I swear I wrote a review of this but it seems to have disappeared! The Maid and the Crocodile is an African inspired fantasy with a strong romantic subplot following a poor, disabled orphan girl with a secret ability to break curses. She becomes entangled with the crocodile god and a wealthy woman who wants to use her for her power.

This is a fantastic companion to the Raybearer series. You don't necessarily need to have read that duology to pick this up, but it does spoil elements of the ending. I loved this and Sade is such a nuanced and well-developed heroine that you want to root for. Definitely worth reading!

The publisher described this as a warmhearted fantasy, and I'll have to agree. While bad things happen, because that's just what life is like, and Sade has had an especially tough life so far, it felt so hopeful overall. It's a much more quiet book than Raybearer and Redemptor, with a smaller scope, but that doesn't make it less important. It's a story of self-worth and of learning how you can impact your own life and even the world around you, even if you think you're just one small person. Jordan Ifueko's writing was once again gorgeous. I think the comp to Howl's Moving Castle really holds up, but in a way that really fits the world of Raybearer.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5/5 stars

A powerful story of ants raising against their giants and the power of choice. A reminder that how you look or dress does not determine your power or your influence or your value - but your impression of yourself most certainly can. A beautiful story of changing how you see yourself, and how doing so can help you change the world.

Jordan Ifueko has a unique talent for writing stories that touch your heart and soul, hit on relevant issues, make you smile and laugh...while creating a magical yet almost real world that makes it feel fantastical yet approachable and timeless. Did that make any sense? Probably not to anyone else...but that's why she's the author and I am not.

But seriously, the Raybearer duology is a personal favorite of mine so getting the opportunity to return to that world excited me - and Ifueko did not disappoint. It's so rare you get to see the impact of the heroes after a series, and this book did that and more. It hit on issues relevant to both a world of fantasy and the world we live in beautifully and with respect, but also without shying away from how critical it is that we all stay informed, engaged, and that we challenge the status quo to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live the life they want.

I encourage everyone, regardless of your age, to read this book (and the Raybearer duology!). It's YA, but it hits on critical topics to our society and features beautiful writing and storytelling that will capture the heart and mind of readers of all ages.

After reading this I must find time to read Raybearer and Redememptor. I know shame on me for not having read them yet but wow after reading this book I can completely see why the duology is so coveted. The way Jordan is able to create such an immerse world. You cant help but attach to the characters in every way.Wow my mind is blown and I will definitely read this again. Wow.

I had been waiting for another novel in the Raybearer universe for years, and The Maid and the Crocodile didn't let me down! I really loved getting to see more about the world than we saw in Raybearer. Sade is a poor maid, living in an opposite situation than Tarisai in Raybearer. I also liked the similarities to Howl's Moving Castle! This is definitely more of a romantasy than the Raybearer duology.

I may be mostly over YA fantasy, but when it's as fresh and inventive and interesting as Jordan Ifueko's writing is, I remember why it was my go-to genre for so long. I was delighted to spend time with a new character in the world of Raybearer, and I hope Ifueko continues to explore this fascinating world that she's created. Small Sade is trying to get a job as a maid in the city of Oluwan when she accidentally binds herself to a god known as Crocodile. Sade tries to ignore their entwined fates and gets a job as a cleaner and curse eater at an inn. This book contains a lovely found family, a sweet romance, and interesting magical happenings, with strong themes of self-determination and a great sense of life. Thank you to NetGalley and ABRAMS | Amulet Books for a digital review copy.

Welcome to the Balogun Inn, where the newest maid can clean much more than your room…

Small Sade has just aged out of the orphanage, but managed to land a job without having to spend a night on the street. It was a very eventful day, because she also managed to accidentally bind herself to a mysterious god known only as the Crocodile. As Small Sade struggles with the balancing act of a new job & random disguised drop-ins from the Crocodile, she’ll begin using her Curse Eating abilities for her employer; this ultimately leads her to question her place in the city of Oluwan, & who she really wants to be…

I love that this book is set in Aritsar & has characters from Raybearer in it, but is a standalone novel! Small Sade is a complex young woman dealing with being different in several ways; as her backstory was revealed bit by bit, she was also contemplating issues related to the social class structure of the capital city. There’s even more to the magic of this world than was previously described in the two Raybearer books (Curse Eating, what spirit silt is), & I was moved by the continuing revolutionary themes. Things like taking pride in honest work, bettering your community, & learning not to limit yourself were also woven into this extraordinary story.

Thank you very much to NetGalley & The Abrams Books Team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review - I can’t wait for this author’s next book!

Yo, this straight up slaps.

That's it; that's the review.

I have spent the whole day gleefully quoting this to my partner, rallying my friends to add this to their TBRs, sharing in righteous indignation at societies and their imbalance of power, and kicking my lil feet at how stinkin' cute this man is.

The world of Raybearer:
First things first, I know this is billed as a standalone Romantasy in the Raybearer universe but it's important to know that this will spoil and explain some pretty major reveals from both Raybearer and Redemptor; if you have any intention of going into those without being spoiled, I would read them before this one.

But it would abso-freaking-lutely be remiss to not read The Maid and the Crocodile once you're done. Criminal, honestly. I love the well-fleshed out world-building that Ifueko has achieved here. There's attention to detail and thought put into the ramifications of subtle changes, a rich well of West African inspirations, and so much heart. I'll be reading anything she chooses to publish in the Raybearer universe, no questions asked.

Elevator Pitch:
I would pitch this as a West African version of Ten Thousand Stitches with a healthy dose of rage from Those Beyond the Wall and a strong emphasis on disabilities and fitting into a world not made with you in mind. It's definitely got that balanced mix of wholesome romance and eat-the-rich fury that I loved so much in the Regency Faerie Tales.

Characters:
Most books don't have characters that capture my imagination-- they don't feel real to me, I can barely remember their names while reading (let alone a week later), and they just overall don't leave a big impact or lasting impression. But my picky ass was well-satisfied here. Aside from a few smaller characters who get less screentime due to the constraints of page count and a streamlined story, all the characters are very big and colorful and real to me. Within the first page of each of their introductions I could fully imagine each of them-- that's such a rare talent!

Even the animal companions? Clemeh! My precious child who must be protected at all costs. [insert cuteness-induced screaming here]

Overall:
This is going in my best of 2024 list, no doubt.

I absolutely am obsessed with this book. I love the world and characters so much. It was so wonderful to return to Aritsar and to see another side to life there. This book contains such depth of themes about both societal issues and personal struggles. It’s absolutely genius and I’m going to be shouting from the rooftops about it until it comes out and then after.