Novi naslovi u septembru

Internet povremeno poludi na neke knjige. Amazon je retko kada stvaran odraz čitalačkog ukusa i kakvoće nekog dela, pošto se uvek nađe neko ko će nečemu dati pet zvezdica, ma koliko to bilo nečitljivo. Međutim, forumi i mesta poput Goodreads umeju da budu solidan pokazatelj da li je nešto novo (ili staro) dobro ili nešto što valja propustiti.

E, poslednja stvar oko koje je internet poludeo je

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

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 Shōgun 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 Shōgun 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 Shōgun’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.

Praise for Stormdancer

“Kristoff’s imaginative debut, the first in a series, presents the feudal, dystopian Shima Empire, a menacing Japanese-inspired setting…  The innovative setting, fast-moving plot, vivid descriptions, and thrilling action scenes make this a refreshing addition to the steampunk canon.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Soars higher than the arashitora Kristoff writes about; superb.” –Kirkus, starred review
"What's that? You say you've got a Japanese Steampunk novel with mythic creatures, civil unrest, and a strong female protagonist? I'm afraid I missed everything you said after "Japanese Steampunk." That's all I really needed to hear." –Patrick Rothfuss, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man’s Fear
"With airships, demons, and lashings of revolutionary swordplay, this chi-fueled vision of a steampunk feudal Japan will blow your split-toed socks off." –Scott Westerfeld, New York Times bestselling author of Leviathan
"Jay Kristoff pushes the steampunk genre exactly where it needs to go, away from Victorian London's over-trodden lanes and into the great wide world. With its rocketing action, eccentric and convincing characters, and deep immersion in heroic Japanese culture, Stormdancer slammed my head into an updated vision of the great chanbara films of Kurosawa and Kobayashi. I'll be waiting for more from Mr. Kristoff." —K.W. Jeter, author of The Kingdom of Shadows
“Set in a complex and richly imagined world, Stormdancer draws on inspirations as widespread as epic fantasy, steampunk, and Japanese mythology, effortlessly piecing them together into an alternate history that is as vibrant as it is disturbing. Yukiko is an admirable heroine, made of compassion and courage, but it's the remarkable friendship forged between Yukiko and the majestic thunder tiger, Buruu, that readers will find truly unforgettable. In this breathtaking debut fantasy, Kristoff has given us an adventure teeming with impossible quests and betrayals, rebellion and murder, jealousy and harbored secrets. I eagerly look forward to seeing where his imagination takes us next.” –Marissa Meyer, New York Times bestselling author of Cinder
"Jay Kristoff's Yukiko and her indomitable thunder tiger's entertaining adventures have just sent steampunk gloriously Asian." --Stephen Hunt, internationally bestselling author of The Kingdom Beyond the Sea
"Kristoff's debut is a lyrical triumph of chainsaw swords and thunder tigers that steampunk fans and mythology buffs will devour." –Kevin Hearne, author of The Iron Druid Chronicles

“…the plot takes off when the mythical arashitora (literally ‘stormtiger’) forms a strong bond with the heroine, Yukiko.  Her relationship with the griffin-like creature is especially poignant in light of the personal losses she reveals as the story unfolds… it’s the bonds of family and friendship that feel the truest, with heartwrenching effect.”-Romantic Times


Dakle, kao što vidite, kombinacija stimpanka i istočnjačkih motiva - možda nadahnuta novom serijom "Avatar" - pokazala se vrlo zanimljivom za strane čitaoce. Ako Kristofova knjiga bude makar delimično dobra kao "Saramirski tkači" Krisa Vudinga, biće to izvanredno.

A u međuvremenu, imamo novo delo pisca koji nam je poznat - Terija Pračeta.

Dodger by Terry Pratchett

A storm. Rain-lashed city streets. A flash of lightning. A scruffy lad sees a girl leap desperately from a horse-drawn carriage in a vain attempt to escape her captors. Can the lad stand by and let her be caught again? Of course not, because he's . . . Dodger.
Seventeen-year-old Dodger may be a street urchin, but he gleans a living from London's sewers, and he knows a jewel when he sees one. He's not about to let anything happen to the unknown girl—not even if her fate impacts some of the most powerful people in England.
From Dodger's encounter with the mad barber Sweeney Todd to his meetings with the great writer Charles Dickens and the calculating politician Benjamin Disraeli, history and fantasy intertwine in a breathtaking account of adventure and mystery.
Beloved and bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett combines high comedy with deep wisdom in this tale of an unexpected coming-of-age and one remarkable boy's rise in a complex and fascinating world.

Podsetiću da je Pračet nedavno objavio The Long Earth, što je njegov najlošije ocenjen roman za dugo vremena. Nisam ga čitao, pošto ne pratim njegova dela van Disksveta - ali poslednji njegov roman koji jesam pročitao - Snuff - ne samo da nije duhovit, kao što je slučaj sa inače solidno napisanim romanima o Tifani Ejčing, već je i loše napisan i obilato začinjen skribomanskim naklapanjem.

Na kraju, Stivenson i kompanija su izbacili nastavak "Mongolijade".

The Mongoliad: Book Two (The Foreworld Saga) by Neal Stephenson

This riveting second installment in Stephenson and company’s epic tale focuses on the aftermath of the world-shattering Mongolian invasion of 1241 and the difficult paths undertaken by its most resilient survivors.
The Shield Brethren, an order of warrior monks, search for a way to overthrow the horde, even as the invaders take its members hostage. Forced to fight in the Mongols’ Circus of Swords, Haakon must prove his mettle or lose his life in the ring. His bravery may impress the enemy, but freedom remains a distant dream.
Father Rodrigo receives a prophecy from God and believes it’s his mission to deliver the message to Rome. Though a peaceful man, he resigns himself to take up arms in the name of his Lord. Joining his fight to save Christendom are the hunter Ferenc, orphan Ocyrhoe, healer Raphael, and alchemist Yasper, each searching for his place in history.
Deftly blending fact and fantasy, The Mongoliad: Book Two captures the indomitable will to survive against immense odds.
A note on this edition: The Mongoliad began as a social media experiment, combining serial story-telling with a unique level of interaction between authors and audience during the creative process. Since its original iteration, The Mongoliad has been restructured, edited, and rewritten under the supervision of its authors to create a more cohesive reading experience and will be published as a trilogy of novels. This edition is the definitive edition and is the authors' preferred text.

Okušao sam se sa prvom "Mongolijadom", ali melanž stilova i kvaliteta pisanja bio mi je suviše šizofren i - iskren da budem - na nivou prosečno lošeg D&D romana. Ako ću već da čitam tako nešto, radije ču čitati pravi treš fantazi. Možda u nekom kasnijem trenutku dam novu priliku "Mongolijadi", ali kako ima sve više i više knjiga u mesečnoj ponudi, čisto sumnjam da će se to desiti u skorijoj budućnosti.