Ship of Smoke and Steel by Django Wexler (A Buddy Read!!)

5 holy rot that was a ride stars!!

<Goodreads>

Hardcover, 367 pages

Published January 22nd 2019 by Tor Teen

Original Title

Ship of Smoke and Steel

ISBN

0765397242 (ISBN13: 9780765397249)

Edition Language

English

“Fit for the big screen.” —Morgan Rhodes, NYT bestselling author of Falling Kingdoms

Ship of Smoke and Steel is the launch of a cinematic, action-packed epic fantasy trilogy for fans of Leigh Bardugo and The Legend of Korra.

In the lower wards of Kahnzoka, the great port city of the Blessed Empire, eighteen-year-old ward boss Isoka comes to collect when there’s money owing. When her ability to access the Well of Combat is discovered by the Empire—an ability she should have declared and placed at His Imperial Majesty’s service—she’s sent on an impossible mission: steal Soliton, a legendary ghost ship—a ship from which no one has ever returned. If she fails, her sister’s life is forfeit.

“Truly epic, fierce, and exhilarating, Ship of Smoke and Steel will capture you and lock you away. With magical combat sequences fit for the big screen, the action is almost as breathtaking as the intrigue.” —Morgan Rhodes, New York Times bestselling author of the Falling Kingdoms series

 

My Questions to Danielle…

1. Cover love or no?

Yes! It was definitely what attracted me to the book and blurb.

2. How did you feel about the main character was she enough to hold your attention?

Isoka is the perfect protagonist for me. There is a constant struggle between that                balance of good and bad. She evolves tremendous as an individual and in her                      relationships throughout this first story!

3. There are some great groups of characters in this book, how did you like the “cliques” in this book?

They were probably one of the most interesting elements. The division on the ship              particularly, added a great deal of depth and intrigue to the overall story.

4. Following question 3 which “clique” would you choose to be part of? 

Without risking spoilers, I will just say Isoka’s 😉

5. I felt the author did a really good job with the world building, how did you feel about the world building?

I fell in love with it. The setting on and off of the ship were fantastic and played                  well into the politics. The ship was incredible! I could eadily read a hundred more              pages about the lowers depths.

Danielle’s Questions to Me…

1. Not to be repetitive,  but I have to also ask about the cover. What did or did not work for you with the art?                                                                                                           I feel like the powerful girl with the swords on the cover may be over done? However the swords relate to the story so haha! I love the mysterious ship in the background though…
2. How did your feelings towards Isoka change if at all by the end of the story?               I found she was one of those characters you hate to love… if that makes sense. I’m not fond of her but she makes sense in the story.
3. Who was your favorite secondary character on the ship?                                           This question is really hard because I always love the secondary characters more. I’m going to go with Zarun, just because I think he may be more of a complex character than he seems.
4. Was there anything you felt this story was lacking or that the author could have elaborated on more?                                                                                                                   I wanted more detail on how the ship worked. I know we seemed to have gotten little bits and pieces here or there but I wanted more. I’m sure there will be more in the second book but COME ON.
5. Are you as excited for a sequel as I am?!

Mini Review…

Isoka is one of those characters you just love to hate, I can’t say I rooted for her the whole way through the book.  There may have been times that I may have wished for her demise.  However, I think that is what makes this book s interesting, that you actually may not like the protagonist and all of her choices.  I loved the world building, I could always feel myself in the world.  Every creepy thing that this author threw at you was real and in front of me.  The attention to detail and the thought that went into how this ship may or may not be working and what creatures would be attracted to it was interesting.  The class system on the ship was another interesting factor, I really enjoyed all those characters almost a young Pirates of the Caribbean but not quite.  As per usual I really got attached to the side characters and want more of their back stories than the main character but that’s always my fault and not the author’s. I am really looking forward to the second book, I cannot wait for it.  It will be a preorder for me that’s for sure!

About the Author…

Django Wexler graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with degrees in creative writing and computer science, and worked for the university in artificial intelligence research. Eventually he migrated to Microsoft in Seattle, where he now lives with two cats and a teetering mountain of books. When not planning Shadow Campaigns, he wrangles computers, paints tiny soldiers, and plays games of all sorts.