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lillanaa's review against another edition
5.0
This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'll never say no to a Riordan Presents book crossing my desk, and this is exactly what I was hoping it would be. An adventure with an amazing payoff and a great protagonist, this one had me on the edge of my seat from moment one. I loved Paola and her friends, and even though there was such a great ending, I'm even happier to hear that there's going to be more adventures with them.
Paola is a protagonist so grounded in reality, and I love it. Her friends are her power, and that's always one of the best tropes for me. Dante is an awesome contrast, there's something that works about their friendship in a way that keeps the adventure light. Having the protagonist be the chronic overthinker, the one who wants to keep her friends safe no matter what, while also having to deal with the one with the hero complex is such a change from a lot of kids media, and I'm so here for it. Naomi and Marisa provide such a good contrast, being the experienced ones who think they know what's going on, the characters are definitely this book's strong suit.
Not to say the plot falters because of it, I had so much fun and there were tense moments that had me hooked the entire way through. This is one I'm so happy to have gotten to read, and we need more.
I'll never say no to a Riordan Presents book crossing my desk, and this is exactly what I was hoping it would be. An adventure with an amazing payoff and a great protagonist, this one had me on the edge of my seat from moment one. I loved Paola and her friends, and even though there was such a great ending, I'm even happier to hear that there's going to be more adventures with them.
Paola is a protagonist so grounded in reality, and I love it. Her friends are her power, and that's always one of the best tropes for me. Dante is an awesome contrast, there's something that works about their friendship in a way that keeps the adventure light. Having the protagonist be the chronic overthinker, the one who wants to keep her friends safe no matter what, while also having to deal with the one with the hero complex is such a change from a lot of kids media, and I'm so here for it. Naomi and Marisa provide such a good contrast, being the experienced ones who think they know what's going on, the characters are definitely this book's strong suit.
Not to say the plot falters because of it, I had so much fun and there were tense moments that had me hooked the entire way through. This is one I'm so happy to have gotten to read, and we need more.
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
5.0
So there were legit a few spots that freaked me out (I don't like horror and ghost stories), but this story was so good!! I loved it!
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This is my favorite Rick Riordan Presents book I’ve read so far this year (and if you’ve been around my blog, you know that’s saying something because I tend to love them all). Paola has always been more than a little skeptical (and slightly embarrassed) of her mom’s belief in the paranormal. Paola is a scientist and she doesn’t put any stock in those types of fairy tales, including the story of La Llorona, the woman who drowned her own children and prowls the river in grief (and drowning other unsuspecting children because, why not?). Paola’s complex feelings about her mom (and society’s perceptions of people who believe in certain cultural mythologies) take center stage in a lot of this book.
I think my favorite part of this book was the way the tale of La Llorona was woven in—it’s very subtle at first. (In fact, I was starting to wonder if and when it would tie in at all.) But then, it all comes together, and you realize why it all makes sense! The villains in this story also come in various shades of gray. It isn’t even 100% clear who is a villain for a lot of the story. And once you find out, you could almost feel sorry for them. Almost. I did think one character changed sides a little too abruptly, but I’m doubting most middle grade readers will be too disturbed by that.
With rich cultural roots, complex characters, and a whole slew of paranormal shenanigans, this book is a sure winner!
This is my favorite Rick Riordan Presents book I’ve read so far this year (and if you’ve been around my blog, you know that’s saying something because I tend to love them all). Paola has always been more than a little skeptical (and slightly embarrassed) of her mom’s belief in the paranormal. Paola is a scientist and she doesn’t put any stock in those types of fairy tales, including the story of La Llorona, the woman who drowned her own children and prowls the river in grief (and drowning other unsuspecting children because, why not?). Paola’s complex feelings about her mom (and society’s perceptions of people who believe in certain cultural mythologies) take center stage in a lot of this book.
I think my favorite part of this book was the way the tale of La Llorona was woven in—it’s very subtle at first. (In fact, I was starting to wonder if and when it would tie in at all.) But then, it all comes together, and you realize why it all makes sense! The villains in this story also come in various shades of gray. It isn’t even 100% clear who is a villain for a lot of the story. And once you find out, you could almost feel sorry for them. Almost. I did think one character changed sides a little too abruptly, but I’m doubting most middle grade readers will be too disturbed by that.
With rich cultural roots, complex characters, and a whole slew of paranormal shenanigans, this book is a sure winner!
heyalisa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
readmoreyall's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED this book. It’s exciting, has great characterization, it’s funny, and it hits that sweet “7th-9th” grade spot.
I highly recommend for any reader of fantasy, mythology, and magical realism.
I highly recommend for any reader of fantasy, mythology, and magical realism.
bookcub's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
4.5
blue_kiwi93's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
bamboobones_rory's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
tani's review against another edition
3.0
This was cute. I liked the set-up of a scientifically minded girl who gets confronted by magic, but everything felt a touch scattered to me. I would have liked to see Pao take more control of her destiny a little earlier. I do think the author did a great job of creating a believable 12 year old, but the end result was that I sometimes felt frustrated by reading her. Still, fun book that I think would be even more greatly appreciated by someone in the actual target age range. Also, loved that this didn't shy away from more difficult issues like immigration and racism.
evamadera1's review against another edition
4.0
I found the fantastical elements intriguing but the narrative written at a higher reading level than the intended middle grade audience. I appreciated the tamed down fantastical horror of Mejia's typical writing which allowed the complex narrative to shine. Unfortunately, I kept getting partially pulled out of the narrative by the characterization which made the main character and prominent secondary characters read more like upperclassmen in high school rather than the not-quite 12 year olds that they are. I'm interested to see how this will progress in the rest of the series.