A review by betharanova
Steel Crow Saga by Paul Krueger

5.0

I finished the book last night and lay there with the book on my chest, staring at the ceiling, for a long time. I couldn't write a review because I was crying.

This was incredible from start to finish. It's so often described as a cross between Pokemon and A:tLA, but it's SO much more than that. This is a beautiful, lovingly crafted world with history and tensions and a genuine feel for each nation. It's obviously Asian-inspired, but the loving detail each character gave their home country made it feel magical.

And the characters! We have a princess working as a detective teaming up with a street-wise thief, and a bitter soldier charged with guarding the enemy prince. Each character was messy; everyone had their shining moments and their hang-ups both. They're heroes; they're young people finding their way in the wake of a war; they're enemies and friends and lovers. It's perfect. Even the big antagonist pulled the full range of emotion out of me.

I don't know what else to say about this book except it's perfect. I literally had a dream about it about three quarters of the way through. Read it and join me in this sea of emotion.