Alice Broadway

Leora, the main character, was not sympathetic to me. Very whiny and self-centered. It was an intriguing premise but while being remembered through tattoos seems to me to actually be a good way to be forgotten. You see the cover of the book and know a summary of the plot but do you know the whole story? No, you have to read and really get into the story to know what and who and why. Book covers are only glimpses (if they relate to the story inside at all) and so the books of the skin of dead relatives, definitely a bit creepy, aren't telling the whole story.

I also felt the creation myth for Sainstone and getting marks was so improbable and even a bit unrealistic. Blaming the "blanks" (people who don't get tattoos and the "enemies" of the society) reminded me of certain periods in history and even ongoing events.

Yes, I have the book four stars but only because the author drew me and made me want to see what would happen. The writing was also fairly decent. Leora was all over the place, especially once truths start to be revealed. The ending was actually pretty predictable.

Hopefully, this isn't a drawn out series. The author could probably finish the predictable plot in one more book.… (altro)

What little worldbuilding was established in the beginning completely fell apart in the last quarter of this book. The characters' actions and motivations made no sense, and I wondered WTF was happening. So many characters did illegal things, but not only are none of them punished by the strict government, the main character is...rewarded beyond belief? She switches back and forth every other line in her loyalties. She goes through all that work to save her father, knowing somewhat why he needed saving, only to be shocked by the reveal and completely betray his memory? The unambiguous hypocrisy of the government doesn't raise any flags for the main character? What a frustrating mess.… (altro)