Angel's Ink: The Asylum Tales [Kindle Edition]

Jocelynn Drake (Author)

Book Description

“A lot of fun, with a whole new take on the dark urban fantasy. Bright and breezy, with fascinating characters, and a background with hidden depths. Drake puts the ink in incredible.”
—Simon R. Green

“Angel’s Ink is an other-earthly blend of magic and technology in the best tradition of urban fantasy that refused to let me go. The continuing Asylum Tales promise to be intriguing and wildly inventive.”
—Kim Harrison

“Gritty, authentic and fast-paced! This urban fantasy series rocks!”
 —J.R. Ward

The superstars of urban fantasy agree—Angel’s Ink, the first book in Jocelyn Drake’s Asylum Tales is a winner! Genre fans who know—and love—Drake’s phenomenal, New York Times bestselling Dark Days novels will be blown away by this dark and seductive new series. Meet Gage, a magical tattoo artist trying to remain hidden and alive in a world where elves, faeries, trolls, werewolves, and vampires mingle freely with humans, and warlocks and witches rule the roost with merciless cruelty. Angel’s Ink indelibly marks the beginning of something phenomenal and every reader whose tastes run to the supernatural—those who can’t wait to sink their teeth into the latest Patricia Briggs, Carrie Vaughn, Kelley Armstrong, or Jim Butcher—will want to fly with this Angel.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Jocelynn is amazing at fleshing out plots, subplots and characters.” (USA Today )

“A distinctive and absorbing tale.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Drake kicks off a new urban fantasy series with a strong first title....definitely check out this series from the popular Drake.” (Booklist )

“Expert storyteller Drake invites readers to join her in a spirited and spellbinding new series…. The author does a great job of introducing her mesmerizing new world and then filling it with a truly compelling cast of characters. She is on track to deliver another outstanding and inventive series.” (Romantic Times BOOKclub )

“Angel’s Ink is an other-earthly blend of magic and technology in the best tradition of urban fantasy that refused to let me go. The continuing Asylum Tales promise to be intriguing and wildly inventive.” (Kim Harrison )

“A lot of fun, with a whole new take on the dark urban fantasy. Bright and breezy, with fascinating characters, and a background with hidden depths. Drake puts the ink in incredible.” (Simon R. Green )

“Gritty, authentic and fast-paced! This urban fantasy series rocks!” (J.R. Ward )

From the Back Cover

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 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 might just make it through this enchanted world alive.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 564 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager (October 16, 2012)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007MATZQ6
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,206 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Gritty, magical, and very fun October 17, 2012

By Kristina

Format:Paperback

Review Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

After reading the two standalone `prequels' for Jocelynn Drake's The Asylum Tales series, I was more than ready for a full length novel set in this fascinatingly gritty world with these intriguingly flawed characters. ANGEL'S INK introduces a budding romance between outcast mage turned tattoo artist Gage and on the lam elf Trixie which I would have liked to evolve over a few books to get used to the idea instead of being hit with it so suddenly.

Apart from the somewhat rushed romance, Drake does an excellent job of introducing us to various sorts of characters and creatures without getting bogged down in details and descriptions. One of my favorite introductions involved a group of amorous satyrs wanting virility tattoos at Gage's shop.

While I enjoyed all of the time spent in the tattoo shop, I was excited when Gage finally ventured out. The plot moved at a steady pace since Gage never catches a break between troubles with weres, warlocks, and elves. Not to mention the fascinating stigma he was forced to carry around as a mage since warlocks have a well earned evil reputation, something we don't tend to come across too often in urban fantasy.

All in all, ANGEL'S INK introduces a complex world filled with interesting creatures, magical tattoo shops, and engaging, complex characters. Gage is especially intriguing as a quick thinking protagonist trying outrun his murky past but never able to fully turn his back on his magic. This series has already left it's mark on me and I'll be looking forward to more ink when the next book in The Asylum Tales series hits shelves in 2013.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Angel's Ink October 16, 2012

By Jessie Potts TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

What's it about: Gage is the best skin artist in Low Town, a place that has every paranormal creature you can imagine -- and a few you can't. Gage is also wanted dead by warlocks, and you can't escape them. Along with friends, Gage will journey through the world, trying to stay alive and just survive.

Why you should read it: Jocelynn is amazing at fleshing out plots, subplots and characters. Gage was fascinating and interesting. I loved the Asylum crew, and the description of the skin art was beautiful. This is the first book in the series, and I found myself a little unclear about the world. There weren't any clearly defined limits and rules. I can't wait, though, for the second book because I feel that with time Gage and his world will grow into a fantastic UF series.

