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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
“Power is an ugly thing. Run from it while you can.”
You know, I'd say this book had its good and bad elements, but it was an entertaining. I recognize that maybe this book wasn't really written for me- the formulaic nature of J-dramas isn't really something I like to partake in- but overall, this wasn't a bad book. I think this book and I got off on kind of a bad foot because it was one of the first books I had ever read as an E-book on my phone, so there was some adjusting going on, but once that was settled it was relatively smooth sailing from there.
`I usually don't like to start out on a negative, but one of the things that was immediately obvious to me was the poor characterization of pretty much everyone in the story. Katie was brave and gutsy, but it seemed almost artificial in a way, like that was really all she was. And Tomo? I don't think he even really had a personality beyond his magic and what he feared it would do to him. I think that it would have made the story a lot better if we got a little more personality and originality from particularly Tomo, because it makes it easier for the reader to invest their time in unraveling the mystery shrouding him.
This lack of characterization was even more obvious in the side characters. Jun and (tomo's friend?? sorry it's been a while) were okay and played interesting roles in the story, but other characters like Yuki or even Tanaka were extremely one dimensional. It seemed like the only reason they were included was so that Katie would have someone to talk to about Tomohiro in the early stages, just so it wasn't all exposition. And like in many YA books, the adult/parental figures were a bit lacking in substance. Usually this wouldn't bother me as much, but with this book when Katie is moving to a completely foreign country, I think that there could have been a lot more done with Diane's character that would have made the story complex.
But speaking of moving to a foreign country, the setting! I've never read a book set in Japan before, and it was interesting to learn more about it, especially from an outsider's perspective. (Or as the Japanese would call her, a gaijin). I cannot speak to how accurate the representation of Japan is myself but I've read reviews of this book from a few Japanese people here on goodreads, and they seem to think it's pretty true to life, especially the life of a teenager living there. (besides all of the mythology stuff, of course). I loved seeing the bits of Japanese culture the author integrates seamlessly into the text, everything from the food to kendo to the mythology.
Branching off of that, I also really liked how the book doesn't shy away from portraying the sometimes harsh realities of moving to a foreign country, and the strain that puts on Katie on top of everything else. I feel like most books that place characters into new cultures and settings often brush over how mentally exhausting and overwhelming it can be to be constantly immersed in new experiences. Not only that, but constantly having to speak and listen to a language you only started learning five months ago? Talk about difficult. The author isn't too heavy handed with it as this ultimately isn't really what the story is about, but it does come up at times that seem relevant, which I loved.
As I think I mentioned earlier, I eventually really enjoyed picking this book up, but the beginning was kind of rough for me. Some of that was the formatting, but it was also Katie's behavior. I didn't like how (admittedly a bit creepily) obsessed Katie was with Tomo from the very beginning. There's an innocent curiosity about someone who seems to keep a lot of secrets, and then there's being a next level stalker. Especially in the beginning when Katie had no real reason to pursue him, I just wanted to shake her and tell her to get a grip.
But once we got past that initial extremely awkward phase, the friendship and eventual romance that developed between Tomohiro and Katie was really natural and sweet, even if I didn't care for their individual characters as much. Their little hang outs at the Toro Iseki were cherished moments in the book for me, seeing their relationship bloom. Like most of the book, this apsect was a little formulaic as well-Like the love hotel thing? Come on, that's just the Japanese version of the trope where the guy main character intentionally hurts the heroine to keep her away so that she's out of danger. Completely overdone. but I loved it all the same.
One last thing! I was originally going to read this on audiobook but I'm so glad I didn't because the book contained pictures of the sketches Tomo drew! They were so beautiful and really added to the reading experience, made the story seem more real in a way. Also, I was reading it on my phone and with every Japanese word that came up you could click on it and it would take you to a glossary at the end telling you exactly what it meant without loosing your place in the story. I mean the book was written in a way that it wasn't really necessary per-se, you could still tell what was going on, but it was a nice little unusual quirk.
So, final thoughts? There were definitely aspects I didn't like about the book such as the flat characterization or Katie's behavior in the beginning of the book, but overall it was an entertaining book with an interesting magic system to unravel. As stated above, would definitely recommend reading it physically or as an e-book so you don't miss out on those awesome drawings!
You know, I'd say this book had its good and bad elements, but it was an entertaining. I recognize that maybe this book wasn't really written for me- the formulaic nature of J-dramas isn't really something I like to partake in- but overall, this wasn't a bad book. I think this book and I got off on kind of a bad foot because it was one of the first books I had ever read as an E-book on my phone, so there was some adjusting going on, but once that was settled it was relatively smooth sailing from there.
