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fortheloveofturtles's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Lives up to the promise of the mythology and self discovery I would expect from a Rick Riordan Presents. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Ballad & Dagger lends a fantastical twist to the immigrant experience. It's set in Brooklyn, but in a diaspora community from a fictional island that sank into the sea. The island's population was a blend of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews, and it had its own unique culture---and magic! The world-building in this book is top-notch and there are lush descriptions of the culture's music, which is especially important to the MC, Mateo. Most of the story revolves around the political machinations of the community's leaders and secrets that have been kept from the people for centuries (so it does start out a bit low on action and heavy on world-building, but eventually the plot picks up). The book tackles the topic of colonialism head-on, and it also talks about issues of racism and classism. All of this is tied into a magical story about a teenage boy with powers he didn't know he had. The fate of his community just might lie in his hands, but he isn't sure if the community is ready for what they might learn in the process. If you're a fan of contemporary fantasy with intricate world-building, this book is for you!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Ballad & Dagger lends a fantastical twist to the immigrant experience. It's set in Brooklyn, but in a diaspora community from a fictional island that sank into the sea. The island's population was a blend of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews, and it had its own unique culture---and magic! The world-building in this book is top-notch and there are lush descriptions of the culture's music, which is especially important to the MC, Mateo. Most of the story revolves around the political machinations of the community's leaders and secrets that have been kept from the people for centuries (so it does start out a bit low on action and heavy on world-building, but eventually the plot picks up). The book tackles the topic of colonialism head-on, and it also talks about issues of racism and classism. All of this is tied into a magical story about a teenage boy with powers he didn't know he had. The fate of his community just might lie in his hands, but he isn't sure if the community is ready for what they might learn in the process. If you're a fan of contemporary fantasy with intricate world-building, this book is for you!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
sogarlene's review against another edition
5.0
Super fun! Great narration. Clever plot points. Cats! Nothing completely awful happens… just what I need right now.
angwrites's review against another edition
"there is always more to the story. the good and bad always live in the same space. but fear takes up all the oxygen. this is why you must listen, you must go deeper."
caffeinatedreader_kp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
5.0
hbusarah's review against another edition
3.0
I have enjoyed everything published by Rick Riordan Presents and this was no different! The author did a really great job explaining culture specific words and stories without info dumping, which I always appreciate. The relationships between the main character and the other members of the commuty were very well flushed out and realistic. Super looking forword to a book two! Only reason it's a 3 star is because it truly felt like a setup instead of it's own story.
Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide, Rick Riordan Presents, and NetGalley for providing me with an eBook copy to review
Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide, Rick Riordan Presents, and NetGalley for providing me with an eBook copy to review
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
3.5
This was a fun time, I really enjoyed it. My only issue is that so much was going on with so many characters that I didn’t have as strong emotional connection with any one, so somethings were not as impactful as they should have been. Regardless I was very interested from begining to end and really like the concept.
krebz90's review against another edition
5.0
Freya Finch knocked her debut novel out of the park. "Rise" brought my inner mythology nerd so much joy! The novel uses the hero's journey formula but with surprising plot twists. We meet our leading lady, Bryn, when she is escorted by the police to the Renaissance Faire where she lives with her mom and two older sisters. The fun trials of Bryn and her friends get started when we learn that Byrn's mother Kara is missing. Why is Kara missing a problem? Well, she is the head Valkyrie in charge of Midgard. Bryn's journey is action-packed and full of Chicago references. One of the things I enjoyed about "Rise" is Finch's flawless explanation of the Norse mythology references. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who likes adventure and Norse mythology. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of Rise; it truly Ragnorocked.
llyrrhiannon's review against another edition
4.0
4.5. Great characters, excellent world-building and loved the use of Spanish throughout. Looking forward to the next installment
cocoawithbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I had so much fun reading Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older! I did a combined reading experience of listening to the audiobook and reading the physical copy. The audiobook narrator, Lee Osorio, acted the voices wonderfully. He brought the characters alive. I also recommend it if you want to hear the pronunciation of the non-English words. Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Books for providing a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Reason #1: Multilingualism Is Embraced
I loved the incorporation of Spanish in Shadowshaper, another book by Daniel Jose Older. So I was expecting to see it as part of the narrative for Ballad & Dagger. However, it was kicked up several notches because of the blend of cultures in San Madrigal. In San Madrigal, the people speak Spanish, Hebrew, Ladino and Lucumi. Older includes a glossary at the end of the book as a reference. The language of the characters makes the novel rich. I was also thankful that he tells you the dialect, for example, a lot of the Spanish is Cuban Spanish. Words have different meanings depending on the dialect.
I often encounter people who become intimidated when Spanish or a language other than English is featured prominently in a novel and I don’t really understand that. Use your context clues and Google! It’s just like when someone drops a $10 word that only gets used like twice a century in a book, you go look it up!
Reason #2: Colorful Cast Of Characters
Oh my goodness, you had me at pirates! I loved the cast of characters in this book! They have big, awesome personalities and I rocked with them in this diaspora of theirs. Mateo is hilarious, Tia Lucia is a wild sage, Rabbi Hidalgo is so cool! I loved the banter between Mateo and Chela. Also, I loved the representation of Chela being a badass brown girl with glasses and red hair who has the power and strength to end you with her magical swords. For those of you looking for a book that features a Black or Brown boy without trauma, but full of an adventure…Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older is that book folks!
Reason #3: An Intriguing World
The survivors of San Madrigal, a now-sunken island in the Caribbean, live in a diaspora located in Brooklyn, New York. They are a culture that includes pirates, Santeros, and Sefaradim. It’s a world filled with music, ghosts/muertos and an interesting political structure that is in place to keep the peace between the three groups. And what I found super interesting…cops and guns aren’t allowed in Little Madrigal!
Reason #4: The Sense Of Humor
Mateo Matisse is hilarious! That boy had me cracking up the entire book! “Dead people are a trip, man.” is a response to his Aunt Miriam, who is actually a spirit that lives with he and his Tia Lucia. Also when he says, “You mean Chela Murderface McDeathMurder Hidalgo?” I almost spit my drink out laughing!
Reason #5: Adventure & Mythology
I spent my whole childhood only having Greek mythology available to me to read. So now as an adult I have the chance to learn about African mythologies. This book is an adventure of a young man who discovers he is the son of Galanika and he is a healer. As the power balances shift and power exchanges from one generation to the next, the desire to resurrect the lost island of San Madrigal comes to a crest. Mateo must work to not only find out who he is, but he must uncover the plots of those who are up to no good. He must listen to and follow the advice of his Tia Lucia to always “Escucha.” and “All I can say is, get close to everyone but trust no one.”
Excited For The Next Book
I can’t wait for book #2 in this Outlaw Saints Novel series and to see what Mateo and Chela will be up to next! I am so glad Rick Riordan chose Daniel Jose Older to start the Young Adult novel section of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint.
Reason #1: Multilingualism Is Embraced
I loved the incorporation of Spanish in Shadowshaper, another book by Daniel Jose Older. So I was expecting to see it as part of the narrative for Ballad & Dagger. However, it was kicked up several notches because of the blend of cultures in San Madrigal. In San Madrigal, the people speak Spanish, Hebrew, Ladino and Lucumi. Older includes a glossary at the end of the book as a reference. The language of the characters makes the novel rich. I was also thankful that he tells you the dialect, for example, a lot of the Spanish is Cuban Spanish. Words have different meanings depending on the dialect.
I often encounter people who become intimidated when Spanish or a language other than English is featured prominently in a novel and I don’t really understand that. Use your context clues and Google! It’s just like when someone drops a $10 word that only gets used like twice a century in a book, you go look it up!
Reason #2: Colorful Cast Of Characters
Oh my goodness, you had me at pirates! I loved the cast of characters in this book! They have big, awesome personalities and I rocked with them in this diaspora of theirs. Mateo is hilarious, Tia Lucia is a wild sage, Rabbi Hidalgo is so cool! I loved the banter between Mateo and Chela. Also, I loved the representation of Chela being a badass brown girl with glasses and red hair who has the power and strength to end you with her magical swords. For those of you looking for a book that features a Black or Brown boy without trauma, but full of an adventure…Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older is that book folks!
Reason #3: An Intriguing World
The survivors of San Madrigal, a now-sunken island in the Caribbean, live in a diaspora located in Brooklyn, New York. They are a culture that includes pirates, Santeros, and Sefaradim. It’s a world filled with music, ghosts/muertos and an interesting political structure that is in place to keep the peace between the three groups. And what I found super interesting…cops and guns aren’t allowed in Little Madrigal!
Reason #4: The Sense Of Humor
Mateo Matisse is hilarious! That boy had me cracking up the entire book! “Dead people are a trip, man.” is a response to his Aunt Miriam, who is actually a spirit that lives with he and his Tia Lucia. Also when he says, “You mean Chela Murderface McDeathMurder Hidalgo?” I almost spit my drink out laughing!
Reason #5: Adventure & Mythology
I spent my whole childhood only having Greek mythology available to me to read. So now as an adult I have the chance to learn about African mythologies. This book is an adventure of a young man who discovers he is the son of Galanika and he is a healer. As the power balances shift and power exchanges from one generation to the next, the desire to resurrect the lost island of San Madrigal comes to a crest. Mateo must work to not only find out who he is, but he must uncover the plots of those who are up to no good. He must listen to and follow the advice of his Tia Lucia to always “Escucha.” and “All I can say is, get close to everyone but trust no one.”
Excited For The Next Book
I can’t wait for book #2 in this Outlaw Saints Novel series and to see what Mateo and Chela will be up to next! I am so glad Rick Riordan chose Daniel Jose Older to start the Young Adult novel section of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint.