Earnest Ink

This is an fascinating and addictive read.

Hemingway is an interesting and complex character. Rich and gifted but tortured by the past. Caught in the explosions that changed the United States. Photographed saving a child’s life. Propelled into fame. Then to discover on camera his tattoos now come to life.
The spotlight, pressure and fame are a heavy burden to carry. Especially for someone so young who’s already experienced so much.

Magic appeared in the world in the aftermath of destruction. Magic users are carefully monitored by the state.

The story builds slowly. This gives us time to settle into the world that’s been created. And the characters. Especially Hemingway.

New York now has CCTV cameras and grunts on every street. Someone is watching every move . But still despite all the surveillance New York has been living with the threat of a serial killer for five years. The East River Ripper has killed fifteen so far and his MO never changes.

I was so absorbed with Hemingway and this world that I didn’t even look for the killer.

I’m looking forward to more. Please tell me there’s a second book.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley.

This book was great! This is a pretty dark world. NYC appears to be walled off and things aren’t what they once were. There are Closed Circuit cameras everywhere, there’s a curfew and enforcement officers are posted on every corner. In Hall’s world, there are people who have magical skills. Some of them can heal people, some can manipulate energy, Hemingway can bring his tattoo art to life… and the East River Ripper appears to be able to magically drain the life out of his/her victims. Sometimes, people’s magics can be combined.

Hemingway is an interesting character. He’s lived a life that hasn’t been free of trauma. In fact, Hemingway’s face became a household image when he was photographed trying to save a little girl’s life after a bombing. He was injured himself during the event and bears physical and emotional scars. Shortly after his magic came to him, Hemingway began to realize that he would never be seen the same way again.

I loved the idea of Hemingway’s magical tattoos. When Hemingway creates a finishes a tatoo it comes to life. The ink becomes a real image and flutters and lives just off the canvas’ body. He’s comfortable with his ability and has built a comfortable life for himself. He owns the building in which “Earnest Ink” resides and lives there as well.

Thom is Hemingway’s roommate. Thom is a great character. She works in enforcement and has dedicated her life to finding the East River Ripper because he murdered her brother. Her grief is all-consuming but she fits into Hemingway’s life well. As an aside… she is asexual. And let me say, I like that there’s diversity in this story without it being the “basis” of the plot. This story just has great diverse characters … the end! Flighty and personable, Grace is Hemingway’s ex-girlfriend and drags him out to the places he tries to avoid. She is the reason he has a social life. Eric is the steadfast retired military man who protects Hemingway from his fans and helps him to run Earnest INk.

When Hemingway’s best friend, Grace goes missing it quickly becomes clear that she’s been taken by the ripper. Thom and Hemingway team up to try and find her as time runs out. They end up tangling with an underground band of magical-wielding rebels… and it becomes much less clear who they should trust. I’m not going to ruin the plot for you. There are some great reveals!

Overall this is a really enjoyable mystery/suspense novel with a great cast of diverse characters!