Rain by Amanda Sun Series: Paper Gods #2
Published by Harlequin Teen on 24 June 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
| 
American Katie Green has decided to stay in Japan. She's started to build a life in the city of Shizuoka, and she can't imagine leaving behind her friends, her aunt and especially Tomohiro, the guy she's fallen in love with. But her return is not as simple as she thought. She's flunking out of Japanese school and committing cultural faux pas wherever she goes. Tomohiro is also struggling—as a Kami, his connection to the ancient gods of Japan and his power to bring drawings to life have begun to spiral out of control.
When Tomo decides to stop drawing, the ink finds other ways to seep into his life—blackouts, threatening messages and the appearance of unexplained sketches. Unsure how to help Tomo, Katie turns to an unexpected source for help—Jun, her former friend and a Kami with an agenda of his own. But is Jun really the ally he claims to be? In order to save themselves, Katie and Tomohiro must unravel the truth about Tomo's dark ancestry, as well as Katie's, and confront one of the darkest gods in Japanese legend.
*I received a free ARC of Rain from Harlequin Teen via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
Rain continues Katie’s adventures in Japan, even if she was supposed to go back to the US.
My Rain review:
Katie hasn’t really changed very much from the beginning of Ink, the first book in the Paper Gods series. And that is probably the main reason why I wasn’t completely immersed in the story, and in Japan. She is still drawn to both Jun and Tomo, and the problems with the ink going crazy continue as well. For the two weeks she’s been back in Japan, she hasn’t been able to get a hold of Tomo, but meets him by chance at a festival with fireworks, and then, they also run into Jun.
Rain doesn’t really bring much new information about the ink, and the gods that are trying to use those who can manipulate the ink. I did learn a lot more about why there seems to be some ink reactions inside of Katie, though, and I really enjoyed figuring that out with her and Jun. I would have liked it even more if I had felt the connection between Jun and Katie or Tomo and Katie more than I did, though. Especially because even after two books, I don’t really know these characters very well.
The descriptions of Japan make me want to travel, though, as do the different kinds of food Katie shares with various characters throughout Rain. Written in first person point of view from Katie’s side, everything that happens is colored by her experience, which is good – I’m just as much of an outsider in Japan and that mythology as Katie is.
Some of my favorite Rain quotes:
I grinned. “Is that display of manliness necessary?” “Very,” he said, stooping to lock the wheel to the rack. “Life is boring if you only do necessary things.”
There are friendships you know will last for the rest of your life. It was like Yuki and Tanaka and my life in Japan had always been waiting for me, like I was always meant to come here.
My hand slipped from his arm and I stared at him for a minute, watching him watch Tomo. Then he snapped out of it, giving me a lopsided grin, and a light smack on the shoulder as he walked away.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
I reviewed this recently as well and really enjoyed the exploration into the Japanese mythology and everything. Like you though, I couldn’t really connect to the relationship between the characters, it wasn’t explored very well. And the love triangle was annoying. But overall, I loved the Japan setting.
Yeah, I agree, the premise is awesome, and I love the Japanese setting. The characters are so blah, though. And yeah, love triangles have to be extremely well done for me to enjoy them…
Thanks for stopping y, Jeann.
Not really my thing but thanks for sharing (love Japan, though !)
Yeah, the premise is good, and so is Japan… Thanks for stopping by, Red Iza 🙂
Fun quotes and I love these covers
The covers are absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for stopping by, Brandi.
This is the second review I’ve read about this book, Lexxie. I am not so sure if I am going to pick this series up. I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews in the first place. And this lukewarm review is already enough to cement my decision not to pick it up.
But really creative magical system though. Is this ink a literal ink? Like the one you used to paint portraits and other stuff?
Great review, Lexxie!
Yup, Charlotte, it’s literal ink, used for drawings and Japanese characters… Which is an awesome premise, right? And some people make their drawings come alive…
So it is very creative, but lacking in the character development.
Thanks for stopping by!
I always found the covers for this series quite cool, but never really felt the impulse to read the story. Although I like Japan and I’m fascinated by the whole mythology, I’m sorry that it didn’t work out well as much as you wanted and I’m even sorrier to hear that after two books you still feel like you don’t really know the characters…That’s not the greatest of things, I see. Still, fingers crossed for the next read to be an amazing one! 🙂
Yeah, it’s a little sad when a story has great potential but kind of doesn’t rise to the heights it could.
Thanks for stopping by, Silvia
Everytime I see this book I get so curious about the Ink, the gods who are trying to manipulate it and Japan as well. Too bad this one didn’t have as much reveal and action as you had hoped. It sounds like you enjoyed it still, and hopefully the next one will have more in it. Have a great weekend, Lexxie! 🙂
The covers are totally awesome, and the premise certainly holds a lot of promise. It didn’t completely work for me, though.
Thanks for stopping by, Kim!
Twitter: talksupeblog
I saw this at Jeanne’s blog too and aside from the awesome cover art, the story itself sound so fascinating!
I first book bored the hell out of me, but those covers are some of my favorite covers, ever.
Hmm, no connection with the characters after two books? That’s not a good sign, Lexxie. It’s too bad because this is such a unique premise…seems like the author just can’t deliver on it.
Hope your travels are great fun, my friend!! I can’t wait to hear about them. **BIG HUGS**
Great review. I kept seeing this book around and I almost bought it, so glad I didn’t. I hadn’t been paying attention and have only just realised it’s a sequel. Haha, so thanks for that!
It’s a shame that you really didn’t get into this book and that it really didn’t bring anything new to the first book. Good review though Lexie!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace