How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
Review Detail
Ink (The Paper Gods #1)
FeaturedHot
Young Adult Fiction
4112
For all anime fans
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
4.0
Characters
4.0
Writing Style
4.0
In an industry where almost all the top YA novels are set in US or somewhere like Europe (even those are rare), Ink is fresh and exotic with its Japanese setting. I honestly was intrigued because for the first time, I was reading a YA book set in Japan with the paranormal legends from Japan. Having read plenty of manga and light novels, I honestly can say the writing was in sync with the setting. It had a distinctive style and the even the cultural nuances were so on the mark – the behavior of the characters, how they speak to each other, and other details like the day-to-day things that Katie does. The realistic storytelling completely drew me in, and the darker tones to the story intrigued me.
Katie is such a strong girl; fearless and doesn’t back down from a challenge. Few would actually have the courage to go to an entirely foreign country where you don’t even know the language properly. Japanese is a tough language and reading it is particularly a challenge. Even conversations have these little rules, differences for a single statement based on who you were talking to. She braves it, though stumbling along the way, while fitting into a traditional school. Tomohiro, a loner, who is used to pushing people away for their safety, is quite complex and layered. He believes he is less than human, and the Kami within him is bursting to take over. Katie unbalances him, surprises him with her pushiness and borderline stalker-like tendencies. He does have his low moments (especially when he is trying to ‘protect’) – for which Katie calls him out on, overall he is a good guy. The dynamic between them is so cute – with the banter and snarkiness. Perhaps if you are not used to any Japanese works, it might seem a bit odd at times – with how much emphasis they put on names.
The mythology was interesting, with the Kami being spirits passed along a bloodline that can control ink and make it create and do their bidding. I am definitely hoping for more details, though – especially about the dreams Tomohiro had in Shadows, the prequel. Katie being present in his dreams seemed quite a crucial thing which never came up in Ink, so I was a bit disappointed when that wasn’t explained. Basically, a great read if you are into Japanese legends or are looking for something new in the paranormal genre.
Katie is such a strong girl; fearless and doesn’t back down from a challenge. Few would actually have the courage to go to an entirely foreign country where you don’t even know the language properly. Japanese is a tough language and reading it is particularly a challenge. Even conversations have these little rules, differences for a single statement based on who you were talking to. She braves it, though stumbling along the way, while fitting into a traditional school. Tomohiro, a loner, who is used to pushing people away for their safety, is quite complex and layered. He believes he is less than human, and the Kami within him is bursting to take over. Katie unbalances him, surprises him with her pushiness and borderline stalker-like tendencies. He does have his low moments (especially when he is trying to ‘protect’) – for which Katie calls him out on, overall he is a good guy. The dynamic between them is so cute – with the banter and snarkiness. Perhaps if you are not used to any Japanese works, it might seem a bit odd at times – with how much emphasis they put on names.
The mythology was interesting, with the Kami being spirits passed along a bloodline that can control ink and make it create and do their bidding. I am definitely hoping for more details, though – especially about the dreams Tomohiro had in Shadows, the prequel. Katie being present in his dreams seemed quite a crucial thing which never came up in Ink, so I was a bit disappointed when that wasn’t explained. Basically, a great read if you are into Japanese legends or are looking for something new in the paranormal genre.
Comments
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Powered by JReviews
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
YABC's Valentine's Day Giveaway Extravaganza 2021 (Children's) ~ (US Only)
Welcome to YABC's fourth annual Valentine's Day Giveaway Extravaganza! We're featuring titles that reflect love, happiness, and plenty of heart! Check out all of these amazing books that are perfect f...
Posted in News & Updates
Giveaway: Merci Suarez Can't Dance (Meg Medina) ~ (US Only)
Merci Suarez Can't Dance (US Only) by: Meg Medina Release Date: April 16th, 2021 Publisher: Candlewick Press About The Book Seventh grade is going to be a real trial ...
Posted in News & Updates
Spotlight on Time Travel for Love and Profit (Sarah Lariviere), Excerpt, Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Time Travel for Love and Profit (Sarah Lariviere). Read on for more about Sarah, plus a excerpt & a giveaway! Meet S...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Chat with Cambria Gordon (The Poetry Of Secrets), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to chat with Cambria Gordon author of This Poetry of Secrets. Read on for more about Cambria and her book, plus a giveaway! ...
Posted in News & Updates
Giveaway: Leonard (Carlie Sorosiak) ~ (US Only)
Leonard (US Only) by: Carlie Sorosiak Release Date: April 13th, 2021 Publisher: Walker Books US About The Book The cat that Olive rescues from a flood has a secret: he’s not reall...
Posted in News & Updates
Giveaway: The Threads Of Magic (Alison Croggon) ~ (US Only)
The Threads Of Magic (US Only) by: Alison Croggon Release Date: April 13th, 2021 Publisher: Walker Books US About The Book Pip lives by his wits in the city of Clarel....
Posted in News & Updates
Latest Book Listings Added
From New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Sheinmel comes the...
Discover the incredible story of a young daughter of immigrants...
“We are most courageous at our weakest; when we believe...
Celebrate the perfect, ugly expression of holiday cheer in this...
Latest Member Reviews
"PERFECT ON PAPER is a delightful YA romantic comedy. Darcy has been operating Locker 89 at her school for years...."
"Reviewed for YA Books Central A super cute and sweet story. The story: A year ago, a..."
"shine your icy crown by amanda lovelace is a 129-page collection of contemporary poems. It’s the second book in the..."
"THE CASTLE SCHOOL (FOR TROUBLED GIRLS) is a story of healing and friendship. Moira has been cast adrift since the..."
"Hercules proved he was a true hero and became a god like his parents, Zeus and Hera. Meg is thrilled..."
"FOLLOW YOUR ARROW is a heartfelt read about love, breaking up, and being true to yourself. CeCe has made a..."
"DOWN COMES THE NIGHT is an intriguing, slow-burn YA fantasy. Wren is a healer in the military of her queendom,..."
"A DARK AND HOLLOW STAR is a slowly building YA fantasy that takes the reader on a wild ride through..."
"It's South Carolina in 1962. Sixteen-year-old Evvie has two little sisters to take care of, a single mother, and finally..."
"DARK STARS by Danielle Rollins is the third book in her series of the same name. It begins with Dorothy..."
"Denver loves music and dreams of life making it with her R&B group, Angelic Voices. When the group (Denver, Dali,..."
"My favorite thing about this book is the Egyptian elements. Reading Lily’s adventures in pyramids gave me strong Indiana Jones..."
"Michael doesn't know what he wants to do with his life. He should go to community college to avoid the..."
"CRUSH is an intense and nail-biting sequel to CRAVE. This second book picks up a few months after the first..."
"Audiobook review: Following 5 teens trying to survive, THE SHADOW WAR imagines World War II with a..."
"MEET CUTE is a fun, romantic anthology featuring stories about people first meeting. Ranging from cute to funny to dark..."
"GLIMPSED gives us a twist on the typical fairytale with Charity, a fairy godmother from a line of fairy godmothers...."
"Wow, this book didn’t turn out to be anything like I expected. The story: Tamara is a young..."
"PREPPED is a really captivating YA contemporary fiction. Becca is 17 years old and dreams of going away to college..."
"This book has become one of my all-time favorites. Every time I start reading I couldn’t put it down, touched..."