Review: 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 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.

OMG. This book was absolute literary genius and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read and review it. Recently in the book world, there have been many books that have Asian characters and/or settings, but sadly rarely is the Asian stuff Japanese. I’m Japanese so I suppose I am biased when I say this, but anything Japanese is pure awesome. Put steampunk, creatures of myth, and a kick butt female protagonist in the mix and it equals something unbelievably awesome.

Yukiko was a very relatable character and easy to like. She and the griffin she frees (Buruu) are one of the best friendships I’ve read. Their story was sad, exciting, and wonderful to follow.   It was easy to read about the characters because they all had their own back story so I could understand why they acted the way they did.

The author wrote Stormdancer in a very detailed and precise way. Japanese words were put in place of English words; for example, instead of having the characters say “yes” they would say “hai”. There was a lot of the Japanese culture shown in the novel which I think most readers will enjoy.

I absolutely can’t wait for the second book to come out. I seriously cried while reading this book and I never cry. Ever. If you like steampunk, asian-awesomeness, or beautiful stories, you will deeply enjoy Stormdancer. 5 Stars

Source: Publisher-does not effect my thoughts on novel.