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I don't consider myself #ownvoices for this book because the main character is Filipino-American, but I want to recognize that majority of this story is set in the Philippines - specifically, Quezon City, where I stayed for nearly seven years. So I will be commenting on how the setting is portrayed.
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I remember that phrase - those who don't study history are doomed to repeat it, or something. But what if there's nothing about you in the history you study? What if what you've done is so off-the-charts bad, nothing you studied could have warned you or prepared you to avoid it?
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Initial thoughts:
Edit (as of 22 June 2020):
In line with my statement regarding the harassment allegations involving Paul Krueger, I am rescinding my support of Steel Crow Saga and the rest of his books. I have removed my rating accordingly, and I no longer recommend this book.
_______________________________
Note: I am an #ownvoices reviewer for the Filipino representation in this book.
ASIAN-CODED FANTASY WORLD THAT’S MAGICALLY SOULFUL (PUN INTENDED) & INCREDIBLY NUANCED
I am not exaggerating when I say that, in less than 10 pages, I immediately noticed that Steel Crow Saga directly pulls from Filipino culture (which was an extremely delightful surprise on my part as a Filipino). I am also not exaggerating when I say that, in less than 10 pages, I effortlessly fell in love with the world-building and all its wonderfully rich nuances. Specifically, within a world that’s quite reminiscent of our 1920s to 1930s era (wherein technology like cars, telephones, and radio exist), there are five nations — all of which are either loosely or heavily inspired by existing Asian cultures.
• Tomodanese (from Tomoda) – Coded after the Japanese.
• Sanbunas (from Sanbu Islands, which is later renamed as Republic of Sanbu) – Coded after Filipinos.
• Shang (from the Kingdom of Shang) – Coded after the Chinese.
• Jeongsonese (from Jeongson, which is a vassal state of Shang) – Coded after the Koreans.
• Dahali (from Dahal) – Coded after South Asians.
While there is certainly a generous sense of realism in its world-building, it also provokes tugs of heartwarming nostalgia. With strong vibes of Avatar: Legend of Korra (think about its setting and atmosphere) and Pokemon-esque companions, Steel Crow Saga is a loving ode to and glorious celebration of anime, which will probably steer many readers into reminiscing their favorite shows and unearthing their dusty videogame consoles.
PHENOMENAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT & CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS I WILL PROTECT WITH EVERY INCH OF MY LIFE
In creating a fictional world where queerness is normalized and inspiration is taken from real-life Asian cultures, Steel Crow Saga unsurprisingly provides a huge, unapologetically diverse cast of well-developed characters — all of whom are fascinating and compelling on their own individual merits. Even characters with major roles are casually queer (e.g. trans, gay) and come across as well-rounded, as if they have entire backstories just waiting to be revealed. The story’s unfolding is chiefly narrated by four main characters with differing (if not, occasionally conflicting) agenda, motivations, and personal demons.
AN IMPECCABLE BALANCE OF LAUGH-OUT-LOUD WIT & MUCH-NEEDED SOCIAL COMMENTARY
It comes as no surprise that Steel Crow Saga delves into the intricacies of colonialism, but what is both remarkable and valuable about Krueger’s approach is that the attack happens on both sides. The story examines the war and its aftermath from the perspectives of both the colonizer and the colonized, which results in a wonderfully nuanced and thorough critique of colonialism. Jimuro and Xiulan are extremely privileged and sheltered characters who are complicit to the horrific abuses and oppression unleashed by the two powerful conqueror nations (Tomoda and Shang, respectively). Given their uncomfortable position as colonizers, they have large blind spots in their perspectives of the war, which are repeatedly challenged, and they are forced to reconcile with the decades’ worth of blood on their hands. In contrast, Tala and Lee are victims who have suffered great losses from colonial power and yet they, too, are occasionally blinded by their own prejudices.
Arguably, Steel Crow Saga challenges, to some extent, the notion that there are winners and losers in war by shedding light on the casualties and sufferings experienced on both sides. It also addresses the critical role of hatred and prejudice in the cycle of violence. If I’m being honest, the dissection of colonialism, together with the recurring emphasis on restorative justice and active decolonization, that happens in Steel Crow Saga strongly resonated with me in a way that I have never, ever experienced from any other literature.
