The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.
AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger—a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.
A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.
But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.
I haven't had a chance to finish 'Stormdancer', so I thought I would take a look at what some of my fellow bloggers have been saying about the book:
Yukkiko can definitely give any strong female character a run for their money. The girl is strong, resilient, beautiful, and can wield a weapon like no one else. Love her. ... This is one of those fast paced books that kept me up late to finish reading it. So freaking great! Stunning novel. I am in awe of the world Jay Kristoff built. A must-read y’all seriously.-- Giselle from Book Nerd (Giselle also has a giveaway running until the 17th)
Kristoff’s writing is very descriptive with a lot of adjectives. It is very easy to picture the world created by the author. Stormdancer is not the sort of book you should expect to tear through, but the type of book one savors and takes time with. If you are an impatient reader, straight up you will not like this book. ... If you like sophisticated storytelling, tough as nails main characters, revolutions and Eastern based fantasy, Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff is worth a few days of your reading time.-- April from Good Books & Good Wine
Jay Kristoff's writing is Whedonesque. This is one of the highest compliments I can pay because I think Joss Whedon is absolutely brilliant. He writes beautifully complex female characters living in gorgeously imagined worlds where no one is safe and anything can happen. And you know what? Jay Kristoff does, too.-- Jenn from Tynga's Reviews
Unfortunately for this book, I did find the beginning rather slow to start. It stemmed from the combination of elaborate description and establishing the setting and its residents, customs, and culture. Once the book got into the main story, the main plot, it moved along at a much faster pace. ... Even though the book was slow to start and rather heavy with world-building backstory, I believe that fans of epic fantasy will enjoy it, especially those looking for an Asian twist on the standard epic fantasy that often has British roots.-- Lindsay from Me On Books
Stormdancer will be released on September 18 (this Tuesday!), and is already released in Australia and the UK.
Thank you for including a quote from my review! I really enjoyed Stormdancer! This is a nice feature I haven't seen before. Great great job Ashley! Oh and the giveaway ends well tomorrow lol
ReplyDeleteHa, I will change that! I don't know where I got the 30th from?! =b
DeleteInteresting conglomeration, Ashley! There do seem to be a few certain points that keep coming up again and again, eh? The writing/descriptions, plus pacing. At least that way I'll know what to expect. :P
ReplyDeleteOh definitely, eh? I was interested in the fact that these points kept coming up, and I think it gives a good feel for the book.
DeleteI actually might do this again with some other books... you can really tell a lot by comparing positive, so-so, and negative reviews.
It's being released as adult?? We've seen in the YA section of our local bookstore... but maybe that's an anomaly.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, we have mixed feelings. We are super excited by the premise of this book, and the good reviews we've read, and the hilarious and fun and friendly interactions we've had with the author. All yay!
But. We've also been hearing about some... irresponsibility, perhaps, in research on Japanese culture. If it turns out to be true, then that's definitely disappointing.
In the end, we're going to read and make our own conclusions. It just sounds like too cool of a story not to. ;)
Yes it's definitely an adult imprint publishing it over here, but I wouldn't have known that based on reviews.
DeleteAhh very curious about the culture part. It's always tough, and I have to admit I'm ignorant about those issues most of the time, unless it's a culture I'm more familiar with.
I have to admit I started reading it this week and I couldn't get into it, but I definitely want to give it another try.
I ADORED this book. So intriguing and different and it just kept me going and going. I think I have it scheduled to review next week...
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your thoughts!
Awesome, I can't wait to hear what you think. I'm conflicted about what I've read so far, but people keep saying how awesome it is.
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