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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
3.5
I wanted to love this. Because everything else I've read by Jay is epic! But sadly this wasn't the case. The writing is great, the story is interesting but nothing seemed to resonate with me. I didn't care for any of the characters.
I'll probably give this one a re-read in the future to see if I feel the same.
I wanted to love this. Because everything else I've read by Jay is epic! But sadly this wasn't the case. The writing is great, the story is interesting but nothing seemed to resonate with me. I didn't care for any of the characters.
I'll probably give this one a re-read in the future to see if I feel the same.
I loved the concept: Steampunk, futuristic-feudal Japan with myths come to life; have your mechs AND your kaiju! Plus, I'm a sucker for griffins, so Buruu was just about the greatest animal sidekick ever.
...
The PROBLEM was, I read the Nevernight trilogy before this book, and Yukiko is VERY OBVIOUSLY the first draft of Mia:
Beautiful, lithe, fair-skinned, black-haired girl, who is of high social standing but not royalty, sees her father dishonored and her mother imprisoned then murdered (in this version she's pregnant, in Nevernight her son was a toddler) by a psychotic, narcissistic, despot. Her parents were complicated people, her father guilty of an affair, but still she sympathizes with their plight, and she seeks to avenge them. Aided by a magical animal sidekick who shares an empathic connection with her, the girl sets out to assassinate the despot. She is skilled with a blade, but she is outmatched by terrain and her enemy's resources, and in this world full of myths - including a masculine Sun god, a feminine goddess of Night and The Underworld, and a god of Storms - at times it seems the gods themselves are out to aid and thwart her. During her journey she learns that the very essence of the land itself is not what she once thought it was, and overthrowing the despot is not just a personal quest of hers, but a necessity to set right the balance of nature.
...
Transplant the setting from Japan to pseudo-Italy and you've got Nevernight. Which I loved... but I think Mia did it better. Her personality is clearer than Yukiko's. And the writing in Nevernight is cleaner, more poetic, less reliance on clunky exposition. Other people's emotional journeys are implied and interpreted, not stated baldly, lending a more realistic feel to all of Mia's subterfuge as we're there with her in trying to discern the truth about the people around her. And while steampunk Japan is cool, telling a story with mechs and yokai and kitsune and assassins - all wrapped up around the morality tale of "respect nature" - is too.... anime. It's too derivative. It's been done. I got very Princess Mononoke vibes from this book. Nevernight may have Yukiko at its core, but it's original in its execution.
Stormdancer isn't a bad book. I've just been spoiled reading Jay Kristoff's best books ^_^.
...
The PROBLEM was, I read the Nevernight trilogy before this book, and Yukiko is VERY OBVIOUSLY the first draft of Mia:
Beautiful, lithe, fair-skinned, black-haired girl, who is of high social standing but not royalty, sees her father dishonored and her mother imprisoned then murdered (in this version she's pregnant, in Nevernight her son was a toddler) by a psychotic, narcissistic, despot. Her parents were complicated people, her father guilty of an affair, but still she sympathizes with their plight, and she seeks to avenge them. Aided by a magical animal sidekick who shares an empathic connection with her, the girl sets out to assassinate the despot. She is skilled with a blade, but she is outmatched by terrain and her enemy's resources, and in this world full of myths - including a masculine Sun god, a feminine goddess of Night and The Underworld, and a god of Storms - at times it seems the gods themselves are out to aid and thwart her. During her journey she learns that the very essence of the land itself is not what she once thought it was, and overthrowing the despot is not just a personal quest of hers, but a necessity to set right the balance of nature.
...
Transplant the setting from Japan to pseudo-Italy and you've got Nevernight. Which I loved... but I think Mia did it better. Her personality is clearer than Yukiko's. And the writing in Nevernight is cleaner, more poetic, less reliance on clunky exposition. Other people's emotional journeys are implied and interpreted, not stated baldly, lending a more realistic feel to all of Mia's subterfuge as we're there with her in trying to discern the truth about the people around her. And while steampunk Japan is cool, telling a story with mechs and yokai and kitsune and assassins - all wrapped up around the morality tale of "respect nature" - is too.... anime. It's too derivative. It's been done. I got very Princess Mononoke vibes from this book. Nevernight may have Yukiko at its core, but it's original in its execution.
Stormdancer isn't a bad book. I've just been spoiled reading Jay Kristoff's best books ^_^.
