Stormbringer (Weather Witch #2)

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Author(s)

Shannon Delany

Publisher

St Martin's Griffin

Genre(s)

Age Range

16+

Release Date

January 14, 2014

ISBN

978-1250018656

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The second book in the Weather Witch series in which Jordan Astrea learns of her true powers In the intrigue-filled follow up to Weather Witch, Jordan Astraea, once a young Philadelphia lady of good social standing, is now in the final stages of her brutal training to become a Conductor—the Weather Witch who serves as a living battery to keep the massive airliner Artemesia aloft. Meanwhile, Rowen, determined to rescue her after losing his only other true friend and being wanted for murder, has found himself forced aboard a much different air vessel, this one manned by a dangerous crew and carrying a cargo so treasonous, that, if finding its destination, will herald a storm of revolution for the still young United States. With a spirit for adventure, romance, fantastic world building and cunning imagination, Shannon Delany delivers the sensational follow up to Weather Witch in the second book of the trilogy.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

A Unique, Complex, and Fantastical Adventure

February 06, 2014 (Updated: February 06, 2014)

Overall rating

4.3

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Stormbringer was a strong, riveting, complex, and magical follow-up to Weather Witch.

I was a huge fan of the first book, but that means I had high expectations for the sequel. My expectations were met, exceeded, and I am so satisfied with Stormbringer.

Jordan and Rowen must come to terms with their being torn apart by fate - they are on enemy airships, with no clue where the other is. In fact, Jordan has no idea that Rowen is trying to rescue her at all. This creates so much dynamic action from Jordan's side of the story because she must save herself. And yet, the newly Made Witch does not want to give up hope - for herself, her survival, and her happiness. Jordan faces so much adversity throughout both books, and she comes through stronger on the other side. She is different, it's true, but she is still so much herself.

Rowen is very much the same, yet his scenes are a bit more lighthearted. He learns to enjoy being with the pirates - ahem, traders - and comes to call them friends. This is quite the step for the rich boy who set off on a heroic journey to rescue his childhood love. I really enjoyed Rowen's personal journey as well as his journey with the pirate ship "Tempest."

The plot is given so much depth through the side characters like the Wandering Wallace, Bran the Maker, Philadelphia's Councilmen, and House Astraea's loyal servants. The Wandering Wallace and his wife, Miyakitsu, were by far my favorite characters. Who is this faceless joker, this mysterious magician who has his hand in so many things yet seems to care for nothing? What other kinds of Wildkin exist, besides the Merrow and Miyakitsu's shape-changer type? Throughout Stormbringer secrets are revealed, magic and lore is explained, politics are discussed, and yet we are still left wanting more. How can I still want more but be satisfied at the same time?! This book is just that good!

The politics throughout the series are somewhat complicated, but still consistent and interesting. By taking place in an alternate history version of the United States Delany is able to explore topics like slavery, class struggle, poverty, and racism in a familiar yet somehow completely unique setting.

The only bad part was the sexual abuse of one main character by a side character. I was not expecting this to happen the first time it did. And then it continued. The abuse served a purpose in the story, and it led to some strong character development, but I think it could have been done a different way. My only grief with this whole series is this sexual abuse. That girl should not have been raped, and I understand why it happened in the story, but I still don't agree with it in this case.

With that being said, Stormbringer was an amazingly unique fantasy story that I highly recommend. An alternate U.S. with magical slaves, shape-changing enemies, political intrigue and pirates create a fascinating story.

Eden Grey Top 50 Reviewer 171 reviews

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Dark and deep

January 31, 2014

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4.0

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Firstly, this book exceeded expectations. I mean, Weather Witch was okay, in my opinion, and I had not come to expect much from it’s sequel. Where Weather Witch had a languid pace and a very short plot-line, most of which was not focused on the heroine of the series, Stormbringer had an entirely different pace and build-up. The separate story-lines were reminiscent from the earlier book, the plot really thickens in this one. We had Jordan being pushed beyond her breaking point in Weather Witch, but here she faces another form of torture. I don’t know whether it qualifies as a spoiler, but the book contains rape and I would advise caution, for people who would be upset by it. It is terrible and dark, be warned. Rowen discovers the world is much more wider than the society of Philadelphia and finds a cause. The Maker and the one who seeks retribution against him, Marion have their own journey of sorts. All this was set against the backdrop of a rebel uprising brewing on the sidelines and the Council grasping on it’s grab of power. Also mixed in are the little snippets of magick, which somehow come together, not wholly, towards the end of the book.

The characters were rendered wonderfully – a lot was left to interpretation and maybe that makes the novel a bit harder to read than normal, but this time around I enjoyed the subtle shifts in behavior and emotions so intricately described. Each of them a mystery – even the little girl with the tremendous power. I was half in love with the story of the Wandering Wallace and Miyakitsu, even though I didn’t understand what exactly happened – not fully. There are a lot more mysteries still not clear, like the reason for the soul stones and what is the Wandering Wallace’s aim. The overall atmosphere of the book, is dark and grim, and even horribly sad at times.

The thing I was miffed with, however, was the start – it was the scene from the end of the Weather Witch – the same scene where Jordan and Rowen are boarded across different ships. The scene showed some differences this time around in the novel. Leaving that, I was pretty much into this book – hanging on to every word. The book got better and better as the story progressed, and by better I mean with regards to the plot. Mood-wise, it was dark, and even the end was sort of bittersweet. That, however, makes me really excited for the next book.

Received a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.