Return to the world of inklings, tattoo magic, and evil deities as Celia uncovers the secrets of the ink in order to stop Diavala once and for all. This eagerly anticipated sequel to Ink in the Blood is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Wicked Saints. Celia Sand faced Diavala and won, using ink magic to destroy the corrupt religion of Profeta that tormented her for a decade. But winning … her for a decade. But winning came with a cost. Now Celia is plagued with guilt over her role in the death of her best friend. When she discovers that Diavala is still very much alive and threatening Griffin, the now-infamous plague doctor, Celia is desperate not to lose another person she loves to the deity’s wrath.
The key to destroying Diavala may lie with Halycon Ronnea, the only other person to have faced Diavala and survived. But Halcyon is dangerous and has secrets of his own, ones that involve the ink that Celia has come to hate. Forced to choose between the ink and Diavala, Celia will do whatever it takes to save Griffin–even if it means making a deal with the devil himself.
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I absolutely loved the first book in this duology and couldn’t wait to dig into the second. This is a marvelously ingenious world, populated by characters and abilities that are both wholly original and highly referential. It makes for a comforting feel of falling into the story, yet with a constant edge-of-your-seat quality because you never know what is going to happen next…
In this conclusion, we find Celia in search of the protection she needs to save the people she loves – most notably, her plague doctor. Her quest to keep Diavala from wreaking even more havoc takes her in search of the one man who has survived possession. But of course, nothing is what it seems – nor is anyone who she thinks they are going to be… The resultant journey is nothing short of marvelous to watch unfold.
There were a few bits in this one that felt slower going than in the first book. I’m not exactly sure why, or if there would have been any way to avoid that slow-down – it feels like it was a necessary evil in establishing the precise nature of the traps awaiting Celia and Griffin at every turn. The writing here is brilliant, as is the plotting. The story meanders back around on itself like one of Celia’s tattoos, with just as much enjoyment in the unraveling…
I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Smejkal!
I received my obligation-free copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program.
Curse of the Divine delves deeper into the origin of Diavala, focusing more on character development and inclusion.
Strong Storytelling
I was unsure whether I would like Curse of the Divine, considering how Ink in the Blood left me feeling. However, I am happy to note that I enjoyed Curse of the Divine way more than its predecessor.
The language is the first thing that struck me and an improvement over the previous novel. Smejkal was more thoughtful in her word choice and her inclusion of the LGBTQ community. The writer was more realistic and more human, more relatable to the reader rather than off-putting.
Curse of the Divine flows better. The language is more precise, and the scene structure is more engaging and imaginative. There were times the world-building was reminiscent of Lewis Caroll’s Alice’s in Wonderland. There is chaos and disorder, and Halcyon is reminiscent of the Queen of Hearts. However, it is a darker and richer fantasy that pushes the imagination and pushes the characters to their limits.
Better Characterization
Curse of the Divine also had clearer character dynamics. The character dynamics were easy to understand in this novel and cleared up some of the previous novel’s dynamics. It also helps to make the characters shine more, making them more relatable.
Celia is richer in the novel. In Ink in the Blood, Celia was lost within herself. Smejkal introduces her at a tavern with her top hat. Celia still has her top hat, but she is also freer. Weighed down by the part she played in her best friend’s death, Celia searches for meaning in her new life with Griffin, her Plague Doctor. That brings her to Halcyon, where she is tempted by the one thing she always resented, the mystical ink.
Her personality changes, gradually, but in a refined and believable way as she learns of Diavala’s origins and Halcyon’s part in her death. Celia opens her eyes and learns to let go of her guilt, anger, and resentment, becoming a better and stronger person.
The same goes for the Plague Doctor. It is so easy to imagine these two characters, but what is more interesting here is that Griffin, being possessed by Diavala, has a chance to shine with his narrative. I found the Plague Doctor to be tedious in the previous novel. I was unsure of his growing relationship with Celia and saw little personality come from him. He was just there.
However, now he has personality. The reader gets to see inside his mind. He is more relatable, more compatible with the reader as the story goes on.
Furthermore, through him, the reader also gets to understand and relate to Diavala. She is no longer the antagonist of the novel, no longer this angry Divine. Moreover, it changes the readers’ perception of her as the story develops, as her relationship with Griffin and Celia changes and grows.
Final Thoughts
Curse of the Divine is more thoughtful in its storytelling. Offering readers stronger characterization and imagination, Curse of the Divine has a faster pace, luring the reader in and keeps them until the end.