`I usually don't like to start out on a negative, but one of the things that was immediately obvious to me was the poor characterization of pretty much everyone in the story. Katie was brave and gutsy, but it seemed almost artificial in a way, like that was really all she was. And Tomo? I don't think he even really had a personality beyond his magic and what he feared it would do to him. I think that it would have made the story a lot better if we got a little more personality and originality from particularly Tomo, because it makes it easier for the reader to invest their time in unraveling the mystery shrouding him.
This lack of characterization was even more obvious in the side characters. Jun and (tomo's friend?? sorry it's been a while) were okay and played interesting roles in the story, but other characters like Yuki or even Tanaka were extremely one dimensional. It seemed like the only reason they were included was so that Katie would have someone to talk to about Tomohiro in the early stages, just so it wasn't all exposition. And like in many YA books, the adult/parental figures were a bit lacking in substance. Usually this wouldn't bother me as much, but with this book when Katie is moving to a completely foreign country, I think that there could have been a lot more done with Diane's character that would have made the story complex.
But speaking of moving to a foreign country, the setting! I've never read a book set in Japan before, and it was interesting to learn more about it, especially from an outsider's perspective. (Or as the Japanese would call her, a gaijin). I cannot speak to how accurate the representation of Japan is myself but I've read reviews of this book from a few Japanese people here on goodreads, and they seem to think it's pretty true to life, especially the life of a teenager living there. (besides all of the mythology stuff, of course). I loved seeing the bits of Japanese culture the author integrates seamlessly into the text, everything from the food to kendo to the mythology.
Branching off of that, I also really liked how the book doesn't shy away from portraying the sometimes harsh realities of moving to a foreign country, and the strain that puts on Katie on top of everything else. I feel like most books that place characters into new cultures and settings often brush over how mentally exhausting and overwhelming it can be to be constantly immersed in new experiences. Not only that, but constantly having to speak and listen to a language you only started learning five months ago? Talk about difficult. The author isn't too heavy handed with it as this ultimately isn't really what the story is about, but it does come up at times that seem relevant, which I loved.
As I think I mentioned earlier, I eventually really enjoyed picking this book up, but the beginning was kind of rough for me. Some of that was the formatting, but it was also Katie's behavior. I didn't like how (admittedly a bit creepily) obsessed Katie was with Tomo from the very beginning. There's an innocent curiosity about someone who seems to keep a lot of secrets, and then there's being a next level stalker. Especially in the beginning when Katie had no real reason to pursue him, I just wanted to shake her and tell her to get a grip.
But once we got past that initial extremely awkward phase, the friendship and eventual romance that developed between Tomohiro and Katie was really natural and sweet, even if I didn't care for their individual characters as much. Their little hang outs at the Toro Iseki were cherished moments in the book for me, seeing their relationship bloom. Like most of the book, this apsect was a little formulaic as well-
One last thing! I was originally going to read this on audiobook but I'm so glad I didn't because the book contained pictures of the sketches Tomo drew! They were so beautiful and really added to the reading experience, made the story seem more real in a way. Also, I was reading it on my phone and with every Japanese word that came up you could click on it and it would take you to a glossary at the end telling you exactly what it meant without loosing your place in the story. I mean the book was written in a way that it wasn't really necessary per-se, you could still tell what was going on, but it was a nice little unusual quirk.
So, final thoughts? There were definitely aspects I didn't like about the book such as the flat characterization or Katie's behavior in the beginning of the book, but overall it was an entertaining book with an interesting magic system to unravel. As stated above, would definitely recommend reading it physically or as an e-book so you don't miss out on those awesome drawings!
(originally posted on the blog)
Ink promises the reader a taste of Japan, its mythology and a fresh romance, and delivers on all three. It’s a read that will appeal to fans of Japanese anime, with prose that provides a startlingly visual reading experience.
Sun has written her story in a way that balances both description and action. She makes use of words that paint an extraordinarily realistic portrait of Japan, all while still effectively telling the story. As mentioned, the writing is very visual, allowing the story to truly come to life in front of the reader’s eyes. Because of this, it’s fairly easily to get completely lost in this story as you read.
Her use of Japanese words and phrases certainly adds an authentic touch. As a (former) anime junkie, many of them were familiar to me and it was a pleasure to encounter them. But people who don’t know any Japanese shouldn’t fear! It’s fairly easy to discover their definitions, as either the characters explain it or you can pick up on the context clues.
