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issa_her's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
seymone's review against another edition
4.0
Much better the second time around! The audiobook bring this story to life. Enjoyed!
katieinca's review against another edition
5.0
As issue-laden and chock-full of family drama as the juiciest YA, and as full of ass-kicking as the most fun urban fantasy. And all so deftly done. And lovingly. Really, even with the focus zombie thwarting there's still time to do things like address "good hair."
edshara's review
4.0
I am going to tentatively give this book 4 stars. I enjoyed the plot and a fantasy novel with an ethnic mix of characters was right up my alley. However, my first reading of this book, was via audiobook and I know that a large portion of my adoration for this book comes from hearing it brought to life by Anika Noni Rose. She did an exceptional job, bringing each character to life and making Shadowshaper enjoyable in a way I'm not sure I could have done by just reading it. I know, at times, I was frustrated that there was this character, Sierra Santiago, who was heir to this intensely important magical power/gift yet NONE of the adults who knew about it wanted to help her or give her information. I just don't get how they could ignore all her questions, forcing her to go off searching for answers on her own, and somehow think that was the best choice. (This is a personal pet peeve of mine. How can not telling the truth keep someone safe if it causes them to run around blindly searching for answers and putting themselves in dangerous situations? UGH!!) Anyway, I was glad that Mr. Older, at least gave Sierra some reliable friends, all of whom I liked.
I do however want to get a print version of this book and read it on my own, to see if I really enjoy it as much as I do now. And I'm sure I'll continue with the series either way, because this book ended so well, I'm curious to see what else they will get into and how Sierra and the other characters will grow and develop, especially the ones that wanted to deny or doubt the existence of Shadowshaping. Overall it was a good read and I'm glad I chose this book for my first ever audiobook(not sure why I haven't tried audiobooks before now...)
I do however want to get a print version of this book and read it on my own, to see if I really enjoy it as much as I do now. And I'm sure I'll continue with the series either way, because this book ended so well, I'm curious to see what else they will get into and how Sierra and the other characters will grow and develop, especially the ones that wanted to deny or doubt the existence of Shadowshaping. Overall it was a good read and I'm glad I chose this book for my first ever audiobook(not sure why I haven't tried audiobooks before now...)
parkergarlough's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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
3.75
rjdenney's review against another edition
I can't do it. I'm just not in the mood to read this. I got 55 pages in and I don't want to ruin it for myself so I'm gonna put it on my shelf and get back into it when I'm in the mood for sure. So far it was pretty good.
- Richard
- Richard
lovebugger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
read this for my race and diversity in childrens lit class! heres what i wrote about it :)
As someone who has come out on the other end of amazing YA fantasy stories that have truthfully changed the way I view the world, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed in regards to Shadowshaper. I think a big part of this could be the lack of emotional connection I had to the books, as the things that did intrigue me about the story like the world building and the main cast of characters never felt developed enough for me to form an attachment to them, at least within this first novel. I felt like the magical aspects within Shadowshaper were just not developing in interesting enough ways for me to be attached to the book in that aspect.
As someone who has come out on the other end of amazing YA fantasy stories that have truthfully changed the way I view the world, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed in regards to Shadowshaper. I think a big part of this could be the lack of emotional connection I had to the books, as the things that did intrigue me about the story like the world building and the main cast of characters never felt developed enough for me to form an attachment to them, at least within this first novel. I felt like the magical aspects within Shadowshaper were just not developing in interesting enough ways for me to be attached to the book in that aspect.
When it came to the personal relationships I felt a similar problem because the characters in her platonic and romantic relationships never had any large arcs or story development about their relationships with Sierra or otherwise (for the majority of them at least) that I would have really enjoyed. When it came to the cast of the characters themselves, I didn’t really feel passionate about any of them because they weren’t (in my opinion) given enough time to make themselves feel like they had their own motivations and stories, and with the characters who did have that time, they didn’t really have anything interesting to say and lacked the type of detail I craved.
I will say, I really do enjoy the initial concept of this book. When I was first starting my reading I felt very intrigued by the premise and had very high hopes for this magical system that was being introduced. I think my disappointment in the way it developed and was expressed really factored into my opinions. I would have had better feelings if the “slow burn” of what’s behind shadow shaping felt more complete. I also enjoyed the Latinx representation, as someone who does try to learn more about race through books and the experiences of characters, it is very prevalent and unnerving how there is a lack of properly done POC representation especially with a lack of Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian stories from my personal perspective. I did enjoy what little I got to know about this cast of characters and their cultures, but I think in a story that focuses on ancestral ties to the spirit world, I would have liked a little bit more exposition on their cultural experiences. In general, because I didn’t really feel motivated about this book at all, I’m giving it a 3 star rating on Storygraph! For me that means the book didn’t strike a chord for me in any way, and it wasn’t an unpleasant experience (probably because I used an audiobook version), but I don’t have much to feel fond about. It kind of felt like I was proofreading a fanfiction.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
I really loved the premise for this; however, this book moved too quickly and I feel like depth to the story was sacrificed for it. Side note: this cover is gorgeous and totally fits the book.
songwind's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a big fan of Daniel José Older, so I started this book with high expectations, and I wasn't let down.
The setup combines some of the best elements of YA, while still adding aspects I don't see often. Sierra is a teen girl with a loving but complicated family. A sick grandfather, loving mother, older brothers, and a dad who works hard as an EMT. She has a group of friends that support her, and mostly typical teen girl interests and problems.
Sierra is also an artist, and is hard at work on a mural in the old lot where friends of the family go to play dominoes.
Things begin to get strange when Sierra's grandfather, normally incoherent after a stroke, begins to talk to her, tearfully apologizing for something Sierra doesn't understand. He and the Domino King both urgently ask her to finish the mural as fast as she can.
It's not long until Sierra starts to learn things about her family, things she's never heard of before. Things that were being hidden from her on purpose.
The writing in Shadowshaper is tight, punchy and entertaining. Characterization is deep and many layered. As a father who has raised teen girls, Sierra and her friends rang very true to me.
Older's New York lives and breathes. The neighborhoods, geography and inhabitants feel very authentic thanks to Older's familiarity with the city. He also includes a lot more variety and messy little details that are frequently missing from urban fantasy stories.
In addition to the fantasy mystery adventure at the heart of Shadowshaper, the book also addresses many things that affect the world of a girl like Sierra. Gentrification, racism, competing loyalties of different ethnic groups, and violence all play their parts. Older doesn't try to preach, or solve all of societies problems. That would be outside the scope of a book like Shadowshaper. Instead, he simply relates them, and the ways they effect Sierra, her family and friends.
I really had no problems with this book to speak of. I didn't notice any large plot holes, out of character actions, or other plot problems. The language was fluid and deft without being difficult. The only "complaint" I can really think of is something that seemed to be foreshadowed heavily that ended up falling flat in the end - but that may have been my own fault.
In short, this book is another great piece of work from Older, and I strongly recommend it.
The setup combines some of the best elements of YA, while still adding aspects I don't see often. Sierra is a teen girl with a loving but complicated family. A sick grandfather, loving mother, older brothers, and a dad who works hard as an EMT. She has a group of friends that support her, and mostly typical teen girl interests and problems.
Sierra is also an artist, and is hard at work on a mural in the old lot where friends of the family go to play dominoes.
Things begin to get strange when Sierra's grandfather, normally incoherent after a stroke, begins to talk to her, tearfully apologizing for something Sierra doesn't understand. He and the Domino King both urgently ask her to finish the mural as fast as she can.
It's not long until Sierra starts to learn things about her family, things she's never heard of before. Things that were being hidden from her on purpose.
The writing in Shadowshaper is tight, punchy and entertaining. Characterization is deep and many layered. As a father who has raised teen girls, Sierra and her friends rang very true to me.
Older's New York lives and breathes. The neighborhoods, geography and inhabitants feel very authentic thanks to Older's familiarity with the city. He also includes a lot more variety and messy little details that are frequently missing from urban fantasy stories.
In addition to the fantasy mystery adventure at the heart of Shadowshaper, the book also addresses many things that affect the world of a girl like Sierra. Gentrification, racism, competing loyalties of different ethnic groups, and violence all play their parts. Older doesn't try to preach, or solve all of societies problems. That would be outside the scope of a book like Shadowshaper. Instead, he simply relates them, and the ways they effect Sierra, her family and friends.
I really had no problems with this book to speak of. I didn't notice any large plot holes, out of character actions, or other plot problems. The language was fluid and deft without being difficult. The only "complaint" I can really think of is something that seemed to be foreshadowed heavily that ended up falling flat in the end - but that may have been my own fault.
In short, this book is another great piece of work from Older, and I strongly recommend it.
therealbel's review against another edition
4.0
4.25
This was one of those books that I wasn't convinced I'd love. In my tbr pile for the longest time, I finally took the plunge...
What a revaluation. A fantastic read. A story that starts out like your usual run of the mill YA teen fic (albeit better written than most) but then cleverly morphs into a well crafted fantasy novel, with well rounded characters (I loved Sierra, the 'heroine') and great world building.
If you like fantasy and want something a little different, a little edgier, a little cleverer, but still fun to read, this is the book for you!!
This was one of those books that I wasn't convinced I'd love. In my tbr pile for the longest time, I finally took the plunge...
What a revaluation. A fantastic read. A story that starts out like your usual run of the mill YA teen fic (albeit better written than most) but then cleverly morphs into a well crafted fantasy novel, with well rounded characters (I loved Sierra, the 'heroine') and great world building.
If you like fantasy and want something a little different, a little edgier, a little cleverer, but still fun to read, this is the book for you!!