What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadowshaper Cypher #3
Shadowshaper Legacy
The epic conclusion to the acclaimed Shadowshaper Cypher series!
A house divided
Sierra and the shadowshapers have been split apart. Juan, Anthony, and Izzy are in jail, anxiously waiting to find out what will become of them. Back in Brooklyn, the other shadowshapers have been getting threatening messages from whisper wraiths, catching strangely shaped figures stalking them, and fending off random spirits. A war is brewing among the houses, and the very magic of the shadowshapers is at stake.
The fate of the worlds
Sierra is determined to protect her own in the coming conflict, even if that means keeping secrets from them. But a deal with Death by one of Sierra's ancestors has far-reaching consequences in the battles of the present, and as old fates tangle with new powers, Sierra will have to harness the Deck of Worlds and confront her family's past if she has any hope of saving the future and everyone she loves. Only doing so will mean following the magic to places the shadowshapers have never gone before . . . and may never return from.
New York Times bestselling author Daniel José Older spins a masterful conclusion to his evocative and captivating Shadowshaper Cypher series in a finale of searing rebellion, the power of fate, and a magic unlike anything you've ever imagined.
A house divided
Sierra and the shadowshapers have been split apart. Juan, Anthony, and Izzy are in jail, anxiously waiting to find out what will become of them. Back in Brooklyn, the other shadowshapers have been getting threatening messages from whisper wraiths, catching strangely shaped figures stalking them, and fending off random spirits. A war is brewing among the houses, and the very magic of the shadowshapers is at stake.
The fate of the worlds
Sierra is determined to protect her own in the coming conflict, even if that means keeping secrets from them. But a deal with Death by one of Sierra's ancestors has far-reaching consequences in the battles of the present, and as old fates tangle with new powers, Sierra will have to harness the Deck of Worlds and confront her family's past if she has any hope of saving the future and everyone she loves. Only doing so will mean following the magic to places the shadowshapers have never gone before . . . and may never return from.
New York Times bestselling author Daniel José Older spins a masterful conclusion to his evocative and captivating Shadowshaper Cypher series in a finale of searing rebellion, the power of fate, and a magic unlike anything you've ever imagined.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2020
26 people are currently reading
1813 people want to read
About the author
Daniel José Older
178 books1,964 followersDaniel José Older is the New York Times bestselling author of the Young Adult series the Shadowshaper Cypher (Scholastic), the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series (Penguin), and the upcoming Middle Grade sci-fi adventure Flood City (Scholastic). He won the International Latino Book Award and has been nominated for the Kirkus Prize, the Mythopoeic Award, the Locus Award, the Andre Norton Award, and yes, the World Fantasy Award. Shadowshaper was named one of Esquire’s 80 Books Every Person Should Read. You can find his thoughts on writing, read dispatches from his decade-long career as an NYC paramedic and hear his music at http://danieljoseolder.net/, on youtube and @djolder on twitter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
February 17, 2020
4.5 stars. I’ve put off writing something about this story because I was having trouble articulating why I liked it so much. There are so many things I was pleased by in this last book in the series, so I’m just going to list them and leave it at that:
-Sierra Santiago
-Tee and Izzy’s relationship
-Juan’s emotions after being released, and how Uncle Neville tells Juan he’s there to talk when Juan’s ready to, and Juan agrees that he will. Wow! Two men acknowledging their emotions, and who are willing to deal with their pain.
-The Shadowshapers are such a small group, and they deal openly with the group’s internal strife instead of refusing to communicate and thereby causing needless plot complications.
-The author does not create needless and ultimately pointless plot-driven reasons for the Shadowshapers to keep secrets from one another so that resentments and anger build up and create more pointless plot action. When Sierra’s group gets a shock about one of their friends, Older resolves the issue quickly and believably, instead of stringing the situation along for many chapters.
-Sierra has a good relationship with her parents, and her mother is a positive part of her life.
-Bennie loves science!
-the Shadowshapers rightly call the House of Iron nazis for their racist attitudes and actions, both past and present.
-Uncle freaking Neville and Nydia.
-Sierra Santiago
-Tee and Izzy’s relationship
-Juan’s emotions after being released, and how Uncle Neville tells Juan he’s there to talk when Juan’s ready to, and Juan agrees that he will. Wow! Two men acknowledging their emotions, and who are willing to deal with their pain.
-The Shadowshapers are such a small group, and they deal openly with the group’s internal strife instead of refusing to communicate and thereby causing needless plot complications.
-The author does not create needless and ultimately pointless plot-driven reasons for the Shadowshapers to keep secrets from one another so that resentments and anger build up and create more pointless plot action. When Sierra’s group gets a shock about one of their friends, Older resolves the issue quickly and believably, instead of stringing the situation along for many chapters.
-Sierra has a good relationship with her parents, and her mother is a positive part of her life.
-Bennie loves science!
-the Shadowshapers rightly call the House of Iron nazis for their racist attitudes and actions, both past and present.
-Uncle freaking Neville and Nydia.
March 19, 2020
4.5-5 stars
Wow. Wow wow wow.
Fantastic ending to an incredible trilogy. The review on Tor.com is everything I want to say:
https://www.tor.com/2020/01/09/book-r...
And if you're an audiophile, Anika Noni Rose is PHENOMENAL.
Wow. Wow wow wow.
Fantastic ending to an incredible trilogy. The review on Tor.com is everything I want to say:
https://www.tor.com/2020/01/09/book-r...
And if you're an audiophile, Anika Noni Rose is PHENOMENAL.
March 21, 2020
Finally finished! With one thing or another over the last couple of weeks, so this took longer to get through than I originally thought it would, but it was worth it.
This is the finale of the Shadowshaper Cypher, and it's a good one. All the threads are tied up, and we even got a lot more of how the various houses were made, the four sisters that started it all, and how the deck of worlds was made and used. Nina really comes into her own as Lucera and as herself, and she proves that both her compassion and smarts are more than adequate to the job. She makes mistakes, but she learns from them. Juan, Anthony/Pulpo, Bennie, Tee, Izzy and the rest are all back and get their moments to shine as well.
I did get a little lost at times, but that could just be because days would go by between listens. It did seem to jump around a bit at the end when the various threads were coming together and didn't quite flow as well as the rest of the book and series to that point, and the way the conflict was concluded was a little too on the nose. But that's a small complaint in an otherwise great series.
Once again, the narrator, Anika Noni Rose, delivered an excellent narration. She really brings the story to life, though if you aren't into performed narrations, she might be a bit too much for you and you'd be better off reading.
So if strong female characters, strong but not douchey male characters, exploration of cultural roots and mythology, and social commentary that's mostly well-handled sound like your jam, give this series a whirl.
This is the finale of the Shadowshaper Cypher, and it's a good one. All the threads are tied up, and we even got a lot more of how the various houses were made, the four sisters that started it all, and how the deck of worlds was made and used. Nina really comes into her own as Lucera and as herself, and she proves that both her compassion and smarts are more than adequate to the job. She makes mistakes, but she learns from them. Juan, Anthony/Pulpo, Bennie, Tee, Izzy and the rest are all back and get their moments to shine as well.
I did get a little lost at times, but that could just be because days would go by between listens. It did seem to jump around a bit at the end when the various threads were coming together and didn't quite flow as well as the rest of the book and series to that point, and the way the conflict was concluded was a little too on the nose. But that's a small complaint in an otherwise great series.
Once again, the narrator, Anika Noni Rose, delivered an excellent narration. She really brings the story to life, though if you aren't into performed narrations, she might be a bit too much for you and you'd be better off reading.
