Daniel Jose Older writing a YA title for Rick Riordan Presents signals a must read. Pirates, Sephardic Jews, and Santeros means robust world building and an entertaining story. It was a bit of a slow start, but the pace picked up until I couldn’t put it down. This will definitely be an attractive choice for high school students who are former Percy Jackson fans.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Representation Matters! Senor Older takes us on an exciting journey through Santeria, Judaism, and Cuban mythology. I could not put this book down and am longing for part 2. I'm still in awe at the story and characters. I hope Disney + creates a series based on these and the other mythology YA books. So grateful for the introduction to Mr. Older's work. Will be reading more and waiting patiently for part 2.

<i>"We'll be something brand new, going forward. And it's scary. But I know this: we have two badass angels at our back, watching over us. They're not trapped by false histories or the lies we used to tell ourselves. They're not scared of a fight. They're warriors, they're outlaws, and they're only just beginning to discover who they really are, just like we are only just beginning to find ourselves as a people in this brand-new day. We are still just learning our name!"</i>

TL;DR: I...cannot do better than Daniel Jose Older, so please just read his words instead of mine:
<i>"We're a messy, upside down people, the San Madrigaleros. We each hold a hundred contradictions, but we wear them proudly. Our genesis sounds more like a bad joke than the actual founding of a nation: One stormy night centuries ago, a pirate, a rabbit, and a Santero escaped some battle together and watched in awe as the island of San Madrigal arose from the Caribbean Sea. This ridiculous trinity settled on it and soon more escapees and outlaws showed up -- they brought their hopes and fears, gods and demons. They made new ones. They fell in love and fought wars, and managed to stay out of the vengeful, gluttonous glare of empire for ages. Then, fifteen years ago, that island sunk beneath the waves during a hurricane, and we migrated here, where we've been in a spiritual crisis and state of constant yearning ever since."</i>
<i><b>I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</b></i>

Vibes: Literally unlike anything I've ever read -- in the best way possible. The way Daniel Jose Older blends the vibes of pirates and Cuban Santeria and Sephardic Jews is just....🤯🤯🤯

Genre: IDK. Urban Fantasy + Mythology, I think
**Probably first in a series.
**Part of Rick Riordan's Imprint -- the first YA book

Romance Meter: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 ♡
**No Love Triangle!

Character MVP: Tia Lucia. Technically an aunt (I think...? Maybe an honorific, if not a blood relation), but I love me a ballsy broad in a grandmother-type role.

Verdict: I 100% loved this book. I knew *nothing* about it going in, and I probably only requested it from NetGalley because it was a Rick Riordan imprint book, and I usually enjoy most of those.

But this one...blew my mind. In the Preface, Uncle Rick talks about how he's been trying to get people to read Daniel Jose Older's books because they're amazing and how he's "in awe of his breathtaking range." Which is incredibly high praise -- so high that, I'll admit, I raised my eyebrow in skeptical disbelief.

And then promptly ate crow.

I don't even know where to start, because I don't want to spoil anything...

1. Older's writing style. It was engaging and descriptive and pulled me in from page 1. I thought he gave MC Mateo Matisse a distinct and unique voice, and one that was fun as well. But more than that, there's a lyrical rhythm to his writing that I just loved.

2. FALL VIBES. Weird to be reading in 80 degree days, but IDC. Fall vibes go a long way to earning my love.

3. The Mythology. Again -- the blend of Pirates & Cuban Santeria & Sephardic Judiasm <b>should not work</b>. It's too niche, too disparate, too random. But...when you think about it, circa 15th century, all those peoples would have been outcasts in some way, fleeing persecution and colonialism and WASPish prejudice and bigotry. And Older makes it work. It is a little confusing at first, but Older deftly weaves the key points of the mythology & history in and out of the story so that it's easy to follow.

I just...loved this. All of it. Can't gush enough.

I was looking forward to the first YA under the Riordan imprint, and it didn't disappoint - not that I'm surprised by that. This was an engaging, infinitely readable story that I am looking forward to recommending.

