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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
This book exceeded all my expectations.
I picked this up as I have seen it mentioned on Booktube a couple of times and the premise intrigued me. However, no one had seemed to have read it yet. So I decided to take the plunge. I was not disappointed.
This novel is very unique and unlike anything, I have ever read. The magic here was brilliant and we got an in-depth look into some of it. I find some books lack this when doing a unique magic system.
The characters were amazing as well and well fleshed out. I fell in love with all of them and their motives. The motives in this novel were not out of the blue, we were told exactly why the characters had the motives they did and what their plan was. They also had some relationships in here, though they were definitely back burner so it all in all, in my opinion, was a fantasy. I think the romance was not unnecessary as well as it was not a plot point. It was just a background for the characters.
This book had me hooked from page one and I 100% recommend. Stop sleeping on this novel and pick it up I don't think you will be disappointed.
I picked this up as I have seen it mentioned on Booktube a couple of times and the premise intrigued me. However, no one had seemed to have read it yet. So I decided to take the plunge. I was not disappointed.
This novel is very unique and unlike anything, I have ever read. The magic here was brilliant and we got an in-depth look into some of it. I find some books lack this when doing a unique magic system.
The characters were amazing as well and well fleshed out. I fell in love with all of them and their motives. The motives in this novel were not out of the blue, we were told exactly why the characters had the motives they did and what their plan was. They also had some relationships in here, though they were definitely back burner so it all in all, in my opinion, was a fantasy. I think the romance was not unnecessary as well as it was not a plot point. It was just a background for the characters.
This book had me hooked from page one and I 100% recommend. Stop sleeping on this novel and pick it up I don't think you will be disappointed.
Wow! More like this please! Stunningly creative, this fantasy story weaves many story lines together in the most wonderful way.
I loved Tala the warrior immediately, and her arc was painful and satisfying. It took me a while to warm up to Jimuro, the arrogant prince, but by god, Paul Krueger made me like him by the end! Princess Ziulan and Lee, her thief, were similarly great. I'm still thinking about this book almost a month later which doesn't happen to me often. Highly recommend!
I loved Tala the warrior immediately, and her arc was painful and satisfying. It took me a while to warm up to Jimuro, the arrogant prince, but by god, Paul Krueger made me like him by the end! Princess Ziulan and Lee, her thief, were similarly great. I'm still thinking about this book almost a month later which doesn't happen to me often. Highly recommend!
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, wow, wow.
I discovered this book after attending the Writers Coffeehouse at Comic-con (July 2019). At that panel, [a:Delilah S. Dawson|5135449|Delilah S. Dawson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1350044135p2/5135449.jpg] mentioned that one of the best books she's read that year was called "Steel Crow Saga" by [a:Paul Krueger|17072442|Paul Krueger|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and that they were going to be giving out ARCs (Advance Reader Copy aka "Advanced Uncorrected Proof") at one of the booths down in the exhibit hall. I tracked the book down but couldn't make it back in time for the signing because of another panel conflict. One of the ladies in the booth gave me a copy of the book anyway (Thank you!). I was able to get back in time to meet Paul and have him sign his book for me.
I agree with Delilah Dawson's appraisal of the book. It's one of the best books I've read this year (and probably in the last several years).
It's an alternate history of Asia with the countries represented by Tomoda (Japan), Shang (China), Sanbuna (Philippines), Jeongson (Korea), and Dahali (India). The main characters represent each of the countries and have to find a way to work with each other (like the crew of the Rocinante in The Expanse series by [a:James S.A. Corey|4192148|James S.A. Corey|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]).
Despite the alternate history, there the time frame is modern. There are cars and electric lights though the sources of motive energy varies by culture.
The descriptions of the four cultures are deep and enjoyable (like the best steaming dish of Kung Pao Shrimp or Bulgogi).
Twice the author did something very creative with flashbacks. He laid out a scene, then in the next chapter went back and described what had happened from another character's point of view. There was something pleasant about the way he did this.
Paul came up with a very unique magic system: shadowpacting and metalpacting. Shang and the Sanbunas used shadowpacting where they would magically bond with another creature and could call them up by name. When called up, the creature would be magically larger and more powerful than the original creature. They could be used to power large wagons or (in the case of shadowpacted fish/sharks) ships. The Tomodanese practiced metalpacting where they could move their cars or heat pots through that type of magic.
