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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I tend to be a pretty generous reviewer, and give more stars than most people normal. This is a book that I'm being generous for giving two stars. It's not terrible, it doesn't have (that I noticed) rape, it didn't have weird sexist stereotypes that don't make sense in the story, but I was just so disappointed by the story. I listened to it via audiobook, and quickly got tired of the constant repetitive descriptions that were to long and too constant to actually add anything to the story. A lot of the steampunk aspects added to the story feel more like trying to steampunk japan than to make it make sense. The story wasn't so bad, but I feel like it was letting me down a bit. I did like the adaption of the traditional Japanese beliefs into the story, but sometimes the lore took on too much of an info dump "look at my world building myths" verses actually needed for the story. Which, there is a lot there that could have been built on more that actually has to do with the story, verses world building. So two stars, I will never read it again, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. And for those who want a simple story, that is easy to follow with a touch of steampunk in Japan perhaps this story will before you.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
More of a 3.5 stars -
I finished this a few days ago and have been mulling over it since because I don't like writing reviews on my phone (but that is what I'm doing now anyway, given I don't have my laptop).
I cannot deny that I did quite enjoy Stormdancer (I kept comparing it to HTTYD, actually), but I'm not blind to the fact that there are LOADS of things which really rubbed me the wrong way.
So, positives:
+ Writing style is digestible, wayyyy better than it was in Kristoff's newest work, Nevernight, which I just found totally unreadable due to the sheer overwhelming purple prose.
+ Buruu and Yukiko have such a cute bond, it's adorable
+ This steampunk world is pretty damn cool
Negatives:
- The story took freaking ages to happen like it was just exposition and dialogue for pages upon pages
- Wtf is with the Japanese honourifics, there is so much misuse of 'sama' and 'chan' - and the worst thing is that if research was done, it could've been so easily corrected.
- And don't get me started on 'hai' 'cos that wasn't used correctly EITHER
- And the author can say all they want about it not being set in actual Japan but a fantasy steampunk world, but when you go so far as to include Japanese mythology figures such as Izanami etc. instead of making new ones for this 'fantasy world' it is BASICALLY Japan so get the goddamn use of Japanese honourifics and words right. Please.
- ALSO, and it annoys me how I nearly forgot this, but I am so done with the 'omg love at first sight' thing Jesus Yukiko sees a samurai with green eyes and BAM. She then dreams about him BUT SHE DOESN'T REALLY KNOW HIM literally they've barely spoken lords above.
TLDR; writing a review on a phone is actually really hard. As for the book: an interesting concept with steampunk and Japanese culture, though sometimes you have to trudge through the waffle and all the silly inaccuracies.
I finished this a few days ago and have been mulling over it since because I don't like writing reviews on my phone (but that is what I'm doing now anyway, given I don't have my laptop).
I cannot deny that I did quite enjoy Stormdancer (I kept comparing it to HTTYD, actually), but I'm not blind to the fact that there are LOADS of things which really rubbed me the wrong way.
So, positives:
+ Writing style is digestible, wayyyy better than it was in Kristoff's newest work, Nevernight, which I just found totally unreadable due to the sheer overwhelming purple prose.
+ Buruu and Yukiko have such a cute bond, it's adorable
+ This steampunk world is pretty damn cool
Negatives:
- The story took freaking ages to happen like it was just exposition and dialogue for pages upon pages
- Wtf is with the Japanese honourifics, there is so much misuse of 'sama' and 'chan' - and the worst thing is that if research was done, it could've been so easily corrected.
- And don't get me started on 'hai' 'cos that wasn't used correctly EITHER
- And the author can say all they want about it not being set in actual Japan but a fantasy steampunk world, but when you go so far as to include Japanese mythology figures such as Izanami etc. instead of making new ones for this 'fantasy world' it is BASICALLY Japan so get the goddamn use of Japanese honourifics and words right. Please.
- ALSO, and it annoys me how I nearly forgot this, but I am so done with the 'omg love at first sight' thing Jesus Yukiko sees a samurai with green eyes and BAM. She then dreams about him BUT SHE DOESN'T REALLY KNOW HIM literally they've barely spoken lords above.
TLDR; writing a review on a phone is actually really hard. As for the book: an interesting concept with steampunk and Japanese culture, though sometimes you have to trudge through the waffle and all the silly inaccuracies.
#steampunk #fantasy
Started out kinda slow but I ended up hooked.
So many feelings about Buruu and Yukiko omg I'm so proud of them.
Started out kinda slow but I ended up hooked.
So many feelings about Buruu and Yukiko omg I'm so proud of them.
This review was originally posted on Books of Amber
There has been a lot of hype surrounding this book since it first came out. I had been trying to hold off on starting the trilogy until nearer to the final book’s release, because I had a feeling that I wouldn’t be able to wait a year for the third book. Now that Endsinger is coming out in a month, I figured that now was the time.
Stormdancer took a little while to hook me, mostly because of all the terminology that was used in the beginning. Kristoff doesn’t take the time to slowly dip the reader into this world, he just throws them into it with full force and doesn’t take any prisoners. This was a little bit of an issue for me when I first started reading because I had no clue what any of the characters were saying. After about fifty pages, though, I did get used to it and I felt fully immersed in this world.
Stormdancer masters the perfect blend of description and action. It kept me on my toes the entire time, and instead of plodding along it felt as though I was sailing through it. The world is beautifully described and the characters are all intriguing. The action scenes gave me ALL THE FEELS because they played with my emotions and still managed to stay fast paced and thrilling. Fantasy lovers will ADORE this book once they get into it.
Obviously, I can’t review this book without mentioning the relationship between Yukiko and Buruu. I wasn’t expecting something as epic as that to come out of this book, but it happened and now I’m getting teary-eyed because they are beautiful. They are soulmates and very few of my fictional pairings can top them because they embody everything that I adore. I don’t really want to explain what those things are because I want everyone who is reading this review to go into the book with a fresh mind, but basically: Yukiko x Buruu = OTP.
I think everybody should read this book just so I have more people to fangirl with. From the Japanese-inspired fantasy to the FREAKIN’ THUNDER TIGERS, everything about this book is epic. I’m dying to know where this series goes because the ending of Stormdancer wrapped things up well without a cliffhanger, but at the same time left things very, VERY open for more. And the ending was very Spartacus, which leads me to believe that Kristoff (I’m still chuckling over this) is a) a fan of my favourite show ever, and b) up to things. UP TO THINGS. So I’m going to read Kinslayer this week (hopefully) so that I am ready for Endsinger’s release in November. EEP.
There has been a lot of hype surrounding this book since it first came out. I had been trying to hold off on starting the trilogy until nearer to the final book’s release, because I had a feeling that I wouldn’t be able to wait a year for the third book. Now that Endsinger is coming out in a month, I figured that now was the time.
Stormdancer took a little while to hook me, mostly because of all the terminology that was used in the beginning. Kristoff doesn’t take the time to slowly dip the reader into this world, he just throws them into it with full force and doesn’t take any prisoners. This was a little bit of an issue for me when I first started reading because I had no clue what any of the characters were saying. After about fifty pages, though, I did get used to it and I felt fully immersed in this world.
Stormdancer masters the perfect blend of description and action. It kept me on my toes the entire time, and instead of plodding along it felt as though I was sailing through it. The world is beautifully described and the characters are all intriguing. The action scenes gave me ALL THE FEELS because they played with my emotions and still managed to stay fast paced and thrilling. Fantasy lovers will ADORE this book once they get into it.
Obviously, I can’t review this book without mentioning the relationship between Yukiko and Buruu. I wasn’t expecting something as epic as that to come out of this book, but it happened and now I’m getting teary-eyed because they are beautiful. They are soulmates and very few of my fictional pairings can top them because they embody everything that I adore. I don’t really want to explain what those things are because I want everyone who is reading this review to go into the book with a fresh mind, but basically: Yukiko x Buruu = OTP.
I think everybody should read this book just so I have more people to fangirl with. From the Japanese-inspired fantasy to the FREAKIN’ THUNDER TIGERS, everything about this book is epic. I’m dying to know where this series goes because the ending of Stormdancer wrapped things up well without a cliffhanger, but at the same time left things very, VERY open for more. And the ending was very Spartacus, which leads me to believe that Kristoff (I’m still chuckling over this) is a) a fan of my favourite show ever, and b) up to things. UP TO THINGS. So I’m going to read Kinslayer this week (hopefully) so that I am ready for Endsinger’s release in November. EEP.
Oh God, that ending was intense!!
Anyway, I really liked this book, even though I was quite confused at the beginning and I wasn't a big fan of the first 100 pages.
The world building is really well done and I think Jay Kristoff has done a good job intertwining the steampunk elements with the fantasy ones. The lotus, the chi, the guildsmen... they were really interesting to read about and the main reason why I liked this book so much.
I also particularly enjoyed the fact that this series is set in a Japan-like world, but the cultural references at times seemed sloppy and not thoroughly researched.
The characters were cool, the two main protagonists well written and believable, the others not so much (Hiro was a joke and Kin... I would have liked to read more about him, about his childhood and about his life... maybe in the next book).
This book is very action packed (which is something that I don't usually enjoy), but it has also great political schemes and a dystopian vibe that sold it for me.
The ending... oh boy, the ending was perfect.
And now we wait for book 2 to arrive at my house...
Anyway, I really liked this book, even though I was quite confused at the beginning and I wasn't a big fan of the first 100 pages.
The world building is really well done and I think Jay Kristoff has done a good job intertwining the steampunk elements with the fantasy ones. The lotus, the chi, the guildsmen... they were really interesting to read about and the main reason why I liked this book so much.
I also particularly enjoyed the fact that this series is set in a Japan-like world, but the cultural references at times seemed sloppy and not thoroughly researched.
The characters were cool, the two main protagonists well written and believable, the others not so much (Hiro was a joke and Kin... I would have liked to read more about him, about his childhood and about his life... maybe in the next book).
This book is very action packed (which is something that I don't usually enjoy), but it has also great political schemes and a dystopian vibe that sold it for me.
The ending... oh boy, the ending was perfect.
And now we wait for book 2 to arrive at my house...
OH MY DAYS!! I ACTUALLY WON!
I can't wait to read this! I'm so happy.. Oh - I can't
I'm so happy I'm actually crying...
Thank you so much!
EDIT!!
I read this ages ago and I'm actually horrified that I didn't write a review much earlier. Jay Kristoff, publishers. Forgive me.
I freaking LOVE this book! It was epic in gargantuan proportions.
I can't wait to read this! I'm so happy.. Oh - I can't
I'm so happy I'm actually crying...
Thank you so much!
EDIT!!
I read this ages ago and I'm actually horrified that I didn't write a review much earlier. Jay Kristoff, publishers. Forgive me.
I freaking LOVE this book! It was epic in gargantuan proportions.
All I heard about this book was that is Japanese meets steampunk and I picked it up. I enjoyed this book immensely. I loved the characters and I loved the mythology. The story was very engaging and kept me wanting to read more. I am excited to see where this series takes me next.