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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
Katie Greene is a stranger in a strange land. When her mother dies, instead of living with her Canadian grandparents, she goes to live with her aunt in Japan. There, she falls for a dangerous boy whose drawings come to life. Moreover, Katie makes Tomo lose what little contol he does have over his creations. The book is basically the two of them fighting their attraction to each other.
This is Twilight without the vampires, set in Japan. This books makes heavy use of your usual YA storytelling tropes, but it's still an enjoyable read. Anyone who enjoys forbidden romance and loves manga and dorama will devour this book.
This is Twilight without the vampires, set in Japan. This books makes heavy use of your usual YA storytelling tropes, but it's still an enjoyable read. Anyone who enjoys forbidden romance and loves manga and dorama will devour this book.
(Actual Rating: 4.65)
Oh my God! I loved this book! I loved the setting, the style of writing, most of the characters, the art! Everything! I did find it a little predictable at times and Katie was a little iffy for me but overall it was really fun to read and it was new for me because I had never read a book from the perspective of a foreigner in a different country. It was insightful and I highly recommend it! Cant wait to pick up the second book in the future!
Oh my God! I loved this book! I loved the setting, the style of writing, most of the characters, the art! Everything! I did find it a little predictable at times and Katie was a little iffy for me but overall it was really fun to read and it was new for me because I had never read a book from the perspective of a foreigner in a different country. It was insightful and I highly recommend it! Cant wait to pick up the second book in the future!
Not to spoil anything, but Tomoriho is my new boyfriend.
"Ink" by Amanda Sun is certainly an interesting story to say the least. In so many words, I'd summarize this as "Anime the book." While it was mostly fun, the main character, Katie, is flatter than the pictures that come to life in this book. The story introduces many mysteries, such as "Why are these drawings moving?" "What is a Kami?" "What does the Yakuza want with the Kami?" "Why aren't the Kami doing things in the open?" and other questions in that strain, but the book spends so much with the on/off nature of Katie and Tomohiro's relationship. The sum of which can be described as Tomohiro looking off into the distance saying, "Stay away from me. I'm dangerous," and Katie replying, "But I love you!" and him flashing her a grin while saying "Sou desu ka."
One thing I think was well done in this book was how similar it felt to a regular Japanese supernatural drama for teens. It reads like a manga, which is probably entirely intentional. The inclusion of Japanese social manners, way of speaking and addressing one another, and other social conventions was familiar and authentic as far as this reader could tell.
Finally, a sad note: I thought the main character was potentially half-Japanese. The way the summary is written, it sounds as though she was an American-born Japanese heritage gal or was half-Japanese as its not clear in the description why her mother's death would result in her moving to Japan. As it turns out, Amanda Sun had lived in Osaka for some time and traveled around Japan which inspired this story. While Sun is an outsider, or gaijin, her story does seem very authentic, but I wonder if those of Japanese heritage could get into this book as its told from an outsider perspective.
One thing I think was well done in this book was how similar it felt to a regular Japanese supernatural drama for teens. It reads like a manga, which is probably entirely intentional. The inclusion of Japanese social manners, way of speaking and addressing one another, and other social conventions was familiar and authentic as far as this reader could tell.
Finally, a sad note: I thought the main character was potentially half-Japanese. The way the summary is written, it sounds as though she was an American-born Japanese heritage gal or was half-Japanese as its not clear in the description why her mother's death would result in her moving to Japan. As it turns out, Amanda Sun had lived in Osaka for some time and traveled around Japan which inspired this story. While Sun is an outsider, or gaijin, her story does seem very authentic, but I wonder if those of Japanese heritage could get into this book as its told from an outsider perspective.
Japan is the last place on Earth that Katie Green wants to be. But after he mother dies and her grandfather is too sick to look after her, Katie is shipped off to go live with her aunt in Shizuoko. Struggling to cope with the language and culture change, Katie muddles along in the hope that her grandfather will get better and she can flee Japan and live in Canada. And then she sees the ink. Yuu Tomohiro, the school’s badboy and kendo legend, the guy who cruelly breaks up with his girlfriend and pretends to be someone he isn’t fascinates Katie. And there’s his drawings. The calligraphy that’s so lifelike, Katie would almost swear that it moves…
I’ve never read a book which incorporates Japanese Mythology like Amanda Sun did in Ink. The concept of the power of the pen – or the ink – is something new on the paranormal scene. The Kami are dangerous with their medium being writing – something people take for granted – and yet the spirit in the ink is powerful and non-discriminating. I did think that this book had a very strong start but sort of faded as things developed. I was immediately drawn in at the start but towards the end I wasn’t as captivated.
I loved the way Japanese culture was portrayed in Ink, The way the language and the customs were interspersed throughout the novel was great to read. I wasn’t surprised to learn that Amanda Sun had spent quite a lot of time in Japan. As someone who has never been to that part of the world, it felt authentic and real.
As for the characters – I found Katie to be slightly frustrating. Her behaviour was inconsistent and I thought she was slightly illogical. Her selfish nature took me out of the story at times and I much preferred the easy-going nature of her friends Tamaka and Yuki. Yuu Tomohiro was one of those characters that’s mysterious and gorgeous and as a result one I wanted to read more of. I liked his arrogant exterior but the more we got to know him, the more we got to see he had layers and interesting complexities.
This is a great novel with a unique type of paranormal element. The characters are interesting however I liked the supporting cast more than I did the main character. I’m excited to see where Amanda Sun takes her characters in the next book of the Paper Gods series.
I’ve never read a book which incorporates Japanese Mythology like Amanda Sun did in Ink. The concept of the power of the pen – or the ink – is something new on the paranormal scene. The Kami are dangerous with their medium being writing – something people take for granted – and yet the spirit in the ink is powerful and non-discriminating. I did think that this book had a very strong start but sort of faded as things developed. I was immediately drawn in at the start but towards the end I wasn’t as captivated.
I loved the way Japanese culture was portrayed in Ink, The way the language and the customs were interspersed throughout the novel was great to read. I wasn’t surprised to learn that Amanda Sun had spent quite a lot of time in Japan. As someone who has never been to that part of the world, it felt authentic and real.
As for the characters – I found Katie to be slightly frustrating. Her behaviour was inconsistent and I thought she was slightly illogical. Her selfish nature took me out of the story at times and I much preferred the easy-going nature of her friends Tamaka and Yuki. Yuu Tomohiro was one of those characters that’s mysterious and gorgeous and as a result one I wanted to read more of. I liked his arrogant exterior but the more we got to know him, the more we got to see he had layers and interesting complexities.
This is a great novel with a unique type of paranormal element. The characters are interesting however I liked the supporting cast more than I did the main character. I’m excited to see where Amanda Sun takes her characters in the next book of the Paper Gods series.
fast-paced
I really enjoyed this book! I’ve had this book on my shelf since 2013, so I’m glad I finally read this book. I love anything Japanese and I love learning about Asian cultures so this book was so fun and educational. This book taught me Japanese, which is really cool because I want to learn the language. I love the fact that I was educated about Japan from my house without having to go there. The descriptions were so well done. I really felt like I was in Japan. The reason I didn’t give this book five stars is because I wasn’t really attached to the love interest. I liked him but I never felt connected to him. I actually shipped her with a different guy. This is a trilogy but I’m not sure if I’m going to continue. I feel it read well as a stand-alone and the ending was pretty good. I just finished watching an anime before picking this book up and it felt like I was reading an anime as a book. This book was so unique and the drawings in the book are gorgeous.
*I received a free ARC of Ink from Harlequin TEEN via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
Full review to come soon.
This and other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
Ink follows Katie’s first few months in Japan, where she arrives after her mother’s death to live with her aunt Diane. Language difficulties, cultural differences and adjusting to life without her parents are part of Katie’s daily life now. Making new friends, fitting in in school being the only blond and non-Asian student while trying her best to keep up with the Japanese signs and learning everything she needs while longing for her grand-parents in Canada and still being very sad and angry about her mom’s death is a big part of her as well.
Full review to come soon.
This and other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
Ink follows Katie’s first few months in Japan, where she arrives after her mother’s death to live with her aunt Diane. Language difficulties, cultural differences and adjusting to life without her parents are part of Katie’s daily life now. Making new friends, fitting in in school being the only blond and non-Asian student while trying her best to keep up with the Japanese signs and learning everything she needs while longing for her grand-parents in Canada and still being very sad and angry about her mom’s death is a big part of her as well.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes