by Daniel José Older ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 7, 2020
In a word: bueno.
Older (The Book of Lost Saints, 2019, etc.) brings the Shadowshaper Cypher to a close.
Sierra Santiago is Lucera, Mistress of Shadows and Head of the House of Shadow and Light, and she and the other shadowshapers have been fighting the forces arrayed against them. It’s been a month and a half since the events of Shadowhouse Fall (2017), when Sierra set up a rival magical house and stripped the head of her powers. In doing so she brought down an enemy...but by breaking a rule, she opened the door to other enemies. Separated into four parts, the book features folktale-esque interludes that chronicle the exploits of some of Sierra’s magical ancestors. Throughout, Sierra’s growth is obvious as she steps more fully into her leadership role as Lucera and grows to understand the complications of leadership. The narrative switches perspectives often, offering supporting characters, like Sierra’s brother Juan and friends Tee and Izzy, a chance to be further developed and thus become more interesting to readers. Readers will appreciate the deeper dive into the mythology of shadowshapers and the Deck of Worlds, and though they may miss Sierra and her family and friends, they should be satisfied with this series closer. Sierra is Afro-Boricua, as is her family, and most of the other shadowshapers are people of color. Tee and Izzy are queer, and one of Sierra’s ancestors was genderfluid.
In a word: bueno. (map, Spread of Cards) (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-545-95300-9
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Levine/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2019
Share your opinion of this book
More by Daniel José Older
BOOK REVIEW
by Daniel José Older & Alyssa Wong ; illustrated by Pétur Antonsson
BOOK REVIEW
by Zoraida Córdova , Tessa Gratton , Claudia Gray , Justina Ireland , Lydia Kang , George Mann , Daniel José Older , Cavan Scott & Charles Soule
BOOK REVIEW
by Daniel Aleman ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 4, 2021
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
Share your opinion of this book
More by Daniel Aleman
BOOK REVIEW
More About This Book
PERSPECTIVES
Awards & Accolades
Likes
11
Our Verdict
GET IT
New York Times Bestseller
by Rebecca Ross ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2023
Ideal for readers seeking perspectives on war, with a heavy dash of romance and touch of fantasy.
Awards & Accolades
Likes
11
Our Verdict
GET IT
New York Times Bestseller
A war between gods plays havoc with mortals and their everyday lives.
In a time of typewriters and steam engines, Iris Winnow awaits word from her older brother, who has enlisted on the side of Enva the Skyward goddess. Alcohol abuse led to her mother’s losing her job, and Iris has dropped out of school and found work utilizing her writing skills at the Oath Gazette. Hiding the stress of her home issues behind a brave face, Iris competes for valuable assignments that may one day earn her the coveted columnist position. Her rival for the job is handsome and wealthy Roman Kitt, whose prose entrances her so much she avoids reading his articles. At home, she writes cathartic letters to her brother, never posting them but instead placing them in her wardrobe, where they vanish overnight. One day Iris receives a reply, which, along with other events, pushes her to make dramatic life decisions. Magic plays a quiet role in this story, and readers may for a time forget there is anything supernatural going on. This is more of a wartime tale of broken families, inspired youths, and higher powers using people as pawns. It flirts with clichéd tropes but also takes some startling turns. Main characters are assumed White; same-sex marriages and gender equality at the warfront appear to be the norm in this world.
Ideal for readers seeking perspectives on war, with a heavy dash of romance and touch of fantasy. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-85743-9
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
Share your opinion of this book
More by Rebecca Ross
BOOK REVIEW
by Rebecca Ross
BOOK REVIEW
by Rebecca Ross
BOOK REVIEW
by Rebecca Ross
More About This Book
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.