I'm sad ....this is a sequel to a book that I have not read yet. When I realized that, I stopped and put it aside. I think that this will be a good middle grade series though. The story is unique and the mythology involved is interesting. I give four stars because even though I couldnt finish without reading the first, it feels like it's going to be amazing.

I didn’t realize that this one was sequel when I read it. I pretty sure I would have more out of it if I had read the first book first. But it was a still a good read. With Navajo characters written by a Navajo. So not only is it a beautifully written story it is also own voices.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book, as this book has already been published, I will not share my review on Netgalley at this time.

I shared this book at the International Society of Research in Children's Literature conference! I am writing a paper about Brian Young's words that I will submit to a children's literature journal. I love this series! It offers wonderful opportunities for analysis.

I read the first book as soon as it released. It was a privilege to get this arc. This is amazing. As a biracial indigenous person i truly relate the narrative of this story. As well as the history, climate change, and culture shared within the book. It’s a 5 star read!

I absolutely adored Healer of the Water Monster so I've been looking forward to this title. I won't say I was disappointed because it was a great book. The last third makes up for any slowness in the earlier chapters and the character development is *chef's kiss!*

Heroes of the Water Monsters was an interesting read. It showcases two young boys striving to help the water Monsters. I couldn't really get into the story. The two young characters seemed full of potential but I felt like the story jumped from one cause or crisis to another that they couldn't fully be developed nor could the reader make a connection. I received an ARC through NetGalley however the opinions above are my own freely given.

Another amazing adventure from Brian Young, seeing Nathan grow was hard! I loved the way Edward was able to take the role for Nathan! I especially loved the culture woven through the story, and we love Dew of course! Having these stories available for Indigenous children is so important!

Edward and Nathan are not exactly the best of friends, but they need each other, especially as Nathan approaches adulthood and the impending removal of his connection with his water monster companion, Dew. Luckily, Edward is next in line to commune with Dew, so he must learn everything he can from Nathan before puberty officially arrives. Simultaneously, it is time for Dew to learn more water monster songs in order to bring water to earth. As Dew is studying her new skills, Edward and Nathan decide to discover the truth behind the severe lack of water around their Phoenix, Arizona home. It quickly becomes clear that there is a Modern Enemy stealing water from the rivers nearby, and it is up to the boys to discover and vanquish this mysterious foe before time runs out.

This second in the Water Monster series continues from where the first book left off. While readers would do best to have read the first book before engaging in this second installment, the summary of the initial novel is enough to get readers on the right track. The story is told through alternating points of view between Edward and Nathan, which gives readers the opportunity to get to know each of the primary characters and their feelings about the many changes happening in their lives. Unfortunately, the writing is lacking in depth and complexity, which negatively affects the narrative as a whole. However, the story itself is compelling enough to keep readers engaged despite its lackluster presentation.

Throughout the book, major social challenges are mentioned, from climate change, to racism, to the difficulty of being part of a blended family. Each of these experiences is shared in detail, which provides readers with both a mirror and a window through which they can observe not only the characters’ feelings and behaviors in certain situations, but the actions of others, as well. Additionally, Diné language and culture are interwoven into the narrative, enhancing the cultural component from which both Edward and Nathan hail. A glossary at the end of the book helps readers unfamiliar with the Diné language become more comfortable and aware of the words used within the story. This is an intriguing addition to middle grade fiction collections, particularly because of the perspective from which the story is told. It is a decent continuation of the Water Monster series.

I absolutely loved Healer of the Water Monster and was incredibly excited to read the sequel to it. While Heroes of the Water Monster was good, it wasn't quite as magical as Healer of the Water Monster was for me. I love that Nathan is always willing to see the good in people. He is very selfless, especially for a teenager. Dew brought a lot of joy and lightness to the story, working as a great balance for Yitoo's understandable hurt and anger. Edward though got really annoying. He was very much your stereotypical only child, bratty teen. I understand why he was written this way and by the end of the book had made a lot of positive changes. It just grated on my nerves and made what would have been a 5 star read into a 4 star read, I still highly recommend, especially for how Young addresses the issues of the historical and present treatment of Native Americans and the impacts of climate change.

Edward and his dad move in with Nathan and his mom. Edward is a bit nervous, but feels things will work out. Nathan is excited to find a new guardian for Dew, the young water monster he's been taking care of the past two years. Dew's big sister Yitoo comes back from the Third World to teach Dew and suspects that a Modern Enemy is stealing the water from the Navajo People. Nathan, Edward, Dew, and Yitoo are forced to confront the past and present to save the Fourth World.

*There will be spoilers for Healer of the Water Monster in this review, as Heroes continues the story from Healer*

Heroes of the Water Monster is just as breathtakingly beautiful as Healer of the Water Monster.

There’s a lot of change in the air for Nathan.

His mom is moving, and not just moving– moving in with Ted, her boyfriend. Ted has a son, too– Edward. Edward and Nathan definitely aren’t siblings. Their parents just live together. That doesn’t make them anything. Right?

But Nathan needs a new guardian for Dew, the baby water monster he’s been helping. His time with the Holy Beings is running out, and Dew has much more to learn. Nathan plans to ask Mother Water Monster for a mentor for Dew. Not just any mentor either– Yitoo Bii’aanii. Yitoo is Dew’s older sister, and has been recovering in the Third World for 160 years.

Nathan and Edward are determined to help Dew and Yitoo, but Dew’s training is derailed when Yitoo believes a Modern Enemy is stealing water from the homeland of the Diné peoples.

This story is steeped in Diné history, specifically the Long Walk and era of relocation. Young brilliantly shows how the hurts of the past still affect the people of today. This book takes a courageous look at colonialism, assimilation, climate change, and how all of these issues are connected. Heroes has excellent depictions of grief, both the aftermath of loss and the reverberating effects that continue for a long time.

As always, Young has excellent character development. Edward and Nathan are navigating different issues at different ages, and each are fully developed individuals. As Edward struggles with his mixed heritage and Nathan struggles with losing his ability to interact with the Holy Beings, each boy has a lot on his plate.

This novel handles blended families, and the process of accepting new family members, in a beautiful way. Nathan and Edward’s individual pasts, goals, and methods are as different as can be. Learning to work together is beneficial for each of them.

This is one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading it. It takes root, living rent free in your mind in the best way, as you return to thinking about certain plot elements and characters again and again. Edward’s struggle with his mixed heritage Indigenous identity particularly resonated with me, as I am also mixed heritage Indigenous. The moments Edwards hurts over his identity punctured my own heart, as I have had those same worries and concerns. Edward’s dilemma is one that will resonate with many readers, helping them face their worries head on and walking with them as they do so.

This is one of those books that sets up camp in your heart. The depth of the plot and character development, the setting, the themes, the balance of identity with history and modern life– none of these are small accomplishments on their own, and seeing them flawlessly woven together here makes for one unputdownable book.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, Heartdrum, and HarperCollins Children’s publishers for an advanced e-ARC such that I could share my honest opinions.

Heroes of the Water Monster will be available May 23, 2023

I am so confused! I read Healer of the Water Monster, which I loved, and as far as I can tell this book is the follow-up to it. However there has been a massive leap in time, new characters have arrived with extensive missing backstory, and key scenes have been glossed over with an assumption that they occurred in the past leading to sometimes bewildering reactions from characters in time-frame of this new companion novel. Did I miss an additional book somewhere? Without that hopefully missing middle novel, this felt rushed and bewildering while the characters felt underdeveloped. What am I missing?