Monday 2 December 2013

Review: Ink is Thicker than Water by Amy Spalding.

Ink is Thicker than Water by Amy Spalding
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication date: 3rd December 2013.
My rating: 4 stars 


For Kellie Brooks, family has always been a tough word to define. Combine her hippie mom and tattooist stepdad, her adopted overachieving sister, her younger half brother, and her tough-love dad, and average Kellie’s the one stuck in the middle, overlooked and impermanent. When Kellie’s sister finally meets her birth mother and her best friend starts hanging with a cooler crowd, the feeling only grows stronger. But then she reconnects with Oliver, the sweet and sensitive college guy she had a near hookup with last year. Oliver is intense and attractive, and she’s sure he’s totally out of her league. But as she discovers that maybe intensity isn’t always a good thing, it’s yet another relationship she feels is spiraling out of her control. It’ll take a new role on the school newspaper and a new job at her mom’s tattoo shop for Kellie to realize that defining herself both outside and within her family is what can finally allow her to feel permanent, just like a tattoo.

Amy Spalding gave me exactly what I needed in Ink is thicker than Water. I had become a really fussy reader lately so found myself struggling through some mediocre books. But with the Ink is thicker than Water I found myself completely taken in and over ¾’s of the way through just in a few hours. 

Kellie was an easy person to get behind, she found herself in many difficult situations and with no one person she could talk to. It was like fate was against her and slowly one by one every person she cared about or could confide in was snatched away from her. I felt for her more, because it was done in such a brutal way with no explanation at all. Take for example her friendship with Kaitlin, they’d known each other since they were 8 years old, yes they had their differences, (you should see how me and my best friend disagree upon on such trivial things). But it felt like after one party, Kaitlin didn’t know Kellie anymore, she basically turned into an overnight snob. Bitchiness aside, Kaitlin had always been Kellie’s person to go to and it was a difficult blow to just be dropped like that. But I appreciated that Kellie had the opportunity to make other friends on the school paper, she wasn’t as close with them as she had been with Kaitlin, but still had someone she could hang with.

Then there was Kellie’s relationship with her sister Sara, in a lot of respects their relationship reminded me of Wren and Cath in Fangirl. Both stories have focused on sisters drifting apart in such a spectacular way. I have two sisters who I have ups and downs with, but for me sibling relationships don’t seem to be touched upon that much in YA books, but let me just say Spalding has definitely written one of the best ones around in Ink is thicker than Water. Spalding hones in so well on the complexities and intricacies of their relationship. And I didn’t feel like an outsider at all, because we got to know Sara a bit before chaos ensues, I could actually experience everything Kellie was going through when Sara started isolating herself. Books which actually make you feel as if you’re an integral part of the story are my favourites and Spalding fantastically made me feel a part of it by giving us so much detail into what was happening with each of Kellie’s relationships; all people that mattered to her the most.

Whilst Kaitlin and Sara weren’t my two favourite people, I liked how Spalding explored the many layers of these relationships. There were a lot of relationships that Kellie was having a tough time with, but I adored the one that emerged between her and Oliver. Instead of completely throwing us in the deep end, I liked how we were given titbits into their story. It definitely allowed me to appreciate Oliver’s character more and his relationship with Kellie. In my eyes Oliver was a sweetheart, I’m glad that Kellie finally gave him a chance, as he definitely ended up being an important rock that was there when things were falling apart. I know Kellie sometimes could feel a little confused by what was going on with Oliver, but to be honest I didn’t see the issue. Oliver very early on won me over, he was sweet, considerate and always wanted to spend time with Kellie, some may say he was intense, but compared to the other goofs loitering about I wouldn’t want to say no to spending time with Oliver any day.

