ARC Review: Angel's Ink

Title:  Angel's Ink
Author:  Jocelynn Drake
Series:  The Asylum Tales #1
Release Date:  October 16, 2012
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Format: Ebook
Pages:  368
Source:  ARC from publisher courtesy of Edelwiess

Summary from Goodreads:

 

Buyer beware . . .

Looking for a tattoo-and maybe a little something extra: a burst of good luck, a dollop of true love, or even a hex on an ex? Head to the quiet and mysterious Gage, the best skin artist in town. Using his unique potions-a blend of extraordinary ingredients and special inks-to etch the right symbol, he can fulfill any heart's desire. But in a place like Low Town, where elves, faeries, trolls, werewolves, and vampires happily walk among humanity, everything has its price.

No one knows that better than Gage. Turning his back on his own kind, he left the magical Ivory Tower where cruel witches and warlocks rule, a decision that cost him the right to practice magic. And if he disobeys, his punishment-execution-will be swift.

Though he's tried to fly under the radar, Gage can't hide from powerful warlocks who want him dead-or the secrets of his own past. But with the help of his friends, Trixie, a gorgeous elf who hides her true identity, and a hulking troll named Bronx, Gage just might make it through this enchanted world alive.


Review:


Angel's Ink is the first in a new series created by Jocelynn Drake.  She has an amazing talent when it comes to world building.  I don't think anyone does it better.  The layers that she creates in the world, the characters and the plot is unmatched by any other.  She keeps surprising me in this new series.  I never know what will happen next and I love it!

The main characters are Gage, Bronx and Trixie.  They are addictive.  I have grown to love each one of them.  Gage is a warlock, owner of a tattoo parlor called Asylum and possibly the most unlucky person in the world.  When he tries to do anything good everything usually gets messed up and he winds up with his life and everything he holds dear on the line. 

Bronx is a troll with the a heart of a teddy bear.  He is always there to back up Gage no matter what the cost is to him.  I wish there had been more Bronx in this book because I want to know more about him.  I just cant get enough!

Trixie is an elf and she is running from something.  She has worked for Gage for two years and has yet to reveal her secrets.  I loved seeing the interactions between her and Gage.  I look forward to seeing their relationship evolve.  I have a feeling things are going to get very interesting!

This new series has so many things happening that you never get bored.  I don't know how Jocelynn Drake comes up with everything.  The action and the depth of this book was remarkable.  There was never a dull moment.  This book has it all magic, tattoos, drama, fighting, mystery and romance!  You will be left wanting more!!

Angel's Ink was a great start to a new series and while the book doesn't exactly leave us with a cliffhanger we are left with plenty of questions to ponder while we wait for the next installment.  Thank you Jocelynn Drake for creating such an amazing story!!  I do believe that it is only going to get better with every book!

 

 

 

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Author Interview: Jocelynn Drake

Jocelynn Drake is the author of the New York Times bestselling Dark Days series. She has created a new urban fantasy series called The Asylum Tales about a warlock tattoo artist and his friends.  Today she has answered a few of our questions about the new series.

Thank you Jocelynn for joining us here today at Mortality Bites.  We are very excited about your new series!

MB:  Can you tell us a little bit about The Asylum series?

JD:  The Asylum Tales is a new series that takes place in the city of Low Town, where all the creatures of mythology and fantasy live side by side. In Low Town, you can wave to your werewolf neighbor as you leave for work. Your cube mate could be a siren and the bartender at your favorite watering hole could be a minotaur. These peoples have lived together for centuries and have generally found a way to make it work. However, sometimes non-magical creatures sometimes need a little magical help to get by. That’s where the tattoo artists come in handy.

Tattoo artists aren’t just experts in ink, but also potions. Need some help with luck or love? A tattoo can whip up a potion to put in your ink to give you a little hand in life. The series focuses on Gage Powell, a tattoo artist and owner of Asylum Tattoo Parlor. Gage is also a former warlock who is trying to hide his past from the world. The series follows the adventures of Gage and his friends, Bronx – a troll, and Trixie – an elf, as they navigate this strange world.

