detailsandtales's review against another edition
5.0
This is a story about diaspora and identity and finding your confidence and your place within the community. It's also about multiple groups of people trying to come together to form one community, and about what happens when there are lies and secrets. My favorite part about this story was the worldbuilding. The community from the vanished island of San Madrigal is a mix of Santeros, pirates, and Sephardi Jews, all of their beliefs and cultures intermingling, and I love that so much. I especially appreciate that the Judaism represented here is Sephardi, because so much fictional Jewish representation is Ashkenazi. I also appreciate the characters and the ensemble cast that comes together to work the problem, including a number of supportive adults. I also appreciate the casual LGBTQ+ representation, that is just there on the page and never made into an issue. This is such a good book, and I hope we get to see more of these characters and this community in future works.
phyrre's review against another edition
5.0
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Many thanks to Rick Riordan Presents and Rockstar Book Tours for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
I knew right away that I needed to read this book for many reasons. One, I always go out of my way to read Rick Riordan Presents, because I absolutely love diverse mythology and need more of it in my life. More than that, though, Ballad & Dagger is unique in the way it touches on a diaspora community and the unique blend of cultures that exists in places like New York City. It delves into what it means to try to save your culture in the face of larger cultural pressure.
Ballad & Dagger is a fast-paced urban fantasy filled with a blend of cultures and languages, diverse mythology, a hilarious squad, plenty of banter, and a plot that will grab you by the throat and demand you read more.
I don’t think I can understate how much I loved this book and how disappointed I am that I now have to wait for the sequel. If this series were completely released already, I would more than happily sit and binge these things in a weekend. I won’t say this book is necessarily fast-paced, because I don’t think it necessarily is, but Older has such a strong, vivid writing voice that I instantly connected with and it just pulled me in and brought me along for the ride. There’s so much going on in this book, and yet, I don’t feel like I can talk about much of it simply because of the way it pulls together, little by little, to create a big picture. I don’t want to give anything important away!
My Thoughts
- Meet the residents of San Madrigal, or what’s left of them after the diaspora, anyway, after their island sank 15 years ago and they were forced to create their own little pocket in New York City to keep their culture alive. What Older builds in Ballad & Dagger is a little bit of a mess and sometimes a contradiction, but then again, aren’t we all? San Madrigal, despite being fictitious, has a rather rich backstory and history to it. The people are descended from a mix of cultures, most notably Cuban, West African, and Jewish. This plays a part in how society was structured in San Madrigal, but it also means that everyone exists in this unique blend of cultures, beliefs, and languages as part of their everyday. It’s an especially lovely thing.
On the streets of Little Madrigal in New York City, you’ll hear Hebrew and Spanish and some mixed languages, so don’t be surprised to find these in the book. For Mateo, specifically, his family is of Cuban descent, so his mother tends to speak Spanglish, which if you’ve been around a Hispanic community, this speech style will immediately feel familiar to you. If not, don’t worry! Older does a great job of translating these phrases in the context of the story, so you won’t miss anything.
- Mateo is a fantastic protagonist in that he’s extremely relatable, super sarcastic and funny, and has a really engaging sort of narrative that makes the book just fly by before you know it. I can’t even begin to tell you just how much I love Mateo. He’s in that weird, awkward teen stage where he’s growing up but not quite grown up yet. Just on the cusp of adulthood and still not sure of what he’s doing. I mean, he tries his hardest, but bless his heart, he’s just a hot mess.
There’s a really weird juxtaposition here that I absolutely love. The book opens with Mateo witnessing a murder. But considering he lives among pirates, this maybe isn’t so weird, even though it definitely scars him. Amidst all this drama, though, and the unrest in his community, Mateo is still just a normal teen, bragging about his budding facial hair and being teased by his friends about his crush.
- The squad in this book is *chef’s kiss* and I can’t wait for the next book to join them again because they were just so much fun! Tams is basically the opposite of Mateo. Where he’s often awkward and bumbling along in life, just making it by the seat of his pants, Tams is suave and self-assured. She knows what she wants and she goes after it. Despite everything, she’s got Mateo’s back, no matter what, and it’s that sort of loyalty that makes their dynamic so irresistible.
Maza is a little bit more of an enigma. She doesn’t get as much screen time, but she naturally cliques with the group and brings her own skills to the table. Maza is wicked smart and capable and makes a perfect partner in crime for Tams.
All the side characters in this, though, are easy to like fall in love with. Their dynamic is just *chef’s kiss*. This is easily a squad that I’d like to hang out with for a while!
Many thanks to Rick Riordan Presents and Rockstar Book Tours for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
I knew right away that I needed to read this book for many reasons. One, I always go out of my way to read Rick Riordan Presents, because I absolutely love diverse mythology and need more of it in my life. More than that, though, Ballad & Dagger is unique in the way it touches on a diaspora community and the unique blend of cultures that exists in places like New York City. It delves into what it means to try to save your culture in the face of larger cultural pressure.
Ballad & Dagger is a fast-paced urban fantasy filled with a blend of cultures and languages, diverse mythology, a hilarious squad, plenty of banter, and a plot that will grab you by the throat and demand you read more.
I don’t think I can understate how much I loved this book and how disappointed I am that I now have to wait for the sequel. If this series were completely released already, I would more than happily sit and binge these things in a weekend. I won’t say this book is necessarily fast-paced, because I don’t think it necessarily is, but Older has such a strong, vivid writing voice that I instantly connected with and it just pulled me in and brought me along for the ride. There’s so much going on in this book, and yet, I don’t feel like I can talk about much of it simply because of the way it pulls together, little by little, to create a big picture. I don’t want to give anything important away!
My Thoughts
- Meet the residents of San Madrigal, or what’s left of them after the diaspora, anyway, after their island sank 15 years ago and they were forced to create their own little pocket in New York City to keep their culture alive. What Older builds in Ballad & Dagger is a little bit of a mess and sometimes a contradiction, but then again, aren’t we all? San Madrigal, despite being fictitious, has a rather rich backstory and history to it. The people are descended from a mix of cultures, most notably Cuban, West African, and Jewish. This plays a part in how society was structured in San Madrigal, but it also means that everyone exists in this unique blend of cultures, beliefs, and languages as part of their everyday. It’s an especially lovely thing.
On the streets of Little Madrigal in New York City, you’ll hear Hebrew and Spanish and some mixed languages, so don’t be surprised to find these in the book. For Mateo, specifically, his family is of Cuban descent, so his mother tends to speak Spanglish, which if you’ve been around a Hispanic community, this speech style will immediately feel familiar to you. If not, don’t worry! Older does a great job of translating these phrases in the context of the story, so you won’t miss anything.
- Mateo is a fantastic protagonist in that he’s extremely relatable, super sarcastic and funny, and has a really engaging sort of narrative that makes the book just fly by before you know it. I can’t even begin to tell you just how much I love Mateo. He’s in that weird, awkward teen stage where he’s growing up but not quite grown up yet. Just on the cusp of adulthood and still not sure of what he’s doing. I mean, he tries his hardest, but bless his heart, he’s just a hot mess.
There’s a really weird juxtaposition here that I absolutely love. The book opens with Mateo witnessing a murder. But considering he lives among pirates, this maybe isn’t so weird, even though it definitely scars him. Amidst all this drama, though, and the unrest in his community, Mateo is still just a normal teen, bragging about his budding facial hair and being teased by his friends about his crush.
- The squad in this book is *chef’s kiss* and I can’t wait for the next book to join them again because they were just so much fun! Tams is basically the opposite of Mateo. Where he’s often awkward and bumbling along in life, just making it by the seat of his pants, Tams is suave and self-assured. She knows what she wants and she goes after it. Despite everything, she’s got Mateo’s back, no matter what, and it’s that sort of loyalty that makes their dynamic so irresistible.
Maza is a little bit more of an enigma. She doesn’t get as much screen time, but she naturally cliques with the group and brings her own skills to the table. Maza is wicked smart and capable and makes a perfect partner in crime for Tams.
All the side characters in this, though, are easy to like fall in love with. Their dynamic is just *chef’s kiss*. This is easily a squad that I’d like to hang out with for a while!
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
4.0
Book Summary:
Mateo Matisse's homeland disappeared into the sea. Yes, exactly like the story of Atlantis, only not. Because there are living people who are grieving the loss of their home, Mateo and his family are working hard to keep their culture alive, hoping to one day find their way back home.
Unfortunately, the evil that targeted their home isn't finished, and that means there's a battle looming on the horizon. Thankfully, there are a few secrets Matteo is about to learn about that will help to even the odds.
My Review:
Wow! Ballad & Dagger was such a fantastic introduction to this world. I can see why Rick Riordan backed it – it is right up his alley. This YA fantasy novel has a little bit of something for everyone and is such a fun read.
I'll admit that the introduction is a bit slower-paced than I would like. The good news is that it does pick up, with the latter chunk of the book going at lightning speed. At that point, you won't be ready to say goodbye and will be sad to see it go. The good news is that this is the start of a series, so there's more to come!
The cultural elements and insight into this novel were a delight and are absolutely one of several highlights of this book. Go read Ballad & Dagger if you have a moment; it's worth it.
Highlights:
Urban Fantasy
Mythology
Magic with traditions
Trigger Warnings:
Colorism
Death/murder
Diaspora
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
Mateo Matisse's homeland disappeared into the sea. Yes, exactly like the story of Atlantis, only not. Because there are living people who are grieving the loss of their home, Mateo and his family are working hard to keep their culture alive, hoping to one day find their way back home.
Unfortunately, the evil that targeted their home isn't finished, and that means there's a battle looming on the horizon. Thankfully, there are a few secrets Matteo is about to learn about that will help to even the odds.
My Review:
Wow! Ballad & Dagger was such a fantastic introduction to this world. I can see why Rick Riordan backed it – it is right up his alley. This YA fantasy novel has a little bit of something for everyone and is such a fun read.
I'll admit that the introduction is a bit slower-paced than I would like. The good news is that it does pick up, with the latter chunk of the book going at lightning speed. At that point, you won't be ready to say goodbye and will be sad to see it go. The good news is that this is the start of a series, so there's more to come!
The cultural elements and insight into this novel were a delight and are absolutely one of several highlights of this book. Go read Ballad & Dagger if you have a moment; it's worth it.
Highlights:
Urban Fantasy
Mythology
Magic with traditions
Trigger Warnings:
Colorism
Death/murder
Diaspora
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
3.0
This book as another mythology focused read. Also there first forway into YA. I thought this book was mash up of a bunch of different elements a chosen one mythology and also trying to raise a civlivation and so many other elements. I also liked this book focused on male lead. This book also was fun read, it gave me massive encato vibes in some ways. I also just thought the world and the mythology elements. I would def read more by this author in the future.
lunderwhatsen's review
5.0
Best YA I’ve read in quite a long time. He wrote characters you can care about and made an amazing, original story to go with them. Highly recommend
milwaukee_scheherazade's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
antoinettepowb's review against another edition
4.0
An amazing coming-of-age fantasy with music and spirits! Mateo's love of music and how it was interwoven into his new powers came across beautifully. I enjoyed the friendship he shared with Tams and the love he shared with his Tia Lucia. Chela and her blades quickly became my favorite character. The history, culture, and lies surrounding the sunken island of San Madrigal and its diaspora were intriguing aspects that kept me guessing.
Thanks, NetGalley, Rick Riordan Presents, and Disney-Hyperion!
Thanks, NetGalley, Rick Riordan Presents, and Disney-Hyperion!
mrskingisreading's review against another edition
4.0
3.5, rounded up.
Exposition took the entire first half of the book… and it was slow going. But, once you knew what was happening, dang!
Exposition took the entire first half of the book… and it was slow going. But, once you knew what was happening, dang!
ladylevan's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0