Beneath Stone and Sacrifice

Between Ink and Shadows #3

by Melissa Wright

An outcast queen. A stolen crown. A war with magic.

Magical contracts, blood-debt accountants, and a deadly game. A dark and twisty fantasy that pits magic against kings, perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and The Shadows Between Us.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Audiobook, Fantasy Romance, Young Adult, Dark Romance, Romantasy

173 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2022

About the author

Melissa is the author of more than a dozen YA and fantasy novels including The Frey Saga and Between Ink and Shadows. When not writing she can generally be found talking with an author friend about a book, painting something from a book, or tucked between headphones listening to a book. It’s kind of a theme. She loves reasonable heroines in unreasonable situations, noble--if brooding--heroes, slow burn and sweet kisses, a lot of havoc, and a little magic. Stay updated on works in progress at Instagram. Contact her through the web at www.melissa-wright.com

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Reviews

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing's excellent, but I feel like the plot is not as tight and focused as I'd liked it to have been. Still, very enjoyable and it was lovely to read via audio as well.

I need more of Rhen and Margery now...

[Nadya · Rating 3 out of 5]

So…I read it just so I could finish the story.
Maybe I am dumb, maybe I can’t read but I hardly understood anything.
What were the terms of the late king deal?
Why is the youngest brother good?
And the most infuriating one - HOW DID THE ROMANCE BLOOM BETWEEN NIMONA AND WARRICK?!?!??
When the first book ended with the promise of marriage I was bamboozled A LOT. There was literally NO chemistry between them and suddenly they are madly inlove? How? When? Maybe I missed something?
I didn’t understand 80% of the book and the action.
So it is 2.5 stars from me, just because I finished it and I loved the art at the end.

[Verónica Fleitas Solich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Without a doubt, I think it lacks development.
This world fascinates me but it lacks elavoration, explanations, a bit of support for the plot.
In any case, none of the above ruins how much I like Nimona or the wonderful magic that this book exudes.

[Lorrie (Clockworkbookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Charmaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too vague and confusing to be satisfying

I bought this book bc I wanted to see how the story ended; it’s an interesting concept, but kinda poorly executed - not that I could do better, but I’ve read A. LOT. in my 53 years on this planet. This installment made even less sense than the first two. For a bit of an example, there’s no explanation of the origins of the Trust, why it existed, who or what the Trust’s queen was and why, Calum’s motivations, etc.. WAY too much obscurity, no real explanation of what/how/why mysteries were solved, just a huge bunch of blahblahblah, and suddenly character(s) understand SOMETHING and run to do whatever, stuff happens, the end. (“I escaped somehow.” I know someone out there gets the reference, lol.)
Anyhoo, I gave it 3 Stars, rounded up from 2.5 bc it definitely wasn’t the worst I’ve ever read, I like the concept, and I did care about the characters. I miiight read another story or two by the author to better judge her writing style, as this series could be just a hiccup.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot of this series has been intriguing and unique compared to other fantasy novels I've read. The first two books I highly enjoyed but this one was hard for me to get into it. Warrick was barely in this book which saddened me because I was hoping to see more of the relationship grow between him and Nim. It was hard to understand the magic contracts and blood-debts, wishing it was explained better. The whole story felt very rushed with a focus more on character development would have grabbed ahold of me more to keep me interested.

All in all, I really enjoyed this series and will continue to read more of Melissa Wrights books.

[Brielle Emhof · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author never fully explained her system of magic and world building, which was very frustrating.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fitting conclusion to the series. I will say that in this one I really did start to feel the lack of connection to the main characters and even the side characters. I didn't really see any character growth whatsoever in any of the characters and to be honest I don't really understand how or why the two main characters got together. Like I don't really understand what they saw on each other what bound them to each other. I think that if there was more world building and character building it would have really elevated not just this book but the whole series all together.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

[This will serve as a general series review, seeing as I can barely remember what happened in book 1 and have absolutely no memory of book 2]

Lol, not sure how to rate this, seeing as I started it a year ago and thus have forgotten multiple details. In essence, the characters are just there, ESPECIALLY Nimona, who talks a big talk about doing things and saving people and inevitably has to fall swooning into the arms and might of the bigger, stronger, more powerful men around her to keep her safe and right the wrongs she did along her clumsy little way. But she’s just a girl, I suppose. Hypergamy hasn’t failed romantasy so far, might as well keep at it.