A community that fled from their sinking island, settle in New York until the time to return occurs. Mateo, though, just wants some attention from a local musician. Then he finds out he’s more involved in the community’s history…

One thing I loved about this book was the Spanish scattered throughout. It adds a unique connection with the text. Also, I didn’t know there was a population of Hispanic Jews… that was fun to look into and read about. Overall the storyline was interesting, I think it’s a good start to series. One thing I did struggle with was the age it was written for. I think the description of 12 is accurate, but I have trouble seeing one of my high schoolers reading it because the writing seems a little on younger side. In fact, although Mateo is 15, the way he behaves sometimes reminds me of someone younger. Either way, I would read the next book because it’s peaked my interest.

Thank you Netgalley and Disney Presents for this ARC. Already put this book on my next order, I think my middle grade kids will find it enjoyable… especially some of my Spanish speakers having their language represented.

I fell in love with this book from the very beginning! As someone who comes from Hispanic background, the beginning was just so RELATABLE!!! The whole dynamic was just so good! And don't even get me started on the world building cause that was absolutely PHENOMENAL!!! The characters TOO are just so great like how in the world did you write something SO magnificent, Mr. Older? I am so going to check out some of Daniel José Older's other writings! Though at times I went from laughing to almost throwing my kindle across the room, I still highly recommend this book! Can't wait for the next one!

Thank You Netgalley for the eARC!!!

This was my first Daniel Jose Older book and there was a lot of world building despite the very real world setting. The island of San Madrigal dissappeared below the ocean waves 15 years ago and most of the survivors and their descendants live in a small neighborhood in Brooklyn.

The pacing in the first half was a little bit slow for me but there was something about Mateo and his community that kept me reading. This is a definitely conversation starter for diasporan Caribbean children. Many people don't necessarily want to reflect on the after effects of colonialism and colorism especially with so many island nations pushing this idea of "We're all XYZ nation" while ignoring that the darkest in society still stays at the bottom years after slavery ended. The island of San Madrigal boasts about having never been conquered however it's racial dynamics closely resemble it's Caribbean cousin's that were.

Mateo lives with his Tia Lucia and his ghost tia Miriam while his parents travel the world. I liked how close he was to his tia and the depiction of a non traditional family.

Mateo has this healing magic and his love of music was uniquely tied into that. The story also blends different religions with Sephardim and Santeria equally being observed in their community.And then pirates have their own way of life.

I liked that Mateo was awkward and unsure. So often we read these stories where people discover they have great power and they talk about being unsure but we don't really see and feel it. Mateo finds out he has these powers and he freaks out! He's also experiencing his first big crush on Chela who also has powers she doesn't know how to control. They were so cute together!

While it was a little slow for me in some parts and the world could get confusing at time I did enjoy it.

3.5

An amazing coming-of-age fantasy with music and spirits! Mateo's love of music and how it was interwoven into his new powers came across beautifully. I enjoyed the friendship he shared with Tams and the love he shared with his Tia Lucia. Chela and her blades quickly became my favorite character. The history, culture, and lies surrounding the sunken island of San Madrigal and its diaspora were intriguing aspects that kept me guessing.
Thanks, NetGalley, Rick Riordan Presents, and Disney-Hyperion!

The story was well written and descriptive with colorful imagery coming onto the pages. The development for the MC, history, culture throughout the entire book was amazing and beautiful.

The relationship formed with the MC to other supporting characters were well developed and provided a vivid picture of their role and story development.

I love the writing in regards to the MC’s love of music, the descriptive display of his thoughts on how music is felt and heard in his soul and eventually how that translate to his powers. The details in writing between the different types of music culturally is another amazing note to add.

There are a few things in the story that I found lack luster and those are the pacing of the story (mostly the first half), the insta love, and the lack of translation. The pacing of the story starts off very slow but picks up toward the end. I understand the world building has to be developed but this book isn’t high fantasy and I wasn’t expecting it to be at that pacing in the beginning. I’m not a fan of insta-love, with that being said the FMC wasn’t really developed in the story and it added on to the insta-love scenario as well. The last thing is the Spanish in parts of the story wasn’t translated or written in context well. I found myself confused and picking up pieces of the story in the back end.

It was a pleasant surprise to find the book tackling themes of slavery, colonialism, and colorism. The way the story was laid out to merge the history to present day cultures was well thought out and written in the main plot of the story. The blending of that along with the magical elements in the story was a fantastic.

Overall, Ballad & Daggers was an enjoyable read.

Ballad & Dagger is the first in a duology by SF/F author Daniel José Older, as part of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. The RRP imprint is an imprint of books in which, like Riordan's Percy Jackson series is for Greek Mythology, authors from various backgrounds (Indian, Korean, Mexican, etc. etc.) write books using the myths of their cultures for middle grade audiences. Ballad & Dagger is a first for the imprint, in that it's aimed at young adult readers (although I think middle grade readers would be totally fine with it), and features a world and plot based upon the traditions Older grew up with: a half Sephardic Jew and half Cuban heritage.

The result is a story that is highly enjoyable in how it creates a fictional island settled by Pirates, Sephardim (Jews), and Santeros, whose combined traditions created a new fictional culture that has elements of all, with their own special saints and more, until the Island sank and its people relocated to a part of Brooklyn to try and keep their culture alive. And the story's main character, as well as its themes of colonization, empire, destruction/creation, and the importance of recognizing rather than hiding the sins of one's past are very well done. I just wish that the story was a bit more stretched out, as certain plot elements and character developments seem abrupt and sudden and don't quite work as well as they should as a result. But this is still a very solid YA story and one I'll be back for when it comes back for its conclusion.


--------------------------------------------------Plot Summary-------------------------------------------------------
The Island of San Madrigal was once a unique wonder in the world - settled by Pirates, Sephardim, and Santeros in a bizarre melding of cultures, the island legendarily never was conquered or colonized by a foreign power, never engaged in the slave trade, and simply thrived.....until 15 years ago, the Island mysteriously sank, with its residents all escaping to a small community in Brooklyn.

High School junior Mateo Matisse never knew San Madrigal - it disappeared just after he was born - and really has never felt like a real part of his diaspora community, thanks to his parents caring more about science and traveling than staying around and taking him with them, until a while back they left him home with his spiritual Tía Lucia and his ghost Aunt Miriam. Mateo has always wanted to escape, to take after his musical idol Gerval and to use his incredible piano playing to share his soul with the world. And so when a Grand Fete, an annual party that is meant to announce the succession to leadership of the Pirate Leadership of San Madrigal, draws Gerval back to the community, Mateo is eager to attend and possibly get a chance to meet his idol and to perform for him.

But the Grand Fete goes far differently than Mateo could have expected, and reveals to him - and the whole community - that he is tied to the three legendary spirits of the Island....and possibly to a prophecy that could bring the Island back. Soon, along with a girl with destructive powers he can't quite take his eyes off of, Mateo will have to figure out what to do with his newfound power....because the future of his people, and his Island, will depend upon it......
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Ballad & Dagger is told entirely from the perspective of Mateo, a boy with ordinary wishes for his life, even if his own life is certainly far from ordinary, and somewhat of an outsider in his community. This allows for the story to showcase the very fascinating community and people of San/Little Madrigal from the perspective of a character who has learned all about it and kind of lived it...but also still feels somewhat separate from it, allowing the explanations and explorations of it to land with full force. It helps that Mateo is highly intelligent and understanding about how things are and how things really work - for example, as he notes that despite the claims that San Madrigal was free from the prejudices of the outside world, there certainly seems to be colorism underlying who has power in their society.

And it's a society that is fascinating in how it presents itself, in how it combines real world elements into a single/separate culture(s), and what is hidden underneath. Here you have Sephardic Judaism, complete with the Ladino language, as an underlying part of the community, even if the book doesn't go too deeply into Jewish religious customs (Bar/Bat Mitzvahs are mentioned, and some other stuff as well, but the book is not that interested in going heavy duty into Jewish customs). You have pirates - as they reconceptualize in the modern world as smugglers of various items and information. You have Santeros, as they worship and center themselves around the Orisha and spirits that were originally taken from Africa and became their own things in the Carribean. And you have this culture that tries to keep everything of all three cultures, even where contradictory, even where it has clearly caused conflict in the past, and combines it with a separate culture of three magical saints - a healer, a creator, and a destroyer - who created their Island, and helped them over generations supposedly stay out of the evils of the real world such as colonization, empire, and more.

