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A review by nicolemhewitt
Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Ballad & Dagger lends a fantastical twist to the immigrant experience. It's set in Brooklyn, but in a diaspora community from a fictional island that sank into the sea. The island's population was a blend of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews, and it had its own unique culture---and magic! The world-building in this book is top-notch and there are lush descriptions of the culture's music, which is especially important to the MC, Mateo. Most of the story revolves around the political machinations of the community's leaders and secrets that have been kept from the people for centuries (so it does start out a bit low on action and heavy on world-building, but eventually the plot picks up). The book tackles the topic of colonialism head-on, and it also talks about issues of racism and classism. All of this is tied into a magical story about a teenage boy with powers he didn't know he had. The fate of his community just might lie in his hands, but he isn't sure if the community is ready for what they might learn in the process. If you're a fan of contemporary fantasy with intricate world-building, this book is for you!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Ballad & Dagger lends a fantastical twist to the immigrant experience. It's set in Brooklyn, but in a diaspora community from a fictional island that sank into the sea. The island's population was a blend of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews, and it had its own unique culture---and magic! The world-building in this book is top-notch and there are lush descriptions of the culture's music, which is especially important to the MC, Mateo. Most of the story revolves around the political machinations of the community's leaders and secrets that have been kept from the people for centuries (so it does start out a bit low on action and heavy on world-building, but eventually the plot picks up). The book tackles the topic of colonialism head-on, and it also talks about issues of racism and classism. All of this is tied into a magical story about a teenage boy with powers he didn't know he had. The fate of his community just might lie in his hands, but he isn't sure if the community is ready for what they might learn in the process. If you're a fan of contemporary fantasy with intricate world-building, this book is for you!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***