Ink and His Shadow By Beth Baxter

Beth Baxter ☆ 2 Read

Dear Author,
See the guy on the left? He felt people close to him always ended up dead. Some said he’s cursed, that he brought plague to whomever was near him. He just wanted to live alone quietly and not jeopardize anyone. But there’s this group of people wanting to bring him in. They said they’re trying to keep him safe, even as they eyed him suspiciously. But he felt that they’re the ones who meant him harm. And that force, whoever— whatever— it was, was killing those people. He was the one that just wanted to protect him, to watch over him from the shadows…
That guy on the right, with scars on his body was a perpetual dark shadow. He could be someone back from the grave, from the future or another time. But he had reasons— and means— to keep his guy safe.

Photo Description:
Two black and white photographs of men. The man on the left has dark hair, cut above the chin, and wears black. The man in the picture on the right has short dark hair, scars and tattoos.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's Love is an Open Road event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings. Ink and His Shadow

Well, that was certainly different. As in weird different. And not a little creepy.

I'm not familiar with the author's writing. Of course, this was Beth's debut and I thank her for adopting my prompt and spent time writing stories out of them. :)

But to be honest, I'm confused whether the main characters here (Isaac Ink Summer, Daniel the Shadow Man, and Charlie Flower) were humans. They experienced death, came back from it multiple times with barely a scratch, even got supernatural powers; one turned into GHOST - yet, they still grew old(er).

I might hint on spoilery details by saying not too sure what to feel about Charlie. He was both bad and good guy; and I wonder what fate befell him in the end (yes, that part was rather unclear).

The best guy here, imho - despite his killing tendency - was Daniel. He's cursed and had lived a few years of his life shadowing and protecting Isaac; of whom I didn't care one bit. Isaac struck me as not a really nice goth airhead. Frankly, I didn't know what Daniel saw in him to get so attracted and sacrificed his life/fate(?) to keep Isaac alive.

The thing I loved was the story set in contemporary England; the mention of Lake Windermere excited me - slut on all things British here, remember - where all these weirdness started with Isaac's drowning when he was fourteen. Alas, we didn't get to meet the demon who cursed Daniel (and Charlie). I wish this part were dig up a bit deeper.

Another thing I wish to be explored more were the Drifters; the organisation that stalked Isaac/Ink and his shadow for years. They didn't appear as sinister as the story seemed to imply.

Having said that, I appreciated the unusual plot the author took with this story. ;-)
Beth Baxter I don't know why I read this. It's mainly because of the prompt.

Oh. And some of the tags: twinks, public sex.

Because I like those two a lot!

So much so that I actually tried a story with two tags I loathe: ghosts, psychic abilities. Both of my least fave paranormal types in the same story. *smh*

So I read it. I'm not rating this because I already had two of my top dislikes working against it. My thing, not yours.

I don't think I care for the way the story was told. Maybe it's bloody brilliant? Maybe it's not? *shrugs*

The sex scene? That's 3 star worthy. Maybe 3.5. It's elevator and hallway hard fucking. That was good. I won't rate it for elevator shafting alone.

I skimmed some bits...it was confusing at points and then my dislike added to my gripe.

Odd.

This was odd all around but I think it might appeal to readers who like odd, little creepy stories with weird characters who dance to a different song than most.

I could go either way with my feelings for Ink - he was so...odd burger.

I liked Daniel (I'm surprised). Everything else? *ponders* It didn't make enough sense to me. There were things I wish were explained clearer.

They could summon the demon by recreating the initial death scene? So what about Charlie? Couldn't he have done the same for his predicament? I know Daniel said he had a demon with him at fifteen (though I'd have liked to know why?) Maybe see the demon, get its perspective?

And if Daniel had the ghost powers etc...how could he have a separate life if he was always around Ink? He only said Isaac to him all those years and now he's ready to have conversations? *smh*

So I'll just thank the author for the story and the event team. Beth Baxter Strange story is strange.

The most bizarre word choices I've (possibly) ever read.

...like a dildo on jelly.

...he didn't care how soon his body became strawberry mousse.

...it was like getting your cock out in a Jacuzzi full of piranhas.

Discombobulating.

Bizarre and clunky prose.

I'm so confused by the blasé attitude.

Shadow guy kills a bunch of people in front of Ink. Meh. <~~~Ink's reaction.

Ink gets abducted by a secret agency. *shrugs* <~~~Ink's reaction.

Secret agency has developed an antidote to death. Whatevs. <~~~Ink's reaction.

Shadow guy turns into an actual guy named Daniel. Pretty eyes. <~~~Ink's reaction.

Is Ink on a Valium drip? What's it take to get a rise out of this guy?

There are plot holes big enough to take out a VW Beetle. The whole thing is peculiar and left me feeling confused.

