"The Maid and the Crocodile" by Jordan Ifueko, narrated by the incredibly talented Adetinpo Thomas, is a story that effortlessly weaves together themes of found family, self-discovery, and the search for one's place in the world. The audiobook truly shines with Thomas's narration—her voice draws you in, making you feel as though you're right there with the characters, living their experiences.

What I found particularly captivating was how the story balanced deep, thought-provoking questions—like the long-term impact of justice, the process of healing from the past, and the role of ordinary people in a revolution—while still maintaining a gripping and fast-paced narrative. Sade’s journey, with all its complexity and emotional depth, really stole the show for me. Her resilience and growth were beautifully portrayed, making her a character you can’t help but root for.

The love story between the Maid and the Crocodile is both unique and engaging, but it's Sade’s arc that gives the story its heart. Despite the hardships she faces, there’s an underlying sense of hope that permeates the narrative, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there’s light to be found.

Overall, "The Maid and the Crocodile" is a powerful, hopeful tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt out of place or yearned for something more. If you’re looking for a story that combines rich character development with a touch of fantasy and deep, meaningful themes, this is one you won’t want to miss.

This book was so beautiful interwoven within the raybearer series but so lightly that you would hardly notice if haven’t read those books. But I would recommend reading them before starting this book there are some major spoilers for the raybearer and the redemptor. I love how lively the African storytelling jumps of the pages. The way that African culture and (what I think) mythology spat of the pages it makes for an amazing listen.

The only reason this book doesn’t have a higher rating is that the narrator did voices and different accents but that are always deal breakers for me. What was amazing though that the narrator did the whole book with an African accent. I don’t know of that is her normal accent but still excellent casting

This is a mildly dark fairytale from the author of Raybearer. Set in the same world, after the events of the duology we follow a young girl who leaves the orphanage where she was raised and gets pulled into the world of the clay gods as a curse eater. As the story progresses we see that, while having some supernatural gifts, its herself that is the most amazing thing. The Author, Jordan Ifueko, does an amazing job of making sure that we as the audience knows that while having magic is helpful it's not the only thing needed when plotting out a bigger life than the one you were born into.

The Narrator does a really lovely job of bring all the characters to life. Our FMC sings to "activate" her magic and the narrator does an amazing of chanting/signing with the emotion of the scene. She does do different voices for the other characters as well. There is a good flow during the narration as well.

Overall this was a great story and wonderfully told. I don't think you need to have read Raybearer before this but it wouldn't hurt. There were some parts that I was confused over because I didn't have the backstory but there were enough context clues that I wasn't completely lost or brought out of the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Recorded Books for this ALC!

- I knew this would be a 5 star book, and by the end I knew this would be one of my top reads of the year. I cannot stop recommending it because it really is just that good!!
- One important thing to know is that while this book can be read separate from the Raybearer duology, it does have major spoilers for both books! If you are planning to read Raybearer and Redemptor (which I also highly rec), you should read them before this one.
- I am always so impressed by how Jordan Ifueko can write these incredibly deep stories full of these incredibly challenging questions (what does justice look like long term? How can we heal from our past? What place do “normal people” have in a revolution?), while also keeping the story moving.
- I love Howl’s Moving Castle, and this book has done the best job of any with capturing the important, small details from the original (Sade just wanting to be a maid, the Crocodile’s temperamentalness and silly amounts of vanity, Sade being frightened by the Crocodile’s power).
- The way Ifueko writes Sade’s inner monologue, especially with how she internalizes the inn’s Mistress’s manipulations, is so incredibly well done. It’s so hard to watch happen as well.
- The whole concept of silt is so mundane and magical at the same time, and it fits so well into the overall story.

This book made me feel so much I can barely corral my thoughts into coherence.

Racism, classism, found family, disability representation, magic, consent, justice, romance – This book had it all, without sacrificing the world building and depths of characters.

I loved the songs throughout (the narrator actually SINGS!), the nods to Diane Wynn Jones’ work, and the non-Hollywood, yet still happy ending.

I wish we could have seen more of Sabe’s gifts, when they weren’t being misused, but maybe that’ll come in further works.

Thanks to NetGalley, RBMedia, and ABRAMS kids for this incredible ARC.

One of the best YA fantasy books I’ve read! The writing is incredibly captivating with how Sade is telling “you” the story and makes for the perfect audiobook. The weaving of fantastical elements within a society very much still struggling with class divisions between the rich and poor was done very artfully. There is so much to learn here and so much to think about. I was completely enchanted by the animal companion, the found family, and the sweet romance between the Crocodile and Sade. There were moments that also had me raging at the unfairness of the world.

Small Sade accidentally finds herself bound to a powerful God known as the Crocodile. He is known to devour young girls and is surrounded by mystery. Sade also has a gift, she is a Curse Eater. The handsome Crocodile keeps showing up to help Sade, no matter how many times she pushes him away, insisting that their fates are linked. There is also no denying the intense chemistry between the two. Small Sade begins a new job at an inn where the owner uses Sade’s gift to further her own social standing as well as that of her daughters. The Crocodile and Sade share similar beliefs as secrets surface about his past and her gifts are tested.

I loved this well crafted story filled with unique characters. There is a lot more to the story than meets the eye. There is a political and class struggle as well as an underlying romance balanced with the power of self and one’s beliefs. An outstanding read that can be read alone without any knowledge of the previous books in the Raybearer Series. The narration was fantastic—spoken with emotion and well acted, immersive!!

5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The FMC is a disabled teen domestic worker who can change the fate of people by cleaning their houses. Of course, the wealthy exploit her abilities. The FMC meets a god, the crocodile, that is rumored to eat beautiful girls. The crocodile and the maid develop a friendship. Their relationship is sometimes unwanted by the FMC. I couldn't stop thinking about this book! It is beautifully written and performed. It's a cozy fantasy story that has found family, disability representation, and romance.

This is a new to me author and I am so glad I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook. The narrator, Adetinpo Thomas, did a wonderful job bringing the story to life.

4.5 stars rounded up

I'm fully rooting for Small Sade in this book!! It has been awhile since I read the Raybearer duology and therefore took me a bit into the book to remember who some of the side characters are. But what's great about The Maid and the Crocodile is you can read it as a standalone, though I might suggest reading the Raybearer books first if you don't like spoilers.

This was a beautifully written YA fantasy novel following a poor, disabled young woman with a secret magical ability to eat curses. She unwittingly binds herself to the crocodile god who is more than he seems and must decide whether to take her fate into her own hands. Small Sade is a fantastic character who has been through a lot but never lost her spark. And she faces microagressions as well as truly abusive treatment through the course of this book, but I love seeing her path to overcoming it. Disability is handled pretty well and it's never something to be fixed. Which can be a problem in books with magic. And there's a low-key romance plot too! It took me a minute to get into this, but I ended up really loving it. The narration is great and feels like being told a story while creating this atmosphere of a magical version of Africa. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

This book was so sweet and unique and the romance was so beautifully written. The world that Ifueko builds is engrossing and the characters, even the minor ones, are well-developed. As far as the audiobook goes, Thomas' narration is perfect for the setting and I was pleasantly surprised that none of the characters were annoying to listen to. From what I understand, this story is a stand-alone but takes place in a larger universe. I will definitely be looking into more books from this author!

3.5, the narrator for this audiobook is so so great! I loved the different voices and accents and the singing was wonderful, too! That being said, I found it hard to stay engaged with this one. I’m not sure if it’s because I really don’t recall anything of the Raybearer duology or if maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for an audiobook. There were parts of this I really enjoyed, like the found family aspect and Sade as a character, but I was never fully invested. I might try to give it another go in ebook format!

This is perfection.

I absolutely adored this book and found the narrator to be a perfect fit for this wonderful story. Having no prior knowledge of this series, I had no issue jumping into this book as it works well as a standalone.

Truly such a rich and bold story is woven here with amazing lore and emotion that kept me wanting more and more. We’re really guided through such a wonderful story about not only finding who you are but finding your people and your place. Through magic, fantasy, and song we are so immersed that I found myself crying, smiling, and hanging on every word.

Truly such a wonderful book.

This is the third book I've read from this author, and once again, she has knocked it out of the park!!!! I loved going back to this world and immersing myself in the stories of new and old characters. There were so many poignant points in this book and I loved the way the author chose to tell the story through the various characters' choices and inner monolgues. Seeing Small Sade come into her own was a sometimes rough, sometimes funny, but always captivating journey. The Crocodile was so adorable in this story, and I'm glad we got to see more of him. I think it's safe to say that I will be reading anything else this author puts out. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book to add to my collection of books set in the Raybearer world (The cover of the audio book is my favorite so far).
I completely enjoyed the narration of the audio book. The character voices were so easy to distinguish and each felt at home with the individual they represented. I also really loved the singing and found myself humming along. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves a YA / New Adult fantasy books.

Thank you to Netgalley and RBmedia for providing a copying of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.

