Scan barcode
morganly's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
thatbookishwriter'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
3.75
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"A storm had already ripped through my life. What was a few more drops of water?"
At the beginning of summer, Tristan Strong accidentally punched a hole in the sky, sending him into Alke, a world filled with African folklore. After defeating the iron ships and fetterlings that plagued the people using his own unique gift as an Anansesem, Tristan returned home to his grandparents' farm, working to collect more stories. But Tristan hasn't felt right since he returned, getting lost in his own head; the trauma of what he has seen has shaken him deep to his core, causing him to doubt himself.
Then Tristan starts to have visions of a figure known only as the Shamble Man, wreaking havoc on the recovering Alke. And then the Shamble Man comes to Tristan's world, and steals Tristan's beloved Nana. Now, Tristan rushes back to Alke to team up with old friends--John Henry, Ayanna, Chestnut, and, of course, the one and only Gum Baby with her infamous Sap Attacks!--to stop the Shamble Man and save his grandmother. Can Tristan save the day again? Or will he destroy this world he cares so deeply for?
The second phenomenal book in Mbalia's "Tristan Strong" trilogy (!!!!!) returns to the magical world of Alke, full of goddesses, boo hags, tricksters, heroes, and legends from African and African-American folklore. Explore new places, meet new faces, and hear new tales while also seeing the return of old friends, having frank conversations about trauma in ways that young people (and old people) understand, pushing forward when all hope seems lost, and learning what it means to really be a hero.
Mbalia does an amazing job writing about Tristan's relationships with the adults/role-models/teachers in his life; in the first book, that focus was on John Henry. This book focuses on Tristan's relationship with Nana, who we learn has also been adventuring in Alke, and has been--in essence--the origin of Tristan's role as the Anasesm. She was the one who has taught Tristan about the stories and figures from folklore and mythology, and is the voice in his ear when faced with problems. But, ultimately, she is a source of love and comfort, of strength and resolve. Nana is the woman that Tristan will destroy worlds for, and I think that is beautiful.
Also, Gum Baby has managed to get even sassier since we last saw her. Consider yourself warned. (Seriously, you may strain muscles from laughing so hard.)
"A storm had already ripped through my life. What was a few more drops of water?"
At the beginning of summer, Tristan Strong accidentally punched a hole in the sky, sending him into Alke, a world filled with African folklore. After defeating the iron ships and fetterlings that plagued the people using his own unique gift as an Anansesem, Tristan returned home to his grandparents' farm, working to collect more stories. But Tristan hasn't felt right since he returned, getting lost in his own head; the trauma of what he has seen has shaken him deep to his core, causing him to doubt himself.
Then Tristan starts to have visions of a figure known only as the Shamble Man, wreaking havoc on the recovering Alke. And then the Shamble Man comes to Tristan's world, and steals Tristan's beloved Nana. Now, Tristan rushes back to Alke to team up with old friends--John Henry, Ayanna, Chestnut, and, of course, the one and only Gum Baby with her infamous Sap Attacks!--to stop the Shamble Man and save his grandmother. Can Tristan save the day again? Or will he destroy this world he cares so deeply for?
The second phenomenal book in Mbalia's "Tristan Strong" trilogy (!!!!!) returns to the magical world of Alke, full of goddesses, boo hags, tricksters, heroes, and legends from African and African-American folklore. Explore new places, meet new faces, and hear new tales while also seeing the return of old friends, having frank conversations about trauma in ways that young people (and old people) understand, pushing forward when all hope seems lost, and learning what it means to really be a hero.
Mbalia does an amazing job writing about Tristan's relationships with the adults/role-models/teachers in his life; in the first book, that focus was on John Henry. This book focuses on Tristan's relationship with Nana, who we learn has also been adventuring in Alke, and has been--in essence--the origin of Tristan's role as the Anasesm. She was the one who has taught Tristan about the stories and figures from folklore and mythology, and is the voice in his ear when faced with problems. But, ultimately, she is a source of love and comfort, of strength and resolve. Nana is the woman that Tristan will destroy worlds for, and I think that is beautiful.
Also, Gum Baby has managed to get even sassier since we last saw her. Consider yourself warned. (Seriously, you may strain muscles from laughing so hard.)
literaryk's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
A great continuation of the Strong trilogy! The adventure continues with old and new faces. Although the conflict isn't quite new, I found that Mbalia gave it fresh life with the mystery and process to get to the climax of the story. It leaves on a cliffhanger, but our protagonist,Tristan, seems to have come into his potential and is ready to face the big bad once and for all.
lillanaa's review against another edition
5.0
This was received as an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fantastic followup to the first! I'm such a huge fan of the world building here, and the hang of the ending makes me want to read the next one ASAP, I'd even say this might be better than the first for me, now that we've dealt with a lot of the conceit. This also felt like such a good contained story, I had a fantastic time!
This is a fantastic followup to the first! I'm such a huge fan of the world building here, and the hang of the ending makes me want to read the next one ASAP, I'd even say this might be better than the first for me, now that we've dealt with a lot of the conceit. This also felt like such a good contained story, I had a fantastic time!
kcdy2014's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
2.75
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
5.0
I've been slowly making my way through this book because I didn't want to rush through it. But I absolutely adored it! I can't wait for another one.
jazminrose's review against another edition
3.0
There was nothing wrong with this book, but I just didn’t like it nearly as much as the first one and could not give it the same rating (4 stars).
I like the characters and it’s an action-packed story! I’ll likely read the third book too.
What I loved: Gum Baby
What I hated: the whole smartphone thing
I like the characters and it’s an action-packed story! I’ll likely read the third book too.
What I loved: Gum Baby
What I hated: the whole smartphone thing
cayeman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
kaitsbooked's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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