Book Review: Ink by Amanda Sun.

Ink by Amanda Sun. (Paper Gods #1)
Book 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.

Liana's Summary: Katie doesn't want to be in Japan anymore. She's homesick. However, she can't do anything about it. She's stuck with her aunt in Japan. When she meets the hot and popular, Tomohiro Yuu, and sees one of his drawings move, she knows something's up, and starts following him around to attempt to find out his secret...

Rate(1-10): 9.5

This book has been given to me in exchange for an honest review.

This book. Was so good. I just really have to give it a flat out, full rating.

Before I cracked it open, I knew that it was a Japanese, modern fantasy. (Usually, I don't read modern fantasy. This genre usually involves annoying main characters that are constantly in denial. However, I decided to pick it up..) Despite how modern fantasy isn't my favorite genre, I still picked it up anyway because, well, the synopsis sounded interesting. Come on, who could resist that synopsis?

The cover is absolutely gorgeous. G O R G E O U S. I love it. Undoubtedly it will attract many readers. 

Ink basically evolves around Katie and her life in school. She moved to Japan, her mom is dead, and she's living with her aunt who is trying to be a mom for her. Katie meets Tomohiro Yuu, and thinks he's the most conceited person on the planet. At first, anyway. And then she meets Takahashi Jun. And things escalate from there.

I really liked how the kami (gods) were linked into this whole thing. I mean, in the first/second chapter I knew things were going to take a whole dip in fantasy, and by page 50 I knew that *singing voice* somebody wasn't human..

Another thing I liked was all the Japanese culture linked in here. I used to be really fascinated with anime, and this sure seemed like it could be one if only someone started drawing it. I learned a few Japanese words and many cultural aspects! Just so you guys know. There's a glossary in the back. I didn't realize there was a glossary until I was almost done with the book. omg.

..And we circle back to the topic of our main characters.

Katie- She wasn't as annoying as I thought she was going to be, to be honest. I actually liked her a lot at some parts. I absolutely love her insolence. I like how she doesn't back down, and like Tomohiro said, she doesn't just let him push her away-- she pushes back. She's strong. But I have to say she was annoying at some parts. Their romance was so cuuuuuute.

Tomohiro- He's that guy that has a tough appearance and appears to be perfectly normal but has the most vivid backstory. Copper hair, hot face. Artist. (Only those who have read the book understand the emphasis.. But there's some emphasis for ya!) Cook. Fab kisser. Isn't that hot? I have to say he was the hottest fictional character I've read about in a while.

Takahashi- There's nothing I can really say about Jun, because, well, he was part of the.. plot twist. Except that he's the boy that always appears out of nowhere to save Katie's ass. And no one really knows that much about him. Well, because he goes to another school. Just gonna say that. Also, he's hot too.. (Blond highlights in his hair. Kendo champion. To me, hothothot.)

I stayed up late to finish the last few pages of this book. And I'm telling you right now, this is worth the read. Amanda Sun's writing is just absolutely awesome, and this is one hell of a good debut novel. Give it a try! I can't wait for the next installment to the Paper Gods series.

Quotes (there are plenty!)
Note: This is an ARC copy of the book. Quotes in here may not be completely matching those of the final print's.

"That's right, Tarzan, look up!"


Oh my god she didn't just say that 


"I can see up your skirt,"


OH MY GOD I'M DYING


"I told you," he said sharply. "it doesn't interest me anymore."


STAHP DENYING


"--I want to know what's going on."


Of course you do


"And just when his bruise from Myu was fading."


AWW KATIE YOU CARE ABOUT HIS BRUISE


"Oh," she said. "You want to go biking with Tanaka."


omg ew Diane why


"It's not stupid if he's bothering you,"


Hmmmm.. Do I feel a love triangle coming on?


"He likes you,"


Hell yeah he does



"Then he stared at me intensely and started to lean in."


OH


"So beautiful," he whispered.


omg omg HAAHAA YES


"That's not true," I lied..


YOU LIED KEKEK SO YOU DO LIKE HIM!


"At least she's a cute one,"


omg what a flirt


"I won't let anything happen to you."


This is so sweet I'm gonna die


"Who's Koji?"


omfg why did you..


"And his keitai phone went off,.."


WHY IS IT ALWAYS THE PHONE IFFJAIJDF


"I hope he draws for you,"


Is that jealousy I smell? OMG WAIT THIS MAKES MUCH MORE SENSE NOW THAT I FINISHED THIS STORY.


"He tucked two thick blond highlights behind his ears."


oh


"He drew a butterfly."


omg ew I hate butterflies why if I were Katie I'd be screaming at them and laughing when they died


"He leaned back and patted me on the head."


OMFG I'M SO DONE. WHY.


"Cute,"


Flerrrrrrrrrrrrt.


"..a few plush animals that I wondered with sudden urgency if other girls had given to him."


omg Katie stahp it. 


"...pressed his lips against mine.."


FINAL-EFFING-LY!


"He pulled back then, suddenly."


WTF WHY


"Sorry,"


NOOOOOO DON'T BE SORRY SHUT UP AND RUN INTO THE SUNSET WITH HER


"..turn back to cooking.."


he cooks? omg that's hot


"I think you have someone you like,"


Hell yeah she does


"It's a love hotel,"


omg


"We haven't been properly introduced,"


The villains always say that


"Takahashi Jun."


WHAT!?


"Then we'll find out together," he said and flapped is dark wings, lifting us upward.


I laughed at this quote for a whole minute I don't even know why


"..if I'm not here to save your pretty ass?"


pretty ass she didn't just say PRETTY ASS AHADFDASAHA
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That's it! What do you think of this review?(: