Stormflower


Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
562 Pages
Reviewed on 07/02/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Stormflower by Keegan and Tristen Kozinski is a gripping and intense science fiction novel that delves into a world where revenants, powerful and deadly creatures, roam the city. The story follows Jade, a skilled fighter and member of the Purifiers, as she takes on a particularly challenging mission to eliminate a first-tier revenant in a retirement district. Does she have what it takes to succeed, or will this mission be marred like the one she previously undertook? From the opening pages, it's clear that Keegan and Tristen Kozinski have crafted a masterful tale of action, suspense, and intrigue with unforgettable characters.

The writing is vivid and immersive, with descriptions that transport the reader into a unique world. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with Jade being a particularly well-developed protagonist. Her backstory is hinted at throughout the novel, adding depth to her character and motivations. Her inner world is finely executed as well, and it is easy for readers to understand the burden she carries. The plot is fast-paced and engaging, with constant tension and urgency. The use of technology and magic is cleverly woven throughout the story, creating a unique blend of science fiction and fantasy. The world-building is impressive, with a rich history and mythology that adds depth to the narrative. Keegan and Tristen Kozinski deftly explore themes of trauma, grief, and mortality. Jade's past is shrouded in mystery, and glimpses of her troubled history are revealed as the story unfolds. The pacing is well-balanced, with intense action scenes followed by quieter moments of introspection.

Divine Zape

Stormflower by Keegan and Tristen Kozinski is a captivating and intense science fiction novel that plunges readers into the world of revenants, a mysterious and deadly threat to humanity. The story follows Jade, a skilled warrior dedicated to hunting and eliminating these creatures. Nightmares plague her, and she struggles with trauma from her past, especially what happened to her brother. The discovery of a revenant in the retirement district unnerves her. Why should one be in a place with few people to attract it? She is determined to stop this creature and save the district. But time is against her, and does she have enough fight in her to stop the revenant?

Keegan and Tristen Kozinski masterfully craft a world that feels both familiar and alien. The revenants, with their pale faces and insectoid bodies, are eerie and unsettling. The characters are well-developed and complex, with Jade being an exceptionally compelling protagonist. The novel hurtles forward at a breakneck pace, with action scenes that are both intense and suspenseful. The writing is descriptive and vivid, depicting a beautiful and terrifying world. The themes of trauma, loss, and redemption are woven throughout the plot, and Jade's struggles with her past are particularly well-handled as she deals with the guilt and anger that come with surviving while others do not. The imagery is strong, whether the author is describing an element of the setting or an action. The author imbues everything with vividness and life. The internal conflict is exceptionally developed in Stormflower, making Jade someone who is relatable and appealing.

Christian Sia

Stormflower by Keegan and Tristen Kozinski is captivating and intense science fiction with supernatural underpinnings. The story follows Jade, a skilled hunter with the Purifiers, a group dedicated to protecting the population from monsters. She has fought them since coming of age and has lost. She lost a brother, suffered humiliation after betraying her cause, and now lives with regrets and grief. When she learns about a revenant — a creature that feeds on human life —prowling the streets of the retirement district, she sets out to stop the monster. The revenant terrorizes an elderly man, but the people in the retirement district are unaware of the danger lurking among them. Can Jade stop this creature before it leaves devastation in a district where such creatures are hardly found? She is pressed for time, but can she redeem herself of past errors that led to the loss of a beloved brother?

Keegan and Tristen Kozinski have fashioned a character that readers will love in Jade. Her troubled past is slowly revealed as the narrative moves forward. Her inner struggles and psyche are fully drawn, and readers are instantly immersed in her world, vividly depicted through well-crafted streams of consciousness. The authors fill the book with fascinating details about the setting, from Jade’s apartment and paraphernalia to more information about the retirement district. The descriptions allow readers to visualize elements of the settings and the characters easily. For instance, the revenant described as “long-bodied and vaguely insectoid with a wide-eyed, expressionless, and pale human face” gives a vivid picture of the creature's appearance. Stormflower has a fast, steady pace, and the authors capture readers' interest by imbuing the story with a strong sense of urgency as the danger increases and Jade becomes desperate. This is an excellent book for readers who enjoy character-driven tales with supernatural themes and a well-drawn setting.

Ruffina Oserio

Stormflower by Keegan and Tristen Kozinski is a gripping and atmospheric dystopian tale that follows Jade, a skilled hunter with the Purifiers, as she navigates a treacherous and eerie landscape to confront a revenant that has infiltrated a retirement district. Burdened by her past and determined to correct some of her mistakes, Jade is determined to accomplish this mission perfectly. She understands that minutes can seem like a brief span, but a revenant is capable of killing dozens in that span, leeching them of life to sustain and grow itself. Will Jade be able to handle her past trauma and face the dangers ahead of her?

The vivid descriptions of the setting and atmosphere draw the reader in from the opening pages. The use of sensory details, such as the sound of the rain, the scent of lavender, and the feel of the adaptive suit, immerses the reader in Jade's world. Jade is well-developed and complex. Her past is steeped in mystery, and her motivations for hunting revenants are not entirely clear. However, her dedication to her work and her skills as a hunter are evident throughout the story. The authors do an excellent job of conveying Jade's emotions and thoughts through her actions and intelligent dialogue. The revenant is a terrifying creature, described in vivid detail. The language to describe its movements and appearance is masterful, creating a sense of unease and dread. Stormflower features relentless action, and the suspense grows as the conflict intensifies. Keegan and Tristen Kozinski have created a science fiction narrative with an unforgettable, finely drawn female protagonist.

K.C. Finn

Stormflower is penned by author team Tristen Kozinski and Keegan Kozinski in the urban fantasy, adventure, and suspense genres. The story follows Jade, burdened by grief and secrets after betraying her brother and the Redeemers two years ago. Exhausted from a lifetime of fighting monsters and seeking rest, Jade finds herself facing a new threat: an unnatural plague is spreading and a friend is grappling with an alien compulsion. As the plot unfolds, madness intensifies, threatening to consume everything hidden beneath their world. Tristen Kozinski and Keegan Kozinski have brought their best skills together to craft a gripping journey into a world teetering on the brink of chaos.

I always enjoy a narrative that immerses readers in a realm of darkness and intrigue, and this duo does it with such an atmospheric command of language and a very clear, confident sense of place. The characters layered into this world feel realistically shaped by it in every moment of attitude and dialogue. Jade's internal turmoil and external struggles are well-balanced and equally weighted in the plot, and there’s a lot for readers to latch onto as they get to know her and root for her. The authors deftly blend the mystery element into the story with well-placed clues and sudden discoveries, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each twist and revelation. Overall, Stormflower by authors Tristen Kozinski and Keegan Kozinski is a thrilling and thought-provoking tale that leaves a lasting impression, and I highly recommend it to fans of immersive fantasy adventure everywhere.