2/5 StarsInk
Author: Amanda Sun
Publisher: HarlequinTEEN
Publication Date:
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Review
It took me over a month to read this book. Every time I
started to read my mind would wander and I would literally do anything else to
avoid reading. I started with such high expectations and honestly the first
introduction to the characters was interesting, a boy dramatically breaking up
with his girlfriend, but from there everything went down hill.
Instantly Katie falls for Tomohiro the guy that was JUST
doing the dramatic break up with his girlfriend, even though he shows no
interest in her. She proceeds to stalk Tomohiro, follows him to the train
station, follows him to his secret hide out, and then wonders why he lashes out
at her. For the first 100 or so pages this was the entire storyline.
Then suddenly Tomohiro and Katie have this connection and are
drawn together because of the ever mysterious ink that is making drawings move,
and doing other strange stuff. I honestly wish I had known more about the ink,
it could have been the most interesting thing and saved the story but I never
felt like I really understood what it was capable of. The ink to me felt more
like a giant: ‘Insert Paranormal Plot Device Here’ rather then having substance
and making the story interesting.
Really though I could have lived with a subpar plot because
I loved the setting in Japan so much. I was an exchange student in Kitakyushu so I
understood a lot of what Katie was going through, being in a completely different
setting and experiencing Japanese culture for the first time. Even her
inability to communicate in the language seemed real to me. Unfortunately Katie
herself didn’t seem real and neither did her relationship with Tomohiro.
Actually it was this terrible relationship that made me avoid reading the book.
The romance was just so fake, distant, and awkward that it detracted from the
story.
Overall, I did not enjoy Ink. The plot line felt recycled,
the paranormal element did not stand out, and the romance was terrible. The
setting was my favorite part of the book but that’s just not enough to get me
to pick up the sequel.
I enjoyed reading this book mainly because I loved the setting and the culture, but I do agree with you that the relationship between Tomo and Katie's a bit instalove-ish.
ReplyDeleteVery insightful review!
Lyra @ Defiantly Deviant
Every review I read of this book makes me more and more unlikely to read it. It just does not sound like something I will enjoy. Sorry it disappointed you though :(
ReplyDeleteUhm, I just commented that maybe we're book soulmates but haha, maybe not anymore. Although I loved this novel, I still get why so many people didn't like it. I'm such an understanding person. Mwahaha. Really sorry if I sound weird or crazy, I haven't slept yet. :P
ReplyDeleteI was actually ready to give it a 3 then but I loooove the mythology and how unique it was. I hate insta-love but I guess Tomo being Japanese (Japan! Japan!) made me blind? Haha! Then right about the 60% bit, so much action happened that I just ended up loving it. :)