Blood and Ink

As someone who is curious about extremists and the culture of Africa, this was an interesting read for me. I really enjoyed the female character but felt that Ali's character needed a little bit more development to fully understand (and believe) his change of heart. I think my students would enjoy the book if they are interested in star-crossed lovers, different cultures, etc...

Loved this book! Awesome story that makes you think about things that happen in other parts of the world.
The story gives you feelings, I laughed a few times and in one specific part of the story I laughed so hard I had tears running down my face. There are also sad and scary parts and there is even a romance in there as well that I loved.
Such a great story that I will definitely recommend to my friends!

his book was unexpectedly good! I know I've said that before about other books, but honestly.
The story that this book tells is not what I usually go for when reading anything, but there was something about this one that attracted my attention from day one.

I learned so much about all the issues countries in the middle east and all these things that are so relevant right now, it was an unexpected learning journey and I'm so glad books like this are written.

Really recommend it!!

I received a free e-book copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blood & Ink is full of passion, belief and hope. We know that the path Ali follows is wrong, but the strength of his belief is overwhelming, really allowing you to see things from his point of view

This book is based on actual events that occurred in Timbuktu, the terrorist organization of Al Qaeda. This book contains elements of war and even romance. Makes you feel like you really there, factual also. Very interesting read. You will enjoy. Thank you.

Blood and Ink mesmerised me! Very well done, mixing actual events and fiction, showing the differences in muslim faiths, how some are stricter than others, and what was done by a people to rise against their oppressors.

It took me a while to get "into" the story, but once I did, I was compelled to read. I think the fact that this is not only historical fiction but partially historical fact, as well as timely, makes it a good read. I often wonder whether the notes afterwards should be read before or after reading the story. Since the book's syntax isn't too difficult, it might be a good suggestion for reluctant readers to read the notes as a motivator. At the risk of making this into a book that teachers require in order to initiate discussions, I think it's subject matter might make for a good connecting read to studies of culture or terrorism.

Blood and Ink is very intriguing and interesting. Not only because of the plot but also because it's a true story. I like reading novels with facts. I like books that I can not only enjoy but also taught me. Blood and Ink taught me about issues, conflicts and other matters that is happening in the Middle East. This book is beyond my expectations. I commend Mr. Stephen Davies on his approach in this book. It is in good pace and I can remember what happen even though I stop for a while. This book really fascinates me. I recommend this book not for entertainment but for learning purposes.

I originally wanted to read this to expand my genre and reading range, so I didn’t expect myself to fall in as much in love with it as I did.
Set in the Middle East the story follows the contrasting lives of Ali and Kadwa, showing both sides of the Sufi of Timbuktu and The Defenders of Islam.
One world I would use to describe this book is… important. Based on true horrific events, it feels relevant and honest. It offers a view on extremist Jihadis that’s so compelling to read.
Being mainly character driven and beautifully written anyone looking for a raw truthful touching read would be lucky to pick up this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Stephen Davies for a copy of this book. I loved this book. I know nothing about Sharia and Muslim Law and the true events that happened in Timbuktu in 2012. But the author wrote this in a way that made you want to find out more what happened and didn't bore you with the all facts and although the story is part fiction and true facts the author made this story believable. This was an easy read. It reminded me a bit of Thousand splendid sons a bit.

There was also a bit of romance in this story between Ali who is a soldier in an islamic group in Timbuktu, with his own radical views and Kadija, who loves her family and friends and would give anything to be a Guardian to protect the sacred manuscripts that has been in her family for generations. Their bonds grows when Kadija is taken away to be lashed Ali fears for her life.
I really enjoyed this book and actually learnt quite a bit on how Sharia law and how the troubles started and how you can find the best of people even if you don't think so at first glance.

Truly wasn't expecting all the feels that came with this book but it happened. This book is a reminder to me what happens when we are missing something in our lives or just feel like an outsider to our families. We get lost in those who seem like they care, and we end up in some shit. This book is about Hope, and Love, it was very well written. I would recommend to a friend.

