Katharine: Rhys Ford emailed me a couple of weeks ago and asked if Patty and I would be interested in reviewing an ARC of her new book, Ink and Shadows. We said, “OF COURSE.” Like there was a question there or something. Whatevs. She did warn us up front that it was a bit of a departure, but I wasn’t really expecting this.
Patricia: OK. I really think Rhys Ford needs a hug. Katie, you are familiar with human feeling things, hug her. Please. Omg I need a moment. Um, Ms. Ford? WOMAN: warn a girl that when you say ‘departure’ you actually mean ‘FREAK YOUR SHIT OUT’
Katharine: PATRICIA. You know I have personal space issues AND we’ve had the discussion that I don’t know which kind of hug to give. I’m never sure if it’s supposed to be the polite hug but not really hug, or the real kind of hug. I always give the real kind, and not everyone likes that. WHAT IF RHYS LIKES THE OTHER KIND? I don’t want to offend one of our favorite authors.
Patricia: Katharine’s completely insane hang-ups aside, she and I were both equally intimidated by this one – it’s a tough sell for our brand of snark. I mean, the Four (Horsemen of the Apocalypse) living together and doing their duty by humanity does not lend itself for the LOLs. Can you imagine? War, Pestilence, Famine and Death sharing a condo… wait: that was my sophomore year of college.
Patricia: I’m clinging – CLINGING – to the fact that War’s taunting nickname for Pestilence is “Cooties”. I giggled. I need some levity, people. Oh, and FYI: Death is like, super cool and is NOT going to put up with War’s bullshit. Must be nice to be all, “I WILL LITERALLY END YOU WITH A THOUGHT. DON’T TOUCH THE REMOTE AGAIN”.
I need these silly, fluffy thoughts; otherwise, I’m stuck in a flashback where I’m 7 years old and pissed-pants terrified because it’s late at night and THAT SHADOW ON MY WALL JUST MOVED. This story is making me wonder if maybe I was right to be paralyzed with fear. Y’all – it’s like that nightmare where you know you’re dreaming but can’t wake up.
And it’s so. effing. gooooood.
The story starts out with two of the horsemen standing around in their kitchen snacking on fruit while a wraith is flailing around outside their window. Because, you know, it’s that time of the year.
Katharine: I feel like I need to send the horsemen a box of Cuties since they’re having trouble with regular oranges. Also, I would not be so freaking calm when a wraith is trying to batter its way into my apartment.
Patty is right though: it’s completely different tonally from the other Rhys Ford books we’ve read so far. Reading the description of a ghost’s long overdue final journey past the veil and down the river was beautiful, haunting, and terribly sad. It was also creepy as fuck, and I can’t get the imagery out of my head.
I’d say if you’re a fan of Supernatural (especially seasons 1-5) or shows of that ilk, you’ll enjoy this book. Here’s some Winchesters to help you cope with the scary:
Patricia: I miss smoking
… Oh. You meant from the show. Nvmd.
Anyway, the Four live in a parallel dimension, obscured by something called the Veil. All kinds of immortal… Beings? Ideas? Creatures? of lore live behind the Veil, including Fae, wraiths, the Cardinal Sins, the Three Theological Virtues – Faith, Hope and Charity – among others. They all intervene and interfere with humans as per their calling, but are meant to stay hidden and undetected. Basically, only crazy people and really crazy people get a sense of those behind the Veil.
But of course, Kismet happens. Literally. Kiz is a hot mess of a human, shooting himself full of heroin to keep the monsters he sees at bay and with a childhood tale that makes Oliver Twist seem like a prep school snot bitching about how the veal does not taste like it was hand-fed.
Katharine: If you like a good scare, the kind that makes you leave all the lights on when you go to bed, this is for you. If you like well-crafted writing in a fully realized world, this is for you. Honestly, I don’t know what else to say at this point – you know my aversion to divulging too much plot. It’s not what I usually read, but this is really well done.
Patricia: Great dialogue, perversely dark humor and excellent writing. I would give it two thumbs up except that I’m cowering in the corner sucking one of them.
Katharine: I’m hiding behind Patty. She’s a foot taller. As I mentioned at the beginning, this was a review of an ARC. It should be available on Amazon.com in July. The link to the book leads to Rhys Ford’s author page since it isn’t available for purchase yet. Be sure and mark your calendars – you won’t want to miss this one.