She also mentions various Japanese rituals, such as the tea ceremony and the cherry blossom celebration, as well as kendo (a Japanese fighting sport). But what really reeled me in was Sun’s incorporation of the Japanese gods. While only the basics of Japanese mythology are familiar to me, her method of weaving it into her story is really strong. It’s subtle, actually believable and slightly fanciful.
The story was very well-written, combining contemporary situations effortlessly with the paranormal elements. It focuses a lot on Katie’s struggles, which include dealing with the loss of her mother, being a stranger in a complete foreign place where English isn’t the primary language and trying to figure Tomohiro out. The paranormal part does lead to certain situations, and even a predictable romance, but for the most part, it remains simply the catalyst in the background. Basically, the book revolves around Katie looking for answers - and if you want to find out if she finds them, you’ll have to read it.
My only (minor) reservation is the characters, all of them but particularly Katie and Tomohiro. They’re not very easy to like. In fact, they’re downright frustrating most of the time. Readers have the opportunity to learn just enough about each of them, and nothing more than that, which didn’t help.
Sun wrote Katie as the foreigner, the gaijin, in Japan only because of her circumstances. There’s hints as to her struggle and the riot of emotions in the early chapters. But once her focus shifts to Tomohiro, that aspect fades completely into the background. The changes in her attitude and feelings are only markedly clear again at the end, when she’s adjusted to Japan. Honestly, it felt as if her budding romance was what helped her really blossom. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, I did want her to figure things out for herself. Still, the novel ends with her finally taking charge of her life. That alone makes me curious to see if she’s changed in the next one!
The relationship Katie forms with Tomohiro is something I’m torn about. I like how they started off as enemies, then gradually became friends, followed by becoming something more. But I won’t lie - it felt very insta-love at some points. Clearly, a big part of this lies in the fact that there’s a supernatural connection between them, so I could mostly forgive them moving too fast. I did enjoy certain moments they shared, but I’m still questioning the driving force behind their relationship.
Ink, overall, is an enjoyable story. It accurately portrays Japan and Japanese culture, which is something readers will enjoy. It also tells the story well, packing in some action and sweetness and sorrow. Finishing the novel felt like ending the first season of an anime: you’re satisfied, but there are still unanswered questions. Clearly, it means that readers will need to pick up the second novel to find out more - and I definitely will.
Ink promises the reader a taste of Japan, its mythology and a fresh romance, and delivers on all three. It’s a read that will appeal to fans of Japanese anime, with prose that provides a startlingly visual reading experience.
Sun has written her story in a way that balances both description and action. She makes use of words that paint an extraordinarily realistic portrait of Japan, all while still effectively telling the story. As mentioned, the writing is very visual, allowing the story to truly come to life in front of the reader’s eyes. Because of this, it’s fairly easily to get completely lost in this story as you read.
Her use of Japanese words and phrases certainly adds an authentic touch. As a (former) anime junkie, many of them were familiar to me and it was a pleasure to encounter them. But people who don’t know any Japanese shouldn’t fear! It’s fairly easy to discover their definitions, as either the characters explain it or you can pick up on the context clues.
She also mentions various Japanese rituals, such as the tea ceremony and the cherry blossom celebration, as well as kendo (a Japanese fighting sport). But what really reeled me in was Sun’s incorporation of the Japanese gods. While only the basics of Japanese mythology are familiar to me, her method of weaving it into her story is really strong. It’s subtle, actually believable and slightly fanciful.
The story was very well-written, combining contemporary situations effortlessly with the paranormal elements. It focuses a lot on Katie’s struggles, which include dealing with the loss of her mother, being a stranger in a complete foreign place where English isn’t the primary language and trying to figure Tomohiro out. The paranormal part does lead to certain situations, and even a predictable romance, but for the most part, it remains simply the catalyst in the background. Basically, the book revolves around Katie looking for answers - and if you want to find out if she finds them, you’ll have to read it.
My only (minor) reservation is the characters, all of them but particularly Katie and Tomohiro. They’re not very easy to like. In fact, they’re downright frustrating most of the time. Readers have the opportunity to learn just enough about each of them, and nothing more than that, which didn’t help.
Sun wrote Katie as the foreigner, the gaijin, in Japan only because of her circumstances. There’s hints as to her struggle and the riot of emotions in the early chapters. But once her focus shifts to Tomohiro, that aspect fades completely into the background. The changes in her attitude and feelings are only markedly clear again at the end, when she’s adjusted to Japan. Honestly, it felt as if her budding romance was what helped her really blossom. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, I did want her to figure things out for herself. Still, the novel ends with her finally taking charge of her life. That alone makes me curious to see if she’s changed in the next one!
