Ballad & Dagger

One of the strongest and best parts of this story is the motif of music. It’s constant and immersive in the text even though we can’t physically hear it.

The other great part is Mateo’s narrative voice. It was excellent (but with some corny dialogue here and there), and he has a clear character arc. He’s insecure and the equivalent of a nomad since he’s moved around his whole life. He knows of his culture but never had a chance to really experience the more tangible parts or set roots anywhere.

I liked the idea of Chela. She was ruthless but not heartless. More combative and confident than Mateo; his foil. But she felt a little flat. Definitely not a manic pixie girl but just shallow. Ending spoiler: maybe it's the quick show more attraction they had to each other that felt instalovey. everyone just assumed mateo had a crush on her, and he eventually did. but i don't know why chela took a liking to him. but it makes sense in the grand scheme of it since they're reincarnated lovers.

Tams was forgettable. Sorry not sorry. Her claim to fame was being Mateo's only friend and crushing on a pair of twins. but like the other twin basically drops off the face of the earth. she just felt like a blank slate, to be honest.

The world-building is unique and plays off of Latino, Jewish, and pirate influences. But there’s a lot going on. Sometimes, it feels like too much. Too many characters. Too many alliances. Too much lore. Thankfully, it’s not a bunch of exposition dumps and is introduced gradually. But it’s noticeable if you take a break from reading because it takes time to get back up to speed.

This is both well-paced and terribly long-winded, but I think the ending wrapped up nicely. I also wish so much that books would advertise in the beginning pages that there's a glossary. show less

Ballad & Dagger, by Daniel José Older, combines supernatural adventure with political intrigue among a diaspora community of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews which have made a new home for themselves in Brooklyn after their island community of San Madrigal sank into the sea almost 16 years ago.

The story centers around Mateo Matisse, a high-school student and gifted musician who, when the story opens, is only concerned with gaining the attention of Gerval, a famous musician with local ties. Mateo gets much more than he bargained for, however; when he witnesses a brutal murder committed by a person he thought he knew.

This book captivated my interest in so many ways. The story was suspenseful, and Daniel José Older’s show more thoughtful world-building introduced concepts early that were significant later on without giving things away prematurely. I especially appreciate the vivid detail that Older brought to depictions of music. I’m looking forward to continuing the story with the second book in this series.

Ballad & Dagger was published on May 3, 2022, by Rick Riordan Presents / Disney Hyperion. I received a digital advance copy of this book through Publisher’s Weekly’s recent Grab-a-Galley promotion, with fulfillment through NetGalley. This book was featured in a #BookTube “What I’m reading” video at https://youtu.be/ai6HKeab9ZQ. show less

This book as another mythology focused read. Also there first forway into YA. I thought this book was mash up of a bunch of different elements a chosen one mythology and also trying to raise a civlivation and so many other elements. I also liked this book focused on male lead. This book also was fun read, it gave me massive encato vibes in some ways. I also just thought the world and the mythology elements. I would def read more by this author in the future.

This book as another mythology focused read. Also there first forway into YA. I thought this book was mash up of a bunch of different elements a chosen one mythology and also trying to raise a civlivation and so many other elements. I also liked this book focused on male lead. This book also was fun read, it gave me massive encato vibes in some ways. I also just thought the world and the mythology elements. I would def read more by this author in the future.