Inked: Retold

Gilded Blood #0.75

by Rachel Rener

Re-read the Gilded Blood story that started it all, Inked, from Zayn's POV!

Cursed to serve the sadistic incubus who toppled kings and destroyed his bloodline, Zayn – the last living heir of the Summer Court – has spent decades bound by a rune etched into his flesh, punishing his every thought of freedom.

The only light in Zayn’s decades-long prison has been Talia, his human tattoo apprentice whose talent, laughter, and compassion have carved their way past every wall he’s ever built. He’s spent two years keeping her safe from the truth of her own blood, the power it conceals, and the real reason her tears shimmer like gold – all while repressing every hollow pang of hunger he's endured for the one woman he can never have.

But when Talia accidentally crosses the veil into the fae realm, Zayn’s carefully laid plans are razed to the ground. With every nightmarish creature on the continent chasing her gilded blood, they must race to find the one flower that could save them both – even as desire ignites into something neither can control. In the end, Zayn must decide whether freedom is worth damning them both. Because the power in Talia’s veins could either break his curse, or rouse the attention of the demon who forged it.

A steamy, emotionally charged romantasy told through the eyes of a fallen prince bound by sin and salvation, INKED: RETOLD offers a new entry point into Rachel Rener’s Gilded Blood universe, blending sizzling chemistry, razor-sharp banter, and heart-wrenching stakes into a tale of redemption that proves even the damned can love.

***Special edition paperback available on Rachel's site!***

407 pages

Published June 5, 2026

About the author

GORGEOUS NEW BOOK ALERT!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
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Rachel Rener is a multi-award-winning, bestselling romantasy author best known for her fan-favorite Gilded Blood universe. Her books blend magic with real science, infusing powerful-yet-quirky heroines, emotional depth, and irresistible, sizzling romance.

After earning a degree in Psych and Neuroscience, Rachel has since lived on three continents and traveled to more than 50 countries, fueling her worldbuilding with diverse cultural and mythological influences.

When she's not writing, Rachel enjoys making art in every medium she can get her hands on, riding her motorcycle, attending rock shows (both the musical and mineralogical kind), and engaging with her devoted reader community, Rachel’s Renergades. She lives in Colorado with her husband and a very opinionated umbrella cockatoo named Terrance (aka “Jungle Chicken”), who insists on being her loudest critic.

Learn more at www.RachelRener.com!

You can also be regaled with totally inappropriate stories and behind the scenes shenanigans by signing up for her newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/Rachel-Rener-NL .

@AuthorRachelRener across all socials

Reviews

[Bridget Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love the Gilded Blood series, you need to read this addition to it! It was amazingly told and the paperback has beautiful illustrations. Zayn's POV adds so much richness to the overall story, world building, and lore.


A couple of points that may influence how you helpful you rate this review: 1) I don't necessarily do great with buddy reads because I either read ahead or stay back and then get lost but I did pretty good this time. I read ahead, but not by a crazy amount and so was still able to keep involved in the discussion. 2) I've been extremely disappointed by "same story, different perspective" books before where it is literally the same story and not worth the time I spent on it. I bought this with the Blackout Kickstarter Edition of the whole series, but hadn't read it until the buddy read was started on Discord. I love everything I've read by Rachel, but retold versions have been so bad before that it made me a bit wary. I should have known better!!

[Sandra's Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Inked, and this retelling from Zayne's POV was so good! You have Zayne's inner thoughts, his emotions, and knowledge of his turmoil. How his possession with Talia deepens and his every thought is to keep her safe. The angst, fear, and love from his perspective with the twists and laughter. Very entertaining, you will love this steamy romantasy that is filled with chemistry, banter, and high stakes! Definitely recommend reading.

[Arledda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Inked, we get the story of Talia, a tattoo artist who one day uses her boss's private stash of Ink and, after the snake she was tattooing comes alive, finds that a world she never knew exists. Her boss is an incubus, the filing cabinet can transport her into the fae world, and Zayn's tattoo has somehow transformed into a sentient almond loving bird with a big personality who may be her new partner in crime.

In Inked: Retold, we get Zayn's side of the story. Packed with all new insight into the creatures of the fae world, the dangers they face, and the events that have led up to his dangerous mission, Inked: Retold was a glimpse back into a familiar story that I just couldn't put down.

