Official Review: Demon's Ink by Kimbra Kasch

[ALynnPowers]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Demon's Ink" by Kimbra Kasch.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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If you’re like me, you’ve already jumped on the bandwagon for young adult supernatural books involving demons. Demon’s Ink is a young adult novel by Kimbra Kasch and yet another book to add to my ever-growing collection of my favorite genre. The author describes this book as a romantic thriller, but I believe that there are many more paranormal and supernatural elements leading the readers through the story. Set in Portland, Oregon, Demon’s Ink follows several characters through a frightening adventure involving some deals with the devil.

When Bartos Slinderman opens up a tattoo shop in town, Scarlett seems to be the only one who notices something strange about the new man. The women are mesmerized by his charm and good looks, but Scarlett can see only a disgusting, grotesque figure. Then deaths and violence start spreading across their typically peaceful town, and it doesn’t take Scarlett long to find the common denominator: Slinderman’s tattoos. There’s something purely evil about them.

Unbeknownst to Scarlett, Slinderman has an apprentice, Drake, who comes to town with his master, with orders to complete a secret mission of his own. Drake begins his mission as planned, getting to know Scarlett, but he doesn’t predict that he will develop feelings for her. There is immediate chemistry between the two, but Scarlett is not yet over her ex, Cam, who has also started to notice something unusual about the new guys in town. As Scarlett and Cam try to solve the mystery of Slinderman’s existence, Drake is torn between his mission and his feelings for Scarlett. Danger and a love triangle lurk behind every corner.

I really enjoyed the general premise of this book; the idea of a demon using tattoo art as a cover for implanting evil into the bodies of his victims is unique and attention-grabbing. The best parts of the story are easily those in which locals interact with Slinderman. The character of Slinderman, though his name and general characterization seem to be a direct reference to the popular internet horror story Slenderman, is especially creepy and well-portrayed. The author does a nice job in describing him physically as well as indicating how he emotionally and psychologically affects those around him.

While I believe that this story has a lot of potential, I really feel like there are many things that could be improved upon. The book could use another round or two of editing to clean up some typographical and word choice errors; there are also a lot of paragraph breaks that occur randomly in the middle of paragraphs and yet other instances in which lines of dialogue between multiple characters are squished into a single paragraph. Two of the chapters have the same title. I also noticed that the character Cam was called “Cameron” on one occasion and “Camden” on another.

In addition to the technical aspects, there are a few plot elements that could use some reworking. Some parts of the story, specifically involving the romance between Drake and Scarlett, were so fast-paced. Perhaps some readers enjoy “insta-love” between characters, but it just didn’t feel right to me in this story. However, other parts of the story were very slow-paced, especially concerning the rivalry between Drake and Cam, and Scarlett’s persistent need to explain to the other what just happened. In addition to wanting to slap Scarlett around a few times for making horrible decisions, I also picked up on a few holes in the plot that just didn’t seem to make any sense in the grand scheme of the story. The last couple of chapters felt extremely rushed, and then it just ended abruptly, without any kind of resolution to the main plot.

Although this story has a lot of potential, as it is, I give it a rating of 2 out of 4 stars. As I said before, I love books of this genre, but this book just didn’t meet my expectations. With a fair bit of editing and restructuring of certain elements of the plot, this could easily earn another star or two and be an excellent recommendation for others who enjoy supernatural young adult books.

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Demon's Ink
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[bluemel4]

Great critique of the book. This is one of my favorite genre as well. Too bad the story has so many issues. There are some really great original/ fresh ideas. I hope the author makes the necessary additions and changes.

[ALynnPowers]

Thanks for the comment.

Am I crazy? I just now noticed the tattoo design on the cover. Hahaha!

[Levi]

This sounds like an interesting idea for a book ALynn, I'm sorry that it did not live up to its potential. Perhaps with future edits, this book would find a home on my shelf, as it falls in my favorite genre. Great review as always!

[Cee-Jay Aurinko]

@AlynnPowers
Alynne, if eyes could taste food your review would taste like mac & cheese. The premise of a demon using tattoo art to enforce his mighty dark powers is unique, and a love triangle would surely move the story along and make it all the more interesting. The typographical error though... Maybe if the author releases a completely revised addition in the future.

[ALynnPowers]

Your comment makes me crave Mac & Cheese. I can't remember the last time I ate that! It's probably been years now...

[PashaRu]

Great review & analysis. I agree, interesting and promising premise, too bad it wasn't executed well. Maybe a little less lurking and a little more editing and attention to plot.

On a side note, who wouldn't fall for a girl named Scarlett?

On a side side note, I want a tattoo that will make me be able to shoot water out of my nose at will.

[Cee-Jay Aurinko]

@AlynnPowers It's my fav and one of the few dishes I can make.

[ALynnPowers]

Great review & analysis. I agree, interesting and promising premise, too bad it wasn't executed well. Maybe a little less lurking and a little more editing and attention to plot.

On a side note, who wouldn't fall for a girl named Scarlett?

On a side side note, I want a tattoo that will make me be able to shoot water out of my nose at will.

I can do that right now, and I don't even have a tattoo.
Oh, wait. I do have a sinus infection, though. That might explain it. That also might not be water....

[zeldas_lullaby]

Great review! And sorry to hear about the sinus infection! The review gave me a good idea of how this book can improve. I agree that tattoos bearing evil energy is a great premise.

[ALynnPowers]

Great review! And sorry to hear about the sinus infection! The review gave me a good idea of how this book can improve. I agree that tattoos bearing evil energy is a great premise.

Share your idea??
I was kind of worried that it would be some kind of message about how tattoos are the work of the devil, lol, but that didn't actually feel the case in the story.

[zeldas_lullaby]

Oh, I mean, it's not a plot idea; just the critiques you gave it about plot holes needing to be filled and the ending less rushed, etc.

Actually, I just realized something funny--if you respace the title, you can make it: Demon Sink. HA HA HA!

[ALynnPowers]

Oh, I mean, it's not a plot idea; just the critiques you gave it about plot holes needing to be filled and the ending less rushed, etc.

Actually, I just realized something funny--if you respace the title, you can make it: Demon Sink. HA HA HA!

Sooooooooo, I see. I read it with the wrong intonation or something. Derp.

Demon Sink. That's the title of my next book. It's a Shakespearean tragedy.

[zeldas_lullaby]

That's OK. I see the ambiguity of my ways.

HA HA HA HA! The Lost Tragedies of Shakespeare??

[ALynnPowers]

Great review & analysis. I agree, interesting and promising premise, too bad it wasn't executed well. Maybe a little less lurking and a little more editing and attention to plot.

On a side note, who wouldn't fall for a girl named Scarlett?

On a side side note, I want a tattoo that will make me be able to shoot water out of my nose at will.

I forgot how much you are always drooling over Scarlet Johanssen. Or however you spell her name...