Book 1), Shadowshaper (The Shadowshaper Cypher

Crashing magic and daily lived experience together in the vivid streets of Brooklyn and the singular person of Sierra Maria Santiago, Older has given the SFF world a whole new mythos built on the immigrant experience and a heroine who is utterly relatable without diminishing her cultural point of view. As a third-Gen American from a multilingual extended family, reading Shadowshaper brought back a lot of memories in the best way. And made me miss Brooklyn a lot. It's an adventure worth taking, and I hope we'll get to see more of this world.

This book explored culture and fantasy in a way that is often overlooked by people bot of the culture. people often write books about black and hispanic and latinix kids in tbe cuty all about the struggle of living in the city or drung and guns and gangs, but tbis book took a different much appricated route.The elements of family history, culture and changing New York worked togeather to drae the reader into the plot the characters and the lore. 10/10 would recomend.

I was acquainted with Mr. Older's more adult, horrifying work in a short story called "Anyway: Angie." Shadowshaper took it easier on me than "Angie" did, and preserved all the magic, all the lore, and all the flavor of my city. I loved this book.

Sierra Santiago's plans for the summer are quickly derailed when old-timers from around the neighborhood start to disappear. As soon as a strange zombie guy shows up at the first party of the summer, Sierra knows something is up even if her mother and grandfather refuse to admit that anything is remotely wrong.

When one graffiti mural starts crying and others begin to fade, it's clear that something sinister is at play. Everyone in the neighborhood agrees it's vitally important for Sierra to finish the mural she started, but no one will say why.

It's only when she starts hanging out with Robbie that she learns about Shadowshapers and their ability to connect to magic through art. They used to be very powerful. But that was before the Shadowshapers had a falling out years ago. And before they started dying. With only scant clues, limited experience with her newly-discovered Shadowshaping powers, and not nearly enough time, Sierra and her friends will have to think fast to save their neighborhood--and maybe the world--in Shadowshaper (2015) by Daniel José Older.

Shadowshaper is Older's first novel written for the YA market and a standalone.

Older uses concrete details and real locations to bring Sierra's Brooklyn to life in Shadowshaper. The story effortlessly evokes New York wandering and handles issues surrounding gentrification and the changing landscape of the city extremely well. Sierra's voice, and those of her friends, are authentically teen which only adds to the ambiance of this novel. Additionally, a diverse cast including Sierra's friends, neighborhood regulars, and Sierra's family create a great story in a sub-genre that is often frustratingly (not to mention unrealistically) white.

While Shadowshaper excels with characters and setting, it unfortunately falls flat as a fantasy. The mythology surrounding Shadowshaping is slight at best with rules and mechanics that are poorly explained when they are explained at all. There is a lot of potential here that might have been better served with a longer novel or even a sequel.

Breakneck action and numerous chase sequences also diminish the story and leave little room for characterization. While Sierra is very well-realized her friends often come across as stock characters with limited personality or purpose within the narrative. While it is incredibly empowering to have a book where the only white person is the villain, it was disappointing to see that villain become little quite one-dimensional by the end of the novel.

Shadowshaper is a fast read. Unfortunately, many parts of the novel feel rushed. The hardcover has some obvious continuity errors with blocking (characters standing on one page and then standing again three pages later without ever having sat down for instance) and many opportunities to complicate the narrative and characters are ignored.

Shadowshaper is a great choice for readers looking for authentic characters and a fun read. Recommended as an introduction to urban fantasy for readers willing to suspend their disbelief with only limited justification. Ideal for reluctant readers and anyone who likes the novels fast-paced and full of action.

Possible Pairings: Tithe by Holly Black, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine, Radiant Days by Elizabeth Hand, The Chaos by Nalo Hopkinson, I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest, The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan, The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds, The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

I loved SHADOWSHAPERS. More than I expected to. At first I didn’t like the overt dialect in the story. I’m not a fan of it regardless of nationality or accent or whatever because I’m a very literal reader and it slows down my reading pace every time I have to work my way through an accent. But it eventually blended into the background and it stopped being an issue for me.

Sierra is a fantastic character that holds people to task when it’s appropriate for her to do so and she does it unapologetically. I loved her interaction with her less-than-appealing aunt, for instance, not being afraid to put the woman in her place for her remarks. She’s also fiercely loyal and protective of those she loves, her grandfather included. One of the reasons she lashes out at her mom and her aunt, because of the way they speak about him. Especially considering all of the information Sierra’s been denied her entire life, she’s not having any of it.

And the story. Ugh. I couldn’t put it down. I loved Older’s world. And I’m talking about Brooklyn and the Shadowshaper world he created. I love New York and Older turns Brooklyn into its own character, painting a vivid picture of the world Sierra knows and the world it’s becoming through gentrification. And then the Shadowshapers. Injecting spirits into drawings and paintings, creating what are effectively zombies controlled by a single mastermind who hijacks the practically dead bodies of the living and stuffs them with souls to do his bidding. Truly creepy.

I’m also picking up comments on cultural appropriation and the cultural erasure of the originating people by those appropriating, coming from both Older’s supernatural element (the main plot is the Shadowshapers are being killed off by this other force) and just what’s happening in Brooklyn. Sierra walking into a coffee shop in her own neighborhood gets her looked at like she’s either a criminal or a poor orphan that obviously needs help and she hates the shift that’s happening with all of the gentrification. How it’s eliminating the personality of the neighborhood. Not to mention Sierra steadfastly fighting the patriarchal control of the Shadowshapers from the beginning, fighting the notion that it’s for men only, why she can’t know what’s going on. So many things woven seamlessly into such a captivating story.

I couldn’t put it down. I have the sequel on my shelf already and I can’t wait to pick it up.

5

Shadowshaper is definitely a YA fantasy unlike any other I’ve read. The book is early on made incredible by the characterization of Sierra, our dark-skinned, Puerto Rican, Afro-Latina. I’m Puerto Rican myself, and I’ve never seen myself represented in a book before, so seeing Sierra, this puerto rican girl being totally relatable and amazing, really made reading this book even more amazing.

