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 by J. Hooligan
I've been looking forward to this book since I finished Ink, about a year ago. As the count down for it's release came closer, I became more and more excited. When I found out their was going to be a tour for it, I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it.
When I actually received the book, I was actually nervous about starting it. Ink was one of my top 10 books from last year, and I was worried that I had built up my excitement for the sequel - and I didn't want to be disappointed.
I have to say this... I was worried for nothing. Holy freaking fluff balls, this book... I had to compose myself so I could put my feelings for it into words.
I don't know how she did it, but Rain was much better than Ink... which is saying a lot, because I loved the first book. Maybe it's because I already knew the characters, so she could get more into the story, but I think it's because their was more folklore in this one.
There was still a lot of action, with the kendo matches and ink, the romance felt more intense, and their was one character that I wanted to jump into the book and shake because they were so selfishly cruel. Just like both Shadow and Ink, I couldn't put this one down. (Who needs sleep when you're reading a good book, am I right?)
Absolutely loved this story. It will definitely make it into my top books again this year. I cannot wait to read the third one next summer.
Playlist
situations of the book. Hopefully you’ll find something you like! ^_^
Monster – Arashi
This is the official theme of the Paper Gods. ^_^ It’s about a monster, trying to protect and become real
for the girl...but she’s still afraid of him, because at the end of it all, he’s still a monster.
“I am awakened by your tears, and so I drag you away into the dark night.” You know he’s trying to save
her from her sadness, but he ends up being a monster that steals her away and puts her in more danger.
So sinister! ^_^
Monster – BIGBANG
This song came out while I was editing INK, and went to straight to the playlist for RAIN. I love how
beautiful the song is with the piano, and yet so angsty and dark.
My favorite lyric in this one is, “I’m not a monster. You know me so don’t leave like this. If even you
throw me away, I will die. I’m not a monster. I think I’m sick. I think I’m sick.”
Falling Down – Ben Jelen
Another song where the mood and lyrics are perfect. This one’s in English, so needs less explanation. :) It
makes me think of those darker times when Tomohiro just wants to give up.
“The simple truth is I’m falling, falling down, and I don’t want to drag her through the bottom.”
Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major (and Beethoven’s Sonata No. 2 in G Minor)
These songs permeated the writing of RAIN, because Jun and Ikeda perform them, and because they
capture Jun’s spirit. Jun has a dark past, but is his beyond redemption? These pieces are beautiful,
melancholy, and haunting, but they also hold the hope in them for change, a change that Jun may or
may not have the strength to reach for.
The Sky is Breaking Up, Jim
A simple and beautiful song, I listened to this a lot while writing about the realization Katie and Tomo
come to in RAIN, that things may be just too dangerous for them to stay together.
Cardboard Castles – Watsky
While I also love this song on a personal level, this is a great fit for Tomo. His life is a struggle to get
where he wants to go, to fight against the darkness in him, to rebuild every time the ink tears his world
down.
Planetarium – Ai Otsuka
How can I not include one of the most famous J-Drama songs of all time? I used a lot of J-Drama
soundtracks while writing RAIN, and Planetarium in particular.
“I want to live, I want to live and run to your place right now. I can't see anything in the pitch dark. Even
if it's scary, I’m okay. The countless starry sky is still here now, forever. I won't cry because the sky I saw
before with you was beautiful.”
First Love - Utada Hikaru
Another iconic J-Drama song, this was on my RAIN playlist along with most of the OST of the drama
Majo no Jouken. This song was popular when I lived in Japan, so it also holds a personal nostalgia for
me. Natsukashii! ^_^
“You will always be inside my heart. And you should know, how I wish I could have never let you go.
Come into my life again. Please don't say no.”
Midnight – BEAST/B2ST (Japanese version)
Another KPop song I listened to while writing RAIN. The lyrics are pretty reflective of the nightmares
that plague Tomo, and how he and Katie lie awake worrying about the ink and each other. But I do love
the music video for this. “Let’s take some hot Korean idols and pour petals and snow on them. It’ll be
awesome!” ^_^
About the Author
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.
Blog Tour Schedule
June 25 - K-Books http://k-booksxo.blogspot.ca/
June 26 - The Lifelong Bookworm http://jessellelovesbooks.wordpress.com/
June 28 - Platypire http://www.platypire.com
June 29 - Fragments of Life http://shusky20.blogspot.ca/
June 30 - The Cover Contessa http://www.thecovercontessa.com/
July 1 - Amaterasu Reads http://amaterasureads.blogspot.ca/
July 2 - Bookaholic Blurbs http://thebookaholicblurbs.blogspot.ca/