Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

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 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.

Thoughts: Yukiko endures many loses in her life. She travels on this fools quest with her father, who she seems to hate and believes him a coward for following the tyrant ruler Shogun's irrational wishes. There appears to be a strain on their relationship and her father bears a horrible secret that she doesn't know is the reason for his behavior. However in time, when she discovers the deception and lies surrounding the Shogun's rule, Yukiko will come to understand the true price of his loyalty and honor.

The writing is descriptively beautiful. The author has a poetic way of creating the scene and expressing the emotions of the characters. Yukiko strength is subtle in the beginning and I enjoyed watching her change into a warrior. My favorite character would have to be the storm tiger Buruu; he is intelligent, strong and fierce. I think what I loved most was the relationship between him and Yukiko, which makes the story so engaging. I also liked all the intricate details about the different clans and the Shima hierarchy. I found the dynamics of each entity intriguing, which gave fullness to the story. As I was reading this I thought about three particular series: Eon, Eragon and Harry Potter and I think others that have read these books will get why. However, this work stands to be an incredible series and I look forward to more.

Covers: Both are pretty cool and beautiful.

Author: Jay Kristoff

Title: Stormdancer

Publication: September 18, 2012

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4 out of 5

Source: Publisher via Netgalley