Scan barcode
melbjackson's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this fantasy set in a secret world that has origins in Afro-Caribbean culture and religious traditions from Santeria and Sephardic Judaism. There's political intrigue, pirates, diaspora, teenage crushes, ghosts, secret histories and a secret island! Older weaves all this all together in satisfying and humorous adventure.
16 year old Mateo and Chela must join forces to unravel the mystery behind their sunken homeland and to stop a dangerous political operative who is trying to unleash terror on the world. They must come to terms with some dark secrets of their homeland, San Madrigal, a Caribbean island that sank when Mateo was a baby and that has been kept hidden from history books and maps, and decide if it's better to keep the knowledge hidden from people who like to think of their island in only the most positive way (very similar to how people in the US are trying to do with our own history). At the same time they are teens and are questioning their own identities and their place in the world and developing crushes. Older really gets the teen voice right with these characters and cleverly integrates languages, music, foods, and other cultural elements with some excellent world building. This first book in the duology ends on a satisfying cliffhanger, leaving readers excited for the conclusion. Will definitely appeal to Riordan fans.
16 year old Mateo and Chela must join forces to unravel the mystery behind their sunken homeland and to stop a dangerous political operative who is trying to unleash terror on the world. They must come to terms with some dark secrets of their homeland, San Madrigal, a Caribbean island that sank when Mateo was a baby and that has been kept hidden from history books and maps, and decide if it's better to keep the knowledge hidden from people who like to think of their island in only the most positive way (very similar to how people in the US are trying to do with our own history). At the same time they are teens and are questioning their own identities and their place in the world and developing crushes. Older really gets the teen voice right with these characters and cleverly integrates languages, music, foods, and other cultural elements with some excellent world building. This first book in the duology ends on a satisfying cliffhanger, leaving readers excited for the conclusion. Will definitely appeal to Riordan fans.
nholman006's review against another edition
Too slow and the narration was annoying. Felt too young/teenage.
snakeboba's review against another edition
3.0
DID NOT FINISH
I gave 3/5 due to the fact it wasn’t the writing or story that turned me away at all. I simply couldn’t get into the book no matter how much I tried but I believe anyone who likes these types of stories should give it a try.
I gave 3/5 due to the fact it wasn’t the writing or story that turned me away at all. I simply couldn’t get into the book no matter how much I tried but I believe anyone who likes these types of stories should give it a try.
hannahhbic's review against another edition
5.0
Older has created a world that's truly compelling and engrossing. There's a lot of new terms in three languages(!!) but fortunately there's a glossary in the back! The biggest strength is the characters and their COMMUNITY that's established way before the story begins. Mateo and his Tia Lucia are a fun combination of big personalities. My favorites are Tambs and Maza, who show up for Mateo over and over. You feel like you're actually there, in Little Madrigal. The setting is that strong! I highly recommend the audiobook version specifically.
Thank you to NetGalley for a preview copy of the ebook and eaudiobook in exchange for an honest review. Can't wait for book two.
Thank you to NetGalley for a preview copy of the ebook and eaudiobook in exchange for an honest review. Can't wait for book two.
freadomlibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger warnings: death, murder, violence, betrayal
BALLAD & DAGGER follows Mateo Matisse, a sixteen year old piano prodigy who has hopes of impressing his hero Gerval, the only musician from their refugee community of Little Madrigal who has made it in the outside world. His chance arrives at the Grand Fete, the celebration of the blended cultures of pirates, Cuban Santeros and Sephardic Jews which created the island of San Madrigal that sank into the ocean the year he was born. Instead of shining for his musical skill, Mateo receives unprecedented attention and is suddenly thrust into an ancient battle which forces him to confront everything he thinks he knows about his community, their history and himself.
I had really high expectations for this story and I was not disappointed! It has everything I love about a YA fantasy (action, adventure, mystery and lore), while adding new and unique elements that make this story shine. The use of music and the exploration of spirituality and faith really resonated with me and made me fall in love with the world. The vast cast of characters and the world building could be sometimes confusing, and it took me awhile to truly understand, but once the story picks up, it’s an amazing, wild ride. Definitely recommend!
BALLAD & DAGGER follows Mateo Matisse, a sixteen year old piano prodigy who has hopes of impressing his hero Gerval, the only musician from their refugee community of Little Madrigal who has made it in the outside world. His chance arrives at the Grand Fete, the celebration of the blended cultures of pirates, Cuban Santeros and Sephardic Jews which created the island of San Madrigal that sank into the ocean the year he was born. Instead of shining for his musical skill, Mateo receives unprecedented attention and is suddenly thrust into an ancient battle which forces him to confront everything he thinks he knows about his community, their history and himself.
I had really high expectations for this story and I was not disappointed! It has everything I love about a YA fantasy (action, adventure, mystery and lore), while adding new and unique elements that make this story shine. The use of music and the exploration of spirituality and faith really resonated with me and made me fall in love with the world. The vast cast of characters and the world building could be sometimes confusing, and it took me awhile to truly understand, but once the story picks up, it’s an amazing, wild ride. Definitely recommend!
nocorset's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
emeraldblizzard'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
5.0
9queenbee9's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was an ok book for me. I really wanted to be hooked by this one because had a good premise. But I guess it wasn’t for me