YA Review: Rain by Amanda Sun

Title: Rain
Author: Amanda Sun
Series: Ink
Book #: 2
Pages: 304
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: .5
Goodreads Rating: 4.06
Published: June 24th, 2014

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.

Taschima's POV:

Rain had many of the aspects I loved from Ink. Rich Japanese culture, likable characters, high drama... maybe too much drama. While Ink felt almost effortless Rain seemed to be trying to hard to keep us at the edge of our seat when it came to the romance side of things. So I wasn't a big fan of the romance in Rain but everything else was still golden.

Katie Green made the decision to stay in Japan. She says it is because she would miss her friends, her aunt, because she can't give up on the whole Kami thing... but really, she didn't leave because of Tomohiro. We all know this, but let the girl lie to herself if she must. Katie's staying in Japan isn't without it's complications. She is falling behind on her Kanji, she is not at the same level as her classmates in school because of the language barrier and she refuses to go to English school (even though it would make life 10 times easier for her). Not only is she falling behind in school but she seems to be making Tomohiro worse. She doesn't know where her Kami powers are coming from, but she is sure about to find out.

Katie is still as likable as she was in Ink, though a bit gullible. She does spend a lot of time trying to solve the mystery of her Kami abilities and ways to help Tomohiro control his darker side. She is selfless, and doesn't give up. She also spends a lot of her time putting her foot in her mouth due to cultural differences. It is hilarious.

The one thing that dragged the story down for me was the love triangle that was fed to us. It was just unnatural really. It wasn't necessary to keep the story interesting, and the more page time it was given the more I wanted to put the book down. Or at least hit Katie very squarely upside her head. There are times where a good love triangle is justified but just not this time. It took away from the overall story, plus it deviated our attention from the romance that gave us so much joy in Ink.

Tomohiro is worst than ever. He decided to stop drawing, which is ridiculously stupid of him. The Ink needs to come out somehow. The inheritance of the Kami in him is dragging him over the edge, he is drowning in ink. Katie seems to be making it worse, but nobody knows why. Which is why she spends so much time apart from Tomohiro in this title, but doesn't mean I have to like it. Tomohiro is just as dark and irresistible as he was in Ink, though Katie seems to be having a hard time of getting to him so she spends a lot of time with Jun which I did not enjoy.

The mythology behind the Kami is interesting as well as very intricate. It is complicated and there are a lot of characters playing a role; both old as dirt and present. We still have a lot to uncover about the Kami, but so far it has been a solid fun-filled ride. We definitely dwell deeper into the Kami past and how Katie and Tomohiro are connected to them. The answer may surprise you...

Rain was not a sophomore slump which I am SO happy for. It was entertaining and it answer a lot of questions while posing many many more. Getting to revisit the characters was just what I needed. I can't wait to read the third book in the series, specially since a love triangle isn't something I see in this series future anymore. No to love triangle, yes to Katie and Tomohiro!

Review: Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5) by Richelle Mead (ABSOLUTE love)

Title: Silver Shadows
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines
Book #: 5
Pages: 380
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: 
Goodreads Rating: 4.47
Published: July 29th, 2014

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

Taschima's POV:

By far the best book in the Bloodlines series, even better than Fiery Heart (and that one was amaze-balls). Silver Shadows was everything that we have been waiting for. Everything that had been built up over the entire series (the comments on the re-education camps, consequences of vampire/human relations, the danger that is surrounding jailbait Jill...), hell even before Bloodlines more like since VA, come to a budding eruption in this title. Everything has gone to shit and it is up to Sydney and Adrian to find a way back to each other. Best. Book. EVER.

What I love about the Bloodlines series is that it is a continuation of the Vampire Academy world. It takes account of everything that is going on in that world still and it builds upon it. It doesn't just ignore everything that came before. Next we could easily pick up novels with Queen Lissa's POV without much of a hitch. I wonder if Richelle Mead is going to do more novels in the VA world after Sydney and Adrian's story comes to a close... I should hope so. Queen Lissa's life seems like a good option, she has a LOT of stuff going on.

