Shadowhouse Fall

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Andersen - Westbrook High School, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 18, 2017

Review

Sierra Santiago is back and she is stronger than ever. In the second book of The Shadowshaper Cypher series, Older sets the bar for YA urban fantasy. As Sierra gathers her team of Shadowshapers, ancient powers connected to an enchanted deck of tarot-like cards, The Deck of Worlds, begins a battle that places Sierra directly in the middle. While the Shadowshapers fight these ancient powers, they must also confront the real-world issues of racial oppression that readers will recognize from current events. Sierra, an Afro-Latina teenager gives voice to views about both the real and the shadow worlds of Brooklyn that are written in believable urban, teen dialect. This book is both plot and character driven; it will be popular with readers of fantasy or urban YA, as well as those looking for a story about the power friendship and family. Before starting Shadowhouse Fall, readers may want to read two novellas, Ghost Girl in the Corner and Dead Light March, published between the first two books in the series.

Overall Book Score: excellent