Of course that "supposedly" is doing a lot of work, and a large theme of this book - as it features a plot dealing with characters blessed with the powers of magical saints (healing, destruction (murdering), creation) as well as monsters from various cultures (such as Golems from Jewish lore) - is the characters discovering how much of that is not true and how their ancestors either covered up the truths of their past or were willfully blind about what was going on behind the scenes. The antagonists by contrast want to either hide it while, all the while keeping the spirit of those activities going on in the modern world, and are willing to seize power by force when that becomes impossible....because the community doesn't want to keep hiding it once it's revealed, but instead wants to come together to make things better.

You may note that this review isn't really structured how my usual reviews are - which usually talk about the characters first and what I enjoyed about them before diving into themes. That's because the characters are solid, but their development and relationship development often feels truncated by the shortness of this novel. So like our main character Mateo, his best friend Tams (a girl who likes flirting with everyone, including two twins - a NB character and another girl), his Tía Lucia and his Aunt Miriam are all very solid if unexceptional. But his relationship with Chela, which is romantic, is hamstrung by there just being odd jumps in the relationship - Mateo is first uncomfortable with her because her first act is to seemingly murder a guy...and then the next day everyone notices he has a Crush on her which was seemingly never there before? Or after a moment in which the plot does the classic trope of him looking like he's betrayed her, and the plot doesn't give this a moment to breathe before he acts in a way to make it clear he didn't.

There's a lot to like here - again the setting is fantastic, especially the melding of cultures into something really interesting and real, the plot is well done, etc. - so I don't really mind how rushed the character relationships feel....I just wish this book had another 60 pages (this seems to be a common complaint of me with the RRP books actually). So I can definitely recommend this one, and I will be back for the duology's conclusion.

When I found out about this book, I wasn't sure what to expect but it certainly exceeded my expectations. It gave us the heroes we come to love in the Rick Riordan franchise along with the celebration of culture & belief systems but with a little more edge since the MC is older. I loved how at home I felt in this book because it takes place in Brooklyn so I imagined myself in the story no matter where it was taking place. A lot of the characters felt like people I know and I thought a lot of my Godmother while I read too as she taught me about the Orishas. This was such a great story and I can't wait to see where it goes next!

This novel wowed me with the amount of gorgeous language and imagery seeping out of every page. From the history and culture of San Madrigal to our protagonist Mateo's deep love for music, each moment of characterization and development of Mateo's life and history are written extensively and beautifully.

Mateo's relationship with his family - specifically Tia Lucia - and his friends were a treat. Tams and Maza were fun side characters that added a bit of depth and comic relief while also serving as their own interesting side story. Juggling various adult characters was a bit tedious at times but it became clearer who was on whose side as the story progressed.

Being a lifelong music nerd, the way Mateo connects to his piano playing was a stunning inclusion to this book. Reading the way his power translates itself in his brain through different types of music from his cultural background was phenomenal.

My qualms lie in the rushed romance aspect of the book and Chela's overall lack of development. While she shares the cover with Mateo and hold equal plot importance, I feel that she as a person remains incredibly understated to the reader, and we don't know much about her aside from her connection to Mateo and how her actions influenced the plot. She felt like less of her own character and more like a means to an end, which disappointed me.

I wasn't expecting this book to tackle themes of diaspora, colonialism, and colorism as deeply as it did, and I was pleasantly surprised at how nothing was held back. The dark and cruel histories of how many of our present-day cultures came to be is the backbone of this book's plot and I was astounded at how it merged so well with the fantastical elements.

Ballad and Dagger was a fantastic and far worthwhile read, and I'll be eagerly anticipating the sequel, although I feel that this book can also easily stand alone.