Sydney... is a bad ass. She is so different from Rose, remarkably so, and yet they are both equals in the kick ass chick club. It really shows you there is more than one way to write a character you are able to look up to in the SAME series. I've always connected more with Sydney because she is more real than Rose. Rose is the fantasy, Sydney is much closer to reality. She is human after all... well, a human with magical abilities anyways. In Silver Shadows Sydney just... shined. All her best qualities came out, and she SOMEHOW managed to save everybody's life. She was put in a hole, far away from everything and everybody she loved, and instead of giving up, like so many before her had done, she prevailed. Did I mention that she is a bad ass?

Adrian, poor little Adrian. Adrian was never my favorite in the VA series, I was Team Dimitri all the way, but he and Rose just didn't work. He and Sydney are a total team though. They make each other stronger, better, and I am sad to say that Adrian WITHOUT Sydney is just a hot mess. It is really sad that even after having Sydney in his life Adrian still managed to succumb into old habits once Sydney is kidnapped. Yes, he was hurting but that doesn't mean he has to be weak. Adrian with Sydney is a sight to behold, Adrian without her is just plain sad. I was really hoping he was going to remain strong but that is just not Adrian. If he doesn't have someone next to him to keep him in check he just goes back to old habits and loses sight of what is important. He does not work well win situations that are robbed of all hope. Funny, cause in situations like these is when Sydney shines brightest.

Even though Adrian IS a sad little creature without Sydney I still love them together. They really do complement each other, and they do really love each other. It's the kind of love Adrian wanted with Rose, but that Rose had with Dimitri. The ending of Silver Shadows... Damn, I saw it coming a mile away and it was still the BEST THING I've read in a while. THEY GET MARRIED. It is a way for Sydney to receive Lissa's protection because by marrying Adrian she becomes one of Lissa's "people" and then she can throw her crown's weight behind protecting them. I think their wedding is the only YA wedding that I don't feel was forced or a way for the writer to impart some bullshit wisdom, it was just right

The pace of the book was perfect. The parts that were a little on the more mellow side (Sydney in re-education) were so full with psychological battles that you can't help but BE at the edge of your seat. And after 70% in it was all "Escape! Escape! ESCAPE! Action, action, ACTION!" I was not bored nor did I ever feel the need to put the book down.

I am real sad to see the end of this series coming so soon. I really can't believe Bloodlines was published only 3 years ago, and The Ruby Circle will be published next February. I would gladly keep the party going, maybe (as I've suggested above) let Lissa take the reins. She does have a lot going on in her life after all, would make for an interesting read (specially with Richelle Mead writing it... plus if I manage to get more sneak peaks of Dimitri and Rose, well, that would make my life). I am not ready to let go, could you guess that?

Hot to Get a Personally Autographed Maggie Stiefvater Title (#Raven Boys Series, Shiver trilogy, etc.)...

Goodreads

So, who wants a copy of Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3) autographed? Not on this title yet? very well then, how about getting the first title, The Raven Boys, autographed instead? Not feeling it? Well, we do have options. There is also the highly acclaimed Shiver trilogy, Ballad and Lament, Scorpio Races... Basically if you want a Maggie Stiefvater book signed you got it.

This is possible because of Fountain Book Store, and of course Maggie Stiefvater. She is basically signing books for them so I would totally get on board before it is too late and they run out of copies. I myself will be getting a copy of Blue Lily, Lily Blue (so excited!). Not only will you be getting a copy of a book you already want to read (and will probably buy somewhere else) SIGNED by one of the most awesome authors ever (no joke, I've met this woman and she is hysterical) but you would be helping a small independently owned bookstore in the process.

It is basically a win/win/win.

If you want to pre-order from Fountain Book Store you can click here.

OR CLICK THE PICTURE.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue is also coming with a pretty cool drawing on top of it being signed:

I seriously can find no fault with this whole arrangement, I wish authors did it more!