I had no idea this was historical fiction. The events is this book are based on real events that only happened five years ago! I'm grateful that the author wrote this book from two very different perspectives. It helped balance the story.

“Blood and Ink” is a book that I can’t say that I enjoyed, but I did find it important and educational. It covers the true story of what happened in Timbuktu in 2012. The story is told in alternating points-of-view, one being that of a local resisting the invasion, and the other being that of a young fighter for a branch of Al-Qaeda. It’s well-written and really made me think about what is going through the minds of those suffering in these situations. Even though it takes place in our recent past, it’s just as important today.

Book Review
Title: Blood and Ink
Author: Stephen Davies
Genre: YA/Romance/Contemporary
Rating: *****
Review: So I requested Blood and Ink last year and never got around to it, but I am clearing my NetGalley shelves, so I am now. I must say I didn’t know a lot about it when I requested but the synopsis sounds really interesting: “Part thriller, part love story, this contemporary YA novel is based on true-to-life events in Mali in 2012 and centres around the power of individuals to take a stand against terrorism. Kadi is the 15-year-old daughter of a librarian in modern-day Timbuktu. Ali is the son of shepherds and has been conscripted by the Defenders of Faith, an arm of Al Qaeda. When these two teens meet, it's hate at first sight. Forced together by a series of tumultuous events, their feelings slowly but persistently turn into something more, causing Kadi to let her guard down and Ali to discover her family's secret hiding place for the manuscripts her family is tasked with safeguarding. Kadi undertakes a dangerous operation to smuggle the manuscripts out of the city, while Ali and his military commander are soon in pursuit. Ali's loyalties will never be more in question than when Kadi's life is in danger.”
So before we even get into the novel, there is a lot of background information and history you need to know. There are three groups of people in this novel: The people of Timbuktu - As you may already know, Timbuktu is a real city. You can find it on a map on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. Its people are – brace yourself for two massive generalisations – poor but peace-loving. They are followers of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam. They are proud of their vast manuscript collections, their wonderful music and their much-visited shrines (burial places of Timbuktu’s scholars and holy men). The Tuareg rebels - The Tuaregs are an ethnic group in West Africa. The men are sometimes called ‘the lords of the Sahara’. They wear indigo turbans and ride camels through the desert, buying and selling salt. The Tuaregs live in Mali and other West African countries but they have always longed to have a country of their own, right in the middle of the Sahara desert. This imagined homeland, Azawad, will be at least the size of Spain, and its three main cities will be Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu. The Defenders of Faith - There are many militant Islamist groups in the Sahara Desert. One is called AQIM (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Mahgreb). Another is called ‘Defenders of Faith’ (Arabic: Ansar Dine). They hate the West and its allies, including the government of Mali, and they long for a strict form of Muslim law to be imposed across West Africa.
We must also know in March 2012 there was a military coup in Mali. The President fled from his palace and the country was plunged into utter confusion. Confusion meant vulnerability. The Tuareg rebels saw an opportunity to conquer the northern region of Mali and establish their glorious homeland Azawad. The Defenders of Faith saw a chance to establish the Islamic state they had always dreamed of. The two groups decided that by working together they could achieve both of these aims. On 30 March, they captured Kidal. On 31 March, they invaded Gao. On 1 April their fighters massed in the desert north of Timbuktu, preparing to attack. So, after all that we still have quite an extensive glossary before the novel even begins and my mind is overloaded already. As the novel finally starts the first perspective, we get is Ali’s.
Ali is one of several young boys to have been conscripted into the Defenders of Faith and is one of the ten boys chosen to ride into battle with the rest of the army. We learn that Ali and the other boys have been training for this moment to give the army the element of surprise. As Kidal and Gao have already fallen to the Defenders of Faith, they plan to launch an attack on Timbuktu that night. The boys don’t seem to have been brainwashed but they genuinely believe in what the scriptures tell and what their leaders say. We then switch to Kadija or Kadi’s perspective. Kadi lives in Timbuktu and her family is there when the attack Ali is a part begins and we see the drastic contrast between the beliefs of these two sets of people.
As we approach the halfway mark in the novel, Timbuktu has fallen to the Defenders of Faith and now we see the clashes of religious ideals as the Defenders of Faith try to convert the people of Timbuktu to their way of thinking. When refused they use violence and intimidation to get their way, Kadi and Ali don’t have a good first meeting when he destroy her instruments because they are now forbidden, it is cruel as Kadi loves music and the punishment for breaking the rules is either beatings or death. From the beginning I had a feeling that this novel was going to leave me in tears and with a very heavy heart considering this novel is based on real events.
We are learning a lot not only about the history of the country but the religious concepts of the different religious sects fighting for control. However, there is a friendship of sorts developing between Ali and Kadi as he watches over her and even warns her when the Defenders of Faith comes to break up her friend’s wedding in the desert where they are playing outlawed music. To get back at him Kadi changes the ringtone on Ali’s phone but feels disgusted with herself when he gets twenty lashes for it and a huge part of her wants to leap to his defence but can’t as it will be seen as going against her own people.
With the institution of sharia law the people of Timbuktu are afraid, but they haven’t given up. We see this most clearly when an 11-year-old girl is to be flogged for not wearing a veil, so the women and girls decide to hold a protest, but this only ends with lots of them in hospital although none were killed. I was surprised by this as apart from the initial invasion the Defenders of Faith actually seem reluctant to kill people. Ali and Kadi’s relationship swings back and forth between understanding and hate depending on the situation they are in. Ali also seems to be developing romantic feelings for Kadi as he doesn’t turn her in when he has the chance and even bends the rules of his religion to spend time with her although he tries to convince himself he isn’t actually bending the rules. Ali also seems to be determined to prove to Kadi that Sharia law applies to the Defenders of Faith as well the people of Timbuktu which was an interesting touch.
The Defenders of Faith encounter resistance no matter where they go and as they don’t want to kill people, they resort to trying to break the resolve. They destroy and desecrate the tombs of their saints and go after the Holy manuscripts that Kadi’s family have been protecting for generations. When Ali leads Redbeard to the place where the manuscript are hidden, he is surprised to see that Kadi and Yusuf have set a booby trap for them and have already moved the manuscripts to another safe place.
In the end, Ali has a choice to make he can let Kadi die during her false punishment and continue the way he is or save her, renounce Redbeard’s teaching and embrace his true name of Abdullai. The ending of Blood and Ink was beautiful, heart-breaking and hopeful all at the same time. If you haven’t read this then I highly recommended you pick it up. A solid 5* read.

3.5 stars
Really well written and full of action packed drama, Blood and Ink is an easy read that teaches you something along the way. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and i'll definitely be keeping out for more books by Stephen Davies in the future.

An unexpected and beautifully written novel that truly surprised me. I did not have high hopes when I requested this book yet it was a fantastic read that I was thrilled to add to my read shelves.

I requested this book a while ago but never got round to reviewing as Id forgotten Id read it which I feel awful about. As I’m going through my shelves I remembered it when I read the blurb.

This book was really well written. I loved the storyline and although it says it was part thriller love story I really enjoyed it even though I’m not one for love stories. This book had an even balance of both.

There isn't anything better than learning. When I find out something I didn't know before by reading a book, I start looking further into the subject. When that book has action and a plot with interesting characters, it's even better. Blood & Ink is that type of book, which is based on real-life events that transpired in Mali in 2012.

Immediately when the two main characters meet, there is mistrust and a strong disliking, but Kadi and Ali go back and forth between understanding each other and feeling betrayed by the other.

The crux of the novel is that Ali has joined a movement in Islam called the Defenders of Faith, who are set on taking over Kadi's town and instituting strict laws because they view the people of the town as "godless." Differences between different sects of the Islamic faith are highlighted in this book, and I was left wanting to know more.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like Blood & Ink, but it's motivated me to learn about what happened in Mali in 2012 as well as learn about the different sects in Islam and how they're similar and different to each other.