The relationship Katie forms with Tomohiro is something I’m torn about. I like how they started off as enemies, then gradually became friends, followed by becoming something more. But I won’t lie - it felt very insta-love at some points. Clearly, a big part of this lies in the fact that there’s a supernatural connection between them, so I could mostly forgive them moving too fast. I did enjoy certain moments they shared, but I’m still questioning the driving force behind their relationship.
Ink, overall, is an enjoyable story. It accurately portrays Japan and Japanese culture, which is something readers will enjoy. It also tells the story well, packing in some action and sweetness and sorrow. Finishing the novel felt like ending the first season of an anime: you’re satisfied, but there are still unanswered questions. Clearly, it means that readers will need to pick up the second novel to find out more - and I definitely will.
Read like a really mediocre manga without the pictures.
The setting was so promising, but there was NOTHING original about this book.
3.5 stars to be exact
I had very high expectations about this, maybe a bit too much, especially after I read the prequel which I really enjoyed.
It's not a bad book but it's not the best either and it didn't live up so much to the expectations.
I do like Katie and I think she has a better character than most YA cliché protagonist BUT this book does have a lot of cliché. I usually don't really mind them so much as long as they are not about insta love. And this is the case.
My major problem with the book was basically it because I didn't really grow to love the lovestory or care much about it... I cared more about the mythology and the story itself and I felt a little let down after the first half when I realized that the lovestory was going to be pretty much the main focus.
I liked the first half of the book a bit more but I still want to read the rest of the series anyway.
The idea behind it all was original and I wished she would have focused about that more than the romance but okay, maybe in the next book? XD
One last thing was the constant use of Japanese words. At first I didn't mind them but towards the end it was starting to get on my nerves because I understood the need to use them when talking about food or kendo or cultural stuff but was it really necessary to put entire phrases there to put the translation right next to it after?! What sense does it make? Not to mention the continuous use of "moshi moshi" and the "keitai" word which is the Japanese word for telephone... It wasn't really needed right? It can be confusing in the middle of the phrases especially if you're already reading in a language that is not your own, like in my case.
Anyway, still an entertaining read :3
I had very high expectations about this, maybe a bit too much, especially after I read the prequel which I really enjoyed.
It's not a bad book but it's not the best either and it didn't live up so much to the expectations.
I do like Katie and I think she has a better character than most YA cliché protagonist BUT this book does have a lot of cliché. I usually don't really mind them so much as long as they are not about insta love. And this is the case.
My major problem with the book was basically it because I didn't really grow to love the lovestory or care much about it... I cared more about the mythology and the story itself and I felt a little let down after the first half when I realized that the lovestory was going to be pretty much the main focus.
I liked the first half of the book a bit more but I still want to read the rest of the series anyway.
The idea behind it all was original and I wished she would have focused about that more than the romance but okay, maybe in the next book? XD
One last thing was the constant use of Japanese words. At first I didn't mind them but towards the end it was starting to get on my nerves because I understood the need to use them when talking about food or kendo or cultural stuff but was it really necessary to put entire phrases there to put the translation right next to it after?! What sense does it make? Not to mention the continuous use of "moshi moshi" and the "keitai" word which is the Japanese word for telephone... It wasn't really needed right? It can be confusing in the middle of the phrases especially if you're already reading in a language that is not your own, like in my case.
Anyway, still an entertaining read :3
The humour is just perfect, I liked all the grinning and challenges between Tomo and Katie. Cuteness everywhere. I could really picture this as a manga, which was cool. The premise is very interesting and the story is very enjoyable, even though it can be predictable, didn't even care.
I wanted something funny and light and this was the perfect choice. Including drawings was just the cherry on top of the cake, loved them, it could have had more.
Thank you Ritinha <3
I wanted something funny and light and this was the perfect choice. Including drawings was just the cherry on top of the cake, loved them, it could have had more.
Thank you Ritinha <3
With a strikingly beautiful setting and an obvious understanding of Japanese culture, Ink captured my attention with its exotic and luscious descriptions of such a foreign landscape. Unfortunately, while the setting proved to be unique and imaginative, Ink’s characterization was oh-so-stereotypical and cliched, and the fantasy elements were mostly left unexplained.
