Let's be honest, I'm more of an animal person than a people person so I knew I wanted to read this book right away. The character development here is amazing! I loved each character and I really felt that I could bond with them. Speaking of bonding, this book really makes you feel so many emotions. Overall, this was an amazing read! I had heard some things about the book but I am always careful to fall into that hyped book trap. This is not a mistake!! Go read this book because you will love it, especially if you are like me and enjoyed the anime vibes!

STEEL CROW SAGA is a significant departure from my last Paul Krueger read (2016's enjoyable urban fantasy entry LAST CALL AT THE NIGHTSHADE LOUNGE), but one I enjoyed immensely. A thoroughly enjoyable fantasy ride from start to finish, with lots to love for fans of a number of fantastical media properties (I found the nods to Pokemon especially delightful).

This was a fun read with a lot of heart.

I follow the author on Twitter and was amused but not surprised to hear that the book was being described as a grown up remix of Pokemon and Avatar: The Last Airbender. And the book really lived up to it, not only with the magic gimmicks, but with the worldbuilding, for which there is only one appropriate word: rich.

Where the story did fall down a bit for me was in pacing - especially during the middle in a character POV I was less interested in (ie, anyone who was not Xiulan) - I felt like we were having to move an awful lot to not get very far. It also sometimes felt like there was just a whole lot for one book.

But the themes of trauma and healing, of forgiveness and empathy, and prejudice, of loss and finding family really gave the story an unexpected punch, especially when it all came together at the end.

And I just want to add how very much I enjoyed the running gag about Bai Junjie, and, really, just everything about Xiulan and her romance (that's some prime f/f shipping material and it's CANON). She is the small-whiny-sibling-out-to-prove-themself of MY HEART.

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! It first intrigued me because there are Asian characters. But the book also has LGBT characters as well! It's set in the aftermath of a revolution.

My absolute favorite thing about this book has to be the characters though. They were written so realistically and they develop throughout the book as well. They all have a distinct personality and a clear motive but they were all flawed and fascinating. All of the characters have layers to them as well and seeing them develop as the plot progresses was like another plotline.

The worldbuilding in the book is phenomenal as well. There are magic elements in it but there's also stuff about the complex political situation in the universe. The author weaves a stunning world along with complex characters and a series of plots and tropes that will take the reader on a fulfilling journey. I'd recommend this book to any reader!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love fantasy, so I read a lot of it, and I really appreciated how unique this book felt. There is technology in the world - guns, trains, etc., but it's not steampunk. There is magic - and I loved the bonded animals especially (of course) although the other types of magic were also interesting. There are politics - and I thought that was well-done because I wasn't sure really who to root for - all of our main characters are quite personable, and have valid agendas. The different viewpoints and plotlines came together nicely, and it was a hard book to put down.

This book is so good, I am just sitting here quietly crying after just finishing it, sad because it is over and I don’t have more pages with these characters. THESE LOVABLE FOOLS.

Tl;dr: THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS IN A YEAR FULL OF BEST BOOKS AND I WANT ONE MILLION MORE BOOKS SET IN THIS WORLD. BRING BACK MY CINNAMON ROLLS.

full review in link below

Good Reads Description:

Four destinies collide in a unique fantasy world of war and wonders, where empire is won with enchanted steel and magical animal companions fight alongside their masters in battle.

A soldier with a curse
Tala lost her family to the empress’s army and has spent her life avenging them in battle. But the empress’s crimes don’t haunt her half as much as the crimes Tala has committed against the laws of magic… and her own flesh and blood.

A prince with a debt
Jimuro has inherited the ashes of an empire. Now that the revolution has brought down his kingdom, he must depend on Tala to bring him home safe. But it was his army who murdered her family. Now Tala will be his redemption—or his downfall.

A detective with a grudge
Xiulan is an eccentric, pipe-smoking detective who can solve any mystery—but the biggest mystery of all is her true identity. She’s a princess in disguise, and she plans to secure her throne by presenting her father with the ultimate prize: the world’s most wanted prince.

A thief with a broken heart
Lee is a small-time criminal who lives by only one law: Leave them before they leave you. But when Princess Xiulan asks her to be her partner in crime—and offers her a magical animal companion as a reward—she can’t say no, and soon finds she doesn’t want to leave the princess behind.

