After deciding to stay in Japan, Katie is ready to face the challenges she accepted by choosing to stay. Unfortunately, between trying to learn the full Japanese language and figuring out how she plays into the Kami ancestory, life isn't getting any easier. As Tomo's battle with the Kami worsen, Katie finds herself seeking help from Jun, someone who heavily blurs the line between friend and enemy. Some answers must be found or everyone will have to face the Kami coming out in all of them.

Amanda Sun crafts a stunning second installment to The Paper Gods series with RAIN. Full of even more action, diversity, and romance than the first, RAIN truly takes the reader by storm. I found myself falling more and more in love with the characters and setting in this book than I did the first, and I already adored Ink. Sun incorporates the Japanese culture so gracefully and beautifully, and it's wonderful seeing Katie continuously open herself up to her surroundings as the story goes on. She gracefully shows the struggles of young love in the middle of an ancient battle of Kami and ink and never leaves out the unique uncertainties that can arise from intercultural dating. One of the things I love most is the faith Katie and Tomo put into the relationship even with so many battles they face. Katie and Tomo both have moments of strength and weakness that constantly test their character, but neither ever truly give up. They are absolutely fearsome and lovable main characters, and I am so excited to see more of them in the next book.

Perfect for anyone looking for a diverse read, RAIN by Amanda Sun pours out the rich culture of Japan with the swoony romance of two people who will do anything to save each other.

Book Summary

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.