September 21, 2023J. Miller

Vanishing Ink by B. N. Reele

SPFBO Status: cut

Medium: ebook

Overview (No Spoilers):

While visiting her grandmother’s new house, Maylee discovers a hidden library. One book stands out to her because it’s blank… until suddenly it’s not. Mesmerized by the picture that forms before her, Maylee finds herself transported to the land of Kanore and is immediately taken hostage. What she doesn’t realize is that she’s been dropped in the middle of a dispute between royal family members that’s left a prince disgraced and on the run. As the situation becomes more dire, the book continues to offer glimpses of what the future may hold, all the while skirting the question: will she ever be able to return home?

Kicking off in the modern world, Vanishing Ink by B. N. Reele quickly transitions to a setting that feels more medieval, complete with kingdoms, feuds, and alchemists. Some things that set this world apart from the days of yore is the addition of unique creatures, gossiping statues, and uncommon transportation methods. Ultimately, Maylee herself notes that it’s unclear whether she’s in a new locale or just a new time period (akin to H. G. Wells’ The Time Machine). Although this story is told primarily from Maylee’s point-of-view, there are a few scenes used to explain what’s taking place elsewhere at the time. While readers are able to become more familiar with the continent of Kal’bas’sis alongside the main character, the narrative occasionally discloses a lot of information about the area’s history at once as a result. Something else that tripped me up at times is how, stylistically, Reele places thoughts in quotation marks rather than italics.

Although it’s mostly said in jest, Maylee is subjected to multiple instances of sexual harassment over the course of this story, along with a few threats of sexual assault. While Maylee’s reactions to these events paint her as strong and unfazed, she also comes across as naïve to how her retorts could escalate each situation. Her character is also quick to trust others who seem to be on her side, prompting her to reveal secrets to individuals she’s just met. Luckily for Maylee, the majority of the secondary characters are exactly as they first appear, something I kept expecting to backfire. Overall, Maylee finds herself surrounded by folks looking out for her wellbeing, whether she wants them to or not (she’d put the emphasis on not). As Vanishing Ink reaches its natural conclusion, Reele upends expectations in an interesting way that leaves the reader pondering what comes next.

Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound!):

  • Where is her grandmother when Maylee arrives? How long was Maylee gone in the real world?
  • Does anyone else know about the futorra book in the real world? Are there other books in Maylee’s grandmother’s library that do the same thing? How did the futorra book end up here? If this is what Maylee found in the hidden library, what do the other rooms in her grandmother’s house contain behind locked doors?
  • Why isn’t Maylee more concerned about the loud noises she hears while she’s wandering through the house? Especially since it also occurs behind the hidden library door as she’s trying to open it? What caused those noises?
  • Was this futorra book linked to a specific world that Maylee discovered? Could Maylee have read it for reminders or clarity about what she was experiencing? It sounded like there are only pictures until she returns home.
  • If Cru and Vatheron feel that Krit’elle is such a terrible alchemist, why do they rely on him to make an invisibility potion to rescue Maylee and overpower Leprath?
  • I envisioned the mascot for the Hinge app whenever there was talk of furlas and imagined something like Falkor (from The Neverending Story) for whols.
  • Why aren’t the furlas reacting more strongly than shuddering and humming when Maylee lands on a group of them? I expected screaming and biting in response.
  • How many paintings in these castles are used to get between rooms? Is it possible to link between buildings? How do paintings become transportation vessels?
  • The interactions between Leprath and Maylee turn into a long game of ‘I-know-that-you-know-that-I-know-that-this-is-all-a-farce’.
  • While told to be discrete, Maylee still openly shares info that she’s hiding from Leprath and shows off the futorra book to folks she’s just met, unaware of any other underlying loyalties or potential eavesdropping individuals. This made it harder for me to connect with the main character and her journey.
  • What were the wizards up to that they wouldn’t be around to help Maylee if she’d stayed behind while Cru and Vatheron dealt with Leprath?
  • Considering Krit’elle no longer had a furla and their teeth are useful in potions, why didn’t he want to keep Rug? This felt too convenient for when Rug saves the day…
  • When Maylee sees that aftermath of the final battle in the futorra book, why doesn’t she think it’s worth mentioning, especially since others would’ve recognized the location? Since she didn’t spot herself in a pool of blood, it didn’t seem to bother her.
  • Will Maylee ever be able to return to Kanore? What does Cru think happened?

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