Stormdancer

The Lotus War, Book One

By: Jay Kristoff

Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda

The first in an epic new fantasy series, introducing an unforgettable new heroine and a stunningly original dystopian steampunk world with a flavor of feudal Japan.

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 Shogun 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 Shogun 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 Shogun’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.

©2012 Jay Kristoff (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Flowery description can be excessive. Slow start.

What did you love best about Stormdancer?

Interesting world setting.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stormdancer?

The beginning was excessively slow do to the over abundance of description.

Have you listened to any of Jennifer Ikeda’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Great Narrator. I would highly recommend her for future listeners.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The conflict between the Father and Daughter was particularly well done.

Give it time. It is worthy.

The world is polluted and it is only getting worse. The Shogun Yoritomo rules with an iron fist, taking whatever pleases him. The Lotus Guild holds sway via their knowledge of mechanics and running the empire’s many machines. The black lotus pollutes land and people alike, choking out the wild places, tainting air and water, and providing a temporary, poisoned escape from reality to those who smoke it. Yukiko, a 16 year old young woman, is of the Fox clan and has a special gift, one that she must keep secret. Her father was once a mighty hunter and the Shogun has not forgotten his past feats. He is sent on a hunt to bring the Shogun a live thunder tiger. However, one hasn’t been seen in so long some now believe they were only ever myths.

Honestly, it took me about 4 hours to get into this book. I’m really not sure why. This book has so many things that I love about fantasy in general and steampunk/dieselpunk in particular. It did take me a while to get attached to Yukiko, our main character. Nevertheless, once I became caught up in the story, I did not want to put it down. In fact, there were some moments towards the end where a few tears (just a few!) might have been jerked out of me. If you’ve been waffling about whether or not to give this book a try, then I definitely recommend it. Just be prepared to let the story gain momentum.

First, this world is not quite like anything else I have come across. I know the description says it is steampunk but the Lotus Guild’s tech relies much more on petroleum products than on steam power. But many of the literary elements of a good steampunk are there – we have an airship (highly flammable!), a guild that is pretty darn secretive about their tech, and goggles. Can’t have a good steampunk-like tale without goggles. On top of the tech, we have a feudal Japan-like setting. There’s plenty of Japanese vocabulary and cultural references throughout the book. There’s a series of islands too, though this book focuses on Shima. No matter what sub-genre you stick this fantastical world in, make sure to also label it ‘Awesome!’.

We don’t meet the thunder tiger, Buruu, until perhaps 3 hours in. He and Yukiko do not start off as friends. Indeed, far from it. In fact, their meeting and subsequent need to survive together is rather harrowing. Yukiko has a secret power that only her father knows about which is the ability to Ken with animals – basically mindspeak with them. The point where Yukiko and Buruu start working together was when the story really started for me and I became fully engaged. I really enjoyed the sometimes banter between the two. Also, Buruu has a rather distinct personality and pretty much only 1 way to solve problems – kill it! He’s not one for thinking about consequences. Yukiko has to be the one to do that for the both of them and that forces her to grow as a character.

Yukiko started off as a pretty self-sufficient yet angry teenager. Her father is often drunk on lotus smoke and Yukiko has to fend for herself most of the time. This is a pretty standard character set up and perhaps that is one of the reasons I was slow to come to enjoy this book. Once she and Buruu end up lost together in the last remaining Shima wilderness, things change. Yukiko is no longer raging (internally or externally) at her neglectful father. She now has a purpose, albeit a small one of mere survival. That blossoms into a larger purpose once she meets some unexpected folks. One revelation after another leaves Yukiko hardened into a focused individual who has one goal in mind. The Shogun should be worried.

Yukiko also has another unexpected ally – Shin. He’s a young guildsman who was badly injured. Through his eyes we learn some awful secrets about the Guild and their purposes. Shin, like so many others, didn’t have a choice about whether or not to be in the Lotus Guild. However, once fully indoctrinated, it is nearly impossible to leave. The Guild is responsible for much of the environmental pollution, the slavery and continued attempt to conquer new lands, and the lotus smoke that both intoxicates and poisons the users. In short, they have much to answer for.

Once the story picked up for me, I quite enjoyed the plot. There’s plenty of well-written fight scenes that had me holding my breath. Also, there is deception, intrigue, and a touch of romance. Yukiko’s and Buruu’s friendship continues to grow. In fact, there was this intense scene where we learn just how fond Buruu has become of his young mistress. Ah! I was worried for our main characters at that moment. The plot has a few twists, most of which revolve around revelations of the past. As Yukiko learns more about the Shogun’s past ill deeds, the more she focuses on him as the evil-doer and the easier it is to forgive her father.

I’m very glad that I stuck with this book. I came to love the main characters and to care about the land and what will become of its people. While the ending (which was most excellent) closed the story arc for this book, it also left us nicely set up for book 2. I’m definitely looking forward to more tales of Yukiko and Buruu!

I received this book at no cost from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Narration: Jennifer Ikeda was most excellent in her performance of this book! She had a great voice for Yukiko and her fluid Japanese accent for many of the Japanese words and names really added to the flavor of the book. I totally loved her voice for Buruu. She really managed to capture the tone of an angry thunder tiger! There were plenty of emotions in this book and Ikeda did a great job of imparting those to the character voices.

Slow start, but worth it

I think it took a little too much time to build the world the story takes place in. A lot of it could have been done more naturally within the main story line. The narrator also took some time to get into the groove. There were a few times I debated giving up. I’m glad I didn’t. The book really picks up when the journey begins, and it didn’t really let up.

Even the Sun have it's spot

liked the samurai themed story and plot. but the steampunk part it could be without

Approved

if you loved Japanese style adventures. you'll love this book.
narrators did a fantastic job, thank you to them.

I was very surprised by this.

I had never read anything by this author before. A steampunk medieval Japanese fantasy story. Wow !
I'm the literary scholar or English major. I just like what I read. but I think you will enjoy this too.

Outstanding

I was blown away by this book. If you enjoy a long story with a steam punk feel and Japanese background. Then this is the book for you!

Fantasy. Japan. Steampunk.

Where does Stormdancer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks high. I really loved this story, the characters, the setting and the plot and the narrator was amazing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stormdancer?

Anything to do with Yukiko and Buruu were my favorites.

Have you listened to any of Jennifer Ikeda’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I know Jennifer Ikeda from A Court of Thorns & Roses. I can't tell the difference from the two performances. She still brings the characters justice by giving them their own personality and brings them to life. I loved her Buruu voice. I was also impressed when she pronounced the terms relating to the Japanese language.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Same as the book "A dying land. An impossible quest. A hidden gift."

Fun fun

Good story, right pace. Supporting characters are believable, main character is both likable and imperfect. Ikeda's voice and style perfectly suited. Portrays age of characters very well in tone.

Very happy

This was another on my wish list for a while. I feared getting it because I do not do well with submissive main characters. Happy I ignored that fear because Yukiko is not at all submissive. From the beginning she stands up to those around her. She knows when to bow and when to stand strong, and sometimes she can still be the teen that she is. This is a good thing though because if she was perfect and adult she would have no room to grow.

Yukiko's father is an addict and since her mom left them she has had to take care of herself and in a lot of ways him. This has made her become an adult even though she is still a teenager and still acts like it on occasion. Her father is also the hunt master for a spoiled egomaniac emperor who sends them out on an impossible mission.

I will be honest I am a little prejudice here. I love a story where the main character can communicate with animals especially ones of higher intelligent such as the thunder cat. Kristoff does not let me down in this.

The story does have some predictability but it is well done and I can over look that one flaw. I am already buying the next book.