Published by Amulet Books on August 13, 2024
Genres: YA Fantasy, BIPOC
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Content Warnings: Discrimination, Abuse, Trauma, Ableism, Death of a Parent, Suicidal Thoughts, Anxiety, Classism
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The smallest spark can bind two hearts . . . or start a revolution. In the magic-soaked capital city of Oluwan, Small Sade needs a job—preferably as a maid, with employers who don’t mind her unique appearance and unlucky foot. But before she can be hired, she accidentally binds herself to a powerful being known only as the Crocodile, a god rumored to devour pretty girls. Small Sade entrances the Crocodile with her secret: she is a Curse Eater, gifted with the ability to alter people’s fates by cleaning their houses. The handsome god warns that their fates are bound, but Small Sade evades him, launching herself into a new career as the Curse Eater of a swanky inn. She is determined to impress the wealthy inhabitants and earn her place in Oluwan City . . . assuming her secret-filled past—and the revolutionary ambitions of the Crocodile God—don’t catch up with her.
I want to preface this review by saying that 1) I was not aware this was set in the Raybearer world and 2) I have not read the Raybearer duology. The good news is, you do not have to have read the duology to enjoy or understand The Maid and the Crocodile, but there will be spoilers. I made the same mistake by reading Heir by Sabaa Tahir before reading the Ember in the Ashes trilogy. It is kind of a given that good guys win; it's how they win that remains a mystery, so I do not feel as if either story has been ruined. With that being said, I absolutely loved The Maid and the Crocodile and highly recommend it to readers looking not only to diversify their shelves, but also to read something new and refreshing.
The Maid and the Crocodile follows Small Sade as she forges her path as an adult in an unforgiving world. Despite the Raybearers freeing the people from tyranny, people of lower classes still struggle to find work, especially those who are disabled, as Small Sade is. Superstition mars Small Sade's chances of finding a good-paying job, as people believe inviting a disabled person into their home will bring ruin and despair. Despite this, Small Sade is able to secure work as a Curse Eater, eating the sins of her clients at an inn/spa while helping to keep the place clean.
It is through her work that Small Sade meets the first real friends, and therefore family, she has had since her mother's untimely death. The relationships she forges with the other workers and even her animal companions is one of the best representations of found family in modern literature. It felt so viscerally real, and for once, the side characters mattered as much as our FMC.
During her hunt to find work, Small Sade stumbles upon the Crocodile God, said to eat unsuspecting girls who have stumbled upon his manor or been left as a sacrifice. At first, Small Sade is scared out of her mind, but she quickly realizes the God is just as trapped as she is. The two team up, somewhat begrudgingly, to help each other make the best or even escape their fates. While I enjoyed the romance between Small Sade and the Crocodile God, there were times it felt awkward or rushed. He also felt very pushy, trying to convince Small Sade to do more with her life than what she wanted. Despite this, I did enjoy watching their relationship mature over time, especially the growth that occurs with the Crocodile God, from overbearing to understanding.
Apart from the romance and the found-family aspects, what I enjoyed most about this rich West African-inspired world was its exploration of classism and disability. Small Sade is strong, thoughtful, caring, and driven, finding ways to work with her disability instead of against it. Despite the odds being set against her, she rises to the occasion, time and time again, but we also get to explore just how difficult the world can be for those who are different. She struggles up and down the stairs, especially while handling laundry, and the reader is given a close-up view of exactly how small tasks can become nearly impossible for others.
On top of all of this, Small Sade and the others are facing severe classism, despite the overthrow of the tyrannical government. Despite the Raybearers' best efforts, many people are still struggling to find adequate food, housing, and work. Thankfully, the Raybearers are open to what they can do better, making them an excellent representation of what true leadership means. Small Sade plays an important role in driving these changes, but not through dramatic heroic actions. Like many of us, Small Sade doesn't wish to be a hero. She doesn't want to live some big, extraordinary life, instead choosing to live a small, quiet one. This is something the others and the Crocodile God struggle to understand. How can someone with such gifts, talents, and smarts not want to be something great? And that's the thing: many of us don't want to live loud lives; we are happy with the simplicity, and Ifueko does an amazing job portraying this and reminding us that small lives are still meaningful lives.
The Maid and the Crocodile is one of the best books I have read all year. Each time I walk past it on my shelf, I am compelled to touch the spine and am reminded that even the smallest creature, living the quiet life, can have a dramatic impact on the world, and there is nothing wrong with being "small." I highly recommend picking up The Maid and the Crocodile, but maybe do it after you have read Raybearer and Redemptor so nothing is spoiled. Haha!
