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The Lotus Wars #0.5
Praying For Rain
Praying For Rain is a free-to-read pdf short story, a prequel to Jay Kristoff's The Lotus War series, which tells the tale of Miho and the city of Kigen.
19 pages, ebook
First published February 6, 2013
4 people are currently reading
2543 people want to read
About the author
Jay Kristoff
58 books30.2k followersJay Kristoff is a #1 international, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. He is the winner of eight Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, has over two million books in print and is published in over thirty five countries, most of which he has never visited. He is as surprised about all of this as you are. He is 6’7 and has approximately 12,000 days to live.
He does not believe in happy endings.
He does not believe in happy endings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 7, 2015
4 STARS
Alrighty, then! Jay Kristoff does not believe in happy endings. I get it now! What is it with male authors I read lately who love to brake your heart at the end of their stories?(Pierce Brown, I'm looking right at ya!) Am I drawn subconsciously to such endings? Hmp ...
Praying for Rain is the story of Miho who meets Rei, the boy with a voice, "soft and edged with a smile, as if he has just finished laughing." And they fall in love. Young and beautiful love.
Miho can listen to the thoughts of animals in her head. She can reach out into the minds of the beasts. She can talk to them. But she and the ones like her are considered as ‘Tainted’ or ‘Impure’ by the Imperium. They hunt and burn the ones who possess the Kenning.
All this in a dying world where "there are so many of us here, and so little remaining of anything else. No birds in the sky or fish in the bay. No cats or cows or pigs or pigeons. Just people and the world we have destroyed, stained blue-black by the machines we have created. And still, we think only of ourselves. No matter if these are the last free birds left in the city. No matter if those eggs are the last they will ever lay."
It's a steampunk world with greasy water and blood-red air vibrating with the songs of engine and propeller. Harsh, yet fascinating with its Asian vibe.
The story is beautifully melancholic with a heartbreaking end. A perfect introduction to the Stormdancer world. I loved the writing!
I know Praying for Rain has little to do with the plot of Stormdancer itself but now I can't wait to meet Yukiko and her griffin in book #1! A GRIFFIN! Huzzah!
You can read the story for free here:
http://jaykristoff.com/images/bonusSt...
It's 20 pages.
March 1, 2013
Praying for Rain is a poetic and lovely short story set in the Stormdancer world. I’m not going to talk about the plot at all, because I’m too distracted by how much I love the way Jay Kristoff writes. I feel like he might be my author-soul mate. I know, I’m a total dork. He just paints such a brutally honest but beautiful picture every time. I can’t resist bringing up the fact that the title reminds me of one of my favorite Cure songs from the album Disintegration (as a Cure fan I'm required to state it’s the best album of all time here). I could ask Jay if that was the inspiration for the title, but I don’t want to spoil the magic. ‘Prayers for Rain’ was totally playing in my mind as I read and that was ‘Just Like Heaven’ for me. The short story was really good too ;)
P.S. I also pictured deadly little Miho from Sin City, which is badass.
P.S. I also pictured deadly little Miho from Sin City, which is badass.
September 29, 2014
A decent prequel to the Stormdancer/Lotus Wars stories. It eventually gives the reader a sense of the time and place, but starts so slowly that, had I not been predisposed to stick with it, I would have quit.
Note to authors: These freebees backfire if they turn potential readers off.
Note to authors: These freebees backfire if they turn potential readers off.
December 31, 2019
I am amazed at how Jay can pull so many emotions out of me in such a short amount of pages!
January 17, 2015
Almost gave up at the very beginning, after reading:
"The boy pushes his goggles up onto his brow to rub at his eyes, and I see the whites are scrawled with red like a
lotus addict’s, black grease congealing under broken fingernails. But there is something in the line
of his jaw, the high cheekbones and strong hands that sets butterflies tumbling across my stomach
without quite knowing why, and I feel myself staring as I try to find my voice."
I tought....just what I need, another TSTL heroine, another insta-love piece of crap. Oh, well! At least is only 19 pages long... so I put on my big girl pants, and trudged to the end.
You know what...it wasn't bad at all. I give it 3.5 to 4 stars stars. If not for the description of the boy's lashes and lips, and the butterflies in her stomach it would be 5/5 rating.
It is not good, if you want to throw a book against a wall after the first page.
Link here:http://jaykristoff.com/images/bonusSt...
"The boy pushes his goggles up onto his brow to rub at his eyes, and I see the whites are scrawled with red like a
lotus addict’s, black grease congealing under broken fingernails. But there is something in the line
of his jaw, the high cheekbones and strong hands that sets butterflies tumbling across my stomach
without quite knowing why, and I feel myself staring as I try to find my voice."
I tought....just what I need, another TSTL heroine, another insta-love piece of crap. Oh, well! At least is only 19 pages long... so I put on my big girl pants, and trudged to the end.
You know what...it wasn't bad at all. I give it 3.5 to 4 stars stars. If not for the description of the boy's lashes and lips, and the butterflies in her stomach it would be 5/5 rating.
It is not good, if you want to throw a book against a wall after the first page.
Link here:http://jaykristoff.com/images/bonusSt...
March 7, 2013
This is pure mindfuckery. My need for Kinslayer has not been quelled!
Curse you, Jay Kristoff!
Curse you, Jay Kristoff!
July 21, 2017
The storyline at the beginning was a little unclear but, like all of Jay's work, it got easier to understand as it went on. As always, I love this and everything he writes, he makes sound so beautiful and poetic. I cried.
August 23, 2019
4/5 stars.
Beautiful writting. Such a sad and poetic little story.
Beautiful writting. Such a sad and poetic little story.
May 17, 2017
4.5
Such a sad little novella
Such a sad little novella
Read
September 2, 20191, Stormdancer ★★★★ and ½
2, Kinslayer ★★★ and ¾
3, Endsinger ★★★★ and ¼
the short story starts with Miho, a girl gifted with the kenning falling in love with a boy working in the refinery.
other than the story of Miho, it paints the perfect picture of this dying city, where people are being blind to the destruction they cause, that the animals are dying out, the sky became red like blood, that these people they hunt and execute aren't doing any harm, that the pointless war is never going to end. it gives a good glimpse of this dark, greasy, Japanese-inspired world the lotus wars trilogy is set in.
and, the tale of Miho, is a sad one. despite it being only 20 pages, the feels are very real and raw, her thoughts, how he describes Rei, what she wants convey emotions perfectly. we only get bits of their backstories, but those are enough to make them understandable. the whole story has such a melancholic vibe, you can sense from the start that this isn't gonna have a happy ending.
other books by Jay Kristoff
The Nevernight Chronicle
1, Nevernight ★★★ and 3/4
Lifelike
1, Lifel1k3 ★★★
The Illuminae Files (cowritten with Amie Kaufman)
1, Illuminae ★★★★ and 1/2
2, Gemina ★★★★
3, Obsidio ★★★
Aurora Cycle (cowritten with Amie Kaufman)
1, Aurora Rising ★★
2, Kinslayer ★★★ and ¾
3, Endsinger ★★★★ and ¼
the short story starts with Miho, a girl gifted with the kenning falling in love with a boy working in the refinery.
other than the story of Miho, it paints the perfect picture of this dying city, where people are being blind to the destruction they cause, that the animals are dying out, the sky became red like blood, that these people they hunt and execute aren't doing any harm, that the pointless war is never going to end. it gives a good glimpse of this dark, greasy, Japanese-inspired world the lotus wars trilogy is set in.
and, the tale of Miho, is a sad one. despite it being only 20 pages, the feels are very real and raw, her thoughts, how he describes Rei, what she wants convey emotions perfectly. we only get bits of their backstories, but those are enough to make them understandable. the whole story has such a melancholic vibe, you can sense from the start that this isn't gonna have a happy ending.
other books by Jay Kristoff
The Nevernight Chronicle
1, Nevernight ★★★ and 3/4
Lifelike
1, Lifel1k3 ★★★
The Illuminae Files (cowritten with Amie Kaufman)
1, Illuminae ★★★★ and 1/2
2, Gemina ★★★★
3, Obsidio ★★★
Aurora Cycle (cowritten with Amie Kaufman)
1, Aurora Rising ★★
April 20, 2013
Beautiful story. The writing is so good. The ending is heartbreaking.
"He makes me real. He makes me laugh. And when I am near him, he lifts the weight from my chest and makes me feel bright and unafraid, like I did when I was a child and the world was still a mystery to me."
"I find myself praying for rain. For a storm so dark and fierce it flushes all of us away. "
I freaking love this giant. He.Is.Awesome.
Can't wait for Kinslayer.
"He makes me real. He makes me laugh. And when I am near him, he lifts the weight from my chest and makes me feel bright and unafraid, like I did when I was a child and the world was still a mystery to me."
"I find myself praying for rain. For a storm so dark and fierce it flushes all of us away. "
I freaking love this giant. He.Is.Awesome.
Can't wait for Kinslayer.
January 15, 2014
So I had to create a thingy so that way I could add it to my goodreads challenge haha!
But...
You look at Jay then read his words and cannot believe that someone like him can write magnificence like what you'd find in Stormdancer or Praying For Rain.
This does not suppress my impatience for Kinslayer though.
But...
You look at Jay then read his words and cannot believe that someone like him can write magnificence like what you'd find in Stormdancer or Praying For Rain.
This does not suppress my impatience for Kinslayer though.
March 28, 2013
Praying For Rain is a short story that is a good start for anyone that hasn't read Mr. Kristoff's debut Stormdancer (The Lotus War # 1). The story itself is only about 20 pages long, but gives the reader an idea of how the residents of Kigen think. This is recommended for anyone who hasn't read Jay Kristoff and those who enjoyed Stormdancer, like me.
February 7, 2013
This just made me want a time machine even more! If I had a time machine I would totally go to September 17 and buy Kinslayer!
February 7, 2013
Damn you, Kristoff.
June 8, 2013
M'kay my heart has broken in a mere several pages, leave it to Kristoff to do that. Bravo.
Can't wait for Kinslayer now.
Can't wait for Kinslayer now.
March 22, 2013
Awesome hook.
October 12, 2015
Such a great short story, but it was like, we knew that things were going to go bad, so yeah, sad ending!
January 6, 2015
That was fucked up . . . and also a little too much tell, not show. Kristoff is better in long form.
August 27, 2016
Well, that was depressing. Really hope we run into that guy again and that something truly awful happens to him.
February 28, 2018
Praying For Rain is a beeeeeeautiful novella set prior to the events of Stormdancer, about a blossoming romance between a girl with the Kenning ability and a boy who’s set to join the Guild.
It’s amazing how Jay Kristoff was able to say so much with so few words. His writing was so poetic and invoked so much emotion that I actually cried on the train - which is no easy feat! You know from the outset that this romance may not end well, but that doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking; I actually felt my heart HURT at the closing lines of this short story.
So so so so so beautiful. I have no words.
It’s amazing how Jay Kristoff was able to say so much with so few words. His writing was so poetic and invoked so much emotion that I actually cried on the train - which is no easy feat! You know from the outset that this romance may not end well, but that doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking; I actually felt my heart HURT at the closing lines of this short story.
So so so so so beautiful. I have no words.
February 17, 2022
I read this book before the main books of the series, so perhaps my opinion will change, after I read those books.
But I needed some time to get adjusted to the writing style and the world. And then is a 20 page book too short. But it has great potential, and I really want to read the rest of the series now. So for now only 3 stars. Perhaps that will change if I read it again after I finished the other books
But I needed some time to get adjusted to the writing style and the world. And then is a 20 page book too short. But it has great potential, and I really want to read the rest of the series now. So for now only 3 stars. Perhaps that will change if I read it again after I finished the other books
March 1, 2021
Praying For Rain is a free-to-read pdf short story, a prequel to Jay Kristoff's The Lotus War series, which tells the tale of Miho and the city of Kigen
Heather's Notes
OMG! This story is just sad. I have not yet read this series so I am not sure what the point of this was other than to make you sad :(
Heather's Notes
OMG! This story is just sad. I have not yet read this series so I am not sure what the point of this was other than to make you sad :(
September 28, 2023
This was a very intense and emotional short story. A little slow to get going, but once it picked up speed… it was hard to put it down. Kristoff does a great job of world building and bringing you into the intrigue that is to be The Lotus Wars series.
Kristoff’s world building is absolutely phenomenal in this short story. I was expecting good world building, but this was of a totally different calibre. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of this series. I mean, this is a steampunk, dystopia feeling world. Full of politics, conflict and magic.
I absolutely adored this short story, and now I can’t wait to read the first book in The Lotus Wars series. I mean, I kind of expected that from Kristoff, but it was nice to have the confirmation.
Kristoff’s world building is absolutely phenomenal in this short story. I was expecting good world building, but this was of a totally different calibre. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of this series. I mean, this is a steampunk, dystopia feeling world. Full of politics, conflict and magic.
I absolutely adored this short story, and now I can’t wait to read the first book in The Lotus Wars series. I mean, I kind of expected that from Kristoff, but it was nice to have the confirmation.
September 27, 2019
Had to re-read since it's been a while and I love the set up to the books.
October 14, 2019
I takes a while to get used to the setting but then again there is not much left once you got used to it. But the setting has the potential to lure readers to the world of the lotus wars.
December 14, 2019
Damn, that was... heartbreaking.
March 9, 2013
OMGGG!!! I'm dying for KINSLAYER!!!!!!!!
But omg, the story was so sad - Miho & Rei meet on the docks & they're both of the Tora (Tiger) clan & they see each other every day for months - he's poor, works at the refinery & wants to go fight in the war - she has money but her mother is depressed since her father died. He shares his rice cakes with her everyday & she resfuses - Miho has the Kenning. And she's scared of telling anyone but while she's with Rei, she feels happy, in love, & doesn't want the Kenning (ability to speak to animals - the seagulls). And he is changing - changed by the war & what purity is & how the lotus must bloom. and one night when Miho hears the gulls screaming, she goes to them & tells Rei to stop these boys from taking their nest - he doesn't do anything, not caring about the birds & she calms them & then he figures it out, she has the KEnning. He says Impure & leaves her. The next day at the docks, they come for her, the Guildsmen, & take her to be burned like that other boy who was burned some time earlier. She sees Rei in the crowd, looking pale & all she can hear is the gulls screaming & thinking that a storm will wash everything away & that nothing lasts forever. IT will end someday. Poor girl. She's innocent & stupid Rei - he was sweet in the beginning but he changed.:$
Poor Miho :(
But omg, the story was so sad - Miho & Rei meet on the docks & they're both of the Tora (Tiger) clan & they see each other every day for months - he's poor, works at the refinery & wants to go fight in the war - she has money but her mother is depressed since her father died. He shares his rice cakes with her everyday & she resfuses - Miho has the Kenning. And she's scared of telling anyone but while she's with Rei, she feels happy, in love, & doesn't want the Kenning (ability to speak to animals - the seagulls). And he is changing - changed by the war & what purity is & how the lotus must bloom. and one night when Miho hears the gulls screaming, she goes to them & tells Rei to stop these boys from taking their nest - he doesn't do anything, not caring about the birds & she calms them & then he figures it out, she has the KEnning. He says Impure & leaves her. The next day at the docks, they come for her, the Guildsmen, & take her to be burned like that other boy who was burned some time earlier. She sees Rei in the crowd, looking pale & all she can hear is the gulls screaming & thinking that a storm will wash everything away & that nothing lasts forever. IT will end someday. Poor girl. She's innocent & stupid Rei - he was sweet in the beginning but he changed.:$
Poor Miho :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews