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wisecraic's review
adventurous
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
3.5
wanderingreadingsoul's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of this book!
I absolutely loved this book! If you grew up reading Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and love yourself some mythology this is the book to pick up! First in the series TJ Young & The Orishas - The Gatekeeper's Staff introduces you to old Gods, adventure and mayhem.
TJ Young - a 14 year old, grows up in the heart of modern day Los Angeles, part of a family of powerful diviners. In the face of magic though TJ hardly can keep up. He is the middle child in all its sense. But when his powerful and gifted sister dies, a dormant power seems to awaken - just barely - and he is determined to uncover the truth behind his sister's passing. Enrolled at a remedial magic school for the those who are not fully diviner, TJ tries to coax his power to work and become a diviner while uncovering the mystery that was his sister! Faced with the toughest counsellors, a big ol' Alligator, magic and of course grades can TJ discover the truth, not only about his sister, but also himself?
This book introduces you to the Orisha Gods of Africa. Older than the well-known Greek, Roman and Norse it is an absolute delight to learn about the Orishas - neither good nor bad, but just existing. It's a whole new culture and mythology and the mythology lover in me absolutely delved into it.
TJ is a character for everyone to relate to. Feelings of mediocrity and not fitting in are things we have all faced at one point or another and he embodies these feelings and struggles with them throughout the book. His friends and the Gods are no different, with amazing character building and descriptions that you can see them clearly in your mind and find something to relate to in each of them. The humor in the book was on point and absolutely made me laugh out loud.
The writing was easy to read and flowed well and the plot was one that kept you on the edge. The climax and the ending perfectly sets you up for the next adventure! I am absolutely thrilled and looking forward to picking up the second book in the series - The Windweaver's Storm.
I absolutely loved this book! If you grew up reading Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and love yourself some mythology this is the book to pick up! First in the series TJ Young & The Orishas - The Gatekeeper's Staff introduces you to old Gods, adventure and mayhem.
TJ Young - a 14 year old, grows up in the heart of modern day Los Angeles, part of a family of powerful diviners. In the face of magic though TJ hardly can keep up. He is the middle child in all its sense. But when his powerful and gifted sister dies, a dormant power seems to awaken - just barely - and he is determined to uncover the truth behind his sister's passing. Enrolled at a remedial magic school for the those who are not fully diviner, TJ tries to coax his power to work and become a diviner while uncovering the mystery that was his sister! Faced with the toughest counsellors, a big ol' Alligator, magic and of course grades can TJ discover the truth, not only about his sister, but also himself?
This book introduces you to the Orisha Gods of Africa. Older than the well-known Greek, Roman and Norse it is an absolute delight to learn about the Orishas - neither good nor bad, but just existing. It's a whole new culture and mythology and the mythology lover in me absolutely delved into it.
TJ is a character for everyone to relate to. Feelings of mediocrity and not fitting in are things we have all faced at one point or another and he embodies these feelings and struggles with them throughout the book. His friends and the Gods are no different, with amazing character building and descriptions that you can see them clearly in your mind and find something to relate to in each of them. The humor in the book was on point and absolutely made me laugh out loud.
The writing was easy to read and flowed well and the plot was one that kept you on the edge. The climax and the ending perfectly sets you up for the next adventure! I am absolutely thrilled and looking forward to picking up the second book in the series - The Windweaver's Storm.
joyful24's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really well constructed adolscent heroes journey. It was a nice blend of contemporary US and Yoruba spirituality. I am invested in TJs story. I am definitely going to read the entire series.
melisag's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
kitstonglade's review against another edition
4.0
thank you netgalley for providing me with the ARC for this book
—
after the mysterious death of TJ’s older sister, TJ comes into his powers unexpectedly and gets sent to a summer camp in louisiana for young people who also have powers.
this book explored a very fun journey through african-american culture, religions, folklore & mythology. it was a little bit of a slow start for me but after a few chapters i got hooked. i’m very excited to see where the author takes TJ next <3
—
after the mysterious death of TJ’s older sister, TJ comes into his powers unexpectedly and gets sent to a summer camp in louisiana for young people who also have powers.
this book explored a very fun journey through african-american culture, religions, folklore & mythology. it was a little bit of a slow start for me but after a few chapters i got hooked. i’m very excited to see where the author takes TJ next <3
elbriada's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
niklit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Very solid choice for those who grew up on HP and Percy Jackson and would like something West African-inspired!
aj_king's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Bullying
existentialghost's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you, netgalley for providing me with the audiobook
I had a blast!! super fun world building, great characters and the voice actor also did really great accents (which was so unexpected). really wish there was a series like this when i was in middle school!
the yoruba pantheon >
I had a blast!! super fun world building, great characters and the voice actor also did really great accents (which was so unexpected). really wish there was a series like this when i was in middle school!
the yoruba pantheon >
tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m not a fan of MG and I believe this played hugely into my enjoyment of it. This probably shows this was more of a me problem rather than the book itself. Having said that, it wasn’t without its flaws.
• Condescending teachers.
• Fatphobia with a character named Joshua, who’s smelly and gross and all he thinks and talks about is food. And while Josh is friendly, the other overweight character is a bully.
• Some teenager with bursting pimples is called “Juice”.
• One boy is insinuated to be gay because he’s always seen with girls.
Teenagers are already insecure enough to be taught that having acne or being fat is enough reason for people to talk about them behind their backs to say how disgusting they are.
Even when I haven’t read enough MG, the tropes were undeniable and they weren’t done in an original manner, making it very derivative.
It also could have been shorter. It caught my attention only after the halfway mark. It felt longer than it actually is, and it could be a problem to catch the attention of younger readers. Fortunately, the audiobook was more lively with the narrator portraying different voices and accents. Though I can’t comment on the accuracy of the accents, I enjoyed the narration, otherwise, I would’ve DNF.
I think the story would work fine as a TV series. Of course, after dealing with all the problematic stuff.
• Condescending teachers.
• Fatphobia with a character named Joshua, who’s smelly and gross and all he thinks and talks about is food. And while Josh is friendly, the other overweight character is a bully.
• Some teenager with bursting pimples is called “Juice”.
• One boy is insinuated to be gay because he’s always seen with girls.
Teenagers are already insecure enough to be taught that having acne or being fat is enough reason for people to talk about them behind their backs to say how disgusting they are.
Even when I haven’t read enough MG, the tropes were undeniable and they weren’t done in an original manner, making it very derivative.
It also could have been shorter. It caught my attention only after the halfway mark. It felt longer than it actually is, and it could be a problem to catch the attention of younger readers. Fortunately, the audiobook was more lively with the narrator portraying different voices and accents. Though I can’t comment on the accuracy of the accents, I enjoyed the narration, otherwise, I would’ve DNF.
I think the story would work fine as a TV series. Of course, after dealing with all the problematic stuff.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Fatphobia
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Bullying, Violence, and Homophobia
Minor: Murder and Injury/Injury detail