It would have been so easy for Inked: Retold to just feel like the same story as Inked but Rachel Rener really transformed Zayn's perspective of the story into something fresh and new. I know I shouldn't pick favorites, but my early guess is that Inked: Retold may be a top contender. I love how Zayn's perspective really helped reshape my view of the worlds and it got me really excited to read the rest of the series.

[Kelsey C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throw on your siren leggings because Zayn, Talia, and Bisskiss are back!

I read the GB/SB series and absolutely fell in love with all the characters. Now I get to go back and read from Zayn's POV. While it's the same story per se, it's truly a new adventure. Inked: Retold is not just a retelling but a whole new perspective with the answers to "what was Zayn doing" or "Why is he doing this?". We get Zayn's inner thoughts and the turmoil between him and his inner beast. The way Rachel brings all the emotions out of you as your read is impeccable. To feel the push & pull of keeping Talia safe while also never wanting to let her go was so perfectly described. I felt the angst, the worry, the fear, but most of all I felt the love. There were twists and turns that I thought I knew... boy was I wrong. Rachel really outdid herself on this one.

[Dallas Updyke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I'm not a fan of "retold" books.

Normally, the rewritten book in a different POV is never as good as the original story I read and fell in love with.

HOWEVER, I don't know if Rachel is a magician or simply blessed by all the Gods, but she did it.

I loved the original Inked book; it was my introduction into the wonderful world of Rachel Rener's stories, and for that it will always hold a special place in my heart, but Inked: Retold absolutely blew me away. It had my heart in a vice grip and breaking right alongside his. Seeing Zayn's side, and better understanding why he did all he did, feeling what he felt and experiencing what he was going through as he fought for not just himself but her as well made everything so much better.

[Bel E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a buddy read in Rachel’s discord, and I have to say, I was very wary because not only was it my first “read-a-long”, I’d already read the Gilded Blood side of the story (Inked).
But Rachel’s writing stunned me. Even though it’s “the ‘same’ story” told from Zayn’s side, it felt like a completely new story and while I knew that I knew what happened already, it was like I didn’t and it all felt completely fresh and absorbed me in completely!

All in all, a very very good read <3 (does tug on your heart strings though)

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sigh... Oh Zayn..

I fell in love with the Gilded Bl🩸d series and then when Rachel did Silver Bl🩸d I was like mmmkay I see you. Then Inked: Retold was released.. AAAARGGHHHH!! That’s all I have for you. The tension, the angst, the heartache... UGH!! I NEED MORE!!

Add in the hilarious dialogue including more of our fav glittering rainbow chicken and this is pure perfection.

10/10 no notes. Go read it.

[Dawn Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me first say wow!!! I loved how from Zayn's perspective you see a whole new side of the story. I loved Guilded Blood but inked retold added so much more to the story. It is not a retelling of the original it is a whole new side of the story. This is a must read. Every book deserves to have both sides of the story told. It's so much more powerful and emotional and shows you the depths of the characters. Thank you Rachel Rener for another amazing book.

[Amber Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as it was being published on Rachel’s Patreon. It is probably one of her most well written stories yet. It is NOT a retelling in the traditional sense. It is from a different perspective and has scenes that were not in the original Inked because the main character simply wasn’t there. Zayn is absolutely amazing and his POV is my favorite.

[MrG LikesBooks&Booze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this side by side with Inked, as this is my first experience with the author's work. The perspective and knowledge of the main character provides a l0t of context and details to the reader that we did not get in Inked. The depth of emotion and the extent of his self-recrimination is so powerful in this book. The book has an amazing set of central figures, and I absolutely loved the "supporting cast" especially Biscuit and Breta.
When we learn the full extent of the dominion rune, it is an absolute shocker.
I would definitely recommend this book to other readers, especially if you have already read Inked, or if you plan to do like I did and read them together.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inked Retold was a really engaging read, especially because it tells the story mostly from Zane’s perspective and gives readers a deeper look into his history and side of events from the main Gilded Blood series. I really enjoyed getting to see his thoughts, struggles, and the emotions he experienced while meeting and falling in love with Talia. This book also made his desire for Talia feel much stronger and more understandable, which added even more depth to their relationship and his character.
The book was exciting and emotionally gripping. Some scenes had me on the edge of my seat, others made me laugh, and a few were genuinely sad. Overall, it was a very good book, and I’m glad I read it.
I would recommend reading it before Gilded Blood, even though it gives a little bit away, because it offers a different and deeper perspective on the story. Whether you read it before or after, it is definitely a great addition to the series.