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A review by nicolemhewitt
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia
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!