle with generational trauma.

Baird Cardall is perfectly content with never leaving the manor. For over 200 years, he's written and eaten thousands of stories, keeping the house alive and pleased as its vessel—alone, codependent, and devoted.

Until one of his stories escapes.

Hemming is a shapeshifter written into existence to keep Baird company. Gorgeous, part ink, and infuriatingly desirable, his mere presence is a disruption. Having broken away from his story, he causes harm to the manor—and thus, to Baird. And, yet, the magnetic pull between them is undeniable, even as Hemming digs up the ugliest parts of Baird's past.

But the house wants Hemming dead. It’s awfully hungry, and it won’t stop demanding until its cravings are satisfied. As his bond to the manor grows more hostile, Baird must choose between protecting all he has lived for—or destroying it for good.

Genres: Horror, LGBT, Gothic, Queer, Tragedy, Fantasy, Romance

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 16, 2026

About the author

Alice G. Brooks, formerly published under Alice Brooks, is a sapphic indie author writing LGBTQIA+ fiction, often focused on dark themes. When they’re not writing, they enjoy hiking, videogames, rewatching the same shows over and over again, and reading queer books.

Reviews

[The Reading Frog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Alice G. Brooks for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐ rounded up to 5 for GoodReads. I will raise the rating at a later date if this book stays with me
CW: I advise checking the content warnings for this one if needed.
Explicit | Self-harm, blood, (internalised) homophobia, domestic abuse, child abuse, child neglect
Moderate | Implied forced (sexuality) conversion, minimisation/denial of trauma, normalisation/glorification of abuse, vomit, suicidal ideation, agoraphobia, panic attack(s), toxic co-dependant dynamic between MC and the house
Mild | Suicide (by hanging), wound/injury description
CWs provided by the author
My chosen soundtrack(s): Family Tree (Intro) - Ethel Cain | Angel - Sevdaliza | I am my home - vines

"I swore to keep the manor safe," Baird whispers unhappily. "With my last breath, I will serve. I am bound to it." (...) "I don't want what it wants anymore. But I can't abandon it. I can't abandon them."

"They abandoned you."

"And I am not like them." He inhales shakily, salty tears running into the corners of his mouth. "I refuse to be."

Representation
╰┈➤ Asexual Gay MMC
╰┈➤ Undefined Queer MMC
╰┈➤ MLM dynamic
╰┈➤ Disability rep through MC; blinded in one eye, significant facial scarring. Somewhat chronic pain representation, though through a fantasy frame.
╰┈➤ Mental health rep through MC; anxiety, panick attack(s), depression, suicidal ideation, agoraphobia.


Themes
Fulfilling (familial) legacy/duty, control/predictability/order or the lack thereof, loneliness, co-dependency, generational trauma, the cycle of abuse (and the inability/ability to break it), instrumental childbearing motivation, repression, self-denial, conditioning, coercive control, agency/(bodily)autonomy or the lack thereof, hunger/want/need, insatiability.


Tropes/What to expect
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Gothic
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Sentient house
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Conditional immortality
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Living weapon adjacent
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Generational trauma/abuse
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Rigid/fearful 'immortal' X free spirited shapeshifter
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Forced proximity
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Touch starvation



What I liked/loved
‎ ‎ ✧ The setting, though officially set in modern times, doesn't read as such, which I am grateful for. The story mostly takes place at Cardall Manor. An estate figuratively frozen in time since the 18th century.
‎ ‎ ✧ Unique premise/concept. I mean, there is a generational curse that binds son, after son, after son, generation after generation, to a sentient house that is ravenous for stories. Which leaves each curse-bearer to write and consume stories endlessly, unable to satiate this ever-pressing hunger, for the curse-bearer's well-being is linked to that of the manor and vice versa. Throw in the concept of a conditional immortal wishing a once-star now shapeshifter companion into existence, and you get something pretty special.
‎ ‎ ✧ The overall mood is gothic yet still whimsical, grungy but with moments of levity.
‎ ‎ ✧ The prose is mostly lyrical while still accessible, yet at times switches to a blunt tone. Specifically, when delivering hard reality checks. I personally appreciated the conversations on abuse being more matter-of-fact than poetic. It felt respectful to the horrifying truth of abuse.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Meaningful representation
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ I love that this book has an asexual MC. I personally believe that shouldn't be something rare, but still is. Baird being gay and ace isn't just a footnote or a diversity checkmark. It's a huge part of his character, history, development and an important aspect to the plot.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Though not as crucial to the plot as Baird's queerness, there is some disability representation, and aspects that can be relatable to people who deal with chronic pain.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Baird is a layered and complex MC with a believable character arc. It's established quite early on that Baird likes control, order and predictability, or at least that is what his life has been shaped into.

He writes. He eats. He lives. Every day. Every month. Every year. What else really is there?

He is tightly wound, repressing aspects of himself and stuck in years of living the same day but he is definitely perfectly fine, right? Yeah for sure.... Definitely....
‎ ‎ Baird reminds me a little of a ticking time bomb, a bucket waiting to spill, a match itching to spark aflame, which makes him a compelling character to share a headspace with.
‎ ‎ ✧ Exploration of (generational) trauma/abuse and its glorification/normalisation. As well as complex parental and sibling dynamics, diving into guilt, envy, jealousy and measured worth.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Living weapon, one of my favourite tropes!! Though Baird is not exactly a weapon, he was made/born to fulfil a role and serve as a tool, and as such has been reduced to something non-human. His whole being is abated to being a curse-bearer and is thus dehumanised to a certain degree.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Exploration of (bodily) autonomy, specifically the lack of it, which was extremely well written and explored on both a figurative and literal level.
‎ ‎ It touches on learned helplessness; how keeping someone in a tightly controlled environment can lead to a lack of basic, social and survival skills, making it even harder to break away from such systems.
‎ ‎ It also highlights how people who are always controlled, curated, and lack agency tend to look for that sense of control elsewhere.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Break the Believer trope, a trope where a character whose entire worldview hinges on an absolute belief discovers this core belief to be flawed/incorrect. Baird, since even before his birth, has been shaped to fulfil 'his duty'. There is an exploration here of conditioning, indoctrination, and normalisation of abuse that is complex and intriguing to read about, specifically when this worldview starts to get challenged.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Baird is not a perfect victim, and I will praise any piece of media that grants this type of nuanced representation.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Exploration of the cycle of abuse

"If you had a son, would you do the same to him?"

(...)

Baird clenches his jaw. "I don't have a son."

"But if you did, would you? If it meant preparing him for his curse to come? Would you hurt him?"

"I-" Baird crosses his arms. "Maybe. Probably not."

"Because it hurts, (...) Because it's a terrible thing to torment those you're supposed to love."

‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Sentient house, my beloved!!! Don't we all love it when a house is a character of its own? I don't think I've read a book before where a house had such a loud, influential and imposing voice as in 'The Ink Eater'. I just loved how big their presence was. Which brings me to my next point.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ The convolution of the house's demands and Baird's feelings. These two characters were way more intrinsically bound than I had expected, and it made for a truly intriguing, complex, toxic, co-dependent dynamic.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ There is a somewhat dual timeline storytelling due to the journal entries we get to read that Baird has written in the past, which I loved!! They give a lot of context.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ The short stories Baird writes are almost folkloric. It reminded me a bit of Don't let the forest in in the way they can be read as just that, stories, or analysed for what they represent/symbolise.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Exploration of physical and non-physical pain through a multitude of facets
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Enforced and inherited/generational pain
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Pain as something familiar, constant and at times comforting.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Self-chosen pain. When pain is constantly 'happening' to someone, it can be a relief to choose pain on one's own. This act of autonomy renders someone an active rather than a passive participant in these situations. I love how the author explored this nuanced aspect of searching for control in a harmful situation.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Normalisation/minimisation of pain
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Consumption/hunger as a metaphor. A powerful symbolism through which connection, want and need are explored. Though not exactly cannibalism, there is something adjacent happening here which I know all of us freaks are fascinated with.

He's hungry, and he wants to eat all the wrong things.

‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Character-driven, emotion-focused with a high-stakes plot.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Great for people who love CG Drews. There are some aspects of 'The Ink Eater', like intense yearning, complex dynamics, gothic vibes, exploration of trauma and dark whimsy, that I think would entice CG Drews enthusiasts.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Thank god the love interest was not just barely 18, like many other books tend to do when the MC is immortal. I can't express how relieved I was when I found out the other MC was something ancient as well. Thank you, Alice G Brooks, for not doing that to your readers!
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ The ending was the only way I could see this story end, and for that, I loved it.


What I didn't like/felt lacklustre about
‎ ‎ ‎ ✦ Some aspects of the romance weren't really my thing, which doesn't mean it's bad! It might be more of a personal preference.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ The change in pacing. It started as a slow burn, which I tend to favour. However, after the first physically romantic interaction, it rapidly sped up. It felt a little abrupt to me. I would've personally liked for there to still be some doubts, reluctance or a gradual building bond while figuring out how to fit their puzzle pieces together. On the other hand, Baird has lived in isolation for so long that I can understand this 180 after experiencing his first safe connection. Who wouldn't grab onto something so sparsely offered if they were in Baird's shoes?
TLDR; Though the way the romance was written was believable from a character's standpoint, the pacing of the relationship towards the last third of the book wasn't my favourite.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✦ This book didn't really read as horror to me, which I didn't mind. I had just expected something different. Once again, this could just be a personal thing. I honestly might be desensitised after all the insane horror I've read, so really do take this with a grain of salt. It still delivers an enticing dark, moody and gothic atmosphere and is definitely something horror-adjacent though!



Conclusion/Notes
I was extremely excited for this gothic tragedy, and I'm glad to conclude that it definitely delivered!

'The Ink Eater' is an amazing, atmospheric, layered and Intricate exploration of familial legacies, enforced roles, generational trauma, the cycle of abuse, otherness and (bodily) autonomy.

Its relatability and immersiveness aren't diminished by its uniquely crafted fantasy setting. It only elevates these real-life emotions and dynamics. The characters in this world, though not exactly human (since a conditional immortal MC, sometimes-wind-sometimes-fox shapeshifter and a sentient house are defintly not the poster image of 'human) are still able to embody a human rawness. This book unveils how humans are flawed, at times awful, destructive, toxic and yet also capable of love, change and tenderness.

With its release date set in August of this year, this is the perfect read to pick up just in time for spooky season. I highly recommend it!

"With my last breath, I will serve."

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆



Want to buddy read this book now or in the future? You can do so on Storygraph.

Follow me on Spotify for specific reading playlists like this one: 📚 This Connection Is Muddled With Rot | Overview of all playlists

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,75⭐️
What was that? And I mean this in the best way possible….
I had the huge honor of reading the ARC of this and wow. Just wow.
The concept of this book is something I’ve genuinely never read before.
First of all, how do you even come up with something like this? It’s so creative and so beautifully executed. I was completely fascinated by it.

And the writing style, just like in her other book, is incredibly beautiful to read. It’s lyrical without ever feeling difficult or distant. It flows so naturally and feels so real, which made it incredibly easy to fully sink into the story from the very beginning.

I knew this story was going to hurt. It’s mentioned multiple times that this is a tragic romance, but I still was not prepared for the emotional damage this book caused me.
So at 3am, unable to sleep because I’m sick and coughing my lungs out, I also ended up crying and giving myself a runny nose on top of everything else. So thank you very much for that.
I was already physically unwell, now mentally too. Not really sure how to feel about that.

But genuinely, no matter what book you write next, Alice G. Brooks, I will buy it and I will read it.

Loved it.
So, so good.
You did absolutely amazing!!

[Almeria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we go again. I want to thank Alice, per usual. This time, for accepting me into their street team and trusting me to arc read this story. This is my third time reviewing Alice's books, and my second time needing to cope with the absolute mind fuckery that I experienced with this queer and literary masterpiece. I am going to keep this as brief as possible to avoid spoiler territory.

This is everything you could want from a gothic romantic tragedy. The Cardall Manor is a haunting setting and source of trauma for the main character, Baird. It is also quite literally a shelter to many of the themes: broken families and generational trauma, lack of control, and the internalized battle of sticking to legacy and fulfilling it vs. leading a life of freedom, despite the setbacks. And when that setback is a sentient house and a curse granting conditional immortality, you can imagine the conflict Baird faces. If you're an English nerd like me and need to geek out about the usage of classic gothic elements, then this is definitely a book to pick up.

Baird and Hemming are complex and lovely, perfect foils and a couple I rooted for until the very end. Reminder here: it is a gothic romantic TRAGEDY. Alice and I will forever remind the readers that there is NOT a happy ending (technically? We can debate that after you read it. Either way, it is well composed, well paced, and an utterly perfect conclusion to the story). Regardless, these two characters are wholesome, beautiful, and tragic all wrapped in one. Baird is restrained and obedient, obsessive and desperate for control, yet failing. Hemming is free-willed and wild spirited, a fox, the wind, a shooting star, everything he wants to be and even more. He, too, has a singular purpose: to help Baird with his century-long loneliness, persistent in his efforts. He is an absolute diva on the page, a source of comedic relief despite the dark setting and themes. He is my new comfort character that must be shared with the world.

The Ink Eater? More like I ATE this book up and couldn't possibly put it down. Please check this one out so we can talk and suffer together.

[Y.N.]

Thank you to Alice G. Brooks for the eARC

That was an interesting read. Softer and tamer than what I expected, probably in part because I read "The book eaters" a while ago and just finished "The archive of the forgotten", two books with similar ideas regarding stories consumptions, but with a greater scope than "The ink eater".

Don't get me wrong, "The ink eater" isn't bad! Simply more contained, very interiority driven in a way, leading to less moraly ambiguous choices, something gothic really loves to do, usually. It made for a less horror tinged read that I had expected, and even the tragic side read less as tragic and more as a liberation (which, I know, is somewhat of a point for the story, but tragedy have more weight for me, aside from relief, generally). As a result, the romance, which starts as a slow burn before shifting geats, is a little less impactful that I had wished for. The length of the book also plays a role in that, I think.

That being said, the book is nice. The prose carries the story well, even when the pacing is faltering a bit because of the inner thoughts. The gothic atmosphere is there, the complexity of family and how it can bound and nuture you is there. Freedom and cycle of trauma play a huge role in this story, as well creating something new for oneself, and only for that, it's an important piece of art.

[Amanda]

Love love loved a lot of the exposition and thought it was exactly what I adore in a Gothic story. However, the dialogue just kept pulling me out for some reason so I wasn't able to completely enjoy it.

[S.E. Bristow · Rating 5 out of 5]

wowowowow Alice G Brooks you evil genius—this is INCREDIBLE.

It's the quintessential gothic tragedy, 260-something-year-old Baird is trapped in servitude of a sentient house until he produces an heir and passes the curse down. The problem? He's gay, asexual, and unwilling to continue centuries worth of abuse and neglect for the sake of a curse that's done nothing but make him miserable.

Baird is such a sweet, messed up boy and I love both the asexual representation, and the representation of gentle male characters. Men are allowed to be weak, to be soft, to be confused and scared and want to be held!! His internal monologue made me cry innumerable times, and so did the gentleness with which Hemming treated him. Hemming is equally sweet and equally messed up, and I adored watching their relationship build, even if it could never end well for them.

Brook's writing style is lyrical and atmospheric and packs SO much emotion—this is an absolute must-read for anyone who enjoys gothic works (or feeling depressed). I was getting major CG Drews vibes from the writing style as well, which I absolutely adored (who up rocking with cannibalism as an expression of love and devotion!?)

In short, I love these fucked up, obsessive, sad, soft, eldritch horror boys and in my mind palace, they're living happily in a small cottage somewhere with their dozens of pets and closets full of sweaters that Baird knitted. Thank you and goodnight.

Finally, thank you so incredibly much to Alice G. Brooks for allowing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions, as always, are my own :)

[sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ouch? I will say this did take me a hot second to really get into it but it turned out so good and did I almost cry at the end? Yes.

The way the author writes is honestly so captivating? The way that the story expanded and develops was so good and honestly I don’t think I’ve read a book like this. Also the poor main characters man. Hemming and Barid cause so much pain but also so much love for each other and sadly that’s how life goes sometimes. I feel and cry for them in my heart.

The way the a literal house can make me pissed off? How is a manor the evil villain? Or you know…THE MAIN CHARACTERS “INSIDES”? I really wanted a happy ending but again, not everyone gets that and even though it is still slightly bittersweet because it’s a win for him.

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to the author for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Slayge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to ARC read The Ink Eater. They did a fantastic job at tackling generational trauma and comphet.
It is definitely out of my comfort zone for the type of books I typically read, but it was so beautifully written that the immersion sucked me in nevertheless.

Fuck the house.
Fuck the insides
And especially fuck the paper boy.

I’m glad it ended the way it did, because really that’s the only way it ever could have ended. I’m very proud of Baird and I adored Hemming, especially in his fox form.
I would have loved to know more about the curses origins, though I understand that isn’t where the importance of the story lies.

If you enjoy gothic bittersweet tragedy’s then this is a must read.

[Belinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This destroyed me 😭 so good, i loved the concept/plot which was so creative and truly thought-out and unique, as well as the characters. Wish it was a little longer!!!

[lesbiabbookclub · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review


I don’t know if I liked this book overall. Some things I loved, most things I really didn’t. So, it’s hard to say. I was very excited about the asexual representation in this book, though, that was cool to see.


A lot of my issues with this book had to do with the secondary character, Hemming. His existence felt a lot of the time like he was there for convenience. I think he definitely could be read as somebody who exists to be a guide to Baird, but the way it was executed didn’t land for me. Hemming was too direct in a way that felt unrealistic. There were moments when he would say out loud something that was already implied and it didn’t feel like there was reason for him to say it in that way. It was like hitting Baird, the POV character, over the head with a message. A lack of subtlety that felt not very believable. He was also able to explain to Baird a lot of things that Baird didn’t previously know/understand, but he would explain so quickly and briefly, it never felt like Baird was given time to process these things, which is a major thing when a big part of Baird’s character is that he’s been locked away for two centuries and knows nothing of the modern world. There just felt like there was a lot of missed opportunities there to really feel the way the world has changed. Hemming was there to just make sure Baird knows enough for the plot to be able to progress, and so he felt more like a plot device than a character in his own right. When he expressed an opinion and later expressed the opposite because he had changed his mind, it never felt like he was developing as a character, it felt like the plot needed him to do X now, so he had to act accordingly.


The fact that so much time has passed and Baird had previously known only of the world in the 1700s felt glossed over. The way he talked, the way he behaved, and comparing the present to the journal entries and a specific flashback we get later in the book, I would not have been able to tell the difference between these two timelines if it wasn’t outright stated to me. There were also a lot of moments where I felt the descriptions of the physical locations were lacking. For example, I kept forgetting it was snowing, and when it was mentioned, I never truly felt the snow being a presence in the scenes.


Not feeling the things happening in this story was a big thing for me because so much of this story felt rushed. There were several times where I would read a familiar line that I had already read in so many books before that it didn’t hold any impact. It felt like a shorthand to say, “This is the tone of this scene, so this is how everyone is feeling right now,” and it didn’t do anything to bring me closer to the characters. It made the writing feel less personal to them. This book is a tragedy and I never really felt the doom or the apprehension about what was to come. Except for the story told in the past. Kind of.


Through excerpts leading up to a flashback, we get the story of Baird and somebody he knew from his past, which I won’t say anything about because spoilers. What I will say is this: I was so much more invested in that storyline and I felt more emotions in the journal entries despite how short they were than I did in the present story. When we reached the flashback, though, I saw a lot of the same issues in the writing that I had noticed in the present story, so as much as I loved the story in the past, it ultimately also fell flat for me, which was disappointing.


On top of the way it was lacking in other descriptions, I felt like the worldbuilding wasn’t as strong as it could’ve been either, so it was also hard to really feel the danger of a sentient house, and also feel like the sentient house was a huge thing. Mostly we actually focus on Baird’s “insides,” which is the way he conceptualizes the house talking to him, but I felt like it actually took away a lot from the house itself and distanced the two of them. It’s implied a lot that the house and him are intertwined, like they are one, in some way, but I don’t feel like anything was actually done with that because, in execution, it’s mostly the house controlling Baird, which is a very different thing to being one. This is one of the reasons I didn’t feel like the worldbuilding was very strong, because it didn’t feel solidly developed.


I also didn’t feel the “wonder” in a sentient house, for lack of a better word. It’s such a cool concept, but I didn’t feel it while reading. And yes, it would’ve been normal to Baird, so I didn’t expect it to be a miraculous thing in his POV, but it didn’t feel mundane in a good way either, it felt lacking. I was also confused a lot about what exactly the house wanted and why in terms of Hemming.


I really liked Baird. He was pushed around a lot by Hemming in a way that it didn’t feel like he was able to come to his own conclusions and discover things on his own a lot of the time, but outside of that, he’s just inherently an intriguing character to me. He eats ink to keep a house alive. I immediately wanted to read this book based on that alone. But I liked him beyond that too. I thought he was charming and fun and had a lot of complexities in his emotions that I enjoyed watching him unravel.


There was some great imagery with Baird and the house, especially towards the very end of the book, and a lot of the imagery related to Hemming throughout was also really vivid. They were short-lived moments, but in those moments, I thought the atmosphere was well captured. It felt like whimsical fantasy meeting gothic horror. I would be interested to read more from this author, I think there are solid ideas here and I love the ideas presented, so even though it all came down to an execution that didn’t land for me, I’m glad I read this book. I might not be sure if I can even say I liked it, but I would give it a thumbs up. I think it’s worth checking out for the things I did like about it.

[jonesing4horror · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and author for an advanced copy of this book via BookFunnel!

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a story, a character, a page or a book—The Ink Eater by Alice G. Brooks is for you. It’s a beautiful take on gothic, tragic romance with small glimmers of horror interspersed. The world building is subtle but well-constructed, and the fantasy elements are wonderfully curated. Baird and Hemming (our two main characters) are endearing from the first, and I love the journey of discovery the reader is taken through as we learn more about both men. 


Before you take a bite out of this one, it’s worth noting that when I say “tragic romance,” I mean it. Those triggered by child abuse, physical abuse, character death, or perhaps even eating disorders should proceed with caution. And don’t be surprised if you shed a few tears along the way, just like I did.

What I Jonesed For:

- First and foremost, shoutout to the asexual representation in this book. Not only do we have an asexual who knows exactly how he feels about his sexuality, but he’s willing to communicate that to his partner. Further, he’s on the spectrum of wanting and even craving physical affection without needing to go all the way. We need more representation like this in our romances!

- I enjoyed the works of “flash fiction” that were interspersed throughout the book. They gave us great insight into Baird’s emotional and mental state at different times, and helped us understand the barriers and traumas he was struggling with. As a writer/author, I can strongly relate to using your writing in a cathartic way to exorcise your feelings. (I can also relate to falling for one of your own characters. 😮‍💨)

- The story takes an interesting look at parenting, parent-child relationships, and the crimes we commit against each other in the name of love. I also appreciated how those themes paved the way for looking at how people go through the journey of re-educating ourselves on what we call love and how we prioritize one form of love over another.

- Maybe one of my favorite themes in this book examines how ethical it is to bring children into a toxic environment if you know that environment is toxic to begin with. While I would have loved some more insight into the motivation of Baird’s parents (e.g. Were there reasons they didn’t educate him on his abilities more—like, lessons learned down the family line that knowing less is better? Did his mother willingly subject him to abuse because of her love of his father and wanting to let him rest, or were there other motivations? Did his parents know about his sexuality, and did they have feelings about it beyond his ability to provide an heir?), I appreciate that the story stays focused on Baird and his feelings/motivations rather than trying to muddy the waters of Baird's beautiful journey with the shadows of his parents' ulterior motives. Selfishly, I would still love a prequel book focused on Baird's parents to build the world out even further! 😍

For more horror content, follow me on Instagram at @jonesing4horror!

[mika · Rating 5 out of 5]

[HUMONGOUS thanks to the author for sending me an early copy of their book!!!!]

throughout the story, one mantra keeps on coming back: "one does what one must do"
and one absolutely must read this book asap because it is just THAT good, i had to stop myself from reading it all in one go

the story is exactly what the premise promises: baird, two-century-old kind-of-immortal guy, lives a recluse in the family mansion to which his life is tied. he eats his own stories, relating his own trauma, to survive. but when one of his stories come to life (read: a really good-looking all-sorts-of-things guy named hemming), it makes HIM want to take back control over his own life.

i was sold from the start, to be honest, and i was not at all disappointed in the way the novel turned out. i particularly loved the author's writing style; the words they used, the way the sentences flowed, it was all very gorgeous, and very immersive as well. i wasn't expecting such an "interiorised" sort of narration, but i'm a big fan of those, so that was a nice surprise! it was interesting to truly notice how baird's thought pattern evolves, especially regarding his relationship with the mansion (and with hemming, too)

it was actually a little disturbing to read so much violence, rendered in such a "normal" way since we really are inside baird's head, despite the third-person perspective. he is constantly negotiating with the manor, or his "insides", as he calls them. it felt very similar to anxiety, ocd, or any other mental illness that has a "voice". it hit very close to home and i am not ashamed to admit i cried more than a couple of times throughout my read.

luckily, baird learns overtime that it is not healthy nor loving, and he decides to put it to an end and take control, thanks to hemming—an actually healthy and loving (boy)friend. but i did also find their relationship quite disturbing at times. i was always taking into consideration the option that the manor might be right, and hemming might really want the manor and baird's destruction, for some reason or another. i was just constantly scared he might turn round and kill him or something. for that reason, i struggled to fully enjoy their love story, not because it was bad (it was actually so endearing and they both deserve the whole wide world and i WILL give it to them one way or another) but because the manor's voice was just THAT overwhelming the whole time!!

as advertised, that book is a Tragedy, with a capital T because i still want to cry thinking about the ending! i hate it so much (/pos)!! i truly had hope it wouldn't end this way, but deep down, i know it was the only one possible, all things considered. it actually kind of comforted me, the thought that both baird and hemming are finally free. and maybe baird even got to experience what it's like to fly. maybe he flew up in the stars and met hemming there, just as he said.

anyway. i will now cry some more and imagine a world where they're both alive and well, and exploring all the christmas markets together, on earth and every other planet.

(please read this book. i'm on my knees.)

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author
5/5⭐

HOW DARE YOU DEAR AUTHOR?! How dare you… make me cry so bad.😖
Going in, I knew that this won’t be a light story. I knew that the ending won’t be a happily ever after. But dammit! I didn’t expect it to hit me like a freight train.

Oh, what a beautiful and tragic story this is. I don’t think I can explain it fully with my poor vocabulary. Though, I’ll try.

This is a novel about a person who, despite their troubled and painful past, is very strong and full of love to give. Baird is our main character who on the outside is 21 years old but on the inside is someone who lived hundreds of years, felt thousands of things and throughout this all, was all alone. The author describes him so wonderfully. I felt the pain from the very beginning. The details, the reasons, the past unravels gradually and it’s not surprising but at the same time it is. As I was reading, I knew this is fiction but my logical part of the brain was shocked more and more with each read sentence.

The pace was perfect, not once have I felt that it was too slow or too fast. The small yet very important funny moments came in when the scene called for it. "His bushes don’t rustle." I mean, c’mon! Even without context it’s funny!

Hemming comes to Baird and what now? Who is he? Why did he appear? What’s next? All these questions are answered through the journey that both of them go through. And that journey, oh my god. It goes through ups and downs and they both learn from it, it changes them and their relationship, but most importantly it helps them.

The whole ordeal doesn’t last long but each moment felt like the most precious thing in existence. As I sit and write this review, I try to pick one thing that stood out for me but I am unable to do that. Each time Baird and Hemming interacted with each other or simply did something together, each time it felt like something that happens once in a lifetime. So rare, so magnificent and so fragile that it leaves you speechless.

I feel like this is the type of a book that we should remember forever. The one we go back to. The one we analyze and deconstruct each word with careful thoroughness.

Especially this year, my love for the moon and the dark sky was ever present and this story only told me that my amazement whenever I saw a shooting star was properly justified.

And dear author, how the hell did you know that the page will look blurry?! I can read without seeing the words just fine… someone was cutting onions!😭😭😭

To anyone reading this imperfect review - READ THIS BOOK. Don’t even read the blurb. If you’re okay with the genre, just DO IT. There is a 99% chance it will be one of my favorite books of the year. At the same time, it is very probable it will be one of my favorite books of all time.

Dear author, I cannot thank you enough. It was truly an honor to receive this as an ARC. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I’ll forever be grateful.🥹🖤❤️

[Kaz Fruchey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible from start to finish. The character progression was beautiful and done in a way where, as the book progressed, I felt as though Baird both found himself and regressed so much emotionally. So many times we see the forward progression, but not the complete regression of a character throughout their story arc. In this, we mourned who Baird started as with reason to do so, and that’s rare in so many books. The other characters were also incredibly done. Hemming is anything and everything, and that’s shown in every aspect of his character. He is wise and knowing, but playful and has an almost naivety about him that feels adolescent. He is, again, anything and everything. The manor has a progression from start to end where it changes alongside the other characters. How you progress a HOUSE’S character is beyond me. Well done

The themes were represented so well. This was a heavy read with a lot of heavy topics and themes. Homophobia is addressed, and done in a way with the time periods used that makes sense. Generational trauma was shown again and again, and questioned from the first appearance of Hemming at the start of the book. I can’t even begin to tell you my favorite quotes, because so many of them hit home in ways I adore. I cried, laughed, and went back to bawling my eyes out several times throughout this book. Additionally, the weight was well written with the scenery. Even the more lighthearted scenes had this dark film over them where we truly were seeing through Baird’s eyes and his view of the world. Asexuality not being a thing that exists to Baird was incredible. His slow and confused, but resolute way of navigating asexuality was beautiful in a way that (quite literally) had me asking the author if she probed my brain for a few lines. Again, incredibly well done all around on balancing the weight of heavy themes while also addressing them fully.

**SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING FROM THIS POINT ON**
The conclusion to this book was done wonderfully. It was addressed several times throughout, and though it was devastating, it was how it had to end. The tragic ending was never once shy-ed away from. It was mentioned time and time again, in a way that in a sense gives the reader hope that “maybe it’ll be okay. maybe they’ll find a way around it.” They did not. And it can be so hard to let go of characters you adore, but this did just that. Hemming helping Baird to overcome his fears, and those once-fears being the very thing that sets him free was poetically stunning. The fire was just the perfect way to end this book. There was no true goodbye, just vague planning with desperate “I love you”s. It felt incomplete in the way that life so often feels incomplete. There is no beautiful conclusion or happy ending, just the reality of what Baird lived through. It was freedom for him, and that theme was never abandoned. Incredible read, now I’m going to go back to staring at my wall and crying😭♥️

[Rikke Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so lucky (and very thankful) to receive an ARC of The Ink Eater
and this is my honest review and thoughts of the book.

This was such a moving story, full of depth and heart.
The premise of an ink eater was creative, the plot was build very nicely and the mood was certainly on point!
It was beautifully touching, haunting and devastating.

The story tackles themes such as generational trauma, sexuality, loneliness, self -worth, -harm and -discovery and wraps itself in beautiful layers, development and a love story ever so tender.
I loved how the book dealt with its vulnerability - the struggles, the overcoming, the acceptance and the defeat.

The characters of Baird and Hemming were everything!
I loved their development, their bonding and their relationship. How Hemming would give his everything for Baird, and how Baird reluctantly comes around and later feels Hemming becoming his very heart.

I loved the cruelty, manipulation and toxicity of the house. How it haunted and how it possessed (in an untraditional way).
The entire tone was moody and atmospheric, and I truly felt I was within its walls and within its grasp.

The very rhythm of the plot was cleverly woven together, making it a journey from the moment Baird and Hemming met, where Hemmings role is to guide and support Baird in his quest of self, development and independence. With the subject of freedom being heavily present, for Baird and Hemming both, in different ways.

I am not usually the type to cry over a book, when I know to expect something sad. I am prepared for the feeling and it doesn't hit AS hard. This is a tragedy. I knew. And I was excited to see it unfold.
Yet as I finished the Ink Eater, I was left with a lump in my throat and a tear making its way down my cheek. Well done.
The very relationship between Baird and Hemming, the affections, the very touches for the touch-starved Baird, Hemmings endearments and their very will to sacrifice everything for one another, made the story so tender, so loving and so dear that those two characters felt heard to part with as the story came to an end.
The ending, though final, had that wonderful open feeling to it, making me wish there is a happy ending, in some form or the other, for Baird and Hemming somewhere after the last page.

I really enjoyed the emotions and feelings of this book. The development, the journey and the gothic and mysterious mood.

[BookwyrmBri · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

I loved this book. Granted, I went into it suspecting that I would just based on the summary (Sentient stories and a man who eats words? Yes, please!) But my expectations were both met and exceeded throughout my readthrough, and I couldn’t be happier for it. The story felt darkly whimsical throughout, and the ending/epilogue made me cry even though I thought I had prepared myself for a sad ending.

There are really only three major characters in this book - the MMC, his love interest, and the creepy sentient house. I loved all of them. The MMC was such an interesting character to explore and see the world through. I liked that he wasn’t a perfect character and was allowed to make mistakes and be rude and unpleasant to his love interest, as well as how he repeatedly tried to make up for those mistakes and be a better person despite everything he’d been through. The LI was fun and whimsical, and the author did a great job of making him feel both inhuman and yet still deeply relatable. The creepy sentient house was, of course, creepy, but I love evil inanimate objects so that was still a positive for me.

The story itself was great. Definitely more character driven than plot driven, but never in a way that felt like it was slow or dragging. The plot elements hit harder and mattered more because of how much time was dedicated to exploring the MMC’s thoughts and fears about the world around him and about himself.

The writing style was also really interesting - both the real-life author’s and the MMC’s. The main writing style was very easy to read and yet at times poetic in an almost blunt way, if that makes sense? It’s hard for me to describe, but it definitely works really well to set the tone of the book. And the short stories the MMC would write had a distinctly different voice to the book itself, which I think requires a lot of talent to pull off well.

TL;DR: A sad but beautiful and compelling story that is definitely worth the heartbreak. I fell in love with the characters and will be thinking about them for a long, long time.

Disclaimer: I received a free eARC of this book from the author. A review was not required in order to receive the eARC, and I am leaving one voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

[Ambre ⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

Somehow, The Ink Eater reminded me of Corinna Bille writing, in the way it embraces an almost dreamlike atmosphere. It feels like one of those stories where if you tried to pin down exactly what was happening it would lose part of its magic.

To me, The Ink Eater is mainly about willingly giving pieces of yourself in order to fit in and be loved. And about a boy who only wish to exist peacefully while the world refuses to let him. There are of course countless other layers that keep unfolding the more you sit with the story, but what impressed me most, is how well the many themes are expressed through the writing, as well as visually through the story itself.

“You’ve been killing yourself just to stay alive.”

However, I believe the book's only weak point also lies in its writing. Despite repeatedly reminding us that one of the main character is over two hundred years old, his voice and way of thinking still felt a little too modern. I just think this kind of timeless gothic atmosphere is difficult to pull off, and that there it didn't completely land for me.

That said, it didn’t take away from what I believe the author does best: characters. The contrast between Hemming gentle and unwavering presence and Baird struggles to remain stable while being pulled apart internally makes their dynamic quite interesting. Even more so as their relation builds toward quiet understanding. And I can’t think of anything more romantic than being fully understood.

“my love, you are not broken. You are whole, and you don't need to fix or change anything.”

Even knowing exactly where their story was heading, I couldn't stop hoping for a different ending. But at the same time, I genuinely don't think any other conclusion would have felt as honest. It circles back beautifully, making the tragedy feel inevitable rather than cruel.

“And so it came that the moon wished for a companion. Somebody who would sing with him, who would touch him, who would ask him how he felt. He asked for a friend every single night, until finally, the Gods heard him plead. They sent him a partner. It was a shooting star by the name of Hemming, who ran in circles around the moon’s body…”

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

With my last breath, I will serve…that is the curse of The Ink Eater.

Baird belongs to the manor on the hill - literally. While he may be the heir, he is tied to the old house by a hereditary curse. He must feed the house with his words and his blood for both to remain standing. That is how it has been for over 200 years, and how it will remain…unless he has a son to pass the curse to.

But Baird has always been alone, and has no reason to expect that will change - until one of his stories gains a life of its own, showing up as the elusive shape-shifting Hemming. Then everything changes. Baird begins to question his life. The house wants Hemming dead. And Hemming? He just wants to be Baird’s friend. Before long it becomes clear Baird will need to choose between the life he has always lived, and a freedom that comes with a cost.

This book was stunningly beautiful. It is a romantic tragedy with a very gothic feel - it definitely had Poe vibes for me. I really liked how the manor was the antagonist. The curse tying Baird to the house is symbolic of destructive traditions handed down by an old family with the accompanying property. Hemming’s arrival begins Baird’s awakening to the realities of his existence - his upbringing was deeply traumatic, and his parents’ homophobia is internalised in ways he never realised.

The romance in this story is a lovely slow burn. Baird knows from a young age he is not interested in women, and allows himself to entertain his attraction to Hemming. Hemming helps him to understand himself, including his asexuality. There is no sexual content beyond kissing in the book. This is a romantic tragedy, but I personally felt like the ending honoured both men beautifully.

This story deals with some very heavy issues, including generational trauma, child abuse, self-harm, homophobia, and parental suicide. While there’s a lot going on, the themes are handled gently, with a major focus placed on freedom to choose a different existence.

All up - I adored this book and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants a gothic tragedy. Do yourself a massive favour and put The Ink Eater at the very top of your TBR.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Alice G. Brooks in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this story!!

I'm dead serious when I say that I've never cried for a book — in general, it's really hard for me to cry. And yet, our amazing author did manage quite well to make me sob my eyes out for two hours straight. Insanity.

Where do I even start??? The concept of the story got me wrapped around its finger right from the start. First time applying for an ARC copy and BOOM, I have a new reason to find a therapist. A sentient house, a guy who has an arm that is, and I quote, “More scar than skin.”, and a shapeshifter that comes to life because of the latter's stories? What the hell, sure. /ref

The characters are so loveable and real and ohmygod. Baird is such a layered character — he goes through so much, and I was so happy to finally see him smile. I loved how human he was and allowed to make mistakes, such as being rude to Hemming or just being "selfish" in his own way. He pours all his soul and heart into what he does, and I've found myself relating to him quite a handful of times. Same goes for Hemming, my sweet boy, so curious about everything but especially his love; he holds Baird's hand no matter what they're going through. Such small gestures but I promise you, to a 262 years old man they mean the world and more.

Their relationship is one of a kind; depending on someone so much you actually get sick??? oh I'm so fucking done. Yes yes YES!!! PLEASE!!!!! I AM BEGGING ON MY KNEES!!!!!! I'm such a sucker for codependency, and this book portrayed it amazingly.

The quote “With my last breath, I shall serve.” haunts the whole narrative in a (and I'm not sorry for what I'm about to compare it to) Johan-Liebert-from-Monster way. You can feel it rattle in your bones in almost everything that Baird does and says, and it makes you feel as uneasy as he has felt for the past two centuries

The style is, as usual, smooth and poetic and so immersive. Alice is genuinely my favorite author, their writing is unique and captivating you will never put the book dowI, I promise; and if you do, you'll feel bad about it, even.
I read 25% of the book while skipping two hours of PE and when the bell rang I looked around and was so confused, “Where am I? Am I dead?”. Nope, Alexander, you're just sunbathing on a chair in the middle of no-fucking-where, (un)fortunately for you.

I can't wait for this book to come out. As soon as I finished my ARC copy I texted my boyfriend crying and with thousands of spelling mistakes, he got so worried and honestly as he SHOULD because this book DESTROYED me.

How do I give more than five stars? Can I give thousands of them, like the stars in the sky and in the universe?? No??? Meanies.

[Brooke Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much @alicebrookswrites for the eARC!

I knew I would love this book, yet nothing could have prepared me for just HOW MUCH. I’m unable to listen to a single song without thinking of them. Baird and Hemming mean EVERYTHING to me.

Five stars. That’s the review.

No, but in all seriousness, if this book is not on your TBR, please do yourself a favour and add it now! Actually, scratch that, just go ahead and pre-order it!

The way Alice writes characters and their chemistry is SO WELL DONE! It’s hard to explain it but whenever I’m reading a book, I always think to myself “oh yes these are characters” but with Baird and Hemming, they felt SO REAL to me. And as a character driven reader, I ATE that up like Baird eating ink. That’s not to say the plot was underdeveloped, because oh no, it built tension SPLENDIDLY. Toward the end of the book, I was terrified of the damn manor.

As an asexual reader, Baird being asexual yet still craving love and affection means A LOT to me. This representation was clearly written with a lot of intent and care, and Baird is now one of my favourite asexual characters EVER!

Hemming my beloved. Oh how I adore him. His character is so interesting. A shapeshifter born from Baird’s stories to someone Baird is willing to change his LIFE for! Even though Hemming was my favourite, I saw a lot of myself in Baird. His fear of leaving the house, his fear of disappointing his parents, his fear of being sinful—it all hit so close to home and I just really empathised with him.

I LOVED everything about this book. The gothic vibes, the sentient house, the toxic codependency, the romantic tragedy, the characters. I can’t recommend it enough!

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free e-arc from the author in exchange for an honest opinion.

I honestly don't know what to say about this book. It was a wild ride from start to finish. If you're a fan of CG Drews books, especially Don't Let the Forest In, you will most likely enjoy this. Make sure to pay attention to the trigger warnings provided, as well as the fact that this book is a tragedy because the author is serious about these.

Hemming and Baird are both wonderful characters to read, and play off of each other very well. I honestly liked Hemming more than I liked Baird, but they both absolutely had their issues. Their relationship is far from a healthy one even at the best of times. Due to this it's impossible to ever root for their relationship, even when you really want to. For the purposes of this book I see that as a good thing.

Even though Baird at least is absolutely an adult and has lived for 200 years, both he and Hemming act like children. I believe there is a reason for this but even so at times towards the beginning it was a bit frustrating. Thankfully you get used to it after a while, especially as you learn more of why he is the way he is.

One thing I do wish we had more of is how the curse came to exist. It sounds very vampiric (but with ink and stories instead), but there's never a concrete answer as to how or why the curse happened. For something obsessed with stories you'd think that might be one that was saved. Perhaps it was tasty instead.

Overall, if you are in the mood for a tragedy and like CG Drews books, this is the book for you. I personally can't wait to see it in ink.

[Kaya🦷]

Review for advance copy received from Author


Thank you @alicebrookswrites for the eARC!

a boy who writes stories and eats ink, and the shapeshifter who escapes from his pages with ink in his veins.

god what a beautiful story about generational trauma, breaking cycles, healing, finding love and letting go of the past.
I really, really adored Hemming; the shapeshifter, fox, shooting star with silver eyes and the kindest soul. He is such a fun and sweet character with so much life inside of him.
He escapes from a story written by Baird, the immortal protagonist, who carries his family’s curse of needing to consume ink to sustain the manor which is tethered to his own body.
Even though he is content with his life, Baird has known nothing but pain and suffering by the hands of others and is forced to live out his days isolated, writing stories for himself to eat.

Everything changes when Hemming shows up. Suddenly, Baird is standing face to face with everything he fears and more… but when he finally starts letting the shapeshifting boy in, the manor wants Hemming consumed and gone.
Baird is torn between his legacy and his wants, his heart and his tethered body, his family and himself.
is love stronger enough to break the cycle? What if the manor wants Hemming dead? What choice does Baird have?

I absolutely loved how unique this story was. I loved the creativity and exploration of generational trauma.
My heart was racing throughout the last chapter and all I can think about is how beautiful this book was.

Amazing queer and asexual rep as well btw!!

Thank you so much for letting me read your work, Alice!!

[Keturah Sergeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intense, dark, gripping romantic thriller. If I had a nickel for every time I've read a book with an ink/word/story eating asexual MC that I absolutely adored, I'd have two nickels... I look forward to any future engagement I have with this niche because I absolutely love it. Of course, I always love seeing asexual representation, and queer horror narratives are the best, so this book is a beautiful marrying of those themes. And angsty, ancient, asexual, traumatised by a past foray into romance, traumatised by his abusive upbringing, surrounded by his own stories, which he eats to keep his family home standing. He and the house are connected, in appetite, in fear, in loneliness. The accidental summoning of a friend from paper makes his whole life turn upside down, his desires and the house's no longer aligned, his hunger increasingly overwhelming.

This book is viscerally evocative, full of in depth descriptions of hunger, of pain, of sacrifice, of desperation. It is also full of short stories, tied to the narrative but their own beautiful examples of short prose, which are a fun addition. The balance struck between despair and joy, satisfaction and hunger, emptiness and love, hope and finality, is perfect. Once the MC accepts his life has changed for good, the burden he has shouldered for centuries, the fear he has carried, the connection he is trapped within, the subservience expected of him all crushing, the moments of gentle joy build. The ending is dramatic and bittersweet and beautiful.

