(2) YA Outlaw Saints series. Mateo Matisse lives with his tías in Little Madrigal, Brooklyn, where exiles from San Madrigal, a Caribbean island that sank when he was a baby, have established themselves in the diaspora. San Madrigaleros are descendants of the island's three founders--a pirate, a Santero, and a rabbi. The three groups have shared life through the exodus, proud of remaining unconquered and a true democracy. Underneath, however, power-grabbing schemes are taking place and will bring chaos literally to the surface. Mateo witnesses a classmate murder someone as a traditional celebration turns deadly. When he and his friends are forced to take action, Mateo will discover that he has a healing power, a crucial role to play, and new feelings for someone really dangerous. Older deftly combines fantasy with political concepts to portray a young adult's journey through identity, mental health, and romance. The fictional Madrigaleros represent a creative fusion of real Afro-Caribbean cultures, including religious traditions from Santería (which incorporates Yoruba and Catholic elements) and Sephardic Judaism, rendered authentic by the story of the island's origins. Older cleverly integrates languages, music, foods, and other cultural elements, though some translation errors are present in this edition in Spanish passages. The novel's political coups, supernatural forces, and thrilling action should leave readers eager for the second half of the projected duology.

Reviewer: Alicia K. Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(2) 4-6 Gifted Clans series. As an adopted member of the Gom, the Korean healing-witch clan, Riley wishes she had magic like her sister Hattie so she could finally fit in. Hattie's spell to give Riley half of her magic is preempted by some shocking news, though--Riley isn't actually saram, a non-magical person, but instead is a member of the Horangi, the clan expelled for attempting to steal the goddesses' power for themselves. Undeterred, Hattie determines to summon Mago Halmi, the mother of all creation, to ask that Riley be transformed into a Gom, but the spell overtaxes her, and she collapses. Riley agrees to go on a quest to locate the "last fallen star" in order to save her sister. Kim has crafted her adventure from Korean myths, and the Riordan imprint's winning formula informs its construction: mythological monsters menace modern-day kids, who must learn to use their powers while contending with the gods/goddesses to prevent certain catastrophe. Riley is helped on her quest by her best friend Emmett, whose steadfast if unsentimental companionship offers a contrast to the reversals and layers of intrigue they encounter while tracking down the fallen star. The ending hints at possible sequels to this warm, well-plotted fantasy.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) 4-6 Sal and Gabi are back in the sequel to Pura Belpré Award–winning Sal & Gabi Break the Universe, only this time they have to fix the universe--and during tech week for their school's production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Gabi is playing Alice), no less. Sal's father, a calamity physicist, thinks the way to do it is by mending the rips in the membrane between universes, but Sal's not so sure. Then a rogue Gabi from another universe pops up, warning of even more dire consequences. Can she be trusted? And must the (truly terrible) show go on? Featuring a diverse cast of characters both human and AI (and introducing Vorágine, a talking toilet whose name means "­whirlpool" in Spanish), Hernandez balances action with playfulness, humor, and heart. As to the children's quest, "No es fácil," to quote Sal (and "every Cuban ever"), but when it's all over, it's easy for readers to follow the advice of Sal's homeroom teacher Srx. Cosquillas and "be generous with the applause."

Reviewer: Anamaría Anderson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(2) 4-6 In the sequel to CSK honoree Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (rev. 7/20), Tristan once again finds himself responsible for saving Alke from destruction. This time, however, the stakes are even higher, as the fate of Alke is intricately intertwined with the fate of the real world. A month after Tristan's return to his family's farm in Alabama, a mysterious monster called the Shamble Man abducts Tristan's grandmother and takes her back to Alke. Tristan is determined to save her, so he embarks on an adventure that will again challenge his hero identity and force him to consider a difficult truth: although he did previously save Alke, he was also the one who created the danger. Fans of the first novel will enjoy this sequel, as familiar characters, such as Gum Baby and Ayanna, populate the story and new African and African American gods, such as Keelboat Annie and Mami Wata, are introduced. Mbalia's stunning landscapes, suspenseful action sequences, and well-paced story line--including questions of how our stories can create but also destroy--will keep readers enthralled to the very end.

Reviewer: S. R. Toliver | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(2) 4-6 Pandava series. Aru is accused of stealing the god of love's bow and arrow. She's given ten days to return them or be stripped of her Pandava (reincarnated demigod) memories and banished from the Otherworld. The story moves at a breakneck pace as Aru encounters legendary beings from Hindu mythology, who comically interact with the modern world. The importance of how you see yourself is at the heart of this entertaining second installment. Glos.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2019

(2) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Min has a powerful secret: she's a fox spirit disguised as a human; she can shape-shift and use magic to alter others' perceptions. Min enthusiastically wields these powers when she ditches her "dismal life" on the barren planet Jinju to track down her brother Jun, a Space Forces cadet who's gone AWOL. Lee's richly detailed, cohesive, original vision is a lively mash-up of outer-space sci-fi and Korean culture and folklore.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(3) 4-6 Tristan's pursuit of Gum Baby, who has stolen Tristan's deceased friend's journal, leads him to the land of Alke, where--amid a series of perilous adventures--he discovers his own power as an Anansesem, or storyteller. This action-packed tale weaves in African and African American folklore, while sensitive Tristan's first-person narration provides humor as well as insight into grief, guilt, and racial issues.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(3) 4-6 Pandava series. Twelve-year-old Aru knew she shouldn't light the Lamp of Bharata just to show off to her schoolmates, but she never expected to rouse a demon bent on awakening the God of Destruction. Now she must save her museum-curator mother and, well, everyone else. Witty humor and quick pacing carry readers through the Kingdom of Death in this series-starting fantasy rooted in Hindu mythology. Glos.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay