by Jay Kristoff
Kindle Edition, 464 pages
November 25th 2014
November 25th 2014
by Thomas Dunne Books
A TREMBLING EARTH
The flames of civil war sweep across the Shima Imperium. With their plans to renew the Kazumitsu dynasty foiled, the Lotus Guild unleash their deadliest creation—a mechanical goliath known as the Earthcrusher, intended to unite the shattered Empire under a yoke of fear. With the Tiger Clan and their puppet Daimyo Hiro in tow, the Guild marches toward a battle for absolute dominion over the Isles.
A BROKEN REBELLION
Yukiko and Buruu are forced to take leadership of the Kagé rebellion, gathering new allies and old friends in an effort to unite the country against the chi-mongers. But the ghosts of Buruu’s past stand between them and the army they need, and Kin’s betrayal has destroyed all trust among their allies. When a new foe joins the war tearing the Imperium apart, it will be all the pair can do to muster the strength to fight, let alone win.
A FINAL BATTLE
The traitor Kin walks the halls of Guild power, his destiny only a bloody knife-stroke away. Hana and Yoshi struggle to find their place in a world now looking to them as heroes. Secret cabals within the Lotus Guild claw and struggle; one toward darkness, the other toward light. And as the earth splits asunder, as armies destroy each other for rule over an empire of lifeless ash and the final secret about blood lotus is revealed, the people of Shima will learn one last, horrifying truth.
There is nothing a mother won't do to keep her children by her side. Nothing.
The flames of civil war sweep across the Shima Imperium. With their plans to renew the Kazumitsu dynasty foiled, the Lotus Guild unleash their deadliest creation—a mechanical goliath known as the Earthcrusher, intended to unite the shattered Empire under a yoke of fear. With the Tiger Clan and their puppet Daimyo Hiro in tow, the Guild marches toward a battle for absolute dominion over the Isles.
A BROKEN REBELLION
Yukiko and Buruu are forced to take leadership of the Kagé rebellion, gathering new allies and old friends in an effort to unite the country against the chi-mongers. But the ghosts of Buruu’s past stand between them and the army they need, and Kin’s betrayal has destroyed all trust among their allies. When a new foe joins the war tearing the Imperium apart, it will be all the pair can do to muster the strength to fight, let alone win.
A FINAL BATTLE
The traitor Kin walks the halls of Guild power, his destiny only a bloody knife-stroke away. Hana and Yoshi struggle to find their place in a world now looking to them as heroes. Secret cabals within the Lotus Guild claw and struggle; one toward darkness, the other toward light. And as the earth splits asunder, as armies destroy each other for rule over an empire of lifeless ash and the final secret about blood lotus is revealed, the people of Shima will learn one last, horrifying truth.
There is nothing a mother won't do to keep her children by her side. Nothing.
Not quite sure how to start this review without major spoilers from the first 2 books. If you have not read them, let me just say be prepared to have your heart ripped out; make sure you have someone nearby to comfort you and a box of tissues within reach.
This is a rare genre that I'm thrilled was created, it's a cross of Steampunk and 19th Century Japan, combining Japanese Mythology and Industrial Age technology.
The bond between Yukiko and Buruu is not something you would expect to see. Yukiko has an ability known as Kenning, which allows her to communicate with animals through telepathy. Buruu is a Thunder Tiger or what is called an Arashitora in this setting. Their first encounter was by accident when the Shogun ordered Yukiko's father to hunt an Arashitora down. As the story progresses their bond grows to where they consider each other on a brother and sister level, this becomes a key part in Endsinger.
Yukiko and Buruu are preparing for a war they started after rebelling against the Shōgun, gathering the Kagé rebels and clans that have decided to stand against Shima Imperium. The main story is a whirlwind of emotions for all characters involved. There are friendships, lovers, betrayals, loss and broken trust. There are secrets you find out that has carried over from the first book, and some of them are ones you would never have thought of.
Buruu, I'd have to say was my favorite character. He shows some major snark and sarcasm throughout the book. Over the course of the series he starts to show more human like emotions.
I was in tears by the end of this book, I had to sit there for about 5 minutes and gather myself because of how the story ended.
5 Sheep
Jay Kristoff is a tragic nerd, but has spent the last ten years dumping expeez into his Intimidation stat, and now nobody is brave enough to say it to his face. He grew up in the second most isolated capital city on earth and fled at his earliest convenience, although he’s been known to trek back for weddings of the particularly nice and funerals of the particularly wealthy. Being the holder of an Arts degree, he has no education to speak of.
Jay's first trilogy, THE LOTUS WAR, is set to be published in over a dozen countries. The first installment STORMDANCER, was critically acclaimed and shortlisted for several SF/F awards, and the Lotus War novella THE LAST STORMDANCER won the 2014 Aurelais Award for Best Fantasy Short Fiction. The third book, ENDSINGER, is out in November 2014. Jay’s new series, the SciFi thriller ILLUMINAE, which he co-authored with Amie Kaufman, is due for publication by Random House in 2015. He is as surprised about it as you are. He is represented by Matt Bialer at Sanford J Greenburger Associates.
Jay is 6’7" and has approximately 13264 days to live. He abides in Melbourne with his secret agent kung-fu assassin wife, and the world’s laziest Jack Russell.
He has a sweet beard.
He does not believe in happy endings.
Jay's first trilogy, THE LOTUS WAR, is set to be published in over a dozen countries. The first installment STORMDANCER, was critically acclaimed and shortlisted for several SF/F awards, and the Lotus War novella THE LAST STORMDANCER won the 2014 Aurelais Award for Best Fantasy Short Fiction. The third book, ENDSINGER, is out in November 2014. Jay’s new series, the SciFi thriller ILLUMINAE, which he co-authored with Amie Kaufman, is due for publication by Random House in 2015. He is as surprised about it as you are. He is represented by Matt Bialer at Sanford J Greenburger Associates.
Jay is 6’7" and has approximately 13264 days to live. He abides in Melbourne with his secret agent kung-fu assassin wife, and the world’s laziest Jack Russell.
He has a sweet beard.
He does not believe in happy endings.
This series does look enticing. Great review, Dani.
ReplyDeleteNot sure this is a series for me, but great review Danielle.
ReplyDeleteI know a few people that had a hard time getting through the first few chapters of the first book, but the stuck it out and loved it. Hope you will give it a chance at least. :)
Delete