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Shadowshaper Legacy
(Shadowshaper Cypher #3)
by
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, ...more
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, ...more
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Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Published
January 7th 2020
by Scholastic Press
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Start your review of Shadowshaper Legacy (Shadowshaper, #3)

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 willin ...more
-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 willin ...more

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. ...more
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. ...more

Mar 21, 2020
Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
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 co ...more
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 co ...more

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 supremaci ...more
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 supremaci ...more

I 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.
...more

(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 deve ...more
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 deve ...more

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 t ...more
**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 t ...more

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 s
...more

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 an ...more
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 an ...more

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.
...more

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. ...more
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. ...more

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 ...more
For whatever reason I had such a hard time getting through this book? It wasn't bad but at the ...more

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
...more

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 ...more
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 ...more

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 lik ...more
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 lik ...more

Apr 30, 2020
Anne Nerison
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
fiction
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 (view spoiler) Rather, it just means we get even more depth to the story, get to see how other c
...more

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
...more

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 ...more
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 ...more

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 ...more
There were parts that dragged in comparison to what was happening in the ...more

Aug 07, 2020
Faith Rivens
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
books-of-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 ...more
[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 ...more

Can someone make this into a big beautiful badass movie trilogy please?????
Okay, I feel like this series leveled up with each book. I loved this book. I had to make myself slow down so many times because I was rushing through the reading to find out what happens to all of these characters that I didn't even realized I loved so much until it all came to a head. And there are just so. many. funny. moments. That even when the epic final battle is upon the world everyone can't stop giving each other ...more
Okay, I feel like this series leveled up with each book. I loved this book. I had to make myself slow down so many times because I was rushing through the reading to find out what happens to all of these characters that I didn't even realized I loved so much until it all came to a head. And there are just so. many. funny. moments. That even when the epic final battle is upon the world everyone can't stop giving each other ...more

The series finale was a let-down for me, compared to the first two books. There were a few too many pieces of mythology and plot thrown into the mix, and they didn't hang together well enough. The characters remain delightful and the overall series vibe is good, but there was no time to breathe, in a way that hurt the story. I didn't enjoy the PoV timeshare and would have preferred to stay with Sierra and maybe one other person.
I think books two and three really needed to be read back to back, b ...more
I think books two and three really needed to be read back to back, b ...more

Apr 15, 2020
bjneary
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
adventure,
romance,
we-need-diverse-books,
book-a-day-nerdy-book-club,
scifi-fantasy,
ya,
series,
bookaday,
kindle,
bullying
I loved this series so much and this 3rd book did not disappoint! Sierra has so much going on as the Lucera, in charge of all things in her world of Shadowshaping, while her brother and boyfriend and another girlfriend, Izzy are in jail. This book also takes the reader and Sierra back to the history (her history) in the world of the Shadowshapers. I could not stop turning the pages as all hell breaks loose, betrayers try to take over and Sierra's control of the Deck of Worlds Cards. Hang on to t
...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

I am sad that this is the last book in the Shadowshaper series. This world is amazing and I love every part of it. Sierra and her crew are in the final battle that connects them to the Deck of Worlds. The author gives exposition into how the Sorrows and the Deck of Worlds were created. The transition between time periods is flawless. Each of Sierra's friends is thrown into the spotlight, so they do not completely feel like side characters. I laughed reading Sierra's family members curse in Spani
...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Stuck the landing
He did it. He really nailed it. What a great trilogy (with two novellas). How was he able to make every single character important, but didn’t take away from Sierra? I see why SW trusts DJO with the franchise. I could definitely see Sony doing an animated adaptation ala spiderverse. I don’t think anything else would give it the color, wonder, magic, energy and love it deserves. Seriously, Bravo! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
He did it. He really nailed it. What a great trilogy (with two novellas). How was he able to make every single character important, but didn’t take away from Sierra? I see why SW trusts DJO with the franchise. I could definitely see Sony doing an animated adaptation ala spiderverse. I don’t think anything else would give it the color, wonder, magic, energy and love it deserves. Seriously, Bravo! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Day-yammmmm!!! That’s a book to finish a series! Like, a master class in tying up loose ends, reminding me where we were last time, making me feel SO much for so many reasons and people, and just generally making me so glad for Shadowshapers in the literary world!!! Get down with your bad self, young man! You can write a freaking book! 🤓💜📚
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Daniel 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,
...more
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