The Lotus War - Kinslayer Part 61

Lance Hewett, Narita Misaki, Sudayama Aki and Paul Cechner for being my gurus in all things j.a.panese.

The mighty Kira Ostrovska for laying the smackdown on my Russki. "Imperatritsa dvenatseti stolits!"

Brad Carpenter, the web-mastah of disastah, the ayatollah of rock and rollah.

Marc, B-Money, Rafe, Weez, Surly Jim, Burglar, Eli, Beiber, The Dread Pirate Glouftis, Bertie, Tom, Steve, Mini, Chris, Gav and all other members of my nerd posse, past and present, for getting me out of the G.o.dsd.a.m.n house occasionally.

The inimitable Doctor Sam Bowden, for the hasty cla.s.s on tension pneumothorax, and dragging his fiiiine self all the way across the country for my book launch.

Eamon Kenny, for setting me straight on all things radio (even though we cut 90 percent of it in edits).

Kristy Echeverria for allllll the gory details.

Araki Miho, once again, for her beautiful calligraphy.

Jimmy the Orrsome for our clan logos (shoulda charged a percentage, man), and Sir Christopher Tovo for the lurrrve on film.

Jason Chan, holy s.h.i.+t, dude. You can be my wingman anytime.

The book bloggers-too many to mention, never too many to remember-who did so much to get this thing's clockwork wings off the ground. You people are so very, very metal. You know who you are. I know who you are. Never stop being awesome.

The incredible people who made me poetry or music or paintings or reviews, who took this thing I created and created something themselves. That, more than anything on this strange little ride, has struck me as extraordinary.

My family for never really changing, despite the distance and the years.

And last but far from least: You.

ALSO BY JAY KRISTOFF.

Stormdancer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

JAY KRISTOFF grew up in the most isolated capital city on earth and fled at his earliest convenience, although he's been known to trek back for weddings of the particularly nice and funerals of the particularly wealthy. Being the holder of an arts degree, he has no educaiton to speak of. He is six feet seven inches and has approximately 13,250 days to live.

He lives in Melbourne with his wife and the world's laziest Jack Russell terrier. Visit him online at www.JayKristoff.com.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fict.i.tiously.

THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS.

An imprint of St. Martin's Press.

KINSLAYER. Copyright 2013 by Jay Kristoff. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.thomasdunnebooks.com www.stmartins.com Map artwork David Atkinson: handmademaps.com Kanji designs: Araki Miho: ebisudesign.com Clan logo design: James Orr Cover design by Young Jin Lim Cover ill.u.s.tration by Jason Chan The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows: Kristoff, Jay.

Kinslayer / Jay Kristoff. - First Edition.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-250-00141-2 (hardcover) ISBN 978-1-250-02294-3 (e-book) 1. Steampunk fiction. I. t.i.tle.

PR9619.4.K74K56 2013.

823'.92-dc23 2013016734.

e-ISBN 9781250022943 Simultaneously published in Great Britain by Tor, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited First U.S. Edition: September 2013