A pirate, a rabbi, and a Santero... it sounds like the start of a bad joke, but it's not; instead, it's the start of a novel, one that contains an unusual melding of cultures: pirates, Judaism, and Santeria, the descendants of several groups of people who came together on a small Caribbean island, San Madrigal, and created their own interwoven cultures. Driven from their island when a calamitous storm sinks it, the community ends up in Brooklyn, just another group in the seething mass of cultures that comprise New York.

Mateo is a musician, living with his aunt for high school while his parents, both doctors, practice medicine on another continent. Because his parents travel from one area of need to another, Mateo is, in many ways, a stranger in his own community, having come and gone his entire childhood. As he settles in for the long term, he begins to notice things in his community that never really caught his attention before, things that most of his neighbors take for granted. After witnessing a murder, Mateo helps in a way he never knew he could - and a whole new world, or at least a world new to him, opens before him, a world in which gods walk the earth. Guided by his aunt and the ghost of her dead sister, Mateo uncovers the secrets of his society, in a unique melding of the mythology of Sephardic Jews, Santeria, and pirates.

I really enjoyed much of this novel; it's rare that I find a fantasy novel that involved Judaism in any way, much less one that uses Hebrew. I suspect that I am one of the rare readers who actually understands Hebrew enough to realize that it is authentic. However, the focus of the novel is largely on the mythology of Santeria, and uses a significant lexicon from Lucumi - a language rare enough that neither the translation function on my e-reader nor via the internet is able to translate some of it, which I found rather frustrating. This had the effect of knocking me out of the "willful suspension of disbelief" necessary to truly immerse myself in a fantasy set largely in a family setting, and, for me at least, detracted from the story. A glossary would be truly helpful. Still, the melding of three totally unrelated sets of mythology and traditions created an imaginative and unique story, which this issue only detracted from slightly.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.5 stars. The first YA Rick Riordan Presents! I absolutely loved the culture of the San Madrigal diaspora, but beyond that, there wasn't a lot for me.

The Premise: Since San Madrigal sank fifteen years ago, the diaspora has chaotically found a place in Brooklyn. Mateo has always felt like an outsider in his pirate x Jewish x Santeria community, and only fits in when he plays his music…but unbeknownst to him, he's part of a healer cult, and one of three people essential to raising San Madrigal.

The Characters:
- Mateo is a musician and a healer, and he narrates in first person. There's a lot of exposition due to the complexity of his culture, but it's done pretty well. He's kind of a space cadet, but he gets more grounded as the story goes on. His parents are absent for the whole book, and he lives with his lesbian aunts.
- Tia Lucia and Aunt Miriam are the lesbian aunts. Aunt Miriam is a ghost and Tia Lucia is a fortuneteller.
- Chela is a mysterious murder girl, the daughter of the head rabbi and cousin of the pirate heir Tolo. Also (spoiler) Mateo's love interest. I couldn't really get attached to her.
- Tams is Mateo's best friend. She's queer and very supportive of Mateo, but doesn't really have many other character traits.
- Gerval is the most famous Galerano, who became a mainstream musician. Mateo idolizes him, but some in the community think that Galeranos should remain under the radar.

What I Liked:
- Everything about San Madrigal's history and culture. As the book goes on, Mateo learns more about the island and what it was really like, which I thought was very well done.
- Mateo and all of his friends had to consider identity and cultural heritage, while looking to the future.
- The sense of suspense was really good.
- I just loved the world and its music so much.

What I Didn't Like:
- The plot was nothing new and pretty predictable by the second half. A secret faction within the already pretty secret society was not my favorite. Same with the hard religious turn.
- The romance absolutely did not do it for me. I couldn't get behind it at all. I wouldn't say it took over the story, but it was impactful. Seeing as the story took place over a pretty short timeframe, it was just hard to buy.


ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oooo this was one of my highly anticipated books of 2022 and it was...so cool. So cool. Ballad & Dagger, by Daniel Jose Older, is the first YA book in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint and I found it to be unique, and rhythmic, and yep, I'm going to say it again, cool. This is an "urban fantasy" according to the blurb, and brings together a whole bunch of cultures and magic.

The story follows Mateo Matisse, a high school musician living in the "San Madrigal" neighborhood in Brooklyn--a community comprised , according to the blurb, of "pirates, santeros, and Sephardim." Fairly quickly, Mateo learns that not all is what it seems with his community's leaders and their plans. While trying to find out their secrets, he discovers a big secret about himself.

I loved Older's writing and Mateo's character. I loved the blend of cultures within the San Madrigal community but also the commentary on the feelings of being an outsider, colonialism, diaspora, and culture. These are big topics in themselves, but Mateo is also very much a teenager, and this story speaks to that as well.

While this is a YA, I would feel comfortable having this in my classroom with a YA tag (my 7th graders have to have parental permission to read YA from school). This is set to be a duology and I'm so excited for the second book.

Older's story practically vibrates with music, culture, and identity. Living in a piece of the modern world, the people of San Madrigal hold tightly to their traditions and practices of story, religion, and language. When the opportunity arise for a chance to return to their land, tensions excalate as the community disagrees on the best way to achieve this, threatening to tear the community apart.

What drew me in was Mateo, awkward, shy, devoted, and intensely talented with music; his relationships with his aunts, friends, and the complexities of who his people are and their continued survival in a place that is not attuned to their magic.

Older kept the momentum going, even though at certain points I felt it drag, but in no way did it detract from my absolute enjoyment. The mystery that shrouds the sinking, the hidden and intricate bonds of the Council and the power plays that push the political machinery. A series that I will definitely be keeping up with.

I was first introduced to this author watching a YA book festival zoom panel. After hearing him speak, I immediately wanted to read his books and was thrilled to receive an ARC of his newest release.

Mateo is a piano prodigy and knows exactly what he wants to do with his life – play music. But then he discovers (in a very public way) his destiny is wildly different, and it’s something he can’t escape. Maybe he doesn’t want to when he learns it’s something that could help his people find their original home of San Madrigal. His life is further changed after he witnesses a brutal killing the night of Grand Fete – and he knows the murderer.

In the first pages of the story when Mateo walks the streets of Little Madrigal in Brooklyn, NY, I could easily picture his vibrant community – the sights, sounds, smells, and people. It’s a place I’d love to visit and meet their wonderful blend of citizens – pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews (and enjoy all that food). But the community isn’t living in harmony at the moment. Power struggles and politics ensue, and battle lines are drawn.

The supporting cast is everything. From Mateo’s aunts (one alive and the other a spirit), to his teasing best friend Tam, and the loyal twins, they add so much to the story. With urban fantasies, world-building can make or break a story, and this is done to perfection. The history, culture, politics, and magic are all well-explained and easy to follow. Pacing is a little uneven in the beginning, but soon moves at a breakneck pace to the end.

Ballad and Dagger has a little bit of everything – ancient secrets, battles, characters easy to root for, romance, rich culture. It’s a bit of a coming of age story that I enjoyed from the first page and look forward to reading more books by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was really excited to see that the Rick Riordan Presents imprint was starting to publish some young adult literature, let alone one by Daniel Jose Older (who always has such interesting plots to his books!), and Ballad & Dagger did not disappoint. Were there some parts that got confusing and muddled? Yes. As a whole though, it was simply an inventive, enjoyable story with some really interesting worldbuilding that had me wanting to experience Little Madrigal. Overall, a solid read.

San Madrigal. The island that mysteriously sank and its residents either perished with it or had to relocate and rebuild their communities. Someone is trying to bring San Madrigal back, but maybe not for the right reasons. The first Rick Riordan presents novel for YA instead of middle-grade brings the same adventure students enjoyed in the upper elementary/lower middle-grade to the older students or more mature readers. A definite requirement for classsrooms!

Mini review:

When I heard about this book from a Netgalley email, I was so excited and I immediately requested it!

This book was a lot of fun! The writing was so well done, as were the characters. I loved the world building was wonderful. The book was filled with such rich culture and history.

I loved the relationships between all the characters, especially Mateo and Tia Lucia. Chela and Mateo had a really solid relationship and I enjoyed reading about their romance.

The plot twist was something I never saw coming.

I look forward to rereading the final version and the sequel!