I read reviews of this book and some were of course made it seem like a must read while others didn't like it all. Did find it annoying the use hai when you could just say yes and didn't seem like the words were used properly. Then it isn't really Japan or Japanese just based on that. Other books are based on other cultures like Celtic or Norse and so many others but the author can be use them to tell a story he wants. The story itself wasn't great but it wasn't the worst either. I think I will read the other two in the series and maybe they will be better than this one as now I am curious to what will happen.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Let’s face it, avid fantasy fans. Tolkien is the godfather of fantasy and most authors end up writing their first bad manuscript reefing on his elves, orcs, and dwarves. Lord of the Rings is the granddaddy of fantasy novels two generations of readers. We love the Rings and want to emulate the magic we feel coursing through us when reading about Frodo and Sam braving their way to Mount Doom to defeat Sauron by destroying the Ring in the heart of the volcano. Good stuff. I maintain that some of the best authors today—Sanderson, Rothfuss, Jemisin, Ahmed—completely turn away from this European folklore and forge something completely new, sometimes using myths and legends from other continents to create these exciting original worlds. I am happy to put Jay Kristoff in this category for his completely, fresh, exciting debut novel “Stormdancer”.
Two words is all you need to describe the first in Kristoff’s Lotus War series… Japanese steampunk. That alone should get people salivating, their eyes bugging out, their feet wanting to rush them to the bookstore to pick this book up. Come on now! Admit you're intrigued. Steampunk is big right now like dystopian science fiction and bow and arrow wielding teenage heroines are. And the world of Shima in Kristoff's novel is alive with clockwork samurai, airships, and mechanized chainsaw katana. You can hear the gears grinding, the grating growl of the chainsaw blade, and husky Darth Vader rasp of respirators from towering bushido warriors in great big iron suits. Oh, of course there are goggles too.
“Stormdancer” is more than this, though. It was not the steampunk aspect that drew me to read the book but that Kristoff used Japanese myth to conceive this interesting world. Kristoff did a wonderful job of infusing the story and world with a culture that is recognizable as the far east. From the honorable samurai, the secretive ninja rebels, the clans systems, to the oni, the pantheon of gods, and the thunder tigers, the world is exotic and a fresh new adventure for high fantasy readers.
The pace of the story is kinetic as well, a razor sharp as any katana's edge. Action scenes are easy to follow and not busy with a lot of details that easily bog down most fantasy novels. Political intrigued also keeps tensions high. A spoiled young shogan with too much misplaced ambition a enterprising guild of mechanics and priests who wish to pull puppet strings, and a shadowy organization that wants revolution for a world polluted by the one thing Shima's economy is dependent on.
What I loved most about "Stormdancer" is its heart. Main character Yukiko knows her world is being corrupted by the greedy corporate/religious organization and strangled by the childish whims of a bored ruler, but honor and duty to her world and her clan's ruler keeps her from acting. It is when she meets and eventually befriends the wild and free thunder tiger--a griffin she later names Buruu--that she begins to question the concept of honor. Yukiko must learn about sacrifice and forgiveness if she is to forge a path. Her heartfelt connection to Buruu is wonderful and hard earned. Buruu too, a wild creature who rages like a storm at the humans who have corrupted and polluted his world with greed and war, has a lot to learn. Both characters learn much from each other, they grow together, and begin to see the world through each other's eyes (literally).
A fantastic and energetic debut. What else can I say? Samurai. Ninja. Steampunk. Thunder tigers with attitude! Fans of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" will enjoy "Stormdancer" and I encourage epic fantasy fans to dig into something unique and different from the usual epic fantasy.
Two words is all you need to describe the first in Kristoff’s Lotus War series… Japanese steampunk. That alone should get people salivating, their eyes bugging out, their feet wanting to rush them to the bookstore to pick this book up. Come on now! Admit you're intrigued. Steampunk is big right now like dystopian science fiction and bow and arrow wielding teenage heroines are. And the world of Shima in Kristoff's novel is alive with clockwork samurai, airships, and mechanized chainsaw katana. You can hear the gears grinding, the grating growl of the chainsaw blade, and husky Darth Vader rasp of respirators from towering bushido warriors in great big iron suits. Oh, of course there are goggles too.
“Stormdancer” is more than this, though. It was not the steampunk aspect that drew me to read the book but that Kristoff used Japanese myth to conceive this interesting world. Kristoff did a wonderful job of infusing the story and world with a culture that is recognizable as the far east. From the honorable samurai, the secretive ninja rebels, the clans systems, to the oni, the pantheon of gods, and the thunder tigers, the world is exotic and a fresh new adventure for high fantasy readers.
The pace of the story is kinetic as well, a razor sharp as any katana's edge. Action scenes are easy to follow and not busy with a lot of details that easily bog down most fantasy novels. Political intrigued also keeps tensions high. A spoiled young shogan with too much misplaced ambition a enterprising guild of mechanics and priests who wish to pull puppet strings, and a shadowy organization that wants revolution for a world polluted by the one thing Shima's economy is dependent on.
