When I read that Rick Riordan presents was doing young adult books, I literally screeched with joy! and also had no idea what to expect.

this book has the deadpan humor of an 18 year old. Reading it, these kids are facing horrors beyond belief and when Mateo witnesses a murder he calls the murderer “murder face McDeathMurder”. it’s goofy and a little jarring, and it made me pause to realize that a ton of young adult books forget that young adults are still YOUNG. they’re still in high school, of course they would make silly jokes and memes about the current horrors which they are subjected to. so while sometimes I found myself rolling my eyes at Mateo, I also found it kinda believable for how a high schooler would react.

next, there’s the world building. I have to say it was dizzying and new and I’ll have to reread the book to grasp a better sense of what’s going on exactly, but it is CAPTIVATING. I was interested, confused, and curious throughout the whole book. The descriptions of the city and life as music were beautiful and in sharp contrast to the less serious banter, reminding me that stories (and characters within them) contain multitudes.

I LOVE PIRATES. I love stories about pirates and I love that the book identified some real issues we see today: colorism, colonial wealth, how police are wildly ineffective at their job, how history is written by the people in power, and what it means to reckon with a culture and history you are born into but don’t fully connect with/understand.

at first I was confused at how fast Mateo and Chela fell in love- but then by the end it made sense. they are reincarnations of souls/entities that will always find each other and are meant for each other, so a slow burn wouldn’t really make sense here.

Lowkey- I think this one book could’ve been split into 3 books with the amount of plot and character development that happens.

I finished this book in a day. I didn’t want to put it down, and I loved the mixing of cultures. the language was simultaneously beautiful and goofy.

Sam is a scaredy cat, so is another girl. Both have a best friend who is a monster. The children quake the other human. The monsters get along fine - they leave the childen to figure things out.

Indeed a book about friendship

I had so much fun reading volume one that I've practically been holding my breath for the next episode in Doc and Dirk's world. I couldn't wait to read more hilarity and to see the blossoming friendship between these two men continue to unfold. I was hoping to see more of Dirk's mom because she's hilarious and watching her and Dirk verbally sparring is way better than anything you can find on TV.

Doc might just be in the running for sainthood while dealing with Dirk's absolute lack of a verbal filter and personal space. I think part of the reason their friendship and teacher/apprentice relationship works is because Doc also has ADHD and can understand some of the vagaries that are Dirk. The description of Doc having Thanksgiving at Dirk's with his mom and grandmama had me rolling I was laughing so hard. I could picture Dirk's grandmama in my head asking for wine in a really big glass after Dirk talked about the size of the barista's junk at his coffee shop.

Oh, I loved reading about how Dirk became Doc's muse. He's a brilliant young man with a very unique perspective on life. Thank you, Doc ,for more of the Dirkisms. You have to read these to know what I'm talking about. But, I would recommend not drinking anything while you do. Water hurts coming out of your nose. And, Dirk? I would've paid good money to have been at the diner that night. *laughingoutrageously*

I love these ficlets into the lives of two men I adore. The humor is addictive but, for me at least, it's the joy in knowing that Doc isn't so alone anymore and he has a beautiful muse to help him through any dark times that may come. As far as I am concerned these short stories are complete and total must-reads!

NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

*An ARC was provided by NetGalley and Rick Riordan Presents in exchange for an honest review*

Have you ever heard the story of the missing island San Madrigal?

No? Well, then. Do I have the book for you.

In a corner of New York City called Little Madrigal, the orphaned people of this island live and struggle to keep their island's culture alive. Insert magic, monsters, reincarnated saints, and some good old fashioned hijinks, and you've got an idea of what Ballad and Dagger is all about.

With all the tropes and magic we love from Rick Riordan Presents (but make it YA), and a whimsical writing style all its own, Ballad and Dagger is the perfect fantasy novel to disappear into for a afternoon. You'll come out of it with the taste of adobo and magic on your tongue, I promise.

pre-read review

YA (with Cuban rep) published by Uncle Rick.

I didn’t know how badly I needed this until I saw it

I love the worlds created by Daniel Jose Older! I feel like I can see, hear, and taste his communities of people. (Yes, I am seriously hungry for pasteles.)
The audiobook reader was great at adding the musicality that this book required. (And he sounded a bit like a Latine George Clooney.)
Now I eagerly await book #2 of the duology.

3.5 It ends better than it starts.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this more mature fantasy sponsored by your boy Rick Riordan. It’s about this community nestled into Brooklyn that came from an island that sank into the sea based on this whole thing with these gods and spirits. They have found their own rhythm in this new life. Mateo, the main character, has spent his life in and out of his community as his parents travel for work. Now living with his Tia Lucia and the ghost of another tia (totally normal), he finds out that he is one of the three who have the powers of the founders of their island. And once the third is found, some members of the community want to resurrect the island. Very intricate and not for the faint of fantasy. It was a lot for me to follow. Recommended for grades 8+.

Merged review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this more mature fantasy sponsored by your boy Rick Riordan. It’s about this community nestled into Brooklyn that came from an island that sank into the sea based on this whole thing with these gods and spirits. They have found their own rhythm in this new life. Mateo, the main character, has spent his life in and out of his community as his parents travel for work. Now living with his Tia Lucia and the ghost of another tia (totally normal), he finds out that he is one of the three who have the powers of the founders of their island. And once the third is found, some members of the community want to resurrect the island. Very intricate and not for the faint of fantasy. It was a lot for me to follow. Recommended for grades 8+.

Dnf

Actual rating 2.5 stars