madelinefmcguire's review against another edition
3.0
When Nathan decides to spend the summer with his grandmother at her mobile summer home rather than with his father and his father’s new girlfriend Nathan knows he’s going to be in for a boring summer. Still he’s excited to spend time with his Grandmother and his Uncle Jet. One night when Nathan gets lost in the nearby desert he finds something extraordinary; A Holy Being from the Navajo Creation Story specifically a Water Monster in need of help. But healing a Holy Being isn’t as simple as getting medicine from the doctor he must journey to the Fourth World, face challenges by other Holy Beings, and learn ancient songs and brave talking to the Water Monster’s Mom. All while helping his Uncle Jet with his problems and hiding his adventure from the adults who wouldn’t understand.
It took me a while to get into the story partly because I don't have an understanding of the Navajo language which appears quite often and I feel like it stuttered my reading brain. And partly because it takes a bit of time to get into the story of the Water Monster. I did enjoy it but I can see a middle grade reader enjoying it more. A good recommendation for someone who likes mythology and adventure.
It took me a while to get into the story partly because I don't have an understanding of the Navajo language which appears quite often and I feel like it stuttered my reading brain. And partly because it takes a bit of time to get into the story of the Water Monster. I did enjoy it but I can see a middle grade reader enjoying it more. A good recommendation for someone who likes mythology and adventure.
antonique_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
Another great novel from the new Heartdrum imprint! This one almost felt like part of the Rick Riordan Presents group as well, because of Nathan's quest for the Navajo gods. (It's not.) Nathan is upset with his parents, who seem to be valuing other things more than him. He decides to spend his summer with his grandmother in the desert, in her mobile home without electricity or running water. He frames it around conducting an experiment to see which fares better, authentic native corn seeds or modern GMO corn seeds. When he comes across an assistant to the Holy Beings stealing his traditional seeds, he is thrust into the world of Holy Beings that he had only heard about in his grandmother's stories. Now it falls upon him to save the Water Monster and bring the desert out of the great drought. Can he be brave enough to journey to the Third World and ask Mother Water Monster for help? Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
srain's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really well crafted novel. I had to read this for a challenge but boy did it blow me away. IT gave me a look at the some elements of the navajo culture. I also just loved how this book had elements of both modern world and also the mystical world. It was a really engainging read that was fast past story that handled so many topics but was a fast pace novel with a quest at the heart of it. I also think you could really connect to nathan and his complicaed his life his and he is hero that is complicated as percy jackson and i am hoping we get more stories in this world. I loved all the legends in this story!! such a nice read!! bravo!!
danaslitlist's review against another edition
I’ll be withholding any reviews of Harper Collin’s books until they meet with the HCP Union and agree to pay them a livable wage. For more information please check out the Union’s instagram.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Fatphobia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal death
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
3.5
Overall a solid middle grade. Nathan would get on my nerves quite a lot, but I have to remember he is a child and I'm sure I was like him as a child many times. I enjoyed the journey and learning about Navajo culture. Some of it was pretty tough to read from an emotional standpoint like what Nali had to do for her son's ceremony and the ending with Pond. Those moments really stood out to me and I even teared up a little at the ending. The Holy Beings were super fun and I enjoyed their characters a lot.
For me it was a pretty slow start but wrapped up nicely.
For me it was a pretty slow start but wrapped up nicely.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Terminal illness, Animal death, Body shaming, Death, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Grief
perpetualpages's review against another edition
This review is being held until the HarperCollins Union strike ends.
yarydoll's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
It gives us a window into Navajo culture, in a fun and respectful way. It also about everyday heroes like a middle school age boy navigating his loves. His family that is going thru divorce, science experiments, his paternal grandmother and uncle. He's finding himself by getting lost in the desert and making friends of Holy Beings. Also going on a grand adventure to try to heal his friend the water monster. This is a tale of Navajo myths so I think it would be wrong to call this a fantasy book, it is an adventure story, and it was fun to immerse myself in this story.