Hands down - this book is most definitely going to be amongst my best reads of this year.

I read Raybearer during a really bad period of my life, and Ifueko's fantastic worldbuilding, vivid characters, and beautiful writing casted a small but bright light into my world. When I saw that Ifueko was writing a companion novel, to say I was ecstatic would be an understatement.

This book wasn't just what I hoped; it was so much more than that.

Sade is such an fantastic lead. So different than Tarisai, but that's a good thing. She's melded her mindset to be smaller, lesser than the nobles she serves because that is what they believe. And yet, she still has so much fire in her, her anger pointed towards the injustice in her society, at the privileged who confine her under her boot and at the god who constantly tries to tell her she's not. I just wanted to give this girl a hug the whole book - she deserved the whole world, and though I won't spoiler if she does, let's just say I'm so happy where the story ends for her.

Even with Sade, the side characters are just as colorful and full to the brim with personality. I loved her relationship with the Crocodile, which was filled with sweet moments as well as lots of banter (i.e., Sade berating him for being useless. It's great). There's numerous other characters, too, who have their moments to shine, including some characters from Raybearer (Sade often refers to a 'you' throughout the story, and I didn't figure out til the reveal that it was actually referring to a specific character. I genuinely didn't it coming, but it was such a delightful surprise that I don't wanna say it here, even with the spoilers tag.)

Speaking of which, I think I can confirm you don't have to have read the first series to understand and love this story. It's been a while since I read those books, so I remembered worldbuilding and story details easily whenever they were brought up in the story, but I still believe they still hold up so well without knowing that. Ifueko's writing is that strong, her world so fleshed out it could stand on its own. It's a feat not easily made, and I cannot help but admire Ifueko endlessly for that.

All in all, read this book. It's incredible, Sade is amazing, and I need people to give it the love and attention it deserves.

I adored everything about this from the plot to the characters to the phenomenal world building. I can't recommend this enough!

{AD} I've been in a reading slump for months now but this book had me reading as often as possible over the last 12 hours just to finish it. I'm a huge fan of [book:Raybearer|50158128] and [book:Redemptor|55624056] and THE MAID AND THE CROCODILE is set in the same world. It even features some of the same characters but can also be read as a standalone. I'd definitely recommend reading the duology if you haven't thought as it's incredible.

Sade is such a compelling and powerful protagonist. Her struggles and hopes are those the majority experience rather than the elite minority. Her journey is at the centre of this story, learning to take up space in a world that wants to grind her down. The Crocodile is a very fun character and I loved his playful dynamic with Sade. His journey also explores identity and belonging, but almost in the opposite direction to Sade.

Honestly, I just loved this from beginning to end. The prose was engaging, the characters compelling, and the plot kept me turning the pages. Definitely one to pre-order!

as a lover of the raybearer duology, i ate this up. the way that jordan ifueko immerses you in her world is incredible and i loved that this book enabled us to see it from the perspective of commoners, who lack the insane privilege of the characters in the original duology.

this fantasy world is gorgeously infused with west-african folklore/ mythology and truly seeks to enlighten each of your senses; i don’t think i could ever tire of the raybearer universe and would genuinely read ifueko’s shopping lists.

it is a beautiful thing to see characters who are unique in their disadvantages in their fantasy world, yet relatable in their struggles to readers. ifueko explores sade’s injury (and resulting disability) and her vitiligo with such tenderness. the writer portrays so many people’s real world issues through the characters in this novel yet it doesn’t feel as though the narrative is driven down by the theme of struggle; i also love that in the author’s note we are led to further research.

one thing about ifueko is she KNOWS how to write a good found family. i loved how sade interacted with each of the other amenities- a very cute name also - i wish that the inn was a real place because it felt incredibly real to me.

the perspective in which this was written is ingenious, and the reveal of who sade addresses with her story at the end is simply amazing. ifueko transports you into the most beautiful story of struggle and triumph through captivating narration.

~ thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review ~

Jordan Ifueko has done it again! This book is set in the same universe as the books 'Raybearer' and 'Redemptor' but told from the totally unique perspective of Small Sade, a disabled woman trying to survive and make a living as a maid. This is a story of love, family, magic and animals but also inequality and power struggles. One of the things I love about this book is it really tactfully shows how even when wealthy individuals try and improve society as they do not see the perspective of the least in their society it often doesn't meet their needs.

I absolutely devoured this book in two days and loved every second of it. It shows how even how well meaning people can hurt those they love and the consequences of this. Sade is such a great character who grows throughout the story and I loved every second of it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books for the ARC!

This book is set in the world of the raybearer duology and features one of my favourite characters from redemptor, so obviously I loved it. Please bear in mind this is a standalone so you do not have to have read the series before this (though you absolutely should!)

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley.

An absolutely delightful novel from a wonderful author. I was so excited to revisit the world of Raybearer! The author has clearly stated her inspiration for this novel is Howl’s Moving Cast’e and I think she did an excellent job of paying homage to that book whilst creating an original story. If your familiar with Howl’s Moving Castle you’ll recognise references from that book, but done in a respectful yet original way.

This is such a beautiful, vibrant and charming book about a girl who has faced many challenges and is about to face her greatest one yet as she starts to be stalked by a god! Small Sade uses her powerful voice and sight to clear curses from others. The descriptions of the way different negative emotions manifest for her and how she deals with cleaning them were so creative!

Fans of Raybearer and Redemptor will be delighted to recognise characters from those books but with a brand new main character who is brave, kind and charming.

This author is an auto buy for me! What a wonderful imagination and writing style!