The world is nonexistent. They kept talking about the kingdom but honestly, that kingdom didn’t feel like anything bigger than that kingdom in Tangled. It might even be smaller. And this has nothing to do with my year-long gap. There is literally no worldbuilding besides “the kingdom of Inara” (population: 20,000, probably) and the “Trust”, an underworld kingdom beneath that kingdom (population: 5,000?)

I also didn’t understand more than 3 things about all these debts and contracts and deals and bargains and magic and whatnot. Essentially, terms and conditions apply, and things happen and unhappen because of it. 

Also, I absolutely love it when books spend the longest time detailing this budding romance or this unimportant backstory or history, then speed through the climax of the story and its ending like they’re being held at gunpoint and are told to run very, very fast. Leaves that fun confusion that will last all of 4 seconds until you realise, “Hey, I don’t actually care! :D” After which you just keep reading so you can get the book over with.

But it’s interesting because as much as I did not care for the plot, the characters and the stakes, nor did I understand the magic or know a thing about this evermentioned “kingdom”, it was still interesting enough to keep me listening for the four hours I had left. I’m not sure what exactly kept me there. It fell flat in almost every way, yet it was easier for me to listen to this than to Daughter of the Moon Goddess, which I find amusing and baffling.

All in all, if you want an interesting read to simply follow the story and see where it heads without the burden of heavy stakes or mental demands, try this out. Who knows? Maybe you’ll finish it.

[Hannah Carey]

Rating: 4.5

Highlights:
🌟The intrigue and dynamics between the Trust and the kingdom of Inara, it was fun to see it all come together!
🌟 Rhen really grew on me in this book and I loved his connection with Margery.
🌟 Still loving Warrick and Nim 🥰
🌟 Nim also came into her own a bit more in this book, which I enjoyed.
🌟 Don’t want to leave spoilers, but I definitely very much enjoyed the final shown down with the queen of the Trust.

Satisfying end to the series! If you enjoy your fantasy with magic, a Regency flair, and a slow burn romance, you’ll enjoy this series!

[Jada · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to be thoroughly confused and lost throughout the entirety of a series… this one is for you.

I have the slightest clue how everything worked out in the end? I actually don’t even know what happened throughout most of the story. Everything is so rushed and poorly explained… maybe I’m just dumb. But it looks as though most of the other reviewers/readers agree with me. So we can’t all be dumb.. right?

Anyways. This could’ve been something great and in the end, it was just meh.

[Aurora Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

She is a great writer, don't get me wrong... details and characters are great. I get a picture of the world, but the plot is lacking. It's choppy and there's no real.. development? Seems like they go in circles and nothing really ever Happens. I made it through all 3 books... there's that?

[briony.reads.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this series!
it did feel a little bit rushed toward the end of the final book, but everything was wrapped up rather nicely and all issues resolved (thank GOD)
really enjoyed the plot, the magic system and the characters
i can't wait to explore this author more in future!

[Morgan Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series and this was my favourite of the three books, however if I see the word intimation again I’ll probably scream. Over 60 times in one book is not it 😅

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic with plenty of magical happenings. Once you start reading, you’ll be drawn into their world once again.

[Toast · Rating 2 out of 5]

what was even happening

[Elli The magical Goblin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave this trilogy THREE not one or two but three whole canches to redeem its potential. Now that I have read all of them, I can finally say that, yes, if you believed that the first book felt unfinished and rushed you aren't in the wrong. Further, the other two books are even worse in that. Any decent storytelling and characters the first build up are utterly crushed by the end of the story. The fact that I think the love interest's evil brother Calum has way more character and chemistry with the main character tells you just how dull and haphazard the writing and the romance is. Adding on to this I want to say that I didn't like how fast Warrick and Nim fell for each other in the first book I didn't mind her pining for him but the pace at which they fully get married is too quick, i was not convinced at all by their relationship.
Why does he have the feeling he does for this random girl he just met?

My main frustration is how much of a "self-insert anime heram character" the main protagonist was but that is to be expected by almost all y/a books nowadays. Further, the side characters don't make up or add anything decent to the story. To me, it feels like the author started writing the book purely based on the concept without preparing an actual narrative and characters first. To finish up this whole trilogy was such a confusing and dull disappointment in comparison to what the first book could have the potential to be. A sad waste of a good concept.

Ps. A thief wearing a skirt... really?

