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Pillar of Ink
Not yet published
Expected 2 Feb 27Magic is written on the skin but a forbidden mark burns in her blood. A spellbinding slow-burn fantasy romance of forbidden tattoo magic, enemies-to-lovers tension, ancient goddesses and female power, for readers of Spark of the Everflame and A Forbidden Alchemy.
In a world ruled by the Truthseeker Order, magic is tightly bound, every spell sanctioned, every power controlled. The Eight Pillar Sigils are sacred, bestowed only upon the worthy to preserve order.
For Estella Vestas, stepdaughter of a ruthless Mindswayer matriarch, that order is nothing but a cage. Born to charm the elite, groomed for obedience, she yearns for freedom and for the chance to create. On the eve of her twenty-first birthday, she dares the ultimate defiance: she carves a forbidden sigil into her skin.
But the mark she claims does not glow with sanctioned silver. It burns crimson. Bloodfire. A volatile magic tied to the nine exiled goddesses, wild and hungry, bending to her rage, her longing, her heart.
Branded a heretic, Estella is suddenly the most hunted fugitive in the realm. The Council's sinister head believes she is the key to an ancient prophecy. A rebel faction hails her as their messiah. And shadowing her every step is Captain Grey Astrophel an Orion enforcer sworn to capture her, even as a pull he cannot fight threatens to unravel his oath.
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a rebel whose secrets could undo her, Estella must navigate a world of treachery, passion and shifting loyalties. Her magic could save everything or ignite a fire that consumes it all ...
In a world ruled by the Truthseeker Order, magic is tightly bound, every spell sanctioned, every power controlled. The Eight Pillar Sigils are sacred, bestowed only upon the worthy to preserve order.
For Estella Vestas, stepdaughter of a ruthless Mindswayer matriarch, that order is nothing but a cage. Born to charm the elite, groomed for obedience, she yearns for freedom and for the chance to create. On the eve of her twenty-first birthday, she dares the ultimate defiance: she carves a forbidden sigil into her skin.
But the mark she claims does not glow with sanctioned silver. It burns crimson. Bloodfire. A volatile magic tied to the nine exiled goddesses, wild and hungry, bending to her rage, her longing, her heart.
Branded a heretic, Estella is suddenly the most hunted fugitive in the realm. The Council's sinister head believes she is the key to an ancient prophecy. A rebel faction hails her as their messiah. And shadowing her every step is Captain Grey Astrophel an Orion enforcer sworn to capture her, even as a pull he cannot fight threatens to unravel his oath.
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a rebel whose secrets could undo her, Estella must navigate a world of treachery, passion and shifting loyalties. Her magic could save everything or ignite a fire that consumes it all ...
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 2, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 26, 2026
I think this story is going to be a hit with so many readers!! It really pulls you in from chapter 1.
First and foremost, tattoo magic? Yes please! I think this is such a cool concept and with Claire’s incredible knowledge of tattooing, it made it so believable.
I am really looking forward to seeing where book 2 goes with the magic systems as I can’t wait to see what Estella can do with her magic.
I did catch the twist from very early on. And yes, I’m mad about it. Ughhhhh… why 🤭🤣
Just also want to say Grey and Archer are both asses! 🤭 I’ll let you read and decide for yourself though. I’d love your thoughts when you’ve read!
I absolutely freaking LOVE that the tropes are marketed correctly. There isn’t an enemies to lovers thrown in just because it’s a loved trope. So major props to Allen & Unwin for this!
And if you’re wondering, the tropes are below
* Betrayal
* "Touch her and die"
* War is coming
* Emotional damage
* Awakening magic
* Found family
* Fated mates
* Invisible illness representation
* Gods at war
* Ancient prophecy
Thank you so much to Allen & Unwin and Claire for inviting me to an incredible evening and for gifting me one of the most beautiful arcs!
First and foremost, tattoo magic? Yes please! I think this is such a cool concept and with Claire’s incredible knowledge of tattooing, it made it so believable.
I am really looking forward to seeing where book 2 goes with the magic systems as I can’t wait to see what Estella can do with her magic.
I did catch the twist from very early on. And yes, I’m mad about it. Ughhhhh… why 🤭🤣
Just also want to say Grey and Archer are both asses! 🤭 I’ll let you read and decide for yourself though. I’d love your thoughts when you’ve read!
I absolutely freaking LOVE that the tropes are marketed correctly. There isn’t an enemies to lovers thrown in just because it’s a loved trope. So major props to Allen & Unwin for this!
And if you’re wondering, the tropes are below
* Betrayal
* "Touch her and die"
* War is coming
* Emotional damage
* Awakening magic
* Found family
* Fated mates
* Invisible illness representation
* Gods at war
* Ancient prophecy
Thank you so much to Allen & Unwin and Claire for inviting me to an incredible evening and for gifting me one of the most beautiful arcs!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Really awesome world building and I loved the whole tattoo-based magic system! There was a guide to the different sigils at the start which was very helpful (I referred back to it so many times haha) and the illustrations of them were very cool. I did see the main plot twist coming but it was still well done and the book did still surprise me in other ways. I didn't super vibe with the romance but that may be a me problem, in any case the romance didn't play a huge role in the story. I'm looking forward to seeing where this story goes next in book 2!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews