''Stormdancer'' is a 2012 adult fantasy

steampunk Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates retrofuturistic technology and Applied arts, aesthetics inspired by, but not limited to, 19th-century Industrial Revolution, industrial steam engine, steam-powered machinery. Steampun ...

book by

Jay Kristoff Jay Kristoff (born 11 November 1973) is an Australian author of fantasy and science fiction novels. As of 2022, he has published 16 novels, both for adult readers and young adults. He currently resides in Melbourne. Biography Kristoff was bor ...

. 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

Shogun , officially , was the title of the military aristocracy, rulers of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. Nominally appointed by the Emperor of Japan, Emperor, shoguns were usually the de facto rulers of the country, exc ...

-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. The book received some criticism online for alleged

cultural appropriation Cultural appropriation is the adoption of an element or elements of one culture or cultural identity, identity by members of another culture or identity in a manner perceived as inappropriate or unacknowledged. Such a controversy typically ari ...

. Susan Carpenter of ''

Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...

'' wrote that the book was fast-paced and featured rich worldbuilding that built on themes of

environmental degradation Environment most often refers to: __NOTOC__ * Natural environment, referring respectively to all living and non-living things occurring naturally and the physical and biological factors along with their chemical interactions that affect an organism ...

. ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...

'' praised the book's "innovative setting, fast-moving plot, vivid descriptions, and thrilling action scenes." Matt Hilliard of ''

Strange Horizons ''Strange Horizons'' is an online magazine, online speculative fiction magazine. It also features speculative poetry and non-fiction in every issue, including reviews, essays, interviews, and roundtables. History and profile It was launched in S ...

'' was more critical, writing that the book relied on established tropes of

young adult fiction Young adult literature (YA) is typically written for readers aged 12 to 18 and includes most of the themes found in adult fiction, such as family dysfunction, substance abuse, alcoholism, and sexuality. It is characterized by simpler world build ...

, and that its story was forgettable in comparison to the setting. The book was shortlisted for the 2013

David Gemmell Awards for Fantasy The David Gemmell Awards for Fantasy, established in memory of David Gemmell, were awarded from 2009 to 2018. In 2009, only the Legend Award for best fantasy novel was awarded. Beginning in 2010 the Morningstar Award for best fantasy newcomer and ...

, and was a finalist for the

Compton Crook Award The Compton Crook Award is presented by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society (BSFS) to the year's best English language debut novel in the science fiction, fantasy, or horror genres, as voted by its members. BSFS confers the award at their annua ...

, and Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

References

{{Reflist 2012 fantasy novels 2012 Australian novels Australian fantasy novels Australian steampunk novels Novels by Jay Kristoff