The Rainshadow Orphans (rainshadow Book 1)

By (author) Ishiguro, Naomi
Description:

The first novel in a dazzling fantasy trilogy inspired by Japanese folklore and Studio Ghibli, set within a mythical archipelago brimming with dragons and Sun Spirits, high-tech hackers and bubble tea.

''The world is richly detailed, the stakes are high as a dragon flies, and the pace is addictive. Pick it up now’ SAMANTHA SHANNON, internationally bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree

‘The Rainshadow Orphans shimmers with wondrous worldbuilding and sublime writing.'' AF STEADMAN, internationally bestselling author of the Skandar series

Life is hard in Rainshadow City, a place where poverty and corruption are rife and where inhabitants are terrorized by an underground criminal organization known as the Lucky Crows.

Toshiko, Jun and Mei Kawakami are family, bonded through loyalty if not by blood. They live outside the city’s increasingly corrupt law, and are seeking revenge on the Lucky Crows for the murder of their beloved ‘aunt’ Reiko. Haru is the son of the Emperor, destined to one day rule over the whole Rainshadow Archipelago and uphold his mother’s ignoble legacy. Currently however, he seems more interested in making friends with magical Sun Spirits that only he can see. Theo, forced to leave his homeland, is a reluctant foot-soldier for the Lucky Crows. He doesn’t want to be a gangster, but as an illegal immigrant to the city, his choices are severely limited.

When Toshiko steals a dragon pearl from the leader of the Crows, she begins a daring adventure that will put them all on a thrilling path to determine the future of Rainshadow City.

Tightly set across two days and peopled with unforgettable characters, The Rainshadow Orphans draws on the charm of anime like Pokémon and the works of Studio Ghibli, as well as on the gripping, fast-paced fantasy plots of series like The Legend of Korra, to explore what it means to stand up to corruption and take charge of destiny.

Review quote:
‘A perfect fusion of cyberpunk and fantasy, this electric debut, packed with memorable characters, will keep your heart pumping all the way through. The world is richly detailed, the stakes are high as a dragon flies, and the pace is addictive. Pick it up now’ 
– Samantha Shannon, internationally bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree

‘A breathtaking adventure set in an immersive cityscape like no other. The Rainshadow Orphans has a wonderful cast reminiscent of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and a message of hope that made my diaspora heart soar’
– Eliza Chan, Sunday Times bestselling author of Fathomfolk
 
‘A brilliantly crafted and wonderfully original fantasy debut – I absolutely loved it. The worldbuilding is incredible, the detail is exquisite, and I already can''t wait to read the sequel. A must read for fantasy fans everywhere!’
– Katherine Webber, bestselling author of Twin Crowns 

‘Accomplished, ambitious worldbuilding and dynamic, determined characters. I love Naomi Ishiguro’s writing both for its thrilling sense of adventure and her resolutely humane engagement with the most important questions of family, loyalty and friendship’
– Leon Craig, author of The Decadence
 
‘The Rainshadow Orphans shimmers with wondrous worldbuilding and sublime writing. A luminous blend of folklore, sci-fi and aching humanity – I couldn’t put it down’
– AF Steadman, internationally bestselling author of the Skandar series

‘Like the best fantasy/sci-fi anime… The Rainshadow Orphans will stay with me for its kickass characters, devastatingly-imagined world and Hiranaya: the most memorable dragon in fiction!’
– William Yamaguchi Dobson, author o