There were truly some wonderful characters that Spalding brought into this novel, If I actually stop and think how many people played such an integral role to this story and Kellie’s life, I couldn’t praise Spalding enough for the variety of characters that she gave us. There’s nothing more that annoys me when characters sound alike, this however I’m grateful for was not the case in this book at all. The secondary characters (I’m not even sure I would call them that) were all so unique, that they each brought something exciting to the story. They were also so different, that they could quite easily change the mood and direction of the story. I appreciated this a lot, as one minute I could find myself tumbling into a hole of despair with Kellie and the next I’d find myself in a dreamy daze with Oliver. These characters certainly reinforced just how important friendships and relationships with people you least expect to be with could be.

Ink is thicker than Water was a refreshing read which couldn’t have come at a better moment for me. Spalding weaves an intricate plot, which is written with poise and purpose. There were some relationships which Spalding left open, and not all neatly wrapped up, even though I was itching to find out what happened, I liked how Spalding allows us to make our own conclusions. Also I find books which do this tend to leave me thinking about the story more in the days and weeks after I finished the last page. In Ink is thicker than Water Spalding has left her mark proving that she is one heck of a talented author. Ink is thicker than Water is definitely one book not to be missed out this year.




14 comments:

maya said...

I like reading about sibling relationships too - another good book about sisters I've read is The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson. This sounds really good, lovely review!

Keertana said...

You know, now that you mention it, Kellie and Sara definitely do remind me of Wren and Cath! I loved their dynamic throughout the novel, especially in that Sara has portrayed so honestly. I can't say I swooned over Oliver, but I did think he was a very unusual and different kind of romantic lead who I appreciated for his complexity. Wonderful review, Jasprit - I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!

Anonymous said...

Great review! The plot and characters sound interesting. It's annoying for me too when characters in book are alike, plus it's totally unrealistic.

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

I really do love books that don't end in ribbons and bows, so this sounds like something that would actually speak to me. It sounds as though the relationships were thorough and the writing is excellent, so definitely colour me intrigued! Wonderful review, Jasprit! :)

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

So many meh books lately!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who's going through a fussy period. I need something like this story to knock me out of it and back into the 4 and 5-star books.

Jenny said...

I hate those reading slumps where nothing really seems to wow me Jasprit, they're the worst! I was in one a few weeks ago and then luckily picked up two amazing books that snapped me right out of it:) I'm glad this book did that for you, and I love that family plays such a big role in this book. I'm a little nervous about the somewhat open ending, but I think sometimes they work really well and like you said, make me think about them long after I finish the book. Beautiful review my friend!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Sounds like this one came at the right time! I love books with great characters.

Unknown said...

I haven't read anything by Spalding, but I want to remedy that NOW. This sounds great! I love how you mention the many layers and the relationships and the connection of it all. Definite plus.

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I skipped over this one as the first review I read wasn't exaclty flattering. I am recondisering after your review, Jasprit. I like that the characters have depth and that you were thinking about it days after.

Lyra said...

I agree with you - I've read SO MANY YA books, and yet I can barely name a handful that deal with sibling relationships. I'm so happy to know that this one does! All the characters sound amazing, and this sounds like such a beautiful read.

Great review! :)

Lyra @ Defiantly Deviant

Unknown said...

You had me at "ink". lol
Thanks for the helpful review, Jasprit!

Rachel said...

I never really thought about it before but most books with lose ends do linger in my mind after I read them too. Like If I Lie by Corine Jackson.
Wonderful review Jasprit. I sure want to read this book will many intricate characters.

Lauren @ Love is not a triangle said...

I love how well you connected to this book! I really like how you talk about the characters all being complex and fleshed out well, even the ones you didn't like, and that the story focused on relationships, family and friends and romance. I'm embarrassed to say I haven't read anything by this author and I need to get on that!

Amanda said...

Really, the aspect that makes me want to read this book is Spalding's focus on families. Seeing you mention it in your review here makes me all the more excited to read for myself how Spalding handles some complex family dynamics. It really does sound wonderful. I'm also glad that this came to you at just the right time - it's so nice when that happens. :) Great review, Jasprit!

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