Review & Giveaway: Ink by Amanda Sun

Title: Ink (Paper Gods #1)
Author: Amanda Sun
Published: 1 July 2013 by HarlequinTEEN Australia
Source: HarlequinTEEN Australia
Reviewed: Sapphireddragon
SapphiredDragon Rating: ****

Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun

Goodreads | Book Depository

I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look.

Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of a girl lying on a bench.

A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness.

And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine.

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.

Review: 

I have been dying to read this book since I first saw it an Harlequin Summit in February this year.  The cover looked absolutely gorgeous and the story looked incredibly intriguing.  

I am happy to say that this book did not disappoint!  It wasn't quite what I expected but this ended up being a good thing.  This was not a neat tidy easy to tie up the ends story where you could see the ending coming a mile off.  This was a deceptively simple story that flowed well hiding the extra strands that were being woven around it till suddenly you were in the middle of a complex tapestry with no idea which thread too pull and completely in Ms Sun's hands.

The idea of the Kami and it's links with the ink and drawing and pictures that moved was truly intriguing.  I enjoyed reading about it and can't wait to find out more about it in the next book,

As mentioned the story flowed well, the characters were reasonably distinct and Katie painted (at least as first) as the outsider.  I liked Katie, she was resilient and determined, but still open to a different culture even though she didn't want to be there after the death of her mother. As the book progresses you can slowly see her becoming immersed in the culture around her and realising where she fits.

I liked that the feelings between Katie and Tomo grew slowly.  They were  fascinated with each other to their chagrin at first but the real feelings grew slowly which I liked.  I felt like there was chemistry between them and this grows as the story goes on.

The other thing I really liked is the snapshot of Japanese culture that Ms Sun shows us.  Her writing painted a picture of Sunpu Park and the cherry blossoms and just illustrated so many other aspects that just  added to the authenticity of the story.

The only thing that brought it down is the fact that I have to wait till the next book to find out what happens next.  I was glad of the sneak peak of the first chapter of the next novel in the series, at the end of the book, as I am seriously going to have trouble waiting for the the next one to come out .

At least I have the novella, Shadow, to look forward to reading in the mean time.

I give this novel 4 stars

Sapphired Dragon xx

Giveaway

I pre-ordered a copy of this book earlier in the year then also was lucky enough to receive a copy from the publisher and now I have two copies. So I have decided to give one copy away.

Giveaway is International & all rules are in the Terms and conditions.  Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Novella Review: Shadow by Amanda Sun

Title: The Shadow (Paper Gods #0.5)
Author: Amanda Sun
Published: 1 June 2013 by HarlequinTEEN Australia
Source: HarlequinTEEN Australia (free e-novella)
Reviewed: Sapphireddragon
SapphiredDragon Rating: ****

Shadow (Paper Gods #0.5) by Amanda Sun

Goodreads | HarlequinTeen

Meet two teens whose worlds are about to change forever in this paranormal Young Adult novella, a prequel to Ink by debut author Amanda Sun…

Katie Greene’s worst nightmare comes true when her mother dies, and she’s devastated to learn that she will have to leave the only home she’s ever known. Desperate to find where she belongs, she must decide if she has what it takes to start a new life across the ocean.

For Yuu Tomohiro, every day is a nightmare. He struggles to control his strange ability, and keeps everyone at a distance so they won’t get hurt—even his girlfriend, Myu. At night, a shadow haunts his dreams, and a mysterious woman torments him with omens of death and destruction. But these haunting premonitions are only the beginning…

Review: 

The shadow by Amanda Sun is the prequel novella to the novel Ink.  Despite this, I actually read Ink first (see my review on July 1) and it is kind of funny as in some ways I wish I had read this first while in other ways I am glad I didn't. Let me explain.

I originally didnt read this first, despite knowing it was a prequel, because for some explicable reason I was worried it would provide spoilers for the novel. If anything, it was the other way round (which should have been somewhat obvious being a prequel and all but meh :-p)

This novella starts about 5 months earlier than the beginning of Ink and goes virtually all the way to the beginning of Ink. Each chapter is alternatively told from either Katie or Tomo's perspective. I liked this as I felt I got to know and understand both main characters a lot better especially Tomo. Given that Ink is essentially told from Katie's perspective, I wonder whether this would have changed my perspective on Tomo's reactions to things had I read this first and understood, a little more, where Tomo was coming from.

