Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff -- YA Review

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff -- YA Review

Griffins are supposed to be extinct. So when Yukiko and her warrior father Masaru are sent to capture one for the Shogun, they fear that their lives are over. Everyone knows what happens to those who fail him, no matter how hopeless the task.

But the mission proves far less impossible, and far more deadly, than anyone expects – and soon Yukiko finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in her country's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled griffin for company. But trapped together in the forest, Yukiko and Buruu soon discover a friendship that neither of them expected.

Meanwhile, the country around them verges on the brink of collapse. A toxic fuel is slowly choking the land; the omnipotent, machine-powered Lotus Guild is publicly burning those they deem Impure; and the Shogun cares about nothing but his own dominion. Yukiko has always been uneasy in the shadow of power, when she learns the awful truth of what the Shogun has done, both to her country and to her own family she's determined to do something about it.

Returning to the city, Yukiko and Buruu plan to make the Shogun pay for his crimes – but what can one girl and a flightless griffin do against the might of an empire?

Details: Thomas Dunne Books, Released September 18, 2012, Hardcover, 322 pages
Genre: YA
Source: Library
Links: Goodreads

Stars? 2/5

In one sentence? A book with everything from rape, incest, mythical creatures, swords, death, torture, infidelity, betrayal, sex, divided loyalties, surprises, victory and defeat.

Review:

This was another book I wanted to like. It had all the elements of an amazing book: mythology, heroes, villains, a great destiny, a griffin. I expected epic, I got bleh.

I found the descriptions flowery and overwrought, and frankly, annoying. I didn't like any of the characters expect Buruu. I didn't much care what happened to any of the characters except Buruu.

I thought the main character's romance was contrived and meaningless. I felt like the author thought his audience expected Yukiko to have a romance and pushed her into Hiro's arms - and bed. I skimmed, a lot, just to find out how it ended and even that disappointed me, I expected more. When I got to the end I was just relieved it was over.