[Nicole Birnbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed with the finale to the Between Ink and Shadows series. I had such high hopes because it started off so intriguing, but by the time I got to this book, it wasn’t holding my interest. I don’t fully understand the situation surrounding Nim’s father’s contract and how that gave her access to magic that she didn't have to pay for in sacrifice. She has been hurt by magic before so she’s not like Wes, yet I don’t think she could use or summon magic on her own. The vagueness and unanswered questions regarding something important to the plot is an unfortunate problem that has popped up multiple times throughout the series. I wish everything was a bit more fleshed out and took its time to happen.
I also don’t understand why Rhen was willing to be such an ally to Inara and become an enemy of the Trust. I feel like we didn’t learn enough about him for his motivations to make sense. He didn’t grow up with Warrick, so how is there that kind of sibling bond that makes them want to work together and help each other? I felt that Nim trusted him too easily and him being a good guy after being raised by the evil Head of the Trust with only Callum as an older brother/role model doesn’t make sense.

[brii | brii (three months behind...) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good ending to the series, as far as the actual plot goes. I enjoyed seeing more of the queen and getting a little more insight into how the blood debts work, as that's been a bit hazy throughout the series to this point.

I really feel like there wasn't enough character development in this series, though. It felt like all of the characters were really shallow empty husks, and we were just being told these surface facts about them.

There was also zero chemistry between anyone, ever, in the entire book. There was literally a marriage, and I never felt any kind of romance between the two. Maybe, for like half a second, there was a cute swoon scene with Rhen and Marjory, but even that's a stretch!

These books needed to be longer and more fleshed out. The characters needed some deeper personality points, and the relationships need A LOT of work (plus a few sparks). But the plot was there. The story was there. This is one of those times I stuck around for the plot and NOT the characters, and I don't think that happens very often.

[Reads_Must · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beneath Stone and Sacrifice
Between Ink and Shadows #3
Fantasy
Melissa Wright
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

• ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ • ʙʟᴀᴄᴋᴍᴀɪʟ • ʙᴀʀɢᴀɪɴꜱ •

I really liked the additional POV from Margery in this book. She is a very clever woman who has spent most of her life being at least one step ahead of other peoples plots and schemes and she's 100% loyal to Nim.

The pacing was a bit slow at times and to be honest, it felt like the same things kept happening like they did the previous 2 books.

I wasn't surprised by any of the plot twists and the majority of the plot was actually quite predictable.

The ending was ok and I wasn't surprised that Rhen had taken a liking to Margery at all but it was confusing when Margery referred to "cures", why she always takes her shoes off and how magic had gotten her there. There wasn't a clear cut answer or explanation and it just left me frustrated.

I'm glad that Nim and Warrick finally got their happy ending and that everything was sorted out.

I wish that there was more about what happened to everyone and the kingdoms afterwards though.

[Maram Elshwaf · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to say, it didn’t live up to my expectations. Despite pushing through the first two books, I found myself disappointed in several key aspects.

Firstly, the plot twists felt confusing and difficult to follow, often leaving me lost rather than intrigued. There seemed to be too many elements introduced without clear explanations, which made it hard to stay engaged with the story. Additionally, the series is written in third-person, a point of view that I personally don’t enjoy. This narrative style created a distance from the characters, making it challenging to connect with their journeys on a deeper level.

The writing itself felt lackluster, lacking the polish and flow I expect in a well-crafted fantasy series. As a result, the story didn’t have the immersive quality that typically makes me lose myself in a book.

Despite the underwhelming experience, I finished the series. While I might be disappointed, I don’t like leaving books unfinished, and I was still curious about how the story will conclude.

[Rae Redwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I ended up with 2 Arcs with one requiring a full series read. So there’s a pretty big gap when I started to finish but I find this series was a really good series to pick up and put down and not loose too much of where I’d been it really won’t take 4 months to read 😅.

This series was a joy.
I really like that the books aren’t huge and I really enjoyed the twists and turns. I truly did not believe what would happen with the Trust and found the turn of the tides thrilling and an unexpected good twist. I lapped up the internal turmoil but found her anger not angry enough for a woman’s rage, I feel it could have been described and emphasised more real and brutal but it was not a bad description by any means. This is very low spice if it’s a must it’s not here but it was refreshing to not have and the story and background be the focus.
I think this is a very good dyslexic read series and individual books, there’s a few words to maybe keep either a dictionary around or on a kindle I struggled with that others might too.
I definitely recommend! Worth the read

[Mili · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was better than in the two previous books of the series. The plot had so much potential in general but I feel that it wasn’t executed properly.
1. many things were left unexplained until the third book (such as the “intimations“ had no idea what tf that was supposed to be)
2. I get that the rules of the trust and the magic were supposed to be confusing and everything (to get the same experience as the characters) but damn most of the times I had no idea what’s going on
3. the romance between Nim and Warrick just didn’t make as much sense in the third book
4. for me it was getting a bit old constantly reading about Nim and the group trying to fight against the magic and failing every single time

What I did love about the book: the twists and the revelations, there was drama and flair and that rly saved the book for me.

All in all an okay series with a good conclusion in the third book but beware sometimes you have no clue wtf is happening.

[LaFilleDuLoup · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this book was better written.
I didn't had wth is happening moments but I think the book could've been longer.
It was not really fast paced as the other previous books, but the fall of the Head of the Trust could've been longer imo.

The story overall was good, but the development could be better. Because it's truly a fascinating world but we didn't dive further into it.

I didn't think i'd be a sucker for Rhen, especially when it was made clear he was also a big bad wolf who couldn't be trusted.
Now I actually want a book in his pov, and Margary 😊

But dear lord, the author used toooooo many times "Intimidations" as a word. At some point it was driving me nuts to see it several times in 1 freaking scene even.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Through Magic and the treachery that hounded the court of Inara and the Trust Court. All the players in this game of thrones. Had to be one step ahead of the other, not knowing which side was on whose.
I really loved all the twists and turns.
I had hoped for the good guys. Ha! I was starting to lose hope because of all the power Calum anthem his mother the Queen of the Trust possessed. I did not know how the contracts actually worked. Until Lady Margery and Rhen found the true loop hole.
I can't wait to read what you all thought of this series. I know you will love it!

[Nicole Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

out of the trilogy, this book sadly had to be my least favourite. there was this whole build up to the resolution at the end, which i didn’t really understand, and then it was over before i knew it. i think because warrick wasn’t in this book much either it took a bit of the enjoyment away for me. i was sad that the ending was just “let’s go home” and that’s it. no resolution or seeing them happy in their kingdom together. instead we get rhen and margery, which im not sure why it was included since it doesn’t lead onto another book (unless there’s one in the works). there was enjoyable moments in this book for sure but i just found it lacking for what should have been a thought out finale.

[Ashley Hobson · Rating 2 out of 5]

too boring and vague

Honestly I’ve never been so happy to finish a series. It was honestly so vague and didn’t seem to ever tie up loose ends or even explain the discoveries the FMC made. Just seemed like a whole lot of fumbling around written in a flowery manner that was so dull. There were a couple of nice to read bits but overall I was so BORED. Didn’t hate it so it doesn’t go as low as 1 star but I wouldn’t be recommending it to anyone.

Favourite quotes include:
“Then I swear it, my love. For nothing would kill me as quickly as losing you to them.”

“No matter what comes,” she said quietly to Warrick, “I will never regret choosing you.”

[Michelle Grimison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I can say that I saw the end result coming I did not see how they planned to get there coming. That was very very tricky. All the plotting and scheming and finding loopholes in bargains was very much giving “if lawyers were magical” 😆
Of course Callum is an obnoxious twat and you hate him and warrick is lovable and fantastic but Ren is an annoying little shit and you kind of wanna throat punch him but yet somehow at the end, he made me smile because he’s actually kind of sweet… bastard.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not super impressed with the plot in this one, I found myself feeling like reading it was dragging even though it was a short book. I do think the world is interesting and I think there was a lot of opportunity to expand on that more and delve into the characters more too. Like I said for the other two, this is like reading a regency/historical romance with fantasy aspects (or at least that is how it felt to me). There was some cute moments/dialogue but over all I think this one was just fine. I don't have any particularly strong feelings about it, the writing was fairly good though.

[Rebecca Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like there's some parts of the story that I struggled to follow, but I blame that on listening to an audiobook instead of being able to read passages at my own pace. The book was good. The narrator for the audiobook was great except for some of the male characters. I understand a woman can only do so many realistic male voices, but Callum sounded slimy (appropriate), and Ren sounded like an exaggerated Draco Malfoy in cartoon form, very nasal. Didn't at all match the deep and smooth way his voice is described and made it incredibly difficult to take him seriously.