Ink Blood Sister Scribe: A Novel

For generations, the Kalotay family has guarded a collection of ancient and rare books. Books that let a person walk through walls or manipulate the elements—books of magic that half-sisters Joanna and Esther have been raised to revere and protect.

 

All magic comes with a price, though, and for years the sisters have been separated. Esther has fled to a remote base in Antarctica to escape the fate that killed her own mother, and Joanna’s isolated herself in their family home in Vermont, devoting her life to the study of these cherished volumes. But after their father dies suddenly while reading a book Joanna has never seen before, the sisters must reunite to preserve their family legacy. In the process, they’ll uncover a world of magic far bigger and more dangerous than they ever imagined, and all the secrets their parents kept hidden; secrets that span centuries, continents, and even other libraries . . .

 

In the great tradition of Ninth House, The Magicians, and Practical Magic, this is a suspenseful and richly atmospheric novel that draws readers into a vast world filled with mystery and magic, romance, and intrigue—and marks the debut of an extraordinary new voice in speculative fiction.

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Published May 30, 2023

413 pages

Average rating: 7.28

223 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Mmarostegui
May 20, 2025
9/10 stars
Amazon review: For generations, the Kalotay family has guarded a collection of ancient and rare books. Books that let a person walk through walls or manipulate the elements--books of magic that half-sisters Joanna and Esther have been raised to revere and protect. All magic comes with a price, though, and for years the sisters have been separated. Esther has fled to a remote base in Antarctica to escape the fate that killed her own mother, and Joanna's isolated herself in their family home in Vermont, devoting her life to the study of these cherished volumes. But after their father dies suddenly while reading a book Joanna has never seen before, the sisters must reunite to preserve their family legacy. In the process, they'll uncover a world of magic far bigger and more dangerous than they ever imagined, and all the secrets their parents kept hidden; secrets that span centuries, continents, and even other libraries . . .
ljzsreadsandreviews
Jan 13, 2025
9/10 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and the fact that it’s a standalone is even better. The entire concept is gripping, the magic system is entertaining and I enjoyed that even as a fantasy it was fairly realistic. Joanna, Esther and Nicholas are all interesting and likeable main characters. I was rooting for each of them and couldn’t wait to see if/how their stories would connect. I did think it was a bit slow to start, but eventually I couldn’t put it down. The details were incredibly well written and made for a great read. If you’re someone who’s newer to the fantasy world, or just want a little magical mystery, this is a great one to pick up!
Anonymous
Dec 12, 2024
4/10 stars
2.5ish. Didn’t love it. Kinda hard to get through, but did have a unique plot
KaraBrown
Oct 15, 2024
8/10 stars
Unique concept, interesting and captivating writing.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you like magical realism.
Anonymous
May 20, 2025
6/10 stars
I wish I liked this book more. I was bored for most of it, and even when it did pick up, it fell flat for me. I did enjoy the unique magic and how books were central to the system.

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