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puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Kidnapping, and Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racism, and Violence
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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