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Ink in The Blood #2
Curse of the Divine
Return to the world of inklings, tattoo magic, and evil deities as Celia uncovers the secrets of the ink in order to stop Diavala once and for all. This eagerly anticipated sequel to Ink in the Blood is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Wicked Saints.
Celia Sand faced Diavala and won, using ink magic to destroy the corrupt religion of Profeta that tormented her for a decade. But winning came with a cost. Now Celia is plagued with guilt over her role in the death of her best friend. When she discovers that Diavala is still very much alive and threatening Griffin, the now-infamous plague doctor, Celia is desperate not to lose another person she loves to the deity's wrath.
The key to destroying Diavala may lie with Halcyon Ronnea, the only other person to have faced Diavala and survived. But Halcyon is dangerous and has secrets of his own, ones that involve the ink that Celia has come to hate. Forced to choose between the ink and Diavala, Celia will do whatever it takes to save Griffin--even if it means making a deal with the devil himself.
Celia Sand faced Diavala and won, using ink magic to destroy the corrupt religion of Profeta that tormented her for a decade. But winning came with a cost. Now Celia is plagued with guilt over her role in the death of her best friend. When she discovers that Diavala is still very much alive and threatening Griffin, the now-infamous plague doctor, Celia is desperate not to lose another person she loves to the deity's wrath.
The key to destroying Diavala may lie with Halcyon Ronnea, the only other person to have faced Diavala and survived. But Halcyon is dangerous and has secrets of his own, ones that involve the ink that Celia has come to hate. Forced to choose between the ink and Diavala, Celia will do whatever it takes to save Griffin--even if it means making a deal with the devil himself.
453 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2021
23 people are currently reading
2278 people want to read
About the author
Kim Smejkal
3 books170 followersKim Smejkal writes dark fantasy for young adults and not-so-young adults, always with a touch of magic. Her debut novel, INK IN THE BLOOD, released from HMH in early 2020, and the sequel, CURSE OF THE DIVINE, released in 2021.
When she’s not writing, she’s homeschooling her kids, tutoring other people’s kids, and voraciously hoarding any precious alone time. Though she grew up on the Canadian prairies, she now lives with her family on beautiful, muse-satiating Vancouver Island. She is represented by Daniel Lazar of Writers House.
When she’s not writing, she’s homeschooling her kids, tutoring other people’s kids, and voraciously hoarding any precious alone time. Though she grew up on the Canadian prairies, she now lives with her family on beautiful, muse-satiating Vancouver Island. She is represented by Daniel Lazar of Writers House.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
March 13, 2021
1. Ink in the Blood ★★★★★The Ink in the Blood duology has one of the most immersive and developed fantasy worlds into which I've immersed myself. I loved diving back into this world and seeing how things progressed for Celia after the end of Ink in the Blood. I found myself on the edge of my seat while reading, the tension of the narrative just crept into my own veins and I needed these characters to be okay.
Full review is at Reader Voracious but here are some bullet points of my initial thoughts
The Good:
- the plot & story
- the writing & atmosphere
- the worldbuilding & expansion
- interlude chapters in Griffin's perspective
- overall plotting of the duology
What I Missed:
- the fun character relationships (which there's a reason for the dynamic shift & it's done well, I just felt so sad for Celia!)
- While it was a satisfying end, I was the tiniest bit disappointed with the ending. The final chapter felt... off? I don't know how to describe my feelings on the final interlude
eARC provided by the publisher for review. This does not impact my opinion or content of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
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February 6, 2021
This was such a mystical and imaginative novel, quite intriguing in its premise of blood transforming into the ink that binds reality to the magical dark underworld. It felt somewhat surreal and edging on the paranormal side of things and the dark, dark, dark!
This is the second book in the INK IN THE BLOOD duology. Based upon the blurb and the recommendation for fans of Wicked Saints, of which I am a HUGE fan, I wanted to give this one a try.
Celia, the main protagonist in this novel is entering Wisteria, a town that’s tethered to illusions of ink and magic. Picturesque, and devoid of children, she is after Halcyon Ronnea to avenge the death of her friend Anya.
Not wanting to lose her friend Griffin, the plaque doctor to the dark forces as well, she has to play a double game with Halcycon to gain his trust and destroy Diavala.
A plot that will take Celia to the depths of the underworld of illusions, will test her abilities to sort out reality from the surreal and bring her to the brink of her ink abilities. What will the cost for her be this time?
As the story commences in a tangled mess of events, Griffin and Celia have the chance to do what they came for, but not before more tragic losses are had.
***
I enjoyed this novel but found myself really engaged in some spots and drifting off a little in others. The writing was well done but the story itself was a bit hyper-focused or very centralized to one area.
The idea of ink magic that tethers to objects and can be cast like paint on a canvas to create worlds was definitely fascinating. Just as the ability to create the illusional life was a beautiful act in this story, so was the destruction of these worlds very dark and in stark contrast. A model I thought was very well shown.
The characters were easy to connect to, though I favored Halcyon as the bad guy in this story best.
This is definitely a great duology for young adults to enjoy.
Happy Reading!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
This is the second book in the INK IN THE BLOOD duology. Based upon the blurb and the recommendation for fans of Wicked Saints, of which I am a HUGE fan, I wanted to give this one a try.
Celia, the main protagonist in this novel is entering Wisteria, a town that’s tethered to illusions of ink and magic. Picturesque, and devoid of children, she is after Halcyon Ronnea to avenge the death of her friend Anya.
Not wanting to lose her friend Griffin, the plaque doctor to the dark forces as well, she has to play a double game with Halcycon to gain his trust and destroy Diavala.
A plot that will take Celia to the depths of the underworld of illusions, will test her abilities to sort out reality from the surreal and bring her to the brink of her ink abilities. What will the cost for her be this time?
As the story commences in a tangled mess of events, Griffin and Celia have the chance to do what they came for, but not before more tragic losses are had.
***
I enjoyed this novel but found myself really engaged in some spots and drifting off a little in others. The writing was well done but the story itself was a bit hyper-focused or very centralized to one area.
The idea of ink magic that tethers to objects and can be cast like paint on a canvas to create worlds was definitely fascinating. Just as the ability to create the illusional life was a beautiful act in this story, so was the destruction of these worlds very dark and in stark contrast. A model I thought was very well shown.
The characters were easy to connect to, though I favored Halcyon as the bad guy in this story best.
This is definitely a great duology for young adults to enjoy.
Happy Reading!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
August 14, 2021
I was undecided if I should give it 2.5 or 3 ⭐️, I feel I would have liked the book more if it was a standalone. Since it’s a sequel, I expected the book to tackle the consequences of utterly denouncing and destroying a faith that was deeply entrenched in their society—but nope that wasn’t the case at all.
It just focused on the love interest and a new villain…and granted the new villain is connected to the creation of the previous villainess, but the books seem too disconnected. I guess my expectations of thinking that the author was going to address the disorder caused in the first book instead of completely ignoring the main plot and emphasis they made on a cult based society was too much 😅
It just focused on the love interest and a new villain…and granted the new villain is connected to the creation of the previous villainess, but the books seem too disconnected. I guess my expectations of thinking that the author was going to address the disorder caused in the first book instead of completely ignoring the main plot and emphasis they made on a cult based society was too much 😅
February 16, 2021
📚 Hello Book Friends! CURSE OF THE DIVINE by Kim Smejkal is the second and final book in the Ink in The Blood Series. I say "final" since there is no other book planned in this series at this time and the book has a closed ending. This series is the first I read that uses gender pronouns. I must admit that it confused me a first but then it fitted the book. The book picks up where the first book ended. Celia must find a way to free Griffin from Diavala, a demon, without killing him. She knows of only one person who had been possessed by Diavala and survived when she left his body. Finding that person turns out to be quite a task and once she finds him, she will have to bargain more than she has to save Griffin. But appearance can be deceiving. Will she find the truth before it is too late? If you are a YA fantasy fan, I recommend this wonderful series. I recommend you read both books in order to appreciate the story.
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June 21, 2021
All the same riddles and fun of the first book brought to a lovely confusing ending ✨
My only gripe with this was the need for more of griffin’s POV!! I could read an entire book through his eyes and be blissfully happy
My only gripe with this was the need for more of griffin’s POV!! I could read an entire book through his eyes and be blissfully happy
December 7, 2021
[I'll come with an actual thought later, but really, trust me and read this dilogy. It will shatter your heart and amaze you.]
December 28, 2020
I finally sat down and read Ink in the Blood back in October. Once I finished I immediate looked into getting a copy of Curse of the Divine. Kim Semjkal has woven an incredibly imaginative story within this duology. You can see my full review for Book #1 HERE!
I always wonder how much of a difference writing a series into a duology versus a trilogy impacts a story. In the case of the Ink in the Blood series, I personally feel this would have been better received as three parts instead of just the two parts.
While Curse of the Divine, begins almost immediately where book #1 left off, the stories feel different. While the main plot has shifted, the ultimate goal is still the same in both books, undermine and get rid of The Divine. However, this shift really left me feeling that I was reading a new book and not a continuation of a series. Once again, I did feel that parts of the story could have been cut short or left out without impacting the overall story line.
Character wise, I really enjoyed getting to know both Griffin and Diavala much more within book #2 than in the first book. Their overall character growth and transformation was really well done. Celia on the other hand has a more stagnant personality and could have used a bit more growth. Based on what happened to Anya in the first book, I felt this would have had a greater impact on her personality but it didn’t seem to really make any difference. All the new characters we meet in this book also lacked a bit of depth and we really never get to know them.
Once again I’ll commend Smejkal on her imagery and uniqueness within the story itself. It’s incredibly original but I would have like to have seem more character depicts than environmental.
I was close to giving The Curse of the Divine, the same rating of four stars just as I did Ink in the Blood. The ending though didn’t feel like the closure of a series. If I didn’t know this was just a duology, I would be expecting a third installment at least to be coming out. Sure we find out what happens with Divalia but Celia and Griffin’s journey just feels so unresolved, that I knocked a star off.
This is still a highly entertaining story, and if you enjoy Dark Fantasy books or YA Fantasy books; than I would definintely recommend this series.
The Curse of the Divine hits shelves February 9, 2021. Huge thank you to HMH books for my Advanced Copy in exchange for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books.
I always wonder how much of a difference writing a series into a duology versus a trilogy impacts a story. In the case of the Ink in the Blood series, I personally feel this would have been better received as three parts instead of just the two parts.
While Curse of the Divine, begins almost immediately where book #1 left off, the stories feel different. While the main plot has shifted, the ultimate goal is still the same in both books, undermine and get rid of The Divine. However, this shift really left me feeling that I was reading a new book and not a continuation of a series. Once again, I did feel that parts of the story could have been cut short or left out without impacting the overall story line.
Character wise, I really enjoyed getting to know both Griffin and Diavala much more within book #2 than in the first book. Their overall character growth and transformation was really well done. Celia on the other hand has a more stagnant personality and could have used a bit more growth. Based on what happened to Anya in the first book, I felt this would have had a greater impact on her personality but it didn’t seem to really make any difference. All the new characters we meet in this book also lacked a bit of depth and we really never get to know them.
Once again I’ll commend Smejkal on her imagery and uniqueness within the story itself. It’s incredibly original but I would have like to have seem more character depicts than environmental.
I was close to giving The Curse of the Divine, the same rating of four stars just as I did Ink in the Blood. The ending though didn’t feel like the closure of a series. If I didn’t know this was just a duology, I would be expecting a third installment at least to be coming out. Sure we find out what happens with Divalia but Celia and Griffin’s journey just feels so unresolved, that I knocked a star off.
This is still a highly entertaining story, and if you enjoy Dark Fantasy books or YA Fantasy books; than I would definintely recommend this series.
The Curse of the Divine hits shelves February 9, 2021. Huge thank you to HMH books for my Advanced Copy in exchange for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books.
February 16, 2021
If you like magically macabre books, then this duology is for you 🖤
Curse of the divine picks up right where Ink in the Blood left us. Celia and co. brought down the Profeta Religion, freeing a to of people who might have otherwise not ever known they had been manipulated. This of course came at a great cost to Celia, who lost the most important person in her life. To add insult unto injury Diavala did not die, she instead hitched a ride with the nearest available body which so happens to be Celia's Plague Doctor. Together, Celia and Griffin will set off to get rid of Diavala once and for all with the help of the only "saint" who managed to survive Diavala's touch; Halycon Ronnea.
I love how creative Kim Smejkal is. She ventures out to create her own world full of her own rules and pretty much nails it. I remember really liking Ink in the Blood when it came out last year, and not knowing how the sequel would hold up. Let me tell you, it holds up in an extravagant way. I might even like it more than the first book. You get Diavala in a more close and personal scenario, giving her story texture and even making you sympathize with the she devil. After all, she wasn't born an immortal being... someone made her this way. Celia also walks the line between the good guy and the less than stellar girlfriend. She makes mistakes and spends the entire novel with the ghost of her best friend right on her shoulder--she is engulfed in sadness and grief. Pretty realistic portrayal, I am glad her trauma wasn't brushed off.
Griffin is not a favorite character for me--he is just very dramatic and I'm just not too into that, but he is perfect for Celia. I was glad he was there to guide her through the darkness they both face. We get a lot of background into the Ink; where it comes from, who created it, why they created it... It is all very marvelous and not totally surprising, but the book is all about the journey and not the twist for this reader.
I hope Kim Smejkal gets to publish a lot more books! She can only get better as a writer, and her stories more wonderful.
PS; I was provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks go to the publisher!
Curse of the divine picks up right where Ink in the Blood left us. Celia and co. brought down the Profeta Religion, freeing a to of people who might have otherwise not ever known they had been manipulated. This of course came at a great cost to Celia, who lost the most important person in her life. To add insult unto injury Diavala did not die, she instead hitched a ride with the nearest available body which so happens to be Celia's Plague Doctor. Together, Celia and Griffin will set off to get rid of Diavala once and for all with the help of the only "saint" who managed to survive Diavala's touch; Halycon Ronnea.
I love how creative Kim Smejkal is. She ventures out to create her own world full of her own rules and pretty much nails it. I remember really liking Ink in the Blood when it came out last year, and not knowing how the sequel would hold up. Let me tell you, it holds up in an extravagant way. I might even like it more than the first book. You get Diavala in a more close and personal scenario, giving her story texture and even making you sympathize with the she devil. After all, she wasn't born an immortal being... someone made her this way. Celia also walks the line between the good guy and the less than stellar girlfriend. She makes mistakes and spends the entire novel with the ghost of her best friend right on her shoulder--she is engulfed in sadness and grief. Pretty realistic portrayal, I am glad her trauma wasn't brushed off.
Griffin is not a favorite character for me--he is just very dramatic and I'm just not too into that, but he is perfect for Celia. I was glad he was there to guide her through the darkness they both face. We get a lot of background into the Ink; where it comes from, who created it, why they created it... It is all very marvelous and not totally surprising, but the book is all about the journey and not the twist for this reader.
I hope Kim Smejkal gets to publish a lot more books! She can only get better as a writer, and her stories more wonderful.
PS; I was provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks go to the publisher!
January 26, 2021
4.5 stars
Curse of the Divine is a fantastic ending to an incredibly unique and interesting duology. The first book Ink in the Blood was so amazing that I was worried this wouldn't live up to it. Thankfully, I didn't have to worry.
The Ink in the Blood series is a "lush, dark YA fantasy debut that weaves together tattoo magic, faith, and eccentric theater in a world where lies are currency and ink is a weapon." If you enjoy fantasy that is weird and unique then you definitely should read this series. I promise that it is unlike anything you have ever read and it won't let you down.
The writing of this series is magical and filled with poetic words and stunning imagination. Each character is so well defined that I felt an instant connection or intrigue with them. The lead Celia is an absolute gem of a character, her story takes us on an incredible adventure filled with dramatics and danger. There is also a slow grow romance which I absolutely adored.
The books are surprisingly easy reads despite being so intricate and imaginative. The world building is solid which really helps the story flow so easily.
As you can probably tell, I HIGHLY recommend this series. It is so underrated and more people need to discover it's genius.
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
Curse of the Divine is a fantastic ending to an incredibly unique and interesting duology. The first book Ink in the Blood was so amazing that I was worried this wouldn't live up to it. Thankfully, I didn't have to worry.
The Ink in the Blood series is a "lush, dark YA fantasy debut that weaves together tattoo magic, faith, and eccentric theater in a world where lies are currency and ink is a weapon." If you enjoy fantasy that is weird and unique then you definitely should read this series. I promise that it is unlike anything you have ever read and it won't let you down.
The writing of this series is magical and filled with poetic words and stunning imagination. Each character is so well defined that I felt an instant connection or intrigue with them. The lead Celia is an absolute gem of a character, her story takes us on an incredible adventure filled with dramatics and danger. There is also a slow grow romance which I absolutely adored.
The books are surprisingly easy reads despite being so intricate and imaginative. The world building is solid which really helps the story flow so easily.
As you can probably tell, I HIGHLY recommend this series. It is so underrated and more people need to discover it's genius.
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Kim Smejkal for my arc of Curse of the Divine in exchange for an honest review.
Published: 9th February 2021
Some spoilers for book one below
This is the sequel and conclusion to the duology of Ink in the Blood. It picks up right after the ending of Ink in the Blood and Griffin and Celia are travelling to Wisteria to try to find Halcyon the only person to ever survive Diavala's Touch and therefore the one person who can potentially save Griffin.
This for me, is a seriously underrated series. I know a lot of people got the arc for book one at the 2019 YALC as I did, so I'm really surprised not to see it around so much and I'd really recommend picking it up! This book for me, well both books, are really unique they bring some elements which everyone loves, a travelling show, theatrics, a romance, a friendship and puts fresh twists on to them. Book two was a wonderful conclusion, it was very fast paced and I liked the idea of this Willy Wonka-esque world and the secrets and shocking reveals were really well done. Also Xinto... my heart *sobs* trust me when you meet Xinto you're going to love him just as much as I did.
I think this worked really well as a duology but I would definitely love to read more books from this author in the future.
Published: 9th February 2021
Some spoilers for book one below
This is the sequel and conclusion to the duology of Ink in the Blood. It picks up right after the ending of Ink in the Blood and Griffin and Celia are travelling to Wisteria to try to find Halcyon the only person to ever survive Diavala's Touch and therefore the one person who can potentially save Griffin.
This for me, is a seriously underrated series. I know a lot of people got the arc for book one at the 2019 YALC as I did, so I'm really surprised not to see it around so much and I'd really recommend picking it up! This book for me, well both books, are really unique they bring some elements which everyone loves, a travelling show, theatrics, a romance, a friendship and puts fresh twists on to them. Book two was a wonderful conclusion, it was very fast paced and I liked the idea of this Willy Wonka-esque world and the secrets and shocking reveals were really well done. Also Xinto... my heart *sobs* trust me when you meet Xinto you're going to love him just as much as I did.
I think this worked really well as a duology but I would definitely love to read more books from this author in the future.
February 7, 2021
What a fantastic duology. Ink in the Blood was my favorite book of 2020 and for good reason. The world of Profeta and the magic of it, the fantasy world is unlike anything I’ve read or could’ve possibly imagined. It’s a dark, lush fantasy that blew my mind and I adore with all my heart.
The expansion of the ink and its initial source in this astounding sequel was not what I was expecting in the least. The lengths to where the story went and Celia’s all around growth, the way she comes to terms with grief and all the losses she’s went through is a story that resonated with me as I’m sure it will with many. The metaphorical regard of life and death, and what the afterlife holds is very thought provoking. There’s an underlying lesson to be had of it and there’s hope in it that will speak to many.
We get to meet new characters in COTD that are just as vibrant and unique as those of the first book. Although I do feel like we didn’t really get much depth to them and I would’ve loved to have seen more of them. However, we do get to see more of the original characters that I love and get to see more growth to them. We get much more of Diavala’s history and how she came to be transforming her completely in my eyes. We get some sense of understanding of the plague doctor and get to unveil who he really is under the mask. There’s the development of one villain redeeming them and exposing another unredeemable one. All the things I would’ve wanted in a concluding sequel.
My only complaint was that I felt like the original awe of the first one wasn’t there. I felt like this one was more looking for a logical solution to a logical problem rather than experiencing a discovery of something completely unexplainable in a sense. It felt like a different story. Not a continuation of the first but altogether a new one. Yet, I don’t think it could’ve gone any other way. In the end every question and curious thought I had was answered in a beautiful, neat, hopeful conclusion. It was a fantastic end to a story that I admire greatly and love dearly.
The expansion of the ink and its initial source in this astounding sequel was not what I was expecting in the least. The lengths to where the story went and Celia’s all around growth, the way she comes to terms with grief and all the losses she’s went through is a story that resonated with me as I’m sure it will with many. The metaphorical regard of life and death, and what the afterlife holds is very thought provoking. There’s an underlying lesson to be had of it and there’s hope in it that will speak to many.
We get to meet new characters in COTD that are just as vibrant and unique as those of the first book. Although I do feel like we didn’t really get much depth to them and I would’ve loved to have seen more of them. However, we do get to see more of the original characters that I love and get to see more growth to them. We get much more of Diavala’s history and how she came to be transforming her completely in my eyes. We get some sense of understanding of the plague doctor and get to unveil who he really is under the mask. There’s the development of one villain redeeming them and exposing another unredeemable one. All the things I would’ve wanted in a concluding sequel.
My only complaint was that I felt like the original awe of the first one wasn’t there. I felt like this one was more looking for a logical solution to a logical problem rather than experiencing a discovery of something completely unexplainable in a sense. It felt like a different story. Not a continuation of the first but altogether a new one. Yet, I don’t think it could’ve gone any other way. In the end every question and curious thought I had was answered in a beautiful, neat, hopeful conclusion. It was a fantastic end to a story that I admire greatly and love dearly.
February 1, 2021
"There's a hint of madness in the air."
This line sets the whole tone for this book perfectly.
I felt like I was thrust further into a wonderfully fantastical world and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it!
Ink in the Blood just scratched the surface of the fantasy world Kim Smejkal has created. Curse of the Divine dives in deeper, giving the world and each character more complexity. I really loved the interlude chapters, getting those inner thoughts of Griffin was my favorite part...aside from being introduced to Xinto, that is :)
This story felt completely different than the first book...like you're on the same track to your intended destination, but hopped on a different train to get there. It was a perfect conclusion and wrapped up many questions I had lingering after reading Ink in the Blood. And I just might've teared up at the end...just maybe.
Loved it, loved it...definitely recommend!
HUGE thank you to HMHTeen for mailing me an ARC to enjoy and honestly review.
This line sets the whole tone for this book perfectly.
I felt like I was thrust further into a wonderfully fantastical world and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it!
Ink in the Blood just scratched the surface of the fantasy world Kim Smejkal has created. Curse of the Divine dives in deeper, giving the world and each character more complexity. I really loved the interlude chapters, getting those inner thoughts of Griffin was my favorite part...aside from being introduced to Xinto, that is :)
This story felt completely different than the first book...like you're on the same track to your intended destination, but hopped on a different train to get there. It was a perfect conclusion and wrapped up many questions I had lingering after reading Ink in the Blood. And I just might've teared up at the end...just maybe.
Loved it, loved it...definitely recommend!
HUGE thank you to HMHTeen for mailing me an ARC to enjoy and honestly review.
March 14, 2022
A really enjoyable conclusion to the duology, but if I’m being completely honest, Ink in the Blood easily could have been a standalone. I’m not mad that this sequel exists - it was a solid, enjoyable four star read - but the plot of this story feels disconnected from the first in a lot of ways. There’s a new villain, a new conflict, and a distinctly different vibe. I would have liked to see more of the Rabble Mob; or have an opportunity to get to know Dante, Wallis, and the other Inklings more.
Still, there were a lot of positive things here, like the developing dynamics between Celia, Griffin, and Diavala, and the focus on Celia’s grief following the events of the first book. Griffin’s interludes were some of my favorite parts. Lyric was a new character that was fun to read. I just wanted something more to draw the two books together into a whole instead of feeling like books from entirely different series.
Still, there were a lot of positive things here, like the developing dynamics between Celia, Griffin, and Diavala, and the focus on Celia’s grief following the events of the first book. Griffin’s interludes were some of my favorite parts. Lyric was a new character that was fun to read. I just wanted something more to draw the two books together into a whole instead of feeling like books from entirely different series.
December 1, 2020
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Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book. I loved the magic in it and the way the tattoo magic evolved. I found Griffin much more entertaining in this book than in the last book. I also found Diavala more satisfying to read about than in the first book. However, Celia Sand is still the same impulsive Celia Sand. There only seemed to be a little bit of character growth for our Celia, and it didn't come till around the end. This was a bit frustrating, as you would think that she would have changed more with Anya's death. The relationship between Griffin and Celia was charming to read. I liked the experience in the second half a lot.
However, the ending of this story was not satisfying. When I finished the book, I felt like I needed more. The end of the first book left me feeling that way as well, and I find that frustrating. As the story began to wrap up, it felt like I read 75% of the book to pass the time and only the last bit of the book really concluded things. The only reason this is salvageable is because the characters and world is so fascinating to me. This is why I have given this book 3.5 stars instead of a full star review. I was left wanting more, and knowing I wouldn’t get it.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book. I loved the magic in it and the way the tattoo magic evolved. I found Griffin much more entertaining in this book than in the last book. I also found Diavala more satisfying to read about than in the first book. However, Celia Sand is still the same impulsive Celia Sand. There only seemed to be a little bit of character growth for our Celia, and it didn't come till around the end. This was a bit frustrating, as you would think that she would have changed more with Anya's death. The relationship between Griffin and Celia was charming to read. I liked the experience in the second half a lot.
However, the ending of this story was not satisfying. When I finished the book, I felt like I needed more. The end of the first book left me feeling that way as well, and I find that frustrating. As the story began to wrap up, it felt like I read 75% of the book to pass the time and only the last bit of the book really concluded things. The only reason this is salvageable is because the characters and world is so fascinating to me. This is why I have given this book 3.5 stars instead of a full star review. I was left wanting more, and knowing I wouldn’t get it.
February 20, 2021
I received this and as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and HMH Books for Young Readers for giving me access.
This was a better continuation of the first. While Ink in the Blood was a little slow to my liking, Curse of the Divine was a much better pace. The use of ink magic was better displayed and the world building grew so much more.
Not my favorite duology, but Curse of the Devine redeems my opinions on the first novel. As described, I would agree that this is a great read for those that love Wicked Saints bu Emily A. Duncan.
This was a better continuation of the first. While Ink in the Blood was a little slow to my liking, Curse of the Divine was a much better pace. The use of ink magic was better displayed and the world building grew so much more.
Not my favorite duology, but Curse of the Devine redeems my opinions on the first novel. As described, I would agree that this is a great read for those that love Wicked Saints bu Emily A. Duncan.
January 20, 2024
I liked the first Ink book so much, I had to see the story out and follow where Curse of the Divine would lead. I really, really enjoyed the ride - more than I thought I would, actually. I thought the story could not get any better than Ink in the Blood. Happy to say I was very wrong.
Characters so broken they are strong, a twisty turny plot that has you constantly guessing who is actually the villian, and all the feels equals an awesome read.
Characters so broken they are strong, a twisty turny plot that has you constantly guessing who is actually the villian, and all the feels equals an awesome read.
Read
July 14, 2023DNF at page 40. too boring and I couldn't make myself care about the characters anymore. it took too much to care about them the first time. I don't like putting it on my "read" shelf but it has nowhere to go and I want to remember i DID NOT LIKE IT.
October 10, 2021
With more ink on my skin than my husband, I am a sucker for fantasy books that revolve around magic tattoos. Granted, they haven’t been the greatest stories I have ever read, but that doesn’t stop me from reading them. Kim Smejkal’s Ink in the Blood rewarded me for my interest, so I was really looking forward to the story’s finale, Curse of the Divine. Sadly, everything I loved about the first book failed to impress me this time around.
What impressed me so much about the first novel was Ms. Smejkal’s critique of organized religion, her use of auras – visible to everyone – to identify gender fluidity, and the idea of magic tattoos. In Curse of the Divine, we get away from two of the three elements, and the story suffers. For one, Celia destroyed the existing organized religion in the first book, so there can be no criticism of it. Instead, Celia must deal with the one person who may be able to save her friends from a terrible fate, one that has nothing to do with religion. For me, dealing with someone who has delusions of grandeur is not as enjoyable as criticizing organized religion in any form.
At the same time, Curse of the Divine moves away from magic tattoos and instead focuses on the actual ink Celia used in the magic tattoos. Rather than sending secret messages, she learns that one can use the ink to manipulate the corporeal world. While impressive and more than a little foreboding, it is a much more serious consequence of using the ink. No matter how dark the first novel got, there was still a feeling of whimsy at the idea that Celia could use her ink to send messages to friends whenever she wanted. Now that Celia uses the ink to change the world around her, that whimsy disappears, making the story something entirely different and not, in my opinion, in a good way.
Plus, the origins of the ink, something we find out in the novel, are disappointing. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting, but I was expecting something much more earth-shattering than the information we obtain. It is a bit as if Ms. Smejkal used all her allotted creativity for the first story and had to rely on old standby explanations for the sequel.
Thankfully, Ms. Smejkal does still include gender-identifying auras and their infinite nuances. In fact, Celia ruminates on the beauty of gender fluidity and the freedom to change whenever you desire. She describes the auras as something so beautiful, it makes me wish they were real. Not only would it end the confusion over designated gender versus biological sex, but it would also remind people that we are beautiful no matter how we express ourselves.
I find that Curse of the Divine is four hundred pages of Celia dealing with the trauma she faced at the end of the first book followed by fifty pages of acceptance, forgiveness, and understanding so that Celia can obtain closure. While that closure is satisfying in its way, the journey to get there is less creative than in the first novel. There is less bite, less social critique, and a whole lot more hand-wringing, something I never thought I would see in Celia’s character.
What impressed me so much about the first novel was Ms. Smejkal’s critique of organized religion, her use of auras – visible to everyone – to identify gender fluidity, and the idea of magic tattoos. In Curse of the Divine, we get away from two of the three elements, and the story suffers. For one, Celia destroyed the existing organized religion in the first book, so there can be no criticism of it. Instead, Celia must deal with the one person who may be able to save her friends from a terrible fate, one that has nothing to do with religion. For me, dealing with someone who has delusions of grandeur is not as enjoyable as criticizing organized religion in any form.
At the same time, Curse of the Divine moves away from magic tattoos and instead focuses on the actual ink Celia used in the magic tattoos. Rather than sending secret messages, she learns that one can use the ink to manipulate the corporeal world. While impressive and more than a little foreboding, it is a much more serious consequence of using the ink. No matter how dark the first novel got, there was still a feeling of whimsy at the idea that Celia could use her ink to send messages to friends whenever she wanted. Now that Celia uses the ink to change the world around her, that whimsy disappears, making the story something entirely different and not, in my opinion, in a good way.
Plus, the origins of the ink, something we find out in the novel, are disappointing. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting, but I was expecting something much more earth-shattering than the information we obtain. It is a bit as if Ms. Smejkal used all her allotted creativity for the first story and had to rely on old standby explanations for the sequel.
Thankfully, Ms. Smejkal does still include gender-identifying auras and their infinite nuances. In fact, Celia ruminates on the beauty of gender fluidity and the freedom to change whenever you desire. She describes the auras as something so beautiful, it makes me wish they were real. Not only would it end the confusion over designated gender versus biological sex, but it would also remind people that we are beautiful no matter how we express ourselves.
I find that Curse of the Divine is four hundred pages of Celia dealing with the trauma she faced at the end of the first book followed by fifty pages of acceptance, forgiveness, and understanding so that Celia can obtain closure. While that closure is satisfying in its way, the journey to get there is less creative than in the first novel. There is less bite, less social critique, and a whole lot more hand-wringing, something I never thought I would see in Celia’s character.
March 1, 2021
CURSE OF THE DIVINE was decadent and whimsical and I loved it.
There was so much mystery and intrigue in this half of the duology. I wasn’t sure what direction this book was going to go after the spectacular finale of INK but my expectations were more than surpassed.
I loved the depth we received from Celia and Diavala’s characters and the portrayal of trauma and grief. The setting and new characters were vivacious and vibrant, while this instalment only served to greater expand on Profeta’s history and mythology. The expansion of the ink and the afterlife were magnificently well done, almost surreal yet realistic in the bounds of the novel.
The vibe and themes of CURSE were so different from INK but no less incredible. I was immersed in this world and there were moments I teared up. (SIDE NOTE: I got especially attached to Xinto and if you didn’t then I don’t know what’s wrong with you.)
I adored this and I simply cannot wait for whatever Kim has up her sleeve next.
There was so much mystery and intrigue in this half of the duology. I wasn’t sure what direction this book was going to go after the spectacular finale of INK but my expectations were more than surpassed.