The author also creates an incredibly diverse cast of supporting characters, all of them with unique voices and experiences. The dialogue was so… fresh! It was immensely funny and witty, with lots of slang that really resonated with me. Also incredible? Characters actually spoke Spanish! Not some poor Google-translated Spanish either. Spanish that I was happy to read! Older also built an incredible atmosphere; his descriptions so vivid that I felt like I was literally in Brooklyn, in a barrio full of different latinos.

Of course, the diversity isn’t the only amazing thing in this book. A "Shadowshaper” is a person who has the power to channel spirits through art, music, and storytelling, and can make the spirits do their bidding. I found this aspect so beautiful! I was so captivated by this, as it has a certain magical realism feel to it as well.

I listened to the audiobook, and Anika Noni Rose’s audiobook narration was so entrancing. Her performance was incredible, as each character was portrayed perfectly. There was never any confusion as to who was speaking, and her Spanish was so good! An audiobook has to have great narration for me to listen to it, and this one really really transformed my reading experience!

Overall, Shadowshaper is a unique YA Urban Fantasy with a diverse cast, magical plot, and magnificent writing. If you like audiobooks, definitely pick it up, as the narrator totally brings the story to life and enhances your reading experience!

The first word that comes to mind to describe Daniel Jose Older's SHADOWSHAPER? COOL. :)

Seriously, this was a fun read. A YA urban fantasy that's playful, imaginative, and vibrant, with the threat of wraiths, corpses, and other phantoms lurking at every bend. The art-inspired "magic system" where ancestral spirits can be channeled into paintings, music, and stories brought the idea of "making a story come alive" to a whole other level. Sierra's a fantastic protagonist: smart, feisty, creative, and not afraid to do what needs to be done. And once she learns enough to harness her shadowshaping abilities, does she ever kick ass during the climax. I was fist-pumping during the last two chapters - that's how much she rocked.

Diversity abounds in SHADOWSHAPER. In addition to biracial Sierra (Afro-Puerto Rican), her community teems with people of color and a host of ethnic backgrounds. And while I've never visited the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of NYC, Older's succinct descriptions of this Brooklyn neighborhood made it feel not just real, but familiar - as if it were home. Then again, Bed-Stuy is where Older lives, so no wonder he "paints" it so vividly.

My only critique is that I would have liked... well, more. More development with the secondary characters. More explanations about how shadowshaping works. Slightly longer descriptions. This may be a YA novel, but at 297 pages and with chapters that average less than 7 pages each, SHADOWSHAPER feels a little too short. Also, I don't remember reading about Sierra's father. Why doesn't he appear in the book? I don't remember any explanation of where he was or why he was out of the picture.

So would I read the next installment, SHADOWHOUSE FALL? Hell yes. Now that I've been sucked into Sierra's world, I'm not ready to leave it quite yet. If you like stories about family, friendship, honoring one's heritage, and art literally coming to life, you'll dig SHADOWSHAPER as well.

Oh, and music lovers should check out this book, too. Older is a songwriter and musician, and his knowledge really pulses through in his descriptions of music.

First off, that cover is beyond beautiful, just stunning!

Second, I love that the main character's heritage is from a Puerto Rico, but her friends and other characters are Haitian, Cuban, and from Montinique. It reminds readers that black and brown culture is a varied and important as white cultures.

Third, the narration and dialogue is wonderfully realistic. No one really speaks in fully formed, proper English all the time. Especially not those from communities where English isn't the only language spoken. I really appreciated this.

Fourth, as a prior anthropology student, I cringed to see the antagonist abusing the study as badly as they did. But the fact that what they were engaging in was basically the ultimate act of appropriation was not missed by me.

I truly enjoyed this book. However, I also found the plot moved too fast. Especially in the beginning, when Sierra accepted and acted on very little information. Additionally, there's a bit of a deus ex machina climax. But overall it's a win and I'll be passing the book to my daughter.

Note: I bought a copy, out in the real world.

Summary:

Sierra notices that something’s up with the murals in her Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant. Her ill grandfather gives her a word of advice: go talk to Robbie, one of her classmates who’s drawing all the time. Robbie introduces Sierra to the world of spirits and shadowshapers - those who can draw and create vessels for the spirits to enter. A shadowshaper is part magician, part sorcerer, part psychic, part artist.

Appeal:

This book brings Hogwarts to gentrifying Brooklyn. (I mean that almost literally: this book’s editor also worked on the Harry Potter series. More about Cheryl Klein another time.) Some of my favorite scenes in the story revolve around Sierra and her gang of friends hanging out in overpriced coffee shops and staring at the newcomers in the neighborhood. There are some interesting fight scenes, a developing romance, and an intriguing villain as well.

Possible issues with comprehension:

Important characters, situations, and clues were repeated more than once, so readers who missed a detail on the way in get a chance to review. I had a hard time figuring out what exactly was within the realm of shadowshaping and what powers weren’t. This didn’t frustrate me as a reader, but I could see how other readers might get stuck and have a hard time visualizing some of the fight scenes.

Recommended for:

Experienced readers of middle grade fantasy who want a challenge and are not ready for the intense and epic YA fantasies with lots of plot nooks and crannies. Reviews peg this as grades 7+ in part because the pacing is faster than most YA fantasy and in part because it’s content appropriate for middle school collections.

Shadowshaper was a pretty good read! It all starts when Sierra's grandfather, who recently suffered a stroke, tells her that someone is coming and mentions something about shadowshapers. Everyone thinks the old man is crazy, but Sierra believes him and wants answers. Her grandfather had also told her to find a boy named Robbie to help her finish the mural she's been working on. Turns out that Robbie knows all about shadowshapers, because he is one. And so is Sierra.

Shadowshaper was quite fun and unique. Although at times I couldn't help but think about that SpongeBob episode Frankendoodle (which is one of my favorites, but still weird). The ability of the shadowshapers is really interesting, but also creepy at times. I mean, pulling a spirit into a drawing and having it come to life to do your bidding is pretty awesome. Unless you're power mad like the villain is, which is when things go terribly wrong. Of course, there's also family secrets. I love family secrets!

The one thing I didn't like about Shadowshaper was that the pacing was very inconsistent. There's infodumps, then Sierra is dancing, then there's some action, then another infodump, more dancing, then more action. Lather, rinse, repeat. It was just very up and down which made my attention waiver. I wanted to know more about how shadowshaping worked and why the villain was doing what he was doing, but it all took the form of "lessons" from Robbie, Sierra's brother Juan, or a librarian named Nydia. Then those lessons are interrupted by baddies, and pick up later on. It was rough.

In the end, I enjoyed Shadowshaper. It was a bit of a bumpy ride and I definitely wanted more world-building. But it was a fun, one-sitting story. I'm not sure if it ended with me being invested enough to want to read more though.

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS

This is a tough one to review, because I'm a fan of "own voices" books (i.e., non-white/non-straight/non-cisgender authors writing non-white/non-cisgender/non-straight MCs) and narratives with supporting folklore (bonus points if it's actual folklore from somewhere in the world). I actually put off reviewing this book for a week because I was genuinely concerned that my feelings about this book might be an indication that I've got a bias against non-white MCs or authors. (constant vigilance!)

So, if you form the opinion after reading this review that I'm racist, I hope you're wrong but I'm not objective enough to know. I can tell you some of my favorite authors of all time are non-white/non-straight (possibly non-cisgender, too). But I haven't honestly read a lot of non-white protagonists in urban fantasy (ironically, in fantasy and historical fiction, yes, but anything near a contemporary setting, no). I'm also willing to admit that my expectations of this book may have been higher than they should have been, just because I so rarely see Puerto Rican female MCs in anything.

OK, with that disclaimer out of the way: I really liked the premise of this book. Ancestral magic in an urban setting, art that's alive, and a unique setting. The biggest letdown was my utterly inability to connect with Sierra. She's got some fun moments of sassy independence that are almost a lampooning of typical damsel-in-distress tropes. But she never felt genuinely vulnerable or flawed, and so almost everything seemed superficial- her friendships, her concern, her handling of the Chosen One trope (which is another thing that distanced me from the story). She doesn't emotionally process anything, nor does that appear to affect her.

The environment was a large factor- I can only assume the author knows NYC intimately. If you know anything about Bed-Stuy (and I didn't- thanks, Wikipedia!) you'll probably be tickled at all the local references. But as someone who does not live in NYC and has no touchstone, I was lost with all the references. It just felt like a wedge, driving me from the narrative, instead of utilizing the environment as a plot device.

The ensemble cast was so much background noise- representation in name but not in fact, in that we didn't learn anything about anyone (except Robbie and his epic tattoos, shaggy dreads, wicked artistic talent, dance skills, and heart of gold). I can tell you two of the characters are lesbians, but I can't tell you how they move, what they care about, what they love and hate about knowing Sierra, etc. That sort of thing- and plenty of stories have characters-as-set-dressing, but with the lack of feeling connected to the MC, I was looking to her interactions with her friends to give me reasons to give a damn.

I did feel like the "you're too black" crap that Sierra's aunt was slinging came from a genuine place. I don't buy the interactions there, either, but it was nice to see that kind of subtle tearing down within a family dynamic (which I feel is realistic) and the chance for empowerment/self-affirmation it gave Sierra. Also, the sexism within her family (realistic to me because a) Latino cultures tend to be male-as-the-head and b) of course in a system of magic people will draw gender lines as division- even non-magic contemporary skills get these meaningless gender divisions applied).

OK, my last irk with the book: the villain. This book has ZERO plot twists. None. Every assumption Sierra makes, every mystery inexplicably solved, every chance encounter- none of it is a red herring. And, to me as a reader, that's like the author telling me I'm not smart enough to figure anything out so they're not going to bother throwing me anything twisty. (I have this beef with TV shows, as well)
So basically, the villain is the villain with no surprises, and Sierra's pure assumption about this stranger's motives turn out to be totally true and no one is surprised.

I would only recommend this book if you're looking for a superficial urban fantasy jaunt through NYC, or you're curious about thrash-metal-salsa music.

What really drew me in to Shadowshapers was the beautiful cover and the colors on it. I didn’t really know anything else about it but when I sat down and read the summary it sounded like an awesome idea. And it was! the Shadowshaper world was super cool and definitely unique. Why didn’t I read this sooner?

And…dare I say it?

I’m saying it! Basically Shadowshaper is like Shadowhunters (the TV show since I haven’t read the books) but so much better. It has better characters, a better story so Shadowshapers is all one big plus sign!

In the beginning of Shadowshaper is was just a lot of back and forth talking without a lot of action. The chapters were short, which was nice because I LOVE short chapters. Because of all of the talking in the beginning it was really hard for me to focus on and stay focused on. I think it’s because when you notice something like there’s a lot of talking, you begin to notice every single time someone else talks which takes you away from the story.

But after a while I got used to how it was and halfway through the book the pace began to pick up and we were finally introduced to more of the Shadowshaper world. The last few chapters really pick up in action and is worth the read.

Overall I do recommend reading Shadowshaper. It’s like Shadowhunters but has a better story to it and better characters. What are you waiting for?

Shadowshaper is the first book that I have had the pleasure of reading from author Daniel José Older. It was a real experience. I don't get the chance to read a ton of very diverse young adult books. Sure, I will read books with a diverse character or odd element thrown in, but a truly diverse cast of characters featuring rich cultures that are different than my own...I don't read as many of those books as I should. And if you are anything like me, then you need to read Shadowshaper. It is a young adult Urban Fantasy where paintings literally come to life. Which was both creepy and utterly cool. The cover fits the book perfectly. I couldn't have imagined anything better for Sierra and the shadowshapers.

I both loved and was frustrated with the way the book started out. From reading the summary, I knew that the main character Sierra, was part of a secret order called the shadowshapers and that her ability stemmed from art. And then in the first page of the book Sierra saw a painting crying. I was pumped to get started on this journey that promised to be like Cassandra Clare. But it took a while to get going. And here is where my love and frustration came from. I really like the set up in a paranormal or urban fantasy book where the main character gets some mysterious clue. In this case it was a message from Sierra's not so lucid grandfather. And that message sets them off on a quest, which unveils said magic in the world around them. I love that set up, but I was just so darn excited to get to the fantasy element that I got a little impatient with the set up part.

But I still loved Shadowshaper. Once the ball gets rolling and Sierra gets in touch with Robbie, the plot speeds off and this book becomes so absorbing that you will have a hard time putting it down. The Latin american culture is one that I am only vaguely familiar with, and one that I have not read enough about in stories. Shadowshaper had me dusting off my 4 years of high school Spanish frequently. Don't worry, you can get by with context clues, but there are a lot of Spanish dusted throughout the story. I loved that though. It made the characters, and the voice, feel so authentic. Sierra and her friends also had a, let's also say, authentic dialect among them. It took me out of my comfort zone and took me a little longer to connect with them because it is kind of jarring, but I ended up loving all of the characters.

Shadowshaper is one of those books that I am just so happy that I read. Daniel José Older's writing is all his own, and I loved seeing such a distinct personality come through the pages of his story. This is a great example of not only a really well done book featuring a culture that should get more attention in young adult, but also just a really solidly good book. And yes, the urban fantasy was kick ass! That needs to be said. I want to go back to this world in Brooklyn with the shadowshapers. So freakin' cool!

*Disclaimer- I got a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated for my thoughts.

Title: Shadowshaper

Author: Daniel Jose Older

Age Group: Teen/Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy/Horror

Series: Shadowshaper, book one

Star Rating: 3.5 Out of 5 Stars

Did you enjoy The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare? Do you enjoy art, action, tattoos, horror, kick butt heroines with a diverse background? Unique, unusual worldbuilding and mythology?

If you answered yes to any or all of the above questions, you need to go to the store or the library and get this book, immediately.

When I was first approved for this novel, I was so excited. An artist with a Puerto Rican background, having to deal with ancient spirits and magic, and a professor gone power mad? Yes, yes please! And I enjoyed this novel, for the most part, but I didn't love it like I expected I would. Don't kill me, you guys, but this book just reminded me way, way too much of The Mortal Instruments series. In fact, it felt almost too similar to it. And Sierra, the main character, felt a little too much like Clary Fray for me.

This book is a good one, don't get me wrong: great pacing, a strong heroine with a diverse background to boot, unique mythology and the great connection to art, as well as the villains and the secrets in Sierra Santiago's own past. I really, really wanted to love it, but it was just too close to The Mortal Instruments. (And by the way, for those of you who want to ask, it also takes place in Brooklyn.)

The characters are solid, particularly Sierra and her friend Robbie, who bond over their shared love of their art, and Sierra's family, particularly her mother, Maria, and her brother, Juan, really form the foundation of Sierra's strong familial bonds, and I really liked the way that family was portrayed, but Sierra's grandfather really irritated me, with his sexism. There's also Nydia, the curious, irrepressible librarian at Columbia, whose curiosity forces her to help Sierra. And Sierra and Robbie's relationship, though very sweet and one of the parts that I really liked, felt kind of forced, and it turned me off.

What really saved this book for me was the unique mythology, and the crazy, breakneck pacing--once I got into the later half of Shadowshaper, I couldn't put it down, and I loved the way Sierra's own family tied into the magic of shadowshaping, a dark legacy that most family members are forbidden to speak of, especially the women of the family. (Yay sexism!) I loved the ending, and I hope to read more of Daniel Jose Older's work. The bottom line: Though it is a solid debut, Shadowshaper rang a little too closely of Cassandra Clare's work for me, and it turned me off. Next on deck: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black!

Sierra Santiago planned an easy summer of making art and hanging out with her friends. But then a corpse crashes the first party of the season. Her stroke-ridden grandfather starts apologizing over and over. And when the murals in her neighborhood begin to weep real tears… Well, something more sinister than the usual Brooklyn ruckus is going on.

With the help of a fellow artist named Robbie, Sierra discovers shadowshaping, a thrilling magic that infuses ancestral spirits into paintings, music, and stories. But someone is killing the shadowshapers one by one — and the killer believes Sierra is hiding their greatest secret. Now she must unravel her family’s past, take down the killer in the present, and save the future of shadowshaping for generations to come.

Full of a joyful, defiant spirit and writing as luscious as a Brooklyn summer night, Shadowshaper introduces a heroine and magic unlike anything else in fantasy fiction, and marks the YA debut of a bold new voice.

My Thoughts:

Older’s Shadowshaper has received wide-acclaim, and after reading it, it’s easy to see why. There aren’t many books out there that do what this one does. I’m not sure I’ve ever read an urban fantasy book, certainly not for young adults. I also can’t think of a single fantasy book whose characters are based almost entirely on a group of urban youth of color. As we talk more and more about the need for authentic and quality diverse literature in the classroom, it’s easy to see why a book like this is so important.

While I certainly enjoyed it, and definitely appreciated it even more after a second read, the adult reader in me (who loves fantasy) wanted more backstory. Since it’s set in New York City, Older really isn’t creating a new world, so there’s not the need for all the history that has to be presented in world building. He is creating a new mythology though, and I found myself wanting more backstory about what had happened generations before that resulted in the situation that Sierra and her friends find themselves. Of course, all of this may be what turns a YA reader off, especially a reader who struggles when getting bogged down in too much background information and not enough active plot. I also realize that providing all of that background information tends to lead to a denser text, which I know can make it even harder to incorporate into the classroom. For various reasons, we teachers typically can’t spend months and months on one book. Perhaps all of this just means there is a prequel in the making.

