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primgoddess's review against another edition
So boring and super cringe worthy, yikes.
blizzardbooks's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? No
3.75
_jaime's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
cmckayo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
janaesynai's review against another edition
3.0
I give this book 3.5 stars. As you read this book you can literally picture everything happening. Wish we seen more romantically from the two main characters as I didn’t really feel that true connection between the two. Nice read tho.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Ballad & Dagger lends a fantastical twist to the immigrant experience. It's set in Brooklyn, but in a diaspora community from a fictional island that sank into the sea. The island's population was a blend of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews, and it had its own unique culture---and magic! The world-building in this book is top-notch and there are lush descriptions of the culture's music, which is especially important to the MC, Mateo. Most of the story revolves around the political machinations of the community's leaders and secrets that have been kept from the people for centuries (so it does start out a bit low on action and heavy on world-building, but eventually the plot picks up). The book tackles the topic of colonialism head-on, and it also talks about issues of racism and classism. All of this is tied into a magical story about a teenage boy with powers he didn't know he had. The fate of his community just might lie in his hands, but he isn't sure if the community is ready for what they might learn in the process. If you're a fan of contemporary fantasy with intricate world-building, this book is for you!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Ballad & Dagger lends a fantastical twist to the immigrant experience. It's set in Brooklyn, but in a diaspora community from a fictional island that sank into the sea. The island's population was a blend of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews, and it had its own unique culture---and magic! The world-building in this book is top-notch and there are lush descriptions of the culture's music, which is especially important to the MC, Mateo. Most of the story revolves around the political machinations of the community's leaders and secrets that have been kept from the people for centuries (so it does start out a bit low on action and heavy on world-building, but eventually the plot picks up). The book tackles the topic of colonialism head-on, and it also talks about issues of racism and classism. All of this is tied into a magical story about a teenage boy with powers he didn't know he had. The fate of his community just might lie in his hands, but he isn't sure if the community is ready for what they might learn in the process. If you're a fan of contemporary fantasy with intricate world-building, this book is for you!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
vibingandy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
danihope's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
emilybrianne's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
There was so much to love about this book! The setting and fantasy elements were amazing. Where it let me down was in the lack of development of Gerval’s character and what felt like a rushed ending. There wasn’t time to grieve the losses and there was another major plot point that happened in an instant. And it was just over. I left the book a little disappointed even though there was so much I loved.