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thejanewayprotocol 's review for:
Ink
by Amanda Sun
I was really disappointed with this book. I'm rating it 2.5 stars, but I bumped it up to 3 on here because that cover is so lovely!
The strongest points in this book is the descriptions of the setting; the beautiful city in Japan, and its countryside; the city life itself, the little shops, the people, the food. It was almost as if I was really there. The way the characters interacted with one another, and the proper protocols they followed in the house, in school. And the use of the Japanese language, with a handy glossary at the back so you could follow along, I actually really enjoyed. And upon reading about the author at the end, I was unsurprised to learn that she had herself lived as an exchange student for some time in Japan. I thought that part was brilliant.
But the character of Katie was not a very likeable girl. Having just lost her mother in New York, she had been forced to live with her Aunt who was living in Japan, teaching English. While I can appreciate the sense of loss along with the culture shock, and having to learn a very difficult language quickly, I didn't feel like there was any growth at all throughout this book. She was very whinny, and quite horrible to the friends that she had. Much of the book was her obsession with a boy who is being haunted by Paper Gods, and while I can on some point admire her bravery by sticking by him, the result ended up shunning the friends who had shown her kindness and friendship when she first arrived in Japan. I really can't stand characters that selfish.
The plot itself is not very strong. I found the dialogue (both internally and externally) very cringe-worthy to read. The exchanges between Tomohiro and Katie were very awkward most of the time. And the whole storyline between the ink and themselves was not developed very well. There just wasn't enough suspense to make me curious or worry about them at all.
Overall, I am a bit underwhelmed, and I don't think I'm going to continue with the sequel anytime soon. I will still go and look at the reviews, and if I find that it seems to be more likeable than this one, I may give it a go. But if someone where to ask me how I found this book, I would have to just answer honestly; Meh.
The strongest points in this book is the descriptions of the setting; the beautiful city in Japan, and its countryside; the city life itself, the little shops, the people, the food. It was almost as if I was really there. The way the characters interacted with one another, and the proper protocols they followed in the house, in school. And the use of the Japanese language, with a handy glossary at the back so you could follow along, I actually really enjoyed. And upon reading about the author at the end, I was unsurprised to learn that she had herself lived as an exchange student for some time in Japan. I thought that part was brilliant.
But the character of Katie was not a very likeable girl. Having just lost her mother in New York, she had been forced to live with her Aunt who was living in Japan, teaching English. While I can appreciate the sense of loss along with the culture shock, and having to learn a very difficult language quickly, I didn't feel like there was any growth at all throughout this book. She was very whinny, and quite horrible to the friends that she had. Much of the book was her obsession with a boy who is being haunted by Paper Gods, and while I can on some point admire her bravery by sticking by him, the result ended up shunning the friends who had shown her kindness and friendship when she first arrived in Japan. I really can't stand characters that selfish.
The plot itself is not very strong. I found the dialogue (both internally and externally) very cringe-worthy to read. The exchanges between Tomohiro and Katie were very awkward most of the time. And the whole storyline between the ink and themselves was not developed very well. There just wasn't enough suspense to make me curious or worry about them at all.
Overall, I am a bit underwhelmed, and I don't think I'm going to continue with the sequel anytime soon. I will still go and look at the reviews, and if I find that it seems to be more likeable than this one, I may give it a go. But if someone where to ask me how I found this book, I would have to just answer honestly; Meh.