For teens grappling with intense societal expectations and the search for authentic identity, this story explores a world where life stories are etched on skin.
Reach for this book when your teen is questioning the 'right' way to be or feels caught between conflicting expectations from family, friends, or society. It’s a powerful story for any young person exploring who they are versus who the world wants them to be. In this sequel, Leora lives among the ostracized 'blanks' after discovering her society’s revered tattoos are based on a lie. Forced to become a spy in her own hometown, she grapples with loyalty, prejudice, and what it means to write your own story. For ages 13-17, this dystopian fantasy is perfect for sparking conversations about conformity, truth, and the courage to challenge tradition.
Some scenes of fighting and physical confrontation, but not graphic.
Scary ScenesMild
Tense situations involving spying, discovery, and the threat of severe punishment.
Sensitive Topics
The core theme is identity, explored through a metaphorical, fantasy-based system of tattoos and societal memory. The approach is secular. The book deals directly with systemic prejudice and propaganda against the 'blanks,' drawing parallels to real-world discrimination. The resolution is ambiguous as it is the middle book in a trilogy, ending on a cliffhanger that sets up the next installment.
Ideal Reader
A teen (14-16) who enjoys dystopian series like Divergent but is ready for more complex moral questions. They are likely introspective, interested in social justice, and comfortable with stories that challenge black-and-white thinking. Perfect for a reader who feels caught between two worlds, like different family cultures or friend groups.
Parent Prep
Reading the first book, *Ink*, is essential for context. This book functions as a bridge in the trilogy and ends on a significant cliffhanger. Be prepared for themes of government propaganda, rebellion, and moral ambiguity where 'good' and 'bad' are not clearly defined. Having the final book, *Spark*, on hand would be wise. The child says something like, "Everyone at school thinks this way, but I'm not sure if it's right," or, "I feel like I have to be a different person depending on who I'm with." They might be struggling with peer pressure or questioning deeply held family or community traditions.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely focus on the adventure, the spy-thriller plot, and the central romance. An older teen (15-17) will engage more deeply with the political allegory, the critiques of social control, and the philosophical questions about how history is written and who gets to control the narrative.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many dystopians focused on physical rebellion, this series' conflict is deeply rooted in information, memory, and storytelling. The unique 'skin-as-story' concept provides a powerful and visceral metaphor for how personal and collective histories are recorded, manipulated, and erased.
Read plot summary
This is the second book in the Ink trilogy. Leora, having learned the dark truth behind the ink her society uses, is now living with the ostracized 'blanks.' Torn between her past and the new community she's part of, she is sent back to her home city of Saintstone as a spy. She must navigate political intrigue, her conflicted loyalties, and her own hidden identity to uncover the full extent of her government's deception and control over history.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Leora is sent back to Saintstone as a spy for the blanks. Do you think this was a fair position for the blanks to put her in? What would you have done in her situation?
2
The people of Saintstone believe the blanks are dangerous and 'un-storied.' How does the book show the power of propaganda and fear in controlling a society?
3
Leora struggles with loyalty to her father and loyalty to her new friends. Discuss the scene where she confronts her father about the secrets he's kept. Is it possible to love someone while disagreeing with their fundamental beliefs?
4
The title of the book is 'Scar.' What do scars represent for the blanks, compared to how the marked people of Saintstone view un-inked skin? What does Leora's own hidden blank skin mean for her identity?
