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thukpa's review
4.0
An older teen's Percy Jackson set in Japan from the point of view of an acculturating Canadian with hints of Twilight but much less annoying!
reddyrat's review
4.0
If you have the slightest interest in Japanese culture, you must read Ink. If you don't have any particular interest in Japan, but like reading a book that evokes a strong sense of place, you must read Ink. Ink is a solid albeit formulaic paranormal romance with an outstanding setting.
Katie is stuck in Japan against her will after her mother's death. Lucky for her, it's only supposed to be temporary until her grandfather's health improves. Katie is trying to bide out her time, but wouldn't you know, romance and adventure strike.
It took me awhile to warm up to Katie. She is slow to adapt to Japan, to try new foods, or culture. Slow from my perspective at least. I'd be diving in head first to try everything - but I'm older, already have exposure to Japanese culture, and haven't just lost a parent. So in the end, Katie's blase attitude is understandable and realistic.
Katie's relationship with Tomohiro is nothing new. Initial antagonism gives way to astonishment that there's a paranormal link which brings out more antagonism which pretty quickly turns into undying love. It's a formula that works well. There's nothing objectionable, but that's not why I enjoyed the novel.
Amanda came up with a fabulous paranormal element. Traditional Japanese gods. Drawings coming to life in powerful, bloody, violent ways. It reminded me very vaguely of the manga series Death Note. I mentioned that to Amanda when I was at BEA and she said it was an inspiration for the series. The kami and the art element are like nothing you've read before and I was turning the pages to see how the mythological world was going to develop.
The plot itself is a thrilling battle of art and judo. It feels very Japanese. The yakuza, the Japanese mafia, are another element. All in all, I thought the plot veered into melodrama and stretched the bounds of realism (well, leaving aside the gods and art coming to life part) too far for my taste. But it was still fun.
What Amanda did wonderfully was capture Japan. I've never lived in Japan, but my husband has lived there. I've visited and my husband has steeped himself in Japanese culture for years. As far as I can tell, Ink captures the atmosphere of Japan perfectly. The food, school, mannerisms. Unique holidays like the annual hana-mi (when everyone has picnics under the cherry blossom trees). The subtle and not-so-subtle ways that Japanese teenagers interact differently than western teens. It's like traveling to another world. I've only seen Japan depicted in YA a few times, and Ink is by far the best depiction. I loved it.
I definitely recommend Ink for anyone who loves exploring different parts of the world. While it stays close to the standard paranormal romance trope plot wise, the paranormal element is unique and the setting is outstanding (I can't emphasize that part enough).
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Katie is stuck in Japan against her will after her mother's death. Lucky for her, it's only supposed to be temporary until her grandfather's health improves. Katie is trying to bide out her time, but wouldn't you know, romance and adventure strike.
It took me awhile to warm up to Katie. She is slow to adapt to Japan, to try new foods, or culture. Slow from my perspective at least. I'd be diving in head first to try everything - but I'm older, already have exposure to Japanese culture, and haven't just lost a parent. So in the end, Katie's blase attitude is understandable and realistic.
Katie's relationship with Tomohiro is nothing new. Initial antagonism gives way to astonishment that there's a paranormal link which brings out more antagonism which pretty quickly turns into undying love. It's a formula that works well. There's nothing objectionable, but that's not why I enjoyed the novel.
Amanda came up with a fabulous paranormal element. Traditional Japanese gods. Drawings coming to life in powerful, bloody, violent ways. It reminded me very vaguely of the manga series Death Note. I mentioned that to Amanda when I was at BEA and she said it was an inspiration for the series. The kami and the art element are like nothing you've read before and I was turning the pages to see how the mythological world was going to develop.
The plot itself is a thrilling battle of art and judo. It feels very Japanese. The yakuza, the Japanese mafia, are another element. All in all, I thought the plot veered into melodrama and stretched the bounds of realism (well, leaving aside the gods and art coming to life part) too far for my taste. But it was still fun.
What Amanda did wonderfully was capture Japan. I've never lived in Japan, but my husband has lived there. I've visited and my husband has steeped himself in Japanese culture for years. As far as I can tell, Ink captures the atmosphere of Japan perfectly. The food, school, mannerisms. Unique holidays like the annual hana-mi (when everyone has picnics under the cherry blossom trees). The subtle and not-so-subtle ways that Japanese teenagers interact differently than western teens. It's like traveling to another world. I've only seen Japan depicted in YA a few times, and Ink is by far the best depiction. I loved it.
I definitely recommend Ink for anyone who loves exploring different parts of the world. While it stays close to the standard paranormal romance trope plot wise, the paranormal element is unique and the setting is outstanding (I can't emphasize that part enough).
Rating: 3.5 / 5
sailorkchick's review
4.0
Although the ending was abrupt, the characters and in-sight into Japanese life were exciting and well done. The plot still has me guessing what will happen next.
cathiedalziel's review
3.0
It hurts so much to give this book 3 stars. Honestly. I want to give it 5 stars because of the cover alone. I am a cover whore. This one is gorgeous. The sketches throughout the pages are really nice too and I loved the Japanese setting and language and the feel that you were getting involved with something different from all the average run of the mill genres out there.
This is a story of a young teenage girl who goes to live with her aunt in Japan after her Mom dies. Her whole world has changed and now even her environment is unfamiliar and strange to her. (She lived in New York and spent holidays in Canada). She overhears a guy from her school breaking up with his girlfriend and in the midst of the argument the girl hurls the boy's sketchbook at him and papers go flying. One lands at the feet of the main character's and as she looks at it the picture moves. She later realizes this boy has a history with ink and that ink is alive.
It's a wonderful new premise and a storyline that I don't think had been done before. There's Japanese feuds and this is the first book in a series. I wanted soooo much to like it. Like I said, the cover demanded that I like it. I feel betrayed.
This girl literally stalks this sullen, mean boy who has fun humiliating her and she can't seem to get him out of her head (or eyesight). If this were a male following a female around it would have stalker screaming all over it. So does this one, but because of the YA environment the author somehow seems to think it is acceptable to have this girl follow, snoop, spy, and confront this guy everyday. Sorry but you totally lost me when this theme ran rampant. I just could not get past this and when I thought the story was taking a different way, no, we were back to partaking in witnessing stalker mode.
So sad, because the story could have been really beautiful, really different. And the cover is breathtaking, which makes not liking what is on the pages so very very disappointing.
This is a story of a young teenage girl who goes to live with her aunt in Japan after her Mom dies. Her whole world has changed and now even her environment is unfamiliar and strange to her. (She lived in New York and spent holidays in Canada). She overhears a guy from her school breaking up with his girlfriend and in the midst of the argument the girl hurls the boy's sketchbook at him and papers go flying. One lands at the feet of the main character's and as she looks at it the picture moves. She later realizes this boy has a history with ink and that ink is alive.
It's a wonderful new premise and a storyline that I don't think had been done before. There's Japanese feuds and this is the first book in a series. I wanted soooo much to like it. Like I said, the cover demanded that I like it. I feel betrayed.
This girl literally stalks this sullen, mean boy who has fun humiliating her and she can't seem to get him out of her head (or eyesight). If this were a male following a female around it would have stalker screaming all over it. So does this one, but because of the YA environment the author somehow seems to think it is acceptable to have this girl follow, snoop, spy, and confront this guy everyday. Sorry but you totally lost me when this theme ran rampant. I just could not get past this and when I thought the story was taking a different way, no, we were back to partaking in witnessing stalker mode.
So sad, because the story could have been really beautiful, really different. And the cover is breathtaking, which makes not liking what is on the pages so very very disappointing.
j_olip's review
2.0
I have a lot of thoughts about this book. I thought the storyline was interesting and has so much potential, and it still does, but the character development was so brutal. We basically know nothing about Katie after 300 pages other then her mother passed away and she wants to go live with her grandparents in Deep River. That's it. Did Katie have friends in New York? Did she have any interests before she moved to Japan? Did she know her father? Who is this girl? I still have no idea. Also, her reactions to things were a little annoying and there's so little dialogue between her and Tomo and yet they fall in love? What? Same thing with Tomo. Mom's dead. School kento star. Moody. Thats's all we really know. It kind of felt like I as watching a bad anime unfold, one with cool story potential but no character development so it was kind hard to really invest in what I was reading. Also, the love hotel scene. I can already tell that the author isn't going address that again but it was not ok. You can't really justify what happened there with a simple sorry when the implications are much deeper for young women.
All that said, but yes I am still going to read the second one because I need to know what happens.
All that said, but yes I am still going to read the second one because I need to know what happens.
heidenkind's review
Not the greatest book ever, but I did love the setting and thought the twist on paranormal creatures was interesting.
christajls's review
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
Ink is the story of Katie Green. After the death of her mother, Katie goes to live with her aunt in Japan. It’s a difficult transition for her – not only has she lost a parent but she’s experiencing some pretty intense culture shock. And while it may be difficult for Katie (at first), easily my favourite thing about Ink is the Japanese setting. I’ve always wanted to go to Japan but have never made it (yet). It was interesting seeing it through Katie’s eyes, as someone who is just dropped into a whole new world and forced to adapt. After university my partner and I had considered going to teach in Japan and I like to think my experience would have been similar to Katie’s (without the ancient gods and gangs of course).
I really appreciate the care Amanda Sun took with the detail in this novel. Shizuoka, where Katie goes to stay, comes to life on the page. Every little detail is present in her descriptions of the setting, the food, the clothing and the school. This made the pacing a bit slower than your average YA novel, but at the end of the day I think the novel was richer because of it. I don’t mind a writer taking the time to slowly unravel the world if it means I get to experience it more thoroughly.
I also really enjoyed how unique the mythology was throughout. I’ve never read a book that featured paper gods before and it made for a very intriguing story. I did find, however, that the romance overshadowed the mythology a little too much. Katie and Tomo’s relationship was a little intense for my taste. It happened so fast and stood in stark contrast to the slower, more purposeful world building. But overall I enjoyed the novel and the high stakes of their situation. And I’m definitely intrigued to see where the series goes next.
Ink is the story of Katie Green. After the death of her mother, Katie goes to live with her aunt in Japan. It’s a difficult transition for her – not only has she lost a parent but she’s experiencing some pretty intense culture shock. And while it may be difficult for Katie (at first), easily my favourite thing about Ink is the Japanese setting. I’ve always wanted to go to Japan but have never made it (yet). It was interesting seeing it through Katie’s eyes, as someone who is just dropped into a whole new world and forced to adapt. After university my partner and I had considered going to teach in Japan and I like to think my experience would have been similar to Katie’s (without the ancient gods and gangs of course).
I really appreciate the care Amanda Sun took with the detail in this novel. Shizuoka, where Katie goes to stay, comes to life on the page. Every little detail is present in her descriptions of the setting, the food, the clothing and the school. This made the pacing a bit slower than your average YA novel, but at the end of the day I think the novel was richer because of it. I don’t mind a writer taking the time to slowly unravel the world if it means I get to experience it more thoroughly.
I also really enjoyed how unique the mythology was throughout. I’ve never read a book that featured paper gods before and it made for a very intriguing story. I did find, however, that the romance overshadowed the mythology a little too much. Katie and Tomo’s relationship was a little intense for my taste. It happened so fast and stood in stark contrast to the slower, more purposeful world building. But overall I enjoyed the novel and the high stakes of their situation. And I’m definitely intrigued to see where the series goes next.
elena_gilbert's review
2.0
This book had so much potential. Paranormal YA set in Japan? That sounds great! Alas, the main character is boring and the love interest is...not that interesting. The writing leaves something to be desired, and it was a struggle to finish.
Pro: A lovely cover, which matched my bookmark. Some illustrations.
Con: This is kind of Twilight, set in Japan (but not vampires.)
Here's some imagery I couldn't figure out how to process: "He reached across the table and pressed his lips to mine. He smelled of tofu and seaweed and miso paste, his hair gel like sweet vanilla." I like miso soup a lot, but this just sounds kind of weird. Imagine an American equivalent: "He smelled of two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce and cheese, and his hair smelled of Axe shampoo."
Romantical, right?
Pro: A lovely cover, which matched my bookmark. Some illustrations.
Con: This is kind of Twilight, set in Japan (but not vampires.)
Here's some imagery I couldn't figure out how to process: "He reached across the table and pressed his lips to mine. He smelled of tofu and seaweed and miso paste, his hair gel like sweet vanilla." I like miso soup a lot, but this just sounds kind of weird. Imagine an American equivalent: "He smelled of two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce and cheese, and his hair smelled of Axe shampoo."
Romantical, right?
ctep's review
3.0
I was hesitant to begin reading the book. While the title was intriguing I was skeptical of what I was going to get myself into. Pleasantly surprised. That;s my reaction. The story is of Katie who moves to Japan after her mother dies. Trying to integrate herself into Japanese schooling and living with her Aunt is her main priorities until she meets Tomo. From then on we have an intriguing love story with meddling gods and the ever important ink. I loved the use of Japanese within the text, which really helped to move me across the sea and onto foreign soil.