To see what Jocelynn says about her world and why tattoos check out USA Today's HEA Blog

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Angel's Ink October 16, 2012

By LITERAL ADDICTION

Format:Paperback

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
I've been a fan of Jocelynn's writing for quite some time. DARK DAYS is one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series, so when I found out that she was writing a new series I was simply intrigued.

After devouring the first two prequel eNovellas to the series - The Asylum Interviews - Bronx and The Asylum Interviews - Trixie, I could not wait to get Angel's Ink into my hands.

I received an ARC of Angel's Ink from HarperCollins in return for an honest review, and couldn't put it down. I read the entire thing in 1 and 1/2 sittings and only wanted more... My exact words on GoodReads upon finishing the book were: "Simply incredible! Action packed, gripping, & so unique I couldn't stop saying "wow"."

I'm a bibliophile. I read. A LOT. And I'm a genre specific reader sticking to the Paranormal, so trying to find a new and fresh spin on Urban Fantasy these days isn't the easiest thing to do. The Asylum Tales gave me that in spades.

The world was beautifully crafted and multi-dimensional allowing for growth throughout the series yet not becoming too overwhelming in the first installment.

The characters were well rounded with wonderful back stories, allowing for continued development throughout the arc.

The action was intense, the mystery intriguing and surprising, the romance frustratingly wonderful (in keeping with Jocelynn Drake form) and the plot gripping.

Our hero, Gage, is a potion stirring tattoo artist; the best in Low Town. He's also a warlock who wants nothing to do with the egotistical and maniacal world of the other witches and warlocks of the Ivory Towers.... Having it in his blood though makes it very difficult for Gage not to use magic, especially when he runs into trouble around every corner, and boy does he ever!

Our heroine, Trixie, is an elf on the run from the Summer Court. She's been in hiding for years and has been keeping a low profile working with Gage at Asylum as a tattoo artist. When the warriors of the Summer Court finally track her down in Low Town, she has no option but to turn to Gage for some help hiding out, and since he's madly in love with her, he simply can't say no.

Our other hero, Bronx, is a troll and Gage's other business partner. He's loyal, steadfast, and almost too intuitive. I absolutely love Bronx and I cannot wait to find out more about him in future books - I just KNOW that he's got one heck of a story to tell. :)

I can't go into plot too much without spoiling things so I will just tell you that it's a wild ride and utterly fabulous.

I would suggest reading The Asylum Interviews - Bronx and The Asylum Interviews - Trixie before starting Angel's Ink. It helps a lot with the world building and character introductions and they're just SO good!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Angel's Ink 5 Skulls and would recommend it to anyone who wants an amazing new Urban Fantasy to fall in love with. Read more ›

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Liked parts, found other parts meh April 22, 2013

By A. F. Odom

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

For me, this book had great parts and not so great parts. Your mileage may vary, and there are plenty of reasons someone else might enjoy the book more than me. Here's the breakdown of my experience.

Liked:
---------------------

* The idea that tattoo ink can be mixed with potions to make magical tattoos. This aspect of the book was immensely cool.

* Characters are consistent, never acting contrary to what you would expect, but still able to surprise you.

* Told from male point of view, a neat departure from similar books in the urban fantasy genre.

Didn't care for:
------------------------------

* Relationship development between main characters. Feel like author depended to much on telling the reader the characters had known each other for two years and allowing that to reduce the relationship development in the book. I didn't feel the sexual tension between the characters, and when they consummated it, I wasn't really in the same "I must have you" space as they were.

* The sex is not terrible, but not great. If that's something you look forward to in books like these, you might want to take a pass and check out Delilah Dawson, Kelley Armstrong or Meljean Brooke (just to name a few).

* Characters other than the main character aren't as well developed - maybe too many of them? I definitely would have liked to see the female lead and the troll friend/coworker get a lot more involvement and character development.

* For me, the main character had too many problems, leaving many of them less developed or clear than others. Since this is obviously a lead in to a series, it might have been nice to leave some of the problems for later. That said, it's definitely action packed.... :)

* Not a fan of characters who isolate themselves by keeping everything they're involved in a secret. For me that can get really frustrating, and I find myself irritated by the "excessive loner" archetype. Again, that's personal preference, and it might be just the style you're looking for.

If you aren't sure if this is your type of book or not, and you have the option to get a digital sample, I recommend doing that first to see if you like the voice and writing style of the author. Read more ›

More About the Author

By day, Jocelynn Drake is a clean-cut financial analyst writer, but in her free time she writes about a dark underworld where vampires rule. The author of Nightwalker, she lives in Kentucky.