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lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Oh, this was such a great read, loved all the developments, and I can't wait to read the final book!
holly_tree's review
3.0
So... Rain.
See, the problem with taking so long to write a sequel is that the expectations from your audience get higher and higher the longer it takes to publish. Which, of course, isn't fair. But, you know, we're spoiled YA readers. Our expectations are for quick publications and each book better than the last!
Unfortunately, that's not what happened with Rain.
Was it good? Yes. Did it blow Ink out of the water? No. Did it finally clear up WHAT a Kami is and how the ink works? YES, finally.
Are there new relationships and characters introduced that enrich the story? Yes, which is one of the best part of the book.
Will there be another book to follow Rain? Yes. I'm trying not the get my hopes up. I'd rather be happily surprised than disappointed.
I still think this series is a great read simply for the Japanese culture. It's rich and vibrant, and frankly, I don't there is much-- if anything-- on the YA market set in Japan. Major props for that.
See, the problem with taking so long to write a sequel is that the expectations from your audience get higher and higher the longer it takes to publish. Which, of course, isn't fair. But, you know, we're spoiled YA readers. Our expectations are for quick publications and each book better than the last!
Unfortunately, that's not what happened with Rain.
Was it good? Yes. Did it blow Ink out of the water? No. Did it finally clear up WHAT a Kami is and how the ink works? YES, finally.
Are there new relationships and characters introduced that enrich the story? Yes, which is one of the best part of the book.
Will there be another book to follow Rain? Yes. I'm trying not the get my hopes up. I'd rather be happily surprised than disappointed.
I still think this series is a great read simply for the Japanese culture. It's rich and vibrant, and frankly, I don't there is much-- if anything-- on the YA market set in Japan. Major props for that.
hashtag_alison's review
1.0
Not having read the first novel in this series, I’m at somewhat of a disadvantage here. I was able to pick up on the premise easily enough, but much of the YA angst was a continuation of rivalries and love triangles from the first book, so the author didn’t work too hard to re-establish them and they were thus lacking in impact for someone new to the series. In fact, I didn’t even realize it was a second book until the cashier asked me if I had read the first.
The romance was trite, as YA tends to be, and the mythology on which the powers were based was likewise unexplained thanks to it being sophomore of the series.
Overall, I found this book forgettable. Which is saying something, considering I’m a bit of a weeb myself.
(Disclaimer: I read a pre-release version of this that I snagged from a library sale, so keep in mind that my opinion was not formed about the finished product.)
The romance was trite, as YA tends to be, and the mythology on which the powers were based was likewise unexplained thanks to it being sophomore of the series.
Overall, I found this book forgettable. Which is saying something, considering I’m a bit of a weeb myself.
(Disclaimer: I read a pre-release version of this that I snagged from a library sale, so keep in mind that my opinion was not formed about the finished product.)
jacy_jean's review
5.0
I so cannot wait until the summer of 2015 for the conclusion. That is torture!
The sequel was just as good as the first one and I loved the addition of kanji in the text. O do wish that there was a version were all the Japanese works were written in hiragana or katakana so I can learn my vocabulary in a fun manner.
The sequel was just as good as the first one and I loved the addition of kanji in the text. O do wish that there was a version were all the Japanese works were written in hiragana or katakana so I can learn my vocabulary in a fun manner.
chantie's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
I read Ink last year for a reading challenge and couldn't wait to read Rain. I finally got the chance and I loved it so much. Once again the author makes the story come alive and I can picture it all. So well written. I really like the characters and how they seem like regular teens even though they have ink flowing through their veins. I will be starting Storm right away, as I don't think I can wait a year to read it.
darkclouds's review
4.0
Enjoyed this a lot more than Ink but there's still flaws here and there. I wish the plot wouldn't be so focused on the petty love triangle. It's a bit unrealistic. I still love the story because of the Japanese mythology and the culture we get to see! And the romance between Katie and Tomo is enjoyable too! As much as I like Jun, I wish he'd play the lone wolf role because he suits it better.
Can't wait to see how things end!
Can't wait to see how things end!
etoiline's review
4.0
I read INK last year, and was very happy to see the beautiful cover didn't mask poor writing. So when RAIN showed up at Netgalley, I requested it immediately. RAIN has a pretty cover too, and also has interior illustrations that just make me want to break out the inkstones and brushes (not that I can actually draw with a brush, but I can try). If you liked INK, you'll like RAIN, for the same reasons. RAIN has more of a slow burn, as we realize the consequences of Katie's decision at the end of the first book, but the stakes are higher.
All of the interesting tidbits about Japanese culture are there: the food, the festivals, the clothing, the crowds. We learn more about the mythology driving Tomo to draw, and why some not so savory types want to control him. I really felt for Katie when her school's principal told her she needed to learn her kanji, and soon, because she was falling behind since her reading comprehension was poor. I couldn't imagine trying to learn anything in a different language outside of an actual language class. The school is also involved in a horrible manifestation of the ink, and it was easy to visualize that due to the author's writing skills.
The romance is back, too, with sweet moments between Katie and Tomo, and bittersweet interactions between other characters. They all seem to have real relationships, without delving into cliches (though there is somewhat of a love triangle, so beware if that's not your thing). Sometimes those relationships can be harsh, however, though that's perfectly realistic.
The only reason this doesn't get five stars is the ending. While full of action, some of the ways the characters acted (I guess it's part of the twist) threw me off. I liked the way the author incorporated Japanese mythology (that's where the ink comes from, after all), but there was a little "I'm being bad because I can be" that seemed off-kilter.
RAIN doesn't end on quite so much of a surprise as INK, but with our characters resolved to take on the ancient gods and goddesses themselves to make things right. I will certainly be looking for the next book in the series.
Received as a free digital ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
All of the interesting tidbits about Japanese culture are there: the food, the festivals, the clothing, the crowds. We learn more about the mythology driving Tomo to draw, and why some not so savory types want to control him. I really felt for Katie when her school's principal told her she needed to learn her kanji, and soon, because she was falling behind since her reading comprehension was poor. I couldn't imagine trying to learn anything in a different language outside of an actual language class. The school is also involved in a horrible manifestation of the ink, and it was easy to visualize that due to the author's writing skills.
The romance is back, too, with sweet moments between Katie and Tomo, and bittersweet interactions between other characters. They all seem to have real relationships, without delving into cliches (though there is somewhat of a love triangle, so beware if that's not your thing). Sometimes those relationships can be harsh, however, though that's perfectly realistic.
The only reason this doesn't get five stars is the ending. While full of action, some of the ways the characters acted (I guess it's part of the twist) threw me off. I liked the way the author incorporated Japanese mythology (that's where the ink comes from, after all), but there was a little "I'm being bad because I can be" that seemed off-kilter.
RAIN doesn't end on quite so much of a surprise as INK, but with our characters resolved to take on the ancient gods and goddesses themselves to make things right. I will certainly be looking for the next book in the series.
Received as a free digital ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.