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Her city was never taken, until now. The last of her line, young Rina must flee and along the way is turned into an Ink Mage. With every tattoo she gains. she grows stronger... But her new powers come at a price.

This was first published as an Amazon serial, but I just read the complete book at once. I'm however, not completely sure what to think of it. The story, for the biggest part, is quite standard and the magic is confusing. While at first the magic systems seemed very interested, things are not really made clear. Not everyone can set these tattoos but how do the people who can learn this. At the end there they are very surprised to find not one but two Ink Mages, even though earlier in the book Rina meets with several of them.

Since I also have the rest of the series, I will give them a try soon and hope things will become more clear there.

Ink Mage is the first book of A Fire Beneath The Skin.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! ( )

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.

This book drew me in from the very beginning. I loved following Rina on her journey and watching her growth throughout the story. I connected with her early on which I really loved because it made it easier to get into the book. I really enjoyed how magic, action, and a small bit of romance was merged into the story but I could have done without the sex scenes. I found them pointless and unnecessary and feel that a few simple kiss scenes (or something else) would have been much better and sufficed. ( )

This book was simply not my cup of tea. I don't have any complaints about execution, but this isn't the kind of book I like reading. The Ink Mage concept is a pretty cool idea. I liked how it was done, but not well enough to wade through the rest of the series. The violence was over the top, in the way a slasher movie is. The sex was explicit and frequent. If those are your things, you should give this book a try. If not, give it a pass. ( )

This is the first book I've read by Victor Gischler and hopefully not the last. While I'm not sure I would consider Ink Mage a YA book with it's bloody violence, explicit sex scenes, and Vulgarities, this doesn't mean it isn't good Fantasy, with an interesting magic system in the form of special tattoos inked by a Mage under the skin of Rina Veraiin. the 19 year old daughter of the duke and duchess of the city of Klaar. Her parents are cruelly betrayed and killed by someone they trusted, which allows the Perranese invaders under General Chen to occupy Klaar.

That said, Ink Mage deserves high praise for such an interesting story line with some Mages gaining power to enhance their human mental and physical powers, or to assume Supernatural powers and gifts by having these tattooed runes inked under their skin. Apparently, only few wizards remain in Helva and the surrounding lands with the knowledge of how to apply and implement these tattoos; Rina meets one of them after her parents and duchy are ripped from her by the invading force.
Ink Mage is both original and creative, but I did have some issues with the book being narrated by so many different characters with their rapidly switching points of view. The story's narrated by Duchess Rina, Alem, Tosh, the Perranese General Chen, selected soldiers and the list goes on. I would have stuck with narration by Rina, Alem and Tosh and left it at that. Anyway, I certainly enjoyed this fast-paced, R rated Fantasy story and look forward to Tattooed Duchess, the next book in the series.
Jack Murphy ( )

Ink Mage by Victor Gischler is a wonderful fantasy novel about a girl, a duchess, that sees her father and mother murdered in front of her by an invading army and traitor. She is helped out of the city by her body guard and friend to see a wizard that gives her a powerful and magical tattoo that strengthens her body and helps her fight. She later gets more tattoos and soon so is very powerful. She is also assisted by others and they have many adventures on the way. Lots of characters and stories in the book that come together near the end, great weave. I won't tell more but it is very exciting,full of action, imagination, blow by blow play that happens quickly, amazing feats, a bit of romance, a wonderful plot and complex characters. I want to see more. I was given this book for a honest review from NetGalley but will look for the next book, it was that good. Loved it! Fantasy at it's best. ( )