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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
mihoko's review against another edition
4.0
Japanese theme steampunk. Very entertaining. Strong female protagonist.
alexandra_92's review against another edition
5.0
Review can be found on *Milky Way of Books*
Do you know the song "Big in Japan" by Alphaville? Well if you could combine the song, steampunk and everything in the Japanese history, then you would have "Stormdancer". As the very first book Mr. Kristoff wrote before the success of ILLUMINAE and Nevernight, I really hoped to have the chance to read this one.
The story takes place in Japan, somewhere between 18th-19th century if I had to guess, but the country is nothing you are expecting to see. The lands are polluted, the shogun is ruling with the help of the Lotus Guild (more like they are ruling) and the sky is no longer blue because of the pollution.
In this land Yukiko and her father, along with a group of elite hunters, receive a mission from the shogun who wants to add in his collection a thunder-tiger. When the trip goes wrong, Yukiko and the thunder-tiger will combine their powers for more than surviving.
First of all we have the world-building. Jay Kristoff manages to bring to life everything; from the traditional clothes of the Japanese civilization to the buildings, weapons and the wild-life of the mountains. Yukiko and Buduu form a unique bond and many times I found myself laughing with their conversations.
The secondary characters are also interesting, especially Kin. I love the guy, even if he is a brainwashed fool, but he proves himself in an amazing way. The love interest? If I could wield a katana, probably I'd cut his head off.
But the story does not stay only to the characters. In its core it's a message about enviromental polution, how people tend to forget their own myths and legends and how many times the ruling power uses propaganda in order to achieve its purposes. Also another interesting part was the mention of the kaijin, the foreigners with the white skin and the strange eyes, who are portayed as monsters who might like eating babies. Does that ring any bells to you? Think about the reaction of the white men when they met people of another color for the first time.
I have high hopes for this series and while I'm still reading the second book I can't stop recommending this one. I can only hope that Yukiko and Buddu will find their peace in the end of the series.
Do you know the song "Big in Japan" by Alphaville? Well if you could combine the song, steampunk and everything in the Japanese history, then you would have "Stormdancer". As the very first book Mr. Kristoff wrote before the success of ILLUMINAE and Nevernight, I really hoped to have the chance to read this one.
The story takes place in Japan, somewhere between 18th-19th century if I had to guess, but the country is nothing you are expecting to see. The lands are polluted, the shogun is ruling with the help of the Lotus Guild (more like they are ruling) and the sky is no longer blue because of the pollution.
In this land Yukiko and her father, along with a group of elite hunters, receive a mission from the shogun who wants to add in his collection a thunder-tiger. When the trip goes wrong, Yukiko and the thunder-tiger will combine their powers for more than surviving.
First of all we have the world-building. Jay Kristoff manages to bring to life everything; from the traditional clothes of the Japanese civilization to the buildings, weapons and the wild-life of the mountains. Yukiko and Buduu form a unique bond and many times I found myself laughing with their conversations.
The secondary characters are also interesting, especially Kin. I love the guy, even if he is a brainwashed fool, but he proves himself in an amazing way. The love interest? If I could wield a katana, probably I'd cut his head off.
But the story does not stay only to the characters. In its core it's a message about enviromental polution, how people tend to forget their own myths and legends and how many times the ruling power uses propaganda in order to achieve its purposes. Also another interesting part was the mention of the kaijin, the foreigners with the white skin and the strange eyes, who are portayed as monsters who might like eating babies. Does that ring any bells to you? Think about the reaction of the white men when they met people of another color for the first time.
I have high hopes for this series and while I'm still reading the second book I can't stop recommending this one. I can only hope that Yukiko and Buddu will find their peace in the end of the series.
cubierocks's review against another edition
4.0
More like 3.7 - The first 100 pages were rough, but after that it was smooth sailing.
irishmbk's review against another edition
4.0
I completely lost myself inside this steampunk samurai world. I loved Yukiko and thought she showed the perfect amount of vulnerability, naïveté, and fierceness. She is a fantastic female protagonist. The setting is bleak, in a realm called Shima, which seems based on feudal Japan, which is dominated by a cruel Shogun and run by the robotical Lotus Guild. The world is dark, the poor are many and options are few. Yukiko has lost so much and only has her father left. When they are ordered to embark on a quest to find an Ashiratora (thunder tiger) for the Shogun they encouter more than they bargained for.
