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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
Sorry this was not my type of book. First of all, I felt like it was trying too hard. It kept emphasizing how Japanese it is like it was constantly throwing that in my face. I've read other books that are in a different culture or location, but I felt like their executions didn't bother me as much as this one did.
Second of all, instalove. It was such instalove and note even good instalove because Tomo was kind of a jerk for a while. We barely knew the characters but they were already so I love with each other because?
Lastly, it just felt super unrealistic. I know it's a fantasy story but that wasn't even the unrealistic part. The unrealistic part we're the characters and how they interacted in the whole. First off, she had been in Japan for 4-5 months at the end. I don't care how much you go to cram school if you could have such in depth conversations in Japanese so soon that's already unrealistic. Also the fact that she kept randomly running into Jun all the time. Too convenient. Like how unless he was stalking her, which it didn't seem like he was since he didn't even know her role in the story.
These were some of the reasons that it didn't work for me. I've read a lot of Japanese manga too and I felt like it was a book trying to be a manga. Maybe it's just not my style.
Second of all, instalove. It was such instalove and note even good instalove because Tomo was kind of a jerk for a while. We barely knew the characters but they were already so I love with each other because?
Lastly, it just felt super unrealistic. I know it's a fantasy story but that wasn't even the unrealistic part. The unrealistic part we're the characters and how they interacted in the whole. First off, she had been in Japan for 4-5 months at the end. I don't care how much you go to cram school if you could have such in depth conversations in Japanese so soon that's already unrealistic. Also the fact that she kept randomly running into Jun all the time. Too convenient. Like how unless he was stalking her, which it didn't seem like he was since he didn't even know her role in the story.
These were some of the reasons that it didn't work for me. I've read a lot of Japanese manga too and I felt like it was a book trying to be a manga. Maybe it's just not my style.
I written a review on my blog. Here's the link: http://areadinggirly.blogspot.com/2014/06/ink-by-amanda-sun.html
Oh, wow; was the first thing that I said once I'd finished Ink.
When I had the opportunity to join Amanda's Blog Tour and get to read Ink, I was thrilled, because I had seen it so many times circling the blogs I read and how everyone was so excited to read it. This did not, by far, fall short of my expectations; I was hooked from chapter to chapter, enveloping myself more into the deep, and sometimes dangerous, beautiful culture of Japan and more into Katie's world.
Katie Greene was a seemingly normal girl living in America until her Mother died and because her grandparent's wouldn't be up to look after her until she was eighteen and free to live on her own, her Aunt Diane takes her in. The only problem is...she lives in Shizuoka, Japan...the other side of the world.
Katie doesn't know much Japanese to start with and feels completely lost in translation. She isn't an outcast for this, though. In fact, she has two lovely friends at the start of Ink; Yuki and Tanaka. Yuki is actually the first to warn Katie from getting on Tomohiro's bad side. But, independent and driven Katie goes against her warnings and makes herself seen on Tomohiro's radar and from there...Ink truly begins...
Full review on: http://www.prettylittlememoirs.blogspot.co.uk
When I had the opportunity to join Amanda's Blog Tour and get to read Ink, I was thrilled, because I had seen it so many times circling the blogs I read and how everyone was so excited to read it. This did not, by far, fall short of my expectations; I was hooked from chapter to chapter, enveloping myself more into the deep, and sometimes dangerous, beautiful culture of Japan and more into Katie's world.
Katie Greene was a seemingly normal girl living in America until her Mother died and because her grandparent's wouldn't be up to look after her until she was eighteen and free to live on her own, her Aunt Diane takes her in. The only problem is...she lives in Shizuoka, Japan...the other side of the world.
Katie doesn't know much Japanese to start with and feels completely lost in translation. She isn't an outcast for this, though. In fact, she has two lovely friends at the start of Ink; Yuki and Tanaka. Yuki is actually the first to warn Katie from getting on Tomohiro's bad side. But, independent and driven Katie goes against her warnings and makes herself seen on Tomohiro's radar and from there...Ink truly begins...
