This book is a well done magical realism story about Pheus a gifted young musician at heart spending his summer in the Bronx with his father, and Eury a girl born and raised in Puerto Rico who is spending the summer with her aunt and cousin while she works past some trauma.

Eury is dealing with a spirit who has been present in her life since she was younger and her parents split up. This spirit followed her from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria displaced her family to Tampa and now New York. Pheus is a believer in what is tangible but Eury has him wanting to help her find her demons.

I liked Pheus's group of friends and how authentic and real they felt. I live on the East Coast in a Latinx neighborhood and these felt like teens from my neighborhood. Liliam Rivera did a great job capturing their voice in a way that will be effortless to teen readers. The Spanish language is regularly included and I liked that not everything they said was translated.

At first this story feels like your typical summer love contemporary but then things switch in the second half as it dives further into spiritual beliefs. So you might believe at first that Ato is all in Eury's mind. The incorporation of life after Hurricane Maria was very well done as our author didn't shy away from painting a vivid picture of the reality of the story. How Eury and her mother thought it would be a hurricane that would just pass like many others and instead this one literally ripped the roof off their heads.

Another thing this story did that stood out was give very present and involved parents. Oftentimes in YA the parents are not as involved as they should be. With Eury's mother we explore how in some cultures people would rather cling to their faith then admit that a family member is struggling with their mental health. Pheus' dad is always around to give his son helpful relationship advice and remind him of who his people are.

I received an arc from Bloomsbury YA in exchange for an honest review.

Originally posted at
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot.com/2020/09/never-look-back-by-lilliam-rivera.html

[thank you to Bloomsbury YA Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this novel, out on September 15th.]

"Never Look Back" by Lilliam Rivera is the modern Latinx retelling of the classical Greek myth, Orpheus and Eurydice, focusing on two teenagers set against the backdrop of the Bronx. Pheus, an Afro-Dominican teen, is visiting his father for the summer. With his masterful bachata guitar playing and his skillful voice and talent, he plans to pass the warm months on the beach wooing his on-again, off-again flame but his plans go awry when he ends up meeting Eury, who is staying with her aunt and cousin for the summer. Eury and her mother were forced to flee to Florida after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and between that and her father's death, she has not been in a healthy place. She is naturally a quiet, shy girl but part of the reason for her reservedness is Ato, a spirit that has been tormenting her since she was a young girl. Of course, no one in her life, least of all her mother, believe that she is being abused by a spirit and push her to seek solace in religion, church, etc. As a last resort, Eury's mother ships her off to the Bronx, thinking a change of scenery will do her some good. The problem is, where Eury goes, Ato goes so she is never fully free from her demons.

First, let me just say how much I loved the author's writing and storytelling. What could have easily been a story about a summer romance instead tackled abusive relationships and trauma, was a shining portrayal of mental health and the stigma surrounding seeking help, especially culturally, and shone a light on afro-Latinx history, racism and sexism, and even gentrification in the Bronx. The author also plays homage to Latin music. This was a beautiful young adult novel and I never got the sense that the writing was heavy-handed or overly lyrical. The secondary characters were excellent; I especially loved Apollo, Pheus' father.

I think my lone quibble with the novel is the second half, when Pheus quickly accepts the underworld and goes to fight for Eury's return. It felt disjointed, almost like I was reading an adventure story. The pacing just felt weird and as a result, I thought the ending was a little anti-climatic. I felt like I wanted a little more resolution there. What a wonderful book, though!

This was a DNF for me. The plot was interesting but it felt much more middle grade, than YA which detracted from the story. Additionally, there was nothing left to the imagination, it was very much a tell not show.

Eury comes to New York to spend the summer with family to escape demons that came with the trauma of her father’s abandonment. Pheus,, a gifted musician, comes to spend the summer with his father, hoping for an opportunity to to get discovered. In this captivating retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice, Pheus and Eury form a quick bond and go on a quest to fight the demons that threaten Eury’s life. The journey leads to self-discovery for both.

Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera is a modern Afro-Latinx retelling of the Eurydice and Orpheus tale. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book! I loved our main characters, Eury and Pheus. Pheus is a musically gifted young man who is living his best life wooing the ladies and hanging out with his friends in the Bronx. Eury is visiting her cousin, Penelope, for the summer in the hopes that a change of scenery can help her heal from the trauma and anxiety of surviving Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and moving to Florida as a result. She is also followed by a menacing spirit, Ato, whom she desperately wants to be rid of.