I loved the depth we received from Celia and Diavala’s characters and the portrayal of trauma and grief. The setting and new characters were vivacious and vibrant, while this instalment only served to greater expand on Profeta’s history and mythology. The expansion of the ink and the afterlife were magnificently well done, almost surreal yet realistic in the bounds of the novel.
The vibe and themes of CURSE were so different from INK but no less incredible. I was immersed in this world and there were moments I teared up. (SIDE NOTE: I got especially attached to Xinto and if you didn’t then I don’t know what’s wrong with you.)
I adored this and I simply cannot wait for whatever Kim has up her sleeve next.
March 25, 2021
Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop
Curse of the Divine delves deeper into the origin of Diavala, focusing more on character development and inclusion.
Strong Storytelling
I was unsure whether I would like Curse of the Divine, considering how Ink in the Blood left me feeling (see review here). However, I am happy to note that I enjoyed Curse of the Divine way more than its predecessor.
The language is the first thing that struck me and an improvement over the previous novel. Smejkal was more thoughtful in her word choice and her inclusion of the LGBTQ community. The writer was more realistic and more human, more relatable to the reader rather than off-putting.
Curse of the Divine flows better. The language is more precise, and the scene structure is more engaging and imaginative. There were times the world-building was reminiscent of Lewis Caroll’s Alice’s in Wonderland. There is chaos and disorder, and Halcyon is reminiscent of the Queen of Hearts. However, it is a darker and richer fantasy that pushes the imagination and pushes the characters to their limits.
Better Characterization
Curse of the Divine also had clearer character dynamics. The character dynamics were easy to understand in this novel and cleared up some of the previous novel’s dynamics. It also helps to make the characters shine more, making them more relatable.
Celia is richer in the novel. In Ink in the Blood, Celia was lost within herself. Smejkal introduces her at a tavern with her top hat. Celia still has her top hat, but she is also freer. Weighed down by the part she played in her best friend’s death, Celia searches for meaning in her new life with Griffin, her Plague Doctor. That brings her to Halcyon, where she is tempted by the one thing she always resented, the mystical ink.
Her personality changes, gradually, but in a refined and believable way as she learns of Diavala’s origins and Halcyon’s part in her death. Celia opens her eyes and learns to let go of her guilt, anger, and resentment, becoming a better and stronger person.
The same goes for the Plague Doctor. It is so easy to imagine these two characters, but what is more interesting here is that Griffin, being possessed by Diavala, has a chance to shine with his narrative. I found the Plague Doctor to be tedious in the previous novel. I was unsure of his growing relationship with Celia and saw little personality come from him. He was just there.
However, now he has personality. The reader gets to see inside his mind. He is more relatable, more compatible with the reader as the story goes on.
Furthermore, through him, the reader also gets to understand and relate to Diavala. She is no longer the antagonist of the novel, no longer this angry Divine. Moreover, it changes the readers’ perception of her as the story develops, as her relationship with Griffin and Celia changes and grows.
Final Thoughts
Curse of the Divine is more thoughtful in its storytelling. Offering readers stronger characterization and imagination, Curse of the Divine has a faster pace, luring the reader in and keeps them until the end.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
Curse of the Divine delves deeper into the origin of Diavala, focusing more on character development and inclusion.
Strong Storytelling
I was unsure whether I would like Curse of the Divine, considering how Ink in the Blood left me feeling (see review here). However, I am happy to note that I enjoyed Curse of the Divine way more than its predecessor.
The language is the first thing that struck me and an improvement over the previous novel. Smejkal was more thoughtful in her word choice and her inclusion of the LGBTQ community. The writer was more realistic and more human, more relatable to the reader rather than off-putting.
Curse of the Divine flows better. The language is more precise, and the scene structure is more engaging and imaginative. There were times the world-building was reminiscent of Lewis Caroll’s Alice’s in Wonderland. There is chaos and disorder, and Halcyon is reminiscent of the Queen of Hearts. However, it is a darker and richer fantasy that pushes the imagination and pushes the characters to their limits.
Better Characterization
Curse of the Divine also had clearer character dynamics. The character dynamics were easy to understand in this novel and cleared up some of the previous novel’s dynamics. It also helps to make the characters shine more, making them more relatable.
Celia is richer in the novel. In Ink in the Blood, Celia was lost within herself. Smejkal introduces her at a tavern with her top hat. Celia still has her top hat, but she is also freer. Weighed down by the part she played in her best friend’s death, Celia searches for meaning in her new life with Griffin, her Plague Doctor. That brings her to Halcyon, where she is tempted by the one thing she always resented, the mystical ink.
Her personality changes, gradually, but in a refined and believable way as she learns of Diavala’s origins and Halcyon’s part in her death. Celia opens her eyes and learns to let go of her guilt, anger, and resentment, becoming a better and stronger person.
The same goes for the Plague Doctor. It is so easy to imagine these two characters, but what is more interesting here is that Griffin, being possessed by Diavala, has a chance to shine with his narrative. I found the Plague Doctor to be tedious in the previous novel. I was unsure of his growing relationship with Celia and saw little personality come from him. He was just there.
However, now he has personality. The reader gets to see inside his mind. He is more relatable, more compatible with the reader as the story goes on.
Furthermore, through him, the reader also gets to understand and relate to Diavala. She is no longer the antagonist of the novel, no longer this angry Divine. Moreover, it changes the readers’ perception of her as the story develops, as her relationship with Griffin and Celia changes and grows.
Final Thoughts
Curse of the Divine is more thoughtful in its storytelling. Offering readers stronger characterization and imagination, Curse of the Divine has a faster pace, luring the reader in and keeps them until the end.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
February 4, 2021
I finally sat down and read Ink in the Blood back in October. Once I finished I immediate looked into getting a copy of Curse of the Divine. Kim Semjkal has woven an incredibly imaginative story within this duology. You can see my full review for Book #1 HERE!
I always wonder how much of a difference writing a series into a duology versus a trilogy impacts a story. In the case of the Ink in the Blood series, I personally feel this would have been better received as three parts instead of just the two parts.
While Curse of the Divine, begins almost immediately where book #1 left off, the stories feel different. While the main plot has shifted, the ultimate goal is still the same in both books, undermine and get rid of The Divine. However, this shift really left me feeling that I was reading a new book and not a continuation of a series. Once again, I did feel that parts of the story could have been cut short or left out without impacting the overall story line.
Character wise, I really enjoyed getting to know both Griffin and Diavala much more within book #2 than in the first book. Their overall character growth and transformation was really well done. Celia on the other hand has a more stagnant personality and could have used a bit more growth. Based on what happened to Anya in the first book, I felt this would have had a greater impact on her personality but it didn’t seem to really make any difference. All the new characters we meet in this book also lacked a bit of depth and we really never get to know them.
Once again I’ll commend Smejkal on her imagery and uniqueness within the story itself. It’s incredibly original but I would have like to have seem more character depicts than environmental.
I was close to giving The Curse of the Divine, the same rating of four stars just as I did Ink in the Blood. The ending though didn’t feel like the closure of a series. If I didn’t know this was just a duology, I would be expecting a third installment at least to be coming out. Sure we find out what happens with Divalia but Celia and Griffin’s journey just feels so unresolved, that I knocked a star off.
This is still a highly entertaining story, and if you enjoy Dark Fantasy books or YA Fantasy books; than I would definitely recommend this series.
The Curse of the Divine hits shelves February 9, 2021. Huge thank you to HMH books for my Advanced Copy in exchange for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books.
I always wonder how much of a difference writing a series into a duology versus a trilogy impacts a story. In the case of the Ink in the Blood series, I personally feel this would have been better received as three parts instead of just the two parts.
While Curse of the Divine, begins almost immediately where book #1 left off, the stories feel different. While the main plot has shifted, the ultimate goal is still the same in both books, undermine and get rid of The Divine. However, this shift really left me feeling that I was reading a new book and not a continuation of a series. Once again, I did feel that parts of the story could have been cut short or left out without impacting the overall story line.
Character wise, I really enjoyed getting to know both Griffin and Diavala much more within book #2 than in the first book. Their overall character growth and transformation was really well done. Celia on the other hand has a more stagnant personality and could have used a bit more growth. Based on what happened to Anya in the first book, I felt this would have had a greater impact on her personality but it didn’t seem to really make any difference. All the new characters we meet in this book also lacked a bit of depth and we really never get to know them.
Once again I’ll commend Smejkal on her imagery and uniqueness within the story itself. It’s incredibly original but I would have like to have seem more character depicts than environmental.
I was close to giving The Curse of the Divine, the same rating of four stars just as I did Ink in the Blood. The ending though didn’t feel like the closure of a series. If I didn’t know this was just a duology, I would be expecting a third installment at least to be coming out. Sure we find out what happens with Divalia but Celia and Griffin’s journey just feels so unresolved, that I knocked a star off.
This is still a highly entertaining story, and if you enjoy Dark Fantasy books or YA Fantasy books; than I would definitely recommend this series.
The Curse of the Divine hits shelves February 9, 2021. Huge thank you to HMH books for my Advanced Copy in exchange for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books.
February 10, 2021
CURSE OF THE DIVINE is a dark, atmospheric, and compelling finale to a unique YA fantasy duology. In the first book, Celia ended the religion of Profeta alongside her best friend, Anya, exposing the divine ink and all its lies. She angered the seeming diety, Diavala, who has now possessed the man she cares for deeply, the plague doctor character Griffin. Possession by Diavala ends with madness and death, a fate she is not interested in following. Her quest will take her to the only person whose possession was survived, Halcyon.
When she arrives with Griffin in the town ruled by Halcyon, everything seems perfect but nothing seems right. As she spends time there, Celia will learn that there are bigger and darker secrets left to uncover, and her fight for freedom has not yet ended.
What I loved: This book takes us on a wild, twisty, and dark ride. Although connected to the first book, this one could nearly stand alone, as the town that Celia lands in has its own unexpected and dangerous secrets. There are some really thought-provoking themes in this book, including about the morality of survival, religion and its functions, and dangerous facades. Although Celia seems sure of her motives at first, she has much to learn about herself, the things she thought she knew, and the decisions she must make.
Without giving away too much of the plot, this was a fascinating, dark, and compelling read - certainly a book that kept me up late into the night, reading with shock, alarm, and completely engrossed. Celia's journey is not as complete as it may have seemed, and she is still reeling from the loss of her friends and Anya, who meant the world to her. This conclusion presents new problems, enemies, and darkness hiding behind a lovely veneer - and I was completely captivated.
Reading the first is necessary to understand the characters, particularly Griffin and Diavala, whose role in this book is limited in comparison (there is not much time spared for a recap of the first book). The beginning of this book is a bit slow, but it isn't long until the pace quickens and becomes completely devourable.
Final verdict: Dark, compelling, and atmospheric, CURSE OF THE DIVINE is a grim and captivating finale to a YA fantasy duology that tackles religion, belief, and morality. Highly recommend for fans of THE CHEMICAL GARDEN series, THE LONE CITY series, and/or SOMETHING DARK AND HOLY series.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
When she arrives with Griffin in the town ruled by Halcyon, everything seems perfect but nothing seems right. As she spends time there, Celia will learn that there are bigger and darker secrets left to uncover, and her fight for freedom has not yet ended.
What I loved: This book takes us on a wild, twisty, and dark ride. Although connected to the first book, this one could nearly stand alone, as the town that Celia lands in has its own unexpected and dangerous secrets. There are some really thought-provoking themes in this book, including about the morality of survival, religion and its functions, and dangerous facades. Although Celia seems sure of her motives at first, she has much to learn about herself, the things she thought she knew, and the decisions she must make.
Without giving away too much of the plot, this was a fascinating, dark, and compelling read - certainly a book that kept me up late into the night, reading with shock, alarm, and completely engrossed. Celia's journey is not as complete as it may have seemed, and she is still reeling from the loss of her friends and Anya, who meant the world to her. This conclusion presents new problems, enemies, and darkness hiding behind a lovely veneer - and I was completely captivated.
Reading the first is necessary to understand the characters, particularly Griffin and Diavala, whose role in this book is limited in comparison (there is not much time spared for a recap of the first book). The beginning of this book is a bit slow, but it isn't long until the pace quickens and becomes completely devourable.
Final verdict: Dark, compelling, and atmospheric, CURSE OF THE DIVINE is a grim and captivating finale to a YA fantasy duology that tackles religion, belief, and morality. Highly recommend for fans of THE CHEMICAL GARDEN series, THE LONE CITY series, and/or SOMETHING DARK AND HOLY series.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
February 6, 2021
Following the events of Ink in the Blood, Celia has faded into the background after her actions caused the dismantling of the false relgion of Profeta. She is traveling with Griffin, the plague doctor, to find the only person who might know how to save him. That person, Halcyon, was able to be Touched by Diavala, and keep his mind intact in the aftermath. Celia was able to bring Diavala down with the use of ink magic, but just because the trickster was laid low, just as the religion of Profeta was laid bare, that doesn't mean Diavala didn't have more tricks in store. Celia is already racked with guilt after losing one of the people she cared for in her bid to defeat Diavala, and she doesn't want to lose Griffin either. On finding Halcyon, Celia will be forced to make a choice, one that she may not want to make, but when love born in darkness is threatened by false light, ink may be the only way to extinguish it.
I mostly enjoyed this sequel to Ink in the Blood, and Celia is as strong and feisty as ever. Griffin and Diavala both get a lot more investment this go-around, and I liked learning more about their motivations, struggles, and desires. Celia does the best with what she has, but she is frustrated and angry with where things have gone, and the relationship she has with Griffin is complicated, not just by his binding to Diavala, but by his own brush with death. At times she wants to trust him, but she knows that Diavala lurks underneath. Halcyon presents new challenges for the group, who is difficult to gain an audience, and even more difficult to convince to help them. I felt like these characters go through a lot in this second installment, but if this is the final entry, I almost feel like there needed to be more. Even if we don't see more of this inky world in the future, Curse of the Divine is a lyrical second movement in a strange world built on ink and illusion. I recommend it for readers who have read Ink in the Blood and want to see more of Celia's journey.
3.5 ⭐
Thank you @hmhteen for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I mostly enjoyed this sequel to Ink in the Blood, and Celia is as strong and feisty as ever. Griffin and Diavala both get a lot more investment this go-around, and I liked learning more about their motivations, struggles, and desires. Celia does the best with what she has, but she is frustrated and angry with where things have gone, and the relationship she has with Griffin is complicated, not just by his binding to Diavala, but by his own brush with death. At times she wants to trust him, but she knows that Diavala lurks underneath. Halcyon presents new challenges for the group, who is difficult to gain an audience, and even more difficult to convince to help them. I felt like these characters go through a lot in this second installment, but if this is the final entry, I almost feel like there needed to be more. Even if we don't see more of this inky world in the future, Curse of the Divine is a lyrical second movement in a strange world built on ink and illusion. I recommend it for readers who have read Ink in the Blood and want to see more of Celia's journey.
3.5 ⭐
Thank you @hmhteen for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2021
3.5/5 stars
Curse of the Divine was a really solid sequel to Ink in the Blood. Celia Sand's triumph over the Profeta and Diavala came at a steep cost: her best friend Anya, whose absence from her life now has her reeling. It soon becomes apparent that she must act fast to save those she has left as it is revealed that Diavala has taken residence in Griffin's body, something no person has ever survived. Well, all but one. Celia and Griffin race to the strange town of Wisteria to meet the only man who survived the Touch: Halycon Ronnea. But in a city crafted by ink and with secrets of his own, Celia soon realizes that she has traded one devil for another. Now, Celia must master the ink once and for all if she is going to save her plague doctor from certain death, even if it means making a deal with one more evil than Diavala herself.
While I liked Ink in the Blood, I wasn't crazy about it. But Curse of the Divine was much more enjoyable for me to read. You can tell how the author's writing, use of characterization and plot have all improved since her debut. I really enjoyed Celia in this book as she navigates a world without Anya and comes to terms with the role she played in her best friend's death. Loss is a heavy theme in this book that adds a depth of meaning that was missing in the first. I loved seeing Celia get back on her feet and become more confident of herself and in her relationships from those around her. Her character development in this one was really well done. I loved seeing things from Griffin's perspective and that we got a glimpse into what his mind looked like with Diavala in it. I also appreciated the lore and the history of Diavala and Halycon (who was a super fascinating villain, btw!), and how it changed everything we knew about Diavala in the first book. I was kind of confused about Wisteria and what was going on at certain times, but the confusing aspects of the plot didn't derail me like they did in the first book. Curse of the Divine is a story about how the beliefs and things we think we know often are not what they appear to be, and a portrait of how grief intersects with self-growth.
