Griffins are supposed to be extinct. So when Yukiko and her warrior father are sent to capture one for the Shogun, they fear that their lives are over. Everyone knows what happens to those who fail him. But the mission proves less impossible and more deadly than anyone expects. Soon Yukiko finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in her country's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled griffin for company. Alhough she can hear his thoughts, and saved his life, all she knows for certain is he'd rather see her dead than help her. Yet trapped together in the forest, Yukiko and Buruu form a surprising and powerful bond. Meanwhile, the country verges on collapse. A toxic fuel is choking the land, the machine-powered Lotus Guild is publicly burning those they deem Impure, and the Shogun cares for nothing but his own dominion. Authority has always made Yukiko uneasy, but her world changes when she meets Kin, a young man with secrets, and the rebel Kage cabal. She learns the horrifying extent of the Shogun's crimes, both against her country and her family.
Returning to the city, Yukiko and Buruu are determined to make the Shogun pay -- but what can one girl and a flightless griffin do against the might of an empire?
Japanese Steampunk. Not words I ever really thought I would see together, let alone the basis of a book I would be reading. I picked it up on the recommendation of one of my favorite authors (Kevin Hearne - Iron Druid Series. The best. Get immediately.), more out of curiosity than anything else. I started reading yesterday, and had to peel myself away to go to bed at Chapter 24. I almost yelled at the lady behind me who was talking entirely too loud while I was waiting for my kids at the dentist's office. And I just about blew off dinner for the family to finish the story. It's that good. The writing has a few fits and starts, but the story is enough to wipe that away as you read. It's really well put together - I got it from the library, and it's one of the rare books that I want to purchase anyway. The only down side to having read this? It just came out. It's part one in a trilogy. I have a LONG wait until I can get my hands on part two.