Easily the reason I finished Ink was because of it’s absolutely stunning setting. Amanda Sun showed a deep understanding of the Japanese culture, slowly evolving Katie’s mannerisms to match the level of shame one would experience for acting too Western; using someone’s first name when addressing them, for example. I loved learning about the various customs or habits enforced by the Japanese, and couldn’t help but admire how refined their culture came across. Sun’s level of detail spoke to her obvious research or first-hand experience with Japanese culture, as it was immaculate. Ink’s descriptions of the setting were, at times, truly breathtaking; Katie’s first experience with the Sakura trees in full bloom felt like my first experience, even though I’ve never actually been to Japan.
Unfortunately, my enchantment with Ink ends there. Katie was not a protagonist I related to. Having been relocated to a new country, thrown into a completely new culture and way of living, and forced into learning a new language after her mother’s sudden passing, I was expecting to at least sympathize with Katie’s situation. The way her past is introduced, however, did little to build my sympathies. I wasn’t able to equate her odd behaviours with culture shock or grief, because she didn’t seem affected by either until she was struck by some strange impulse to make the worst possible decision. Her infatuation with Tomohiro was unhealthy and bordered on stalking.
Once she finally captured Tomohiro’s attentions, their relationship quickly escalated into the type of relationship where the couple was inexplicably linked and would be forever entwined. While I know this comparison is overdone, I couldn’t help but balk at the similarities to Twilight.
But as disappointed as I was with the romance, I was even more disappointed by the fantasy elements. Having been promised an exciting mythology involving ancient Japanese gods and art, I was fully expecting a fast-paced plot full of dragons flying off the pages and non-stop action. While the introduction of the Yakuza, a Japanese gang, was a pleasant surprise, it only managed to slightly heighten the suspense of an otherwise romance-centric plot. Instead of learning about the history of the Kami, the direct descendants of Japanese gods and thus those with some powers, and why their powers are so blood-thirsty, Ink forces us to watch exchange after awkward exchange between Katie and Tomohiro as they dance around their feelings for each other. When the action finally arrived, I blinked and it was over.
I should also point out that Ink features a lot of Japanese dialogue, generally followed shortly after by the english translation. I understand that it was probably included to add to Ink’s authenticity, or to highlight Katie’s growing understanding of the language, but as a non-manga reader, I found it quite distracting, especially when a translation wasn’t given.
A picturesque setting and firm understanding of Japanese culture wasn’t enough to save Ink from unexplored fantasy elements and an instalove relationship. With an unrelatable protagonist and a relationship that lacked chemistry, I found myself unable to connect to the characters, which meant I couldn’t care about their outcomes. And by the time the action arrived, it was too little too late.
Easily the reason I finished Ink was because of it’s absolutely stunning setting. Amanda Sun showed a deep understanding of the Japanese culture, slowly evolving Katie’s mannerisms to match the level of shame one would experience for acting too Western; using someone’s first name when addressing them, for example. I loved learning about the various customs or habits enforced by the Japanese, and couldn’t help but admire how refined their culture came across. Sun’s level of detail spoke to her obvious research or first-hand experience with Japanese culture, as it was immaculate. Ink’s descriptions of the setting were, at times, truly breathtaking; Katie’s first experience with the Sakura trees in full bloom felt like my first experience, even though I’ve never actually been to Japan.
Unfortunately, my enchantment with Ink ends there. Katie was not a protagonist I related to. Having been relocated to a new country, thrown into a completely new culture and way of living, and forced into learning a new language after her mother’s sudden passing, I was expecting to at least sympathize with Katie’s situation. The way her past is introduced, however, did little to build my sympathies. I wasn’t able to equate her odd behaviours with culture shock or grief, because she didn’t seem affected by either until she was struck by some strange impulse to make the worst possible decision. Her infatuation with Tomohiro was unhealthy and bordered on stalking.
The more Tomohiro didn’t want me to delve into his past, the more I needed to.While she often commented that she thought he was “up to something” her methods of getting his attention were just…strange. I also didn’t understand why she was so determined to prove that he had a hand in the moving drawings – she admitted that hallucinating was a side-effect of grief. Why didn’t she seek out medical help instead of believing the most unrealistic explanation first? She was just too quick to believe in the supernatural, which distanced me from the story.
Once she finally captured Tomohiro’s attentions, their relationship quickly escalated into the type of relationship where the couple was inexplicably linked and would be forever entwined. While I know this comparison is overdone, I couldn’t help but balk at the similarities to Twilight.
