Ink by Amanda Sun

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 377

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Released: 25th of June 2013

Other books in the series: SHADOW (optional prequel) 

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.

What I Have To Say

I've been excited about this book since I first heard about it a year ago and it really didn't disappoint. I loved the entire premise and Amanda Sun's writing didn't let it down. She gave a beautiful and vivid picture of Japan and interwove the supernatural elements seamlessly, diving into so much of Japanese culture to do so. 

I loved the way Katie's character was built. She was so strong without being unbelievable and without possessing any powers of her own. In a genre filled by girls of superpowers (which I love, don't get me wrong) it was refreshing to see one who didn't, but is just as strong a person. 

 I also loved how her integration into Japan paralleled her journey of recovery from her mother's death. It made an easy progression into the story and dealt with Katie's emotional trauma without detracting from the story at all. 

In all, I really, really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one in the series.    

Shadow by Amanda Sun

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 69 

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Released: 1st of June 2013

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…

What I Have To Say 

This was a really great set up for Ink, reading it has made me really, really excited for the release date. 

It had a really emotional start, showing how hard it is for a teenager to lose the single parent who's raising them. The emotion cam through really well, both at the funeral scene and the time after between then and Katie moving to Japan. 

The feelings Katie has when reaching Japan are really interesting too and show well the cultural shock and disorientation of moving to an entirely different country. 

I've been looking forward to Ink for a while now and reading Shadow has made it so that I just can't wait for the release. 

Shadow is only available for ebook and is dirt cheap on Amazon, so I really recommend getting it. You don't need a reader, I downloaded kindle for desktop and read it there. Apparently it's free on for Nook but that seems to only be available in the States.