Title: Written on Skin
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
Author: Erzabet Bishop
Price: 99 cents (ebook only)
Pages: 23 pp

Genevieve is a young woman in search of “more.” What that “more” is she is not sure; but after she gets a tattoo from blood witch/vampire Fae, Genevieve discovers that there is far more to the world than she ever imagined. And that longing leads her straight to the Cirque Nocturne, and the beautiful copper-haired aerialist Maliah ….

This short story, set in the same universe as Sigil Fire, centers on Genevieve, with only a brief appearance by one of the main characters from the first book; it is not necessary to have read the first book, but it does help. The tattoo that Fae inks onto Genevieve opens her eyes to the hidden supernatural side of the world. It is that quest for “more” and her new insight into the nature of the world which leads her to the awesome, fearsome and bizarre Cirque Nocturne — and her heart’s true desire.

My only complaint is a common one: it’s too short! I want more!

Solid world-building, romance, danger, excitement, heartbreak — this short story has it all. Recommended to fans of Bishop, as well as Joey W Hill, Juli D Revezzo, and Devon Monk.

[Rebecca Buchanan is the editor of EHS.]