The book starts off rooted in reality, so I was a bit up in the air about whether this was a loose retelling or not. But, about halfway through the book, the tone changes and we are immersed in the mythical. I loved the latter part of the book because of that! Rivera has done an excellent job of updating this classic story. The way elements of our modern world are literally and metaphorically intertwined with the themes and elements of this Greek myth is fantastic. Mental health, religion, spirituality are intertwined and balanced in a way that I appreciated. People can be haunted by demons, real or imagined, and I thought that the way that was addressed was very well done.

Rivera’s writing style is very straight-forward and doesn’t often lean towards the lyrical. Since this book is full of metaphor and mythical, I would have loved to see a bit more “show-not-tell” writing. However, that is just my personal preference of writing style, so I don’t really see that as a negative, just something that didn’t align with my preferences. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys myth reinterpretations.

*I received a free digital ARC from Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

I don't know if I'm not a fan of these types of retellings for if the book just wasn't for me. The execution of the story and the romance weren't hooking me. I wish that the author would have given us a deeper look into the characters, especially Alto! The relationship between Eury and Pheus wasn't believable to me. I felt like we were supposed to ship them because the author told us to rather than feeling the romance between them. I know others might enjoy this, but it wasn't for me.

I enjoyed Lilliam Rivera’s Never Look Back.  The characters were relatable, the plot intriguing, and the pace was just right.  I liked the central idea at the center of the book: what if hallucinations are actually real?  What if some people see what they say they see, things that no one else sees although they are around us, as well?  I also found that the glimpse into the trauma of the hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in 2019.  But I felt that the story could have been deeper, and even perception-altering.  There were a number of missed opportunities, the most disappointing one being the evil that is extreme wealth and how it can be countered.  I still it’s worth to pick up this book, be it just to get to know some sweet characters, to enjoy some pretty evocative descriptions, and to flirt with the question, what if hallucinations were true.

I'm such a sucker for retellings, and this take on the mythology of Orpheus and Eurydice (with Latinx/Afro-Latinx rep no less!) was spectacular. The themes of mental health and sexual assault and faith against the backdrop of Latinx culture were super interesting to read and watch unfold.

Truly, if you are into Greek mythology, or enjoy retellings, this book is definitely a must-read!

Thanks to Netgalley for the e-Arc!

Lilliam Rivera gives the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice an updated and fresh look with her newest novel, Never Look Back. Pheus, an Afro-Dominican teen from Manhattan, is never without his guitar and this summer while visiting his father in the Bronx is no different. There is nothing like the feeling of casting a spell over his audience, leaving them mesmerized and asking for more. Eury is visiting her cousin for the summer in the Bronx as well. Eury’s mother is hoping a change of scenery for the summer will help her daughter outrun her demons, not realizing that Eury is in fact running from a demon. Since she was a little girl, Eury has been haunted by a spirit determined to take her to El Inframundo, the Underworld. At first Ato was a companion, someone who helped her with her father’s abandonment, but as the years passed, he became possessive, his jealousy manifesting as violence against others. Eury is also dealing with PTSD. Never Look Back takes place in the Bronx, but its heart is Eury’s connection to her home. Puerto Rico is an island that has been ravaged both by natural and man-made disasters. Eury’s past traumas inform who she is but she is also more than her history. This is an important distinction Rivera makes. Puerto Ricans, though they have been subjected to tragedies, they are not defined by their suffering. They deserve to flourish in spite of these tragedies. Religion plays a vital role in Never Look Back, as both Eury looks for a way to protect herself and Pheus is faced with realizing that there is more to this world than what is on the surface. Rivera also pays homage to Latin music, recognizes the importance of knowing the history of the places you walk, and infuses Taíno mythology in this empowering new YA fantasy novel.

[Book Review]: Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera 🌿
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For readers who love retellings of Greek myths ✨
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In this #OwnVoices retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice, Pheus and Eury meet in the Bronx. Pheus is charming and loves music, and Eury is haunted and wants to escape her past. When they meet each other, their connection changes both of their lives. ✨
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[Review] Pheus and Eury are both compelling characters. I didn’t quite fall for their love story, but I enjoyed reading it nonetheless. I love the Afro-Latinx, Dominican, and Puerto Rican culture in the story and how culture plays such an important role in the plot. I also appreciate how Rivera provides a helpful commentary on mental health.
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The biggest downfall of the story for me is that it doesn’t really feel like a Greek myth until the second half of the book, and then the mythology is a bit in-your-face.
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Overall, this is an enjoyable YA retelling and a fantastic #OwnVoices story. ✨
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Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Release date: September 1, 2020
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Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC!

Re-telling a Greek myth, filled with pain, yearning, and tragic mistakes is a optimistic endeavor. But Rivera truly succeeds in Never Look Back by presenting a contemporary fantastical re-telling of one of my favorite myths. To begin, I have to just gush about how clever this re-telling was. It was a true pleasure to see it unravel on the screen, the way Pheus' music is interwoven in the story, Eury's relationship with Ato, and their strong, but fragile, relationship in the balance. It retains the balance of the original, while adding its own unique twists, and bringing it to a YA audience.

Never Look Back is a dual POV story that examines not only toxic relationships, but the power and courage that love can give us. Both Eury and Pheus are allowed to be flawed, passionate, and innocent. It captivates the strong emotions from the original, of a love that tethers us. At the same time, Never Look Back discusses the differences between love an possession. Examining toxic relationships, Never Look Back explores bonds we cannot escape from, the cycle of emotional abuse, and faith

Y’ALL. This BOOK. Reading it felt like my soul was singing. Lilliam Rivera set a strong sense of place and culture, and she pulled off the music element well, too. Although the relationship was a bit too insta-love-y, it was also super sweet and tender, and Pheus was trying to be so kind and respectful of her boundaries and privacy. He starts out as a playboy musician figure but is consistently learning how to catch and correct himself. I loved both of the main characters and their family dynamics, although Eury’s development and overall character was stronger to me than Pheus’s.
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Where Never Looks Back really shines is its portrayal of mental mental health. Eury has anxiety and PTSD from both the devastating Hurricane Maria and a manipulative, controlling, and abusive relationship with the spirit Ato, who attached himself to her after father left her family when she was a child. Her fear is partially based in the fact that most people won’t believe Ato exists, that she is simply seeing things as a result of her trauma, although in this book’s version of the world, the spirits are very much real. However, there is still a lot of truth to her experiences: her hesitance to form relationships and be open, fear that Ato will follow her to New York, guilt and shelf-blame for the bad things that happened to her family, fear that things like therapy and her coping mechanisms will not truly help her, believing she alone can bear her burden of trauma and not involving people who genuinely want to help her. Eury’s journey with her mental health was so beautiful, well developed, and realistic.
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The pacing was rushed in some critical areas, like falling in love and Pheus’ acceptance of the spirit world, and I kept wanting to know more about why Ato chose Eury, but the mental health and family themes is what really made this book for me. It’s a contemporary romance with a bit of magical realism, but it‘s not just about teens’ first love; ultimately it is about healing and identity.

CW: racism, sexism, sexual harassment. psychological/emotional/physical abuse, trauma, graphic descriptions of war injuries, violence towards animals, divorce, depression

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this incredible book! I heard the author speak on a panel at SLJ Teen Live about retelling stories in new ways, and I was very excited to read this retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice. This book does so many different things at once, and it does them all very well. It retells the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a contemporary way that is relatable to teens, even if they are not familiar with the myth. It also provides a portrait of an Afro-Latino boy growing up in the Bronx, and a Puerto Rican girl who is displaced from her home in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Both of these characters are richly developed, and their relationship is beautifully done as well. The realistic aspects weave together beautifully with the fantasy elements in the story, and it has the feel of both a contemporary YA novel as well as a fantasy novel. I think it is truly incredible that the author is able to weave these elements together seamlessly, and transition between them easily as well, since the first half of the novel is more contemporary and the second half is more fantasy. I highly recommend this incredible book to fans of both contemporary YA and YA fantasy!

I couldn’t get into this one. I really tried but after chapter 6 I quit. Some may enjoy it though. The writing is excellent just not my style of book.

I wasn’t sure what to expect since I’ve never read the source material for the retelling. However, Rivera has this way of pulling you into her stories and writing such interesting characters that I was immediately sucked into this. I especially loved Eury and watching her grow as a character throughout the story. I liked how despite how terrified she was she was determined to find a way to save herself and those around her. I also really enjoyed Pheus’ character and his relationship with his father.

I loved the bits of magical realism, and Catholicism woven through out the story. Also, I really loved how big a part Eury and Pheus’ family’s cultural backgrounds play a part in the setting of the story. It gave a real sense of people and setting around their story. I also loved how music plays a part in setting up the vibe of the book.

I would have liked to see a bit more development in the relationship between Eury and Pheus. Although the interest is there between the two from the beginning I didn’t feel the connection between them as much until the end and in the epilogue (you all know how I feel about epilogues). I think if there had been a bit more romance or chemistry there it would have heightened the stakes of the battle that Eury and Pheus face against evil spirit that is stalking Eury.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I knew going in that I would because I enjoy Lilliam Rivera’s writing so much. I would definitely recommend you pick this one up, especially if you like retellings or Greek mythology based retellings.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Never Look Back in exchange for an honest review.

I had such a hard time rating this because my emotions towards the first and second halves of this book are so drastically different.

First off, Rivera's writing is unarguably beautiful. The imagery was incredible and you get a really good feel for all the characters in the first half. I loved getting to know Pheus & Eury and their friends/family.

My problem was, all the intrigue built at the beginning is thrown out the window the second the Orpheus & Eurydice story moves to the forefront. We begin slowly and mysteriously then all of the sudden everything speeds up and the plot is whirling past you. It went form realism to 'you're reading a book right now' way too quickly for me and I just wish the pacing was more consistent throughout so I could have properly enjoyed this.

The upcoming young adult novel Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera is an own voices retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Published by Bloomsbury with art by Krystal Quiles, Never Look Back tells the stories of Pheus and Eury. Pheus is a teenage boy living his best life wooing girls with his masterful bachata guitar playing and singing while living with his Pops in the Bronx from the summer. Eury is living with her aunt and cousin Penelope for the summer in the same building as Pheus. She and her mother were forced to flee to Florida from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. She goes to spend the summer in the Bronx to get away from the torment that has followed her from the Island since childhood.

Never Look Back is written in the alternating first-person perspective of its two main characters. It is written in the natural vernacular of its teenage characters in a way that occasionally feels forced but generally is reflective of the way teenagers talk rather than the stilted language of an omnipotent narrator.  There is some beautifully poetic language strewn throughout, but it somehow manages to feel just like a part of the characters' language, even if realistically they may not match an average teenager's lexicon. The language also includes regular inclusion of Spanish that non-Spanish speaking readers may not understand exactly, even with context clues. But this only serves to further cement the narrative in authentic voices rather than catering to a broader or whiter audience.

I adore both Pheus and Eury and the growth they have over the course of Never Look Back, both together and as individuals. Pheus's father Apollo is one of the best role models I've read recently, neither filling typical stereotypes of divorced fathers nor being a perfect paragon. As a result, Pheus is a great kid. Even if he does bow to the pressure of his friends on occasion, like any normal teen, he generally knows when his friends are treating people poorly, for example, and is perfectly willing to stand up to them.

Eury is quiet and shy, in part because that's just her personality, but in part, because she has been tormented and abused by a spirit named Ato since she was a child. He is the essence of an abusive relationship, constantly building Eury up only to put her down and manipulate her into thinking he is the only one who cares about her and that everything bad in her life is her own fault. He came to her when Eury was a child, befriending her when she had nobody else. Now Ato vows to end her life and take her to el Inframundo to be with him forever.

Of course, nobody in Eury's life believes a spirit is tormenting her, and she is caught between those who believe she should seek medical help and those who abhor the idea and that she should seek solace in the church. Following her mother's wishes, she sticks to the latter and lives her life in constant fear of Ato hurting her and those around her.

Until she meets Pheus. Their love story, even from the onset begins to subvert the myth Never Look Back is based on. Eury is the first person in Pheus's life who he can't just win over with his guitar. Their relationship is based on much more.

As a retelling of a classical myth, Never Look Back is excellent. The Bronx setting and the Afro-Dominican and Puerto Rican heritages of its characters help transform the myth into a deep and multi-layered story about belief, love, and colonialism. The entire store is coated in symbolism and narrative that exemplify each of the themes in ways the original myth never could have conceived. The imagining of spirits as the obvious zenith of colonialism is especially well woven throughout the entire book. This is done, in part, through the integration of Taíno, Indigenous Puerto Rican mythology alongside Greek, Roman, and Biblical illusions and narrative. It's sometimes a juxtaposition, sometimes a natural sequence of religious acculturation, but always well written and deeply impactful.

Writing a story based on a well-known myth can sometimes take away from the emotion of the story when the reader knows generally the outline the story is going to take. However, Never Look Back, because it builds on, tweaks, and subverts the original myth so creatively and so naturally through this reimaging, every emotional moment lands with full impact.

Never Look Back felt too rushed, especially in the second half. There is a moment where the book suddenly takes a dramatic turn, though its impact is well amplified by the theme of belief and faith that permeates the entire novel. At that turn, things move at breakneck speed; not really any different than the first half, but that makes me wish there was just a little bit more to both halves. It's not that the pace is too fast, I just wish the book was a bit longer to help let the impact of its various twists and turns seep in longer before the next one. The pacing does make the very ending feel a tad anti-climactic, just because of how quickly it wraps up. But, I cried anyway at how beautiful it was despite being slightly corny.

Never Look Back is a wonderful exploration of the classical myth of Orpheus and Eurydice through authentic and captivating voices. It's themes of belief, love, and colonialism elevate the original myth while making it into a story all its own. While I wish it was a tad longer, it's a beautiful love story not bound to the tropes or expectations of its source material.

Never Look Back is available September 1st wherever books are sold.

This book is the bomb-dot-com. These two young Afro-Latinx teens meet in the Bronx one summer. Eury faced tragedy at the hand of a hurricane that wiped out her home in Puerto Rico, and is visiting her cousin Penelope in the Bronx for the summer to try to shake off her PTSD. Pheus has been working his singing, trying to jump start his career as a bachata singer. When he lays eyes on Eury, his whole world turns upside down and he spends the next few weeks trying to figure out how to get close to her.

Eury brings some mystery with her, though, and her secrets breach the edges of the believable and the mythological. Pheus is stuck trying to figure out where he stands when she finally reveals these insights with him.

This retelling of the classic mythology of Eurydice and Pheus was on fire. The story really starts ramping up about a third of the way in, and then it's a rapidly increasing dance back and forth between Eury and Pheus' perspectives, adding new layers and tensions with every chapter. I was rooting for these two the entire time. Their romance is beautiful, and I adored the character development and self-reflection these two engaged in throughout their journey. This book is quick paced and short, but gives readers plenty of time to fall in love alongside these characters.

Being able to read some Spanish is a big plus for this book, as there aren't any follow up translations to the text written in Spanish (which I really appreciated - I kind of hate books that write the same sentence twice or translate it for English only speakers). I didn't need to know any of the mythology going into it to enjoy the story, but I think fans of the Eurydice-Orpheus story would enjoy this book just the same. It's a great introduction to exploring mythology in a contemporary way, calling into question the demons and gods that lay just a thin veil away and wreak havoc on the mundane world.

Wow! This is genius and challenging!

When I realize I’m reading the retelling of one of the most outstanding Greek myths: Orpheus and Eurydice with Afro- Latinx characters, I wholeheartedly enjoyed the idea.

So I dived into the story without reading any reviews for not being biased, went blind and wanted to get lost in the one of the heart wrenching tragedies.

Don’t worry, with her fascinating storytelling skills of Ms. Rivera’s, she presents us pure magical realism, discovery of cultural identity, overcoming from grief and excitement of first and true love story.

Both of the protagonists are young, flawed , naturally making too much mistakes but you may sense the genuineness of their hearts and it’s so easy to like and connect them.

Eury comes to NYC for leaving her old life behind after losing everything in Hurricane Maria, following by a evil spirit. She needs healing, recovering from her grief and starting over. She meets Pheus, charming singer, serenading her, planning his summer at the beach at the friends. That’s where their challenging but also pure, unique love story starts.

It’s one of my fastest readings. Re-adapting a Greek myth is a big challenge and writing it with from your heart and pointing at sensitive issues like cultural identity, loss, grief may raise the bars. But the author overcame all those struggles and I enjoyed the outcome of the story. I wish there was more romance because both of the characters were extremely sweet.

Overall: I liked lyrical, emotional and thought provoking approach of the book. I’m giving my mythical , musical , young and sweet four stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for sharing this meaningful ARC with me in exchange my honest opinions.

"Life isn't only about anguish and grief. There's hope too." Pheus and Eury both know something about grief. Pheus turns to his music to get through difficult times. Eury has religion, but she also has a darker companion. This book, while a retelling of the Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice, is also a metaphor exploring depression and PTSD. Eury lives through Hurricane Maria's devastation in Puerto Rico, but her survival comes with a high price. When she goes to the Bronx for the summer, to stay with her cousin and try to heal, she meets Pheus and begins to find hope again. But, is Pheus's love for Eury enough to bring her out of the dark place her parents' divorce and the hurricane has left her?

Told in two voices, Pheus and Eury, this novel is beautiful and complex. I love how Rivera was able to capture the lyrical voice of Pheus and the confused and thoughtful Eury. Rivera creates a powerful setting, using vivid imagery of both the Bronx and El Inframunda (the Underworld). I have never visited Puerto Rico or the Bronx, but the sights, sounds, and smells are easily imagined. There are many Spanish phrases and words used, and although my Spanish is poor, I was still able to understand the story clearly. I loved that Eury and Pheus's parents, while fallible, were supportive and authentic. Every character, from Pheus's friend Jayson, to Eury's cousin Penelope, felt genuine and gave a nod to mythology.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.