A SHATTERED EMPIRE
The mad Shogun Yoritomo has been assassinated by the Stormdancer Yukiko, and the threat of civil war looms over the Shima Imperium. The toxic blood lotus flower continues to ravage the land, the deadlands splitting wider by the day. The machine-worshippers of the Lotus Guild conspire to renew the nation's broken dynasty and crush the growing rebellion simultaneously - by endorsing a new Shogun who desires nothing more than to see Yukiko dead.
A DARK LEGACY
Yukiko and the mighty thunder tiger Buruu have been cast in the role of heroes by the Kagé rebellion. But Yukiko herself is blinded by rage over her father's death, and her ability to hear the thoughts of beasts is swelling beyond her power to control. Along with Buruu, Yukiko's anchor is Kin, the rebel Guildsman who helped her escape from Yoritomo's clutches. But Kin has his own secrets, and is haunted by visions of a future he'd rather die than see realized.
A GATHERING STORM
Kagé assassins lurk within the Shogun's palace, plotting to end the new dynasty before it begins. A waif from Kigen's gutters begins a friendship that could undo the entire empire. A new enemy gathers its strength, readying to push the fracturing Shima imperium into a war it cannot hope to survive. And across raging oceans, amongst islands of black glass, Yukiko and Buruu will face foes no katana or talon can defeat.
The ghosts of a blood-stained past.
Review:
This is a great book if you enjoy ripping your heart out over and over, which I suppose I must. It's just as depressing and violent and gory, perhaps even more so than the first installment. In many respects, this sequel is darker and uglier and in a few parts had me screaming and crying out loud. I would warn animal lovers to be cautious with this one because a lot of animals—both mythical and ordinary—get harmed within the pages. One in particular was so utterly jarring to me that I had to close the book completely and step away. And that's not even touching on the human against human violence. Basically, no one and nothing is safe from Jay Kristoff. It's partly why I've come to like his writing so much; it's convincing and he really holds nothing back. I feel it's important to mention however, because it really, really messed with my head and I'm sure it has the potential to do the same to other unsuspecting victims. That being said, the world building and character development are some of the best. My favorite part of this series is that there really are no heroes. The people you hope to support are absolutely vile and commit crimes just as horrific as those that the villains commit, or simply turn a blind eye to it. It really brings to mind that quote that goes something like, “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” Ultimately, I don't know who I can trust in these books. Maybe Akihito. (Please, please, please let him survive this series.) Several twists and turns took me utterly unawares and I can't wait to finish this trilogy up while simultaneously dreading what happens. It's weird as hell. If you're super sensitive to animals dying horribly violent deaths, don't pick this one up. I am likely going to have several nights of bad dreams and tormented flashes of heartbreak for weeks.
