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laceanddaggerbooks's review
4.0
Oh man, that was so good. I'm going to have to share some quotes in this review.
Rain was the second book in the Paper Gods trilogy and it was just as thrilling as the first. There were some issues with...well...white girl being important within a Japanese mythos. The way it happened does make sense but it still makes me go meh a little.
Aside from that this was a great book that felt like it was really in Japan. It was realistic with clear cultural differences and I do like that. As well as that the use of the Japanese Kami and the shrines in this is really fascinating.
But do you want to know the best part of this book?
Satoshi Ishikawa.
I barely remember him from book one but this punk with the dyed white hair is officially a fave. Recently I've gotten back into watching anime again and I've been attracted to best friend ships that have angst in their present and/or future. So guess what Sato and Yuuto did for me in this... sob.
I mean, look at this...
"Aaaand now the whole gym knows you're in love with him," Ishikawa said..."You were as loud as me." I'd just meant it as a gibe, but I realized what I'd said the minute the words were out.
"Yeah, well," Ishikawa said, his eyes soft as he stared straight ahead at the kendouka. "It's you he heard."
My heart hurts now.
But seriously Ishikawa is probably one of the best characters. He's a future Yakuza member with a heart of gold, a teenage boy having to hide his sexuality in a homophobic culture and yet he's still supportive and cracking jokes. He's happy if Yuuto is and though he made some mistakes in book one, he was actually trying to help.
I actually love other side characters for similar reasons. Shiori is a bitch but is only lashing out as she's alone and didn't want to lose the one person she had and Ikeda is loyal to a fault, even if Jun doesn't feel the same way. I feel for these ladies and I feel like the side characters are part of what makes the book great.
I will be reading book 3 when I can and hoping for more Ishikawa!
Rain was the second book in the Paper Gods trilogy and it was just as thrilling as the first. There were some issues with...well...white girl being important within a Japanese mythos. The way it happened does make sense but it still makes me go meh a little.
Aside from that this was a great book that felt like it was really in Japan. It was realistic with clear cultural differences and I do like that. As well as that the use of the Japanese Kami and the shrines in this is really fascinating.
But do you want to know the best part of this book?
Satoshi Ishikawa.
I barely remember him from book one but this punk with the dyed white hair is officially a fave. Recently I've gotten back into watching anime again and I've been attracted to best friend ships that have angst in their present and/or future. So guess what Sato and Yuuto did for me in this... sob.
I mean, look at this...
"Aaaand now the whole gym knows you're in love with him," Ishikawa said..."You were as loud as me." I'd just meant it as a gibe, but I realized what I'd said the minute the words were out.
"Yeah, well," Ishikawa said, his eyes soft as he stared straight ahead at the kendouka. "It's you he heard."
My heart hurts now.
But seriously Ishikawa is probably one of the best characters. He's a future Yakuza member with a heart of gold, a teenage boy having to hide his sexuality in a homophobic culture and yet he's still supportive and cracking jokes. He's happy if Yuuto is and though he made some mistakes in book one, he was actually trying to help.
I actually love other side characters for similar reasons. Shiori is a bitch but is only lashing out as she's alone and didn't want to lose the one person she had and Ikeda is loyal to a fault, even if Jun doesn't feel the same way. I feel for these ladies and I feel like the side characters are part of what makes the book great.
I will be reading book 3 when I can and hoping for more Ishikawa!
greylandreviews's review
4.0
Cover is so GORGEOUS! I give this book 4 stars and a spot on my Beautiful Covers of 2014. You can see the full review here->Greyland Reviews
orphic's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amyra87's review
4.0
Molto più bello del primo, continuo ad amare questa serie principalmente per le sue atmosfere nipponiche.
Voto: 3.5 stelle
Voto: 3.5 stelle
aphasiana's review
Rain is Amanda Sun’s sequel to Ink (I recommend you read that first).
Sun’s urban fantasy is exciting and different from any other series I’ve read. The Kami mythology is intriguing and it was great to learn more about the powers and history. The idea of drawings and words that literally come to life is fascinating. Add the angst of competition, identity crisis, and doomed romance and you have a great novel for teens.
Tomo’s drawings turning against him and those he loved seems like a metaphor that could be explored at length in a book club or essay.
The contrast of beautiful scenery and gang violence, and intricate art and monstrous ink creates amazing imagery. The characters ruled by their jealousy and fears have back-stories that make the reader sympathetic.
I sometimes struggled to keep track of who was who because of the cultural differences. Everyone calls people by different names because your relationship is reflected in the name you use. This would be really confusing for me and I’m glad Sun has Katie struggle with it too.
I actually found the chemistry between Katie and Jun more convincing than the chemistry between her and Tomo. I’m not sure he ever did or said anything that made me feel like he was worth all the trouble they go through. However, I think this was partly intentional because there had to be some distance between them to create the love triangle- or hexagon if you consider all the people competing for Tomo’s and Jun’s affection not just Katie’s.
Sun’s urban fantasy is exciting and different from any other series I’ve read. The Kami mythology is intriguing and it was great to learn more about the powers and history. The idea of drawings and words that literally come to life is fascinating. Add the angst of competition, identity crisis, and doomed romance and you have a great novel for teens.
Tomo’s drawings turning against him and those he loved seems like a metaphor that could be explored at length in a book club or essay.
The contrast of beautiful scenery and gang violence, and intricate art and monstrous ink creates amazing imagery. The characters ruled by their jealousy and fears have back-stories that make the reader sympathetic.
I sometimes struggled to keep track of who was who because of the cultural differences. Everyone calls people by different names because your relationship is reflected in the name you use. This would be really confusing for me and I’m glad Sun has Katie struggle with it too.
I actually found the chemistry between Katie and Jun more convincing than the chemistry between her and Tomo. I’m not sure he ever did or said anything that made me feel like he was worth all the trouble they go through. However, I think this was partly intentional because there had to be some distance between them to create the love triangle- or hexagon if you consider all the people competing for Tomo’s and Jun’s affection not just Katie’s.
cait_s's review
3.0
Katie Green is dangerous in Japan, but she wasn't willing to leave her new school, new friends, and most of all her new love--Tomohiro. And he's the reason she's dangerous--the ink inexplicably in her blood calling to the ink in his. Tomo is a Kami, descended from an ancient god, and his ink comes to life outside of his control. Katie makes it worse, but they can't stay away from each other--and both hope they can find a way to be together. Tomo decides to stop drawing, which makes his problems worse, and Katie turns to an enemy of Tomo's--Jun, another Kami who has more information about the ink. They will both have to discover the secret to the ink in both Tomo and Katie if they will have a future.
This book is even more angsty, and the relationship even more silly, than the first one. However, the plot moves along quickly, and the history of the country, and the myths behind the Kami, make for an interesting read. And it's probably too much to expect good decisions from teens under this kind of pressure, anyway. A cute romance, and a lot of questions left for the last book.
This book is even more angsty, and the relationship even more silly, than the first one. However, the plot moves along quickly, and the history of the country, and the myths behind the Kami, make for an interesting read. And it's probably too much to expect good decisions from teens under this kind of pressure, anyway. A cute romance, and a lot of questions left for the last book.
karinlib's review
3.0
I'm mainly reading this for the cultural aspects, and language. I liked the first book better I think, and I will be reading the third book.
liinukka's review
4.0
Still enjoying this series a lot! There were a few odd Japanese phrases that didn't sound right, an angst filled boyfriend, a love triangle, and a bunch of bitchy jealous girls who hated that their crushes loved Katie and not them... Like book 1, Rain was filled with stuff that I'd usually cringe at, but I'm quite okay with it?? Weird.
I felt like the language in the first person prose was really natural and believable for a teenaged girl. She had a lot of moments of silliness and insecurity that felt authentic rather than annoying.
I've seen some reviews compare this to Twilight, and yes, it does mirror it in many ways. Supernatural boyfriend who's bad for the girl, love triangle with a third supernatural (hot!) dude, etc. But Katie is so much more interesting and active a character compared to Bella. She's not helpless, and she doesn't fall into a useless pile of angst when she realizes she can't be with Tomo.
This story is definitely not the best ever, but I really love it. Looking forward to the last one!
I felt like the language in the first person prose was really natural and believable for a teenaged girl. She had a lot of moments of silliness and insecurity that felt authentic rather than annoying.
I've seen some reviews compare this to Twilight, and yes, it does mirror it in many ways. Supernatural boyfriend who's bad for the girl, love triangle with a third supernatural (hot!) dude, etc. But Katie is so much more interesting and active a character compared to Bella. She's not helpless, and she doesn't fall into a useless pile of angst when she realizes she can't be with Tomo.
This story is definitely not the best ever, but I really love it. Looking forward to the last one!
iamhume's review
3.0
3.5
This was much better than the first mostly because I knew it was more of a character conflict driven story than a paranormal adventure. It'll be interesting to see where Amanda Sun goes next in the third and final book.
This was much better than the first mostly because I knew it was more of a character conflict driven story than a paranormal adventure. It'll be interesting to see where Amanda Sun goes next in the third and final book.