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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
“I've found that the ones you lose have a way of coming back to you.”
Okay. That last page might've ended me. I loved everything about this world and the characters and the themes of forgiveness and responsibility...it was a great read, if a very long one (took me a month!). That ending was so good, mostly because I love when stories loop around and connect to what was written on page 1.
It took me so long to get through this book because you're thrown into this fantasy world with almost no explanation at first. Which is how it usually is, but there isn't a map either. I'm just saying, if this book had had a map with the names of the countries written out, my comprehension of the story would have increased by 1000%. As it was, it took me maybe 100 pages to finally feel like I understood everything properly. I will say I like how this fantasy world is very much fantasy and removed from our own planet, but it's also modern and has technology like cars and elevators.
The story picked up after the first half. I have to admit, for maybe the first half of this book or so, I was more interested in Tala and Jimuro's POVs than Xiulan and Lee's, probably because they were doing more travelling than the others. But as soon as they all met up? I was hooked, I tell you. This is a great book with lots of action to keep you interested, but I do feel as though I would need to read it again to fully appreciate the first third or so of it.
Okay. That last page might've ended me. I loved everything about this world and the characters and the themes of forgiveness and responsibility...it was a great read, if a very long one (took me a month!). That ending was so good, mostly because I love when stories loop around and connect to what was written on page 1.
It took me so long to get through this book because you're thrown into this fantasy world with almost no explanation at first. Which is how it usually is, but there isn't a map either. I'm just saying, if this book had had a map with the names of the countries written out, my comprehension of the story would have increased by 1000%. As it was, it took me maybe 100 pages to finally feel like I understood everything properly. I will say I like how this fantasy world is very much fantasy and removed from our own planet, but it's also modern and has technology like cars and elevators.
The story picked up after the first half. I have to admit, for maybe the first half of this book or so, I was more interested in Tala and Jimuro's POVs than Xiulan and Lee's, probably because they were doing more travelling than the others. But as soon as they all met up? I was hooked, I tell you. This is a great book with lots of action to keep you interested, but I do feel as though I would need to read it again to fully appreciate the first third or so of it.
The review that got me interested in this book was: "A love letter to adventure anime." And it was so right. This was definitely an adult book (I see it recced as YA a lot, which?), but it brought back a lot of what I loved about watching anime and cartoons as a kid: the larger-than-life characters, the immense magical powers, and the great settings. I'm not the only one to liken it to Avatar: The Last Airbender or Pokemon, but really those are the two most accurate comparisons, and because they are two massive phenomenons that have imprinted themselves on our cultural consciousness, Steel Crow Saga feels like coming home.
Paul Krueger has done such a great job creating a three-dimensional world, heavily inspired by Asia and its various cultures. Each kingdom in this book has a detailed history, with each of them having a detailed language, culture, and type of magical ability. The novel deals a lot with post-war fallout between countries, and how nations can begin to rebuild themselves after being destroyed, and with this theme comes a conversation about international and individual forgiveness. The novel revolved entirely around breaking the cycle of abuse and choosing to be better than ones forebearers, and when our characters include a prince and a soldier, this theme can have resounding consequences. The Asian-inspired fantasy also has a great queer cast, with a f/f romance that is written with so much love its impossible not to root for the unlikely couple.
My only issue with the book is that is feels like its much longer than it needs to be. There are admittedly four different POVs that all need development, but the beginning of the novel feels like it took a really long time to find its footing. Once things got going, it was fine, but you do have to wait for the payoff a little longer than was probably necessary. But the ending is definitely worth it.
Much thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a digital copy of this book.
Paul Krueger has done such a great job creating a three-dimensional world, heavily inspired by Asia and its various cultures. Each kingdom in this book has a detailed history, with each of them having a detailed language, culture, and type of magical ability. The novel deals a lot with post-war fallout between countries, and how nations can begin to rebuild themselves after being destroyed, and with this theme comes a conversation about international and individual forgiveness. The novel revolved entirely around breaking the cycle of abuse and choosing to be better than ones forebearers, and when our characters include a prince and a soldier, this theme can have resounding consequences. The Asian-inspired fantasy also has a great queer cast, with a f/f romance that is written with so much love its impossible not to root for the unlikely couple.
My only issue with the book is that is feels like its much longer than it needs to be. There are admittedly four different POVs that all need development, but the beginning of the novel feels like it took a really long time to find its footing. Once things got going, it was fine, but you do have to wait for the payoff a little longer than was probably necessary. But the ending is definitely worth it.
Much thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a digital copy of this book.
Many thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Very entertaining read! I'm not a fan of Asian or modern-day fantasy but damned if animals flying out of people didn't get me all wrapped up in this world.This thing is filled with great writing and wonderful characters.
Very entertaining read! I'm not a fan of Asian or modern-day fantasy but damned if animals flying out of people didn't get me all wrapped up in this world.This thing is filled with great writing and wonderful characters.
I loved this book so much! The world, the characters all and all the sensory experiences that weave through this story. I closed this book with a smile.
don't you love when you read a gorgeous, immersive, queer, beautifully-written book and want to rate it five stars and then immediately after you finish, you find out the author is a piece of shit accused of harassing multiple women in the publishing industry?
i enjoyed this. i loved the characters the most, and development of the relationships between them. the world-building was really confusing in the beginning but i slowly figured it out.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 stars rounded down. I enjoyed the story and world building but on the whole, it didn’t always draw me in. Maybe a few too many central characters to keep track of, and sometimes the plot points felt forced and off pace.
This was excellent. It was a present from my son, who usually picks books based on the number of animals on the cover. This means his choices can be really hit or miss, but this one was definitely a hit. I can see the influences of Avatar (metal bending) and the shades are reminiscent of Pokémon, but the execution is pretty creative and enjoyable. I liked the characters a lot too.
4.5 stars, only reason it’s not a 5 is the slow start this book has.
But when it gets rolling—hoo boy I felt like a kid watching Avatar: The Last Airbender again.
How is this book not more popular??????
But when it gets rolling—hoo boy I felt like a kid watching Avatar: The Last Airbender again.
How is this book not more popular??????