I can't wait for the next book!
I can't wait for the next book!
fiosb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
thefolklaurate's review against another edition
5.0
More reviews at Rondo of a Possible World: YA Book Reviews
Oh my, God. My breath was literally taken away by reading Jay Kristoff's masterpiece. Stormdancer couldn't have been more beautifully crafted, and I couldn't have fallen harder than I have over the world and the characters. When I first sought eyes on this pretty:
1. the cover made me a happy camper because of my love for Japan and Japanese anything.
2. Japanese Steampunk. Literally. End of story.
3. Originality. I've never read a novel like Stormdancer.
My love for this book goes without saying.
Yukiko is a favorite name of mine, it means snow. Pure and unscathed. So in the vile, poisoned world of Shima with the Lotus killing the ground and destroying the lives of the citizens, Yukiko is a delicate warrior who knows what's right and what's wrong and fights until her very last breath, never giving into temptation or standing down. As strong heroines go, Yukiko takes a seat in the top ten ranking I have going on in my head.
And you can't get any better than a loyal and comedic (from time to time) thunder tiger named Buruu. Though headstrong over issues and a tad bit hung up on killing, Buruu had the nature of snatching up my heart for his own throughout my reading. His relationship with Yukiko is a heartwarming tale. From a rough and rocky start, their travels and survival together weaves together a wonderful friendship and protective nature over each other. Their bond had me melting in my seat while reading because it was just so gosh darn adorable! I could not stop reading once Buruu entered the story and took my heart by storm, literally.
A sad and desolate place Shima is, with the poison drug that the lotus creates and the after affects it has on the people (i.e., blacklung) and the iron weapons, the chainkatanas (yes, chainsaw + katana, motherfudging badASS!), skyships, this Japanese world-building swept me away. I don't know if chainkatana's literally blew your mind, because mine blew up before I even finished the word.
Final Summation: I have never seen Japan like this. Steampunk themed, feudal Japan in the land of Shima. I was at a loss of thought, and in a good way! Jay Kristoff created a strong and feisty heroine with a pure heart and unyielding volition. Stormdancer is an original novel that shouldn't be missed.
Oh my, God. My breath was literally taken away by reading Jay Kristoff's masterpiece. Stormdancer couldn't have been more beautifully crafted, and I couldn't have fallen harder than I have over the world and the characters. When I first sought eyes on this pretty:
1. the cover made me a happy camper because of my love for Japan and Japanese anything.
2. Japanese Steampunk. Literally. End of story.
3. Originality. I've never read a novel like Stormdancer.
My love for this book goes without saying.
Yukiko is a favorite name of mine, it means snow. Pure and unscathed. So in the vile, poisoned world of Shima with the Lotus killing the ground and destroying the lives of the citizens, Yukiko is a delicate warrior who knows what's right and what's wrong and fights until her very last breath, never giving into temptation or standing down. As strong heroines go, Yukiko takes a seat in the top ten ranking I have going on in my head.
And you can't get any better than a loyal and comedic (from time to time) thunder tiger named Buruu. Though headstrong over issues and a tad bit hung up on killing, Buruu had the nature of snatching up my heart for his own throughout my reading. His relationship with Yukiko is a heartwarming tale. From a rough and rocky start, their travels and survival together weaves together a wonderful friendship and protective nature over each other. Their bond had me melting in my seat while reading because it was just so gosh darn adorable! I could not stop reading once Buruu entered the story and took my heart by storm, literally.
A sad and desolate place Shima is, with the poison drug that the lotus creates and the after affects it has on the people (i.e., blacklung) and the iron weapons, the chainkatanas (yes, chainsaw + katana, motherfudging badASS!), skyships, this Japanese world-building swept me away. I don't know if chainkatana's literally blew your mind, because mine blew up before I even finished the word.
