A SHATTERED EMPIRE
The mad Shōgun Yoritomo has been assassinated by the Stormdancer Yukiko, and the threat of civil war looms over the Shima Imperium. The Lotus Guild conspires to renew the nation’s broken dynasty and crush the growing rebellion simultaneously – by endorsing a new Shōgun 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 Shōgun’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.
Except 2. From Chapter 3 “The First and Only Reason”
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOUR KIND. WITH ARASHITORA, THE FEMALE CHOOSES THE MATE WITH THE STRONGEST WINGS, THE SHARPEST CLAWS. THE MALE HAS NO CHOICE AT ALL. HE IS SIMPLY A SLAVE TO INSTINCT AND THE FEMALE’S SCENT.
Well, that sounds awful.
IT IS SIMPLE. YOU HUMANS. ALL THIS SIGHING AND SPITTLE SWAPPING. YOUR COUPLING IS COMPLICATED BEYOND ALL NEED OR REASON.
Gods, please don’t use that word . . .
MY OTHER OPTIONS ARE LESS POLITE.
Because you’re usually a paragon of courtly manners?
The thunder tiger harrumphed, swooped lower so his belly brushed the tree line. Gentle rain
began falling from the storm-washed skies.
TELL ME. THE MASHING OF YOUR FACES TOGETHER . . .
Kissing.
IT DEMONSTRATES AFFECTION.
Yes.
AND THE TONGUES?
. . . What?
HONESTLY, WHAT PURPOSE DOES THAT SERVE?
How under heaven did you . . .
SISTER, YOU WERE PROJECTING YOUR THOUGHTS OVER THE ENTIRE FOREST. IT WAS LIKE HIGH SPRING OUT THERE. A SWEATY TIDAL WAVE OF BARELY REPRESSED ADOLESCENT LUST DROWNING ALL BEFORE IT.
Gods, really?
THE MONKEYS IN PARTICULAR SEEMED . . . EXCITED.
She pressed her fists to her temples, glanced over her shoulder at Kin.
WELL, PERHAPS EXCITED IS THE WRONG WORD . . .
Yes, Buruu, I understand. Thank you.
TITILLATED?
Buruu . . .
ENGORGED, PERHAPS?
Oh my GODS, stop!
The treetops parted like water as they descended through the canopy, showers of severed
green tumbling earthward in their wake. Away from the glare of the garish day, Yukiko pulled her
goggles down around her throat, ran her hand across her eyes.
You could really hear what I was feeling?
LOUD AS THUNDER. AS IF I FELT IT MYSELF.
She chewed her lip, listening to the faint cacophony on the edge of her subconscious.
The Kenning has never been like this before, Buruu. Your thoughts are louder than I’ve ever
heard. If I listen, I can hear every animal for miles. All those impulses and lives stacked atop one another.
It’s deafening.
YOUR FATHER NEVER SPOKE TO YOU OF THIS?
He never even told me he had the gift. But, he drowned his Kenning in liquor and smoke. Maybe
this is why? Maybe as we get older, it gets louder? Or maybe breaking Yoritomo’s mind did something to break mine?
She sighed, ran her fingers through his feathers.
I don’t understand any of this, brother . . .
Jay Kristoff is a Perth-born, Melbourne-based author. His first trilogy, THE LOTUS WAR, was purchased in the three-way auction by US publishing houses in 2011. He is as surprised about it as you are. The first installment, STORMDANCER, is set to be published in September 2012 in the US, UK and Australia.
Jay is 6’7, has approximately 13870 days to live and does not believe in happy endings.
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