So if strong female characters, strong but not douchey male characters, exploration of cultural roots and mythology, and social commentary that's mostly well-handled sound like your jam, give this series a whirl.
July 1, 2021
Shadowshaper Legacy (Shadowshaper #3) by Daniel José Older is such a great finale to an entire series that's really been a real underrated gem. It deserves so much more attention than what it's received, especially the second and third books. I honestly can't believe it's all over, but it ended so well. I can't resist Older's urban fantasy style and this YA series has been so much fun to explore. I will say though that I could have listened to this finale on audiobook since that's how I read the previous installments, but unfortunately that format wasn't available to me through my library which is a shame since the production of others was fantastic. Either way, though, I highly recommend this series, if you're looking for a unique and diverse LGBT+ YA fantasy novel. Now I need to finish up this author's adult urban fantasy Bone Street Rumba series with Battle Hill Bolero.
June 22, 2020
(2.5)
I have honestly never wanted to like a book so much. The diverse cast intrigued me (throughout all the books), and there are so many things that could've made this book a hit.
The magic system could've been a brilliant idea, but unfortunately is why I rated this book a 2.5.
The characters and their backgrounds (which were unfortunately missing) are exactly the kind of role models and examples we need today. They're honest, embrace their heritage, and remain themselves, but sadly aren't developed enough. I understand that the slang is a part of the culture, which I did love, but it made it hard to get to know the characters through the pages for me.
The culture is beautiful. The language paints a picture of the story really well, and made me feel like I spoke Spanish, even though I know that's only a distant dream. Everyday issues for the characters are ones that wouldn't cross many people's minds, and that we should give more attention to improve. I was almost going to give this book a 3. But the magic system/ancestors is where it went bad for me.
I was already a bit lost in book one. I should've quit, and saved myself bucketloads of frustrating confusion. I wanted to appriciate the author's magic system so bad. It seemed brilliant from the description. Sadly I was so lost, I have only a very faint grasp of what happened in the ending. The trilogy is called the Shadowshaper Cypher, but should've been the (frustrating) Deck of Worlds Cypher. I have NO IDEA how the Deck works!! The descriptions were so vague!! I don't even fully understand shadowshaping. I think there was too much action, and not enough world-building, leaving me absolutely clueless as to everything that happened concerning magic in the last 3/4 of the book. Anyways, this was something I found extremely frustrating, and sadly took away from what could've been an amazing, standout read for me.
Overall, the Shadowshaper Cypher was enjoyable for me. Not amazing, but not terrible.
I have honestly never wanted to like a book so much. The diverse cast intrigued me (throughout all the books), and there are so many things that could've made this book a hit.
The magic system could've been a brilliant idea, but unfortunately is why I rated this book a 2.5.
The characters and their backgrounds (which were unfortunately missing) are exactly the kind of role models and examples we need today. They're honest, embrace their heritage, and remain themselves, but sadly aren't developed enough. I understand that the slang is a part of the culture, which I did love, but it made it hard to get to know the characters through the pages for me.
The culture is beautiful. The language paints a picture of the story really well, and made me feel like I spoke Spanish, even though I know that's only a distant dream. Everyday issues for the characters are ones that wouldn't cross many people's minds, and that we should give more attention to improve. I was almost going to give this book a 3. But the magic system/ancestors is where it went bad for me.
I was already a bit lost in book one. I should've quit, and saved myself bucketloads of frustrating confusion. I wanted to appriciate the author's magic system so bad. It seemed brilliant from the description. Sadly I was so lost, I have only a very faint grasp of what happened in the ending. The trilogy is called the Shadowshaper Cypher, but should've been the (frustrating) Deck of Worlds Cypher. I have NO IDEA how the Deck works!! The descriptions were so vague!! I don't even fully understand shadowshaping. I think there was too much action, and not enough world-building, leaving me absolutely clueless as to everything that happened concerning magic in the last 3/4 of the book. Anyways, this was something I found extremely frustrating, and sadly took away from what could've been an amazing, standout read for me.
Overall, the Shadowshaper Cypher was enjoyable for me. Not amazing, but not terrible.
Read
February 1, 2020I felt that this book did a great job of tying everything together and was a great ending to the trilogy. What I loved about this book is that it included sections of the history of Sierra's ancestors which were enjoyable to read and I loved learning about them and the history of the Shadowshapers. This book had so much more packed into it, I'm going to miss the world of the Shadowshapers.
July 11, 2020
Review originally published at Fantasy Literature
Shadowshaper Legacy (2020) is the third and final novel in Daniel José Older’s excellent SHADOWSHAPER CYPHER series. While it was not my favorite book in the trilogy, it ends on a high note and concludes the main plot arcs in a satisfying way. This review will contain some spoilers for the first two books.
Shadowhouse Fall saw Sierra merge two magical Houses into the new House of Shadow and Light, and ended with a cliffhanger as the white supremacist Bloodhaüs emerged as a threat. The immediate Bloodhaüs situation is actually wrapped up pretty quickly — so quickly, in fact, that I’m pretty sure I missed an intervening novella, which I will have to go back and look for. But this showdown leaves some loose ends that will become important later.
Next, Juan, Anthony, and Izzy get out of jail. This sounds like a good thing, but it means the House of Iron will no longer be bound by its oath to protect them. (Juan and Anthony’s long walk down the corridor, with a prison guard who’s just itching to get violent, is one of the most tense moments in the series, and doesn’t even involve any magic.) Sierra and the rest of the group have to hurry to spirit them to safety, and in the aftermath, Sierra learns that one of her loved ones has betrayed her and the House.
Interspersed with the present-day chapters are the stories of Sierra’s ancestors, María Cantara and Cantara Cebilín, and their long-ago struggle against the malignant Contessa.
The dominance of the House of Shadow and Light has put a target on their backs, and now the remaining Houses are jockeying for power: against Shadow and Light, against each other, and amongst themselves. The middle section of Shadowshaper Legacy is packed with action — car chases, lots of powers being slung around — but I found myself not as engaged with it as I had been with the rest of the series. I think this is partly because, while there is a lot of magic being used, there’s not a lot of shadowshaping for a while, and that’s one of my favorite magical systems in all of fantasy literature; and partly because I also missed the scenes of ordinary life that were more frequent in the first two books. Sierra reflects:
“ … I’ve barely gotten to be Lucera, because I’ve had to be a wartime Lucera the whole time.” For a flickering moment, Sierra wondered what life would’ve been like if the Deck had never shown up, if the other houses hadn’t decided to team up to topple her, if she’d just been able to be happy and shadowshaping with her friends for the past six months. They could’ve made so much art, gotten so much closer to their spirits, who knew what else? The thought opened up a sadness inside her so deep she didn’t know what to do.
I feel the same way, Sierra! But I suppose a novel needs conflict, as much as I would love to read a whole book of these kids just animating their art all over Brooklyn.
Older builds up to a fantastic final battle that must be fought on two fronts: in New York, and in Puerto Rico where it all began. The last third of Shadowshaper Legacy is everything I could have hoped for. Plot threads come together, and Sierra and her fellow shadowshapers get the chance to use their powers and to shine.
I’m sad to see this excellent series end, but I’m happy to have met these characters and cheered them as they fought bigotry with creativity. The SHADOWSHAPER CYPHER books tell an exciting story and celebrate family, friendship, and Nuyorican culture.
Shadowshaper Legacy (2020) is the third and final novel in Daniel José Older’s excellent SHADOWSHAPER CYPHER series. While it was not my favorite book in the trilogy, it ends on a high note and concludes the main plot arcs in a satisfying way. This review will contain some spoilers for the first two books.
Shadowhouse Fall saw Sierra merge two magical Houses into the new House of Shadow and Light, and ended with a cliffhanger as the white supremacist Bloodhaüs emerged as a threat. The immediate Bloodhaüs situation is actually wrapped up pretty quickly — so quickly, in fact, that I’m pretty sure I missed an intervening novella, which I will have to go back and look for. But this showdown leaves some loose ends that will become important later.
Next, Juan, Anthony, and Izzy get out of jail. This sounds like a good thing, but it means the House of Iron will no longer be bound by its oath to protect them. (Juan and Anthony’s long walk down the corridor, with a prison guard who’s just itching to get violent, is one of the most tense moments in the series, and doesn’t even involve any magic.) Sierra and the rest of the group have to hurry to spirit them to safety, and in the aftermath, Sierra learns that one of her loved ones has betrayed her and the House.
Interspersed with the present-day chapters are the stories of Sierra’s ancestors, María Cantara and Cantara Cebilín, and their long-ago struggle against the malignant Contessa.
The dominance of the House of Shadow and Light has put a target on their backs, and now the remaining Houses are jockeying for power: against Shadow and Light, against each other, and amongst themselves. The middle section of Shadowshaper Legacy is packed with action — car chases, lots of powers being slung around — but I found myself not as engaged with it as I had been with the rest of the series. I think this is partly because, while there is a lot of magic being used, there’s not a lot of shadowshaping for a while, and that’s one of my favorite magical systems in all of fantasy literature; and partly because I also missed the scenes of ordinary life that were more frequent in the first two books. Sierra reflects:
“ … I’ve barely gotten to be Lucera, because I’ve had to be a wartime Lucera the whole time.” For a flickering moment, Sierra wondered what life would’ve been like if the Deck had never shown up, if the other houses hadn’t decided to team up to topple her, if she’d just been able to be happy and shadowshaping with her friends for the past six months. They could’ve made so much art, gotten so much closer to their spirits, who knew what else? The thought opened up a sadness inside her so deep she didn’t know what to do.
I feel the same way, Sierra! But I suppose a novel needs conflict, as much as I would love to read a whole book of these kids just animating their art all over Brooklyn.
Older builds up to a fantastic final battle that must be fought on two fronts: in New York, and in Puerto Rico where it all began. The last third of Shadowshaper Legacy is everything I could have hoped for. Plot threads come together, and Sierra and her fellow shadowshapers get the chance to use their powers and to shine.
I’m sad to see this excellent series end, but I’m happy to have met these characters and cheered them as they fought bigotry with creativity. The SHADOWSHAPER CYPHER books tell an exciting story and celebrate family, friendship, and Nuyorican culture.
June 22, 2022
This was an exciting ending to the trilogy and I loved how it ended, even if I didn't understand every detail. But this is a series that I think I would enjoy rereading and that I would pick up things on subsequent readings. I enjoyed this trilogy that much. I would consider this book to be magical realism because honestly the world of Sierra and her family feels so realistic and the mysticism that the author weaves throughout this story ALMOST seems like it could be real. But it also makes parts of it seem obscure/shrouded in mystery. Despite those things, there was something about this story that really spoke to me. I also loved that while this is clearly a YA series, there is a lack of the usual tropes, and the author writes as if his audience is intelligent and both willing and able to work through the complex story. The teenagers actually behave as you would expect real teenagers to act, but there is mutual respect between the teens and the adults in this book. In no particular order, here are some of the things I loved about this book/trilogy:
Sierra Santiago herself. She was thrown into this world of the Shadowshapers and Lucera with no knowledge, mainly because her grandfather decided later in life that this world and all its powers were not meant for women. And of course, this was in spite of the fact that his wife was the Lucera and more powerful than him. In spite of this, she still loves her grandfather even if she is angry at him.
Tee and Izzy's relationship. This was a bright light throughout the series and even with some of its ups and downs, you KNEW their relationship was built on a very solid foundation. I really loved that.
Juan Santiago. He knew about the world of the Shadowshapers and he even had a power that he could have developed. He didn't share any of it with Sierra and pretty much ignored his powers and the world. He was all about his music (which is not a bad thing), but if it didn't have to do with that, he tended to not pay attention. My favorite thing about him in this series is that he learned, he matured, he apologized when he should, and unlike his grandfather, he admired the women around him and was not afraid to ask them for help. His support of his best friend made me like him even more.
Neville. He totally cracked me up throughout the series and I love that he would literally do anything to help his family. He was awesome on his own, but with Nydia, the two of them were an unstoppable team.
I loved that Older took on so many themes, but the main one was social justice in all its forms. He used the story of La Contessa (which is introduced at the beginning of this book) and wove it throughout the book to show us why the Deck, the Houses, and the Hierophants were all created and together what it all has to say about white supremacy and its corruption of pretty much everything. He does not pull any punches, and I so appreciated that. Included in this is the harm of colonization of POC by white people and those who assimilated into the view of domination and conquest being more important than anything else. Which is how La Contessa saw her magic. I love how her youngest daughter and her descendants saw it differently, and this conflict is explored both in the past and in the present.
Bennie--I loved everything about her, but I especially loved her nerdiness and intelligence and the fact that she was a great teacher. She is definitely my kind of friend!
The narrator, Anika Noni Rose, is phenomenal and it made me want to listen to this story rather than read it on my own. With music being part of some of the characters' magic, I loved that Anika sang some of the passages. I have not listened to her before, but I would check out any book that she narrates. If you're an audiophile, I would definitely recommend this narration.
Even though this story features prominently the strong women in this tale, I love that there are equally good men in this tale. I have read too many books where you have strong women and all the men are total jerks or stereotypical misogynists. It was refreshing that in this series, even if he was sharing criticism of patriarchy, the men in the story were not one-dimensional characters highlighting this issue.
TLDR: Bottom line is that if you are looking for an intelligent, unique, and diverse fantasy novel full of interesting characters, good representation, and rich cultural history, I would urge you to check this out.
Sierra Santiago herself. She was thrown into this world of the Shadowshapers and Lucera with no knowledge, mainly because her grandfather decided later in life that this world and all its powers were not meant for women. And of course, this was in spite of the fact that his wife was the Lucera and more powerful than him. In spite of this, she still loves her grandfather even if she is angry at him.
Tee and Izzy's relationship. This was a bright light throughout the series and even with some of its ups and downs, you KNEW their relationship was built on a very solid foundation. I really loved that.
Juan Santiago. He knew about the world of the Shadowshapers and he even had a power that he could have developed. He didn't share any of it with Sierra and pretty much ignored his powers and the world. He was all about his music (which is not a bad thing), but if it didn't have to do with that, he tended to not pay attention. My favorite thing about him in this series is that he learned, he matured, he apologized when he should, and unlike his grandfather, he admired the women around him and was not afraid to ask them for help. His support of his best friend made me like him even more.
Neville. He totally cracked me up throughout the series and I love that he would literally do anything to help his family. He was awesome on his own, but with Nydia, the two of them were an unstoppable team.
I loved that Older took on so many themes, but the main one was social justice in all its forms. He used the story of La Contessa (which is introduced at the beginning of this book) and wove it throughout the book to show us why the Deck, the Houses, and the Hierophants were all created and together what it all has to say about white supremacy and its corruption of pretty much everything. He does not pull any punches, and I so appreciated that. Included in this is the harm of colonization of POC by white people and those who assimilated into the view of domination and conquest being more important than anything else. Which is how La Contessa saw her magic. I love how her youngest daughter and her descendants saw it differently, and this conflict is explored both in the past and in the present.
Bennie--I loved everything about her, but I especially loved her nerdiness and intelligence and the fact that she was a great teacher. She is definitely my kind of friend!
The narrator, Anika Noni Rose, is phenomenal and it made me want to listen to this story rather than read it on my own. With music being part of some of the characters' magic, I loved that Anika sang some of the passages. I have not listened to her before, but I would check out any book that she narrates. If you're an audiophile, I would definitely recommend this narration.
Even though this story features prominently the strong women in this tale, I love that there are equally good men in this tale. I have read too many books where you have strong women and all the men are total jerks or stereotypical misogynists. It was refreshing that in this series, even if he was sharing criticism of patriarchy, the men in the story were not one-dimensional characters highlighting this issue.
TLDR: Bottom line is that if you are looking for an intelligent, unique, and diverse fantasy novel full of interesting characters, good representation, and rich cultural history, I would urge you to check this out.
May 30, 2020
This was really good and agreat conclusion to the series! Review to come!
**EDIT 05/30/20**
You can find more of my reviews here at my blog: Take Me Away...
I LOVED being back with these characters! I don’t feel that this one was as strong as the others, but still good in its own light. Definitely not one to miss.
From threatening messages to characters in jail, this book had it all. All while they are trying to keep the Deck of Worlds out of bad hands. Saving everyone is so much more difficult this time around.
The number one best thing about this book was the characters. I forgot some of them, but Older did a really good job of reminding us what each person did. But unfortunately, that’s part of why I didn’t give it 5 stars.There’s almost 0% of this that shows what their powers do. I remember that being my favorite part in the past books. There’s some time in there where someone is trying to learn shadow shaping, but that’s about the extent of the super cool magic.
As for the plot, I did find it slow in some places. And a small portion of this was a bit redundant. There’s only so much you can do when some of your characters are in jail. But once it got going, it didn’t stop until the end.
But the overall, the story was ok. It was an interesting story and the ending was not EPIC, but still cool and very weird. In a way only a story like this one could be. It was an interesting ride, but it still served as a great ending for the series.
And since I listened to the audio, I’ll just tell y’all about Anika Noni Rose. She is now part of my favorite narrators because this story was awesome! She has the right inflections, the right pronunciation, etc,…..Definitely listen to the audio if you ever have time.
This wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was still such a good book. As an overall I did like this conclusion to the story. Definitely leaves open some areas for another book to be added. (Although I don’t think there will be!) This is just another series that started out stronger than it ended for me.
If you haven’t tried this series. l think you should at least give it a try, From the beginning to the end you’ll be entertained. Definitely a series where you’ll want to read all of them one after the other.
**EDIT 05/30/20**
You can find more of my reviews here at my blog: Take Me Away...
I LOVED being back with these characters! I don’t feel that this one was as strong as the others, but still good in its own light. Definitely not one to miss.
From threatening messages to characters in jail, this book had it all. All while they are trying to keep the Deck of Worlds out of bad hands. Saving everyone is so much more difficult this time around.
The number one best thing about this book was the characters. I forgot some of them, but Older did a really good job of reminding us what each person did. But unfortunately, that’s part of why I didn’t give it 5 stars.There’s almost 0% of this that shows what their powers do. I remember that being my favorite part in the past books. There’s some time in there where someone is trying to learn shadow shaping, but that’s about the extent of the super cool magic.
As for the plot, I did find it slow in some places. And a small portion of this was a bit redundant. There’s only so much you can do when some of your characters are in jail. But once it got going, it didn’t stop until the end.
But the overall, the story was ok. It was an interesting story and the ending was not EPIC, but still cool and very weird. In a way only a story like this one could be. It was an interesting ride, but it still served as a great ending for the series.
And since I listened to the audio, I’ll just tell y’all about Anika Noni Rose. She is now part of my favorite narrators because this story was awesome! She has the right inflections, the right pronunciation, etc,…..Definitely listen to the audio if you ever have time.
This wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was still such a good book. As an overall I did like this conclusion to the story. Definitely leaves open some areas for another book to be added. (Although I don’t think there will be!) This is just another series that started out stronger than it ended for me.
If you haven’t tried this series. l think you should at least give it a try, From the beginning to the end you’ll be entertained. Definitely a series where you’ll want to read all of them one after the other.
April 3, 2020
Oooof, I have a lot to say about this. The first being that it was hands down the best in the series. There was a lot of critical information and expansion that was FINALLY shared. That fact was a little frustrating to me to be honest. The first one had a good set up, the second one let me down hard, and this one drug and then exploded with information. (Of which I am grateful for, don't get me wrong.)
For whatever reason I had such a hard time getting through this book? It wasn't bad but at the same time I couldn't wait until I was finished reading it. Maybe it's because Older waited until this book to offer up lore that it felt like the book had too much jammed in it? I don't know... But I'm glad it's a serious I'm seeing come to a close.
I loved the lore, the importance on family, even some of the themes of being different but not being treated so, was great. I understand why this book is SUCH a big deal for some young people and I respect that wholeheartedly.
CAN WE TALK ABOUT MINA!?!??? I'm actually supper annoyed that Older did her like he did! She was SO instrumental for the Shadowshaper victory at the end and her all she got was a quick metion about being in lock up and Desmond (the amazing Caribbean lawyer) getting her out. Mina legitimately got an ENTIRE novella focused on her and she wasn't even an after thought in the end. She became a member of The House of Shadows and Light as well and yet her happy ending or whatever isn't mentioned? I just thought it was bogus since even characters who didn't really mater (to the point where I really had to think to remember them) were mentioned at the end. Buh!
Honestly, there are a lot of things that make me take away stars but there were also a lot is solid happenings that shouldn't be detracted from. There is a lot of love out there for this book; I can see why, even if I didn't love it.
For whatever reason I had such a hard time getting through this book? It wasn't bad but at the same time I couldn't wait until I was finished reading it. Maybe it's because Older waited until this book to offer up lore that it felt like the book had too much jammed in it? I don't know... But I'm glad it's a serious I'm seeing come to a close.
I loved the lore, the importance on family, even some of the themes of being different but not being treated so, was great. I understand why this book is SUCH a big deal for some young people and I respect that wholeheartedly.
CAN WE TALK ABOUT MINA!?!??? I'm actually supper annoyed that Older did her like he did! She was SO instrumental for the Shadowshaper victory at the end and her all she got was a quick metion about being in lock up and Desmond (the amazing Caribbean lawyer) getting her out. Mina legitimately got an ENTIRE novella focused on her and she wasn't even an after thought in the end. She became a member of The House of Shadows and Light as well and yet her happy ending or whatever isn't mentioned? I just thought it was bogus since even characters who didn't really mater (to the point where I really had to think to remember them) were mentioned at the end. Buh!
Honestly, there are a lot of things that make me take away stars but there were also a lot is solid happenings that shouldn't be detracted from. There is a lot of love out there for this book; I can see why, even if I didn't love it.
July 24, 2020
Anika Noni Rose almost rivals Queen Bahni Turpin in her audiobook performance! She should definitely be narrating more books, she creates fully differentiated characters with tone, accent, and pacing, it's really impressive. I think I would have been a true 4 for this book if I had read it closer to finishing the 2nd book in the series, which I really enjoyed. Too much time had passed and it wasn't until about halfway through that I clicked back in. Characters are great, good to see the origin story of the Shadowshaping powers and tying everything back to the Puerto Rican homeland/El Yunque power narrative, but I didn't think he did a great job actually explaining why those powers fought against one another. His dialogue ranges from spot on to slightly cheesy, but the friendships and romance ring true. A solid conclusion to the series.
