A review by maggiestraveledbookshelf
Drinker of Ink by Shannon Castleton

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“Being held by Peter in the actual world was a sensation of starlight—that silver hum over the coast when the sky is still illumined, night trembling like water at the brim of a glass.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

What an incredible debut novel!! I absolutely loved this book!!!

𝕆𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨:
❤️ Heartfelt Romance
📝 Journal-Writing Format
💫 Coming of Age
📚 Importance of Words and Art
❤️‍🩹 Intricacies of Family
🙌🏼 Exquisite Writing

This book defies categorization. It’s not completely a historical romance nor a women’s fiction nor a coming of age saga. It’s an amalgamation of its own, and to me, that’s one of the markers of special books. 

One of the most unique parts of this story is the format: private journals. Without giving any plot away, I loved how this format was designed and tied together at the end. 

I related so deeply to the FMC, Vivienne, especially with her introspective nature, her chronic anxiety, and the way she loves with her entire being. Her thought processes felt so natural, and I loved how she evolved from beginning to end. 

Note - This is definitely a character driven story, which I prefer, and it slightly reminded me of Normal People by Sally Rooney - with how the characters felt their emotions so acutely and unflinchingly. 

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the prose. I constantly found myself highlighting different lines and quotes, wanting to be able to reflect on them and appreciate them over and over. 

This felt like a love note to poetry and the power of words. It highlights the beauty of everyday moments and intimacies, while simultaneously reflecting on the grand ideas of life and war and death. 

Simply, this book was beautifully romantic.

“But we should have said I love you as the punctuation between sentences. It was the punctuation between sentences.”

I recommend this book to everyone. 

✨ Available on Kindle Unlimited ✨