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jaydionne's review
4.0
4.5⭐️
This was such a fun read. A wonderful way to introduce folks to the African Orishas. Plus who doesn’t love to hear snarky 7th graders lol.
This was such a fun read. A wonderful way to introduce folks to the African Orishas. Plus who doesn’t love to hear snarky 7th graders lol.
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Maya and the Rising Dark is a fantastical adventure based in African Mythology. Maya has always loved her dad’s stories of the Orishas and other magical creatures, but she never thought for a minute that they might all be real. So, she’s in for a big surprise when the Lord of Shadows starts appearing in her dreams and hinting at her father’s true identity—he is the guardian of the veil, the only thing keeping the Darkbringers from overwhelming the world of light. Turns out, her whole neighborhood is a haven for magical mythological (or so she thought) beings. When Maya’s dad is kidnapped, she and her two best friends take it upon themselves to do something about it. They find themselves in an alternate dark world full of danger, and discover their own abilities just when they need them most! One of my favorite aspects of this book is the tight-knit community that Maya lives in—it’s a positive portrayal of Chicago neighborhoods that you don’t get often. This book will definitely appeal to fans of Riordan’s books, many of whom would probably be introduced to a mythology they didn’t know much about. Plus, the trio of heroes are easy to relate to. This is a super fun read for the middle grade crowd!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Maya and the Rising Dark is a fantastical adventure based in African Mythology. Maya has always loved her dad’s stories of the Orishas and other magical creatures, but she never thought for a minute that they might all be real. So, she’s in for a big surprise when the Lord of Shadows starts appearing in her dreams and hinting at her father’s true identity—he is the guardian of the veil, the only thing keeping the Darkbringers from overwhelming the world of light. Turns out, her whole neighborhood is a haven for magical mythological (or so she thought) beings. When Maya’s dad is kidnapped, she and her two best friends take it upon themselves to do something about it. They find themselves in an alternate dark world full of danger, and discover their own abilities just when they need them most! One of my favorite aspects of this book is the tight-knit community that Maya lives in—it’s a positive portrayal of Chicago neighborhoods that you don’t get often. This book will definitely appeal to fans of Riordan’s books, many of whom would probably be introduced to a mythology they didn’t know much about. Plus, the trio of heroes are easy to relate to. This is a super fun read for the middle grade crowd!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
steffiraquel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
- 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
3.25
She didn't have to come for acne sufferers like that ;-;
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, and Violence
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, War, Xenophobia, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Bullying, and Stalking
rosalyn's review
5.0
I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook. It really makes you feel like you're in the story by adding sound effects. Besides that bonus feature, I enjoyed the story and I'm excited to read the next book. Although, I'll probably wait for the audiobook since this one was so much fun!
sducharme's review
4.0
Fantasy with a middle school girl who discovers that her father is really a guardian against dark forces. She learns of her own powers thanks to the massive adventure of having to save him after he's pulled through the veil to the dark side. Fun read.
stephanieridiculous's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately this was pretty underwhelming. My review is, admittedly, in the spirit of an adult reading a book targeted for kids, so keep that in mind. I don't think most of my complaints would register with a younger audience, but I read plenty of MG that doesn't struggle where this one did, so it's harder for me to look past.
The writing here is fairly underdeveloped. The language is simple and repetitive, and the physical actions of characters often don't line up or contradict. Maya must have been damp the entire time for how often she tells us about how sweaty she is. We are often given a summary sentence of events or conversations instead of Maya sharing what happened, and the unfolding of events is very convenient.
Writing aside, I have a couple of gripes with the story itself. 1) I will basically never be pro human/immortal relationships. I will always find that dynamic creepy, unsettling, and highly suspicious - and I especially can't cosign it when an entire world and society of immortal creatures exists. There's just no reason for an immortal to marry a human in this case, and its highly suss to me how it happened in this story. 2) We aren't given enough for it to actually be believable that Maya can not only hold her own but win out in physical fights with immortal beings. Kids being able to kick ancient-creatures butts COULD be buyable, but that wasn't accomplished here and I spent a lot of the book having to actively suspend disbelief. 3) One day I'll find some fantasy that doesn't include lying to kids about literally the most important aspect of themselves/their family. I'm super over hiding the truth from kids until their lives are in danger and then watching them having to choose between "obeying their parents" and surviving the literal end of the world. It's such a common trope that I really feel like we have seen it just isn't a good parenting strategy and we can let it go, and write more compelling family dynamics.
Anyway, all that said. I have no hardship imagining young folks would thoroughly enjoy this, and I did really enjoy the portrayal of Orisha's and a non-western myth system being explored. I'm giving it 2 stars because I found it weak overall, but I appreciate it all the same.
The writing here is fairly underdeveloped. The language is simple and repetitive, and the physical actions of characters often don't line up or contradict. Maya must have been damp the entire time for how often she tells us about how sweaty she is. We are often given a summary sentence of events or conversations instead of Maya sharing what happened, and the unfolding of events is very convenient.
Writing aside, I have a couple of gripes with the story itself. 1) I will basically never be pro human/immortal relationships. I will always find that dynamic creepy, unsettling, and highly suspicious - and I especially can't cosign it when an entire world and society of immortal creatures exists. There's just no reason for an immortal to marry a human in this case, and its highly suss to me how it happened in this story. 2) We aren't given enough for it to actually be believable that Maya can not only hold her own but win out in physical fights with immortal beings. Kids being able to kick ancient-creatures butts COULD be buyable, but that wasn't accomplished here and I spent a lot of the book having to actively suspend disbelief. 3) One day I'll find some fantasy that doesn't include lying to kids about literally the most important aspect of themselves/their family. I'm super over hiding the truth from kids until their lives are in danger and then watching them having to choose between "obeying their parents" and surviving the literal end of the world. It's such a common trope that I really feel like we have seen it just isn't a good parenting strategy and we can let it go, and write more compelling family dynamics.
Anyway, all that said. I have no hardship imagining young folks would thoroughly enjoy this, and I did really enjoy the portrayal of Orisha's and a non-western myth system being explored. I'm giving it 2 stars because I found it weak overall, but I appreciate it all the same.
pants0701's review
I just can't read it right now. I think I'll go back and read it when I'm in the mood.