February 15, 2020
It's always odd to write a review of the third book in a trilogy. This isn't the place to convince you to try the series. And for the odd reader who hasn't read the previous books, the fear of spoilers is real. At this point, there's only one real question: Does the author stick the dismount?
The answer to that one is easy and clear: Yes, yes he does. This is a very satisfying conclusion to the series, ramping everything up in the present while delving into the past, all leading to a powerful and evocative ending that works for the plot and the characters.
If you've been holding off on this series, now is definitely the time to read all three. You'll be happy you did.
The answer to that one is easy and clear: Yes, yes he does. This is a very satisfying conclusion to the series, ramping everything up in the present while delving into the past, all leading to a powerful and evocative ending that works for the plot and the characters.
If you've been holding off on this series, now is definitely the time to read all three. You'll be happy you did.
August 1, 2021
Sierra, the new Lucera, and Shadowhouse have destroyed the Sorrows and the House of Light, to form the House of Shadow and Light. Next on the agenda is to take care of the rising house, Bloodhaüs, which bears more than a striking resemblance to a neo-Nazi organization. Both sides agree to a parley, but surely she didn’t expect the skinheads to keep their word? Maybe, just maybe, Sierra can salvage something positive from this meeting. Like a spy who can infiltrate the House of Iron?
Life is difficult with so many people Sierra loves incarcerated for things they shouldn’t be there for, including her brother Juan, her friend Izzy, and her new love interest, Anthony, aka the artist formerly known as Pulpo. Good thing she has so many loyal friends and family members to support her, including her father Dominic, although he really doesn’t know what is going on but he stands behind her and does not get in the way, despite his son being in jail. Even so, Sierra feels compelled to not include them in all of her thoughts and plans, which could end up being a major mistake on her part. It’s not a lack of trust as much as an unnecessary need to keep people safe who she should really be relying on more, since no man is an island, and neither is she.
Sierra also has a secret she hasn’t shared before. Namely, she’s keeping the last remaining Sorrow hostage up in her late Grandpa Lazaro’s old room. Whoa, will that cause problems when the others find out? Especially her mother Maria? From Sierra’s viewpoint, she is solving two problems with one stone, so to speak.
Juan and Anthony know they’re safe behind bars because of the protection afforded them by the House of Iron. But their unexpected release raises the concern of how far that safety lasts once they step outside the prison walls. New houses are beginning to emerge. Friend or foe? Hard to tell, even when a new guy named Mort helps put an end to a common enemy. How far can they trust Mort, if at all? Worst than that, it appears as though Anthony has gone over to the House of Iron. How can that be? How will Sierra survive such a betrayal? When their spy Dake emerges as the leader of a brand new house and demands Sierra turn over the Deck to him, she has to weigh her options – give him the deck and its power or risk the lives of the loved ones of the people of her house. Not an easy decision to make, but so much hinges on what she chooses to do.
Wow, wow, just wow, wow, wow. Such a great story, so much going on. Impossible to describe, you just gotta read it for yourself. Sierra is growing and evolving as the leader of her house, but sometimes even she isn’t sure she likes the changes that are happening to her, and longs for the way things were. But she is strong, and she can survive anything. One of the things that is different in this volume from the other two is the multiple viewpoints. Previously, the story was told strictly from Sierra’s POV, but this one has multiple narrators. That was a little offputting at first, but I could see why this had to be, since Sierra can’t be everywhere, and important information comes from other sources. But I quickly got used to that and came to appreciate it, seeing that it gave these other characters room for greater depth and development. Loved Neville and Nydia, and now Juan and Bennie. So cute! I confess that I never did warm up to Sierra’s mother, even though her actions semi-atoned for what she did previously. But that was too little too late in my opinion, though others may feel entirely differently.
This is such a creative, imaginative tale with a lot of heart and soul. The world development is outrageously good, and so is the character development. By the end of the series, you feel as though these are people you really could know… friends, neighbors, family. There is a lot of drama here too, and sometimes I wasn’t certain which way a particular situation might go, and I found myself turning the pages rapidly to find out what would happen. This is a great story for teens and adults alike. I highly recommend it. I’m hoping there will be more stories in this universe. There is certainly room for them.
Life is difficult with so many people Sierra loves incarcerated for things they shouldn’t be there for, including her brother Juan, her friend Izzy, and her new love interest, Anthony, aka the artist formerly known as Pulpo. Good thing she has so many loyal friends and family members to support her, including her father Dominic, although he really doesn’t know what is going on but he stands behind her and does not get in the way, despite his son being in jail. Even so, Sierra feels compelled to not include them in all of her thoughts and plans, which could end up being a major mistake on her part. It’s not a lack of trust as much as an unnecessary need to keep people safe who she should really be relying on more, since no man is an island, and neither is she.
Sierra also has a secret she hasn’t shared before. Namely, she’s keeping the last remaining Sorrow hostage up in her late Grandpa Lazaro’s old room. Whoa, will that cause problems when the others find out? Especially her mother Maria? From Sierra’s viewpoint, she is solving two problems with one stone, so to speak.
Juan and Anthony know they’re safe behind bars because of the protection afforded them by the House of Iron. But their unexpected release raises the concern of how far that safety lasts once they step outside the prison walls. New houses are beginning to emerge. Friend or foe? Hard to tell, even when a new guy named Mort helps put an end to a common enemy. How far can they trust Mort, if at all? Worst than that, it appears as though Anthony has gone over to the House of Iron. How can that be? How will Sierra survive such a betrayal? When their spy Dake emerges as the leader of a brand new house and demands Sierra turn over the Deck to him, she has to weigh her options – give him the deck and its power or risk the lives of the loved ones of the people of her house. Not an easy decision to make, but so much hinges on what she chooses to do.
Wow, wow, just wow, wow, wow. Such a great story, so much going on. Impossible to describe, you just gotta read it for yourself. Sierra is growing and evolving as the leader of her house, but sometimes even she isn’t sure she likes the changes that are happening to her, and longs for the way things were. But she is strong, and she can survive anything. One of the things that is different in this volume from the other two is the multiple viewpoints. Previously, the story was told strictly from Sierra’s POV, but this one has multiple narrators. That was a little offputting at first, but I could see why this had to be, since Sierra can’t be everywhere, and important information comes from other sources. But I quickly got used to that and came to appreciate it, seeing that it gave these other characters room for greater depth and development. Loved Neville and Nydia, and now Juan and Bennie. So cute! I confess that I never did warm up to Sierra’s mother, even though her actions semi-atoned for what she did previously. But that was too little too late in my opinion, though others may feel entirely differently.
This is such a creative, imaginative tale with a lot of heart and soul. The world development is outrageously good, and so is the character development. By the end of the series, you feel as though these are people you really could know… friends, neighbors, family. There is a lot of drama here too, and sometimes I wasn’t certain which way a particular situation might go, and I found myself turning the pages rapidly to find out what would happen. This is a great story for teens and adults alike. I highly recommend it. I’m hoping there will be more stories in this universe. There is certainly room for them.
August 14, 2023
A sufficiently thrilling and creepy ending to this tale! This book is longer and more dense than the first two novels, but I enjoyed learning this history of this world, and the journey of seeing how things would play out.
I have put off reading this book for a while because I was not ready to say goodbye to Sierra and her crew. (I'm still not!!) I honestly think that is true mark of Brother Older's genius - he has created a set of characters who now feel like people I know personally. Even Tia Rosa who reminds me A LOT of my own Tia Rosa!!! I will miss them.
I have put off reading this book for a while because I was not ready to say goodbye to Sierra and her crew. (I'm still not!!) I honestly think that is true mark of Brother Older's genius - he has created a set of characters who now feel like people I know personally. Even Tia Rosa who reminds me A LOT of my own Tia Rosa!!! I will miss them.
February 12, 2020
An astounding conclusion to an excellent series. This final entry was downright poetic--especially in the Izzy and Tee arc and the origin story--and it made me want to read the whole cycle again . . . which I will be doing shortly.
August 29, 2020
Why does it always have to be spiders!? On that note, this series really grew on me. Complex, fun, magical, light, dark and so much more. Love the friendships and the love stories weren't snooze fests for me. I love the connection to life and death and all the art and creativity woven into this book. It was a satisfying end to the series.
August 23, 2020
I really love this series. I feel like I can see, smell and taste everything that is happening in this magical world of Brooklyn. These characters will live with me for a long time.
March 1, 2020
The ending of a trilogy can be hard to land. The ending of a trilogy that also includes an urban fantasy series, a magical realism literary work of genius, two novellas, and a complicated web of characters plus brand new mythology? Well, I couldn't do it.
Older did it. This is an amazing triumph that wraps up everything that needs to be wrapped up. There's questions unanswered, characters not dealt with, and futures that aren't clear, but it doesn't matter. Life is like that. This story is done. Maybe more stories will be told in this particular Brooklyn. Certainly, there are other stories that intersect but don't overlap that Older has already written. I expect more from him. Daniel Jose Older is the Stephen King of our generation. He's bringing in a wide spread of magic, mythology, and so many more words than you'd expect, and he makes it feel easy to do so. He's a growth from King as well, as later generations expect better. Not only are the worlds diverse and respectful, they make that seem even easier. There's a short moment where Sierra calls an unknown character "he" and corrects herself. Izzy (I believe) speaks up to say they don't know that character's gender, and then everyone proceeds with "they." It's a small conversation but one that both brings up the discussion of gender, and normalizes it by making it not a problem.
Also, last King comparison, but with IT so tightly wound in the zeitgeist right now, Older has a damn good monstrous ancient spider climax and managed to make it be with all women. So, you know.
I highly recommend this entire trilogy, and I want to buy all the books to read in physical form soon. That said, the audiobooks are AMAZING. If you're into audiobooks, 1000% listen to this story. Chef kiss.
Older did it. This is an amazing triumph that wraps up everything that needs to be wrapped up. There's questions unanswered, characters not dealt with, and futures that aren't clear, but it doesn't matter. Life is like that. This story is done. Maybe more stories will be told in this particular Brooklyn. Certainly, there are other stories that intersect but don't overlap that Older has already written. I expect more from him. Daniel Jose Older is the Stephen King of our generation. He's bringing in a wide spread of magic, mythology, and so many more words than you'd expect, and he makes it feel easy to do so. He's a growth from King as well, as later generations expect better. Not only are the worlds diverse and respectful, they make that seem even easier. There's a short moment where Sierra calls an unknown character "he" and corrects herself. Izzy (I believe) speaks up to say they don't know that character's gender, and then everyone proceeds with "they." It's a small conversation but one that both brings up the discussion of gender, and normalizes it by making it not a problem.
Also, last King comparison, but with IT so tightly wound in the zeitgeist right now, Older has a damn good monstrous ancient spider climax and managed to make it be with all women. So, you know.
I highly recommend this entire trilogy, and I want to buy all the books to read in physical form soon. That said, the audiobooks are AMAZING. If you're into audiobooks, 1000% listen to this story. Chef kiss.
January 30, 2020
If only because the plot falls apart once or twice and nowhere is it worse than in the end. If I could, I would give this book 4.5 stars. Sierra and the Shadowshapers deserve it. There were moments of confusion that added to and detracted from the story and its quality lushness. The magic system could've been clearer, less mystical. And the book could have been longer, to clarify most of all. The characters and the rich history shine here more than anywhere else. I will miss them but not for too long, I'll visit this world again soon.
March 18, 2020
Sad to see this series end. I’m going to miss these characters. 4.5 stars
At first, I wasn't completely on board with the overarching mythology getting even more complex, but the characters won me over. Especially Tee and Izzy. And Pulpo. This book needs a soundtrack. I want to know what Culebra sounds like.
At first, I wasn't completely on board with the overarching mythology getting even more complex, but the characters won me over. Especially Tee and Izzy. And Pulpo. This book needs a soundtrack. I want to know what Culebra sounds like.
February 25, 2021
Sierra and the whole house of Shadow and Light are at war. At the end of Book #2, Shadowhouse Fall, they got physically separated - some in jail, some in hiding, relationships tested or severed. Now the hierophant wildcards have come into play, things are heating up and threats are escalating. And with a spy in their ranks, the stakes have never been higher. Sierra is empowered by a deal her ancestors made with death; ancestors whose stories intertwine with Sierra's own imminent battles. Can she protect the shadowshapers and those they love? What powers do the cards hold? Will Sierra be able to harness the powers of her legacy to bring about a satisfying conclusion to this epic urban fantasy trilogy?
The Shadowshaper trilogy concludes in this mythic, relationship and battle-filled fast-paced book. Readers of the first two books will be all-too ready to uncover the historic underpinnings of the magic in this world and watch the epic battles of the story's finale. All the familiar characters are here, along with new characters who have only been alluded to in earlier books. The battles are bigger (though with less shaping) and the stakes higher as the book moves from familiar settings in Brooklyn and New Jersey all the way out to Puerto Rico where Sierra's legacy was born. This book is more complex in that it weaves together intergenerational family stories and shifts back and forth in time. Still it retains the feel of the earlier two with a firm grounding in social justice narrative, romances that are less drama and more mutual support, family connections that are reinforced, a few awful sadnesses, and many triumphs. This book rounds out the whole story into a wholeness and a conclusion that was not what I was expecting but was thoroughly satisfying. There is some rough language and contextual violence. Readers who have not read the earlier books will likely have difficulty catching up with the story. For readers who have read the first two books, this one will not disappoint!
The Shadowshaper trilogy concludes in this mythic, relationship and battle-filled fast-paced book. Readers of the first two books will be all-too ready to uncover the historic underpinnings of the magic in this world and watch the epic battles of the story's finale. All the familiar characters are here, along with new characters who have only been alluded to in earlier books. The battles are bigger (though with less shaping) and the stakes higher as the book moves from familiar settings in Brooklyn and New Jersey all the way out to Puerto Rico where Sierra's legacy was born. This book is more complex in that it weaves together intergenerational family stories and shifts back and forth in time. Still it retains the feel of the earlier two with a firm grounding in social justice narrative, romances that are less drama and more mutual support, family connections that are reinforced, a few awful sadnesses, and many triumphs. This book rounds out the whole story into a wholeness and a conclusion that was not what I was expecting but was thoroughly satisfying. There is some rough language and contextual violence. Readers who have not read the earlier books will likely have difficulty catching up with the story. For readers who have read the first two books, this one will not disappoint!
September 27, 2020
Shadowshaper Legacy is the third and final book in Shadowshaper Cypher series written by Daniel José Older. When walking corpses show up in the city, a teen discovers family secrets and ancestral powers.
Sierra Santiago is Lucera, Mistress of Shadows and Head of the House of Shadow and Light, and she and the other shadowshapers have been fighting the forces arrayed against them. It’s been a month and a half since Sierra set up a rival magical house and stripped the head of her powers. In doing so she brought down an enemy, but by breaking a rule, she opened the door to other enemies.
Shadowshaper Legacy is written rather well. Separated into four parts, the book features folktale-esque interludes that chronicle the exploits of some of Sierra's magical ancestors. Throughout, Sierra's growth is obvious as she steps more fully into her leadership role as Lucera and grows to understand the complications of leadership. The narrative switches perspectives often, offering supporting characters, like Sierra's brother Juan and friends Tee and Izzy, a chance to be further developed and become more interesting to readers.
Overall, Shadowshaper Cypher is written rather well. Older has created a wonderful world of magic with a deep and rich mythology within an urban fantasy setting with an astute social commentary and a diverse cast of characters. Santiago is a wonderful protagonist and the secondary characters are just a rounded.
All in all, Shadowshaper Legacy is written rather well and is a wonderful conclusion to an equally wonderful series.
Sierra Santiago is Lucera, Mistress of Shadows and Head of the House of Shadow and Light, and she and the other shadowshapers have been fighting the forces arrayed against them. It’s been a month and a half since Sierra set up a rival magical house and stripped the head of her powers. In doing so she brought down an enemy, but by breaking a rule, she opened the door to other enemies.
Shadowshaper Legacy is written rather well. Separated into four parts, the book features folktale-esque interludes that chronicle the exploits of some of Sierra's magical ancestors. Throughout, Sierra's growth is obvious as she steps more fully into her leadership role as Lucera and grows to understand the complications of leadership. The narrative switches perspectives often, offering supporting characters, like Sierra's brother Juan and friends Tee and Izzy, a chance to be further developed and become more interesting to readers.
Overall, Shadowshaper Cypher is written rather well. Older has created a wonderful world of magic with a deep and rich mythology within an urban fantasy setting with an astute social commentary and a diverse cast of characters. Santiago is a wonderful protagonist and the secondary characters are just a rounded.
All in all, Shadowshaper Legacy is written rather well and is a wonderful conclusion to an equally wonderful series.
May 19, 2024
This was such a fantastic ending to to a truly epic series that I fell in love with. Daniel Jose Older did such a great job of tying all the loose ends together at the end of this book that I'm really sad this is the conclusion of the series, but felt it had such a great ending at the same time.
I love all the characters in this series that I'm sad to leave them. All the characters got proper endings, and characters that were minor in the first book truly got to shine in this last book. Tying up all character's stories, and giving them all proper page time is something I see a lot of authors struggle with, but Older did this in a masterful way, giving every character the endings he wanted.
I loved how Older continued to build on the magic system with every book, and this story ended in a truly "magical" way, and I absolutely loved all the nuances he gave to the magic system, and how he continued to bring more of Sierra's friends and family into the fold as the story went on.
Overall, I cannot say enough about how much I loved this series as a whole, and while I am not the biggest fan of young adult fiction, this series just worked so well for me, that I was grasped from the first chapter to the last page. If you like audiobooks, I would also highly recommend the audible version of these three books, all read by Anika Noni Rose. She did such a phenomenal job reading this series. With Older's writing style and Rose's voice work, I absolutely loved the audible version of these books, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Older's books to see what other fantastic stories he can create.
I love all the characters in this series that I'm sad to leave them. All the characters got proper endings, and characters that were minor in the first book truly got to shine in this last book. Tying up all character's stories, and giving them all proper page time is something I see a lot of authors struggle with, but Older did this in a masterful way, giving every character the endings he wanted.
I loved how Older continued to build on the magic system with every book, and this story ended in a truly "magical" way, and I absolutely loved all the nuances he gave to the magic system, and how he continued to bring more of Sierra's friends and family into the fold as the story went on.
Overall, I cannot say enough about how much I loved this series as a whole, and while I am not the biggest fan of young adult fiction, this series just worked so well for me, that I was grasped from the first chapter to the last page. If you like audiobooks, I would also highly recommend the audible version of these three books, all read by Anika Noni Rose. She did such a phenomenal job reading this series. With Older's writing style and Rose's voice work, I absolutely loved the audible version of these books, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Older's books to see what other fantastic stories he can create.
February 2, 2020
A good ending to a creative and interesting YA fantasy trilogy with great characters and a unique magical system.
I loved the characters. The Shadowshaper Cypher is full of diverse characters who have been through so much you can’t help but root for them. They make you laugh and make you cry. In this books, the perspectives change so you go beyond Sierra to learn more about the secondary characters. Honestly, I appreciated that even though it did make it a bit confusing at time.
I also really liked the expansion of the world as we learned more about the history of shadowshaping and how it connected to Sierra’s ancestors. I will say, however, that this made the plot a little muddled and convoluted, especially towards the end. There was a lot happening at once and, in my opinion, things just kind of fizzled out as it shifted focus.
I listened to the audio for this one and I am so glad I did. Anika Noni Rose is absolutely brilliant. Every single character came to life in her expert hands (voice?). They all sounded different and she gave them this spirit and music to them. She also really built up the drama and excitement during action scenes. The stakes felt very high, which is exactly what I want in the final book in a series. If you are an audiobook fan, definitely check out this series. I can’t imagine not listening to it.
On the whole, I thought this was a good read. I really enjoyed the series and would recommend it to anyone looking for a diverse series that combines Urban Fantasy and Magical Realism to create something unique and engaging.
I loved the characters. The Shadowshaper Cypher is full of diverse characters who have been through so much you can’t help but root for them. They make you laugh and make you cry. In this books, the perspectives change so you go beyond Sierra to learn more about the secondary characters. Honestly, I appreciated that even though it did make it a bit confusing at time.
I also really liked the expansion of the world as we learned more about the history of shadowshaping and how it connected to Sierra’s ancestors. I will say, however, that this made the plot a little muddled and convoluted, especially towards the end. There was a lot happening at once and, in my opinion, things just kind of fizzled out as it shifted focus.
I listened to the audio for this one and I am so glad I did. Anika Noni Rose is absolutely brilliant. Every single character came to life in her expert hands (voice?). They all sounded different and she gave them this spirit and music to them. She also really built up the drama and excitement during action scenes. The stakes felt very high, which is exactly what I want in the final book in a series. If you are an audiobook fan, definitely check out this series. I can’t imagine not listening to it.
On the whole, I thought this was a good read. I really enjoyed the series and would recommend it to anyone looking for a diverse series that combines Urban Fantasy and Magical Realism to create something unique and engaging.
May 2, 2020
This is an awesome conclusion to the Shadowshaper Cypher. Daniel José Older has, unsurprisingly, done a masterful job in weaving together storylines in order. I was a little wary when we started getting the story from perspectives other than Sierra, because in my experience Rather, it just means we get even more depth to the story, get to see how other characters are dealing with being Shadowshapers and the continued power struggle over the Deck of Worlds.
There's so much going on here. To name just a few themes: white supremacy, colonialism, ancestry/heritage, misogyny/patriarchy, incarceration of people of color, romance (both gay and straight), dealing with emotions . . . it's a lot, but it's all handled so well.
One of the elements of this story I enjoyed the most were the sections at the beginning of each new part that told the story of La Contessa, her daughters, how the first Lucera came into her powers, and how the Deck was formed. I loved this sense of history, and especially how it ties to the present. I enjoyed slowly putting the pieces together, realizing at once just how big the story was, and how small, how tied to Sierra's family.
I listened to the series on audio, which I highly recommend. Anika Noni Rose does a truly amazing job with all the voices, making each distinct and so true to their character.
There's so much going on here. To name just a few themes: white supremacy, colonialism, ancestry/heritage, misogyny/patriarchy, incarceration of people of color, romance (both gay and straight), dealing with emotions . . . it's a lot, but it's all handled so well.
