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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
So I forced myself to get this from the library bc several years ago I accidentally bought its sequel and have held off on reading that until I read “Ink.” This book for sure took me longer than usual, which I would mostly attribute to the awkwardness of the Japanese and slang used throughout. Once I got used to that (perhaps intentionally to mirror the experience of the MC?) the story really got going. I did end up enjoying it and am excited to finally read its sequel I have bought like 6 years ago
I tried...the concept of the story is awesome, the protagonist not so much
I actually didn't finish this one (page 72) I want to read it so badly but I just can't. It's not catching my interest right now but perhaps it will in the future. I do plan on coming back to it eventually.
Pre-read:The cover on this is so beautiful, and I love the premise. I'm looking forward to reading it when it comes out.
Post-read: Review to come. This is one of those times when I think I deviate quite a bit from the majority of opinions on this book, and hopefully I can explain that in more detail in my full review. I thought it was decent and well-researched. The novel held my attention throughout, but there were parts of the story that grated on me. I'm definitely willing to see where this series goes in the longer scheme of things, though.
This is probably either going to get a 3 or 3.5 star rating from me.
Full review:
I think Amanda Sun's "Ink" might be one of the surprise reads for me this year because I went into this book thinking that I would not like it and came out completely surprised - both by the book itself and my reaction to it. Sun did a great job with the research into the Japanese terminology and mood of the work. I was very impressed by that (I didn't really even need to use the glossary that much because I knew what the terms meant in the romanji that was provided.) But if there's something to be said about Sun's first installation into the "Paper Gods" series - there was something missing in this narrative, and I couldn't quite figure what exactly it was.
The way that I think of this novel feels a lot like the J-dramas (or even romance anime series) that I typically watch and find myself complusively drawn into from time to time. The scenarios feel familiar, sometimes cliche, but ultimately I follow them because I like the mind of them, and the stories engage me for some form/fashion that I genuinely enjoy returning to. "Ink" really felt like a J-drama in itself, about a gaijin girl named Katie who moves to Japan from the West and has to adjust to the customs and society away from her family. It's difficult enough to deal with the aftermath of her mother's death and being away from her family, but moving to another school in another culture in which she's still adjusting is difficult in and of itself.
Katie connects with a friend quite well (Yuki), but also finds herself in the company of the resident brooding bad boy (Tomohiro Yuu). It would not be surprising that these two would often meet and clash with each other given the typical structure of such a story. I was okay with Katie trying to get her feet wet in the beginning and standing up to Tomohiro, especially when the guy seemed like an obvious jerk for what he did to someone he knew and figured out was pregnant with child. Tomohiro's not that likable, particularly in the beginning, but it seems he does have reasons for pushing people out of his relationships and keeping his distance. Not just with respect to being an artist, but what he can do with art as it's revealed over time. The moving art focus and selective pieces featured in the book were beautiful and had a talented pen hand (even in my digital copy).
But Katie has a way of showing up in convenient places with Tomohiro, which is kind of a staple of J-dramas as well (hero and heroine often end up running into each other and clashing in ways that mimic the antagonistic and later turn affectionate, even just by tolerance of vicinity). Some of this is coincidence, some of it is intentional, as Katie's trying to figure what Tomohiro's connection to the moving art is. I took it as more of her headstrong personality in the pursuits and incidental coincidence, but I was not surprised to learn that Tomohiro accused Katie of being a stalker.
Did I think of this story in the romantic sense? Ehh. To be honest, I didn't really think of Ink as a romance, more like in the stages of becoming one that hadn't been reached yet, and even by the end of this novel, it still hadn't reached a point where I felt like Tomohiro and Katie really reached that point. Sure they have chemistry and you can tell they care for each other, but their relationshilp has yet to be realized, much like the first episode of an ongoing series. That both makes me curious and also weary because it felt like it was incomplete, even with the drama. I think it had romantic elements, but I don't think it really reached beyond a drama with some supernatural and whirlwind collision points (especially considering Katie and Tomohiro are on the run from the Yakuza in one part of the narrative.)
