Erryn reviews Broken Ink by Jack L. Pyke. The second edition of the book was released by Men in Ink Press on April 14, 2020 and is 385 pages. The audiobook was released May 6, 2020, is narrated by Dan Calley, and is 12 hours and 1 minutes. An audio book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read this: I’ve loved every Jack Pyke book I’ve read and Dan Calley is magical.
Carrying a tattoo on your skin no longer just comes with a risk of infection. Get the composition right, and you have the latest mind-control drug on the market. It’s the sex-traders’ dream…or worst nightmare, depending on the concentrated dose of the ink and just who’s wearing it.
For Kiyen, the ink means he’s able to strip raw the minds of the best and worst of society. He’s one of MI7’s top killers, and never more driven to select and take down a target.
For Falen, the ink has ensured he’s spent his early years as a willing sex slave and low-grade empath. Hiding out in a small town, Fal’s hoping to stay under the radar of MI7 and their specialist killers.
But the ink itself has a mind of its own, wanting to ignite the natural dynamics driving a dom and sub, so when Kiyen is forced into Fal’s small world, prejudice battles a pure need to touch. The only problem is: Kiyen’s on the run, and in a world where thought can be the worst crime of all, Fal’s in for a fight for his sanity to find out just what it is that’s making a young killer run for his life.
Buy links: Audible | Amazon | Add to Goodreads
My review:
I love Jack L. Pyke’s Don’t series. Those books are serious mind fucks and I love that. I followed those characters through a lot, and with each book the cast of characters grew and I felt like I knew each one so I was okay adding more. Broken Ink was definitely a mind fuck, but I struggled a bit more with it than the series, perhaps because there was just so much going on. The concept was brilliant – ink that takes on a life of its own and controls the person who is inked. Kiyen is only eighteen but has lived a dark life, directed by MI7 – the paranormal unit. As a First he’s been tasked with some pretty horrible things and I wondered if there was room for redemption with him.
And maybe this is where I kind of got lost – I don’t read a lot of paranormal books, although I’m always in awe of the world-building that goes on. There are all the things you expect from a Jack book – sex, violence, and swearing – this one includes sensitive issues such as child abuse.
I can recommend the book, to be sure, but be warned you’re in for a wicked ride.
Dan Calley narrated the book and he was, as always, very solid. His performances always suit Jack’s dark characters and I think he did a great job. Can’t wait for more from this duo.
My rating:
8.5/10 pots of Gold (85% Recommended) – Compares to 4.25/5 Stars
Website | Facebook| Twitter: @jackl_pyke | Goodreads
Jack blames her dark writing influences on living close to one of England’s finest forests. Having grown up hearing a history of kidnappings, murders, strange sightings, and sexual exploits her neck of the woods is renowned for, Jack takes that into her writing, having also learned that human coping strategies for intense situations can sometimes make the best of people have disastrously bad moments. Redeeming those flaws is Jack’s drive.
Jack’s also a contract editor, working with Dreamspinner Press, DSP Publications, and Harmony Ink. She’s also had the absolute pleasure of editing exceedingly talented indie authors like Adrienne Wilder and Joseph Lance Tonlet.
Basically this all means Jack finds herself incredibly humbled to write, edit, and read solely in the M/M romance genre, with a particular love of psychological thrillers, BDSM, and crime.
Rainbow Gold Reviews 