“Whatever,” he said. “Take it how you want, but what I did was a warning to stay away.” He rose to his feet and lifted his book bag off the chair. He stared into the distance for a minute and I could barely look at him, utterly humiliated that I’d agreed to go for dinner with him like this.I’m also fairly confident that this makes Katie worse than Bella, as Katie actually acknowledges how dangerous getting involved with Tomohiro could be:
He took a deep breath and sighed. “But that was before,” he said.
“Before?”
He shook his head. “You didn’t take the warning, so I guess it’s void.”
God he was beautiful. Dangerous things usually are. What the heck was I playing around with?Most of the time Katie and Tomohiro spent together, Katie was prying him for information that he was reluctant to give. When he refused to answer her questions, she would do the logical thing, and stalk follow him to try and figure out what he was hiding. Of course, all was generally forgiven as soon as he ducked his head and his bangs fell in his eyes.
“Warui,” he whispered in apology, and I knew then that I couldn’t live without him, even when he was infuriating. Which was pretty much all the time.There was no build-up, no chemistry and no development of their relationship, so to say that I was surprised by the direction Ink took the romance would be a massive understatement.
But as disappointed as I was with the romance, I was even more disappointed by the fantasy elements. Having been promised an exciting mythology involving ancient Japanese gods and art, I was fully expecting a fast-paced plot full of dragons flying off the pages and non-stop action. While the introduction of the Yakuza, a Japanese gang, was a pleasant surprise, it only managed to slightly heighten the suspense of an otherwise romance-centric plot. Instead of learning about the history of the Kami, the direct descendants of Japanese gods and thus those with some powers, and why their powers are so blood-thirsty, Ink forces us to watch exchange after awkward exchange between Katie and Tomohiro as they dance around their feelings for each other. When the action finally arrived, I blinked and it was over.
I should also point out that Ink features a lot of Japanese dialogue, generally followed shortly after by the english translation. I understand that it was probably included to add to Ink’s authenticity, or to highlight Katie’s growing understanding of the language, but as a non-manga reader, I found it quite distracting, especially when a translation wasn’t given.
A picturesque setting and firm understanding of Japanese culture wasn’t enough to save Ink from unexplored fantasy elements and an instalove relationship. With an unrelatable protagonist and a relationship that lacked chemistry, I found myself unable to connect to the characters, which meant I couldn’t care about their outcomes. And by the time the action arrived, it was too little too late.
3.75 stars
I almost didn’t finish Ink. I loved the first chapters, but between pages 60 and 100 I found myself often having issues with the main character, Katie. Thankfully Katie became bearable again when she stopped stalking Tomohiro, and the culture more than made up for the characterization. However I still feel this book could have been more than it was.
I’ll start with the bad:
Like I said in the first paragraph, BOY, did I have an issue with Katie for 40 pages. Those were a long 40 pages. It wasn’t like every word was awful, but every page or so, there was a line of Katie’s thoughts which ticked me off. I’m not going to agree with everything a narrator does/thinks/says, but it was too much to bare in a short space of time. For example: She was annoyed at Tomohiro for his attitude, when she has double; she claimed she wanted nothing to do with Tomohiro, but stalked him; she blabbed to everything about drawings coming to life, but had the nerve to be annoyed at Tomohiro for not telling her his secret.
The whole obsession over Tomohiro and trying to discover his secret felt jumbled and disconnected to me. I think that was why I had such a problem with Katie to begin with. Her actions didn’t seem to match her thoughts. Or sometimes her actions felt too dramatic, as if to make it seem like a big deal, when it didn’t feel that way.
I wish Katie’s friendship with Yuki had of been stronger. It showed real promise at the beginning when she was the only person at school who didn’t baby Katie with English. But then Yuki morphed into this giant blabber mouth, gossiper. Maybe she was always like that, I perhaps read her wrong at the start. Katie’s not particularly good at keeping secrets either, but Yuki was way worse, and if it wasn’t for her being such a sweetie I would have hated her.
But even with her big mouth, there were plenty of opportunities to develop their friendship and bring another layer to the story. They were in school every day, they took tea ceremony together and they holidayed at Yuki’s brother’s house. They could have had conversations about anything. Katie didn’t have to shut out Yuki because of Tomohiro’s secret.
Honestly, that whole trip to Yuki’s brother’s was a huge flop in my eyes. Aside from the fact that I loved the imagery of being at the beach, it felt like a waste of space. And a waste of a character introduction. Not once are we introduced to Yuki’s parents, but we know all about her brother now.
