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A review by tiareleine
Rain by Amanda Sun
4.0
If you read my review of [b:Ink|13423346|Ink (Paper Gods, #1)|Amanda Sun|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349382349s/13423346.jpg|18878425], you'll know that I didn't really like that book. But I have this problems where I have really really really hard time not finishing series that I start, so the threshold for my "dnf-series" shelf is way up there. Because it was mostly the characters I didn't like in Ink, not the plot or the setting or the writing style, Rain found its way into my to-read pile.
And I'm glad it did (though it may make my habit of compulsively continuing series worse)
This book is a huge improvement from the first book. Basically, everything about this book has been made better. I even went back to my review of the Ink, to see what I hadn't liked, and I found that none of the problems I had with Ink remain in Rain!
The biggest problem I had with Ink was Katie. In the first book, she was immature, demanding, and irrational. How is she different now? Well, she's matured. That's for damn sure. She pays attention to her responsibilities, solves problems, and takes things in stride. She's not demanding anymore. Instead of asking a million questions to everyone around her, she's begun to take things into her own hands to find answers. They're not going to come to her, so she's going to go to them. Also, she's not nearly as irrational. She's trying harder to understand, both the situation with the Kami and the culture she now lives in. This is character development at its finest, and I like that.
The other biggest problem I had was with Tomohiro--who was a massive asshole in Ink. He's given up his mysterious and broody ways (thankfully) to become the nice guy Katie always insisted was under his shell. I hated this guy's guts in Ink (well, at least, according to my review), but it's become clear that this is really who he is, and that how he acted before was just an act. (Okay, I don't really buy the whole "just an act" thing, but his character is being written different--nicer--and I really like it).
Of course, the elements of Ink that were strong (notice how I said it wasn't the plot or the setting or the writing style that pissed me off)--the mythology and the imagery of Japan--are just as strong in Rain, and are still where the book really shines. Especially now that we're starting to get the explanation portion of the series. I'm not claiming to be an expert in Japanese mythology, I'm not claiming to even know a single thing about it, so excuse me if I'm wrong, but it was weaved into the story in a way that made sense.
The one thing that bothered me about Rain was the brief flirtation with a love triangle. I knew Katie and Tomohiro were going to be together, so I didn't shelve Rain on my love-triangle shelf, but all the drama was an annoyance.
My favorite part of Rain, which was also my favorite part of Ink, were the drawings. I love the art in this book. There are some paintings by the chapter headings, and a few scattered throughout the story, all in the same style as the cover art. It adds an extra layer to the book.
If you read Ink and are unsure of whether to continue, I recommend giving Rain a chance.
And I'm glad it did (though it may make my habit of compulsively continuing series worse)
This book is a huge improvement from the first book. Basically, everything about this book has been made better. I even went back to my review of the Ink, to see what I hadn't liked, and I found that none of the problems I had with Ink remain in Rain!
The biggest problem I had with Ink was Katie. In the first book, she was immature, demanding, and irrational. How is she different now? Well, she's matured. That's for damn sure. She pays attention to her responsibilities, solves problems, and takes things in stride. She's not demanding anymore. Instead of asking a million questions to everyone around her, she's begun to take things into her own hands to find answers. They're not going to come to her, so she's going to go to them. Also, she's not nearly as irrational. She's trying harder to understand, both the situation with the Kami and the culture she now lives in. This is character development at its finest, and I like that.
The other biggest problem I had was with Tomohiro--who was a massive asshole in Ink. He's given up his mysterious and broody ways (thankfully) to become the nice guy Katie always insisted was under his shell. I hated this guy's guts in Ink (well, at least, according to my review), but it's become clear that this is really who he is, and that how he acted before was just an act. (Okay, I don't really buy the whole "just an act" thing, but his character is being written different--nicer--and I really like it).
Of course, the elements of Ink that were strong (notice how I said it wasn't the plot or the setting or the writing style that pissed me off)--the mythology and the imagery of Japan--are just as strong in Rain, and are still where the book really shines. Especially now that we're starting to get the explanation portion of the series. I'm not claiming to be an expert in Japanese mythology, I'm not claiming to even know a single thing about it, so excuse me if I'm wrong, but it was weaved into the story in a way that made sense.
The one thing that bothered me about Rain was the brief flirtation with a love triangle. I knew Katie and Tomohiro were going to be together, so I didn't shelve Rain on my love-triangle shelf, but all the drama was an annoyance.
My favorite part of Rain, which was also my favorite part of Ink, were the drawings. I love the art in this book. There are some paintings by the chapter headings, and a few scattered throughout the story, all in the same style as the cover art. It adds an extra layer to the book.
If you read Ink and are unsure of whether to continue, I recommend giving Rain a chance.