Shadowshaper (Shadowshaper #1) by Daniel José Older
5/5 stars *****
Courtesy: Scholastic
Premise- (4.5/5) I’d heard good things about this book here and there, but I must admit, a huge part of the appeal for me was that my library already had the sequel. But the premise is also super engaging. It’s busy, and throws you headlong into the book, telling readers about the mysterious goings-on in New York right from the start. The premise of Shadowshaper offered a really unique take on magic, and I was really excited to pick this one up.
Plot- (5/5) The plot moved really quickly, but it was also super satisfying. There weren’t plot holes that left me frustrated or confused, and everything made so much sense. The search for Lucera, the plotline with Wick, and the occasional red herring made for an intricate, but easy to follow plot. Though there was the occasional moment of magical convenience where Sierra’s power was just sort of overwhelming, it’s definitely forgivable in the grand scheme of things, and still had somewhat of an explanation. It was a fast read, not only because it was fairly short, but because it kept me engaged the whole time.
Characters- (5/5) The characters in Shadowshaper were great. Our protagonist, Sierra, is a smart, determined Afro-Caribbean New Yorker artist who steps up to her role with grace and power. I loved her. Her friends like Izzy, Tee, and Bennie were all so much fun to read, and were excellent supporting characters. I like Robbie a lot too, even if he occasionally made me roll my eyes. (I’m pretty sure he made Sierra roll her eyes sometimes too, so I don’t feel too bad about it.) I also really liked the adults in this book, which can be hard to pull off in YA literature. Sierra’s family, from her parents to her aunt to her brother to her grandfather had complicated relationships with her, which was addressed in a way which I thought was very well done. Her godfather, Nydia, and the other adults were also well-written, which again, can be fairly unusual in YA. But they were a nice range of supportive, difficult, antagonistic, loving, and all those other complicated emotions which make us people. I really, really enjoyed Older’s characters.
World- (5/5) Super interesting world that really pulled me in. Older really doesn’t waste time in throwing world building pieces at his readers, combining an authentic big city lifestyle with the Caribbean folklore and magic in a really unique blend. His world and magic system felt well-explained, but also like there’s more to discover, which is great news since there’s at least one more book. I can’t wait to discover more of Sierra’s world.
Writing- (5/5) Older’s writing style was casual and easy to read, but also really beautiful. He also touched on a lot of really important issues, including racism (from multiple communities, affecting multiple communities), sexism, and the interactions between those issues. And of course, the high writing rating comes from how much I enjoyed the book’s characters, plot, and world. I’ll definitely be looking into Older in the future.
Overall- (4.9/5) Shadowshaper was so much fun! I loved the world building, the characters, and the plot. Older’s writing style is intimate, making you feel like you’re right there with the characters, and addresses important cultural issues. This is a quick read, and I absolutely recommend it to anyone who likes urban fantasy, because I adored it!
Trigger Warnings: discussion of racism, shootings