Stormdancer

Publisher Marketing: The first in an epic new fantasy series, introducing an unforgettable new heroine and a stunningly original dystopian steampunk world with a flavor of feudal Japan A Dying Land The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever. An Impossible Quest The hunters of Shima's imperial court are charged by their Shogun to capture a thunder tiger a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shogun is death. A Hidden Gift Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shogun s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he d rather see her dead than help her. But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire." Review Citations: Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 10/01/2012 (EAN 9781250017918, Open Ebook) - *Starred Review Kirkus Best Young-Adult Books 12/01/2012 pg. 69 (EAN 9781250017918, Open Ebook) Library Journal 04/15/2012 pg. 57 (EAN 9781250001405, Hardcover) Publishers Weekly 07/23/2012 pg. 1 (EAN 9781250001405, Hardcover) - *Starred Review Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2012 pg. 1666 (EAN 9781250001405, Hardcover) - *Starred Review Romantic Times 09/01/2012 pg. 65 (EAN 9781250001405, Hardcover) Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 10/01/2012 (EAN 9781250001405, Hardcover) - *Starred Review Shelf Awareness 09/25/2012 (EAN 9781250001405, Hardcover) Voice of Youth Advocates 10/01/2012 (EAN 9781250001405, Hardcover) Booklist 11/01/2012 pg. 69 (EAN 9781250001405, Hardcover) Kirkus Best Young-Adult Books 12/01/2012 pg. 69 (EAN 9781250001405, Hardcover) School Library Journal 12/01/2012 pg. 122 (EAN 9781250001405, Hardcover) Contributor Bio:  Kristoff, Jay Jay Kristoff grew up in the second most isolated capital city on earth and fled at his earliest convenience, although he s been known to trek back for weddings of the particularly nice and funerals of the particularly wealthy. Being the holder of an arts degree, he has no education to speak of. He is six feet seven inches and has approximately 13,870 days to live. He lives in Melbourne with his wife and the world s laziest Jack Russell terrier. Visit him online at JayKristoff.com. Contributor Bio:  Gigante, Phil Phil Gigante is an APA Audie Award winner (The Dark Highlander, The Stainless Steel Rat, and The Watch That Ends the Night), and winner of over a dozen Audiofile Magazine Earphones Awards. He has narrated and directed more than 250 books, and was twice named a "Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense" by Audiofile Magazine. He has been named a Best Male Narrator in the categories of Romance, Science Fiction, Militaria, and Mystery/Suspense, as well as "Favorite Dual Narrator" (with Natalie Ross). Phil also works in film, TV and radio, and is the Producer/Director of Gigantic Productions theatre company. He makes his home in the Midwest. Contributor Bio:  Bond, Jim Bond is a producer and host of radio talk shows, with an extensive background in theatre and the musical stage. Contributor Bio:  Ikeda, Jennifer Jennifer Ikeda is a two-time Audie Award winner who has narrated dozens of audiobooks. She has appeared in numerous TV and film roles, On- and Off-Broadway in both classical and contemporary plays, and as a narrator for NPR's Selected Shorts.