Synopsis From Goodreads
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.
Before I say anything about the content in this book I want to talk about the cover. Before I read anything about this book I got drawn in by the cover. I loved the Japanese feel and the font of the text. I just thought it was beautiful.
After reading about the book I was intrigued because I love reading books that involve japanese culture such as author Zoe Marriott. And I was not disappointed with the Japanese aspects, however the story wasn't woven quite as well as Zoe Marriott's japanese novels.
Katie Greene is forced to live with her aunt Diane in Japan when her mother dies, whilst waiting for her grandparents to sort out custody in Canada.
At first she struggles with language, friends and tradition. As if it isn't hard enough for her to be the only 'Gaijin' in the school with her blonde hair making her stand out more. I liked her struggle with the language but also the way she adapted because she was thrown in at the deep end and had to learn with her aunt's encouragement.
The friendship Katie has with Yuki and Tanaka is easy and relaxed and I appreciated the way they helped Katie feel more welcome and i felt their characters enabled me to see Katie's stronger side but it also made her character more believable. The friendship showed that she wasn't just interested in boys and it gave her, and me as the reader, some insight into Japanese traditions.
I loved the idea of 'Kami' and the Ink coming to like. I was a bit confused at times about how it related to Katie and what exactly it meant but I pushed through and enjoyed it anyway. I am hoping that Katie's role in controlling the Ink is further explained in Book Two.
Tomohiro as a character seemed like a normal teenage boy and i think he was well written and believable I, myself however did not 'fall for him', which as a reader I like to fall for the characters as the story unravels. I enjoyed his relationship with Katie but at times wanted more conversation or more depth because it felt i was only skimmed the top of their relationship rather than getting right in. However I realise this may be my english nature wanting a more in depth love story, whereas this is written as a love story in a completely different cultured country. I hope their relationship is further developed in Book Two and they as a couple have more depth.
I liked the glossary at the end of the book that allowed me to read the book more fluently and also because I taught myself a little bit of Japanese.
All in all I loved this book and the Japanese history and myths and look forward to Book Two so that I can follow Katie and the mystery of Ink more.
I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars.
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