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A review by nclcaitlin
The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko
4.0
A warmhearted fantasy set in the mystical world of Oluwan City.
Small Sade needs a job Small Sade, on orphan searching for work with her speckled skin and misshapen feet, has been fending off spirits since the day she was born.
Sade finds work as a maid and Curse-Eater in a swanky inn, altering people's fates by cleaning negative spirits.
Only, Sade also attracts the attention of the Crocodile god known for devouring girls. Now soul-bonded with a god who is not as he seems, Sade must manage her mistress’s heavy expectations and the curse that is turning the Crocodile into a beast.
Told in the second person to a ‘You’, this makes the narrative mirror the story teller-like quality as a folk tale full of warning and moral.
The second person narrative never confused or detracted from the plot, and actually added to it, especially when you find out who ‘You’ is if you hadn’t guessed it already.
I had lived in between names, changing shape like mashed fufu in a pot, forced to fit whatever crevice they jammed me in.
Sade is a strong character, and despite being a nobody, a commoner, a cleaner, she takes pride in what she does and enjoys being around those of her class and carrying out tasks others would deem as menial.
This is a powerful story about choosing your future, making yourself be heard, and staying resilient.
Definitely read the author’s note afterwards - not only was it fascinating, it also added a lot of personal context to the story!
“I am beginning to think," I said, "that standing tall is less useful than standing together…. What if there is nothing wrong with being an ant?" I wondered aloud. What if together, we could be stronger than any giant?"
You don’t have to have read the Raybearer duology to understand this book, but it would add to your knowledge, depth, and history of the world as this is set ten years after.
It’s a treat for readers who want to know what happened after the duology and what changes were made and where our characters ended up.
Thank you to Hot Key Books for providing me with an arc!
Small Sade needs a job Small Sade, on orphan searching for work with her speckled skin and misshapen feet, has been fending off spirits since the day she was born.
Sade finds work as a maid and Curse-Eater in a swanky inn, altering people's fates by cleaning negative spirits.
Only, Sade also attracts the attention of the Crocodile god known for devouring girls. Now soul-bonded with a god who is not as he seems, Sade must manage her mistress’s heavy expectations and the curse that is turning the Crocodile into a beast.
Told in the second person to a ‘You’, this makes the narrative mirror the story teller-like quality as a folk tale full of warning and moral.
The second person narrative never confused or detracted from the plot, and actually added to it, especially when you find out who ‘You’ is if you hadn’t guessed it already.
I had lived in between names, changing shape like mashed fufu in a pot, forced to fit whatever crevice they jammed me in.
Sade is a strong character, and despite being a nobody, a commoner, a cleaner, she takes pride in what she does and enjoys being around those of her class and carrying out tasks others would deem as menial.
This is a powerful story about choosing your future, making yourself be heard, and staying resilient.
Definitely read the author’s note afterwards - not only was it fascinating, it also added a lot of personal context to the story!
“I am beginning to think," I said, "that standing tall is less useful than standing together…. What if there is nothing wrong with being an ant?" I wondered aloud. What if together, we could be stronger than any giant?"
You don’t have to have read the Raybearer duology to understand this book, but it would add to your knowledge, depth, and history of the world as this is set ten years after.
It’s a treat for readers who want to know what happened after the duology and what changes were made and where our characters ended up.
Thank you to Hot Key Books for providing me with an arc!