One of the strongest elements of the book is the way in which it broaches so many important discussion topics. I could go on and on here, so I’ll keep it short and offer more of a list of highlights. I loved the way the dialogue in the book problematized the idea of a monolithic Latino/a race or ethnicity. As the characters talked about their own heritages they demonstrated the ways in which conquest and colonization create complicated heritages and racial histories. I think the way in which the book engages in conversations about race will appeal to many students. The critique of racism is certainly here, but not in a forced way. It comes through discussions of a brother lost to police violence, gentrification, segregation of neighborhoods in New York City, and the assumptions made when Sierra finds herself in a neighborhood where she’s not welcome. I really appreciated that many of these critiques came through the dialogue among youth of color. I particularly enjoyed the conversation about the hippies, yuppies, and the difference between the two. The banter and conversations among the characters is one of the best parts of the book.

Sierra’s own struggles with body image and self-acceptance were another powerful part of the book. As I read her struggles I was reminded of another one of my favorite female protagonists from Gabi, A Girl in Pieces. I think it’s so important that these types of conversations around the connection between body image and self-love are made explicit with our students. I also think the book can be used to discuss important topics like sexism and patriarchy through looking at the motivations for the grandfather’s actions and choices. On a somewhat related note, our book group had a similar conversation. I should preface the following by saying we are not an easy audience to please. I think that’s why I love our monthly meetings so much. This is a group of strong, intelligent, critical, and creative women, and we frequently discuss the ways in which women are portrayed in literature. Not surprisingly, we loved Sierra Santiago. However, we may have been a *tiny* bit critical of the need to write in a boyfriend and how rapidly that relationship seemed to move. I think it’s important to discuss with our students how often our strong female protagonists seem to “have to have” some kind of romantic interest via a boyfriend or crush.

While our book group may have had a few critiques, we were unanimous in our agreement that this is a book that many students would love. One of our teachers is even reading it to her students now. In its entirety, it’s certainly a book for older middle school or high school students, but I think parts of it could be used with elementary students. As much as many students love fantasy, it’s not a genre they always get to read a lot of in school. Students could really enjoy listening to a read aloud of a chapter or two that explains the premise of the book and the idea of shadowshapers, then writing their own story based on that information. Using the premise of the book as a story starter, students could create their own fantasy short story.

For access to the full review and additional resources, check out our Vamos a Leer blog at teachinglatinamericathroughliterature.com.

An engaging story pulls you in when it comes alive, whether that is through a strong main character, a fully realized setting, or a rich culture. Daniel José Older’s YA debut, Shadowshaper, has all of these elements, and it completely pulled me into an exciting, mysterious new world. I’m not just talking about Brooklyn, the novel’s physical setting, although that in itself is a fascinating world; I’m also talking about the world of shadowshaping, in which spirits of the dead come to life again through a mystical fusion with drawings and paintings.

Brooklyn teen Sierra Santiago knows what matters most in life: her family and friends, the art she makes, and the cultural heritage of her Puerto Rican ancestors. She doesn’t know that everything important to her is about to be endangered until strange things start happening in her neighborhood: murals are fading and shedding tears that weren’t there before, an old family friend commissions her to paint a new mural but is cagey about the reason why, and her Grandpa Lázaro, who hasn’t spoken coherently since his stroke, suddenly starts imploring Sierra to finish her mural before “they” come for the shadowshapers. Things go from strange to horrifying when one by one, her grandfather’s friends and neighbors go missing and turn up as walking corpses that come after Sierra demanding to know where Lucera is.

Who and what are the shadowshapers? Who is coming for them, and why? And where is Lucera, whoever that is? Sierra doesn’t have the answers, and her grandfather is in no condition to explain his cryptic warnings. Her mother seems to know something about these strange happenings but refuses to talk. The only person she has left to turn to is Robbie, the new Haitian guy at her school who keeps to himself, draws like a maniac, and was recommended by Sierra’s grandfather as a source for help. As Sierra learns about shadowshaping from this unlikely ally, she realizes her role is much larger and more dangerous than she could ever have imagined.

Shadowshaper is a breath of fresh air in YA literature. As someone of mixed race, I appreciate that the author writes about such a racially and culturally diverse cast of characters. There are characters from Puerto Rico, Haiti, and Martinique, and they speak a colorful blend of English, Spanish, and Brooklyn vernacular, which really enlivens the story.

I love Sierra because she’s strong without being apologetic about it, but she also has real fears and insecurities. She gets cat-called by the dudes in her borough and unjustly labeled as trouble because of her brown skin when she turns up lost in a predominantly white neighborhood. She wants to embrace her ancestral heritage, but her own mother is tight-lipped about it, and her grandfather has never told her about shadowshaping until it’s almost too late. But Sierra is certainly no damsel in distress, and she can kick butt just fine without a knight in shining armor at her side. However, she also realizes she can’t save the world by herself, and she joins forces with Robbie and her closest friends to take down the person responsible for all the mayhem. We need more female characters like this!

And finally, I think this novel effectively demonstrates how presumptuous and even dangerous it is for an outsider to try appropriating a cultural tradition they don’t fully understand or appreciate. If it’s not yours, don’t mess! I look forward to reading more about Sierra and her shadowshaping adventures.

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: An excellently diverse book, brimming with culture, history and old magic.

Opening Sentence: “Sierra? What are you staring at?”

The Review:

This is the first book that I’ve read based on shadow shapers. With all the vampires, witches, werewolves and wizards, we seem to have forgotten that there are plenty of other magical beings around.

Shadowshaper is told from Sierra’s point of view, a Puerto Rican teenager living in Brooklyn. She’s a gutsy, bold character who has been kept in the dark about her family history and secrets.

Sierra’s policy on cute boys, and really, boys in general, was this: ignore, ignore, ignore. They usually ruined all their cute as soon as they opened their mouths and said something stupid, and she had more fun hanging out with Bennie and the crew anyway.

The only thing that semi threw me off was the volume of slang and Spanish words. I understood a fair amount and guessed the rest but it would have been helpful if there were footnotes to explain. I’ve learnt slang whilst growing up in an almost ghetto area, but I imagine that a lot of people reading this will be quite confused.