I highly recommend this book and I've already pre-ordered the Kindle edition on that website that shall not be named.
I discovered this book after attending the Writers Coffeehouse at Comic-con (July 2019). At that panel, [a:Delilah S. Dawson|5135449|Delilah S. Dawson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1350044135p2/5135449.jpg] mentioned that one of the best books she's read that year was called "Steel Crow Saga" by [a:Paul Krueger|17072442|Paul Krueger|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and that they were going to be giving out ARCs (Advance Reader Copy aka "Advanced Uncorrected Proof") at one of the booths down in the exhibit hall. I tracked the book down but couldn't make it back in time for the signing because of another panel conflict. One of the ladies in the booth gave me a copy of the book anyway (Thank you!). I was able to get back in time to meet Paul and have him sign his book for me.
I agree with Delilah Dawson's appraisal of the book. It's one of the best books I've read this year (and probably in the last several years).
It's an alternate history of Asia with the countries represented by Tomoda (Japan), Shang (China), Sanbuna (Philippines), Jeongson (Korea), and Dahali (India). The main characters represent each of the countries and have to find a way to work with each other (like the crew of the Rocinante in The Expanse series by [a:James S.A. Corey|4192148|James S.A. Corey|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]).
Despite the alternate history, there the time frame is modern. There are cars and electric lights though the sources of motive energy varies by culture.
The descriptions of the four cultures are deep and enjoyable (like the best steaming dish of Kung Pao Shrimp or Bulgogi).
Twice the author did something very creative with flashbacks. He laid out a scene, then in the next chapter went back and described what had happened from another character's point of view. There was something pleasant about the way he did this.
Paul came up with a very unique magic system: shadowpacting and metalpacting. Shang and the Sanbunas used shadowpacting where they would magically bond with another creature and could call them up by name. When called up, the creature would be magically larger and more powerful than the original creature. They could be used to power large wagons or (in the case of shadowpacted fish/sharks) ships. The Tomodanese practiced metalpacting where they could move their cars or heat pots through that type of magic.
I highly recommend this book and I've already pre-ordered the Kindle edition on that website that shall not be named.
What is happening? Did everyone who writes in this genre share notes??? I was super excited about the shades but the other storylines are right out of other novels like this...And it felt so slow...
Fantastic Asians and Where to Find Them
The crown prince of Tomoda is returning from captivity to ascend the throne, but multiple factions are interested in intercepting him before he reaches the capital. Thus goes Steel Crow Saga, with loads of banter and parallels to imperialism in Asian history (Sanbu::Philippines, Shang::China, Dahal::India, Jeongson::Korea, Tomoda:: Japan and with all the culture & baggage from those relationships). The elevator pitch is Pokemon meets Avatar: the Last Airbender, which maybe works in describing the world building kinda (Asian inspired world and magical animal partners bound to a person), but the scope isn't quite so wide as either comparison (just remembered the elite metal police use cables like in Korra). There's a fair amount of influence fun Fullmetal Alchemist, too. I love the characters and while Krueger has indicated this is a standalone, I'd love to revisit the world in the future!
The crown prince of Tomoda is returning from captivity to ascend the throne, but multiple factions are interested in intercepting him before he reaches the capital. Thus goes Steel Crow Saga, with loads of banter and parallels to imperialism in Asian history (Sanbu::Philippines, Shang::China, Dahal::India, Jeongson::Korea, Tomoda:: Japan and with all the culture & baggage from those relationships). The elevator pitch is Pokemon meets Avatar: the Last Airbender, which maybe works in describing the world building kinda (Asian inspired world and magical animal partners bound to a person), but the scope isn't quite so wide as either comparison (just remembered the elite metal police use cables like in Korra). There's a fair amount of influence fun Fullmetal Alchemist, too. I love the characters and while Krueger has indicated this is a standalone, I'd love to revisit the world in the future!
Do you like anime, casual lgbtq+ inclusion, or buddy cop stories? Then this is the novel for you! It's a standalone which means no waiting for sequels to finish out the story. Steel Crow Saga has it all! The main romances are f/f and f/m. I found them both compelling for different reasons. This book is definitely character-driven instead of plot-driven, but it still gets wild. Kim Mai Guest did a wonderful job with the audio and giving each main character a distinct voice. Highly recommend.