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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
It's like a 2.5 nearly. This book had the same thing that Nightshade lounge had. Cool world interesting characters but the the plot gets super distracting and so much was convenient. Loved the queer rep though
what can i tell you...i tried twice but everything about this book was ugly and uninteresting. it also tried to mix things from jade city, pokémon and attack on titan and failed; the writing too wasn’t very good so it’s a big nope from me
- great world-building and cultural aspects, absolutely fascinating
- basically all Asian cast, with representation from fictionalised versions of different parts of Asia. You can basically tell whats what by the foods!
- magic system is soooooo cool, though I liked the animal bonding more than the steel bonding
- I did perpetually keep getting two characters confused, but I think that's because I don't visualise characters a large portion of the time, and although their physical descriptions are very different, their narrative voices were a little similar
- basically all Asian cast, with representation from fictionalised versions of different parts of Asia. You can basically tell whats what by the foods!
- magic system is soooooo cool, though I liked the animal bonding more than the steel bonding
- I did perpetually keep getting two characters confused, but I think that's because I don't visualise characters a large portion of the time, and although their physical descriptions are very different, their narrative voices were a little similar
This book was amazing! I loved characters and the magic system. Some from Sanbu and Shang can pact, or soul-bond, with an animal’s shade. The shade can live inside the person, but can create a deadlier version if needed for battle. It reminded me of an anime with how everything built up to the final fight scene. The relationships between the characters really made this story for me. Definitely a must read!
I love this book, wholly and unabashedly and with my whole heart. To talk about it too much would be to spoil the sheer joy of the reading, so I won't, except to say that the plot is wonderful, the journey each character takes both physically and emotionally is perfectly portrayed, and I would die for all four of these idiots without question.
I had a really bad day today, waking up at 6AM to the news that our beloved cat died in her sleep. This book took what was mostly an agonizing day and made it not only bearable, but made me happy. I was smiling at the end. I wanted to wrap this book in a big hug and thank it (and the author) for everything I got from reading it.
It takes a special book to accomplish that at the best of times. It takes a true gem to make me feel that way when I'm neck-deep in misery.
I had a really bad day today, waking up at 6AM to the news that our beloved cat died in her sleep. This book took what was mostly an agonizing day and made it not only bearable, but made me happy. I was smiling at the end. I wanted to wrap this book in a big hug and thank it (and the author) for everything I got from reading it.
It takes a special book to accomplish that at the best of times. It takes a true gem to make me feel that way when I'm neck-deep in misery.
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the best books I've read in a while. Fantastic story, world-building, and characters--Game of Thrones worthy but more approachable and with a lot more humor.
I am terrible with words but here goes: Steel Crow Saga is the best book I’ve read in 2019. Period. There is action, magic, romance, and FullMetal Alchemist references for DAYS. I’m going to be recommending this to everyone I know, because it’s absolutely fantastic!!
My first thought when reading this was why has it taken me this long to pick it up. Described as Asian folklore, the last Airbender and Pokemon all rolled up in one this story has so many things in it to love. The Shang, Dahali and Sanbuna have risen up against their former conquerors and Tomoda is in Ruins. Some people want it restored to it’s former glory where as others would like nothing more than to watch it sink. The fate of these countries is in the hands of four people; A warrior with a task so important she has to put prejudice aside, a Prince who needs to return to his country alive, a Princess who wants nothing more than to become the next Empress and a thief who’s not quite sure how she ended up here. Non are aware how intricately their fates are entwined, but it will take them all working together soldier and Prince, Princess and thief to save the world from a threat no one saw coming.
One of the best things about this book was the magic system, it is wholly original, and you can definitely feel the Pokemon and Airbender vibes. Shang and Sanbu have a similar magic system, they are able to bond with animals in an act called ‘Shadepacting’ The Shades share a part of the persons soul, each knows what the other is thinking, and whilst Tomoda sees this as an affront to nature, classing the Shades as slaves with no power over their actions the Shang and Sanbu know different. Each person can only have one animal Shade and the bond between the two is unbelievably strong. Tomoda has it’s own magic system of ‘metalwork’, they are able to control metal, make guns have near impossible aim, control cars simply through touch etc. The Dahali are a people we see very little of in this book, though it is the first in a series so they might be explored in more detail later on. The Dahali have learned to make themselves faster, stronger and heighten their senses but their best power is the ability to project their own souls into another… makes for one hell of a hangover. The magic systems get brought to life through the story and we get some truly epic battle scenes that just fly off the pages.
This book is hilarious, in a way I really didn’t expect it to be, there are plenty of one liners as well as some top notch character interactions. But this book also delves into the aftermath of war, the prejudices that started it and how, in the end does anyone really come out the victor? We see Tala and Jimuro working together, each knowing that they have either personally or inadvertently caused the loss of loved ones and fellow countrymen. Xuilan and Lee also have a slightly tenuous relationship. We see them both come to the realisation that neither is truly evil, they are just both doing what they have to to survive.
The relationships in this book are brilliantly written. We have the ultimate slow burn, enemies-friends-lovers f/m romance as well as a fun and quirky f/f. We get to see people overcoming their prejudices as they have to work with each other and slowly buy surely coming to the knowledge that they not only respect them, but also like them in a romantic sense. Though the romance is between the four main characters it never overshadows the plot in anyway, in fact it adds an extra depth to it that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I have read somewhere that this is the first in a series but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. There is no cliff hanger ending and all the characters arcs are nicely tied up in a bow by the end. That being said I would love another chance to dive back into this fantasy world.
One of the best things about this book was the magic system, it is wholly original, and you can definitely feel the Pokemon and Airbender vibes. Shang and Sanbu have a similar magic system, they are able to bond with animals in an act called ‘Shadepacting’ The Shades share a part of the persons soul, each knows what the other is thinking, and whilst Tomoda sees this as an affront to nature, classing the Shades as slaves with no power over their actions the Shang and Sanbu know different. Each person can only have one animal Shade and the bond between the two is unbelievably strong. Tomoda has it’s own magic system of ‘metalwork’, they are able to control metal, make guns have near impossible aim, control cars simply through touch etc. The Dahali are a people we see very little of in this book, though it is the first in a series so they might be explored in more detail later on. The Dahali have learned to make themselves faster, stronger and heighten their senses but their best power is the ability to project their own souls into another… makes for one hell of a hangover. The magic systems get brought to life through the story and we get some truly epic battle scenes that just fly off the pages.
This book is hilarious, in a way I really didn’t expect it to be, there are plenty of one liners as well as some top notch character interactions. But this book also delves into the aftermath of war, the prejudices that started it and how, in the end does anyone really come out the victor? We see Tala and Jimuro working together, each knowing that they have either personally or inadvertently caused the loss of loved ones and fellow countrymen. Xuilan and Lee also have a slightly tenuous relationship. We see them both come to the realisation that neither is truly evil, they are just both doing what they have to to survive.
The relationships in this book are brilliantly written. We have the ultimate slow burn, enemies-friends-lovers f/m romance as well as a fun and quirky f/f. We get to see people overcoming their prejudices as they have to work with each other and slowly buy surely coming to the knowledge that they not only respect them, but also like them in a romantic sense. Though the romance is between the four main characters it never overshadows the plot in anyway, in fact it adds an extra depth to it that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I have read somewhere that this is the first in a series but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. There is no cliff hanger ending and all the characters arcs are nicely tied up in a bow by the end. That being said I would love another chance to dive back into this fantasy world.