So, the trailer is pretty tongue in cheek, as is the author's bio. the Novel itself, is incredibly powerful. The world Jay Kristoff has built in Stormdancer is intricate (without tedium), realistic (no small feat for steampunk literature), gritty and simultaneously decadent. He has crafted a world, destroyed by the parasitic nature of human cultures, tortured and misused until mass extinctions of wildlife and burning, acidic rain are normal parts of everyday life. Goggles and respirators are necessary precautions for any who wish to remain unharmed by the immediate environment and cancer free. Those too poor to afford the luxury of protections from these harsh elements are left to suffer. The masses starve and suffer while an elite few rule over them, dulling their senses with Blood Lotus smoke and the ever present threat of the Shogun's cruel brand of justice. How could one young woman ever hope to overcome what so many thousands fear?
War, political intrigue, religious fanaticism, romance, betrayal, griffins, samurai, tattoos, demons, airships, goggles, and general badassery..... What's not to love about this book? Its like... Japanese-Steampunk-Game of Thrones, starring Mulan. With Griffins instead of Dragons. Bloody, and raw, its a book that doesn't pull punches. I teared up at least three times, and my heart raced pretty much through the whole book. And it was an absolute delight to read a steampunk novel that's not set in London. Realistically, the period of British history that most steampunk seeks to mimic was infused with a spirit of adventure and expansion. The Great British Empire was at it's height, spread across the globe in every imaginable exotic locale. Steampunk should be just as eager to explore as it's mother.Also, just LOOK at this cover art! Jason Chan is one of my favorite cover artists, and this is an intoxicating example of why. Take a look at the wallpaper version for the full effect.