Curse of the Divine was a really solid sequel to Ink in the Blood. Celia Sand's triumph over the Profeta and Diavala came at a steep cost: her best friend Anya, whose absence from her life now has her reeling. It soon becomes apparent that she must act fast to save those she has left as it is revealed that Diavala has taken residence in Griffin's body, something no person has ever survived. Well, all but one. Celia and Griffin race to the strange town of Wisteria to meet the only man who survived the Touch: Halycon Ronnea. But in a city crafted by ink and with secrets of his own, Celia soon realizes that she has traded one devil for another. Now, Celia must master the ink once and for all if she is going to save her plague doctor from certain death, even if it means making a deal with one more evil than Diavala herself.
While I liked Ink in the Blood, I wasn't crazy about it. But Curse of the Divine was much more enjoyable for me to read. You can tell how the author's writing, use of characterization and plot have all improved since her debut. I really enjoyed Celia in this book as she navigates a world without Anya and comes to terms with the role she played in her best friend's death. Loss is a heavy theme in this book that adds a depth of meaning that was missing in the first. I loved seeing Celia get back on her feet and become more confident of herself and in her relationships from those around her. Her character development in this one was really well done. I loved seeing things from Griffin's perspective and that we got a glimpse into what his mind looked like with Diavala in it. I also appreciated the lore and the history of Diavala and Halycon (who was a super fascinating villain, btw!), and how it changed everything we knew about Diavala in the first book. I was kind of confused about Wisteria and what was going on at certain times, but the confusing aspects of the plot didn't derail me like they did in the first book. Curse of the Divine is a story about how the beliefs and things we think we know often are not what they appear to be, and a portrait of how grief intersects with self-growth.
March 30, 2021
3.5/5 stars
Curse of the Divine was a really solid sequel to Ink in the Blood. Celia Sand's triumph over the Profeta and Diavala came at a steep cost: her best friend Anya, whose absence from her life now has her reeling. It soon becomes apparent that she must act fast to save those she has left as it is revealed that Diavala has taken residence in Griffin's body, something no person has ever survived. Well, all but one. Celia and Griffin race to the strange town of Wisteria to meet the only man who survived the Touch: Halycon Ronnea. But in a city crafted by ink and with secrets of his own, Celia soon realizes that she has traded one devil for another. Now, Celia must master the ink once and for all if she is going to save her plague doctor from certain death, even if it means making a deal with one more evil than Diavala herself.
While I liked Ink in the Blood, I wasn't crazy about it. But Curse of the Divine was much more enjoyable for me to read. You can tell how the author's writing, use of characterization and plot have all improved since her debut. I really enjoyed Celia in this book as she navigates a world without Anya and comes to terms with the role she played in her best friend's death. Loss is a heavy theme in this book that adds a depth of meaning that was missing in the first. I loved seeing Celia get back on her feet and become more confident of herself and in her relationships from those around her. Her character development in this one was really well done. I loved seeing things from Griffin's perspective and that we got a glimpse into what his mind looked like with Diavala in it. I also appreciated the lore and the history of Diavala and Halycon (who was a super fascinating villain, btw!), and how it changed everything we knew about Diavala in the first book. I was kind of confused about Wisteria and what was going on at certain times, but the confusing aspects of the plot didn't derail me like they did in the first book. Curse of the Divine is a story about how the beliefs and things we think we know often are not what they appear to be, and a portrait of how grief intersects with self-growth
Curse of the Divine was a really solid sequel to Ink in the Blood. Celia Sand's triumph over the Profeta and Diavala came at a steep cost: her best friend Anya, whose absence from her life now has her reeling. It soon becomes apparent that she must act fast to save those she has left as it is revealed that Diavala has taken residence in Griffin's body, something no person has ever survived. Well, all but one. Celia and Griffin race to the strange town of Wisteria to meet the only man who survived the Touch: Halycon Ronnea. But in a city crafted by ink and with secrets of his own, Celia soon realizes that she has traded one devil for another. Now, Celia must master the ink once and for all if she is going to save her plague doctor from certain death, even if it means making a deal with one more evil than Diavala herself.
While I liked Ink in the Blood, I wasn't crazy about it. But Curse of the Divine was much more enjoyable for me to read. You can tell how the author's writing, use of characterization and plot have all improved since her debut. I really enjoyed Celia in this book as she navigates a world without Anya and comes to terms with the role she played in her best friend's death. Loss is a heavy theme in this book that adds a depth of meaning that was missing in the first. I loved seeing Celia get back on her feet and become more confident of herself and in her relationships from those around her. Her character development in this one was really well done. I loved seeing things from Griffin's perspective and that we got a glimpse into what his mind looked like with Diavala in it. I also appreciated the lore and the history of Diavala and Halycon (who was a super fascinating villain, btw!), and how it changed everything we knew about Diavala in the first book. I was kind of confused about Wisteria and what was going on at certain times, but the confusing aspects of the plot didn't derail me like they did in the first book. Curse of the Divine is a story about how the beliefs and things we think we know often are not what they appear to be, and a portrait of how grief intersects with self-growth
June 9, 2021
Opinions: If I had not received an advanced copy of CURSE OF THE DIVINE from NetGalley, I would've bought it as soon as it released in February 2021! All the vigor from INK IN THE BLOOD and more carried over to this sequel, not short of Smejkal's atmospheric world of tension, dark magic, and conspiracy that is just unfamiliar enough to keep the reader comfortable and engaged but nearing the edge of their seat. Without spoilers, it was heartbreaking to know that our beloved protagonist who empowered LGBTQ+ people and young women in the first book faced more conflict than she deserved in yet another tale. We fell in love with new characters, mourned over old ones, and collapsed from the second-hand pressure Celia was confronted with.
My Favourite Thing: I hate to recycle book reviews, but my favourite thing about CURSE OF THE DIVINE is the exact same element that I adored in INK IN THE BLOOD: Kim Smejkal's talent for writing fluid, engaging, descriptive text that the readers can appreciate and understand. I was never confused, lost, or bored while reading either book because Smejkal was always ahead of the game when it came to knowing her audience's needs, such as a brawl or cliffhanger or, whether we wanted it or not, a character's death. I am, above all, impressed with the themes of the series: YA fantasy's only restriction is that themes are all either nonexistent or very similar, but Smejkal was able to conjure up new, exciting, valuable lessons for her readers to pick up easily and learn. Some motifs revolve around death, power, respect, freedom, loyalty, and promises, things that all teenagers and young adults can bare to learn a little about. Kim Smejkal didn't just share a fairytale with us, she created a novel of craft, passion, and care.
My Least Favourite Thing: Dissimilar to INK IN THE BLOOD, I felt that the beginning of CURSE OF THE DIVINE rambled a bit. There was so much action at the end of the previous book and in the middle of this one that the introduction seemed bland and slow. If there had been a more intense bridge between the two parts, I would've found it easier to engage with this sequel.
My Favourite Thing: I hate to recycle book reviews, but my favourite thing about CURSE OF THE DIVINE is the exact same element that I adored in INK IN THE BLOOD: Kim Smejkal's talent for writing fluid, engaging, descriptive text that the readers can appreciate and understand. I was never confused, lost, or bored while reading either book because Smejkal was always ahead of the game when it came to knowing her audience's needs, such as a brawl or cliffhanger or, whether we wanted it or not, a character's death. I am, above all, impressed with the themes of the series: YA fantasy's only restriction is that themes are all either nonexistent or very similar, but Smejkal was able to conjure up new, exciting, valuable lessons for her readers to pick up easily and learn. Some motifs revolve around death, power, respect, freedom, loyalty, and promises, things that all teenagers and young adults can bare to learn a little about. Kim Smejkal didn't just share a fairytale with us, she created a novel of craft, passion, and care.
My Least Favourite Thing: Dissimilar to INK IN THE BLOOD, I felt that the beginning of CURSE OF THE DIVINE rambled a bit. There was so much action at the end of the previous book and in the middle of this one that the introduction seemed bland and slow. If there had been a more intense bridge between the two parts, I would've found it easier to engage with this sequel.
April 28, 2021
I read the first book late last year, and while at times I was confused because there was SO much going on, I really enjoyed the story. But then I found out that THIS book was coming out soon...and I was overjoyed!
