traeh's review against another edition
4.0
Before I begin, I understand this is a Juvenile Fiction and I am an adult, so I am not the target audience. I read a lot of Juvenile Fiction though, and the first person narrative style of this book was annoying. I don’t mind the protagonist talking “to me” conversationally, but the narrator was annoying to me.
That being said, the story was interesting enough that I dealt with the annoying narration to know the story. I enjoyed all the different tales interwoven and seeing different sides of these characters’ personalities. Had it not been for Tristan’s annoying side comments, I would have easily given this a 5 star rating for Juvenile Fiction.
That being said, the story was interesting enough that I dealt with the annoying narration to know the story. I enjoyed all the different tales interwoven and seeing different sides of these characters’ personalities. Had it not been for Tristan’s annoying side comments, I would have easily given this a 5 star rating for Juvenile Fiction.
konphuzed3330's review against another edition
5.0
I laughed so much.
Gum Baby is everything.
I cant wait to learn more about the gods.
Tristan is one of the most honest and endearing characters I have had the pleasure of meeting.
I repeat, Gum Baby. Is. Everything.
SAP ATTACK!
Gum Baby is everything.
I cant wait to learn more about the gods.
Tristan is one of the most honest and endearing characters I have had the pleasure of meeting.
I repeat, Gum Baby. Is. Everything.
SAP ATTACK!
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
The note by Rick Riordan made me think this was going to be more like his Percy Jackson series but with African-American folklore and myths. That part is there, but the Percy part isn't as much - Tristan doesn't interact with others his age, only with the myths (John Henry, Gum Baby, etc.). There's more of a quick dive rather than the slow immersion into those stories which may be a problem for readers who don't understand the terms (Maafa) or the significance of Uncle C in that world.
eARC provided by publisher.
eARC provided by publisher.
susia_123's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
kemendraugh's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this. So hard to read, and so good. Loved ALL the characters.
stackx's review against another edition
3.0
5/10
Nice read, but I didn't overly enjoy it.
The story follows a familiar and predictable storyline—if you're familiar with Rick Riordan's books—and it has its moments of humor and sadness.
A nice, albeit, light introduction to African mythology via Tristan and the gang.
Nice read, but I didn't overly enjoy it.
The story follows a familiar and predictable storyline—if you're familiar with Rick Riordan's books—and it has its moments of humor and sadness.
A nice, albeit, light introduction to African mythology via Tristan and the gang.
kellycoburn37's review against another edition
4.0
I am officially making it my mission to read all of the Rick Riordan Imprints books. I loved learning about the gods in this one! I feel like I've heard some of these stories but a lot of them were new to me.
I also thought Tristan Strong was such a great character. I feel like a lot of kids would be able to relate to him. He is grieving and going through a lot of changes but he is still so strong (no pun intended).
I really enjoyed this book and I'm excited to put it in my classroom!
I also thought Tristan Strong was such a great character. I feel like a lot of kids would be able to relate to him. He is grieving and going through a lot of changes but he is still so strong (no pun intended).
I really enjoyed this book and I'm excited to put it in my classroom!
paigereitz's review against another edition
5.0
Phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal. The cast of characters is amazing. The story of a teen Black boy grappling with the feelings of grief and humanity and vulnerability is SO needed. The metaphors that Mbalia utilizes to create a world where a young Black boy can encounter remnants of slavery and fight back, can reclaim and rewrite some of those stories, was so well done and so needed. Just...amazing. I'm still reeling in the best ways.
snazel's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely earns the hype. Fantastic coming-of-age story, full of american folklore and joyous afrofuturism, built around a core of grief and how it must be acknowledged but not allow it to overcome you.
Definitely went through some culture shock with how everybody just says what's on their mind, good and definitely bad, (cue Jasmine doing canadian shock and "you can't just say things like that" faces), but once I shook myself clear of that it was just a delight.
Definitely went through some culture shock with how everybody just says what's on their mind, good and definitely bad, (cue Jasmine doing canadian shock and "you can't just say things like that" faces), but once I shook myself clear of that it was just a delight.
pickett22's review against another edition
This is legitimately a VERY good book. I think it might objectively be the best of the RRP imprint that I've read so far (although I think I might still favour Dragon Pearl?).
The meta of it is amazing. It's poignant and profound and honestly hard to read without crying at some points. This book should be taught in all North American classrooms.
It took me a very long time to get through this book, but that's on me and my brain all of a sudden deciding that middle grade books were too hard to read (but for whatever reason, non-fiction was totally consumable. Make my brain make sense, please). It's a really, really excellent book, very highly recommended, and I look forward to my brain someday letting me read the next one.
The meta of it is amazing.
Spoiler
A world of people being hunted down by the legacy of slavery, their stories erased by fetters and brands and hulking ships of pain come to take them away, in the name of cotton and greed and everyone trying to forget and pretend it didn't happen, but that only makes it worse; pain, grief, and guilt must be confronted.It took me a very long time to get through this book, but that's on me and my brain all of a sudden deciding that middle grade books were too hard to read (but for whatever reason, non-fiction was totally consumable. Make my brain make sense, please). It's a really, really excellent book, very highly recommended, and I look forward to my brain someday letting me read the next one.