On a much lighter note, from the frequent repartee among the characters to the careful phrasings interwoven into the narrative, there is a generous amount of humor and laugh-out-loud wit sprinkled throughout the story. Moreover, there are also beautiful moments of lightheartedness and spiritedness that provide much-needed respites from the more hard-hitting themes and gritty portrayals.
POWERFULLY EVOCATIVE, HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, & DEEPLY PERSONAL
Steel Crow Saga is defiantly political. Nevertheless, it also touches on more individual- centered themes, such as personal ambition and vengeance, healing and forgiveness, and learning and unlearning. Another recurring theme that I personally found compelling is the idea of doing things to honor the memory of the loved ones we’ve lost.
Moreover, through the deliberate use of details – from contrasting philosophies about cuisine, to varying preferences in architectural design, to tiny nuances of rituals and ceremonies — Steel Crow Saga heavily emphasizes on cultural differences and how the complex interactions of different cultures can lead to all sorts of tension and conflict, such as microaggressions and open hostility.
Kruger’s writing style is powerfully evocative and highly intelligent. From his notable command of the language to his careful use of literary devices, it is evident that every word in this 500-page book is a deliberate choice and lends purpose to the grander narratives explored and examined within the story. At the same time, while the book certainly reflects the identity and cultural heritage of the author (note: Krueger is Filipino-American), its writing allows a few glimpses into Krueger’s personality and sense of humor as well. Thus, Steel Crow Saga is a unique, impactful story that is undeniably written with heart, but also with clear intention.
HIGHEST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Although inspiration is clearly drawn from numerous well-loved franchises and existing Asian cultures, Steel Crow Saga is more than able to stand on its own as a unique and captivating fantasy adventure that offers a balanced mix of hilarious wit and social commentary. Its story revolves around the personal quests of each character against the backdrop of a hugely fragile, post-war world that is threatened by larger political forces. At its heart, however, Steel Crow Saga imparts a story about hope, healing, and justice. This stand-alone epic fantasy has easily claimed a spot on my favorite books, and I will undoubtedly, lovingly scream about Steel Crow Saga until my lungs completely collapse.
In line with my statement regarding the harassment allegations involving Paul Krueger, I am rescinding my support of Steel Crow Saga and the rest of his books. I have removed my rating accordingly, and I no longer recommend this book.
_______________________________
Note: I am an #ownvoices reviewer for the Filipino representation in this book.
ASIAN-CODED FANTASY WORLD THAT’S MAGICALLY SOULFUL (PUN INTENDED) & INCREDIBLY NUANCED
I am not exaggerating when I say that, in less than 10 pages, I immediately noticed that Steel Crow Saga directly pulls from Filipino culture (which was an extremely delightful surprise on my part as a Filipino). I am also not exaggerating when I say that, in less than 10 pages, I effortlessly fell in love with the world-building and all its wonderfully rich nuances. Specifically, within a world that’s quite reminiscent of our 1920s to 1930s era (wherein technology like cars, telephones, and radio exist), there are five nations — all of which are either loosely or heavily inspired by existing Asian cultures.
• Tomodanese (from Tomoda) – Coded after the Japanese.
• Sanbunas (from Sanbu Islands, which is later renamed as Republic of Sanbu) – Coded after Filipinos.
• Shang (from the Kingdom of Shang) – Coded after the Chinese.
• Jeongsonese (from Jeongson, which is a vassal state of Shang) – Coded after the Koreans.
• Dahali (from Dahal) – Coded after South Asians.
While there is certainly a generous sense of realism in its world-building, it also provokes tugs of heartwarming nostalgia. With strong vibes of Avatar: Legend of Korra (think about its setting and atmosphere) and Pokemon-esque companions, Steel Crow Saga is a loving ode to and glorious celebration of anime, which will probably steer many readers into reminiscing their favorite shows and unearthing their dusty videogame consoles.
PHENOMENAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT & CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS I WILL PROTECT WITH EVERY INCH OF MY LIFE
In creating a fictional world where queerness is normalized and inspiration is taken from real-life Asian cultures, Steel Crow Saga unsurprisingly provides a huge, unapologetically diverse cast of well-developed characters — all of whom are fascinating and compelling on their own individual merits. Even characters with major roles are casually queer (e.g. trans, gay) and come across as well-rounded, as if they have entire backstories just waiting to be revealed. The story’s unfolding is chiefly narrated by four main characters with differing (if not, occasionally conflicting) agenda, motivations, and personal demons.
AN IMPECCABLE BALANCE OF LAUGH-OUT-LOUD WIT & MUCH-NEEDED SOCIAL COMMENTARY
It comes as no surprise that Steel Crow Saga delves into the intricacies of colonialism, but what is both remarkable and valuable about Krueger’s approach is that the attack happens on both sides. The story examines the war and its aftermath from the perspectives of both the colonizer and the colonized, which results in a wonderfully nuanced and thorough critique of colonialism. Jimuro and Xiulan are extremely privileged and sheltered characters who are complicit to the horrific abuses and oppression unleashed by the two powerful conqueror nations (Tomoda and Shang, respectively). Given their uncomfortable position as colonizers, they have large blind spots in their perspectives of the war, which are repeatedly challenged, and they are forced to reconcile with the decades’ worth of blood on their hands. In contrast, Tala and Lee are victims who have suffered great losses from colonial power and yet they, too, are occasionally blinded by their own prejudices.
Arguably, Steel Crow Saga challenges, to some extent, the notion that there are winners and losers in war by shedding light on the casualties and sufferings experienced on both sides. It also addresses the critical role of hatred and prejudice in the cycle of violence. If I’m being honest, the dissection of colonialism, together with the recurring emphasis on restorative justice and active decolonization, that happens in Steel Crow Saga strongly resonated with me in a way that I have never, ever experienced from any other literature.
On a much lighter note, from the frequent repartee among the characters to the careful phrasings interwoven into the narrative, there is a generous amount of humor and laugh-out-loud wit sprinkled throughout the story. Moreover, there are also beautiful moments of lightheartedness and spiritedness that provide much-needed respites from the more hard-hitting themes and gritty portrayals.
POWERFULLY EVOCATIVE, HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, & DEEPLY PERSONAL
Steel Crow Saga is defiantly political. Nevertheless, it also touches on more individual- centered themes, such as personal ambition and vengeance, healing and forgiveness, and learning and unlearning. Another recurring theme that I personally found compelling is the idea of doing things to honor the memory of the loved ones we’ve lost.
Moreover, through the deliberate use of details – from contrasting philosophies about cuisine, to varying preferences in architectural design, to tiny nuances of rituals and ceremonies — Steel Crow Saga heavily emphasizes on cultural differences and how the complex interactions of different cultures can lead to all sorts of tension and conflict, such as microaggressions and open hostility.
Kruger’s writing style is powerfully evocative and highly intelligent. From his notable command of the language to his careful use of literary devices, it is evident that every word in this 500-page book is a deliberate choice and lends purpose to the grander narratives explored and examined within the story. At the same time, while the book certainly reflects the identity and cultural heritage of the author (note: Krueger is Filipino-American), its writing allows a few glimpses into Krueger’s personality and sense of humor as well. Thus, Steel Crow Saga is a unique, impactful story that is undeniably written with heart, but also with clear intention.
HIGHEST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Although inspiration is clearly drawn from numerous well-loved franchises and existing Asian cultures, Steel Crow Saga is more than able to stand on its own as a unique and captivating fantasy adventure that offers a balanced mix of hilarious wit and social commentary. Its story revolves around the personal quests of each character against the backdrop of a hugely fragile, post-war world that is threatened by larger political forces. At its heart, however, Steel Crow Saga imparts a story about hope, healing, and justice. This stand-alone epic fantasy has easily claimed a spot on my favorite books, and I will undoubtedly, lovingly scream about Steel Crow Saga until my lungs completely collapse.
Full review to follow.
I received a physical ARC of Private Lessons from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Candlewick Press!
Trigger/Content warnings:
I received a physical ARC of Private Lessons from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Candlewick Press!
Trigger/Content warnings:
Spoiler
on-page rape of a minor; graphic sex scenes; underage smoking and drinking; death of a parent; cancer
“See that’s the thing. I never wanted to be a refrain in your head.” Her voice was laced with conviction as she spoke, but she was blinking away tears. “I wanted to be the song.”
Recommended.*
Trigger/Content warnings:
Spoiler
Self-harm joke (unchallenged); death threats from fans; cyberbullying
The Philippines will be saved not by the Bakunawa, nor by the Philippine Mech Force. The Philippines will be saved by the fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, by the person in the next room, by the street sweepers and vendors, by the doctors and nurses, lawyers, teachers, scientists, and the schoolchildren. The Philippines will be saved by the ordinary people and their extraordinary work.
_
Strengths
I hope to someday write a more eloquent & more thoughtful review, but here are my preliminary thoughts:
Set in dystopian Canada, we follow a queer femme drag performer who is Jamaican Filipino. Massive floods brought upon by environmental degradation left the majority of the population homeless, jobless, and starving. And some powerful white man seizes the opportunity to herald an oppressive regime where "Others" (i.e. marginalized groups) are sent to labor camps in the service of "True Canadians."
While this book dauntlessly takes on the oppression faced by many marginalized groups (e.g. POC and Indigenous, Muslims, queers, people with disabilities), there is definitely a heavy concentration on race, and specifically, Blackness. And I'll admit that I felt uncomfortable about the intense exploration of Blackness when the author is a non-Black person of color. I truly, wholeheartedly believe that this is outside of her lane and that the author should have written a main character who is more reflective of her identity.
At the same time, however, I don't want to completely dismiss the merits of this book. I *do* think that Crosshairs is a good book and that the story it tells is timely, important, and above all, frightening because of the many parallels between this dystopian society and the world we currently live in. Considering the state of politics in my own country and in many countries around the world, it isn't too hard to imagine a world where labor camps are reintroduced, people below the poverty line are killed without much thought, and people of color suffer the brunt of the discrimination.
Here are the things that I liked about this book:
Set in dystopian Canada, we follow a queer femme drag performer who is Jamaican Filipino. Massive floods brought upon by environmental degradation left the majority of the population homeless, jobless, and starving. And some powerful white man seizes the opportunity to herald an oppressive regime where "Others" (i.e. marginalized groups) are sent to labor camps in the service of "True Canadians."
While this book dauntlessly takes on the oppression faced by many marginalized groups (e.g. POC and Indigenous, Muslims, queers, people with disabilities), there is definitely a heavy concentration on race, and specifically, Blackness. And I'll admit that I felt uncomfortable about the intense exploration of Blackness when the author is a non-Black person of color. I truly, wholeheartedly believe that this is outside of her lane and that the author should have written a main character who is more reflective of her identity.
At the same time, however, I don't want to completely dismiss the merits of this book. I *do* think that Crosshairs is a good book and that the story it tells is timely, important, and above all, frightening because of the many parallels between this dystopian society and the world we currently live in. Considering the state of politics in my own country and in many countries around the world, it isn't too hard to imagine a world where labor camps are reintroduced, people below the poverty line are killed without much thought, and people of color suffer the brunt of the discrimination.
Here are the things that I liked about this book:
So good, so unapologetically Filipino, and so endearing! While Sugar and Spite focuses on the friendship between Jolina and Claudine, it's also an evocative story about magic and consequences.
Final thoughts to follow. But offhand, I think you should pick up Sugar and Spite partly because my name is mentioned in the acknowledgments and mostly because this book is incredibly well-written.
Highest of recommendations!
Final thoughts to follow. But offhand, I think you should pick up Sugar and Spite partly because my name is mentioned in the acknowledgments and mostly because this book is incredibly well-written.
Highest of recommendations!