Final Summation: I have never seen Japan like this. Steampunk themed, feudal Japan in the land of Shima. I was at a loss of thought, and in a good way! Jay Kristoff created a strong and feisty heroine with a pure heart and unyielding volition. Stormdancer is an original novel that shouldn't be missed.
moonstrucksue's review against another edition
1.0
DNF
I've been putting off posting my review for Stormdancer because I know I'm on the minority. I'm all in for diversity especially when it focuses to Asian Culture. That's my thing. I thought I would like this book to the point I bought 2 paperbacks of Stormdancer by mistake and 1 hardcover book of the sequel.
I took Asian history on my freshmen & sophomore year in High School. We tackled Korean, Chinese dynasties, Philippines, Thailand histories etc and a little bit of Feudal Japan. It's a broad study. I'm Asian and grew up watching asian dramas and anime. I think does count for something.
As a reader, I'm lenient to overlook historical inaccuracies since I'm not expert myself. If the story is good, nobody is perfect. Stormdancer have a fabulous premise. I thought Yukiko is a great heroine.
The book is well written and eloquent, I'll give it that but plot wise aside it's boring and couldn't get pass the "long flowery" description and the shoddy attempt for a AU of Japan isn't working well for me.
Please if youre going to write an Asian novel, make an extensive research and make sure you'll use the honorifics properly.
Cyna made great remarks about how problematic this book is.
And Zoe Marriott, author of my favorite book Shadow on the Moon discusses the difference between diversity and appropriation.
I've been putting off posting my review for Stormdancer because I know I'm on the minority. I'm all in for diversity especially when it focuses to Asian Culture. That's my thing. I thought I would like this book to the point I bought 2 paperbacks of Stormdancer by mistake and 1 hardcover book of the sequel.
I took Asian history on my freshmen & sophomore year in High School. We tackled Korean, Chinese dynasties, Philippines, Thailand histories etc and a little bit of Feudal Japan. It's a broad study. I'm Asian and grew up watching asian dramas and anime. I think does count for something.
As a reader, I'm lenient to overlook historical inaccuracies since I'm not expert myself. If the story is good, nobody is perfect. Stormdancer have a fabulous premise. I thought Yukiko is a great heroine.
The book is well written and eloquent, I'll give it that but plot wise aside it's boring and couldn't get pass the "long flowery" description and the shoddy attempt for a AU of Japan isn't working well for me.
Please if youre going to write an Asian novel, make an extensive research and make sure you'll use the honorifics properly.
Cyna made great remarks about how problematic this book is.
And Zoe Marriott, author of my favorite book Shadow on the Moon discusses the difference between diversity and appropriation.
sarjoseph's review against another edition
4.0
FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE.
I love when our authors make some strong ass females. THANK YOU JAY KRISTOFF. THANK YOU
This story was passionate. The bones of this story remind me of 1984. You should have a gist of what this is about by that description.
In this review I'm going to try and simplify things for you. Why you may and may not love this book.
Mr Kristoff is really into descriptive imagery. And I enjoy that, to extent. There were certain times in the book I felt like saying
"ALRIGHT ALREADY CAN WE CONTINUE ON NOW?!?"
Why did I rate it four stars my friends? Because I prevailed. I put my foot down and said "you sir, are not going to deter me from enjoying this damn book". And once I got past the first 50 or so pages I did enjoy it. Now listen, you really shouldn't be encouraged when someone writes in a review "once you get past..." BUT you will be missing out on some fantastic dialogue and some great butt kicking action.
There were some holes as well and I really wanted to get the story, but I'm hoping in the next book of the series we get some more descriptive details. Wink Wink.
Okay now this is the important part. The stuff thats going to make you want to hold onto your mind grip of this book if you're getting frustrated.and
We are following the life of Yukiko. A head strong, intelligent, compassionate and genuine girl. She's the product of a father who is the head huntsman of the Shogun, also a lotus addict and a sweet and gentle mother.
What is lotus. I'm going to describe it pretty much equivalent to opium. The world we are immersed in is clogged with this shit. I mean it's used for everything, from smoking to fueling their....well hot air balloons. I'm actually kind of embarrassed I just called them that but that's what kept popping into my head. The air is so thick with its destructive properties, that you shake your head at the pollution.
So there's our world. Pretty tragic.
And the puppet running this show is the Shogun. A young and hmmm selfish, arrogant, close minded ASS.
But who are the guys that are running the puppet.....? You shall see.
So back to Yukiko. She is also telepathic with animal(s).
The Shogun being a psychopath that he is, has a dream of riding a griffin of thunder and lightning (an Arashitora) into battle. He is fierce he is powerful and the animal in said dream is pretty much a myth among the people.
Guess who we get to meet and because of kick ass Yukiko's telepathic abilities? Burru (the Arashitora) as Yukiko renamed him. He is one sassy son of a BEE. He has attitude, he has a fierce loyalty and a strong connection to our girl. During their time together we witness the two trying to define what is good and bad. Example, is clipping the wings of an ancient and possibly extinct race of Arashitora a good thing if the Shogun says so?
We follow her challenges and battle of will through the lotus clogged air(s) of the Kigen to the rich and lush forests the are still untouched by the "blood lotus".
I feel like this review hasn't done justice for this book.
I say give it a try, try and work your way through the long descriptive paragraphs and envision what Jay Kristoff has created. Follow the current and allow yourself to be swept away.
SIDE NOTE. I noticed with a lot of reviews that people are very unsatisfied with the Japanese culture and the way it is used (said improper words etc) I would like to research this more as a lot of reviewers has "rants" because the book is mostly and truly described as a Japanese steam punk book.
I love when our authors make some strong ass females. THANK YOU JAY KRISTOFF. THANK YOU
This story was passionate. The bones of this story remind me of 1984. You should have a gist of what this is about by that description.
In this review I'm going to try and simplify things for you. Why you may and may not love this book.
Mr Kristoff is really into descriptive imagery. And I enjoy that, to extent. There were certain times in the book I felt like saying
"ALRIGHT ALREADY CAN WE CONTINUE ON NOW?!?"
Why did I rate it four stars my friends? Because I prevailed. I put my foot down and said "you sir, are not going to deter me from enjoying this damn book". And once I got past the first 50 or so pages I did enjoy it. Now listen, you really shouldn't be encouraged when someone writes in a review "once you get past..." BUT you will be missing out on some fantastic dialogue and some great butt kicking action.
There were some holes as well and I really wanted to get the story, but I'm hoping in the next book of the series we get some more descriptive details. Wink Wink.
Okay now this is the important part. The stuff thats going to make you want to hold onto your mind grip of this book if you're getting frustrated.and
We are following the life of Yukiko. A head strong, intelligent, compassionate and genuine girl. She's the product of a father who is the head huntsman of the Shogun, also a lotus addict and a sweet and gentle mother.
What is lotus. I'm going to describe it pretty much equivalent to opium. The world we are immersed in is clogged with this shit. I mean it's used for everything, from smoking to fueling their....well hot air balloons. I'm actually kind of embarrassed I just called them that but that's what kept popping into my head. The air is so thick with its destructive properties, that you shake your head at the pollution.
So there's our world. Pretty tragic.
And the puppet running this show is the Shogun. A young and hmmm selfish, arrogant, close minded ASS.
But who are the guys that are running the puppet.....? You shall see.
So back to Yukiko. She is also telepathic with animal(s).
The Shogun being a psychopath that he is, has a dream of riding a griffin of thunder and lightning (an Arashitora) into battle. He is fierce he is powerful and the animal in said dream is pretty much a myth among the people.
Guess who we get to meet and because of kick ass Yukiko's telepathic abilities? Burru (the Arashitora) as Yukiko renamed him. He is one sassy son of a BEE. He has attitude, he has a fierce loyalty and a strong connection to our girl. During their time together we witness the two trying to define what is good and bad. Example, is clipping the wings of an ancient and possibly extinct race of Arashitora a good thing if the Shogun says so?
We follow her challenges and battle of will through the lotus clogged air(s) of the Kigen to the rich and lush forests the are still untouched by the "blood lotus".
I feel like this review hasn't done justice for this book.
I say give it a try, try and work your way through the long descriptive paragraphs and envision what Jay Kristoff has created. Follow the current and allow yourself to be swept away.
SIDE NOTE. I noticed with a lot of reviews that people are very unsatisfied with the Japanese culture and the way it is used (said improper words etc) I would like to research this more as a lot of reviewers has "rants" because the book is mostly and truly described as a Japanese steam punk book.