To be short, I loved this book, and I loved it more than the first. Where the first book focused more on leaving the "church" and becoming part of the circus, this book focused more on finding a singular person and the ink in Celia's veins. In fact, I liked very much that the focus of this book was the magic in the ink instead of all around. The story takes place wholly in one location, and man was it beautiful!
I am immediately skeptical of any and all new characters entering a story, but I love watching the plot unravel and trying to figure out all of it's secrets. This book was spectacular in that way, you receive conflicting opinions about both the secondary characters (you know, the two that hate each other) and you're left wondering which one is right....or if they both are slightly truthful. We still see plenty of Diavala and learn early on exactly who she is rooming with, and shes along for the ride the whole book.
The ending was very nice and wrapped everything into a neat little bow. It all made sense and was easy to follow, and left off on a hopeful note and an appreciation for all the characters still living. The magical elements in this book felt more focused (unlike my thoughts - sorry), and that just made the whole thing feel more spectacular. I read through this fairly quickly, and it was hard to put down!
So, in short, I liked this more than I remember liking the first, and I thought the magic systems played out better. There was a whole feeling of mysticism throughout the book with tons of adventure in a small town, and the conclusion was so sweet without me feeling like I needed a third book. Which of course we won't get, this is a duology. And it works well that way, I feel honored to have been part of this story!
To be short, I loved this book, and I loved it more than the first. Where the first book focused more on leaving the "church" and becoming part of the circus, this book focused more on finding a singular person and the ink in Celia's veins. In fact, I liked very much that the focus of this book was the magic in the ink instead of all around. The story takes place wholly in one location, and man was it beautiful!
I am immediately skeptical of any and all new characters entering a story, but I love watching the plot unravel and trying to figure out all of it's secrets. This book was spectacular in that way, you receive conflicting opinions about both the secondary characters (you know, the two that hate each other) and you're left wondering which one is right....or if they both are slightly truthful. We still see plenty of Diavala and learn early on exactly who she is rooming with, and shes along for the ride the whole book.
The ending was very nice and wrapped everything into a neat little bow. It all made sense and was easy to follow, and left off on a hopeful note and an appreciation for all the characters still living. The magical elements in this book felt more focused (unlike my thoughts - sorry), and that just made the whole thing feel more spectacular. I read through this fairly quickly, and it was hard to put down!
So, in short, I liked this more than I remember liking the first, and I thought the magic systems played out better. There was a whole feeling of mysticism throughout the book with tons of adventure in a small town, and the conclusion was so sweet without me feeling like I needed a third book. Which of course we won't get, this is a duology. And it works well that way, I feel honored to have been part of this story!
February 12, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Curse of the Divine
Author: Kim Smejkal
Book Series: Ink in the Blood Book 2
Rating: 3.5/5
Diversity: LGBT+ characters
Recommended For...: ya readers, fantasy lovers, magic lovers, LGBT+
Publication Date: February 9, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, death, grief, religion, slight romance)
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 448
Synopsis: Celia Sand faced Diavala and won, using ink magic to destroy the corrupt religion of Profeta that tormented her for a decade. But winning came with a cost. Now Celia is plagued with guilt over her role in the death of her best friend. When she discovers that Diavala is still very much alive and threatening Griffin, the now-infamous plague doctor, Celia is desperate not to lose another person she loves to the deity’s wrath.
The key to destroying Diavala may lie with Halycon Ronnea, the only other person to have faced Diavala and survived. But Halcyon is dangerous and has secrets of his own, ones that involve the ink that Celia has come to hate. Forced to choose between the ink and Diavala, Celia will do whatever it takes to save Griffin—even if it means making a deal with the devil himself.
Review: For the most part I really enjoyed this read. The book had a lot of unique and fun elements to the book. The plot was intriguing and kept me hooked throughout it. The characters are well developed and the world building is well done.
However, I did feel like the book was a bit weirdly written. The book tended to hyper focus on certain events and it became a bit much to read at those points. The book was also slow paced in a lot of places.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: Curse of the Divine
Author: Kim Smejkal
Book Series: Ink in the Blood Book 2
Rating: 3.5/5
Diversity: LGBT+ characters
Recommended For...: ya readers, fantasy lovers, magic lovers, LGBT+
Publication Date: February 9, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, death, grief, religion, slight romance)
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 448
Synopsis: Celia Sand faced Diavala and won, using ink magic to destroy the corrupt religion of Profeta that tormented her for a decade. But winning came with a cost. Now Celia is plagued with guilt over her role in the death of her best friend. When she discovers that Diavala is still very much alive and threatening Griffin, the now-infamous plague doctor, Celia is desperate not to lose another person she loves to the deity’s wrath.
The key to destroying Diavala may lie with Halycon Ronnea, the only other person to have faced Diavala and survived. But Halcyon is dangerous and has secrets of his own, ones that involve the ink that Celia has come to hate. Forced to choose between the ink and Diavala, Celia will do whatever it takes to save Griffin—even if it means making a deal with the devil himself.
Review: For the most part I really enjoyed this read. The book had a lot of unique and fun elements to the book. The plot was intriguing and kept me hooked throughout it. The characters are well developed and the world building is well done.
However, I did feel like the book was a bit weirdly written. The book tended to hyper focus on certain events and it became a bit much to read at those points. The book was also slow paced in a lot of places.
Verdict: It was good!
July 31, 2022
The first book in the Ink in the Blood duology was perfection, and after finishing the second book I hate to have to say it, but I feel like it would have been better as a stand-alone novel. In the first book we leave Celia standing over Anya’s body, having successfully taken down the controlling religion that gripped the nation, but her story continues when Diavala possesses the body of her beloved Plague Doctor, Griffin. If Celia was willing to take down Profeta for the good of everyone, you’d best believe she’s willing to fight tooth and nail to find a cure for Griffin and banish the demon-esque Diavala once and for all. To do so she goes in search of the fabled Halcyon, the only person to survive Diavala’s touch, but what she and Griffin find is definitely not as they expect. Like the stagecraft that wove through the first novel, Smejkal draws an even bigger stage upon which her players can act out their roles - but this time, it’s the entire town of Wisteria that’s being co-opted by a manipulating playwright with magical powers. Turning the story upside down more than once as the action plays out, Smejkal does an excellent job of building character and scenery throughout, but this second act doesn’t hit quite as successfully as the first does. Yes, we still have players on a stage, but a masked stage doesn’t hold the same intrigue and duality as the active Rabble Mob, and the visuals don’t spark quite the same way. Halcyon and Diavala’s true nature are definitely the selling point of the novel instead, and while the themes drawn out from here are intriguing they just don’t quite do it for me in the end. At least Celia and Griffin are left with a happy ending by the final pages, so we can see them off on their undoubtedly exciting next adventures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 20, 2021You know, I was extremely eager to read this series for the interesting magic system alone. Well, that and the covers. I loveeeee the covers. And I have to delightedly say that these books have no disappointed! I find that a lot of the time I’m swayed into books and get overly excited and then they just don’t live up to that excitement. So, in sense, I get even more excited when books actually do what I wanted them to! So on that note, psst, go read these.
While I really loved the second book in this duology I have to admit that it took me a smidge to get back into. I don’t know if it’s just because it’s been a while since I’ve been in this world or if it just had a slower start than the first book, but once I did get fully invested I fell just as much in love with it as I had while reading the first book. There was also so much more that this book was able to bring since we are already familiar with the world and magic system. And you know I love when books get a chance to expand on what we already know.
This series was honestly one of my biggest highlights recently. I think I’ve just been hitting so many slumps lately that when I find a book that really hits all of the marks I get that much more excited. But then again I also REALLY always love duologies. So I guess it just had that right combination to make me fall in love.
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
While I really loved the second book in this duology I have to admit that it took me a smidge to get back into. I don’t know if it’s just because it’s been a while since I’ve been in this world or if it just had a slower start than the first book, but once I did get fully invested I fell just as much in love with it as I had while reading the first book. There was also so much more that this book was able to bring since we are already familiar with the world and magic system. And you know I love when books get a chance to expand on what we already know.
This series was honestly one of my biggest highlights recently. I think I’ve just been hitting so many slumps lately that when I find a book that really hits all of the marks I get that much more excited. But then again I also REALLY always love duologies. So I guess it just had that right combination to make me fall in love.
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
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