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imstephtacular's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Racism, Body horror, Xenophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Trafficking, Gaslighting, War, Police brutality, Classism, Deportation, Sexism, and Death
dandelionsteph's review against another edition
adventurous
4.0
It feels a little slow at times, but it's possible that was intentional, since it was depicting a sequence that would feel slow to the protagonist. This one is unusual in that the conspicuous, super-special hero isn't the protagonist. I get the feeling the Southwest folklore had to be stretched to create a fantasy world: even the characters seem to acknowledge the oddity that a hand monster should exist in huge numbers when its folktale of origin suggests it was the only one of its kind. Nonetheless, it had all the elements needed for an enjoyable fantasy novel.
I read this during a near-blackout at my house for a few hours late into the book, and boy, was that spooky.
I read this during a near-blackout at my house for a few hours late into the book, and boy, was that spooky.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Child death, and Kidnapping
yarnbug's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? N/A
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Even ignoring that the book is published under Disney Hyperion and endorsed by Rick Riordan . . . I would describe this book as "Percy Jackson-esque". Honestly the whole middle grade kids embarking on a magical journey and dealing with mythical creatures from their culture that they may or may not believe in is a great plot hook. I'm excited for more authors to get in on this and represent more cultures. Plus it's a fun, no pressure way of learning mythology and folktales about other cultures. And by no means am I insinuated that Mejia is just borrowing Riordan's ideas. This book was entirely her own creation. I did not feel like I was reading Riordan's writing. Just that it went along with some of his themes/tropes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Racism, Kidnapping, Gore, Bullying, and Child death
caidyn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
CW: kidnapping, death, tense mother-daughter relationships, and general scenes of violence/action
Rick Riordan Presents is quickly becoming my favorite middle-grade imprint. Everything I've read has 1) been amazingly well-written and 2) opened me up to a new culture and cultural beliefs that I wouldn't have seen without this. I love that he has ownvoices create stories about their culture. While I'm not an ownvoices reviewer for this, I still adored it.
Paola (or Pao) Santiago is raised by her single-mother. They don't have an amazing relationship because Pao is very logical and her mother is more into the cultural beliefs (or superstitions according to Pao) like La Llorona. But, turns out, her mother might be more correct than she thought. Her friend, Emma, disappears and she wants to find her with the help of their other friend, Dante.
Over the years, I've learned about these superstitions and beliefs. I'm familiar with La Llorona, El Cuco, and chupacabras, which all come up eventually in the book. It was so enjoyable to read about them from someone who's in the community rather than a usually White cryptozoologist or "ghost" host going and investigating it without paying much attention to the people who believe in this. It was just so enjoyable and fun. It's a very quick read for that reason.
I also loved Pao's disconnect with her culture. Perhaps that's the wrong way to phrase it, but it felt like Pao was discovering her beliefs and her world as she went on this adventure. I loved the dynamic changes that Pao had as she learned more about herself.
Overall, this was amazing. I can't wait for the next book in this series and I'll definitely keep picking up the books Uncle Rick is helping get published!
CW: kidnapping, death, tense mother-daughter relationships, and general scenes of violence/action
Rick Riordan Presents is quickly becoming my favorite middle-grade imprint. Everything I've read has 1) been amazingly well-written and 2) opened me up to a new culture and cultural beliefs that I wouldn't have seen without this. I love that he has ownvoices create stories about their culture. While I'm not an ownvoices reviewer for this, I still adored it.
Paola (or Pao) Santiago is raised by her single-mother. They don't have an amazing relationship because Pao is very logical and her mother is more into the cultural beliefs (or superstitions according to Pao) like La Llorona. But, turns out, her mother might be more correct than she thought. Her friend, Emma, disappears and she wants to find her with the help of their other friend, Dante.
Over the years, I've learned about these superstitions and beliefs. I'm familiar with La Llorona, El Cuco, and chupacabras, which all come up eventually in the book. It was so enjoyable to read about them from someone who's in the community rather than a usually White cryptozoologist or "ghost" host going and investigating it without paying much attention to the people who believe in this. It was just so enjoyable and fun. It's a very quick read for that reason.
I also loved Pao's disconnect with her culture. Perhaps that's the wrong way to phrase it, but it felt like Pao was discovering her beliefs and her world as she went on this adventure. I loved the dynamic changes that Pao had as she learned more about herself.
Overall, this was amazing. I can't wait for the next book in this series and I'll definitely keep picking up the books Uncle Rick is helping get published!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Grief and Murder
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