REVIEW #157: Stormdancer (The Lotus War #1) by Jay Kristoff

Title: Stormdancer

Series: The Lotus War #1
Author: Jay Kristoff

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Pages: 313, Hardcover
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

A DYING LAND
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 HIDDEN GIFT
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.

There are several popular 2012 releases that I have been meaning to read for quite some time but have yet to for no good reason at all. Finally making good on my promises of “I will read that one soon”, I decided to start incorporating these books into my reading schedule, for real this time. I started with Tiger Lily, and not-surprisingly LOVED it. Stormdancer was the next one up on my list. And, well honestly, I wish I would have started this little personal challenge sooner because this too, WAS AWESOME.

In full disclosure, Stormdancer and I did have a bit of a rough start. I have no affinity for Japanese culture and for the first couple of chapters I felt like I was reading in another language. It took some time for me to get used to, but eventually, I did catch up. (Did this happen to anyone else? Just Me? Ok, moving on). I also felt the slow start that other readers have commented on before me. But I’d say this is over once you hit page 75. From then on, Stormdancer is a splendid, awe-inspiring adventure and I didn’t want to ever put this book down (but I did for necessities, like sleep and food).

This book is really without flaws (aside from the aforementioned, which I wouldn’t really call flaws). Yukiko, the main character, is fierce and head-strong. No overbearing romance fills the gaps between events. In fact, there really are no gaps. This entire story is one big adventure with no boring parts. There is a strong focus on friendship and family that complements the action. There is full character and story development. There is both happiness and heartbreak (no story should be all sunshine and rainbows). The surprises are plentiful. The writing is superb, almost poetic. The ending was satisfying yet open-ended enough for more awesomeness to come. I honestly can’t say enough positive things. Did I convince you to read this one yet?

Stormdancer is incredibly well-rounded. There are elements of fantasy, steampunk, dystopian, and more. I think it has a little of something to appeal to a wide variety of readers. It really does deserve all of the hype it has gotten. And anytime I finish a book that I really enjoyed I give it to my mother to read. And she loved this one too. So there you have it, two glowing opinions for the (non-existent) price of one ;).