Title: Ink
Series: Paper Gods,
#1
Author: Amanda
Sun
Publisher: Harlequin
Teen
Publication Date: June
25, 2013
Genre: YA,
Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Books4Tomorrow
Source: Received
from publisher via NetGalley
My smiley rating: 4/5
SUMMARY
On the heels of a family tragedy, the last
thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her
aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the
language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get
the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.
Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.
Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.
Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.
Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.
REVIEW
Lately
one of my biggest complaints have been about the paranormal genre becoming a
little bland, monotonous and…well, boring. No-one is writing anything new that isn’t
similar in some way to what someone else has written before. Because I loved
the cover and synopsis for this book, I was hoping with all my heart that this
book would be unlike its peers in the paranormal genre. From the
blurb it sounded like something unique and exciting, and it certainly was!
If you’re
into Japanese myths and folklore, anime and/or manga, you’ll have a field day
reading Ink. The author did her research
of Japanese mythology admirably, and also integrates her own experiences of
living in Japan, as well as a few Japanese words and phrases, into the story to
make the setting more realistic for the reader. The story takes place in Japan
and while I’ve never set foot in Japan and know zilch about their culture,
beliefs and customs, it felt as though I was there. The concept of drawings
coming to life had my imagination on fire and I completely lost myself in this breathtaking
novel with its vivid descriptions and illustrations that practically jumps off
the page right in front of your eyes. The characters are well-rounded, smart
and highly likeable (eventually), but pretty standard for a YA paranormal romance.
What really sets this book apart from most others are the illustrations and
drawings in every chapter, as well as the exceptional world-building which
includes multicultural elements and the fascinating traditions of the Japanese people.
Those were without a doubt the highlights for me.
There’s
nothing more I can say about this incomparable novel (without including
spoilers, of course) which haven’t already been said by hundreds of reviewers.
Despite it taking place in a country with a language that is foreign to me, the
author made me feel right at home in Katie’s new world by revealing this
beautiful setting one detail at a time and without dumping tons of info at the
start or in the first half of the book. The romance in Ink is delicate, yet seductive, and pulls you in all the way. So my
recommendation is for anyone and everyone looking for something new and
exciting in the paranormal romance genre, and those who root for the good girl
falling in love with the ansty bad boy, to give this exhilarating read a chance.
This is a page-turner that is near impossible to put down once you start
reading it. I can’t wait to see what Amanda Sun will bring us next in the
second instalment to this addictive new series!
I
received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for
an honest, unbiased review.
This review forms part of my three-month participation
in the NetGalley Knockout Challenge
for 2013.
READ more REVIEWS
Ink by Amanda Sun has 410 reviews. Read it here.
PURCHASE LINKS
ABOUT the AUTHOR
I’m a YA author and proud
Nerdfighter. I was born in Deep River, Canada, a very small town without
traffic lights or buses, and where stranger safety is comprised of what to do
if you see a bear—or skunk. I started reading fantasy
novels at 4 and writing as soon as I could hold a pencil. Hopefully my
work’s improved since then.
In university I took English, Linguistics,
and Asian History, before settling into Archaeology, because I
loved learning about the cultures and stories of ancient people. Of course, I
didn’t actually become an archaeologist—I have an intense fear of spiders. I
prefer unearthing fascinating stories in the safety of my living room.
The Paper Gods is inspired by my time
living in Osaka and travelling throughout Japan. That and watching far too many
J-Dramas. I currently live in Toronto with my husband and daughter. When
I’m not writing, I’m devouring YA books, knitting nerdy things like Companion
Cubes and Triforce mitts, and
making elaborate cosplays for anime cons.
AUTHOR LINKS
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