Endsinger by Jay Kristoff: September 23, 2014 (Thomas Dunne Books)

Steampunk, griffins, and a fantasy version of feudel Japan, oh my! After the stunning events of Stormdancer and Kinslayer, I cannot wait to get my hands on Endsinger, book three of The Lotus War. This is one of the darker young adult series I have ever read, and so much has happened including a couple huge bombshells Kristoff dropped on us in the last book…I have no idea how he’s going to wrap things up here, but I’m looking forward to finding out. Check out that gorgeous cover, too.

“A TREMBLING EARTH 
The flames of civil war sweep across the Shima Imperium. With their plans to renew the Kazumitsu dynasty foiled, the Lotus Guild unleash their deadliest creation—a mechanical goliath known as the Earthcrusher, intended to unite the shattered Empire under a yoke of fear. With the Tiger Clan and their puppet Daimyo Hiro in tow, the Guild marches toward a battle for absolute dominion over the Isles. 

A BROKEN REBELLION
Yukiko and Buruu are forced to take leadership of the Kagé rebellion, gathering new allies and old friends in an effort to unite the country against the chi-mongers. But the ghosts of Buruu’s past stand between them and the army they need, and Kin’s betrayal has destroyed all trust among their allies. When a new foe joins the war tearing the Imperium apart, it will be all the pair can do to muster the strength to fight, let alone win. 

A FINAL BATTLE 
The traitor Kin walks the halls of Guild power, his destiny only a bloody knife-stroke away. Hana and Yoshi struggle to find their place in a world now looking to them as heroes. Secret cabals within the Lotus Guild claw and struggle; one toward darkness, the other toward light. And as the earth splits asunder, as armies destroy each other for rule over an empire of lifeless ash and the final secret about blood lotus is revealed, the people of Shima will learn one last, horrifying truth. 

There is nothing a mother won’t do to keep her children by her side. 

Nothing.”