I'll admit that I felt like there were parts of the story that could've been more vetted out, such as the history of the Kami and perhaps more of where Tomohiro's link to the dynamic ink was concerned. Especially since that would've helped flesh out the supernatural links more to make it feel fuller. The environment, setting, and dynamics were drawn well for culture, but it still felt like the story didn't realize its fullest potential, and I still felt like saying "I can buy these elements, but you still need to bring more to the table to make it stand out more."
I don't know if I can explain my thoughts on it better than that, but for what it was worth - when considering the whole of "Ink" - I liked it, but I still think it could've offered more to the table. I'm intrigued enough to see where the next installment goes, and I'm optimistic that it'll step up the stakes since this was just the stepping stone into the series.
Overall score: 3.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Harlequin TEEN.
Post-read: Review to come. This is one of those times when I think I deviate quite a bit from the majority of opinions on this book, and hopefully I can explain that in more detail in my full review. I thought it was decent and well-researched. The novel held my attention throughout, but there were parts of the story that grated on me. I'm definitely willing to see where this series goes in the longer scheme of things, though.
This is probably either going to get a 3 or 3.5 star rating from me.
Full review:
I think Amanda Sun's "Ink" might be one of the surprise reads for me this year because I went into this book thinking that I would not like it and came out completely surprised - both by the book itself and my reaction to it. Sun did a great job with the research into the Japanese terminology and mood of the work. I was very impressed by that (I didn't really even need to use the glossary that much because I knew what the terms meant in the romanji that was provided.) But if there's something to be said about Sun's first installation into the "Paper Gods" series - there was something missing in this narrative, and I couldn't quite figure what exactly it was.
The way that I think of this novel feels a lot like the J-dramas (or even romance anime series) that I typically watch and find myself complusively drawn into from time to time. The scenarios feel familiar, sometimes cliche, but ultimately I follow them because I like the mind of them, and the stories engage me for some form/fashion that I genuinely enjoy returning to. "Ink" really felt like a J-drama in itself, about a gaijin girl named Katie who moves to Japan from the West and has to adjust to the customs and society away from her family. It's difficult enough to deal with the aftermath of her mother's death and being away from her family, but moving to another school in another culture in which she's still adjusting is difficult in and of itself.
Katie connects with a friend quite well (Yuki), but also finds herself in the company of the resident brooding bad boy (Tomohiro Yuu). It would not be surprising that these two would often meet and clash with each other given the typical structure of such a story. I was okay with Katie trying to get her feet wet in the beginning and standing up to Tomohiro, especially when the guy seemed like an obvious jerk for what he did to someone he knew and figured out was pregnant with child. Tomohiro's not that likable, particularly in the beginning, but it seems he does have reasons for pushing people out of his relationships and keeping his distance. Not just with respect to being an artist, but what he can do with art as it's revealed over time. The moving art focus and selective pieces featured in the book were beautiful and had a talented pen hand (even in my digital copy).
But Katie has a way of showing up in convenient places with Tomohiro, which is kind of a staple of J-dramas as well (hero and heroine often end up running into each other and clashing in ways that mimic the antagonistic and later turn affectionate, even just by tolerance of vicinity). Some of this is coincidence, some of it is intentional, as Katie's trying to figure what Tomohiro's connection to the moving art is. I took it as more of her headstrong personality in the pursuits and incidental coincidence, but I was not surprised to learn that Tomohiro accused Katie of being a stalker.
Did I think of this story in the romantic sense? Ehh. To be honest, I didn't really think of Ink as a romance, more like in the stages of becoming one that hadn't been reached yet, and even by the end of this novel, it still hadn't reached a point where I felt like Tomohiro and Katie really reached that point. Sure they have chemistry and you can tell they care for each other, but their relationshilp has yet to be realized, much like the first episode of an ongoing series. That both makes me curious and also weary because it felt like it was incomplete, even with the drama. I think it had romantic elements, but I don't think it really reached beyond a drama with some supernatural and whirlwind collision points (especially considering Katie and Tomohiro are on the run from the Yakuza in one part of the narrative.)
I'll admit that I felt like there were parts of the story that could've been more vetted out, such as the history of the Kami and perhaps more of where Tomohiro's link to the dynamic ink was concerned. Especially since that would've helped flesh out the supernatural links more to make it feel fuller. The environment, setting, and dynamics were drawn well for culture, but it still felt like the story didn't realize its fullest potential, and I still felt like saying "I can buy these elements, but you still need to bring more to the table to make it stand out more."
I don't know if I can explain my thoughts on it better than that, but for what it was worth - when considering the whole of "Ink" - I liked it, but I still think it could've offered more to the table. I'm intrigued enough to see where the next installment goes, and I'm optimistic that it'll step up the stakes since this was just the stepping stone into the series.
Overall score: 3.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Harlequin TEEN.
adventurous
mysterious
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve read this book so many times. I really like it, included aspects of Japanese culture which I liked. Unique from any book I have read. Authors writing style is enjoyable. Protagonist is annoying and selfish. A typical romance book. But enjoyable.
This book was good.
Saying that I had definite moments of "omg I'm reading Twilight" while reading this book. The main difference is that this book was well written.
(seriously though we had a female protagonist who moved to a new school and ended up with the monstrous bad boy all the other girls wanted)
Saying that I had definite moments of "omg I'm reading Twilight" while reading this book. The main difference is that this book was well written.
(seriously though we had a female protagonist who moved to a new school and ended up with the monstrous bad boy all the other girls wanted)
Book Description:
Having to move to a different country in the midst of grief can be hard, Katie Greene does just this though. When her mother dies and her grandfather is unable to take care of her, moving in with her aunt is her last option. There is only one problem though, her aunt lives in Japan, in Shizuoka to be exact.
School is just one of the struggles Katie has to face, but having to learn a different language and culture also create a huge challenge. But when she stumbles into a bad brake up between the school's kendo star Tomohiro, and Myu one of Katie classmates. Things turn for the weirder when Katie sees one of Tomohiro's drawings move.
When Katie notices more of Tomo's drawings moving and ink dripping in places, she becomes even more suspicious. Her relationship grows with Tomo, and she finds out that Tomohiro is a Kami. Someone descended from the rulers of Japan. He can control the ink, but when she finds out she is somehow connected to the ink as well. Danger comes with these powers though, and Tomo and Katie will do anything to try to escape the danger that surrounds them.
What I Liked About The Book:
I liked Tomohiro and Katie's relationship, it seemed very real, and they always had witty remarks to say to one another. As the book progressed you could see their relationship grow and progress into something more than friendship. Also, the relationship between Katie and her aunt was another thing I liked about Ink. As Katie adjusted to her new environment, her relationship with her aunt grew as well. By the end of the book their relationship is something special.
What I Didn't Like:
The author did a lot of research about the Japanese culture and the language. Almost every page had a Japanese word or two in it. This made it a little confusing, unless you somehow knew what these words meant. I also didn't like how she made Katie into a stalker at the beginning of the book. She was constantly following Tomohiro around trying to find out why his drawings move. I think Amanda Sun could have figured out a different way to portray Katie's interest in Tomohiro. Overall, this book was enjoyable, but I don't think that I would read it again.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Check out my blog, Random Thoughts of a Book Nerd.
Having to move to a different country in the midst of grief can be hard, Katie Greene does just this though. When her mother dies and her grandfather is unable to take care of her, moving in with her aunt is her last option. There is only one problem though, her aunt lives in Japan, in Shizuoka to be exact.
School is just one of the struggles Katie has to face, but having to learn a different language and culture also create a huge challenge. But when she stumbles into a bad brake up between the school's kendo star Tomohiro, and Myu one of Katie classmates. Things turn for the weirder when Katie sees one of Tomohiro's drawings move.
When Katie notices more of Tomo's drawings moving and ink dripping in places, she becomes even more suspicious. Her relationship grows with Tomo, and she finds out that Tomohiro is a Kami. Someone descended from the rulers of Japan. He can control the ink, but when she finds out she is somehow connected to the ink as well. Danger comes with these powers though, and Tomo and Katie will do anything to try to escape the danger that surrounds them.
What I Liked About The Book:
I liked Tomohiro and Katie's relationship, it seemed very real, and they always had witty remarks to say to one another. As the book progressed you could see their relationship grow and progress into something more than friendship. Also, the relationship between Katie and her aunt was another thing I liked about Ink. As Katie adjusted to her new environment, her relationship with her aunt grew as well. By the end of the book their relationship is something special.
What I Didn't Like:
The author did a lot of research about the Japanese culture and the language. Almost every page had a Japanese word or two in it. This made it a little confusing, unless you somehow knew what these words meant. I also didn't like how she made Katie into a stalker at the beginning of the book. She was constantly following Tomohiro around trying to find out why his drawings move. I think Amanda Sun could have figured out a different way to portray Katie's interest in Tomohiro. Overall, this book was enjoyable, but I don't think that I would read it again.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Check out my blog, Random Thoughts of a Book Nerd.
This review and more at Sab The Book Eater
Ink has been on my radar for months. I liked the cover, the setting and the plot. So there I was, reading this book I so eagerly waited for but when I was a quarter in I felt like giving up on it solely because of the infuriating insta-love (I'll get to that -prepare yourselves). Halfway through the book though the story was finally getting somewhere and it was such a relief!
In a nutshell Ink is about blonde American Katie (everything about her screams foreigner!), who moves to Japan after her mother's death. There she struggled to adjust to her new life in a country that barely speaks English. She meets Tomohiro, who's basically the center of all the hullabaloo in the story, and her life is turned completely upside down.
Thumbs up
I liked that readers are immersed in the unique Japanese culture all throughout the story. This is probably what I liked most about Ink. There were Japanese words in the dialogues and interesting tidbits about Japan. I enjoyed reading Katie's trips to the nearest conbini (convenience store) and hanami (cherry blossom viewing) with her friends and their bentous. It was all so colorful and fun! Another aspect of the Japanese culture that was used in the book was the Kami (Japanese gods). I didn't know much about Japanese mythology prior to reading this so I was really impressed at how the author was able to explain and blend everything nicely. The Japanese backdrop definitely set Ink apart from most young adult books today.
I also enjoyed Sun's imaginative storytelling a lot. I thought the pacing was good and the action scenes were well written. I especially liked how vivid the descriptions were for the scenes with ink and sketches coming to life. It was interesting picturing Tomohiro going crazy over his sketches and the ink that's trying to take control over him. Sun took an entirely unique concept and gave it life with her flawless writing.
Thumbs down
Inasmuch as I enjoyed all that, I had a big problem with one aspect of the book: the romance. Ink reminds me of all the Japanese (and Korean) dramas they show here, as far as the romance is concerned. There's the gorgeous, mysterious and ultra-snobby (and slightly bipolar) leading man. And then we have the spunky female lead who's charm is her stalker tendencies. I think I've watched enough asianovelas to see the same pattern applied in this book. The guy is so obnoxious but for some weird reason the girl keeps chasing after him. After some really awkward run-ins, the guy finally finds her attractive... because she's "different." Japanese drama, check. It annoyed me to no end how big of a stalker Katie was. She repeatedly wondered about Tomohiro (even before they started talking) and why he's so hot-and-cold and she did all sorts of crazy stalker things to get answers. She even climbed a tree to "challenge" him! WHAT?
To be honest, I'm all for stereotypical Asian drama because I have a soft spot for those but for a love story to take over a large chunk of a book that's not primarily a romance is too much. It was out of place most of the time, especially when Katie would over think about Tomohiro and their relationship in the most inconvenient situations. Now is not the time! The love story took over so Katie was, well, obnoxious most of the time too. Katie's personality in the first half of the book was the biggest thing I didn't like about Ink.