MB:  It was very refreshing to read about a world where the paranormals don’t have to hide who they are. What led you to write a book surrounding a magical tattoo parlor and a warlock?

JD:  It was a mixture of things. I was in the process of finishing the Dark Days series and I was talking with some tattoo artists I know as I waited to get some ink myself when we jokingly said I needed to write about a tattoo artist. I loved getting ink and their stories were always so crazy, so the idea just stuck. Also, I knew when I started a new series I needed something completely different from the Dark Days series. I wanted all the creatures and I didn’t want to worry about people having to hide what they were. The resulting world was an explosion of ideas and possibilities that I can’t wait to dig into.

MB:  I loved reading about Bronx. He seems like a really nice guy. Should we be expecting trouble from him in the future?

JD:  I LOVE Bronx. He is my personal sweetheart. Bronx is the level-headed, voice of common sense in the series. His job is largely to keep Gage from rushing into a dangerous situation, but he also has a protective streak in him, so I have no doubt that he will be getting into trouble on occasion. Of course, he can’t help getting into trouble as long as he is friends with Gage. Gage just seems drawn to trouble.

MB:  Gage is great! Nothing seemed to really bother him too much and I really liked that about him. Is there a special someone for Gage in the main book?

JD:  Gage has been a lot of fun to work with. He is a very easy-going character to work with. I think part of that comes from all the hell he survived when he was a kid. It has taught him not to stress about the little things and just roll with the punches as best as you can.

Yes, there is someone special for Gage in Angel’s Ink. He’s had a thing for this woman for a long time. I thought I’d be nice and let him get closer to him in the first book.

MB:  I'm looking forward to meeting Trixie. Can you tell us if she will be the grounding rod or the fire cracker?

JD:  I think Trixie has the potential to be both in Gage’s life. She’s not as restrained as Bronx, but I think concern for Gage will have her arguing for him to proceed cautiously into dangerous situations. However, as you’ll learn in her story, she’s more than willing to go charging into a situation and get dirty.

MB:  What’s your favorite quote from Angel’s Ink?

JD:  A favorite quote? Wow, that’s hard. I don’t know if I have a favorite quote for the book. Gage and his friends all tend to be smart alecs with a witty comment on the tips of their tongues. I have a lot of favorite moments from that book. I tend to remember favorite interactions more than a single quote. I always look forward to writing scenes with Gage and Chang. Chang is a black market vendor that Gage visits for the really, really rare items. He’s this tiny, ancient Chinese man that can get his hands on ANYTHING. He’s also got a wicked sense of humor. I love working with Chang. He appears in the Trixie short story, Angel’s Ink, and Book 2.

MB:  How many books do you have planned at the moment for this series?

JD:  My publisher has purchased two novellas and two novels for the series so far. The current release schedule is The Asylum Interviews: Bronx comes out on July 3. The Asylum Interviews: Trixie comes out September 4. Angel’s Ink comes out October 16. Book 2 of the series will likely come out in Summer 2013.

MB:  I am a huge fan of Mira and Danaus and when you ended the series I was so sad. Will we ever get anything from them in the future? I really miss them.

JD:  I love Mira and Danaus as well. I had a lot of fun working with them for several years and it was sad to close out the series, but I am happy with where I left them. I felt like I left them in a good position in their lives so I don’t feel the need to go back. I think Bound to Me, the e-novella that was released in April, will be the last Dark Days-related story.

Also, I’ve worked with Gage and the gang for over a year now. I’m not sure I can accurately write in Mira’s voice anymore.

Angels Ink will be released on October 16, 2012.

Preorder your copy of Angel's Ink today at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Get your copy of Bronx: The Asylum Interviews at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Preorder your copy of Trixie: The Asylum Interviews at Amazon  or Barnes and Noble.


For more information about The Asylum Tales or The Dark Days Series check out
 Jocelynn's Website.