Paper Gods #2 Rain

Presenting Paper Gods #2 Rain by Amanda Sun.

Here is the summary of the book:

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 on/e of the darkest gods in Japanese legend.

'Ink' opened a whole new avenue with a brilliantly portrayed and excellently depicted Japanese culture and sequel 'Rain' just follows through as an excellent next leg of the journey. Not many modern authors are able to portray the historically and mystically extensive Japanese culture into their stories but Amanda Sun's 'Paper Gods' stands tall and I am very happy I got to read and experience it.

So, Katie has decided to stay in Japan and be with Tomohiro and help deal with the Ink problem. Tomohiro on the other hand has his own problems. He may have decided not to draw anymore, to try keep the Ink at bay but it won't do and blackouts and threatening messages are just the start of it all. Of course Kami, of the likes of Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, Izanagi and Susanoo in the mix is never a sign of harmony.

Katie is your ideal heroine. She lives out of her comfort zone in Japan. She is stubborn, intuitive, always ready to help and tries to see the good in all. Japan is still new to her but she is not one to accept defeat when threatened with International school as her grasp on the language is not yet good enough.. And most of all she by no means is ready to give on Tomohiro without a fight.

Tomohiro of course compliments Katie in every way possible. Hot and Broody and quite considerate towards others. In 'Rain' we actually saw him struggle to hold onto his identity. Like all boyfriends, he gets jealous when someone or rather Jun tries to usurp his territory. But his best quality aside from his all encompassing love for Katie, is that he is level headed and not quick to be swayed to suggestion (take that Shiori.... man she was such a bitch).

But the most development we saw in Jun, or rather degradation if you will. Till now we saw in calm and collected, but in the epic climatic fight secrets are revealed and what is truly in Jun's heart and what his agenda is. And Amanda Sun portrays it all in a simplistic and easy to understand script. No 2nd book syndrome whatsoever, Rain provides an authentic and exquisite sequel with its character driven plot, the myths and cultures and of course the Ink.

"A brilliant and unputdownable page turner"

Genre :      Young Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: 24th June, 2014

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Other Books in the series (review links):
                #0.5 Shadow 
                #1 Ink

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Paper gods #0.5 Shadow

Presenting Paper Gods #0.5 Shadow by Amanda Sun.

Here is the summary of the book:

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…

Shadow comes before INK in order. Alternating between Tomo-kun and Katie's point of views, a chapter each setting the stage to INK, the first book to the Paper Gods series. Sort of like a filler story with the events relating to and what happened after Katie's mother died and what made her decide to finally go to Japan to live with her Aunt Diane.

With Tomohiko, the shadows are ever circling him, his Kami blood needing out. His side of the tale pertains to his breakup with Myu, an act of sacrifice he performs in order to keep her safe from his demons. And the events of INK that lead to Katie and Tomo's first meeting. The author keeps it simple and basic but interesting enough for those who begin with this novella and then move onto the first book.

"An exciting introduction to Amanda Sun's Paper Gods"

Genre :     Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: 1st June, 2013

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:             4/5 (Really Liked It)

Books in Series(review links):
         #1 INK

Buy:         Amazon

Paper Gods #1 INK

(Releasing Tomorrow, I'm presenting my review for the MiraInk). Set in Japan...... oh definitely. Presenting Paper Gods #1 INK by Amanda Sun.

Here is the summary of the book:

A MAGIC MIGHTIER THAN ANY SWORD

A DESTINY THAT CAN’T BE DENIED

Katie Greene is lost in the wake of her mum's death. Sent to Japan, she meets gorgeous but aloof artist Tomohiro, whose tough attitude intrigues and scares her. Then things get really strange. When they're near each other, Tomohiro's drawings start to come to life…

Soon the wrong people begin to ask questions, and Katie and Tomohiro must risk everything to protect the truth.

A paranormal YA set in Japan and digging up some ancient history...... HA! Definitely reading it (you all should too). Reading it.... and this is now one of my favorite debut reads of all time.

Japan, a country on my list of places to visit. This technologically advanced and the home of some of the greatest anime is the place for debut author Amanda Sun's delectable new book INK, the first of the Paper Gods series. I am a big fan of both anime and manga and let me tell you INK is like nothing you have ever experienced before. This is the story of blonde haired Katie Green, coming to stay with her cool Aunt Diane and strikingly the odd one out gaijin among the natives. A culture shock for someone from the United States thrust into an unknown country that is Japan. Braving such big changes she catches the eye of Yuu Tomohiro, the broody aloof bad boy whose drawings just won't stay still.

There is a reason Japanese anime and manga have gained such popularity because their creators have not only got the best imagination but they take up parts of their own rich history and mythology and present it to the world. And that is what I would like to applaud Ms. Sun for too. She took cues from the most important of all Japanese legends and stirred up her own fresh tale out of it. Thereby adding a great and new touch to the YA Paranormal genre.

This is Katie's story as she braves massive culture shock and the difficulties and problems and the adjustments. Something beautifully depicted in the book. It is her meeting with Tomo-kun that sets this thing off perfectly. Don't you just love bad boys..... she sees first hand the reasons behind Tomohiro's cold exterior and really sees him for somebody who is as lonely as she is. Thus, sparking an intense romance between them that has us on tenterhooks......

And the INK..... well its a force to be reckoned with, something that has a mind of its own...... I really won't say more  since this is a marvel I recommend you guys check it out for yourself. This is hands down one of the best reads of 2013 and its just beginning. Amanda is totally added into my new list of favorites...... just by introducing such basic and important facts about Japan, you gain big points for it. There is action, there is romance, there is tension and the joy of discovering something new and brilliant..... very low key and easily understandable.... and I am already experiencing my problem of grabby hands for the next book in the series..... we don't even know the name yet and i'm hyperventilating over the amazing sneak peek at the end of this book.

"Amanda Sun's delectably refreshing INK has proved itself.... Pen is definitely mightier that the sword"

Genre :      Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Publisher: MiraInk

Release Date: 5th July, 2013

My Copy:  publisher and netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Awesome)