Y’all. Y’ALL! I just finished __The Maid and the Crocodile__ by Jordan Ifueko and Y’ALL!!!!! It’s set in the same ‘verse as her *Raybearer* series but I can confirm it can be read as a standalone because I haven’t read her debut (BUT I AM GOING TO REMEDY THAT ASAP!). It’s got so much excellent commentary on accessibility and disability - the main character, Small Sade, has a broken foot and uses a cane, and one of the things she talked about was how if houses are supposed to be for everyone, if they have stairs that means she must be no one because she can’t access stairs in the same ways. There’s also lots of commentary on social change and social disparity and the ways you can’t break the system by working within it, you have to disregard it. There’s also such a soft romance and the ending includes ||him building her an elevator so she never has to use stairs again!!!!!!|| and a sweet animal companion (gecko named Climber). Also I strongly recommend the audio if that’s a format that works for you, because how Sade’s cleaning works is when she sings she’s able to see the spirit soot, and the narrator actually does sing!!! Like, seriously, I cannot get over this book and I loved it so much and I now wanna shove it at everyone!!

Five Stars! The Maid and the Crocodile (written by Jordan Ifueko, and narrated by Adetinpo Thomas) was a great listen. I haven’t read the Raybearer books yet, and I don’t believe anyone would need to read them first in order to enjoy The Maid and the Crocodile. The book was very engaging, and I look forward to reading more by this author. I was provided with an advanced audio copy of this book by NetGalley.

THE MAID AND THE CROCODILE, a standalone fantasy set in the same world as Jordan Ifueko’s RAYBEARER, is exactly what I needed in so many ways.

Like her first book, it brings INTENSE FAIRYTALE ENERGY from new angles. You’ll recognize strong shades of both Beauty & the Beast and HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, but in a pseudo-African instead of pseudo-European context, with a huge emphasis on interesting friendships and working class concerns.

Ifueko interrogates the very notion of “changing the world,” with deep looks at how easy it is to SAY everyone is now equal compared to how hard it is to make that WORK in a once heavily stratified society. There’s a lot here about shifting attitudes, whose voices get amplified, and which contexts different people operate within.

Despite the underlying heaviness, it’s also just plain fun. There are witty exchanges between great characters, cool twists on established motifs, and a whole bunch of songs, all of which superstar narrator Adetinpo Thomas performs in the audio edition. I never wanted to turn the book off and I’ll eagerly await Ifueko’s next release.

4.5 stars. Highly recommended.

How lovely it was to be taken back to the Raybearer universe.

The narrator did an incredible job creating an immersive experience, and gracing us with her lovely vocals!

Jordan Ifueko truly has a way with storytelling, and if should wants to continue to write more stories in this universe I will be front and center every time.

The Maid and the Crocodile had me cackling in my car, and locked in when things got tense. This book was just EVERYTHING!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the Audio 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.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this audiobook.

I loved this book! I have recently read the Raybearer and the Redemptor and this book takes you back to this world 9 years later.

The main caracter is Small Shade she is a girl aging out from the orphanage and her short life sodar has not been fortunate.

She has some unique abilities as a cuse and sin eater and these abillitys propell her life forward.

These abilities help her find a much needed domestic position and propelles her into meeting some of the best side caracters from the series.

Its wonderfull to see how these caracters have grown in 9 years and to follow them throughout this story.

Also you will fall in love with the most lovable and naughty gecco.

The narrator brings you right back to this wonderful fantasy world inspired by the authors childhoud nigirian folk and fairytales.

If this world speaks to you, i would advise to read the Raybearer's series first. Sinds this book is 9 years later and has caracters of that series it does reveal a lot of the plot from that series.

5 stars
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I’m absolutely struggling to find the words to describe how much I absolutely adored this book. Oh, how I missed this world.

Raybearer was one of my top reads of 2021 and revisiting the world was everything I never knew I needed. I loved the incorporation of our beloved characters, but I appreciated how unique this story truly was. The writing was just as wonderful here as Ifueko’s other books are. The prose is well done and I love the ability to build such a vivid world with its own myths and rules without the reader feeling confused or lost. This is world building as it should be. The pacing was perfect and I was sucked in quickly and held there. I devoured this book in a day. I couldn’t stop reading. I loved the plot and the uniqueness of the mythology used. I cannot adequately find words to describe it.

The characters are is well written and fleshed out. I spent the book cheering Sade on and loved the Crocodile’s backstory and how it shapes who he is as a character. The establishing of this found family in our side characters is well done, as always. The disability representation was well handled and I appreciate the authors use of sensitivity readers to accurately portray Sade. The romance is a good slow burn.

The voice of the narrator was absolutely enchanting. I’m so happy I requested the audio book because this narration made the book. The individual voices, the singing of the songs. Engrossing doesn’t even fully describe it.

While it works as a standalone, I would always recommend the duopoly first, as this definitely highlights events of those books.