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bibliomania_express's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia is the final book in the Tristan Strong trilogy and it packs all the punches promised by the title.
Like in the previous books, Tristan grapples with trauma and the power of storytelling, but this book is about the stories that aren't told. It's about the way history is woven into the roots of cities, communities, and lives, but is also erased, sanitized, and avoided. How bigotry and hate hide behind the mask of concern and law.
To save disappearing children and finally defeat the evil haint Cotton, Tristan will have to uncover stories of the past, of slave plantations, civil war, and persecutions. He'll have to find a way to stand up for his people and keep punching against all odds.
This book is heavy. Sure, it has its moments of middle grade levity, which Mbalia expertly uses to break up the heavy and feel true to his twelve-year-old protagonist. But he also doesn't shy away from the traumas of slavery, racism, and bigotry.
There are a couple small things I could quibble about - plot points dropped and new characters introduced than moved on from too quickly - but this is such an important book and such a fitting conclusion to this series that I'll refrain.
Like in the previous books, Tristan grapples with trauma and the power of storytelling, but this book is about the stories that aren't told. It's about the way history is woven into the roots of cities, communities, and lives, but is also erased, sanitized, and avoided. How bigotry and hate hide behind the mask of concern and law.
To save disappearing children and finally defeat the evil haint Cotton, Tristan will have to uncover stories of the past, of slave plantations, civil war, and persecutions. He'll have to find a way to stand up for his people and keep punching against all odds.
This book is heavy. Sure, it has its moments of middle grade levity, which Mbalia expertly uses to break up the heavy and feel true to his twelve-year-old protagonist. But he also doesn't shy away from the traumas of slavery, racism, and bigotry.
There are a couple small things I could quibble about - plot points dropped and new characters introduced than moved on from too quickly - but this is such an important book and such a fitting conclusion to this series that I'll refrain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Colonisation, Racism, Slavery, and Confinement
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Trafficking, Gaslighting, and War
Minor: Police brutality
kay_slayerofbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I liked this. It was a good conclusion to an intense but special trilogy.
cayeman's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
5.0
I love these books so much. This last book, though... This was more than we deserved and everything we needed. I wish I had the ability to buy classroom copies for every school in my state.
I live in Louisiana, where this book starts out. New Orleans is filled with so much history, and most of it is whitewashed. Seeing Tristan peel back the layers of history is phenomenal. And not just in NOLA. Tristan gets/gives history lessons throughout the book and in various places. History that is buried and hidden and deliberately ignored is unearthed and shared by this phenomenal book.
I'm already planning to reread the entirety of the series. It never disappoints me and regularly astounds me with how wonderful it is.
(Oh, fun fact, Gum Baby hints at some adventure that she won't explain - it's the short story included in The Cursed Carnival.)
I live in Louisiana, where this book starts out. New Orleans is filled with so much history, and most of it is whitewashed. Seeing Tristan peel back the layers of history is phenomenal. And not just in NOLA. Tristan gets/gives history lessons throughout the book and in various places. History that is buried and hidden and deliberately ignored is unearthed and shared by this phenomenal book.
I'm already planning to reread the entirety of the series. It never disappoints me and regularly astounds me with how wonderful it is.
(Oh, fun fact, Gum Baby hints at some adventure that she won't explain - it's the short story included in The Cursed Carnival.)
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review (and a GIVEAWAY) and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Tristan Strong Keeps Punching is the thrilling finale fans of this series have been waiting for! This book brings the mythical characters of Alke into our world and explores the ways in which history is intertwined with these legends’ stories. Children, both Alkean and human, are disappearing and Tristan can’t help but notice how the world goes on and ignores the lost souls. He is determined to save them, but he must face his nemesis King Cotton to do it. Oh, and he also has to disobey his grandparents and a few Alkean gods in the process (they only want to keep him safe).
My favorite aspect of this book is how it highlights the importance of untold, often-ignored history. Tristan discovers the true importance of storytelling. He realizes how important it is not to forget the trials of his ancestors but also the everyday modern stories that are woven into the fabric of humanity. The book points out racism (in its most obvious forms and in smaller microaggressions), but it doesn’t feel preachy. Instead, it helps kids see the importance of understanding the past so we can work toward a better future.
As always, this installment in the series uses humor to help soften a sometimes difficult storyline. And the book culminates in an ultra-satisfying showdown in which Tristan learns not to fear the fire of his anger but to use it to help bring justice (and peace) for his friends and family. This third book is my favorite in the series—it ends Tristan’s journey on an explosive high note!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Rockstar Book Tours so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Tristan Strong Keeps Punching is the thrilling finale fans of this series have been waiting for! This book brings the mythical characters of Alke into our world and explores the ways in which history is intertwined with these legends’ stories. Children, both Alkean and human, are disappearing and Tristan can’t help but notice how the world goes on and ignores the lost souls. He is determined to save them, but he must face his nemesis King Cotton to do it. Oh, and he also has to disobey his grandparents and a few Alkean gods in the process (they only want to keep him safe).
My favorite aspect of this book is how it highlights the importance of untold, often-ignored history. Tristan discovers the true importance of storytelling. He realizes how important it is not to forget the trials of his ancestors but also the everyday modern stories that are woven into the fabric of humanity. The book points out racism (in its most obvious forms and in smaller microaggressions), but it doesn’t feel preachy. Instead, it helps kids see the importance of understanding the past so we can work toward a better future.
As always, this installment in the series uses humor to help soften a sometimes difficult storyline. And the book culminates in an ultra-satisfying showdown in which Tristan learns not to fear the fire of his anger but to use it to help bring justice (and peace) for his friends and family. This third book is my favorite in the series—it ends Tristan’s journey on an explosive high note!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Rockstar Book Tours so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
alexbthelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I received an eARC of this title through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This whole series was well done and thoroughly thought out. Tristan and the Alkeans are put to the test in this book. With many Alkeans still missing and King Cotton's return, Tristan has to make a choice. Go after King Cotton or rescue more Alkeans.
I love how each of the Tristan Strong books focuses on something that every child can connect. The first book touches on grief, the second touches on jealousy, and the final book touches on anger and how to let it go. Not to mention touching on the topic of racism. Kwame does an amazing job touching on these topics and explaining them in ways that middle grade students can understand.
As the finale of the series, I thought Kwame wrapped the story up well while leaving room for a possible sequel series. It may not be about the main villain of this trilogy, but I think we will be hearing more from Tristan Strong and the rest of the Alkeans.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books that involve mythology and modern folklore storytelling.
This whole series was well done and thoroughly thought out. Tristan and the Alkeans are put to the test in this book. With many Alkeans still missing and King Cotton's return, Tristan has to make a choice. Go after King Cotton or rescue more Alkeans.
I love how each of the Tristan Strong books focuses on something that every child can connect. The first book touches on grief, the second touches on jealousy, and the final book touches on anger and how to let it go. Not to mention touching on the topic of racism. Kwame does an amazing job touching on these topics and explaining them in ways that middle grade students can understand.
As the finale of the series, I thought Kwame wrapped the story up well while leaving room for a possible sequel series. It may not be about the main villain of this trilogy, but I think we will be hearing more from Tristan Strong and the rest of the Alkeans.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books that involve mythology and modern folklore storytelling.
cozycat's review
5.0
Man ! What a story this adventure is stuffed full to busting with moments that will make you laugh, cry ,and of course stop and admire this wonderful story. History is a important part of this story as Tristan looks to the past to save the future. I love Gum Baby - shes definitely one of my favorite characters
hulahoopes's review against another edition
5.0
I want to be a Gum Buddy!! An amazing end to the trilogy. Maybe now Gum Baby can get her own series as she deserves!!
litagentsaritza's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a satisfying end to the series! We get to see Tristan dealing with the oppressive moments of the time, feeling very lost, feeling like a failure, and realizing how exhausting generational trauma is coupled with grief. Tristan has gone through so much and he's now at the precipice of accomplishing everything he's set out to do when King Cotton returns and dials up the danger to a hundred. We get to see Tristan learning more and more about himself even as he navigates history and the present colliding.
leannj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
3.75
I'm glad to have finally finished this series. Compared to the first two books, this final book felt weaker to me because something about the pacing felt off. I think it would have been better to stretch out certain plot points and moments of character development over one more book instead of trying to make everything fit into one book.