Chapter by Chapter

Take a minute and try to imagine who you would be if books—if reading—had never been a part of your life. Considering the fact that you’re reading this review, I’m going to make the (somewhat broad) assumption that you consider yourself a reader, no matter how miniscule that consideration may be. A world without books and reading is what author Ashley Mansour has created in her novelBlood, Ink & Fire. It’s a world that is harrowing and exciting, dangerous and secretive. It’s everything you could imagine a world without books to be and summed up in one word, it can only be described as this: intense.

Living within the United Vales of Fell, teen Noelle Hartley has grown knowing only Verity, the unending stream of imagery that has rendered books and the written word obsolete. For years, Fell has ensured that books have remained out of the hands of the public, and that reading is a skill that nobody can utilize. And yet, after something goes terribly wrong within Verity, Noelle finds herself committing a forbidden act: she reads. Suddenly, Noelle is swept up into a perilous world in pursuit of a series of volumes alongside a mysterious boy named Ledger. Noelle’s epic journey just might bring books back from the brink and prove that nothing is ever what it seems.

There was something incredibly thought-provoking about Blood, Ink & Fire. A world without books and reading sounds like a scary place—and certainly unlike any place I would want to be in. One of the things I loved most about Blood, Ink & Fire in hindsight was just how the novel stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. Constantly after having finished Blood, Ink & fire, I couldn’t stop myself from constantly thinking of ‘what if’ scenarios. What if I was trapped under Fell’s thumb? What if Noelle hadn’t done the things that she had done? What if, what if, what if…

That being said, Blood, Ink & Fire is a relatable read that I think readers everywhere will enjoy. I think that readers will be able to easily connect with the world that Mansour has created and will have ease imagining the setting. I also think that readers will be able to relate to the novel’s protagonist, Noelle. Personally, I fell in love with Noelle’s character. I loved the way that she was portrayed by the author. Noelle is a character whose growth can be monitored from the very start of the novel to the very end. Noelle is a beacon of light in an otherwise dark world, and more than that, she is strong. What Noelle endures throughout Blood, Ink & Fire is truly endearing and makes her a protagonist that readers won’t be able to resist.

Mansour’s prose is also quite lovely. I found it easy to imagine a scene in my mind’s eye as it played out, and found her writing was able to grasp my attention and maintain it for some time. Blood, Ink & Fire does alternate between the first and third persons, but I absolutely adored the chapters that Mansour wrote from Ledger’s perspective. They were incredibly well-written and left me thinking ‘Wait… do that again’ because I just couldn’t get enough. Those chapters that were scattered through the novel were definitely a treat and some of my favorite parts.

The way that Mansour presents Blood, Ink & Fire is also very unique. I especially loved the way that she incorporated classical literature into her novel. And there are a ton of references to Macbeth and if there’s one thing I love more than reading, it’s re-reading me some Macbeth. Bring on the Macbeth!

I think that readers who want a novel that is equal parts entertaining and imaginative should give Blood, Ink & Fire a read. Readers who want a novel that contains an amazing romance and adventure. I would also recommend Blood, Ink & Fire to readers who want a novel that will leave them consumed with thoughts and eager to read more from the series.