Full review on: http://www.prettylittlememoirs.blogspot.co.uk
3.5/5
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
On the one hand, I feel bad for this book because it might have been a victim of my feeling sick, which made me a little impatient with books. On the other hand, it has earned a wide variety of reviews from the very negative to the very enthusiastic so maybe the way I physically felt doesn't really affect anything. My general impression of this book is pretty meh. I didn't fall in love but nothing left me outraged. It just was.
This book has a lot of positives in its favor: it is set in Japan and cultural differences are conveniently noticed by American-born and raised Katie who initially feels like she will never adapt to her new life. Of course she does though, attending Tea Ceremony practices, learning kendo, making friends, and meeting a boy Tomohiro, who plays a pretty big role in changing her mind. After accidentally spying on Tomo breaking up with his girlfriend and seeing one of his drawings move, Katie becomes very curious to learn more, finding herself drawn to him despite the potential danger he represents.
Like I said, I wasn't really feeling this book. There was nothing to make me angry but I never found myself passionately drawn into it. I liked Katie well enough and strongly empathized with her feeling out of place especially as she had only a few months of frantically studying Japanese before her full immersion. The other characters were also fine although as she meets Tomo pretty early on in the book, he soon comes to pretty much dominate everything about her world. I would have liked more about her platonic friendships (also more descriptions of the food, which sounded amazing!)
The paranormal concept is really cool-Tomo has the ability to bring his ink illustrations to life, which is dangerous to him and those around him (like the friend who was once attacked by one of his drawings) as well as the fact that there are those who would use this power for evil. I'm a little unclear on the best way to harness the power as it seems more likely to hurt the drawer than anyone else. I also really loved that illustrations were included-this would probably be a beautiful book to own in hardcover.
One note about this e-copy: I was pleased to discovery that it did have a glossary at the end after struggling with some Japanese words throughout the text. If you pick this up, be sure to utilize the glossary as I was really wanting one before I stumbled upon it. That's the difficulty with e-books-it's hard to flip to the end!
Overall: An average read that takes advantage of its atypical setting.
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
On the one hand, I feel bad for this book because it might have been a victim of my feeling sick, which made me a little impatient with books. On the other hand, it has earned a wide variety of reviews from the very negative to the very enthusiastic so maybe the way I physically felt doesn't really affect anything. My general impression of this book is pretty meh. I didn't fall in love but nothing left me outraged. It just was.
This book has a lot of positives in its favor: it is set in Japan and cultural differences are conveniently noticed by American-born and raised Katie who initially feels like she will never adapt to her new life. Of course she does though, attending Tea Ceremony practices, learning kendo, making friends, and meeting a boy Tomohiro, who plays a pretty big role in changing her mind. After accidentally spying on Tomo breaking up with his girlfriend and seeing one of his drawings move, Katie becomes very curious to learn more, finding herself drawn to him despite the potential danger he represents.
Like I said, I wasn't really feeling this book. There was nothing to make me angry but I never found myself passionately drawn into it. I liked Katie well enough and strongly empathized with her feeling out of place especially as she had only a few months of frantically studying Japanese before her full immersion. The other characters were also fine although as she meets Tomo pretty early on in the book, he soon comes to pretty much dominate everything about her world. I would have liked more about her platonic friendships (also more descriptions of the food, which sounded amazing!)
The paranormal concept is really cool-Tomo has the ability to bring his ink illustrations to life, which is dangerous to him and those around him (like the friend who was once attacked by one of his drawings) as well as the fact that there are those who would use this power for evil. I'm a little unclear on the best way to harness the power as it seems more likely to hurt the drawer than anyone else. I also really loved that illustrations were included-this would probably be a beautiful book to own in hardcover.
One note about this e-copy: I was pleased to discovery that it did have a glossary at the end after struggling with some Japanese words throughout the text. If you pick this up, be sure to utilize the glossary as I was really wanting one before I stumbled upon it. That's the difficulty with e-books-it's hard to flip to the end!
Overall: An average read that takes advantage of its atypical setting.
I ate this book up like candy. I went to Japan last summer, and since then I've missed it terribly. Ink helped me relive those simple but precious moments of just walking down the street that I'll always cherish. The detailed perspective in this book makes up for the Twilight-esque characters. It was like reading a shojo novel, which is nice if you're in need of a little romance. I thought the mythology was an interesting direction to take, but I want to see how Amanda Sun develops these characters.
I look forward to reading the next book!
I look forward to reading the next book!
Okay so I enjoyed this book a lot and I actually read the first 3/4 of the book in one sitting. This is a book rich in Japanese culture that draws you in. The characters are interesting and the romance is decent. You find yourself wanting to know more and you still have questions at the end but that's good as it leaves you wanting more.
This is a book I probably wouldn't have found on my own but I'm glad I read it and now I really need the next book gah. The next book and thanks to this one the strawberry cream sandwiches I'm now craving.
This is a book I probably wouldn't have found on my own but I'm glad I read it and now I really need the next book gah. The next book and thanks to this one the strawberry cream sandwiches I'm now craving.
Ugh. I'm very disappointed to say that this book was not for me. I made it more than halfway through, but I'm not going to rate it. Sometimes I rate books I DNF, sometimes I don't. I guess it just depends on my feelings toward the book. And in regards to this book, I am holding back on a bad rating because I think that if I had read this when I was younger, I might have enjoyed it.
I bought this book (and its sequel) because the covers are absolutely gorgeous. But sadly, this book did not keep my attention at all. I wanted to read about Japan and the culture and life there with a fantasy twist, but what I got was broody, stalking teenagers who just happen to live in Japan. I just couldn't take any more.
I bought this book (and its sequel) because the covers are absolutely gorgeous. But sadly, this book did not keep my attention at all. I wanted to read about Japan and the culture and life there with a fantasy twist, but what I got was broody, stalking teenagers who just happen to live in Japan. I just couldn't take any more.
I truly love all things Japanese, so when I found out this book was set in Japan, it became one my instant must reads. Not only did the story have a refreshingly unique concept that was based upon ancient Japanese myths and legends, but it also gave the reader a brilliant insight into the everyday workings of Japanese language and culture.
The story begins with Katie. Recently orphaned, she has moved to Japan to live with her aunt and facing the trials a new country, a new culture and a new language brings, she finds herself struggling to make a new life for herself. Not only is she a gaijin – an outsider – in her small Japanese town, but after witnessing the school hottie, Tomo, break up with his long term girlfriend she finds her world becoming more and more complicated, when suddenly drawings around her begin to move.
On the surface, Tomo is a cold hearted bad boy with the face of an angel. Yet for some reason Katie keeps running into him. However the more she gets to know him, the more she realises that his cool façade is just an act, because Tomo hides a deadly secret. He is a Kami, a descendant of the old Gods. With the ability to make his drawings come to life, he can create real beauty, except he has little control over his creations and for some reason, the ink is drawn to Katie… and it’s after blood…
I really enjoyed this book. I’m a big fan of manga and Japanese dramas and this book read much the same way. It had an authentic Japanese feel to it and the descriptions were done in a way that made everything very realistic and easy to imagine. I also liked the page drawings that were spaced throughout the story – it added a nice touch to the book.
I liked the characters, especially Katie as you really felt her mixed emotions of being thrown into a foreign culture. Her attraction to Tomo was curious; it was one of those ‘I know I should stay away from him, but…’ kind of romances, which in the end worked out well.
Tomo was also great character, blowing hot and cold, it wasn’t always easy to read his intentions but he had a sharp wit and I couldn’t help but like him. I’m looking forward to seeing how his and Katie’s relationship develops in the next book.
Yet the secondary characters were also interesting too, particularly Yuki’s brother, who I hope we get to see more of in the future. There’s also Jun, who not only looks awesome, but has a whole mysterious thing working for him too. Yet while I think I see a love triangle developing between him, Tomo and Katie, I can’t wait to see what fates going to throw at them next. Then there is Ishikawa, he’s Tomo’s best friend, but one who has ulterior motives. I couldn’t help but like him, even though he was technically a bad guy…however I’m interested to see if that will change in the future. He is definitely a character to watch out for. So overall, I really did like the cast.
Plot wise, I loved how Amanda Sun incorporated so much Japanese culture and myth into the story. It was a paranormal romance, but one set on the realm of ‘what if’ and I like books where it’s easy to imagine such things happening, only hidden from the real world. Yet, while I think there were moments when Katie made stupid decisions and sometimes seemed a little stalkerish, it didn’t really take away my enjoyment of the book. Yes there were quite a few clichés and while this book did have many of the typical YA elements (irresponsible guardians, plenty of hot guys and a deadly love interest) ultimately, I still enjoyed.
So overall, I would say Ink has a unique setting and an interesting new concept that most fans of YA paranormal will enjoy. Bursting with intrigue, danger and romance, Ink will sweep you away. 4 stars!
The story begins with Katie. Recently orphaned, she has moved to Japan to live with her aunt and facing the trials a new country, a new culture and a new language brings, she finds herself struggling to make a new life for herself. Not only is she a gaijin – an outsider – in her small Japanese town, but after witnessing the school hottie, Tomo, break up with his long term girlfriend she finds her world becoming more and more complicated, when suddenly drawings around her begin to move.
On the surface, Tomo is a cold hearted bad boy with the face of an angel. Yet for some reason Katie keeps running into him. However the more she gets to know him, the more she realises that his cool façade is just an act, because Tomo hides a deadly secret. He is a Kami, a descendant of the old Gods. With the ability to make his drawings come to life, he can create real beauty, except he has little control over his creations and for some reason, the ink is drawn to Katie… and it’s after blood…
I really enjoyed this book. I’m a big fan of manga and Japanese dramas and this book read much the same way. It had an authentic Japanese feel to it and the descriptions were done in a way that made everything very realistic and easy to imagine. I also liked the page drawings that were spaced throughout the story – it added a nice touch to the book.
I liked the characters, especially Katie as you really felt her mixed emotions of being thrown into a foreign culture. Her attraction to Tomo was curious; it was one of those ‘I know I should stay away from him, but…’ kind of romances, which in the end worked out well.
Tomo was also great character, blowing hot and cold, it wasn’t always easy to read his intentions but he had a sharp wit and I couldn’t help but like him. I’m looking forward to seeing how his and Katie’s relationship develops in the next book.
Yet the secondary characters were also interesting too, particularly Yuki’s brother, who I hope we get to see more of in the future. There’s also Jun, who not only looks awesome, but has a whole mysterious thing working for him too. Yet while I think I see a love triangle developing between him, Tomo and Katie, I can’t wait to see what fates going to throw at them next. Then there is Ishikawa, he’s Tomo’s best friend, but one who has ulterior motives. I couldn’t help but like him, even though he was technically a bad guy…however I’m interested to see if that will change in the future. He is definitely a character to watch out for. So overall, I really did like the cast.
Plot wise, I loved how Amanda Sun incorporated so much Japanese culture and myth into the story. It was a paranormal romance, but one set on the realm of ‘what if’ and I like books where it’s easy to imagine such things happening, only hidden from the real world. Yet, while I think there were moments when Katie made stupid decisions and sometimes seemed a little stalkerish, it didn’t really take away my enjoyment of the book. Yes there were quite a few clichés and while this book did have many of the typical YA elements (irresponsible guardians, plenty of hot guys and a deadly love interest) ultimately, I still enjoyed.
So overall, I would say Ink has a unique setting and an interesting new concept that most fans of YA paranormal will enjoy. Bursting with intrigue, danger and romance, Ink will sweep you away. 4 stars!
Everything was beautiful and unbelievable and magical and great in it's own way. Definitely watching out for the installation for this series!