Title: Broken Ink
Series: N/A
Author: Jack L. Pyke
Genre: Bisexual /Supernatural/BDSM/Suspense/Dark
Length: Novel (336 pages)
Publisher: Fantastic Fiction Publishing (December 9th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Carrying a tattoo on your skin no longer just comes with a risk of infection. Get the composition right, 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 and trying to bury the needs running through his body, 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. 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.
ISBN: 978-1-62234-196-2
Product Link: http://fantasticfictionpublishing.com/product/broken-ink
Reviewer: KathyMac
Review: Jack L Pyke has done it again with her newest release, Broken Ink. Every time I read one of her novels, I am blown away by her genius mind. She doesn’t write stories already told. I guarantee when you read one of her novels you will be taken to a place like no other. Have you ever read a book, that while it is very good, it’s still predictable? If you missed a page or two, you still wouldn’t have missed anything? I know I have, but those are not the stories told by Jack. If you skip a line or miss a page, you immediately go back to see what happened. Every word, every sentence, every paragraph, is vital and relevant to the story.
Broken Ink, for me, was a complex story. I had to re-read sections over so that I was positive I understood what was happening. That could be just me though because I need to understand every intricate nuance. With that in mind, this is not a story that you can breeze through or skip sections. This is not a fluffy romance story. This is mystery/suspense/edge of your seat/holding your breath, story that will pull you in and keep you completely invested. Jack writes with so much ingenuity, your imagination will be forced to take you to places unknown as you read her words.
The blurb summarizes well the basis of Broken Ink. It doesn’t, however, tell you that every emotion you have will be put to the test. From the very first chapter my heart was put on alert. Kiyen was only 5 years old when he was kidnapped by evil men. They tattooed his little body with ink containing mind-controlling drugs. He was to be sold to sex traders’ who could control the ink, by thought alone, to do anything they wanted. He was not the only child kidnapped for this insane experiment. But, he was one of only three who would be subjected to pain and turmoil, confusion and insecurities for the remainder of his childhood.
There was a small spark of hope when government officials broke in, known as MI7, and rescued the children. It was short-lived. They were not subjected any longer to the sex traffickers, but they were trained to become assassins against the worst of society. Just like clay in a potter’s hand, MI7 molded, formed, and created human weapons. But, they underestimated Kiyen, his control, and his abilities he mastered over the years.
At 18, Kiyen is on the run and in for the biggest fight of his life. His sanity and his freedom. He doesn’t remember the events that led up to and including his escape. He does know that his safety is an illusion and trusting anyone with his life will be a test of strength and endurance.
On the other side of town is a young man named Falen. He, too, was kidnapped and tattooed, at a different time and place. For 3 miserable and suffering years, he was a sex slave. Thanks to his father who never gave up the search for his only son, Falen was rescued. Allowing the ink to take control of his mind and body is something he fights every day. He was able to find ways to put his ink in a dormant existence. The ink is never completely at rest. It wants control and if Falen waivers or slacks from the restraints he has in place, the ink will win.
When Kiyen moves into a foster home across the street from Falen and their paths cross, I think they both know that their lives are about to change. The ink recognizes the other and their connection. Kiyen with his dominant personality and Falen for his natural tendencies towards submission, make them compatible. Trying to fight the ink and their own wants and desires will be harder than they think. They have a connection and they both want to explore the desires of their flesh and mind.
“Come on baby, show me what you’ve got.” Yen eased down to his side by Fal, then encouraged Fal to open his legs by scissoring one leg between his and pulling him open with gentle nudge of his ankle. The cocky smile he gave showed how Yen enjoyed just a touch of cock on hip frottage now he’d flattened his body against Fal’s side. As he let go of Fal’s hands and traced down his neck, over his abs, black vines followed his touch. It chased the light finger-play over the flat of Fal’s stomach, drawing slow circles as a gentle bite came at Fal’s nipple, just a tease, followed by a swipe of tongue.
“Please.” Fal lifted his hips slowly, wanting the touch lower.
Even though it feels like Kiyen and Falen are the only two in the world right now, danger is quickly catching up to them. There are many unknowns watching them from every angle. As Kiyen struggles to remember bits and pieces of his short-term memory loss, he must also be forever vigilant to his surroundings, the people looking for him, and the people right in front of him.
Betrayal runs deep and it is coming from all sides. When it catches up to Kiyen, he is forced to return to the place he was running from. The MI7 want answers and they don’t care who or what they hurt to obtain the information they seek. They implement some horrendous acts to bring Kiyen’s memories out in the open.
As the door started to shut, someone held him down by the shoulders as he was stripped, scissors coming in to take care of his T-shirt, jeans, and boxers. Left naked against the tile, the sound of hair clippers hit the air, the first drag came across his scalp, cutting off long black strands. His groin came next. First the clippers, then a razor as he was held down.
As he cried out, hands were bound above him, feet chained wide apart. Hot steam came next, racing around his body, his face, ass – the heat against his groin making him writhe and twist as he shouted out.
With guarded secrets, lies, and mistakes being exposed, Kiyen finds himself vulnerable and broken. Will these secrets finally push Kiyen to his breaking point? Will he be able to forgive those who betrayed him in the worst way? Kiyen is not an innocent, by any means, so the biggest test for him… will he be able to forgive himself?
It’s impossible for me to explain how complex and intricate this story line is. I have great respect and an abundance of admiration for Jack Pyke and her ability to twist and weave such fine intricate details into a plot. I am completely amazed at the depth and creativity she puts her characters through. More often than not, the perception of the story is really deception. The originality, the execution, and the elaborate details are some of the best I have ever read. There are many, many, twists and turns in Broken Ink. Every facet of the journey, whether it be Kiyen or Falen, will keep you intrigued and enamored as you read.
There is also enough mystery and suspense to keep you guessing to the final page. And, as the author works her creative genius to the edge, there will be some surprises that will have you shaking your head in disbelief.
In this story, there are parts that are beautiful and heartwarming, but also parts that are hard to read and even harder to fathom taking place. The world we live in has evil around every corner. Whether it is out in the open or hiding behind walls or back allies, it is there. Jack will expose some of these wrongdoings and yes…its fiction, but sex traffickers are out there, everyday, in the real world, kidnapping our children, selling them on the black market, all because of greed and the need for money and drugs. When I read Broken Ink, I can’t help but think about the children out there no one is looking for them. Or, maybe they are looking, but are so hidden they will never be found. As a mother, that scares the crap out of me.
My overall impression of Broken Ink: Highly recommended, dark yet captivating. It’s original and unique. Jack L Pyke is a masterful storyteller who will test your mind, break you down, and cleverly put you back together. She will take you, along with her characters, on a journey that will stick with you for a long time.
If you love this type of story, you will love Broken Ink. Grab your copy today – you won’t be sorry. Thank you Jack. Amazing as always.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *