BUYER BEWARE...
Looking for a tattoo -- and maybe a little something extra: a burst of
good luck, a dollop of 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 a price.
No one knows that better than Gage. Turning his
back on his own kind, he left the magical Ivory Towers where cruel witches and
warlocks rule, a decision that cost him his right to practice magic. 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.
Toot's Review
Angel's Ink is a nice attempt at UF but unfortunately it falls a little flat. As a lot of reviews have stated this book is very Harry Dresden-esque and I have to agree. It's from a male's POV, the main character, Gage is a Warlock and there's even a Warlock Council. He also runs a tattoo parlor with potions in his basement. He has 2 employees whom are also his BFF's, Trixie and Bronx. Trixie is a fairy in hiding and Bronx is a troll. Trixie is his love interest. Unfortunately, I didn't feel any sparks between the two. It was as if the author decided she needed a love interest and Trixie was the most convenient
woman to throw together with Gage, so she smashed them together expecting a love match and all throughout the quick courtship the author had to keep reiterating to the readers that they've been friends for 2 years and she's the one Gage wanted. As for Gage, he reminds me of an old film noire, Private Eye, Jack Spade detective guy with the cheesey lines, I almost wanted to do the classic line "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine." (I know it's Casablanca but still, it's what came to mind, LOL). Gage is sort of an anti-hero. I really never took a shine to him. I didn't really find many redeeming qualities. No unpolished diamond in the rough, no un-shiny prince charming just waiting for the right princess, no butthead-alpha male with a heart of gold. Nope, just a dude, running a tattoo parlor, who's in hiding as well, who's willing to let a lady die because he made her immortal by accident and is willing to undo whatever he did, so that he doesn't take her place. Gage goes from doing an elaborate
tattoo for a dying woman for almost no money as a good deed, yep he still takes her money, to the fires of Hell, contemplating killing people and running headlong into more mess. Honestly, if you want UF, I'd say skip this one and stick to Harry Dresden, Patricia Briggs, Illona Andrews and the others who are masters in the UF arena. Maybe this series has to stew a bit in it's freshman and sophomore growing pains and will fair better in the future books but as a standalone UF, skip it.
2 - maybe 2 1/2 out of 5 books
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