Shadowshaper

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Sierra Santiago planned to have 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 mysterious 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 herself and generations to come.Full of a joyful, defiant spirit and writing as luscious as a Brooklyn summer night, Shadowshaper marks the YA debut of a brilliant new storyteller.

Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; Reprint edition (August 30, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 133803247X

ISBN-13: 978-1338032475

Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.7 x 8 inches

Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (114 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #35,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #54 in Books > Teens > Mysteries & Thrillers > Thrillers & Suspense #69 in Books > Teens > Mysteries & Thrillers > Fantasy & Supernatural #79 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Action & Adventure > Mystery & Thriller

‘Shadowshaper’ by Daniel José Older is a fast-paced and page-turning fantasy tale set in present-day Brooklyn. The story’s main character is Sierra Santiago, a teen-aged girl who is a talented painter of wall murals. Right from the get-go, ‘Shadowshaper’ launches us into Sierra’s world, as she is painting a big, colourful dragon on the wall of a new and unwanted apartment tower. Sierra has recently noticed that several of the neighbourhood’s older wall murals are not only fading, but changing in subtle yet significant ways – though strangely, no one else seems to notice this.This story had me hooked from page one, and kept me hooked throughout. Older keeps the action moving at high speed, ducking and weaving through the streets of Brooklyn, Sierra’s family-life and friendships, as well as the new strange world of magic and spirits that opens up to her as she learns more and more about the powers – both good and evil – at work around her, and inside her. The cast of characters is fantastic throughout, and Sierra is a terrific heroine: smart and tough and strong, but also flawed and conflicted enough to feel absolutely real. Her circle of friends adds another great layer to the story, with friendships that feel like they’re taken from the real world, and dialogue that captures both the friends’ quippy banter and more touching moments.The magic universe that lurks just beneath the surface of everyday life in ‘Shadowshaper’ is both fascinating and original, with old and new powers mixing in unpredictable ways. Some scenes blew me away with their visual power – especially towards the end when Sierra’s fight scenes, and her moments of revelation, are particularly strong. There is also one breathtaking fight scene that gave me a new appreciation of tattoos!‘Shadowshaper’ reminded me that setting a fantasy story in a contemporary, real life setting (as opposed to an alternate universe or fantasy world), can be extraordinarily powerful and effective.‘Shadowshaper’ is pegged as Young Adult, and it would be a great read for teens, but it’s also a great read for anyone else who is looking for a gripping and original fantasy tale.

Oh my goodness, this was so much fun!!!! I can't remember the last time I read an urban fantasy that was this authentic in that it wasn't following a bunch of white people in an urban setting. Maybe actually this is the first time. And it was glorious!It was diverse in more ways than one, with a cast of characters with different races and sexual orientations. It was true to the reality that we live in, a real mirror and that was so awesome to see. I know that if I had this book when I was a kid, I would champion it so hard (and I mean be super annoying about it like I used to be - maybe still am - when it comes to things that I love)!I loved how rich the characters were and how present their culture, their upbringing, their reality was because it's not a footnote or something to checkoff a character list, it's just as important as the story. Music, hair, skin tone, family expectations (dating, etc...), and other relatable POC cultural marks were so, so wonderful to see, especially since we so rarely see this in books. This book champions POC kids in the city and I love it.This is the first novel by Daniel José Older that I've read (read it in two sittings, it's easily a day read) and I cannot wait to read more from him. His writing is so much fun. This is such a fast paced and thrilling magical adventure and if you love ghosts and all things off kilter like me, you're in for a real treat.All of the characters are fun and relatable and really engaging. I love that it's set in New York. Not Manhattan. The real New York. In this instance, it's Brooklyn. I love that the setting really comes alive and incorporates not just the good like art and family in small communities but the bad as well, like street harassment and it does so seamlessly.I love how action packed the story was as Sierra was thrown onto a supernatural roller coaster of a journey. I thought that Sierra and Robbie, who goes on the adventure with her, had great chemistry and that was also fun to follow. I loved how humorous the writing was at times as well. Really, everything about this book was simple great fun and I am so glad that I finally read this.

Shadowshaper