What I loved most about "Stormdancer" is its heart. Main character Yukiko knows her world is being corrupted by the greedy corporate/religious organization and strangled by the childish whims of a bored ruler, but honor and duty to her world and her clan's ruler keeps her from acting. It is when she meets and eventually befriends the wild and free thunder tiger--a griffin she later names Buruu--that she begins to question the concept of honor. Yukiko must learn about sacrifice and forgiveness if she is to forge a path. Her heartfelt connection to Buruu is wonderful and hard earned. Buruu too, a wild creature who rages like a storm at the humans who have corrupted and polluted his world with greed and war, has a lot to learn. Both characters learn much from each other, they grow together, and begin to see the world through each other's eyes (literally).
A fantastic and energetic debut. What else can I say? Samurai. Ninja. Steampunk. Thunder tigers with attitude! Fans of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" will enjoy "Stormdancer" and I encourage epic fantasy fans to dig into something unique and different from the usual epic fantasy.
I was very excited to receive a copy of this book and I was not disappointed. I was already intrigued by the idea of Japanese steampunk and the vivid imagery in the book easily brought the book to life. At times I felt like I was watching a film which, in my opinion, is a great quality for a book to possess. The book maintained an enjoyable pace that kept me interested the entire time. I will definitely be continuing this series and I can't wait until the next book is released!
I loved the relationship between Yukiko and Buruu. I really enjoyed seeing how Buruu changed as he spent more time with her. It was a very interesting dynamic to see how they affected each other through their telepathic link and began to take on the characteristics and thoughts of each other.
My heart definitely broke for Kin. He seemed to be the most innocent of all the characters and was subject to a life of essential imprisonment. He was born and bred in to his profession and had no way out. He risked so much by exposing himself to Yukiko the first night on the ship. Yukiko was the first person who ever showed any from of affection towards him and he grasped on to it. I don't think he ever expected Yukiko to not return the feelings, simply because it was almost a foreign concept to him. I do believe that as the series continues, the relationship between Kin and Yukiko will morph into something more.
The only problem I had with this book was that I sometimes did not understand a Japanese reference and would often mix up some of the minor character's names. This was not a big deal and I just jumped back a few paragraphs to reread.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the fantasy genre.
I loved the relationship between Yukiko and Buruu. I really enjoyed seeing how Buruu changed as he spent more time with her. It was a very interesting dynamic to see how they affected each other through their telepathic link and began to take on the characteristics and thoughts of each other.
My heart definitely broke for Kin. He seemed to be the most innocent of all the characters and was subject to a life of essential imprisonment. He was born and bred in to his profession and had no way out. He risked so much by exposing himself to Yukiko the first night on the ship. Yukiko was the first person who ever showed any from of affection towards him and he grasped on to it. I don't think he ever expected Yukiko to not return the feelings, simply because it was almost a foreign concept to him. I do believe that as the series continues, the relationship between Kin and Yukiko will morph into something more.
The only problem I had with this book was that I sometimes did not understand a Japanese reference and would often mix up some of the minor character's names. This was not a big deal and I just jumped back a few paragraphs to reread.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the fantasy genre.
It is refreshing to read a steampunk book set in an environs other than Victorian Britain. In this case the setting is Japan, and the author knows enough of Japanese history and culture to give it an authentic, gritty feel.
I really would like to give this book four stars but there was one glaring problem for me which I will get to after all the praise.
The setting was very well thought out and, I felt, unique. The folklore and costuming of Japan was well researched and expressed. The characters were very well fleshed out. I loved how the main character was more than just an strong angry woman.
I loved how the steampunk was expressed and found it very creative. In fact, of the steampunk books I have read, this is likely the best of them. For me at least. I loved the hints of Dune in the Guildsmen.
The author's prose was very nicely paced and his descriptions were visceral, though at times they became redundant or tedious.
Now the problem. As I was reading this book, I never felt I was reading of another culture. It felt like Japan's greatest hits painted over a story from Victorian England. As well researched as the costuming and spirits were, I expected the culture to feel new or different and not Western. This felt too close to cultural appropriation and colored the story for me.
The setting was very well thought out and, I felt, unique. The folklore and costuming of Japan was well researched and expressed. The characters were very well fleshed out. I loved how the main character was more than just an strong angry woman.
I loved how the steampunk was expressed and found it very creative. In fact, of the steampunk books I have read, this is likely the best of them. For me at least. I loved the hints of Dune in the Guildsmen.
The author's prose was very nicely paced and his descriptions were visceral, though at times they became redundant or tedious.
Now the problem. As I was reading this book, I never felt I was reading of another culture. It felt like Japan's greatest hits painted over a story from Victorian England. As well researched as the costuming and spirits were, I expected the culture to feel new or different and not Western. This felt too close to cultural appropriation and colored the story for me.
Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars
BR with my lovely lil (soul) sister & bestie Darcey!
(We've br so many books atp that I can't think of anything witty to say about reading yet another book together
BR with my lovely lil (soul) sister & bestie Darcey!
(We've br so many books atp that I can't think of anything witty to say about reading yet another book together