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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Wow. What a read. Part 1 was hard to get through. The world and pace building took a while but it is so good once everything started to gain momentum.
Okay, let’s preface this review with an adamant warning: Do not approach this book if you are knowledgeable about Japanese culture and intend to take the supposed Japanese references in this story seriously.
I am not lying when I say that I laughed out loud during the very first chapter, but seriously, when the “shogun” is shouting, “Bring in the geishas!” as he strokes his oh-so Japanese blades, what other reaction could I possibly have? Thankfully I started out my adventure with Stormdancer knowing what to expect: Jay Kristoff does not know jack about Japan or Japanese culture. He’s even openly admitted it. So why in the world is this story written and presented as “Japanese steampunk?” Only Mr. Kristoff knows the answer to that, but it certainly isn’t because he has any real love for or interest in the subject.
The references are bad and at times downright incorrect. They are also completely unnecessary. Change the names of people, places, weapons and creatures and there is nothing remotely Japanese about the setting. It’s like someone did a find and replace with Japanese terms on an already completed story. Worst of all, Kristoff tries to insert Japanese into the dialogue with laughable results. The Japanese-ness of Stormdancer is nothing more than an arbitrary decision made by an ignorant and frankly lazy author. I mean, he admits he didn’t do much research at all, which borders on disrespectful.
However, I must admit that I made it through Stormdancer and intend to finish the trilogy. Considering the major issues highlighted above, this is nothing short of a miracle. The story, though, once you ignore all of the blatantly wrong references, isn’t entirely bad. It’s no example of high literature, but while Kristoff did no work to make his story remotely Japanese, he did do a decent job with the story itself. I cannot stress enough how much I wish he’d just abandoned his ill-informed quest to force his plot into such a specific culture which he knew nothing about.
As for the story itself, there are definitely some things I liked about it. The steampunk aspect of the story, at least, is not a false sale. The setting and background are the points of the story I found most redeeming. I enjoyed the concept of a world ravaged by a polluting but government-enforced crop. The characters themselves are decent enough. Yukiko was a somewhat sympathetic character, though to enjoy her you must always keep in mind that behind her is an adult man with no concept of how young women feel. My favorite character, however, was an animal, and I loved the development of the relationship between Yukiko and this animal. Also, hey! Romance barely featured in the story! I kind of liked that, since it’s so rare to find a young adult story that doesn’t in some way center around romance.
Some critics dislike Kristoff’s writing style, which is incredibly and sometimes unnecessarily detailed. Of all the issues I had with this book, this barely stood out to me. His style takes some getting used to, but I don’t think it’s a deal breaker.
All in all, there is some interesting stuff waiting for anyone with a sense of humor and patience. I was entertained and highly amused (though not in a way intended by Kristoff, obviously). I gave this story three stars just because I was so shocked I made it all the way through and wanted to continue with the series. I cannot say I recommend the book, but I won’t go as far to say it has nothing to offer. Enter at your own risk.
I am not lying when I say that I laughed out loud during the very first chapter, but seriously, when the “shogun” is shouting, “Bring in the geishas!” as he strokes his oh-so Japanese blades, what other reaction could I possibly have? Thankfully I started out my adventure with Stormdancer knowing what to expect: Jay Kristoff does not know jack about Japan or Japanese culture. He’s even openly admitted it. So why in the world is this story written and presented as “Japanese steampunk?” Only Mr. Kristoff knows the answer to that, but it certainly isn’t because he has any real love for or interest in the subject.
The references are bad and at times downright incorrect. They are also completely unnecessary. Change the names of people, places, weapons and creatures and there is nothing remotely Japanese about the setting. It’s like someone did a find and replace with Japanese terms on an already completed story. Worst of all, Kristoff tries to insert Japanese into the dialogue with laughable results. The Japanese-ness of Stormdancer is nothing more than an arbitrary decision made by an ignorant and frankly lazy author. I mean, he admits he didn’t do much research at all, which borders on disrespectful.
However, I must admit that I made it through Stormdancer and intend to finish the trilogy. Considering the major issues highlighted above, this is nothing short of a miracle. The story, though, once you ignore all of the blatantly wrong references, isn’t entirely bad. It’s no example of high literature, but while Kristoff did no work to make his story remotely Japanese, he did do a decent job with the story itself. I cannot stress enough how much I wish he’d just abandoned his ill-informed quest to force his plot into such a specific culture which he knew nothing about.
As for the story itself, there are definitely some things I liked about it. The steampunk aspect of the story, at least, is not a false sale. The setting and background are the points of the story I found most redeeming. I enjoyed the concept of a world ravaged by a polluting but government-enforced crop. The characters themselves are decent enough. Yukiko was a somewhat sympathetic character, though to enjoy her you must always keep in mind that behind her is an adult man with no concept of how young women feel. My favorite character, however, was an animal, and I loved the development of the relationship between Yukiko and this animal. Also, hey! Romance barely featured in the story! I kind of liked that, since it’s so rare to find a young adult story that doesn’t in some way center around romance.
Some critics dislike Kristoff’s writing style, which is incredibly and sometimes unnecessarily detailed. Of all the issues I had with this book, this barely stood out to me. His style takes some getting used to, but I don’t think it’s a deal breaker.
All in all, there is some interesting stuff waiting for anyone with a sense of humor and patience. I was entertained and highly amused (though not in a way intended by Kristoff, obviously). I gave this story three stars just because I was so shocked I made it all the way through and wanted to continue with the series. I cannot say I recommend the book, but I won’t go as far to say it has nothing to offer. Enter at your own risk.
Had to return this one to the library, but I think I will pick it back up again in the future.
http://makemesmarternow.blogspot.dk/2016/09/review-stormdancer-by-jay-kristoff.html
And Jay Kristoff does it again. I never thought I'd need Japanese steampunk dystopia in my life but I was so so wrong. This book has everything a dystopian book should, a sinister government, a revolution waiting to spark, a girl with a special ability stuck in the system, and of course, a thunder tiger. I cannot wait to read book two.
The alternate feudal steampunk fantasy of Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff was a lot of fun and exactly up my alley. I don't know why I had been sitting on this for so long since I've loveliest of his other works and collaborations, but I'm glad I finally gave it a shot. It goes very fast and I didn't want to put it down for a second. The story is unique and definitely reeled me in from page one. As a debut novel, it is absolutely outstanding. That said this isn't quite up to the same level that I've come to expect from him, but it's still an excellent opener to The Lotus Wars and I'm looking forward to moving on to Kinslayer.
Keywords: Telepathy, animal-speak, griffins, stormdancing, storms, teens, Japanese, steampunk, fantasy, girl power, tattoos, drunken mess, bar fights, emperor, Asian-influenced, samurai, anime, science, powers, clans, fox, thunderbirds.
Actual Rating:
Sentence: I sentence Jay Kristoff to a stormdance-off. I suspect he will win.
Review:
Initial reaction: I was reminded of Atlantis, Eon, Avatar: The Last Airbender, How to Train Your Dragon, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Gladiator, and The Hunger Games, over the course of this entire book (in varying degrees). But only in the best ways, which I'll elaborate later.
Let me start off by saying that this book is not perfect, nor do I demand everyone read it. I really enjoyed this book and you, whoever you may be, will likely read much about this book after it has been released. That does not mean you will like it. I really enjoy steampunk, but I don't think all steampunk was really meant for me. Most YA steampunk actually sucks or isn't what I'd consider steampunk (yes, my nose is all up in the air rejecting YA, even though I love it too) and it certainly is not meant for everyone to enjoy.
Stormdancer is just the right amount of dark steampunk that I can get and nod at without argument. But Stormdancer is also many other things that I can easily get sick of; I do not normally read; and I watch and read too much of already so it's overkill. That's why I was impressed by how much I could stand some of the themes and aspects I had seen time and time again.
Kristoff takes things that are sorely overdone and then kicks them altogether into some sort of crazy-ass contraption of symbiosis. All the elements feed off each other and they make beautiful, stormy music; the conductor being Kristoff.
I will admit that the beginning was pretty slow until about eight or so chapters in. It's the first book in a trilogy so I always allow this sort of lag for world-building and character development. But that does not mean the plot had not already rooted itself into the reader's mind.
I think what killed it for me was the complexity of Yukiko's relationship with the green-eyed samurai. On the one hand, he is fucking gorgeous and he likes her. On the other, he is
Also, that last fight was pretty damn awesome.
Anyway, I do not want to really spoil this book as it is more enjoyable reading all of it play out. This would probably make a pretty decent anime movie or show, by the way. Just sayin'. There was Howl's Moving Castle, yes, but there is also this (nudge, nudge Miyazaki).
Applause to JK for allowing me to revel in my Japanese fantasy love that bit longer and better yet with an amazing cast, a brilliant plot and an incredible world.
Firstly I want to say how much I love the cover to this book! Am I right? Though, when I first saw this book it was to the white cover, not my preferred one, and from that I was expecting a somewhat traditional fantasy. Then I read the blurb, and I'm like okkkkkkkay. Not what I was expecting but still. Then I see the alternative cover and I'm just blown away. I LOVE the colour contrast, as a massive lover of Japanese art (mainly tattoos) I loved it immediately. I feel the grey/red cover is far more appropriate for this story than the white cover. Just saying