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lesserjoke 's review for:
Steel Crow Saga
by Paul Krueger
This incredible anime-inspired fantasy novel is a breath of fresh air for the genre and a pure delight from page one, with a Sandersonian magic system that features metalbending alongside giant daemons that can be summoned to fight like Pokémon. The characters are clever and full of surprising depths, and I admire the structural plotting that first pairs them off and then organically regroups them around the midpoint of the story, allowing different facets to emerge as personalities inevitably clash.
The narrative is light on sinister forces threatening the world and more focused on postcolonial efforts to define the new normal after a time of subjugation and war. Even the most villainous figures are revealed as complex and acting from a place of hurt, and I like how everyone's pain is taken seriously without ever tipping over into melodramatic angst. I also love the diversity on display -- which includes bisexual and lesbian protagonists and gay and transgender representation in the supporting cast -- as well as how neatly those elements have been incorporated into the worldbuilding.
The fictional cultures are well-drawn and reminiscent of various Asian nations, marking this as an #ownvoices project from Filipino-American author Paul Krueger. And have I mentioned just how entertaining it all is? Nearly every scene crackles with hilarious dialogue, character-driven drama, and the occasional cinematic action sequence. In a publishing landscape filled with familiar tropes and easy shortcuts, Steel Crow Saga stands out by just about any measure.
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
The narrative is light on sinister forces threatening the world and more focused on postcolonial efforts to define the new normal after a time of subjugation and war. Even the most villainous figures are revealed as complex and acting from a place of hurt, and I like how everyone's pain is taken seriously without ever tipping over into melodramatic angst. I also love the diversity on display -- which includes bisexual and lesbian protagonists and gay and transgender representation in the supporting cast -- as well as how neatly those elements have been incorporated into the worldbuilding.
The fictional cultures are well-drawn and reminiscent of various Asian nations, marking this as an #ownvoices project from Filipino-American author Paul Krueger. And have I mentioned just how entertaining it all is? Nearly every scene crackles with hilarious dialogue, character-driven drama, and the occasional cinematic action sequence. In a publishing landscape filled with familiar tropes and easy shortcuts, Steel Crow Saga stands out by just about any measure.
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter