Kinslayer The Lotus War Book Two

Cross-posted on Knizhnitsa “Kinslayer” is the stunning sequel to “Stormdancer” - a novel that I absolutely fell in love it. While I have to admit that I was afraid that it might suffer from the Second Book Syndrome, I am glad to announce that it is as action-packed and thrilling as the first installment of the series. With the assassination of Shogun Yoritomo, Yukiko and Buruu started a civil war. In their attempt to stabilise the Imperium, the ever-present Lotus Guild tries to establish a new Shogun - someone who haunts Yukiko’s dreams and thoughts. The girl and the griffin themselves have been proclaimed the heroes of the Kage rebellion - a position that neither one of them cares about. Yukiko is blinded with rage for the murder for her father and the overwhelming power of the thoughts of the creatures around her is driving her crazy. The only two people she can rely on in this chaos are Buruu and Kin, the ex-Guildsman who betrayed the Lotus to join the rebellion. As the civil war rages on, the three of them are expected to play a role in winning it - a demand that will send them to dangerous journeys. The Plot “Kinslayer” is as entertaining and gripping as “Stormdancer” and even more. I really felt emerged in the world of the novel to the point where Chapter 2 actually got me crying. The plot is full of twists and turns and this is one of the reasons why I give such high rating to the novel. However, I have plenty of bones to pick with the narrative. For starters, this book is way more violent and gory than the previous one. There is so much blood and torture and mutilation that I am surprised I even made it through some parts, given that scenes like that are extremely triggering for me. So I feel that readers need to proceed with caution. On that note, I think the violence against women is a bit too much in this book. Women get mutilated left and right and there is no discourse coming out of it. What is the point of it? I still don’t understand why, in a world where extreme violence can happen to anyone because it is a cruel, dangerous world inhabited by people with no morale, some of the most horrid transgressions happen to female and/or queer characters? And the obvious link between them is never discussed? And while on this page, I feel like Yukiko getting pregnant is unnecessary. It is strange and it feels somehow out of place. It almost feels like a way to remind us that she is female without flat out pointing it out. Which is - or should be - irrelevant. “Kinslayer” is very obviously setting the atmosphere up for its grand finale - it introduces us to a lot of new characters and new POVs. This, of course, is welcome as it gives us a wider view of the world of the novel, but at the same time is dangerous as it can be a major negative point. I, personally, found it hard to care about any other characters (and characters’ plotlines) other than Yukiko and Buruu. While the series tell the story of the Lotus War, it is Yukiko and Buruu’s adventure and I feel like this is sort of lost among all the new plotlines introduced. The Setting The book is quite gloomy and pessimistic - even more so than its predecessor. Major points for Jay Kristoff for managing to achieve such high levels of despair and morbidness. However, this makes the novel hard to read at times, as it seems to be too much to take in. One of the more enjoyable things is that “Kinslayer” expands the world of the first novel and introduces a lot of new, deliciously creepy aspects of the Lotus War universe. We get to meet the foreigners we have only heard about before that, more mythological creatures, and cults that will chill you to the bone - as Yukiko explores the islands further north in search of answers. This just adds up to the already illustrious folklore of the novel’s universe. The Characters Yukiko and Buruu are the heart of this series and to be honest, I could probably never have enough of them. While the book itself is very grim, their relationship seems to the only beacon of light in the world. “Then know this. Between and beneath and beyond anything else I may be, I am yours. I will never leave you. Never forsake you. You may rely upon sun to rise and moon to fall. For you are the heart of me.” This is one of the most beautiful passages that I have seen in a book. And do you know what is the best part? Their affection - their love - for each other does not have to be physical or sexual or romantic in the classical sense; it simply is and this is enough. I feel like, with Yukiko and Buruu and their relationship present in the novel, everything else fades in the background. We are introduced to a lot of new characters, both Kin and Hiro get their own important plotlines (which are very interesting, indeed) but none of these things can compare with the power with which Yukiko and Buruu’s story shines. The Verdict Hands down, one of my favourite books. I know I usually try to be very poetic here but all I can say is, go and read it. Despite of all of its flaws, this book is one of the best reads I have had in a while and is worth your time.

The writing and prose was well done, but I felt that the plot and overall architecture of the book wasn't equal to the first.

⭐⭐⭐.5/5 BOOKSTAGRAM "Then know this. Between and beneath and beyond anything else I may be. I am yours. I will never leave you. Never forsake you. You may rely upon me as you rely upon sun to rise and moon to fall. For you are the heart of me." - Kinslayer, Jay Kristoff Wowza, what a ride. I mean there are a lot of books that get my heart pumping but this one definitely did the trick. Kinslayer was a page turner from beginning to end -which, if you do not know me, is my kind of read. While there were flaws and downsides to the book, I found a lot of upsides as well. First of all, let's just take a minute to appreciate Jay Kristoff's writing style. He truly is a master in the craft of writing complex world's and plots. He truly has a way of painting the word's in your brain and forever leaving you scarred wanting more. Second, I am still obsessed with the fact that this is a Japanese Steampunk with mythical creatures in it. I mean, what other book can say that! Only Kristoff would come up with this kind of world. Also can we talk about those plot twists and the cliffending. I seriously shrieked an "unlady" like shriek that made my dog give me the "human you retarded" look. So with that being said let me just get into the pieces that I did not appreciate: 1. The constant change of adding characters and switching POV's: Yah, so I understand adding extra side characters in but let me be real - it got really annoying because it was constantly changing POV ever chapter. I think we cycled through, maybe, 10-15 characters at a time and my mind became very numb. Half the time I was confused as to who the actual character was because new characters were CONSTANTLY added in. These new characters that were added in, no offense, added nothing to the plot. Like literally, they did nothing to help the plot or any of the main characters in any way, shape, or form. In fact, they were filler chapters to get to the big reveal at the end (which was mind blowing by the way). So I am hoping this chill's in the 3rd installment of the series. 2. The slightly confusing plot/scenes: In Stormdancer you get a clear sense of where the plot is going, what each scene holds and so forth. I do NOT know what happened but that seemed to completely disappear in this book. There was no clear sense of where the plot was truly going besides a new power on the throne and it being bat shit crazy. There was just too many POV changes and constant moving of the book that it became hard to truly give a snyopsis of what was happening in each scene. 3. Lack of main characters: Yah so if you thought you were going to get a lot more of Yukiko and Baruu, then let me tell you. NO. Which was disappointing because these are the main characters. I saw more development in secondary character's than our main heroine. Actually If I counted there were many 15-20/54 chapters that were actually Yukiko. So that was very upsetting. I truly hope that this was just another case of "second-book syndrome" and that the last book in the trilogy will once again pick up after the first book of epicness! I truly believe if it wasn't for these fairly large issues that I kept coming across, this book would have been a 4 star read for me!

Ugh. My heart. I heard that Kristoff doesn't like to write happy endings and I'm beginning to believe that! I love happy endings but these books are just so unique and so entertaining that I don't care about the happy ending...as much. And I really like Hana's character! She's my favorite!