An evocative, engaging read, horrific and beautiful.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ink Eater is a lovely gothic tragedy that spotlights abusive families and how one can hold onto that trauma for years and years to come.

Baird's internal conflict between the desire for freedom and fear of disappointing his family is the most intriguing part of the book, and the exploration of his guilt and breaking point is fascinating.

The curse was also unique and interesting. Surprisingly, the weakest part of the book was the romance itself. I feel like Baird's transition from dislike to love could have been done smoother, and it would have been easier to become more invested if there was more exploration of Hemming's character. He was quite literally designed to be devoted to Baird, and it would have been fascinating to dive into the extent of Hemming's own autonomy and feelings.

Regardless, the ending was satisfying. The point from their last time in the garden, the scene at Baird's parents' graves (!!!) And everything after was great with a perfect conclusion. As much as I liked the ending, I think it would have had more impact if I was more invested in the relationship to begin with. Even so, the book was super quick to get through since you don't even notice the time going by.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

[Fae · Rating 4 out of 5]

🫑
🦊 Gothic romantic tragedy
✒️ Asexual rep
🦊 Generational trauma (and breaking it)
✒️ Sentient house
🦊 Shapeshifter (chaotic good alignment)
✒️ Unique plot

Once in a while I try out a book/author that is outside of my comfort zone. This time it was a tragic story about a guy, Baird, who was born into this world for only one purpose. To carry the curse that's been passed down from generation to generation. He can only sustain through writing stories and eating them. Until one day, one of his stories came to life in the form of Hemming, a cheeky shifter who only wants to be Baird's friend. Hemming shows him joy and love like he has never experienced before. But all good things come to an end...
I enjoyed this story immensely. It was such a unique plot and I had already fallen in love with the character art so I knew I had to read this. My biggest issue was how young these characters felt. Baird was supposed to be 260 years old and at times he felt like a teenager.. I guess if you've been on your own for more than two centuries and you've suffered a lot of abuse before, you can regress a bit but still...
I would definitely recommend this book if you like to have your emotions with a side of (generational) trauma and abuse. And if you like your plots to be unique, slow and not as romance-heavy.

[Chels · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story had so much potential and there were definitely aspects that I enjoyed, but unfortunately I struggled to fully connect with the storyline overall. I feel like having more background history surrounding the family curse would’ve made the story easier to follow and far more immersive. At times it felt like we were thrown straight into the build up of the plot without enough detailed character or world history beforehand, which made it harder for me to stay engaged.

The plot itself left me feeling a little disappointed because I kept waiting for something more impactful to happen. That being said, I still genuinely appreciate this story and I can see why others may absolutely love it. One of my favourite parts was the Asexual representation, something we still rarely see represented in fiction outside of self help or educational spaces. More representation truly matters, and that was one of the main reasons I originally applied for this ARC.

While this book didn’t completely work for me personally, I still think there’s an audience out there that will really connect with it. Plus, I did really enjoy the ending and felt like it finished on a much stronger note.

Thank you so much for the ARC opportunity! Be sure to check out The Ink Eater when it releases this August!

[kienn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Please don’t ever apologize for being happy.”
i stayed up til 1 am til 1 percent battery to read this and now im crying

THE INK EATER!!! this might be one of my favorite reads of the year??

the concept hooked me, a gothic manor that's its own character, an ink eater who serves and is the manor and writes stories to sustain it and himself, and a shapeshifter from his story... the core of the tragedy is that the ink eater is trapped in this manor and his family duty, never living for himself... the ink eater has to come to terms with his trauma and abuse and all the things denied from him
while the house wants him to eat his stories... and by consequence the shape shifter aka his only friend ever

i loved the asexual rep, a sex averse character that still craves other forms of intimacy... trapped by social and familial expectations ... and the romance between the ink eater and the shapeshifter is so sweet to the point of worship yet tragic

gothic tragedy. you will cry
doomed yaoi. very doomed

if you liked don't let the forest in... you'll love this book... similar vibes, tragedy, ace mc that pours his soul into ink

(arc copy for review)

[Jordy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh.. So yeahhh, going in I knew from the start this was a Romantic Tragedy, but like honestly.. the audacity to make it tragic?
Shame! | loved every second of it. This was such a great palette cleanser, I've had my fair share of HEA's lately! Honesty, I couldn't have asked for more, I knew what I was getting myself into, but I got way more than ! anticipated! Alice did such a phenomenal job showing the emotional, and generational abuse. All the trauma that was touched on was done so well.

Plus who doesn't love a shapeshifter, a sentient house, and someone who literally writes and eats their stories because they're cursed?! Baird and Hemming were beyond meant for each other. The ending was well, you guessed it. Tragic. But ya know what, it's fine, everything's fine, we are gonna pretend otherwise! I feel like I have so much to say, but I don't want any spoilers given. I'll say, just read it. It's sad, tragic, has its fun moments, dark moments, sentimental moments, and more! 10/10. Alice, I'll take 74 more! Can't wait for what you're cooking next, cause I'd love more like this! Will be forever stalking our Street Team chat!

[Alexis Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a masterpiece. From the first page, I was pulled in by the stunning use of language, the incredibly deep and complex characters and the gothic tragic feel of this story. This book made me laugh, cry, fall in love and cry all over again, and will stay with me for a long time. This is definitely one of those books that I want on my shelf for re-reads, because the depths of this novel go so much deeper than just the words on the pages.
The representation in this story and message mean so much, and I hope this novel becomes well-known for the masterpiece that it is.
This author is one of my absolute favorites, again and again they manage to make me feel so deeply, long after the last page has been read. This is the third book of their's that I have read, and I have honestly not been able to put any of them down.
I would suggest this book to anyone who likes gothic tragedies with deep and realistically flawed characters, to anyone who loves amazingly cute banter, and of course to anyone who wants to fall deeply in love with a story.

[Sie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ripped my heart out and tore it to shreds right in front of my face while somehow being so beautifully written that I would endure it again.

The characters are hauntingly tragic, heartbreaking, and still so lovable. I spent about a third of the book trying not to get attached to Hemming, fully convinced that he would hurt Baird and break my heart all in one.

Instead, the whole entire book broke my heart over and over again. When the author listed it as a tragedy, they were not lying. I will warn that there are themes of child abuse and trauma throughout the book, and it is hard to read at times because of that. It's not very graphic, but it is still deeply upsetting.

Not gonna lie, I kind of miss the person I was before going on this journey, if only because I know it is going to haunt my dreams and anchor itself into the marrow of my bones.

If you like books that hurt, I do highly recommend this one. Even if I am currently cursing it for making me sob.