One of the elements of this story I enjoyed the most were the sections at the beginning of each new part that told the story of La Contessa, her daughters, how the first Lucera came into her powers, and how the Deck was formed. I loved this sense of history, and especially how it ties to the present. I enjoyed slowly putting the pieces together, realizing at once just how big the story was, and how small, how tied to Sierra's family.
I listened to the series on audio, which I highly recommend. Anika Noni Rose does a truly amazing job with all the voices, making each distinct and so true to their character.
April 12, 2020
It took quite a while - about two years, in fact, but that's no surprise given how many projects Older has on his plate - but Shadowhouse Fall now has its follow-up, the third and final novel of the Cypher. Sierra and all the other 'shapers have their most important missions yet - first, get several of their friends out of jail after the events of the previous book; then take on the white supremacist Bloodhaüs (whose ill-placed umlaut, I think, is Older's cheeky way of poking fun at authors who do poor research of foreign languages, especially, say, languages from various PoC cultures - look at how many people are digging holes in the linguistic basis of J.K. Rowling's chosen names for boarding schools in Africa and Asia) for control of the Deck of Worlds and all of magic. Luckily, this time, Sierra finally has some of her best ancestral help yet - for while her family used to try to keep 'shaping a strictly male skill, there are some women practitioners too powerful to ignore, especially when they're the voices in Sierra's head insulting everyone and everything in witty island Spanish. After days reading Older's latest lovely piece of work, I can now bid this series ave atque vale and hope he's got more good YA stuff in the pipeline. But I'm sure there'll first be another Dactyl Hill Squad book too...
February 19, 2020
This book and trilogy is absolutely AMAZING.
As the stakes rise, so too does the story become richer including generational stories, the depths and origins of the magic, the generational impact of colonialism, confronting racism in modern America.
The story is action packed but the characters are still given beautiful moments in their budding relationships and moments of reflection for themselves. We get more perspectives from Juan and T in addition to Sierra.
The way this fantastical story tackles very real racism and the history of colonialism, and weaves it into the fabric of the story is so skillful and incredibly well done. The conflict is not just one of a personal nature, it is on a grander scale of history and generational trauma and colonialism and whiteness.
Furthermore, I continue to recommend the audiobook because Anika Noni Rose is one of the most spectacular storytellers I've ever heard, and in particular for me her use of Spanish and Spanish accents is wonderful.
This trilogy is absolutely incredible and I highly recommend it.
As the stakes rise, so too does the story become richer including generational stories, the depths and origins of the magic, the generational impact of colonialism, confronting racism in modern America.
The story is action packed but the characters are still given beautiful moments in their budding relationships and moments of reflection for themselves. We get more perspectives from Juan and T in addition to Sierra.
The way this fantastical story tackles very real racism and the history of colonialism, and weaves it into the fabric of the story is so skillful and incredibly well done. The conflict is not just one of a personal nature, it is on a grander scale of history and generational trauma and colonialism and whiteness.
Furthermore, I continue to recommend the audiobook because Anika Noni Rose is one of the most spectacular storytellers I've ever heard, and in particular for me her use of Spanish and Spanish accents is wonderful.
This trilogy is absolutely incredible and I highly recommend it.
March 7, 2020
I'd give this a 4.5 if I could. I'm blown away by the final ending of this series. I enjoyed the journey and i had my worries about how i'd feel when it was all said and done, but Mr. Older did his thing. The twists had me on the edge of my seat. There was some very convincing mechanisms he put into play that had me angry at people, only to apologize later for doubting them. I don't want to spoiler, so yes, I'm being vague.
There were parts that dragged in comparison to what was happening in the wings. I wanted to rush through the parts to get to "the good stuff" but it was important to understanding how things played out. That did keep me from giving it a full five stars. It happened a few too many times, but in the scheme of things I just enjoyed the final leg of the trip we took with the shadow shapers. The adventure, romance, and stakes have all amped up.
We learn more about the past, how the cards work, and who people truly are. I listened to this on audio and the voice was spot on! I highly recommend that medium.
There were parts that dragged in comparison to what was happening in the wings. I wanted to rush through the parts to get to "the good stuff" but it was important to understanding how things played out. That did keep me from giving it a full five stars. It happened a few too many times, but in the scheme of things I just enjoyed the final leg of the trip we took with the shadow shapers. The adventure, romance, and stakes have all amped up.
We learn more about the past, how the cards work, and who people truly are. I listened to this on audio and the voice was spot on! I highly recommend that medium.
August 16, 2020
A mesmerizing conclusion to the Shadowshaper series! Daniel José Older has crafted a bold and bright trilogy that comes to life on the page.
[beware spoilers for series below]
Shadowshaper Legacy open two months after the end of Shadowhouse Fall, with Sierra’s team still split apart. With Juan, Anthony, and Izzy still locked up in jail, Sierra and the rest of her shadowshapers plan a move against the House of Blood. Ready to do anything to protect her friends and family, including keeping secrets from them, Sierra prepares herself for the coming war with the surviving houses.
Threaded between the present narrative is the story of Sierra’s ancestors that reveal the origins of shadow shaping and the likes of the Sorrows, Lucera, and La Contessa. It gives this story an epic feeling that spans generations, and deservedly so. Those dives into the past were among my favourite sections in the story.
While I appreciate how Sierra matures in this story into a near ruthless character trying to take control for the sake of her loved ones, I found she was often placed in the background and was less enchanted by her scenes with Anthony.
But I loved how steeped in heritage this story was, how everything came together in the end. And I especially loved how Izzy and Tee grew through this story. Tee’s been a favourite character of mine from the start and I was glad she really got a chance to shine in this final book.
This series is strongest when steeped in its vibrant mythology. It does a lot of heavy work, delving into social justice, but never feels heavy-handed, only ever earnest. It’s a truer depiction of Brooklyn and the state of the world then you get in a lot of other books. But as much as it draws attention to injustice, it also celebrates life and love and family and culture!
Anika Noni Rose is a brilliant narrator as she’s been through the entire series. She brings Older’s world to life so effortlessly.
Highly recommend this series.
[beware spoilers for series below]
Shadowshaper Legacy open two months after the end of Shadowhouse Fall, with Sierra’s team still split apart. With Juan, Anthony, and Izzy still locked up in jail, Sierra and the rest of her shadowshapers plan a move against the House of Blood. Ready to do anything to protect her friends and family, including keeping secrets from them, Sierra prepares herself for the coming war with the surviving houses.
Threaded between the present narrative is the story of Sierra’s ancestors that reveal the origins of shadow shaping and the likes of the Sorrows, Lucera, and La Contessa. It gives this story an epic feeling that spans generations, and deservedly so. Those dives into the past were among my favourite sections in the story.
While I appreciate how Sierra matures in this story into a near ruthless character trying to take control for the sake of her loved ones, I found she was often placed in the background and was less enchanted by her scenes with Anthony.
But I loved how steeped in heritage this story was, how everything came together in the end. And I especially loved how Izzy and Tee grew through this story. Tee’s been a favourite character of mine from the start and I was glad she really got a chance to shine in this final book.
This series is strongest when steeped in its vibrant mythology. It does a lot of heavy work, delving into social justice, but never feels heavy-handed, only ever earnest. It’s a truer depiction of Brooklyn and the state of the world then you get in a lot of other books. But as much as it draws attention to injustice, it also celebrates life and love and family and culture!
Anika Noni Rose is a brilliant narrator as she’s been through the entire series. She brings Older’s world to life so effortlessly.
Highly recommend this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews