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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Putting a little disclaimer in front because it’s been eight years (oh hell) since I read and reviewed this book and I obviously did not exactly catch on to a lot of culturally appropriative stuff. Just to say: this is something that he *repeatedly* does - cherry-picking and dissecting (and disrespecting) non-white cultures, probably to make his books look cooler or something
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism
Also reviewed on my Youtube channel.
I think it's fair to say that this book was something of a surprise. I was expecting pure fantasy. Instead, I got steampunk. Set in an alternate version of Shogunate Japan. With an incredibly sassy, scene-stealing griffin. Uh, YES PLEASE.
It's not perfect, it's true. Kristoff's writing is veeeeeeeery heavy on description, and it took me a while to get used to it. It also took me a while to understand what the hell was going on, because we're thrown straight into this world where there's a mysterious plant that's destroying all the arable land in the entire country and as a result everyone's starving but SURPRISE they're willingly growing the plant because it provides the fuel for all their steampunk-y devices plus it's also highly addictive and causes crazy town hallucinations, so of COURSE they grow it.
Anyway.
Easily my favourite part of this is Buruu, the griffin/thundertiger/beastie. He's completely hilarious and as much as I loved Yukiko and her general badassery, it couldn't compare to an eyerolling griffin demanding that she stop flirting with a cute boy because it's the wooooooooorst.
So yeah. I'll definitely be tracking down the rest of the series. Sooner rather than later.
I think it's fair to say that this book was something of a surprise. I was expecting pure fantasy. Instead, I got steampunk. Set in an alternate version of Shogunate Japan. With an incredibly sassy, scene-stealing griffin. Uh, YES PLEASE.
It's not perfect, it's true. Kristoff's writing is veeeeeeeery heavy on description, and it took me a while to get used to it. It also took me a while to understand what the hell was going on, because we're thrown straight into this world where there's a mysterious plant that's destroying all the arable land in the entire country and as a result everyone's starving but SURPRISE they're willingly growing the plant because it provides the fuel for all their steampunk-y devices plus it's also highly addictive and causes crazy town hallucinations, so of COURSE they grow it.
Anyway.
Easily my favourite part of this is Buruu, the griffin/thundertiger/beastie. He's completely hilarious and as much as I loved Yukiko and her general badassery, it couldn't compare to an eyerolling griffin demanding that she stop flirting with a cute boy because it's the wooooooooorst.
So yeah. I'll definitely be tracking down the rest of the series. Sooner rather than later.
Feudal Japan + steampunk + the friendship between man and beast from How to Train Your Dragon= one awesometacular book.
It starts you off right in the middle of the action, and it never truly seems to slow down from there, always keeping the reader engaged in one way or another, whether it be the gripping plot, the fantastic world building, or the endearing and multilayered characters. Jay Kristoff has once again created a badass heroine in Yukiko, a girl that you want to root for and can even relate to. I can’t wait to watch the rest of her story unfold throughout the rest of the trilogy!
It starts you off right in the middle of the action, and it never truly seems to slow down from there, always keeping the reader engaged in one way or another, whether it be the gripping plot, the fantastic world building, or the endearing and multilayered characters. Jay Kristoff has once again created a badass heroine in Yukiko, a girl that you want to root for and can even relate to. I can’t wait to watch the rest of her story unfold throughout the rest of the trilogy!
Czy to jest aby na pewno gryf? Albo tygrys? Bo jak dla mnie to orzeł z tygrysim zadem.
Rozpoczęcie naszej wspólnej przygody nie było miłe. Przez pierwsze 100 stron brnęłam niczym przez tony nawozu pozostawione przez wspomnianego powyżej gryfa. Dopiero potem... CO TU SIĘ ZACZĘŁO DZIAĆ!
Wyobrażcie sobie klimat Japonii. Skażonej, trującej Japonii. Wszędzie zanieczyszczenia, bogaci chodzą w super-hiper-nowoczesnych filtrujących ciuchach. Biedni po prostu umierają. I tym będziemy zajmować się przez te pierwsze 100 stron powieści. Zwiedzać, oglądać, czuć nieprzyjemny zapach i patrzeć na lejące się na zmianę krew i alkohol. Zostaniemy zasypani masą obco brzmiących imion i nazw (tak, tu jest słowniczek, bo bez niego ani rusz). Skupimy się na młodej Yukiko, której władca zleci upolowanie mitycznego potwora, pół tygrysa, pół orła. I kiedy już ten stwór się pojawił... O JA CIĘ KRĘCĘ TO SIĘ ZROBIŁA ZUPEŁNIE INNA KSIĄŻKA!
Pokochałam naszego latającego potworka. Nie był taki milutki i kochaniutki. Był smokiem z "Jak wytresować smoka". Chciał wszystkich po kolei wymordować. Urocze stworzenie!
A Kristoff znowu pokazał, jak to potrafi stworzyć coś nowego i oryginalnego, posługując się dość znanymi wątkami, jednocześnie wplatając w nie elementy nadające całości powiewu świeżości. Coraz bardziej lubię tego pana. Nie tylko dlatego, że udostępnił kiedyś moje zdjęcie na instagramie :)
Więcej na temat Tancerzy Burzy + konkurs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvDC94OFjVg
Cross-posted on Knizhnitsa
Originally I was intrigued by the steampunk Japan-inspired setting and the gorgeous cover. What I found was one of the most interesting settings in the genre, accompanied by an entertaining plot and characters that I quickly grew attached to. In other words, I did not expect to love “Stormdancer” as much as I did but to be honest, it is now one of my favourite series.
“Stormdancer” is the story of one of the most interesting friendships that fiction has to offer - that of a young girl and the griffin she is sent to hunt down for the Shogun. Yukiko and her father embark on a dangerous mission to capture a creature that is supposed to be extinct. In the process of tracking the griffin, the girl and the beast wound up separated from Yukiko’s father’s crew. On their journey back, they discover a bond that neither of them expected.
The adventures that follow meet them with Kin, one of the Guildsmen of the machine-powered Lotus Guild, and the Kage, an organisation preparing a rebellion against the cruel Shogun ruling Shima. One by one, Yukiko and Buruu uncover the Shogun’s crimes and Shima’s secrets.
The Plot
The plot is a bit slow at the beginning. However, this gives the author the much needed opportunity to fully introduce us to the world of the novel. Once we have enough context to navigate this world on our own, the novel kicks off and turns into an action-packed, interesting and truly engaging page-turner.
The Setting
The setting is definitely one that you don’t see a lot in the genre. Steampunk Shogunate? Sign me up. However, I am aware that this could potentially be culturally appropriative - I, unfortunately, am not educated enough to point any inaccuracies. For what is worth, Kristoff manages to paint an unique, morbid world, where a constant feeling of dread reigns over the characters.
This feeling is emphasized by the amount of blood and gore described in the novel (and it is so gory), as well as Yukiko’s POV. She is a very introverted person, who has experienced a lot of unhappiness; she is guarded and aloof. Her silence and uncommunicativeness serve as a tool to sharpen the morbid atmosphere of the novel.
The Characters
Speaking of Yukiko, I loved her character. She is hands down one of my favourite leading ladies. Her sullenness, her introversion are something I could recognise in myself. She does not need to be bubbly and optimistic in order to pull herself through all the terrible things that happen to her - she is she and she is just doing her best to survive and keep on going.
I think this is what makes her and Buruu’s relationship so interesting and charming. They are two personalities who, due to their circumstances, don’t open up to just anyone. Seeing them gradually grow closer and develop this deep, platonic affection for each other is truly satisfying and one of the novel’s strongest points.
Buruu himself, as a character, is as lovable as Yukiko. He is the most refreshing presence in the novel. His dialogue, his POV, his sarcasm - they always remind us that he is not human, he is otherworldly - a truly masterful navigation of character.
Yukiko’s relationship with her father and his gang is also very interesting to see. I love the found families trope and this is what they are - a giant dysfunctional family that works together and learns to survive together and despite each other. Makes me root for them and for their happiness.
Yukiko’s two main love interests - Hiro and Kin, however, are not particularly interesting on their own. Their respective exchanges with her are nice to read about (as long as their relationships lasted) but they are always secondary to Yukiko’s and Buruu’s relationship which is rightfully the main focus of the novel.
The Verdict
“Stormdancer” is an amazing read that takes an interesting concept and tries to explore it to its full potential. It is interesting and engaging and overall brilliant. Even if it may seem hard for you at the beginning, I would recommend not to skip over those introductory pages - because, in retrospect, you would want to stay in the world of “Stormdancer” as long as possible.
Originally I was intrigued by the steampunk Japan-inspired setting and the gorgeous cover. What I found was one of the most interesting settings in the genre, accompanied by an entertaining plot and characters that I quickly grew attached to. In other words, I did not expect to love “Stormdancer” as much as I did but to be honest, it is now one of my favourite series.
“Stormdancer” is the story of one of the most interesting friendships that fiction has to offer - that of a young girl and the griffin she is sent to hunt down for the Shogun. Yukiko and her father embark on a dangerous mission to capture a creature that is supposed to be extinct. In the process of tracking the griffin, the girl and the beast wound up separated from Yukiko’s father’s crew. On their journey back, they discover a bond that neither of them expected.
The adventures that follow meet them with Kin, one of the Guildsmen of the machine-powered Lotus Guild, and the Kage, an organisation preparing a rebellion against the cruel Shogun ruling Shima. One by one, Yukiko and Buruu uncover the Shogun’s crimes and Shima’s secrets.
The Plot
The plot is a bit slow at the beginning. However, this gives the author the much needed opportunity to fully introduce us to the world of the novel. Once we have enough context to navigate this world on our own, the novel kicks off and turns into an action-packed, interesting and truly engaging page-turner.
The Setting
The setting is definitely one that you don’t see a lot in the genre. Steampunk Shogunate? Sign me up. However, I am aware that this could potentially be culturally appropriative - I, unfortunately, am not educated enough to point any inaccuracies. For what is worth, Kristoff manages to paint an unique, morbid world, where a constant feeling of dread reigns over the characters.
