Stormdancer
AuthorJay Kristoff
GenreAdult fantasy, steampunk
PublisherThomas Dunne Books
Publication date
2012

Stormdancer is a 2012 adult fantasy steampunk book by Jay Kristoff. It is inspired by Japanese history and mythology, and is the first installment in the Lotus Wars series.

Synopsis

The book is set in the Shima Imperium, an island nation based on a steampunk, Shogun-era Japan, in which society is dependent upon the harvest of a psychotropic "Blood lotus" flower which poisons the environment in which it is grown. The teenage Yukiko's father is commanded by his shogun to capture an arashitora, a tiger-eagle chimera. As she accompanies him, the quest is complicated by her ability to commune with animals, which is punishable by death.

Reception

The book received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised its worldbuilding and inclusion of East Asian mythology, as well as its environmental themes.[1][2] The book received some criticism online for alleged cultural appropriation.[3]

Susan Carpenter of Los Angeles Times wrote that the book was fast-paced and featured rich worldbuilding that built on themes of environmental degradation.[4] Publishers Weekly praised the book's "innovative setting, fast-moving plot, vivid descriptions, and thrilling action scenes."[5]

Matt Hilliard of Strange Horizons was more critical, writing that the book relied on established tropes of young adult fiction, and that its story was forgettable in comparison to the setting.[6]

The book was shortlisted for the 2013 David Gemmell Awards for Fantasy,[7] and was a finalist for the Compton Crook Award,[8] and Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel.[9]

References

  1. ↑ STORMDANCER | Kirkus Reviews.
  2. ↑ Dominguez, Aurora Lydia (2020-12-22). "Reading Pathway: Jay Kristoff Books". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  3. ↑ "Stormdancer: What Could Have Been – A Review and Breakdown « Fantasy-Faction". fantasy-faction.com. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  4. ↑ Carpenter, Susan (2012-09-16). "Review: 'Stormdancer' by Jay Kristoff thrills in a dystopian Japan". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  5. ↑ "Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  6. ↑ September 2012, Matt Hilliard Issue: 17 (2012-09-19). "Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff". Strange Horizons. Retrieved 2023-02-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ "2013 shortlists revealed! - The David Gemmell Legend Awards". 2014-10-16. Archived from the original on 2014-10-16. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  8. ↑ admin (2013-03-27). "2013 Compton Crook Award Finalists". Locus Online. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  9. ↑ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). 2015-02-18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-18. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
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