News & Social Media

Select Buzz/Press

Publishers Weekly: Fantasy Featuring Underrepresented Characters

The Culturess: 10 Science Fiction and Fantasy Releases you’re Bound to Fall For this February

United by Pop: February YA Book Releases You’ll Be Obsessed With

Hypable: Revolution in YA fantasy and the harsh revelations that come with it

Publishers Lunch Notable Fall/Winter 2019 Releases

The Nerd Daily: 48 YA Book Releases To Look Out For In 2020

LGBTQReads: LGBTQIAP YA 2020 Preview, January-June

Tor.com Roundup

Reads Rainbow Roundup

Do! Judge a Book by Its Cover Issue 103: Fantasy (Pop! Goes the Reader)

Most Anticipated 2020 Releases Magical Reads

Select Reviews

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review “Smejkal’s exceptional debut champions solidarity and choice while extolling art’s ability to spark revolution.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials: Volume XXVI / Issue 6 - October 11/2019 “Smejkal has masterfully created an immense, fascinating world filled with a large cast of well-written characters”

"Smejkal’s debut creates an intriguing, enticing world....This is a vivid, imaginative confection with plenty of bite underneath the glitter that will appeal to fans of Holly Black’s signature dark delights." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Smejkal’s smart debut blends magic and religion into a lyrical fantasy....the poetic prose and brilliant characters shine from page one." —Booklist

"A strong debut that blends dark fantasy, ink magic, and theater....The promising first in a duology with inspiring friendships and original worldbuilding." —Kirkus

"Smejkal has created a dark, engaging world that is the perfect setting for magic and inking." —School Library Journal

Tor.com Review “Ink in the Blood is a thrilling debut filled with heart, intrigue, and the perfect dose of magic".”

Novel Lives Review “Kim Smejkal just defined the sub-genre of goth fantasy”

Amy Imogene Reads Review: “5 Theatrical Stars”

Culturess Review: “Ink in the Blood is an unexpectedly rich story about the magic power of art”

Bookshop Santa Cruz Teen Book Crew Review “This book devoured me from start to finish.”

The Book Bratz Review “I can't sing its praises enough.”

Books Over Everything Review “This book had a super unique premise and tons of sequel potential.”

L.M. Durand Review “Ink in the Blood is quite a ride.”

Not Just Fiction Review “The rhythm of the story makes your heart beat fast.”

Jo Writes Fantasy Review “Not to sound like SNL’s Stefon, but this book had everything: queernorm, a four-faced god with six eyes, blood magic, art as propoganda, a traveling theater troupe, Italian-esque city- and country-design, disaster bisexuals, killing gods.”

Story-Eyed Reviews “Ink in the Blood was dark, fresh, original, and full of magic.”

Book Reviews from Canada Review “I really couldn’t put it down.”

Magical Reads Review “Ink in the Blood was a stunning debut.”

The Mother Cover Lover Review “I think many will find the change from many high octane action novels to calculated mental, counter moving, plotting strikes a welcomed change.”

It’s a Novel Life Review “It was as if the magic escaped the pages and wrapped around the reader, drawing us into the world.”

Utopia State of Mind Review “A story that celebrates the transformative power of theater as social community, as rebellion.”