E-ARC Review: Ink by Amanda Sun

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 4-star, E-ARC, fantasy, review, YA,

Author: Amanda Sun

Release date: June 25th 2013

Publisher: harlequin TEEN

Series: Paper Gods # 1

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository  

Add to your library: Goodreads

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. (via Goodreads)

I received an e-copy of this from Harlequin TEEN through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I can say that Ink has far by the most unique premise I've encountered this year for a fantasy novel. Drawings turning to real stuff? Seriously amazing and scary.

I've alway loved Japan and all stuff connected to it. Mangas, animes, jdorama, jpop, food, you name it. Maybe that's one reason why I enjoyed this all the more. Somehow, I was able to feel how it was to be an outsider in Japan. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. But Katie was such a strong female character. Though she was actually stubborn at first and maybe even in the end. And honestly, I wasn't able to have that connection with her. I don't know why. I felt as if she was really an outsider. Still, I liked her. 

Thanks to Katie's relationship with Tomohiro and her connection to the Ink, I was able to enjoy this despite not feeling Katie that much. I definitely enjoyed how Katie and Tomohiro's relationshop grew. Maybe some will say that it's partly because of the Ink. But I doubt that. I saw how the two pretty much were like magnets at first. And how they just can't ignore that pull from each other. Seriously, I felt as if I was reading some manga here. Yes, I was practically swooning. What can I do? A cute Japanese guy is involved! He's also good in drawing! What's not to like? Katie's connection with the Ink was really powerful. It was amazing, really. Just the thought of the drawings coming to life is such a maginificent idea. 

I somehow expected more action. I'm not a violent person but I thought there'd be more action in here. There was action. It just didn't feed my expectations. But I like it anyway. It was a little scary and terrifying at some point. Yet it was amazing in a way. Come on. They were fighting using drawings? Ha. Really unique!

As much as I like mysteries, I hope something, even a little bit, of a reason why Katie had connection with the Ink was given away. But noooooo. I really have to wait for the next book for that. I just hope it's better! 

Ink is such a great fantasy novel about drawings coming to life and connections with the Gods. Unique, creative and utterly wonderful all in one! 

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.

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