The book touches on subjects like cultural myths, racism and even a little on women’s rights. I think it’s really important for books to be more diverse and explore other races and cultural heritage because after reading Shadowshaper I realised that I know very little about Haitian and Puerto Rican cultures.

Rosa turned bright red as her face scrunched into a fist.
“You ever look at those old family albums Mom keeps around?” Sierra went on. “We ain’t white. And you shaming everyone and looking down your nose because you can’t even look in the mirror isn’t gonna change that. And neither is me marrying someone paler than me. And I’m glad! I love my hair. I love my skin. I didn’t ask your opinion about my life and I don’t wanna hear it. Not now, not ever.”

Despite the ominous theme throughout the story, there is a lot of humour and banter between the characters, which I found refreshing. It’s always easier to read darker topics when the characters make me smile, and I found that happened a lot in Shadowshaper. When Sierra and her friends are scared out of her wits, they still manage to crack a joke or do something silly, lightening the mood instantaneously.

Overall, a very interesting read and eye-opening read.

Notable Scene:

“It’s just that people don’t usually see it. Their minds won’t let them, so it just looks a regular painting, not movin’ or nothin’. Papa Acevedo always used to say people don’t see what they’re not looking for. It’s like that.”

FTC Advisory: Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic provided me with a copy of Shadowshaper. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

Sierra Santiago is one of my new favorite heroines. She makes plans and follows through, is clear-eyed about the shortcomings of people she loves and takes charge with attitude. As Sierra follows her grandfather’s direction to find Robbie and fix the murals in her neighborhood, more and more secrets keep coming to light and she discovers an entire spirit world that has been hidden to her, but to which she is strongly connected. Older weaves in many great discussion points among the action and supernatural fighting, including colorism, gender expectations, ethics (or lack thereof) in anthropology and handling difficult family members. The Brooklyn setting and Sierra’s group of friends add realism and humor to the story, making this fresh, exciting adventure a must read for YA fans.

This is an interesting book. It follows Sierra as she finds out her destiny. Her family and friends have a secret and as they start deteriorating or disappearing she has to follow the few clues she has to save that secret. Crazy friends, nobody wanting to answer her questions, and a single shadowshaper who doesn't know that much about it. Can Sierra save the shadowshapers?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had an amazing plot, with excellent flow and pacing. The characters were all fun, dynamic and full of life. I even loved the dialect of the characters. As they are all of Puerto Rican or similar decent so the dialect was different. I found that if I read more than a few chapters at a time I starting slipping into that dialect in my speech and writing.

So needless to say it took me a while to finish this book. I loved absolutely every second of this book. It introduced an interesting secret society of sorts and a unique group of characters. I would love to hear more about the shadowshapers and these characters. The author is fantastic and I would love to read more of his books as well.

Shadowshaper is original, suspenseful and beautifully written. It is being described by some reviewers as an "urban fantasy", but I think is more a blending of traditional Caribbean folklore and modern day ghost story than fantasy. It is also refreshingly very diverse with strong, engaging characters of color who embrace their heritage, support their communities and love their families. Teen artist, Sierra Santiago, thought she had a normal boring family until she notices that the people painted on her murals are changing and disappearing. When she talks to her mother and her aunt about it, she knows they are withholding important family information that could explain what is going on with her paintings. After a frightening encounter with several very scary ghost-like creatures, Sierra discovers that her older brother also knows the family secret and never told her. Sierra is determined to solve the mystery and defeat the evil spirits over her mother's adamant objections and her brother's warnings of the danger. With the help of her smart, sassy and funny friends, Sierra embarks on a journey that will change all of their lives, but if successful, will save their beloved community.

SHADOWSHAPER by Daniel José Older is an engaging urban fantasy following a Latina teen who discovers a world of magic, spirituality, and ancient secrets in her Brooklyn neighborhood.

Walking corpses, spooky spirits, and a crying mural introduce Sierra to a world of magic and shadowshapers. Friends and family members are reluctant to talk about this supernatural world, so Sierra must use her head, heart, and passion for art to survive and unlock the mysteries surrounding this strange spirit world.

Older’s conversational approach immerses readers in the urban setting and invites readers to visualize the artwork, the city, and the supernatural aspects of the story.

Librarians will find a broad, young adult audience for this book. While the story isn’t categorized as a romance, readers will be drawn to the relationship between Sierra and her friend Robbie. Those who enjoy contemporary realistic fiction are likely to enjoy the book even with its fantasy elements. Young anthropologists will like the aspects of the story that connect community, ancestry, and family. Finally, the magical and supernatural aspects are sure to be popular with fans of fantasy.

For librarians seeking books with diversity, this would be an excellent choice.

To learn about the author, go to http://ghoststar.net/.

Published by Levine, an imprint of Scholastic on June 30, 2015.

I live vicariously through @djolder’s characters. I have said before that a great author isn’t someone whose words you admire, but rather, whose words male you FEEL. Daniel Jose Older’s character, Sierra, from his most recent YA novel “Shadowshaper,” makes me do just that. From Sierra’s massive afro and occasional quick-temper flare to her Spanglish and appreciation for the sights and sounds of Brooklyn, I felt like I was Sierra Santiago for three hundred pages.

I could smell the paint from the dragon mural that Sierra was painting and any time someone lit a Malaguena in the book, I could hear the flick of the Bic. The letters on the page came alive and my pulse quickened anytime the pace in the book picked up. More than once, I missed my train stop because I was engrossed in the pages of this young adult novel. The themes were easy to identify with- coming of age, feminism, cultural identity crises, discovering that maybe not all boys are nasty pieces of s***, and most especially, hidden family secrets. Told from the perspective of a young, natural haired woman of color, Sierra Santiago WAS me. She IS me, and now, I want to become a Shadowshaper.

Bravo.

At her ailing grandfather's insistence, Sierra begins to unravel the mystery surrounding her family's ability to instill art with spirit energy. This is a short, dynamic novel. The world is urban setting is vivid and convincing, and overlaps beautifully with an organic magic system; this is what I wish more urban fantasy would be. It has a diverse cast, and, while it engages some predictable YA/diversity tropes, the antagonist is clever and cumulative effect is rewarding. But while I admire Shadowshaper, it never went above and beyond for me--I liked the protagonist, but never grew attached to her or any of the cast; the romance underwhelms, and the plot is predictable. Still, a solid and engaging work; I recommend it.

This book is the Boriqua, Morena, Afro-centric, Soulful, and much-better-in-general version of that horrible The Mortal Instruments series.
Matter of fact, can we make this a series? I'm not even done with it yet, and I want MORE. Shadowshaper, in addition to the spirit world, tackles colorism within the Puerto Rican /Caribbean community, gentrification, police treatment of minorities, and more. It's colorful, soulful, hip, and fantastic. This is the book many of us Black sci-fi and fantasy nerds have been craving. Daniel Jose Older has earned a spot among the likes of Octavia Butler and Nnedi Okafor, to name a few.
A MUST read!

I liked the location and the main character a lot. I think I'm older than the intended audience, so I had difficulty keeping interest about halfway through. I thought the villain was very believable/ realistic while still being larger-than-life. I feel like I know people like this. The twist about who his accomplice is was good too. I liked the final message of the book and would recommend.

Sometimes a book comes along that reminds me just what YA literature is capable of --- just what makes YA something that, when done right, becomes more than just about the age of the protagonist and the presence of common story elements. And SHADOWSHAPER by Daniel José Older is one of those books, a book that captures both the fun and rebelliousness of youth but also the ability to see old problems with new eyes, to honor the past without being constrained by it.

The novel follows Sierra, a young artist who is thrust into a world of magic and danger when she is attacked at a party by something resembling a zombie. Although it freaks her out a bit, it’s a world that she belongs to, an inheritance of sorts from her family and ancestors. It's an inheritance, however, that she's been denied, "protected" from because her grandfather believed women could not be Shadowshapers, could not channel spirits into art to literally bring them to life (a rather messed up logic considering the most powerful figure in the Shadowshaper tradition is a woman). With the Shadowshapers being hunted down and Sierra caught in the crossfire, she is pressured into choosing between accepting the old ways or abandoning them.

And that is where SHADOWSHAPER shines --- Sierra rejects both options and steers her own destiny. The book does not forgive the culture for its misogyny; it does not give it a pass. While the villain of SHADOWSHAPER is an outsider who believes he is "saving" the culture from its very practitioners, the characters do not simply have to combat outside problems. The story is about celebrating culture and heritage, yes, but also about reform, about youth, about not allowing tradition to perpetuate oppression or abuse. And it accomplishes that by giving power and agency to its young characters, most notably to Sierra, whose innate sense of justice and fairness push the story onward and keep it honest.

The story also acts as a sort of superhero origin story, placing Sierra in the role of a hero finding herself, coming to terms with her past and deciding that her powers should be used; she should not have to hide who she is. Even as the action and plot and ensemble of richly diverse characters in the story reminded me of superheroics, it twisted the conventions by taking away the masks, by allowing the characters to be themselves without need for avatar or alter-ego. The characters’ personalities are strong enough to make them all distinct and charming, stubborn and hesitant and bold and flawed. The emotional bonds that Sierra has with her friends and family all seem real and all ground the story even as the action gets more and more magical. Really, the only thing that stood out as more "superhero-y" was the villain, Wick, who, while realistically flawed, does seem to have really committed himself to classic villainy (murder, massing magical powers, spiritual slavery, etc.).

And in the end, SHADOWSHAPER manages to show the power of youth, the vast potential young people have to recognize injustice and act against it. It does not advocate for waiting until you're older, or for seeking an adult's permission to act. It recognizes that, sometimes, adults are messed up, stuck in their ways and blind to the injustice that they are involved with. It recognizes that, while at times naïve and brash, what young people need is experience in leading change, which can only be accomplished by getting out of the way and letting them get to it. Sierra is an amazing character and the story and setting succeed at capturing that elusive spark that makes YA powerful, subversive and, fun.
Reviewed by Charles Payseur

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! When reading the synopsis, I wasn't sold on the concept behind Shadowshaping and how it all worked. However, WOW WOW WOW! What amazing cultural folklore - I WISH THIS STUFF WERE TRUE! The connections with culture, loving yourself, and knowing who you are is vital, and Sierra embraces it all so strongly.

Highly recommend!

To be sure, when a “random old white dude” fancies himself as THE anthropologist guru of urban spirituality systems, and thusly thrusts himself into the mythology of the shadowshapers; no good can come from it. Oddly, the offended fury of the spirits and entities enraged by his pompous presumptions pales in comparison to the wrath our plucky Puerto Rican narrator.

Sierra is tougher-than-nails-kinder-than-a-kitten, cajoling the reader to dive in and hang with her and the vibrant, charismatic, tightly-knit crew that beautify their Brooklyn with gorgeous graffiti art and energetic, enchanting rap battles.

“She inhaled and the world caught its breath; exhaled and a tidal wave of space emptied out around her.”

In the quest to find the archetypal spirit Lucera, Sierra’s stumbling blocks signify social issues of today. The answer to her original query, why shadowshapers aren’t well known, is sad but true: “people don’t see what they’re not looking for.” The Columbia librarian, coincidentally examining the very anthropologists that study the spirit worlds, reminds us of potential fallacies when making snap judgments. The horrendous havoc following Lucera’s disappearance is, disappointingly, confirmation that no one realized how crucial she was…..until she was gone.

Mr. Older artfully unravels urban spirituality lore in a mesmerizing mystery that feels fascinatingly fresh, crisply colorful and invigorating; while simultaneously seeming familiar, somewhat nostalgic. The dazzling dialogue amuses and delights. Initially, Shadowshapers can be gobbled up….an indulgent, pleasure-filled immersion. Soon, though, subtle layers leap into the reader, like spirits into shadowshapers’ murals, conveying hope, inspiration and a calming, centering of the soul.

“The true source of shadowshaper magic is that connection, community…we are interdependent.”

I applaud absolutely every part of this courageous, bold book and recommend it to essentially every reader, Middle-Grade and beyond. Undoubtedly, I’ll be bouncing around the room for my Shadowshaper Book Talk when I encourage my beloved High School English classes to check this out. Tomes tailored to the open and hungry minds of our young adults build bridges and embolden the youth to join like-minded, Not-So-Much Young Adults.

This review was written for Buried Under Books Blog.

A fun YA urban fantasy read. Shadowshaper has an authentic feel to it that gets NYC right. The concrete jungle that is more than 42nd street. Filled with vibrant colors and a sassy, smart and courageous WoC Shadowshaper is bound to keep you entertained until the very end. Get enthralled with the spirits and culture and let your mind get blown away by Daniel Jose Older debut. Highly recommend this unique and fascinating story.

Definitely the book of the summer. Plus that cover is gorgeous.

More thorough review will be posted on creatyvebooks.com shortly.

This was a really female driven and empowering book aimed at teenagers specifically. It also carries some very compelling subtextual commentary on cultural appropriation by white people. The relationship between Robbie and Sierra, while useful in terms of plot, felt slightly forced at times considering the pace of the novel. I would have liked to see more development of the cast of characters but I suppose that I'll just have to hope that the next book in the series offers that.
I would recommend this book to anyone between the ages of 14-25. It has enough action and intrigue to keep casual readers engaged and enough plot twists (though not entirely unexpected) to make it an enjoyable book even for a voracious reader.
All in all, Shadowshaper is a great book if you're looking for a quick and engrossing read. Perfect for a lazy weekend with a cup of tea while also passing along some very powerful messages.

The spiritual world and the world we know collide. Sierra learns that she has amazing powers in addition to the everyday power of being a young woman who cares about family history and is proud of who she is.

If you're looking for a supernatural novel, but are tired of werewolves, witches and vampires, Shadowshaper is exactly what you're looking for.
It's beautifully written and wonderfully plotted--you won't be able to put it down.
But the thing I liked best about Shadowshaper was the main character, Sierra. She's Afro-Latina and to read about her struggles with her hair and her family--it all resonated with me. I would have loved to have read a book with a heroine that looked like me when I was a teen, so if you have a young biracial (or black) woman in your family, buy yourself and her a copy. She'll crown you the best mom/dad/aunt/uncle and you'll get to read an awesome novel by a wonderful author.

One word: WOW!
Many more words: Shadowshaper took me into a world that barely, if ever, is placed centrally in any genre yet alone Young Adult fiction. I felt I could walk right into Sierra's world and fit right in, both as a Caribbean islander and an artist. I wish I had this book when I was a teen girl, but now's as good a time as any. I can't wait for more in the series!

Imaginative and original, with an entertaining, diverse cast of characters. I loved the idea of shadowshapers and I liked how authentic the story felt culturally. But it also felt rushed, a little confusing, and had a weak villain. Still, worth a read if you enjoy urban fantasy!

Great cover and accompanying storyline. The characters were engaging and the plot offered the right amount intrigue. Moreover, the lore was such that I was looped in from the very beginning. I might mention that I appreciate the diversity of this particular tale. Will definitely keep an eye out for this author.

Slow start but overall really fun book and beautifully written. Sierra is such an incredible MC. She's confident and strong but still growing up and taking in the world around her. Adored Sierra and Robbie together - they were realistic and sweet. Urban fantasy is not usually my thing, but Older managed to draw me in with a rich cast of characters.

While I give him credit for writing fantasy, this book was not well written. He tries to include way too much in 300 pages that nothing really gets to develop, and by a lot I mean family, spirituality, trust, betrayal, ethnicism, gentrification, LGBT, body image, dating, death, friendship, family, secrets, art, passion, social pressure, and city life, just to name a few. It feels collectively very underdeveloped, and the plot twists come out of nowhere.

Great start to an Urban Fantasy YA series. Wonderfully fleshed out cast of characters, with plenty of room to grow. Easily could picture this story on the screen (big or small). That would be something I'd like to see. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I love this book so amazing and magical. Also all the characters are amazing and dont feel like anybody was a side characters. Love how it talk about different backgrounds and I love the world building.

This was soooo much fun! I loved the main characters and getting into their cultural backgrounds. This book made me really aware of how little POC MCs I've read lately, and how many more I really really WANT to read! Older is an excellent writer and I'm looking forward to the sequel!

Older has created a profound work of art that speaks to current issues of appropriation, gentrification, racism, anti-blackness, street harassment, and misogyny (among others) not only directly through the points of view of the rich and vibrant characters he has created, but also through the metaphors inherent in well-crafted urban fantasy. I want everyone I know to read this book because I want to talk about it constantly!

I really enjoyed SHADOWSHAPER! I loved how much it relied on its setting (Brooklyn, NYC) to build its world. A lot of books take place in pretty nondescript settings, and this one didn't suffer from that. I loved how comfortable Sierra was with herself, even when other people doubted her. She has an inner strength to speak out about things that affect her, and I admired her for that, especially because I don't know if I'd ever feel comfortable confronting the people she confronts in her quest for the truth. And it's a new-to-me type of magic, which is always exciting.

A couple of nitpicks: first, the timeline had issues; at times I thought that some of the problems Sierra was confronted with started <i>years</i> earlier, then it would say that it had only been a couple of months. Robbie had just mysteriously transferred to her school, but turns out he's been known to some of her community for a few years. Etc. Second, the romance plot was not very well developed. It felt like they hardly knew each other and all of a sudden they're going to be together forever? What? That was too weird.

Otherwise though, I loved how this book wove ancestral magic and being a part of something generational. Definitely recommended for YA and magic-lovers.

From start to finish this book was pure excellence. I'm am now a firm fan of the author. I can't wait to devour more of these kind of stories. Book two coming soon and hope!?
Daniel José Older is a rock star!