The story itself was reasonably simple in that it was essentially setting up the novel Ink going in depth with a few scenes that are merely mentioned in Ink.  It was actually not spoilerish at all which surprised me as Ms Sun was especially good at skirting around potential spoilers and actually adding to the mystery rather than spoiling it, and there a few clues in there that I think will have meaning later on in the series ( can't wait to see if I am right about those :-P).

So I have mentioned the reasons why I wished I had read it pre Ink but the reason I am glad i read it after is that while it is an introduction to the characters and story of Ink, I think I enjoyed it more because I already to some extent knew and loved the characters of Katie and Tomo so I was interested to see where they came from.  I believed I would have enjoyed this novella even if I had read it first but it meant I appreciated it more almost as a character study rather than an introduction.

If you are planning on reading Ink then i would suggest you read this first and even if at this stage you are not planning on reading Ink, I still recommend you read this novella as you might just change your mind.  This novella provides a great introduction to the novel as well as being a great read.

I give this novella 4 stars

Sapphired Dragon xx

WWW Wednesday #16

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you will read next?

What are you currently reading?

Glitter & Doom ( Masque of the Red Death #1.5) by Bethany Griffin

Goodreads | Barnes & Noble

Participating in the Novella Reading Week hosted by Fiktshun & Magical Urban Fantasy Reads so this is the second novella I am reading and reviewing.  Also good timing as I plan to read Dance of the Red Death (Masque of the red Death #2) next week once Novella week is over :-)

What did you recently finish reading?

Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda SunGoodreads | Book Depository

Loved this.  Review to be posted 1st July 2013.

Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington

Goodreads | Galaxy Bookshop

Best book I have read in 2013.  See my review here

Clean Slate Complex (A daynight story) by Megan Thomason

Goodreads | Amazon

Novella read number 1.  See my review here

What do you think you will read next??

More Novellas :-)

Shadow (Paper Gods #0.5) by Amanda Sun

Goodreads | HarlequinTeen

Meet two teens whose worlds are about to change forever in this paranormal Young Adult novella, a prequel to Ink by debut author Amanda Sun…

Katie Greene’s worst nightmare comes true when her mother dies, and she’s devastated to learn that she will have to leave the only home she’s ever known. Desperate to find where she belongs, she must decide if she has what it takes to start a new life across the ocean.

For Yuu Tomohiro, every day is a nightmare. He struggles to control his strange ability, and keeps everyone at a distance so they won’t get hurt—even his girlfriend, Myu. At night, a shadow haunts his dreams, and a mysterious woman torments him with omens of death and destruction. But these haunting premonitions are only the beginning…

The First (The Returned #0.5) by Jason Mott

Goodreads | Harlequin

In Jason Mott's haunting and unforgettable debut novel, The Returned, an impossible miracle is occurring all across the globe. Read how it all begins in this short story, The First.

It's been just over a year since Edmund Blithe died, and just over a month since his fiancée, Emily, stopped wearing her engagement ring. Emily has finally begun to move on… Until Edmund mysteriously and inexplicably returns, sending the world—and Emily—into a tailspin.

Edmund is only just the beginning. Around the world, people's loved ones are returning from beyond, seeking only to reenter the lives they left behind. As the world dives deep into uncertainty, Emily and Edmund are determined to find their way back to one another…even if it means risking everything.

So what are you reading this week?

Stacking The Shelves #1

Welcome to my first Stacking The Shelves!  Previously I participated in In My Mailbox but decided it was time for a change.  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga Reviews and is a meme to share those books, both print and e-book, that have been added to your shelves in the last week/s.

It's been a couple of week's and that means I have had two trips to go crazy at the library along with a book for review this week.

For Review (via HarlequinTeen):

Wasn't expecting to get a print copy of this book so it was an awesome surprise to find this in my mailbox this week and be able to add it to my shelf.  So very very excited.  I absolutely adore the cover of this book so loving having a print copy to read.  I also pre-ordered a copy of this a while ago, so will probably be hosting a giveaway for that copy once I receive it :-)  By the time this post goes to air, I will most likely have finished reading it hehe.

Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun

Goodreads | Book Depository

I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look.

Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of a girl lying on a bench.

A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness.

And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine.

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.

For Review (via Netgalley):

Hindsight by Sarah Belle

Goodreads | Amazon | Escape Publishing

The universe has sent Juliette a sign. She wishes it had been an email instead...

Juliette’s career is on fire, her marriage and family are in melt-down, and a red-hot goddess wants her husband. But those are the least of her worries when she wakes up on her lounge room floor in the year 1961.

Without any of her modern conveniences — nanny, housekeeper, surgically attached mobile phone, designer wardrobe, and intravenous lattes — Juliette is just over fifty years out of her comfort zone. But as she takes on the role of a 1961 housewife, with gritted liberated teeth, she discovers an unexpected truth: slower doesn’t mean boring, at home doesn’t mean dull, and priorities don’t mean sacrifices.

As she finds unexpected friendships, a resuscitated love life, tragedy and triumph, Juliette begins to wonder if she really wants to return home after all.

Free E-Novellas from Harlequin & HarlequinTeen Australia

Both these Novellas are prequels to books I am greatly looking forward to reading, in fact have already started reading Ink By Amanda Sun and I cannot wait to get my hands on The returned By Jason Mott 

Shadow (Paper Gods #0.5) by Amanda Sun

Goodreads | HarlequinTeen

Meet two teens whose worlds are about to change forever in this paranormal Young Adult novella, a prequel to Ink by debut author Amanda Sun…

Katie Greene’s worst nightmare comes true when her mother dies, and she’s devastated to learn that she will have to leave the only home she’s ever known. Desperate to find where she belongs, she must decide if she has what it takes to start a new life across the ocean.

For Yuu Tomohiro, every day is a nightmare. He struggles to control his strange ability, and keeps everyone at a distance so they won’t get hurt—even his girlfriend, Myu. At night, a shadow haunts his dreams, and a mysterious woman torments him with omens of death and destruction. But these haunting premonitions are only the beginning…

The First (The Returned #0.5) by Jason Mott

Goodreads | Harlequin

In Jason Mott's haunting and unforgettable debut novel, The Returned, an impossible miracle is occurring all across the globe. Read how it all begins in this short story, The First.

It's been just over a year since Edmund Blithe died, and just over a month since his fiancée, Emily, stopped wearing her engagement ring. Emily has finally begun to move on… Until Edmund mysteriously and inexplicably returns, sending the world—and Emily—into a tailspin.

Edmund is only just the beginning. Around the world, people's loved ones are returning from beyond, seeking only to reenter the lives they left behind. As the world dives deep into uncertainty, Emily and Edmund are determined to find their way back to one another…even if it means risking everything.

The reappearances continue in The Sparrow, and look for The Returned from Harlequin MIRA, a moving tale of a family given a second chance at life and a world where nothing—not even death—is certain.

Free E-Novels From IBooks (Australian):

Couldn't pass up these awesome free books during the week.  All three are book one in a series I love so really it was a no brainer 

My Soul To Take (Soul Screamers #1) by Rachel Vincent

Goodreads | Book Depository

She doesn’t see dead people, but...

She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who’ll be next...

Touch of Power (Healer #1) by Maria V Snyder

Goodreads | Book Depository

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life....

The Goddess Test (The Goddess Test #1) by Aimee Carter

Goodreads | Book Depository

Every girl who had taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom - and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear that her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld - and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy - until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride and a goddess.

If she fails...

Library:

Between The Lives by Jessica Shirvington

Goodreads | Galaxy Bookshop

Written in Red by Anne Bishop

Goodreads | Book Depository

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Goodreads | Book Depository

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Goodreads | Book Depository

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

Goodreads | Book Depository

In one of my armchairBEA posts last week, I mentioned that I didn't get the ting with zombies and posed the question "Why are Zombies so awesome?".  One of the comments mentioned that I needed to read Carrie Ryan to really understand.  So here I go :-)

The Forest of Hands & Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Goodreads | Book Depository

The Dark & Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

Goodreads | Book Depository

So what did you add to your shelves this week?