Mogsy's Pick:
Endsinger by Jay Kristoff: September 23, 2014 (Thomas Dunne Books)
Steampunk, griffins, and a fantasy version of feudel Japan, oh my! After the stunning events of Stormdancer and Kinslayer, I cannot wait to get my hands on Endsinger, book three of The Lotus War. This is one of the darker young adult series I have ever read, and so much has happened including a couple huge bombshells Kristoff dropped on us in the last book...I have no idea how he's going to wrap things up here, but I'm looking forward to finding out. Check out that gorgeous cover, too.
"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."
Oh yes I heard great things about this series and I'm curious to start it!
ReplyDeleteI've heard some pretty epic things about the Lotus War books, so I should maybe check them out soon!
ReplyDeleteRachel @ Beauty and the Bookshelf
Looks cool :)
ReplyDeleteseems great!
ReplyDeleteOOh nice! Haven't read this series but hope you love it!
ReplyDeleteHere's my WoW
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
I own Stormdancer, so I really have no excuse for being behind on this series. Everyone always talks about how awesome the setting is - and the chainsaw katanas!
ReplyDeleteAll right I really got to figure out where I got the impression that this series was not well liked. Suddenly everyone loves it and I have zero clue why I thought otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI heard a lot of bad things about the first book when it came out. Apparently the author took crazy liberties with the Japanese language and mixed up China & Japan in places. Haven't read it though, so couldn't say how good/bad it actually is.
DeleteYeah, the author took lots of flak for "messing up" the feudal Japanese setting in the books by mixing in things from Chinese culture, as well as making language mistakes.
DeleteHonestly, I didn't really mind. My response to those critics is usually "This book also has griffins. Get over it." If he was writing a historical fiction, it'd be another matter, but in the realm of SFF I say the author can take as many artistic liberties as he wants as long as it doesn't hurt the story logically. And in this case, it doesn't. I just enjoyed the story for what it was.
It's fantasy, people! The author is allowed to take liberties! You're missing out if you skip this series for that reason.
DeleteI don't agree 100% but am glad that the story is awesome at least :D
DeleteGreat pick! I shamefully still haven't read Kinslayer despite owning it but if Endsinger is out in September I better pick it up soon :)
ReplyDeleteMy WoW!
Looks like an interesting series, although I've yet to give it a read.
ReplyDeleteHere's my WOW
I heartily approve of your choice:-)
ReplyDeleteI have the first book in this series and haven't read it yet. Looks like I need to elevate another book closer to the top in my massive TBR pile of books!
ReplyDeleteI am SUPER ashamed to admit that I STILL need to get into this series. Book 1 has been on my wishlist/tbr shelf since BEFORE it came out. *groan* sometimes there is just not enough time in the day to read all the books, you know!? Anyways I LOVE the cover for this one and I hope it lives up to the rest of the series! I also hope you can get your hands on it soon :)
ReplyDeleteMicheline @ Lunar Rainbows Reviews