Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff Series: The Lotus War #1
Published by Thomas Dunne Books on 9/18/2012
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Science fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 451
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
My Reviews in this series: Kinslayer, Endsinger
*This book was provided by the Publisher for review. No compensation was provided and all opinions are strictly my own.
A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.
AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger—a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.
A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.
But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.
Kick-ass fight scenes, vivid characters and mythic creatures in a crazy alternate steampunk Japan that will ensnare you!
I find it really hard to portray just how radtastic of a read Stormdancer is. Steampunk is certainly all the rage right now but I haven’t seen anyone do it the way Kristoff has managed. He didn’t glorify the machines, instead he showed us the gritty dirty side to what a crazed machine age could do to the once beautiful and lush country of inspired by Japan. Cue the blood red bleeding skies, with air so choked with filth the populace can’t even go about daily life without wearing a breathing apparatus. To bad the poor are stuck with just a rag over their mouths and noses. Who doesn’t like a little grime and misery?
There are the expected airships and goggles that most people have come to identify steampunk with. However, what might not be expected was the awesome mechanized full body armor suits and chainsaw like weapons.
Yukiko and Buruu (the gryphon) were excellently crafted characters. Both of them displayed solid personal growth through the entirety of the book. Yukiko went from a young girl concerned mostly with her own feelings to a woman ready to fight for the good of the people. Buruu was just as interesting. He seemed very angry and closed minded in regards to humans but the way he thinks and feels changes gradually until he trust his very life to Yukiko. I’ve rarely seen the development of a relationship done so well with the slow progression of trust.
I don’t want to give anything away but I must say there were a lot of twists in Stormdancer that I didn’t see coming. I absolutely love it when I can’t predict what is going to happen in a book. It has me foaming at the mouth to know what is going to happen next.
Find Stormdancer: GOODREADS
Follow Jay Kristoff: WEBSITE | TWITTER
Tabitha (Pabkins)
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Sarah @ Smitten over Books
I loved Stormdancer as well! What a fantastic book. Yukiko and Buruu is just amazing. Great review! 🙂
Pabkins
I completely agree! so glad to hear you liked it as well!
Pabkins recently posted…Review: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
Melissa
Darn another book to add to my wishlist! This sounds so awesome! Great review!
Melissa recently posted…Book Review: Everything We Ever Wanted by Sara Shepard
Pabkins
YES! you DEFINITELY must not miss this one!
Pabkins recently posted…Review: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
Bookworm1858
I ended up enjoying this book but it took me quite a while to get invested in it because there was so much description.
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Tabitha the Pabkins
But I LOVED the description. usually too much is just well TOO much for me – but here I found it perfect!
Sarah (saz101)
STOOOOORMDANCER!
Seriously, I think it’s a spectacular book, and I’m so glad you loved it! It was the bond between Buruu and Yukiko that really sold it for me. PERFECT. And YES. It was wonderful seeing Yukiko grow from a girl to a woman, and watching Buruu grow. Wonderful! ♥
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Tabitha the Pabkins
I found they way they both developed and took on some of the other, personality wise…just fantastic. I loved them both. Especially Buruu because well you know I have some violent tendencies haha
emaginette
You had me at the cover. I’ll be looking into this book for sure.
emaginette recently posted…Buried in Benidorm #review
Tabitha the Pabkins
Soo soo did you read it?