a curse carved
in ink
a curse carved
A dazzling standalone romantasy debut steeped in Chinese vampire folklore and a delicious queer love triangle, perfect for fans of She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan and Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan. Featuring cursed bloodlines, underworld trials and a haunting atmosphere, A Curse Carved in Ink is an epic fantasy where love and monsters are equally dangerous.
All Zhenya has ever wanted is to escape the monotony of her tiny village with her best friend Shuhua. But Zhenya must care for her grandmother, whose madness haunts their crumbling family bookstore – and she won’t abandon her, madness and all.
But when her grandmother dies, everything falls apart. For she was never mad – she was cursed. And with her death, the curse passes to her one remaining descendent: Zhenya. It screams to be fed, but no matter how hard Zhenya tries, she is powerless to stop it. Even when it demands that she kill Shuhua with her bare hands, trapping her soul in an eternity of torment.
As Zhenya grapples with Shuhua’s death, she’s confronted by two immortals of ancient legend: Kaijun, the broody judge of hell, and Yaori, the flirtatious goddess of death. Together, they drag Zhenya to Diyu – hell itself. To free Shuhua’s soul, Zhenya must journey through the ten layers of Diyu, undertaking trials that will test her in unimaginable ways.
It’s terrifying. And to complicate things further, Zhenya finds herself torn between Kaijun and Yaori, confronting feelings she doesn’t fully understand. But she can’t afford to be distracted, not when the only way to break the curse is to destroy it herself.
"Tonight, I will tell you a story. One that’s a little bit real, and a little bit not."
praise for
A Curse Carved in Ink
“A Curse Carved in Ink is a devastatingly beautiful journey into an underworld of deadly curses, blood-drenched secrets and eternal love. Inspired by Chinese folklore, Tzeyi Koay’s debut is vivid, heartfelt and deeply romantic.”
Vanessa Len, author of Only a Monster
“A whirlwind of imagination that will spirit you away to dazzling and terrifying new realms. Koay’s enrapturing prose delivers a fresh vision of the classic Chinese underworld—and its threatening and enchanting denizens—in glistening 4K definition. A luscious, compelling debut.”
Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun
"A Curse Carved in Ink deftly depicts a richly imagined world of mythical creatures, deadly trials, and a magical realm whose wonders and horrors will have readers glued to the page. A beautiful and haunting story of love in all its forms—tender, twisted, and enduring beyond lifetimes.”
M. Stevenson, author of Behooved
“A tale of love and bravery steeped in a rich tapestry of lore, Tzeyi Koay masterfully leads readers through the layers of hell with Zhenya as she fights to free her best friend’s soul. It is a profound
study in grief and sacrifice, and what it means to overcome generational curses.”
C.S. Pacat, author of Dark Rise
“A deeply imaginative tale that plays with family curses and the dangerous journey required to break them. With hauntingly rich prose Koay lures you into the underworld and doesn’t let you go.
Perfect for those who seek brave heroines and brooding immortals”’
Tigest Girma, author of Immortal Dark
“Profoundly, devastatingly human. Both epic and intimate, this debut will easily carve its way into your heart.”
Mikayla Bridge, author of Of Flame and Fury
“A Curse Carved in Ink is as layered as the captivating lotus-structured underworld of Diyu it depicts. Koay’s debut masterfully knits a tale as rich in emotion as it is in magic, grounding generational curses, celestial mythology, and a journey through death in the profoundly eternal experiences of grief, love, and sacrifice.”
Shalini Abeysekara, author of This Monster of Mine
“A richly imagined exploration of love, life and death, A Curse Carved in Ink is both epic in scale, and deeply personal in its telling. Full of heart—and full of heat—this lush, dark fantasy is a debut to remember.”
Amie Kaufman, author of Illuminae
“Lush and lyrical, Zhenya’s journey to the underworld is a richly imagined modern myth that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Koay wields a masterful brush.”
Julie Leong,
author of The Teller of Small Fortunes
“Wise, lovingly crafted and brimming with heart, A Curse Carved in Ink is a journey both intimate and infinite. With prose that sings and characters that breathe, Koay takes us to new vistas with all she carves into ink. An unforgettable new voice in fantasy.”
Shen Tao, author of The Poem Empress
“From intriguing start to stunning end, A Curse Carved in Ink is a beautifully written folkloric tale exploring the ache of grief and the journey to healing set in a grand, dark underworld. Gorgeous!”
Kelsea Yu, author of Demon Song
“A lyrical and moving tale that unfolds in a richly-textured underworld, with beautifully real and flawed characters—and that includes the gods of the underworld themselves. A Curse Carved in Ink feels both epic and personal, and will keep readers captivated to the final tearstained page.”
Kate Murray, author of We Who Hunt the Hollow
“Beautiful and brutal by turns, lyrical and lush and profound, this book will get its hooks into you and drag you through the
underworld.”
Lisa Tirreno, author of Prince of Fortune
“This was a book I adored from the very first page thanks to its searingly relatable and sarcastic heroine, the lush descriptions of the mortal and immortal worlds, and the sweeping adventure that carried us across realms. Every element of the story was expertly woven together into an unforgettable narrative about the glorious pain and undeniable power of loving and being loved.”
Kamilah Cole, author of An Arcane Inheritance
“A stunning debut that blends breathtaking poetry, Chinese folklore, and lush prose into a dark, fantastical adventure that readers will devour. A love triangle of celestial proportions and a vicious curse threatening the very fabric of the world await in this addictive ode to love, power, and sacrifice. An unforgettable addition to the fantasy genre, this deeply emotional tale will stay with readers long after the final heart-wrenching page.”
Julia Alexandra, author of Midnight on the Celestial
“A beautiful examination of family, duty, and love in all its forms, brimming with lyrical prose and a richly imagined underworld, A Curse Carved in Ink is a stunning fantasy debut.”
Maithree Wijesekara, author of The Prince Without Sorrow
“Epic as poetry, dark as ink, sexy as hell. A stunningly intricate fantasy—A Curse Carved in Ink will take you to hell and back.”
Lili Wilkinson, author of Unhallowed Halls
praise for
A Curse Carved in Ink
“A tale of love and bravery steeped in a rich tapestry of lore, Tzeyi Koay masterfully leads readers through the layers of hell with Zhenya as she fights to free her best friend’s soul. It is a profound study in grief and sacrifice, and what it means to overcome generational curses.”
C.S. Pacat, author of Dark Rise
“A whirlwind of imagination that will spirit you away to dazzling and terrifying new realms. Koay’s enrapturing prose delivers a fresh vision of the classic Chinese underworld—and its threatening and enchanting denizens—in glistening 4K definition. A luscious, compelling debut.”
Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun
“A deeply imaginative tale that plays with family curses and the dangerous journey required to break them. With hauntingly rich prose Koay lures you into the underworld and doesn’t let you go. Perfect for those who seek brave heroines and brooding immortals”’
Tigest Girma, author of Immortal Dark
“Profoundly, devastatingly human. Both epic and intimate, this debut will easily carve its way into your heart.”
Mikayla Bridge, author of Of Flame and Fury
“A Curse Carved in Ink is as layered as the captivating lotus-structured underworld of Diyu it depicts. Koay’s debut masterfully knits a tale as rich in emotion as it is in magic, grounding generational curses, celestial mythology, and a journey through death in the profoundly eternal experiences of grief, love, and sacrifice.”
Shalini Abeysekara, author of This Monster of Mine
“A richly imagined exploration of love, life and death, A Curse Carved in Ink is both epic in scale, and deeply personal in its telling. Full of heart—and full of heat—this lush, dark fantasy is a debut to remember.”
Amie Kaufman, author of Illuminae
“Lush and lyrical, Zhenya’s journey to the underworld is a richly imagined modern myth that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Koay wields a masterful brush.”
Julie Leong, author of The Teller of Small Fortunes
“Wise, lovingly crafted and brimming with heart, A Curse Carved in Ink is a journey both intimate and infinite. With prose that sings and characters that breathe, Koay takes us to new vistas with all she carves into ink. An unforgettable new voice in fantasy.”
Shen Tao, author of The Poem Empress
“From intriguing start to stunning end, A Curse Carved in Ink is a beautifully written folkloric tale exploring the ache of grief and the journey to healing set in a grand, dark underworld. Gorgeous!”
Kelsea Yu, author of Demon Song
“A lyrical and moving tale that unfolds in a richly-textured underworld, with beautifully real and flawed characters—and that includes the gods of the underworld themselves. A Curse Carved in Ink feels both epic and personal, and will keep readers captivated to the final tearstained page.”
Kate Murray, author of We Who Hunt the Hollow
“Beautiful and brutal by turns, lyrical and lush and profound, this book will get its hooks into you and drag you through the
underworld.”
Lisa Tirreno, author of Prince of Fortune
“This was a book I adored from the very first page thanks to its searingly relatable and sarcastic heroine, the lush descriptions of the mortal and immortal worlds, and the sweeping adventure that carried us across realms. Every element of the story was expertly
woven together into an unforgettable narrative about the glorious pain and undeniable power of loving and being loved.”
Kamilah Cole, author of An Arcane Inheritance
“A beautiful examination of family, duty, and love in all its forms, brimming with lyrical prose and a richly imagined underworld, A Curse Carved in Ink is a stunning fantasy debut.”
Maithree Wijesekara, author of The Prince Without Sorrow
“Epic as poetry, dark as ink, sexy as hell. A stunningly intricate fantasy—A Curse Carved in Ink will take you to hell and back.”
Lili Wilkinson, author of Unhallowed Halls
“A stunning debut that blends breathtaking poetry, Chinese folklore, and lush prose into a dark, fantastical adventure that readers will devour. A love triangle of celestial proportions and a vicious curse threatening the very fabric of the world await in this addictive ode to love, power, and sacrifice. An unforgettable addition to the fantasy genre, this deeply emotional tale will stay with readers long after the final heart-wrenching page.”
Julia Alexandra, author of Midnight on the Celestial
“A Curse Carved in Ink is a devastatingly beautiful journey into an underworld of deadly curses, blood-drenched secrets and eternal love. Inspired by Chinese folklore, Tzeyi Koay’s debut is vivid, heartfelt and deeply romantic.”
Vanessa Len, author of Only a Monster
“Lush and lyrical, A Curse Carved in Ink deftly depicts a richly imagined world of mythical creatures, deadly trials, and a magical realm whose wonders and horrors will have readers glued to the page. A beautiful and haunting story of love in all its forms—tender, twisted, and enduring beyond lifetimes.”
M. Stevenson, author of Behooved
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