Scan barcode
bellabooks0423's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mariahistryingtoread's review
2.0
This was painful to read. I was more tolerant of the first books' faults because I thought the series might improve once it was on solid footing. That was, regrettably, not the case.
Tristan once again must save Alke. This time it's to rescue his grandmother who has been kidnapped by a new foe; the illusive Shamble Man.
Let's start with a personal pet peeve. I generally dislike it when an author tries to do the clever parody thing that's so prevalent in kids books. Unless in specific cases (for me) it almost always comes across as an out of touch adult trying too hard to connect with their audience. The tail end of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky sets one such gag up and TSDTW takes it a step further. The Story Box is able to transform based on the Anansesem's need so of course it becomes a smartphone. Anansi the trickster storyteller is trapped inside tasked with aiding Tristan in his accumulation of stories as punishment for his misdeeds in the first book. I didn't like this, but I was handling it until they started doubling down on the idea.
Anansi can actually make apps that aid Tristan on his journey. This undercut the whole quest because when they'd hit the rare ‘serious’ roadblock it wasn't a big deal narratively since Anansi could just easily make a useful app to circumvent the complication. The SBP - short for Story Box Phone - was a major crutch. Tristan didn't ever have to really figure anything out. When he did come up with an idea it felt unearned because Tristan is not written to be a particularly smart character. He’s not dumb by any means, but without genuine pitfalls to learn from his epiphanies felt convenient rather than a facet of his personality that had been built upon.
Like the first book I didn’t buy any of the relationships in this book. It blew my mind that once more I was subjected to an entire 390 pages without learning something as simple as how old Ayanna is. Did she even exist before Tristan met her? It certainly doesn’t feel like it. Gum Baby is even further reduced, lacking even the little bit of nuance she had in the first book. I appreciated that the new character was added a lot earlier this time. I did not appreciate that a major story beat hinged on this new character when we didn’t develop him enough for that to matter.
It also was abundantly clear what the reveal would be in regards to this character and I was frustrated it took so long to be exposed. It would have been better if this was established immediately because it could have created interesting dynamics within the group.
I didn’t mention this in my review of the first book, but the Gods weren’t all that relevant. It wasn’t too big a deal due to the nature of that story though I did make a note of it. This book goes one step further. The Shamble Man is wreaking havoc on Alke. The Gods are keeping it underwraps. That part is okay. They don’t want to cause mass panic especially while relations between the various parts of Alke are so strained. What’s not okay is that the Gods never take steps to do anything to help. The Shamble Man seriously wounds one of the Gods, kidnaps another, yet the rest of the Gods are nowhere to be found. They’re ‘too busy’. Except that doesn’t make any sense? There’s a huge, glaring threat to the country rapidly getting worse. It bothered me a lot because there was a super easy way to fix it that also feeds into Tristan’s arc; the Gods should have already had a special team that was going to be dispatched and Tristan secretly muscles his way onto it. This plays to Tristan’s ‘need to be the hero’ (a trait he is often criticized for that I rarely see evidence for so two birds one stone) as well as his desperation to find his grandmother. Instead, I’m expected to believe that while Alke is about to burn the Gods are just...twiddling their thumbs?
Speaking of Tristan’s arc. Once again there are some strong emotional beats presented at the beginning that disappear only to resurface at the end when it’s time to learn the lesson. Per the very first line of the plot synopsis Tristan is traumatized. I appreciate that this book wants to help kids recognize how trauma can, even unconsciously, begin to consume all aspects of your life. It even touches on intergenerational trauma which, in my experience at least, has only recently become a topic of conversation in the Black community. I think all of that is important to talk about early because it can help kids to better understand their own feelings about things that have happened to them or have empathy for other people who are encountering hardship. That being said, I do not feel like Tristan is traumatized.
The moment he gets to Alke, Tristan is fine. He doesn’t have any breakdowns. He doesn’t see things that aren’t there. He doesn’t have any problems focusing. He doesn’t sleep because of the short timeframe so no nightmares. He never becomes uncommunicative due to his fears. He never recedes into himself. He doesn’t lash out in order to create distance between him and other people out of fear. I, unfortunately, have firsthand knowledge that trauma manifests itself very differently for everyone. So I understand that the way Tristan processes his trauma will not look the same as how I have processed mine or even how another kid who has gone through the exact same tragedy would process theirs. And to be fair Tristan does have a problem accessing his powers as Anansesem after his grandmother is kidnapped. Kudos for that. But, the story is written in a way that Tristan doesn’t need his Anansesem powers at all so that particular issue is rendered moot. And outside of this one aspect that was easily sidestepped Tristan does not have any internal upheaval. I’m taking this line from my review of the first book - “my problem is that his choices do not reflect his emotional turmoil”. If Tristan is supposed to be traumatized I want to see how his trauma impacts his actions and thus, affects the course of the novel.
I actually loved the whole basis for the Shamble Man. I thought that it fit super well into the theme of trauma that this book was going for. He was the only character whose trajectory I felt was executed well in this regard. If Tristan’s issues had been fleshed out more The Shamble Man would have been a wonderful parallel to what Mbalia intended to be Tristan’s psychological journey.
However, the Shamble Man is also really insignificant compared to how big a deal he’s made out to be. I already mentioned that the Gods do not take any steps to stop him. Another problem is that the bulk of this book is taken up trying to fix the SBP to talk to Anansi. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out why. All of the pieces were there to pursue the Shamble Man without the SBP. All it did was further solidify how much of a plot device the SBP was. Tristan could get across Alke without it and figure things out without it. The fact that it’s the Story Box is important in general, but it has no relevance to the events of this story specifically. Tristan could have fixed it later. It’s not like he could put stories in anyways so it wouldn’t have mattered if he waited until the end to do it. Or better yet, if it was fixed on its own by Tristan’s efforts. I also think it was dumb because it doesn’t make sense that the Story Box could be broken as it was even in the form of a phone like it was. The Story Box is the physical embodiment of all of Alke’s stories. I don’t think something literally made of magic that can become what the user needs at will should just stop working. It’s made of magic. And the only parameters we’ve ever seen given are that it needs the stories as a kind of lifeblood to work. There could have been a connection between Tristan’s struggles as an Anansesem to the SBP not working. Instead it’s because the ‘phone’ got wet.
In this book Tristan learns his grandmother had her own history with Alke. I think the book would have been way stronger if it focused on Tristan learning his grandmothers’ story as he traverses Alke to find her. That not only would have highlighted the relationship between the two, it also would have emphasized the importance of stories which is probably the biggest theme of the entire series.
I also think there should have been an index for the stories used in the book. African American folktales aren’t the typical curriculum within the American educational system so it would be nice if there was a quick resource to find out more information or read the tales. I’ve read middle grade books that have done this before when the book was historical fiction or there was a lot of research involved so I was surprised to not see something at the end.
Anyways, I was really hoping that after the foundation was laid the series would flourish. Unfortunately for me, nothing changed. I think this is competently written and that it does have a charm to it or else I would have been way more upset. More than anything I’m frustrated that a series with so much potential isn’t reaching it. I can really see a great novel hidden in this book. Despite my misgivings the ending did leave it in an interesting place so keep an eye out for my review of the next book in a year or two.
Tristan once again must save Alke. This time it's to rescue his grandmother who has been kidnapped by a new foe; the illusive Shamble Man.
Let's start with a personal pet peeve. I generally dislike it when an author tries to do the clever parody thing that's so prevalent in kids books. Unless in specific cases (for me) it almost always comes across as an out of touch adult trying too hard to connect with their audience. The tail end of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky sets one such gag up and TSDTW takes it a step further. The Story Box is able to transform based on the Anansesem's need so of course it becomes a smartphone. Anansi the trickster storyteller is trapped inside tasked with aiding Tristan in his accumulation of stories as punishment for his misdeeds in the first book. I didn't like this, but I was handling it until they started doubling down on the idea.
Anansi can actually make apps that aid Tristan on his journey. This undercut the whole quest because when they'd hit the rare ‘serious’ roadblock it wasn't a big deal narratively since Anansi could just easily make a useful app to circumvent the complication. The SBP - short for Story Box Phone - was a major crutch. Tristan didn't ever have to really figure anything out. When he did come up with an idea it felt unearned because Tristan is not written to be a particularly smart character. He’s not dumb by any means, but without genuine pitfalls to learn from his epiphanies felt convenient rather than a facet of his personality that had been built upon.
Like the first book I didn’t buy any of the relationships in this book. It blew my mind that once more I was subjected to an entire 390 pages without learning something as simple as how old Ayanna is. Did she even exist before Tristan met her? It certainly doesn’t feel like it. Gum Baby is even further reduced, lacking even the little bit of nuance she had in the first book. I appreciated that the new character was added a lot earlier this time. I did not appreciate that a major story beat hinged on this new character when we didn’t develop him enough for that to matter.
It also was abundantly clear what the reveal would be in regards to this character and I was frustrated it took so long to be exposed. It would have been better if this was established immediately because it could have created interesting dynamics within the group.
I didn’t mention this in my review of the first book, but the Gods weren’t all that relevant. It wasn’t too big a deal due to the nature of that story though I did make a note of it. This book goes one step further. The Shamble Man is wreaking havoc on Alke. The Gods are keeping it underwraps. That part is okay. They don’t want to cause mass panic especially while relations between the various parts of Alke are so strained. What’s not okay is that the Gods never take steps to do anything to help. The Shamble Man seriously wounds one of the Gods, kidnaps another, yet the rest of the Gods are nowhere to be found. They’re ‘too busy’. Except that doesn’t make any sense? There’s a huge, glaring threat to the country rapidly getting worse. It bothered me a lot because there was a super easy way to fix it that also feeds into Tristan’s arc; the Gods should have already had a special team that was going to be dispatched and Tristan secretly muscles his way onto it. This plays to Tristan’s ‘need to be the hero’ (a trait he is often criticized for that I rarely see evidence for so two birds one stone) as well as his desperation to find his grandmother. Instead, I’m expected to believe that while Alke is about to burn the Gods are just...twiddling their thumbs?
Speaking of Tristan’s arc. Once again there are some strong emotional beats presented at the beginning that disappear only to resurface at the end when it’s time to learn the lesson. Per the very first line of the plot synopsis Tristan is traumatized. I appreciate that this book wants to help kids recognize how trauma can, even unconsciously, begin to consume all aspects of your life. It even touches on intergenerational trauma which, in my experience at least, has only recently become a topic of conversation in the Black community. I think all of that is important to talk about early because it can help kids to better understand their own feelings about things that have happened to them or have empathy for other people who are encountering hardship. That being said, I do not feel like Tristan is traumatized.
The moment he gets to Alke, Tristan is fine. He doesn’t have any breakdowns. He doesn’t see things that aren’t there. He doesn’t have any problems focusing. He doesn’t sleep because of the short timeframe so no nightmares. He never becomes uncommunicative due to his fears. He never recedes into himself. He doesn’t lash out in order to create distance between him and other people out of fear. I, unfortunately, have firsthand knowledge that trauma manifests itself very differently for everyone. So I understand that the way Tristan processes his trauma will not look the same as how I have processed mine or even how another kid who has gone through the exact same tragedy would process theirs. And to be fair Tristan does have a problem accessing his powers as Anansesem after his grandmother is kidnapped. Kudos for that. But, the story is written in a way that Tristan doesn’t need his Anansesem powers at all so that particular issue is rendered moot. And outside of this one aspect that was easily sidestepped Tristan does not have any internal upheaval. I’m taking this line from my review of the first book - “my problem is that his choices do not reflect his emotional turmoil”. If Tristan is supposed to be traumatized I want to see how his trauma impacts his actions and thus, affects the course of the novel.
I actually loved the whole basis for the Shamble Man. I thought that it fit super well into the theme of trauma that this book was going for. He was the only character whose trajectory I felt was executed well in this regard. If Tristan’s issues had been fleshed out more The Shamble Man would have been a wonderful parallel to what Mbalia intended to be Tristan’s psychological journey.
However, the Shamble Man is also really insignificant compared to how big a deal he’s made out to be. I already mentioned that the Gods do not take any steps to stop him. Another problem is that the bulk of this book is taken up trying to fix the SBP to talk to Anansi. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out why. All of the pieces were there to pursue the Shamble Man without the SBP. All it did was further solidify how much of a plot device the SBP was. Tristan could get across Alke without it and figure things out without it. The fact that it’s the Story Box is important in general, but it has no relevance to the events of this story specifically. Tristan could have fixed it later. It’s not like he could put stories in anyways so it wouldn’t have mattered if he waited until the end to do it. Or better yet, if it was fixed on its own by Tristan’s efforts. I also think it was dumb because it doesn’t make sense that the Story Box could be broken as it was even in the form of a phone like it was. The Story Box is the physical embodiment of all of Alke’s stories. I don’t think something literally made of magic that can become what the user needs at will should just stop working. It’s made of magic. And the only parameters we’ve ever seen given are that it needs the stories as a kind of lifeblood to work. There could have been a connection between Tristan’s struggles as an Anansesem to the SBP not working. Instead it’s because the ‘phone’ got wet.
In this book Tristan learns his grandmother had her own history with Alke. I think the book would have been way stronger if it focused on Tristan learning his grandmothers’ story as he traverses Alke to find her. That not only would have highlighted the relationship between the two, it also would have emphasized the importance of stories which is probably the biggest theme of the entire series.
I also think there should have been an index for the stories used in the book. African American folktales aren’t the typical curriculum within the American educational system so it would be nice if there was a quick resource to find out more information or read the tales. I’ve read middle grade books that have done this before when the book was historical fiction or there was a lot of research involved so I was surprised to not see something at the end.
Anyways, I was really hoping that after the foundation was laid the series would flourish. Unfortunately for me, nothing changed. I think this is competently written and that it does have a charm to it or else I would have been way more upset. More than anything I’m frustrated that a series with so much potential isn’t reaching it. I can really see a great novel hidden in this book. Despite my misgivings the ending did leave it in an interesting place so keep an eye out for my review of the next book in a year or two.
libbey_wolfe's review
5.0
Tristan Strong tells a story that no matter what happens , when you get knocked down to get back up again.
emburklin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
crosswarrior7's review
3.0
Been a bit since I read this, but here goes the review!
So, this review likely won't be too long since I've already reviewed the first book. And quite honestly... A lot of my feelings are the same. A good 3.5/5, but I still wished it had been higher.
Like, I'm sorry, but the handling of any character outside of Tristian is so badly done for me. We get to meet these four women that are supposed to be these big, strong figures and I just couldn't care less about them (except one but it is purely cutesy old lady bias). There is also a character from the first book who literally only gets a single line. Like... Characters don't have to have much role between books. But when this character already felt really forced in for book 1 and now this for book 2... Her existence feels like it has such little purpose. The gods were just a thing as well and felt like they had no purpose. I'll admit, some of the plot also dwaddled because of some of the character choices...
Ya know, I am almost talking myself down to a 3 out of 5 because dang, the character handling...
But what keeps it where it is, like before, is the world, plot, and Tristan. The author does such a great job interweaving the core of the story throughout these three elements. Tristan is dealing with a lot of trauma after what happened, which he really should considering everything, the world goes through its own trauma, especially a certain character whose handling I adored, and the plot focused on Tristan and the world getting through that trauma.
Like, if the characters could just feel as fleshed out as the rest of the story, I think this would be an easy 4.5 or 5, which is why reviewing this series continues to suck.
Especially with the ending. The ending is a type of thing I would adore doing, and Mbalia did it.
Did I have issues with the book? Yes. Boy, yes. But does it get saved some for me because of how it interweaves Tristan's personal journey into the narrative? Sadly, yes. Why you gotta cheat me like this, Mbalia? Let the others share in Tristian's light T^T
So, this review likely won't be too long since I've already reviewed the first book. And quite honestly... A lot of my feelings are the same. A good 3.5/5, but I still wished it had been higher.
Like, I'm sorry, but the handling of any character outside of Tristian is so badly done for me. We get to meet these four women that are supposed to be these big, strong figures and I just couldn't care less about them (except one but it is purely cutesy old lady bias). There is also a character from the first book who literally only gets a single line. Like... Characters don't have to have much role between books. But when this character already felt really forced in for book 1 and now this for book 2... Her existence feels like it has such little purpose. The gods were just a thing as well and felt like they had no purpose. I'll admit, some of the plot also dwaddled because of some of the character choices...
Ya know, I am almost talking myself down to a 3 out of 5 because dang, the character handling...
But what keeps it where it is, like before, is the world, plot, and Tristan. The author does such a great job interweaving the core of the story throughout these three elements. Tristan is dealing with a lot of trauma after what happened, which he really should considering everything, the world goes through its own trauma, especially a certain character whose handling I adored, and the plot focused on Tristan and the world getting through that trauma.
Like, if the characters could just feel as fleshed out as the rest of the story, I think this would be an easy 4.5 or 5, which is why reviewing this series continues to suck.
Especially with the ending. The ending is a type of thing I would adore doing, and Mbalia did it.
Did I have issues with the book? Yes. Boy, yes. But does it get saved some for me because of how it interweaves Tristan's personal journey into the narrative? Sadly, yes. Why you gotta cheat me like this, Mbalia? Let the others share in Tristian's light T^T
morganly's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thatbookishwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
laura_cs's review
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"A storm had already ripped through my life. What was a few more drops of water?"
At the beginning of summer, Tristan Strong accidentally punched a hole in the sky, sending him into Alke, a world filled with African folklore. After defeating the iron ships and fetterlings that plagued the people using his own unique gift as an Anansesem, Tristan returned home to his grandparents' farm, working to collect more stories. But Tristan hasn't felt right since he returned, getting lost in his own head; the trauma of what he has seen has shaken him deep to his core, causing him to doubt himself.
