* "This fantastic debut packs a highly suspenseful blend of action, intrigue, and teen romance." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"This thoroughly engaging tale in the tradition of Nancy Drew or Veronica Mars ends on a satisfying note, but readers will hope for a sequel because it's just that good." — School Library Journal
"Maetani's fast-paced debut will appeal to readers who like their intrigue with a generous helping of romance." — Booklist
"Full of character, culture, and suspense, Ink and Ashes is a fascinating read with surprising new elements and a true heroine in Claire Takata." — Allie Condie, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Matched Trilogy
"I can sincerely say this was one of the best books I’ve read this year, and might even be in the top spot. An artful blend of Japanese culture, solid mystery, interesting characters, and an excellent use of viewpoint. I particularly enjoyed how the writer turned a major trope—the single girl in a cast of mostly guys—on its head by making it a feature of the story. An excellent, fast-paced YA mystery/thriller with an engaging character narrative and a nice mix of action, romance, and family drama. I highly recommend the book to anyone who likes Young Adult fiction." — Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author
"In this twisty, slow-burn thriller Maetani balances murder, mystery, and family drama beautifully." — Lamar Giles, author of Fake ID and Endangered
"Maetani has created a thriller built out of secrets, loyalty, and revenge. Her main character, Claire Takata, is both an inspired creation and inspiring heroine!" — Sarwat Chadda, author of USBBY Outstanding International Book The Savage Forest
Best Books, Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College of Education New Visions Award Winner, Tu Books Junior Library Guild Selection Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)
Best Fiction Book, Salt Lake City Weekly Lone Star Reading List, Texas Library Association (TLA) Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, The Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College Best Novel by New Author, The Whitney Awards
05/01/2015
Gr 7 Up—Mystery lovers won't be able to put down Maetani's smartly written debut. Claire Takata hardly remembers her father, who died when she was a child, but when she finds an old letter of his, she realizes her mother and stepfather have hidden crucial details about their past. In digging for answers, she discovers her ordinary suburban Utah family may have yakuza ties that could put them all in grave danger. Suddenly, she's being trailed by an unfamiliar black SUV and receiving coded messages only understood by those who know Japanese customs—four white chrysanthemums signifying death and her name written in red ink. Claire also deals with more typical high school concerns as she faces growing feelings for her best friend, Forrest. Readers will fall for him too, as well as the rest of Claire's close-knit group of friends who bring humor and warmth to the suspenseful narrative. The authentic portrayal of Claire's Japanese American family, only partially in touch with their heritage, will resonate with many teens who straddle multiple cultures, and Claire herself is a breath of fresh air. Athletic and resourceful, she is determined to solve this mystery on her own terms, confronting her mother and stepfather directly with questions, reporting suspicious happenings to the authorities, and talking openly with her friends about her alarming discoveries. VERDICT This thoroughly engaging tale in the tradition of Nancy Drew or Veronica Mars ends on a satisfying note, but readers will hope for a sequel because it's just that good. Ed. note: See SLJ's Q&A with the author on p. 10.—Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA
★ 2015-04-01
Claire's parents are keeping secrets that could kill her. Sixteen-year-old Claire Takata is a spirited, inquisitive amateur locksmith and sleuth. Claire and her brothers have always believed their father died of a heart attack 10 years ago and that their mother met their stepdad after he died. But when Claire finds an old letter in her father's journal and pictures locked away in her stepdad's desk that reveal otherwise, she is determined to find out the truth. Why have her mom and stepdad lied to her? Why does her mom never want to talk about her father? And what really happened to him? Through letters Claire has written to him over the decade since his death, Claire's father has served as her confidant, an outlet for her grief, frustrations, and longings. The author also makes smart use of these letters, interspersing them between chapters to deliver important back story. Claire's grief and sense of loss are compounded when she eventually discovers that her father had been a member of the yakuza, transnational Japanese organized crime syndicates—and then her sleuthing attracts the attention of someone tied to her father's past....The romantic tension between Claire and her best friend, Forrest, plays out authentically in a subplot, and the novel's twists and turns will keep readers riveted and guessing even after they finish the book. This fantastic debut packs a highly suspenseful blend of action, intrigue, and teen romance. (Thriller. 12 & up)