This band of rogues and royals should all be enemies, but they unite for a common purpose: to defeat an unstoppable killer who defies the laws of magic. In this battle, they will forge unexpected bonds of friendship and love that will change their lives—and begin to change the world.

I stumbled while reading this one… I picked it up and put it down several times over the last few months.

Why, and what kept me reading?

The main reason is that I’m intimidated by page counts, especially when I get stalled in the first 100 pages… I got to about page 150 and the world hadn’t been fleshed out enough for me. I started to play the page-count head game. If this book slows down 1/4 of the way in, what’s the rest going to be like? I usually can hang on if I’m on the downhill side of 50%… I really need to feel grounded in the books that I read and the overall conflicts were not explained until Chapter 9. And it didn’t help that I’d just gone back-to back with two huge fantasy novels.
While the 4 countries themselves weren’t defined to my liking, the characters were excellent. This is what kept me reading. They are very different from each other in allegiance and personality… Tala, Jimuro, Lee, and Xiulian: soldier, prince, thief, detective (of sorts)… all connected to different levels of power within political makeup of the world. This allowed me to see the conflict arise from several points of view.
Shadepacting: I was never into Pokemon, but all descriptions of this book relate that the magic system is similar. The characters possess a shade or animal spirit that has been attached to their soul or being. This can help them fight or do a host of other actions to help them out in their quests. I liked it and felt that it was a perfect way of developing the character’s personalities even more than normal characterization.
Not only do the characters cut across country and socio-economic background, they represent many different sexualities that are completely normalized. This adds a good layer to the already deep appreciation that I have for this character building. Moral compasses spinning like tops, and a bit of romance thrown in… it’s an exciting challenge to the reader to figure which way Krueger will go next.
Overall, this was a book that I may have picked up at the wrong time… but there were things that kept me reading even if my mood wasn’t exactly with it.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and the author for an advanced copy for review.

I posted the below 3-star review to Every Day Should Be Tuesday, Amazon, and Goodreads on 10/22/19:

I almost bailed early on Steel Crow Saga. It didn’t wind up blowing on me, but it did grow on me. I’m glad I didn’t bail.

Steel Crow Saga is sort of a secondary world, fantasy version of the Asia theater of WWII. An awkward, info dumpy prologue threw me off a bit. The prologue is set in the middle of fantasy Philippines’ (the Sanbu Islands) occupation by fantasy Imperial Japan (Tomoda). By the time the first chapter opens, Sambuna and the other occupied countries have thrown off their Tomodanese shackles and are figuring out what the new world order will look like. Much of the information dumped in the prologue, then, isn’t relevant, and much less information is given in the first chapter. It becomes apparent later why Krueger did what he did, but I still have to think that it could have been done in a better way.

Steel Crow Saga alternates among four POVs. One a Sambuna soldier, one the crown prince of Tomoda, one a Shang (China) princess and detective, and another a Jeongson (China-dominated Korea) criminal turned the detective’s partner. This is a choice that really benefits the book. A pair of characters are together at almost every time (with more coming together and some switching toward the end). Switching back and forth between the POVs of characters who spend so much time together really makes you care about them and the relationships between them.

Another move that works is setting the story in the aftermath of the war. It allows for a very solid plot and works thematically. I said above that the relationships are a selling point, but it takes real work to get there. Early on, ethnic strife gives a sharp edge to interactions (as will continue to be the case with almost every other character). It isn’t that this is unrealistic . . . well, actually, it is. If bigotry so reliably caused people to act against their interest it wouldn’t be so insidious.

I found the worldbuilding a little undercooked as well. It lines up fairly evenly with Asia. The Tomodonanese have power over metal, most of the other peoples can link there soul with an animal who will then serve as their “shade.” There are conceptual issues with ethnic powers, but Krueger does something quite interesting with that. I have said before that Imperial Japan is underused as a villainous power. Their fantasy analog’s treatment here is surprisingly friendly. That is perhaps no surprise, though, for a forward-looking book written today. Japan may have been nastier than China at the time, but there is no question who has the nastiest regime today.

Disclosure: I received an advance copy of Steel Crow Saga from the publisher.

I love it when I am surprised by how much I loved a book that I knew fairly little about. Such is the case with “ Steel Crow Saga” by Paul Krueger. The world building, the characters, the magic, the romance! Ah! I absolutely adored and enjoyed this book so much. Yay for representation in books! I loved the diversity. Beyond all of this is a darn good storyline that left me wanting more!

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Steel Crow Saga is thrilling adventure centering on four compelling leads set in an immersive alternate world. The character dynamics are fun and engaging, the plot is suspenseful and action-packed, and the magic system is unique and intriguing. The idea of having a shade is super cool, and I like that consent was explicitly built into the magical bond between human and animal.

If there was ever an homage to anime, this book is it, as it draws inspiration from Pokemon, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Avatar: The Last Airbender, if not other animated series. There was one small but blatant allusion to Fullmetal Alchemist that really had me going "I see what you did there." There's something very satisfying in reading a book where you feel like the author wrote it for people like you with a wink and a nudge.

Thematically, the story deals with colonization, its effects, and the process of reparations, and it was refreshing to see these important issues addressed directly since a lot of high fantasy elides critique of empire and even romanticizes it. I also appreciate how the worldbuilding engaged with the history of East Asian imperialism through alternate versions of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Filipino cultures.

Last but not least, I just wanted to say that I loved how very unapologetically Asian the book is, centering Asian characters and cultures and treating them as normal instead of the exotic Other. We need more books like this in the world.

Despite how long it took me to read this, this was definitely my favorite book of the month. This quartet of big dumb chaotic idiots are some of my new favorite characters, the world was amazing, the plot was anime as fuck, and I just love it with my whole heart and soul. It tugged at my heart, it has SO MUCH GOOD REP, it’s a commentary on colonialism, it’s Pokemon, it’s Avatar, it’s Fullmetal Alchemist, it has an amazing sibling bond, seriously WHAT ELSE DOES A PAIGE WANT? Nothing.

Easily the best book of the month, and one of the best so far this year. Four people from different walks of life; a princess turned detective, a prince on his way back to the crown, a thief and a soldier all collide in this book. Set in a world where each nation has a type of pacting magic and in an uneasy peace after a long war, the main characters have a major role and could keep the war gone or plunge all of them back into fighting. What I really enjoyed about this book is the characters. They seemed like real people, who make mistakes and grow as their worldview changes. The relationships between them is also a driving force throughout the plot. The only fault I can think of for this book is that it seemed to move too fast. As in, I think the whole book was complete in a week. A lot of heavy stuff happens, and while I think people can obviously grow and learn, maybe not quite that fast. And maybe I just didn’t pick up on how the time was flowing, but it was quickly, thats for sure.

Genre-bending and adventurous, Steel Crow Saga follows four characters as they struggle with war and royalty and magic. Wildly imaginative, with each character individual enough to warrant their very own novels, the political discord and magic system took my breath away! I highly recommend this novel for fans of high fantasy!

A special thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I need the sequel now! Pierce Brown recommending it was enough for me to want to read it. I love the tough topics Krueger tackled in it and the different kinds of relationships present.

I don't exactly know how to review this book because I wanted so badly to love this one but I couldn't fully get into it. There was nothing wrong with the writing or the story, it just didn't click for me. I think people who enjoy Pokémon and other anime will really love this story but I guess i just liked it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Steel Crow Saga
By: Paul Krueger

*REVIEW* 🌟🌟🌟
I've been on a run lately of okay books, but nothing I really love. Steel Crow Saga is yet another in this pile. Actually, if I had read that it was like Pokemon meets Airbender beforehand, I never would have requested it. That's not my thing at all. I could not connect with this story or the characters. It's long winded and too introspective with numerous characters to keep track of everywhere. There is a large audience, I know, for this exact type of story, and I do believe it will be wildly successful with those readers. I'm the wrong audience, however, and I found the whole thing flat.

This book had me right from the start.

I loved the world created here. The cultures are great. The characters are the best part in my opinion. Well, that and the magic system. I really loved the shade pacting.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I'm a big fan. I look forward to more by Paul Krueger, especially this series.

When I say this book is unlike any I've ever read, I really, really, really quite mean it.

In an alternate post-WWII Asian world, where people can pact with animals and elements ala Pokemon and Avatar: The Legend of Aang, respectively, four people from different countries (each with agendas contracting each other) are thrown into an adventure that delves deeper than what they imagine. Though to be fair, they're not that stupid but the possibility was too low and yet... there they are.

The worldbuilding was unique and intriguing and yet was able to remain straightforward. I guess it helped that it is real world, but still: it deviated from the typical (and gross) Asian stereotypes present in most books. I was surprised to learn that Paul Krueger has one other published book under his belt- quite surprised to be honest. It's not a flaw, but usually for people to achieve this kind of worldbuilding, they have to be under so much weight of critics and experience but here we are.

I'm only sad that this book seems underrated, and maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, people don't know what they are missing.

An interesting start...

There are some who will absolutely love this fantasy. Sadly, I am not one of them. And while I appreciate the tribute to the multitudes of Asian culture, something felt missing to me.

Steel Crow Saga by Paul Krueger
Steel Crow Saga by Paul Krueger is a standalone Asian-inspired epic fantasy with ever-present but well-conceived worldbuilding. It is also a rare commodity: a 500+ page pageturner. If any of these things appeal to you, you’ll definitely want to pick this up.

What is Steel Crow Saga About?
Paul Krueger - Steel Crow SagaSteel Crow Saga follows four characters. Lee is a thief who starts the book on the way to the executioner after a betrayal. Fortuitously, Xiulan, detective and 28th princess of Shang, sees potential in her. Xiulan recruits Lee to help her find the crown prince of Tomoda, so Xiulan can gain favor from her father. Jimuro is the young crown prince of the fallen Tomoda empire, returning home after imprisonment in Sanbuna. Tala is a Sanbuna soldier who lost everything to the Tomoda empire, charged with protecting Jimuro. Jimuro and Tala’s journey suddenly becomes a lot harder than they expect when a mysterious figure attacks. This book has a lot of twists and turns, along with a lot of action.

The elevator pitch for this book is Avatar: The Last Airbender meets Pokemon. If you’ve seen Avatar: The Last Airbender (not the movie! never the movie!), its influence is obvious in a facile sort of way from the above description (heir tries to get human prize to gain favor). Shang and Sanbuna people traditionally pact with animals, where the pactmaker asks what they can do for their new partner. If the two sides agree, this process turns the animal into a “shade” and makes them stronger than they would naturally be. After they pact, the pair try to be the very best (in combat and other pursuits). As a reader, this is very cool.

Tomodans believe this practice to be horrendous; they see the shades as slaves unable to consent to shadepacting. They are not without entirely without magic; Tomodans are able to metalpact (like steelbending, which influences the world in interesting ways). Their need for steel fueled their empire. Gee, I wonder if the impact of empires is relevant here…

Themes! Not Just for Eighth Grade Book Reports!
Even though they are written in two completely different styles, it would be interesting to pair The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow with Steel Crow Saga. Both books are virulently anti-colonialist (both books are also part of the Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers program). The former (which I reviewed earlier this month) is fairly allegorical: it does not literally depict a colonialist country committing wrongs. The latter is literal: Tomoda’s colonialist actions have harmed Tomoda and its colonies, whether Tomodans recognize it or not. The war that brought Tomoda down has not fixed things either; now Shang is the country closest to the top. Almost every scene is impacted by colonialism and the characters’ cultural differences. Xiulan and Jimuro need to learn how to make amends.

Cooperation is also a big theme in Steel Crow Saga. Apart from the shadepacting tradition described above, emphasis on the importance of teamwork can be seen in the character teams. Lee considers loyalty to herself more important than loyalty to others, including Xiulan. To succeed, Lee has to get comfortable with having a partner. Tala hates Jimuro and Jimuro thinks that Tala is barbaric, but adversity forces them into a team. If they don’t work together, it’s likely one or the other won’t survive. Steel Crow Saga believes that solutions are found through peaceful cooperation.

Conclusion: Steel Crow Saga Is Worth Your Time
I really enjoyed this book. Once I got about 30% through, I did not put my Kindle down, even though I had planned to stop and work on something else. What can I say? Long pageturners with strong themes are my aesthetic. If someone isn’t really an epic fantasy reader, they may find a good entry point in Steel Crow Saga. I hope Paul Krueger finds a story with which to return to this universe sometime soon.

I received this title from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Are you going to pick up Steel Crow Saga? Talk about it with us on social media!

Review posted 26 September 2019