The bad guys didn’t feel scary enough. When Tomohiro made the big reveal of why it’s dangerous for them to be together all I thought was, “so what?” It would have been better if the reputation of the bad guys was scattered throughout the start of the novel. That way I may have felt the desired affect straight away.
I wish the story would have focused on the Kami lore more than the romance. I am a sucker for romance, which is a big reason why I enjoyed this book. But with such a rich and interesting mythology to explore, I wish more time was spent on it. There were a few things Katie thought which I didn’t understand, and I think it was due to the lore only being touched on slightly. For example: there’s a thought of Katie’s where she mentions the danger it is for herself and Tomohiro to become too intimate, but I didn’t know why. It wasn’t explained to the reader. Was Tomohiro going to explode? Would he lose control of the drawings as he lost himself in Katie?
I didn’t like how Katie tried too hard to make her romance with Tomohiro seem everlasting. I know 16 year olds can have strong feelings for their boyfriends – I met my partner of five years as a 16 y.o., but I didn’t declare that the world would fall apart if we weren’t together. Unfortunately Katie did at the end of their later romance scenes. It killed the buzz for me and made it feel unrealistic.
Now onto the good:
I LOVED the culture. I loved being in a fresh, new setting and MAN, did Amanda pull it off. It made my urge to visit Japan even greater, but also eased it at the same time because it was like I was there. I loved how she put some Japanese words throughout the novel. It made it real.
It was interesting to start a YA novel with the love interest breaking up with his girlfriend because he’d gotten another girl pregnant. I know that whole interaction doesn’t scream “good potential boyfriend”, but it was so different from the usual dark and mysterious guy with no reason to keep everyone away but he still does. There was actual reasons why Tomohiro was a jerk – well there were rumors, and I really applaud Katie for wanting to get to the facts. True, it did land her in a dangerous situation… She’s probably not who you’d want to model yourself off, but it does give an important message of not taking everyone at face value (enter Jun, for this statement too).
(A side note about wishful thinking: I’d love to have seen more information on the pregnant girl. Does she serve a purpose other than to make Tomohiro appear jerky? The nearly killing his best friend rumor actually served a greater purpose in the plot, and I’d have liked the pregnant girl to do the same.)
The idea of the Kami mythology was awesome. The same as the setting being in Japan, it felt fresh and interesting. Drawings coming to life felt very real for me. I just wish we could have seen more – which I guess is a good thing, because it means I was interested in that part.
I liked Katie’s relationship with Tanaka and then when it developed with Isihkawa. I didn’t think there was anything special with Tanaka, just his kindness. But Isihkawa went through a whole redeeming himself saga, but I liked how Katie hasn’t completely forgiven him. Her reactions towards him actually felt spot on to me. I think it added depth to the story and also to Tomohiro’s character.
Which brings me to Tomohiro himself. I think I liked him more than I normally would of because Katie was annoying me. But I did think his character has depth and I still feel like there are a lot more secrets to uncover about him.
I loved Katie’s relationship with her aunt at the end. It felt comfortable and natural. I was tearing up at the end during their farewell scene.
Overall:
It was worth reading. Unfortunately I couldn’t skip those 40 pesky pages because they contained a major part of the story, but once I got past them it picked up. I feel the same as I did with The Immortal Rules: there were many bad things, but there were also many good things. I’ll be picking up the sequel for reasons beyond just finishing the series; I think I’ll enjoy it too.
I almost didn’t finish Ink. I loved the first chapters, but between pages 60 and 100 I found myself often having issues with the main character, Katie. Thankfully Katie became bearable again when she stopped stalking Tomohiro, and the culture more than made up for the characterization. However I still feel this book could have been more than it was.
I’ll start with the bad:
Like I said in the first paragraph, BOY, did I have an issue with Katie for 40 pages. Those were a long 40 pages. It wasn’t like every word was awful, but every page or so, there was a line of Katie’s thoughts which ticked me off. I’m not going to agree with everything a narrator does/thinks/says, but it was too much to bare in a short space of time. For example: She was annoyed at Tomohiro for his attitude, when she has double; she claimed she wanted nothing to do with Tomohiro, but stalked him; she blabbed to everything about drawings coming to life, but had the nerve to be annoyed at Tomohiro for not telling her his secret.
The whole obsession over Tomohiro and trying to discover his secret felt jumbled and disconnected to me. I think that was why I had such a problem with Katie to begin with. Her actions didn’t seem to match her thoughts. Or sometimes her actions felt too dramatic, as if to make it seem like a big deal, when it didn’t feel that way.
