A review by hannahellen
Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older

4.0

I really liked this book. I enjoyed reading a fantasy story about people of color and their unique challenges. This book addresses gentrification, colorism, racism, and cultural appropriation. The unique spiritual heritage Sierra is heir to is very well depicted. The only complaint I have is that the vocabulary the characters use seems a little... cheesy? But hey, maybe New York teenagers really talk like that lol. I'm from the South so it's pretty different from the language I hear regularly. Sierra is a brave, honest character and I enjoyed seeing how she handled dealing with family issues such as internalized racism and colorism from her aunt as well as machismo attitude from her sick grandfather, self image issues, and of course weird zombie monsters and ghosts! I will definitely read the sequel.