Review: Ink by Amanda Sun

Ink

(Paper Gods # 1)

By: Amanda Sun

Pub. Date: June 25, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 377

Source: Netgalley

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review.

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.

I've been hearing such wonderful things about Ink so I was really excited to be able to read it. Unfortunately, I was really disappointed. There were parts of Ink that I really enjoyed, including the character of Katie and the mystery behind the art work and mythology. But for the most part, I don't think this story was for me.

After Katie's mother dies, she is forced to live with her Aunt in Japan. Katie doesn't know the language or understands the culture, but she is trying to make the best of it. I really loved her personality. Some of her lines where laugh out loud funny. She was fun and sarcastic, and just trying to make it through the day in a very strange land. But one day, after encountering a fight between Tomohiro and his girlfriend, Katie swears she sees a drawing move. But every time she tries to ask him about it, or talk to him in general, he is rude and nasty.

Tomo was such a jerk at points that it was hard for me to actually like him when we learn all about him and his secrets. Yes, he's been through a lot and he doesn't want to get close to people, but that doesn't give him the right to be an absolute douchebag. When he was being sweet, I really liked him and Katie together. They had a nice connection, though I still think she could have done better.

What I absolutely loved about Ink was the mythology of the Paper Gods. This is something I have never heard of before since I am not familiar with Japanese culture at all. I loved learning about something new and I love the way that Amanda Sun tied it into the story.

The eARC was filled with the drawings and sketches that was mentioned in the story. I thought this was a wonderful touch and it really made the story come to life!

While I feel that Ink was not for me, there were still so many things about this story that I enjoyed. I would definitely recommend it! Ink is a completely different and original novel than anything else out there!