I wish Katie’s friendship with Yuki had of been stronger. It showed real promise at the beginning when she was the only person at school who didn’t baby Katie with English. But then Yuki morphed into this giant blabber mouth, gossiper. Maybe she was always like that, I perhaps read her wrong at the start. Katie’s not particularly good at keeping secrets either, but Yuki was way worse, and if it wasn’t for her being such a sweetie I would have hated her.
But even with her big mouth, there were plenty of opportunities to develop their friendship and bring another layer to the story. They were in school every day, they took tea ceremony together and they holidayed at Yuki’s brother’s house. They could have had conversations about anything. Katie didn’t have to shut out Yuki because of Tomohiro’s secret.
Honestly, that whole trip to Yuki’s brother’s was a huge flop in my eyes. Aside from the fact that I loved the imagery of being at the beach, it felt like a waste of space. And a waste of a character introduction. Not once are we introduced to Yuki’s parents, but we know all about her brother now.
The bad guys didn’t feel scary enough. When Tomohiro made the big reveal of why it’s dangerous for them to be together all I thought was, “so what?” It would have been better if the reputation of the bad guys was scattered throughout the start of the novel. That way I may have felt the desired affect straight away.
I wish the story would have focused on the Kami lore more than the romance. I am a sucker for romance, which is a big reason why I enjoyed this book. But with such a rich and interesting mythology to explore, I wish more time was spent on it. There were a few things Katie thought which I didn’t understand, and I think it was due to the lore only being touched on slightly. For example: there’s a thought of Katie’s where she mentions the danger it is for herself and Tomohiro to become too intimate, but I didn’t know why. It wasn’t explained to the reader. Was Tomohiro going to explode? Would he lose control of the drawings as he lost himself in Katie?
I didn’t like how Katie tried too hard to make her romance with Tomohiro seem everlasting. I know 16 year olds can have strong feelings for their boyfriends – I met my partner of five years as a 16 y.o., but I didn’t declare that the world would fall apart if we weren’t together. Unfortunately Katie did at the end of their later romance scenes. It killed the buzz for me and made it feel unrealistic.
Now onto the good:
I LOVED the culture. I loved being in a fresh, new setting and MAN, did Amanda pull it off. It made my urge to visit Japan even greater, but also eased it at the same time because it was like I was there. I loved how she put some Japanese words throughout the novel. It made it real.
It was interesting to start a YA novel with the love interest breaking up with his girlfriend because he’d gotten another girl pregnant. I know that whole interaction doesn’t scream “good potential boyfriend”, but it was so different from the usual dark and mysterious guy with no reason to keep everyone away but he still does. There was actual reasons why Tomohiro was a jerk – well there were rumors, and I really applaud Katie for wanting to get to the facts. True, it did land her in a dangerous situation… She’s probably not who you’d want to model yourself off, but it does give an important message of not taking everyone at face value (enter Jun, for this statement too).
(A side note about wishful thinking: I’d love to have seen more information on the pregnant girl. Does she serve a purpose other than to make Tomohiro appear jerky? The nearly killing his best friend rumor actually served a greater purpose in the plot, and I’d have liked the pregnant girl to do the same.)
The idea of the Kami mythology was awesome. The same as the setting being in Japan, it felt fresh and interesting. Drawings coming to life felt very real for me. I just wish we could have seen more – which I guess is a good thing, because it means I was interested in that part.
I liked Katie’s relationship with Tanaka and then when it developed with Isihkawa. I didn’t think there was anything special with Tanaka, just his kindness. But Isihkawa went through a whole redeeming himself saga, but I liked how Katie hasn’t completely forgiven him. Her reactions towards him actually felt spot on to me. I think it added depth to the story and also to Tomohiro’s character.
Which brings me to Tomohiro himself. I think I liked him more than I normally would of because Katie was annoying me. But I did think his character has depth and I still feel like there are a lot more secrets to uncover about him.
I loved Katie’s relationship with her aunt at the end. It felt comfortable and natural. I was tearing up at the end during their farewell scene.
Overall:
It was worth reading. Unfortunately I couldn’t skip those 40 pesky pages because they contained a major part of the story, but once I got past them it picked up. I feel the same as I did with The Immortal Rules: there were many bad things, but there were also many good things. I’ll be picking up the sequel for reasons beyond just finishing the series; I think I’ll enjoy it too.
I did not finish this book. I got into 10 pages and within those ten pages, the writing sounded like some really bad naruto fan fiction, where they would be a Japanese word dropped every paragraph or so. CRINGE. Please no.