The verdict. Did I like it? Yes, after the 60% mark. The action really kicked off then. Do I want to read the next book? Hell yeah. There's so many questions left unanswered and they're enough to make me want to read book 2. For example, and this is probably the biggest question of all: What is it about Katie that attracts the ink? I'd like to know more about that in the sequel and hopefully we'll get more ink action than drama. Take away the cheesy Japanese romance, Ink is still worth reading. It's fun, unique and overall entertaining.
(I received an ARC via NetGalley. This review is based solely on my opinion.)
Ink has been on my radar for months. I liked the cover, the setting and the plot. So there I was, reading this book I so eagerly waited for but when I was a quarter in I felt like giving up on it solely because of the infuriating insta-love (I'll get to that -prepare yourselves). Halfway through the book though the story was finally getting somewhere and it was such a relief!
In a nutshell Ink is about blonde American Katie (everything about her screams foreigner!), who moves to Japan after her mother's death. There she struggled to adjust to her new life in a country that barely speaks English. She meets Tomohiro, who's basically the center of all the hullabaloo in the story, and her life is turned completely upside down.
Thumbs up
I liked that readers are immersed in the unique Japanese culture all throughout the story. This is probably what I liked most about Ink. There were Japanese words in the dialogues and interesting tidbits about Japan. I enjoyed reading Katie's trips to the nearest conbini (convenience store) and hanami (cherry blossom viewing) with her friends and their bentous. It was all so colorful and fun! Another aspect of the Japanese culture that was used in the book was the Kami (Japanese gods). I didn't know much about Japanese mythology prior to reading this so I was really impressed at how the author was able to explain and blend everything nicely. The Japanese backdrop definitely set Ink apart from most young adult books today.
I also enjoyed Sun's imaginative storytelling a lot. I thought the pacing was good and the action scenes were well written. I especially liked how vivid the descriptions were for the scenes with ink and sketches coming to life. It was interesting picturing Tomohiro going crazy over his sketches and the ink that's trying to take control over him. Sun took an entirely unique concept and gave it life with her flawless writing.
Thumbs down
Inasmuch as I enjoyed all that, I had a big problem with one aspect of the book: the romance. Ink reminds me of all the Japanese (and Korean) dramas they show here, as far as the romance is concerned. There's the gorgeous, mysterious and ultra-snobby (and slightly bipolar) leading man. And then we have the spunky female lead who's charm is her stalker tendencies. I think I've watched enough asianovelas to see the same pattern applied in this book. The guy is so obnoxious but for some weird reason the girl keeps chasing after him. After some really awkward run-ins, the guy finally finds her attractive... because she's "different." Japanese drama, check. It annoyed me to no end how big of a stalker Katie was. She repeatedly wondered about Tomohiro (even before they started talking) and why he's so hot-and-cold and she did all sorts of crazy stalker things to get answers. She even climbed a tree to "challenge" him! WHAT?
To be honest, I'm all for stereotypical Asian drama because I have a soft spot for those but for a love story to take over a large chunk of a book that's not primarily a romance is too much. It was out of place most of the time, especially when Katie would over think about Tomohiro and their relationship in the most inconvenient situations. Now is not the time! The love story took over so Katie was, well, obnoxious most of the time too. Katie's personality in the first half of the book was the biggest thing I didn't like about Ink.
The verdict. Did I like it? Yes, after the 60% mark. The action really kicked off then. Do I want to read the next book? Hell yeah. There's so many questions left unanswered and they're enough to make me want to read book 2. For example, and this is probably the biggest question of all: What is it about Katie that attracts the ink? I'd like to know more about that in the sequel and hopefully we'll get more ink action than drama. Take away the cheesy Japanese romance, Ink is still worth reading. It's fun, unique and overall entertaining.
(I received an ARC via NetGalley. This review is based solely on my opinion.)