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iamrainbou 's review for:
The Storm Runner
by J.C. Cervantes
The Storm Runner follows Zane, a middle-schooler, who suddenly sees himself involved in a terrifying and unbelievable adventure to save the world. Part of the Rick Riordan Presents, an imprint focus on ownvoices mythological series. I was so excited to pick this one because 1) Mayan mythology !!! and 2) Zane is a disabled, Latinx kid !!!
I have such conflicted feelings about this book, that’s why when this ended up as the first pick for Latinx Book Club, I thought a reread would clear up my head. It did not end well for the book, friends. Many things I could forgive and let pass in my first read were impossible to look away from this time. And here I am, more conflicted than ever.
My expectations were not wrong, the story has potential, but the execution is all wrong. This an adventure story with a main character who doesn’t know everything and makes mistakes along the way, he also deeply cares about his family and friends. Family is such an important part of the story and it’s clear the love Zane feels for his mother and uncle. The world-building is fascinating and the tiny bits of Latinx culture we get to see are very satisfying.
Now, I just have a huge problem with the disability rep here. Zane uses a cane and this a very painful thing for him. He has so much internalized ableism. He’s always belittling himself and constantly is reminding us how different and unwanted he is… And I get it, I’ve also had internalized ableism that I had to work on. Being disabled in an able-bodied world is not easy, I know that. But here, all this hate just made me sad and uncomfortable.
Keep reading about my problems with the book on my blog, Cande Reads.
I have such conflicted feelings about this book, that’s why when this ended up as the first pick for Latinx Book Club, I thought a reread would clear up my head. It did not end well for the book, friends. Many things I could forgive and let pass in my first read were impossible to look away from this time. And here I am, more conflicted than ever.
My expectations were not wrong, the story has potential, but the execution is all wrong. This an adventure story with a main character who doesn’t know everything and makes mistakes along the way, he also deeply cares about his family and friends. Family is such an important part of the story and it’s clear the love Zane feels for his mother and uncle. The world-building is fascinating and the tiny bits of Latinx culture we get to see are very satisfying.
Now, I just have a huge problem with the disability rep here. Zane uses a cane and this a very painful thing for him. He has so much internalized ableism. He’s always belittling himself and constantly is reminding us how different and unwanted he is… And I get it, I’ve also had internalized ableism that I had to work on. Being disabled in an able-bodied world is not easy, I know that. But here, all this hate just made me sad and uncomfortable.
Keep reading about my problems with the book on my blog, Cande Reads.