Thanks to the author and her team for participating in the LOR event.
Beth Baxter This was was unexpected and weird and outlandish and I just had to hold onto my seat and go for the ride. I'm so glad I did. This is a brilliant story, but I can't say much more without giving anything away. I will say that there were thrills and chills but nothing predictable or expected. The characters were interesting and different. There was humor and pathos, and the ending was strong. There was one thing that never was explained that was important MAJOR SPOILER. DON'T READ IF YOU PLAN TO READ THE BOOK: If he was guarding him all the time, how was he also holding down a job?

Yes, this is confusing at first, but if you stick with it, it's brilliant. It's unusual, yes, and if you don't like that, stay away. But I finished this and said, Wow.

Beth Baxter I don't understand the intent of this story.

The narration is choppy and disconnected. Is this horror, fantasy, a dark comedy?

Because it surely isn't a romance.

Ink doesn't kill people. Shadow Man does. Pizza Guy dies.

Ink fucks Charlie. Who's Charlie? I don't fucking know.

Ink gingerly clambered off the motorbike, wiping bug juice from his fingers. “I’m dangerous,” he muttered. “Um… you can’t be near me, okay?”

He felt shy about this. He was an odd person, but not generally a shy one, but this little confession to Charlie Flower made his stomach wobble like a dildo on jelly.

Do people stick dildos in jelly? Is that like a thing now?

Suddenly, Shadow Man turns into Daniel. Daniels saves Ink. By killing people.

Right.

This particular prompt is tricky; I'll acknowledge that. But I found this story to be nonsensical, weird, and irritating. Beth Baxter

Have you ever had the television on in the background while you do something else? You have a pretty good idea what's going on, but you know you've missed something.

That's kind of how I felt while I was reading this. I felt like everyone was speaking a code I didn't have the full key for. Characters had odd conversations and were trusting when they shouldn't have been. Nothing was on the up and up, and no one cared. It was very... go with the flow.

I'm in no way saying it was bad. It was certainly interesting, and wholly unique. It's quirky macabre and I kinda liked the author's style. But, if I'm honest, I was left confused. I wondered what happened to the main characters. What happened to them afterwards? What happened to them in the beginning? I was left with alot of questions. I'm not going to say it needed to be expanded, but rather, I think I needed it spelled out for me more clearly. So while this wasn't necessarily the read for me, I still think others will be entertained by it.

Rounding up to 3 stars because hot elevator and floor sex is hot.

Serious props to a first time author for coming up with something so unique, and as always, my thanks to them for participating in the Love is an Open Road event.
Beth Baxter Thanks to the author for participating and offering this freebie

This is an interesting fic. I was fascinated by the characters and quickly drawn in to tale without being sure who to champion. I liked it, there was moral ambiguity that could have lead to a far darker tale. Not much can be said without spoiling - far better to read this without clues.

I'd have rated it higher except that on finishing I'm still not entirely clear on the story. My brain isn't up to speed today and I was left pondering the facts; if you read and want to discuss - comment ;)

Would be interested to read more by Baxter. Beth Baxter This is a different type of ghost story. Because 'Shadow Man' isn't your typical ghost. Rating 2.5.

Ink has a predicament. There is a ‘shadow man’ that constantly is around him. Shadow Man pretty much lives on his couch. Shadow Man is a man of little to no words, also he is a serial killer. Every person that means Ink harm and gets near him, Shadow Man kills them. So, I you could say that instead of a serial killer, Shadow Man is a man of protection, a bodyguard of sorts.

Then Ink meets his crush from online, Charlie. Only… Charlie isn’t who he seems to be. Is he good or bad? Ink and Shadow Man have to decide… which side Charlie is on. So, this organization wants Shadow Man, and they aim to get him through Ink. On a good note, with Charlie’s help(still is he good or bad), Shadow Man is able to become solid.

We find out about Shadow Man and who he really is and how he became Ink’s Shadow protector. I found it very interesting to see how the author was able to come up with a solution for Shadow Man. How could he have a separate life, when he spent almost all his time attached to Ink's hip? Didn't people notice him constantly disappearing and question it?

The only question that left me hanging was Charlie? Did he die? Live? Did his ‘healing’ curse survive? I’m so confused him? With Charlie, I feel like it was left a bit open-ended. Beth Baxter I actually totally loved this. I think it's because it felt so much like a fairy tale, and I adore those.

Ink was a wonderful pov character, his shadow is eerie and fascinating and it was so much fun to get to know about him little by little.

Very fun story to read!

Some Favorite Quotes:
The voice was a deep, cold whisper that made Ink shiver, like a brainful of puddle water.

I didn't order pizza, though. Thank you, go away.

And there was no escaping from a pretty boy when he holds your hand. Shit.

warmth to remind his heart to beat and his brain to hope.

And after all, Ink had done his part. He'd let the thing he sort of loved go. And it had refused. So, really, that was even better than it coming back. Beth Baxter Like other reviews mentioned, this book was somewhat confusing. Yet my brain seemed to make some sense of it all and I enjoyed it. I adore ghostly love stories, and this is what this was, along with some sort of demonic curse, paranormal hunters, and public sex in a hotel hallway.

Fun enough for a quick read. Beth Baxter