Then Tristan starts to have visions of a figure known only as the Shamble Man, wreaking havoc on the recovering Alke. And then the Shamble Man comes to Tristan's world, and steals Tristan's beloved Nana. Now, Tristan rushes back to Alke to team up with old friends--John Henry, Ayanna, Chestnut, and, of course, the one and only Gum Baby with her infamous Sap Attacks!--to stop the Shamble Man and save his grandmother. Can Tristan save the day again? Or will he destroy this world he cares so deeply for?
The second phenomenal book in Mbalia's "Tristan Strong" trilogy (!!!!!) returns to the magical world of Alke, full of goddesses, boo hags, tricksters, heroes, and legends from African and African-American folklore. Explore new places, meet new faces, and hear new tales while also seeing the return of old friends, having frank conversations about trauma in ways that young people (and old people) understand, pushing forward when all hope seems lost, and learning what it means to really be a hero.
Mbalia does an amazing job writing about Tristan's relationships with the adults/role-models/teachers in his life; in the first book, that focus was on John Henry. This book focuses on Tristan's relationship with Nana, who we learn has also been adventuring in Alke, and has been--in essence--the origin of Tristan's role as the Anasesm. She was the one who has taught Tristan about the stories and figures from folklore and mythology, and is the voice in his ear when faced with problems. But, ultimately, she is a source of love and comfort, of strength and resolve. Nana is the woman that Tristan will destroy worlds for, and I think that is beautiful.
Also, Gum Baby has managed to get even sassier since we last saw her. Consider yourself warned. (Seriously, you may strain muscles from laughing so hard.)
"A storm had already ripped through my life. What was a few more drops of water?"
At the beginning of summer, Tristan Strong accidentally punched a hole in the sky, sending him into Alke, a world filled with African folklore. After defeating the iron ships and fetterlings that plagued the people using his own unique gift as an Anansesem, Tristan returned home to his grandparents' farm, working to collect more stories. But Tristan hasn't felt right since he returned, getting lost in his own head; the trauma of what he has seen has shaken him deep to his core, causing him to doubt himself.
Then Tristan starts to have visions of a figure known only as the Shamble Man, wreaking havoc on the recovering Alke. And then the Shamble Man comes to Tristan's world, and steals Tristan's beloved Nana. Now, Tristan rushes back to Alke to team up with old friends--John Henry, Ayanna, Chestnut, and, of course, the one and only Gum Baby with her infamous Sap Attacks!--to stop the Shamble Man and save his grandmother. Can Tristan save the day again? Or will he destroy this world he cares so deeply for?
The second phenomenal book in Mbalia's "Tristan Strong" trilogy (!!!!!) returns to the magical world of Alke, full of goddesses, boo hags, tricksters, heroes, and legends from African and African-American folklore. Explore new places, meet new faces, and hear new tales while also seeing the return of old friends, having frank conversations about trauma in ways that young people (and old people) understand, pushing forward when all hope seems lost, and learning what it means to really be a hero.
Mbalia does an amazing job writing about Tristan's relationships with the adults/role-models/teachers in his life; in the first book, that focus was on John Henry. This book focuses on Tristan's relationship with Nana, who we learn has also been adventuring in Alke, and has been--in essence--the origin of Tristan's role as the Anasesm. She was the one who has taught Tristan about the stories and figures from folklore and mythology, and is the voice in his ear when faced with problems. But, ultimately, she is a source of love and comfort, of strength and resolve. Nana is the woman that Tristan will destroy worlds for, and I think that is beautiful.
Also, Gum Baby has managed to get even sassier since we last saw her. Consider yourself warned. (Seriously, you may strain muscles from laughing so hard.)
literaryk's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A great continuation of the Strong trilogy! The adventure continues with old and new faces. Although the conflict isn't quite new, I found that Mbalia gave it fresh life with the mystery and process to get to the climax of the story. It leaves on a cliffhanger, but our protagonist,Tristan, seems to have come into his potential and is ready to face the big bad once and for all.
lillanaa's review
5.0
This was received as an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fantastic followup to the first! I'm such a huge fan of the world building here, and the hang of the ending makes me want to read the next one ASAP, I'd even say this might be better than the first for me, now that we've dealt with a lot of the conceit. This also felt like such a good contained story, I had a fantastic time!
This is a fantastic followup to the first! I'm such a huge fan of the world building here, and the hang of the ending makes me want to read the next one ASAP, I'd even say this might be better than the first for me, now that we've dealt with a lot of the conceit. This also felt like such a good contained story, I had a fantastic time!