Domo Tomodachi!
Happy release day to Rain! It's finally out in the world and I couldn't be more excited! Welcome to the first stop on the Rain Blog Tour! Ohana Reads will be your host for today! We have a some fun things planned for you today! First off, I have for you Ohana Reads Review of Rain!
Rain by Amanda Sun
Released: June 24th, 2014
Read: June 19-22nd, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: The Paper Gods #2
Format: Paperback, 304 pages
Source: Bought
Description from GoodReads:
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 one of the darkest gods in Japanese legend.
Review:
I will make the world cry.
About two weeks before the official release of Rain, I had heard on Twitter that there was early released copies at my local bookstore. Hearing the news I immediately started bugging my mom to drive me down. My Twitter people were right, there were copies. I was so excited to pick up my copy early, It's safe to say that Rain is the first book I've ever bolted to the store for.
Like the first book, the cover is extraordinary! The designer once again used watercolour, creating blossoms along with a picture of Tomo. Tomo and Katie are both on the cover with an sensational mixed of blues and purples. I do not think I've ever seen a male from a different culture on a book cover, I'm happy to say Rain will be my first. With the mix of the two colours, and both Tomo and Katie on the cover I think this cover is my favourite so far between the two covers.
Rain continues on from where Ink left off, not missing a beat or leaving anything out. In Rain we learned a lot more about the power of the Kami. We learnt about more Amaterasu, her siblings, and her lover. Visiting more sanctuaries and temples, but we've only just touched the surface on the topic that is the Kami and It's driving me crazy with wanting to learn more about them. Amanda definitely has me captivated with wanting more.
The Ink was more frequent in Rain, the same goes with the action. The Yakuza were as always causing trouble for our main characters in Rain, but they weren't the only villians this time. Sometimes even your closest friends can turn on you.
Tomo and Katie uncovered so much more about the world they live in Rain, I hope to discover more in the third Paper Gods book along with them. Amanda has gone easy on us cliff hanger wise in Rain, but that doesn't mean I won't be counting down the days until the last book in the series is released. The final book will be a must have for 2015, and I gladly look forward to it.
Rating:
Favourite Quote:
"I stared at Tomohiro's dark eyes.... They were warm, surprised, deep. I couldn't look away, like prey." ~ Katie
Recommend to People Who Enjoy:
Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology, Paranormal, Romance, Cultural, Mystery, Diversity
Haven't read the first book in the Paper Gods series yet? Check it out!
Ink by Amanda Sun
Released: June 25th, 2013
Publishing: Harlequin Teen
Series: The Paper Gods
Description 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.
Ohana Reads review of Ink.
What was the book that got you into reading?
Amanda:
I started reading picture books by myself at two, but I don't remember it too well. :) But when I was four, I took out Ozma of Oz from the library. I still remember the feeling of being swept away by the language and the story, and how I felt to reach the last illustration at the end of the book.When I finished Ozma of Oz, I returned home from the library with armfuls of Oz books and every fairytale collection I could find. I always knew I wanted to write, after that.
What are your favourite YA books that you've read this year so far?
Amanda:
I really enjoyed MORE THAN THIS by Patrick Ness, which I finally had a chance to read this year. I'm a huge Chaos Walking fan. I feel like Ness is happy to drop his story off a cliff and just keep going. He doesn't take the safe paths when he writes. I also enjoyed RELAX, I'M A NINJA by the fantastic Natalie Whipple, and RADIANT by Karina Sumner-Smith, which is a gritty magical dystopian coming out this fall.
What made you go from an archaeologist to a writer?
Amanda:
Fear of spiders. ^_^ Haha, well, sort of. Honestly, I always wanted to be a writer, and I've also always been fascinated by how cultures grow and change depending on their geography, beliefs, and interactions with other cultures. So I actually majored in Archaeology with the intention of putting all that knowledge to use in my writing. I wanted to know a bit of everything that would help with world building and character development. Good thing this writing thing worked out! I really am scared of spiders. O_O
What made you decide to write Young Adult rather then New Adult or Adult?
Amanda:
I've always said that Young Adult chose me (like a sorting hat!). When I was seven, I'd write stories about characters who were the mature age of 10, and when I was 10, I'd write about 12 or 13-year-olds. But a strange thing happened when I was a teenager--my characters stopped aging. I'm glad, though, because I love YA so much. I think teens have so much passion about what they love and what they fight for, and they have an energy to them as characters that adult characters just don't have for me. You can't tell a teen she can't do it, because she can. Also, I think I never quite grew up. I still play video games and make costumes for anime conventions. It's way more fun than being an "adult." ^_^
How does it feel to finally have Rain on shelves?
Amanda:
It's completely surreal! Especially when I see the spine of it next to INK. I'm still in disbelief that I have two books on the shelf. They look so pretty together with their watercolour, pettable covers. I'm really humbled that my dream has come true twice, and that I get to interact with the most amazing readers because of it. I hope you all enjoy RAIN as much as I enjoyed it writing it for you. ♥
I’m a YA author and proud Nerdfighter. I was born in Deep River, Canada, a very small town without traffic lights or buses, and where stranger safety is comprised of what to do if you see a bear—or skunk. I started reading fantasy novels at 4 and writing as soon as I could hold a pencil. Hopefully my work’s improved since then.
In university I took English, Linguistics, and Asian History, before settling into Archaeology, because I loved learning about the cultures and stories of ancient people. Of course, I didn’t actually become an archaeologist—I have an intense fear of spiders. I prefer unearthing fascinating stories in the safety of my living room.
The Paper Gods is inspired by my time living in Osaka and travelling throughout Japan. That and watching far too many J-Dramas. I currently live in Toronto with my husband and daughter. When I’m not writing, I’m devouring YA books, knitting nerdy things like Companion Cubes and Triforce mitts, and making elaborate cosplays for anime cons.
Follow Amanda:
We are lucky to have 2 giveaways on the tour today! One from Amanda Sun, our lovely author! and the other from me(:
Amanda's Giveaway
Rules:
~ US/CA only
~Starts June 24th, ends July 2nd 11:59pm
Ohana Reads Giveaway
Rules:
~ Ohana Reads Giveaway Policies apply
~ Open to US/ CA
~ Runs from June 24th to July 4th 11:59pm
~ For examples, check the book jewellery tab at the top of the page.
Amanda Sun's Guveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Ohana Reads Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for joining me at todays Rain tour stop! Check out the schedule to see where to go for tomorrow and for the rest of the tour! Don't forget about the Rain Twitter Matsuri (Party) happening tonight at 9pm EST/8pm CST!
June 24
June 25
June 26
June 27
June 28
June 30
July 1
July 2
