Ink - Amanda Sun (NetGalley)

Overview

Ink is in their blood.

On the heels of a family tragedy, Katie Greene must 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.

When Katie meets aloof but gorgeous Tomohiro, the star of the school's kendo team, she is intrigued by him…and a little scared. His tough attitude seems meant to keep her at a distance, and when they're near each other, strange things happen. Pens explode. Ink drips from nowhere. And unless Katie is seeing things, drawings come to life.

Somehow Tomo is connected to the kami, powerful ancient beings who once ruled Japan—and as feelings develop between Katie and Tomo, things begin to spiral out of control. The wrong people are starting to ask questions, and if they discover the truth, no one will be safe.

My thoughts:

Maybe It's my ever growing love and fascination with Japan but I really loved this book!

I loved how the author gave me a YA story set somewhere other than America and she couldn't have picked a better backdrop in my opinion. I love how I felt like was was taken to Japan while I was reading it and the myth's woven into the story.

Kate's last name is really fitting. She is pretty "green" when she gets to Japan and add grieving to the top of it, I'm surprised she adjusted as well as she did. She had her annoying moments during the book and there was a time or two when I was ready to slap her myself but all in all, I found myself growing attached and protective of her. Her friends Yuki and Tanaka were awesome and I hope we get to see them a bit more in the next installment. Tomohiro is the perfect replica of the bad guy who isn't really a bad guy. The kind all the girls find themselves oohing and awing over. His character is so cliche at times but dang if the author didn't end up getting me attached to him as well. I wasn't expecting that. Throw in the Yakuza gang and the other Kami and we have what appears to be a well shaped story forming. 

I feel the first book was more about Tomo and Katie's connection and less about the "meat" of where Amanda is taking these books. I eagerly await to see how their story moves forward in the next book.

Author Website: Amanda Sun