This feeling is emphasized by the amount of blood and gore described in the novel (and it is so gory), as well as Yukiko’s POV. She is a very introverted person, who has experienced a lot of unhappiness; she is guarded and aloof. Her silence and uncommunicativeness serve as a tool to sharpen the morbid atmosphere of the novel.
The Characters
Speaking of Yukiko, I loved her character. She is hands down one of my favourite leading ladies. Her sullenness, her introversion are something I could recognise in myself. She does not need to be bubbly and optimistic in order to pull herself through all the terrible things that happen to her - she is she and she is just doing her best to survive and keep on going.
I think this is what makes her and Buruu’s relationship so interesting and charming. They are two personalities who, due to their circumstances, don’t open up to just anyone. Seeing them gradually grow closer and develop this deep, platonic affection for each other is truly satisfying and one of the novel’s strongest points.
Buruu himself, as a character, is as lovable as Yukiko. He is the most refreshing presence in the novel. His dialogue, his POV, his sarcasm - they always remind us that he is not human, he is otherworldly - a truly masterful navigation of character.
Yukiko’s relationship with her father and his gang is also very interesting to see. I love the found families trope and this is what they are - a giant dysfunctional family that works together and learns to survive together and despite each other. Makes me root for them and for their happiness.
Yukiko’s two main love interests - Hiro and Kin, however, are not particularly interesting on their own. Their respective exchanges with her are nice to read about (as long as their relationships lasted) but they are always secondary to Yukiko’s and Buruu’s relationship which is rightfully the main focus of the novel.
The Verdict
“Stormdancer” is an amazing read that takes an interesting concept and tries to explore it to its full potential. It is interesting and engaging and overall brilliant. Even if it may seem hard for you at the beginning, I would recommend not to skip over those introductory pages - because, in retrospect, you would want to stay in the world of “Stormdancer” as long as possible.
This book is a fantastic blend of fantasy, dystopian, and steampunk that incorporates feudal Japan to create a really unique, complex world. The empire is on the verge of killing the planet through pollution and over-consumption and the Shogun is leading the empire in a war that seeks to expand land boarders and gain slave labor. The Shogun also has fantasies of becoming a storm dancer- requiring a mythical beast that hasn't been seen in a hundred years. Accompanying her father, Yukiko finds herself trapped between doing what is right and doing what is expected of her. As she bonds with the creature, she finds that she sin't so sure that what her country is doing is right, but does she have what it takes to make a stand and invite change?
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This book was AMAZING! I will say that it was a bit hard to get into at first. I have very little knowledge of Japanese culture and the world-building was a little hard for me to follow at first. However, once I was able to situate myself in the world, I was so engrossed in the story that I couldn't put the book down. Yukiko and Buruu are the most amazing, unexpected pair and I loved how their friendship grew over the course of the book. The book was also able to make political statements without becoming preachy or overbearing. This was such a rich, complex story and I cannot wait to pick up book two!
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This book was AMAZING! I will say that it was a bit hard to get into at first. I have very little knowledge of Japanese culture and the world-building was a little hard for me to follow at first. However, once I was able to situate myself in the world, I was so engrossed in the story that I couldn't put the book down. Yukiko and Buruu are the most amazing, unexpected pair and I loved how their friendship grew over the course of the book. The book was also able to make political statements without becoming preachy or overbearing. This was such a rich, complex story and I cannot wait to pick up book two!
„Tancerze burzy” to książka z klimatami Japoni, wojowników, różnych wierzeń czy dziwnych stworzeń. Bardzo ciekawa pozycja ze świetnie zbudowanym światem chociaż tak rozbudowanym że czasami się w tym wszystkim gubiłem przez co wpadałem w lekka irytację, ale i tak to bardzo doceniam. Myślę, że to całkiem spoko wprowadzenie do całej historii, ale nie zrobiło na mnie aż tak dużego wrażenia i wiele plot twistów było jednak do przewidzenia. Postacie również jak na tą chwile mnie sobą nie pochwyciły, ale zobaczymy jak to będzie w kolejnych tomach.
This book took FOREVER to read because of uni work but I'm glad I've finished it. I struggled to get into it at the beginning and wanted to quit a few times but I got into it when the story intensified. There were loads of characters and I did lose track of who was who. Overall Jay Kristoff's writing was very beautiful and I did fall in love with the story however it will be a while before I read the next one.
Also the next book is out of stock so idk how I'm going to get over that hurdle.
Also the next book is out of stock so idk how I'm going to get over that hurdle.
I loved this book. First the writing style. I am a huge fan of Jay Kristoff writing. I love long descriptions and metaphors. The characters were awesome and so real and flawed. I have never hated a "villain" in a story as much as I hated this one. I could finally understand why everrybody wanted him dead. And I loved that I hated him. I think there are a lot villains that seem to be the good guy in the end, so I enjoyed this quite a lot. The reason I only gave 4 stars was because it took me quite some time to get into the story. The build up was a little to long in my opinion.