tallybae's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
dkragick's review
4.0
Another fun addition to the Riordan-started god chronicles. Centered primarily around African/-American mythology, young Tristan manages to mess up on a global scale once again. Highly recommend.
ashleycmms's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Minor: Slavery and Fire/Fire injury
manal_osmally's review against another edition
5.0
"Being a Hero Doesn't mean lack of fear but only the ability to stand up for what made you scared in the first place"
I really Liked the theme in the book, I remember feeling for Tristan in the 1st book, feeling for his lose and his remorse. However, this is different, this is more about rebuilding and not letting lose determine the situation
I really Liked the fact that Granny was in a power league with all the goddesses their, it made me feel like they had tea parties where they talked about her baby grand son and they told her stories
I like the un-finality of it and can't wait for the next one.
With all the good points stated, let's talk about the ones I did not really like
- I did not like the lack of the gods, Kind of kept waiting for High John to swoop in and offer help but that did not happen till literally the very last end of the book
- I really did not like the fact that we hinted at cotton monster but it's not him anymore it's "his shadow"
- I really didn't like the lack of backstory for granny, that was about time to offer it, and what's with strong blood we don't really know or we might have guessed but we are not sure.
I am looking forward for the rebuild ok Alke and the whole adventure that will take place in the Normal world to find all the lost ones
I really Liked the theme in the book, I remember feeling for Tristan in the 1st book, feeling for his lose and his remorse. However, this is different, this is more about rebuilding and not letting lose determine the situation
I really Liked the fact that Granny was in a power league with all the goddesses their, it made me feel like they had tea parties where they talked about her baby grand son and they told her stories
I like the un-finality of it and can't wait for the next one.
With all the good points stated, let's talk about the ones I did not really like
- I did not like the lack of the gods, Kind of kept waiting for High John to swoop in and offer help but that did not happen till literally the very last end of the book
- I really did not like the fact that we hinted at cotton monster but it's not him anymore it's "his shadow"
- I really didn't like the lack of backstory for granny, that was about time to offer it, and what's with strong blood we don't really know or we might have guessed but we are not sure.
I am looking forward for the rebuild ok Alke and the whole adventure that will take place in the Normal world to find all the lost ones
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I received the e-arc for this book from the publisher and then bought my own copy. Thanks! All opinions are my own and support your authors!
Book: Tristan Strong Destroys the World
Author: Kwame Mbalia
Book Series: Tristan Strong Book 2
Diversity: Black MC and side characters
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Middle grade, fantasy, mythology, African mythology and lore
Genre: MG Fantasy
Publication Date: October 6, 2020
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 390
Recommended Age: 10+ (Violence, Grief, Trauma)
Explanation of CWs: Punching and there are some weapons used. There are very scary moments and the subject of trauma is brought up literally and in an allegorical sense.
Synopsis: Tristan Strong, just back from a victorious but exhausting adventure in Alke, the land of African American folk heroes and African gods, is suffering from PTSD. But there's no rest for the weary when his grandmother is abducted by a mysterious villain out for revenge. Tristan must return to Alke--and reunite with his loud-mouthed sidekick, Gum Baby--in order to rescue Nana and stop the culprit from creating further devastation. Anansi, now a "web developer" in Tristan's phone, is close at hand to offer advice, and several new folk heroes will aid Tristan in his quest, but he will only succeed if he can figure out a way to sew broken souls back together.
Review: I really liked this sequel. While the first book felt like it could stand alone this book picked up well from the first and the ending led me to want more of it. The characters are all well developed, the world building is well done, and I loved the African mythology and lore. I love the stories and I love how the author condenses these stories for this book.
The only thing I had issue with is that the book was very fast paced. There's a lot going on in the book and you gotta pay attention or you'll be lost.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: Tristan Strong Destroys the World
Author: Kwame Mbalia
Book Series: Tristan Strong Book 2
Diversity: Black MC and side characters
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Middle grade, fantasy, mythology, African mythology and lore
Genre: MG Fantasy
Publication Date: October 6, 2020
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 390
Recommended Age: 10+ (Violence, Grief, Trauma)
Explanation of CWs: Punching and there are some weapons used. There are very scary moments and the subject of trauma is brought up literally and in an allegorical sense.
Synopsis: Tristan Strong, just back from a victorious but exhausting adventure in Alke, the land of African American folk heroes and African gods, is suffering from PTSD. But there's no rest for the weary when his grandmother is abducted by a mysterious villain out for revenge. Tristan must return to Alke--and reunite with his loud-mouthed sidekick, Gum Baby--in order to rescue Nana and stop the culprit from creating further devastation. Anansi, now a "web developer" in Tristan's phone, is close at hand to offer advice, and several new folk heroes will aid Tristan in his quest, but he will only succeed if he can figure out a way to sew broken souls back together.
Review: I really liked this sequel. While the first book felt like it could stand alone this book picked up well from the first and the ending led me to want more of it. The characters are all well developed, the world building is well done, and I loved the African mythology and lore. I love the stories and I love how the author condenses these stories for this book.
The only thing I had issue with is that the book was very fast paced. There's a lot going on in the book and you gotta pay attention or you'll be lost.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
ahoward1512's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.75
biblioemily's review
4.0
*Thank you to Rick Riordan Presents & Edelweiss for the eARC* 3.5 stars. This one was just wasn't as strong to me as book 1. It felt like it took a long time for the story to get moving, then the pacing was non-stop towards the end. It seems clear that this will be a trilogy (maybe we already knew that?), and this middle book felt like mostly filler with a bit of moving the story forward at the end. Still fun, still will recommend to middle grades & middle school readers, especially those who enjoyed the first book!
arjwalks_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0