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The Spirit Glass
Corazon yearns to finally start training as a babaylan (a mystical healer and spirit guide) under her powerful guardian, Aunt Tina. As soon as her magic awakens, Corazon plans to bring her parents back from the dead and no longer have to rely on a soul key to allow visits with her their ghosts for a few hours every Saturday night.
But when a vengeful ghost steals Corazon's precious key, the fragile balance between the human world and the spirit world is thrown out of whack. Aunt Tina reveals that if Corazon wants her magic to awaken, then she just lay the ghost to rest by fashioning a new soul key.
With her rather bloodthirsty gecko companion, Saso, Corazon embarks on a quest through the spirit realms. But they must move quickly, for if the ghost gets through the spirit glass, all hope will be lost.
Roshani Chokshi pays tribute to her Filipino heritage in this book that has all the magic, sparkle, and heart that made her Aru Shah series a fantasy classic.
But when a vengeful ghost steals Corazon's precious key, the fragile balance between the human world and the spirit world is thrown out of whack. Aunt Tina reveals that if Corazon wants her magic to awaken, then she just lay the ghost to rest by fashioning a new soul key.
With her rather bloodthirsty gecko companion, Saso, Corazon embarks on a quest through the spirit realms. But they must move quickly, for if the ghost gets through the spirit glass, all hope will be lost.
Roshani Chokshi pays tribute to her Filipino heritage in this book that has all the magic, sparkle, and heart that made her Aru Shah series a fantasy classic.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2023
77 people are currently reading
4002 people want to read
About the author
Roshani Chokshi
44 books11.3k followersRoshani Chokshi is the award-winning author of the New York Times bestselling series The Star-Touched Queen, The Gilded Wolves and Aru Shah and The End of Time, which Time Magazine named one of the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time. Her adult debut, The Last Tale of The Flower Bride, was a #1 Sunday Times bestseller. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and often draw upon world mythology and folklore. Chokshi is a member of the National Leadership Board for the Michael C. Carlos Museum and lives in Georgia with her husband and their cat whose diabolical plans must regularly be thwarted.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
December 13, 2023
2023 reads: 370/350
corazon is impatiently awaiting the day she can start training as a babaylan with her aunt tina. she plans to bring her parents back from the dead as soon as this happens. as of right now, though, she’s able to see them using a soul key. when this is taken, she embarks on quest to lay the ghost thief to rest and awaken her magic.
roshani chokshi is one of my favorite authors, so i was really eager to read this book touching on both magic and grief. this book is inspired by filipino mythology, which i honestly don’t know much about, but this made me definitely want to learn more. there was a magic house (which reminded me of one of my favorite movies, encanto🥹), magic creatures, and ghosts around every corner. the discussions of corazon’s and her aunt’s grief pulled at my heartstrings and really made me tear up.
corazon is impatiently awaiting the day she can start training as a babaylan with her aunt tina. she plans to bring her parents back from the dead as soon as this happens. as of right now, though, she’s able to see them using a soul key. when this is taken, she embarks on quest to lay the ghost thief to rest and awaken her magic.
roshani chokshi is one of my favorite authors, so i was really eager to read this book touching on both magic and grief. this book is inspired by filipino mythology, which i honestly don’t know much about, but this made me definitely want to learn more. there was a magic house (which reminded me of one of my favorite movies, encanto🥹), magic creatures, and ghosts around every corner. the discussions of corazon’s and her aunt’s grief pulled at my heartstrings and really made me tear up.
December 30, 2023
I certainly suspected I would enjoy THE SPIRIT GLASS given who it’s written by (I adore Roshani Chokshi and admire her way with words), the fact that it’s under the RRP imprint (I’m an Uncle Rick fan) and it incorporates Filipino lore… and I’m happy to report this book was really good!
I loved getting to know Corazon; it was a real treat to tag along with her and her anito Saso (who I adore) as they embark on a very important quest. It was fun to see all the whimsical touches and language flourishes as the adventure unfolds, and the themes running through this were also right up my alley (so much so that I got emotional by the end). It was such a great reading experience and I’d highly recommend checking it out!
I loved getting to know Corazon; it was a real treat to tag along with her and her anito Saso (who I adore) as they embark on a very important quest. It was fun to see all the whimsical touches and language flourishes as the adventure unfolds, and the themes running through this were also right up my alley (so much so that I got emotional by the end). It was such a great reading experience and I’d highly recommend checking it out!
September 13, 2023
This book is full of nostalgia 🥹❤️
December 4, 2023
As a Filipino who grew up with both Rick's stories and the folktales of my relatives, I knew I had to get a copy of The Spirit Glass during its release. Having a book that featured Philippine Mythology, culture, and traditions has made me feel seen, and I am extremely honored to have Corazon as a hero I can look up to.
The Spirit Glass tells the story of Corazon, a babaylan (or a female shaman) in training, as she goes on an adventure to discover her heritage and the magical powers that lurk within herself. Guided and accompanied by her bloodthirsty spirit guardian Saso, the both of them embark on a quest across the realms of different spirits and monsters that many Filipino kids will recognize.
In true Rick Riordan fashion, The Spirit Glass contributes to the legacy of its predecessors by giving readers an adventure filled with laughs, tears, and a lot of magic. But with a unique twist thanks to Chokshi, Corazon's journey takes on a very spiritual and heartfelt approach with the inclusion of topics such as mortality and family. The characters also contribute to the pantheon of heroes Riordan has made by having a sense of charm, charisma, and heart that kids and kids-at-heart can be entertained with. Other than these, the story also packs a lot of Philippine History into its words; referencing a lot of events and customs that elevates some of the more funny and serious scenes in the novel. The method of storytelling has also been a delight for me to read as well! By mixing the points-of-view of Corazon and other characters and using flashbacks every time she activates her powers, The Spirit Glass also has some elements of mystery spun into it that kept me on the edge of my seat.
That being said, I would've wanted for the book to be paced better. Even though it was entertaining for me, I still thought it would've been nice to have some breathing room after a lot of action scenes. Things in this book might also be hard to understand for foreign readers as well. Even though the book has notes and translations for readers to use, there might be some cultural nuances or jokes that could be difficult for people to fully understand.
Despite these, I'd still give The Spirit Glass a 4/5 rating. It might be my bias or the nostalgia I felt after seeing stories of my childhood come to life, but The Spirit Glass has been one amazing ride for me. It was a magical ride through Philippine culture and history, and I absolutely can't wait for everyone to go on this trip with Corazon and her gang.
Thank you, Chokshi for a book like this. Mabuhay!
The Spirit Glass tells the story of Corazon, a babaylan (or a female shaman) in training, as she goes on an adventure to discover her heritage and the magical powers that lurk within herself. Guided and accompanied by her bloodthirsty spirit guardian Saso, the both of them embark on a quest across the realms of different spirits and monsters that many Filipino kids will recognize.
In true Rick Riordan fashion, The Spirit Glass contributes to the legacy of its predecessors by giving readers an adventure filled with laughs, tears, and a lot of magic. But with a unique twist thanks to Chokshi, Corazon's journey takes on a very spiritual and heartfelt approach with the inclusion of topics such as mortality and family. The characters also contribute to the pantheon of heroes Riordan has made by having a sense of charm, charisma, and heart that kids and kids-at-heart can be entertained with. Other than these, the story also packs a lot of Philippine History into its words; referencing a lot of events and customs that elevates some of the more funny and serious scenes in the novel. The method of storytelling has also been a delight for me to read as well! By mixing the points-of-view of Corazon and other characters and using flashbacks every time she activates her powers, The Spirit Glass also has some elements of mystery spun into it that kept me on the edge of my seat.
That being said, I would've wanted for the book to be paced better. Even though it was entertaining for me, I still thought it would've been nice to have some breathing room after a lot of action scenes. Things in this book might also be hard to understand for foreign readers as well. Even though the book has notes and translations for readers to use, there might be some cultural nuances or jokes that could be difficult for people to fully understand.
Despite these, I'd still give The Spirit Glass a 4/5 rating. It might be my bias or the nostalgia I felt after seeing stories of my childhood come to life, but The Spirit Glass has been one amazing ride for me. It was a magical ride through Philippine culture and history, and I absolutely can't wait for everyone to go on this trip with Corazon and her gang.
Thank you, Chokshi for a book like this. Mabuhay!
September 23, 2023
I love Roshani Chokshi’s writing, and that doesn’t change if her audience is middle schoolers or adults. There is something really special about this story that weaves Filipino folklore into a fun, funny, heartbreaking quest with a girl, a ghost, & a gecko.
Not long before writing this book, the author miscarried her first child - I know this from following her social media - knowing that, I can see the pain & healing & grief throughout all these pages, and it gives this book another beautiful layer.
I’m grateful for these stories, and all in the Rick Riordan Presents series, because I learn about another culture, and I’m grateful for these stories because I could feel the healing in them. Beautifully done.
Not long before writing this book, the author miscarried her first child - I know this from following her social media - knowing that, I can see the pain & healing & grief throughout all these pages, and it gives this book another beautiful layer.
I’m grateful for these stories, and all in the Rick Riordan Presents series, because I learn about another culture, and I’m grateful for these stories because I could feel the healing in them. Beautifully done.
August 24, 2024
Wonderfully reminiscent of Coraline and it also reminded me of "The Moon Will Sing" by The Crane Wives🥺 It took me a while to get in to the story, which is something I've never experienced with a Roshani Chokshi book before. Idk. However, I did eventually get more into it and I still find Roshani to be an incredibly talented and captivating author. I think I just overestimated my affection for Aru and her crew, and I never felt that same kind of emotional investment in Corazon's journey. All in all, a good read, just one that wasn't quite for me.
September 12, 2023
Dead parents get me everytime! I love reading a story where the pain leads to growth. Gives hope...
October 31, 2023
There were a lot of Filipino references for sure, but I felt like some of it seemed forced or introduced in ways that aren't quite to my liking.
I also feel like I possibly don't enjoy middle-grade novels at this phase in my life (which I wish I'd read middle-grade books during an appropriate time in my life huhu).
The writing style is good, but the plot was just okay for me.
But I will say, I quite liked a lot of passages which I tabbed on my physical copy.
I would still be interested to read her debut novel which celebrates her Indian roots.
I also feel like I possibly don't enjoy middle-grade novels at this phase in my life (which I wish I'd read middle-grade books during an appropriate time in my life huhu).
The writing style is good, but the plot was just okay for me.
But I will say, I quite liked a lot of passages which I tabbed on my physical copy.
I would still be interested to read her debut novel which celebrates her Indian roots.
November 27, 2023
literally cried multiple times while reading this. it was so good. the thing with leo seemed a bit fast paced but i think im just used to conflict being drawn out (cough cough heavens officials cough cough)
October 6, 2023
People thing change means forgetting, but the greatest change comes from remembering.
Nawet kiedy Chokshi tworzy literaturę dziecięcą, uwzględnia dojrzałe treści i sprawia, że starsi czytelnicy mogą jak najbardziej utożsamić się z historią. Podczas lektury The Spirit Glass czułam się, jakbym osuwała się w czasie, jako dorosła i jako dziecko.
Corazon Lopez to dziewczynka pochodząca z rodziny obdarzonych mocą babaylanów. Mieszka w domu, który spełnia jej wszelkie zachcianki i jest otoczona fantastycznymi istotami oraz czarami. Jednak czuje, że jej własna magia nie potrafi się w pełni ujawnić. A przecież znalazła dla niej tak ważny cel - kiedy tylko siła się objawi, Corazon przywróci do życia rodziców.
"Don't be scared, Saso," she said.
"I'm never scared with you, Corazon," he said, nuzzling her ear.
The Spirit Glass jest oparte na motywie podróży - questu. Tak jak ostatnio ten schemat opowieści zaczął mi się przejadać, to spodobał mi się tutaj. Autorka trochę inaczej do niego podeszła. Corazon i jej dzielni towarzysze mniej koncentrują się na pojedynkach i zabawie w kotka i myszkę z antagonistką, a bardziej odkrywają świat magii, uczą się współdziałać z napotkanymi istotami oraz dokonują autorefleksji, mierząc się z kolejnymi wyzwaniami. Główna bohaterka to inteligentna, życzliwa i silnie kochająca dziewczynka, która głęboko porusza serce i której wysyła się nadzieję. Jej nowy przyjaciel, obiecujący młody pisarz Leo jest tak urokliwą, bystrą i delikatnie napisaną postacią, że już byłam gotowa podpisywać papiery adopcyjne. Jego wątek jest jednym z najlepszych, z jakimi spotkałam się w tym gatunku, a zwrot akcji doprowadził mnie dzisiaj do łezek w komunikacji miejskiej. Połączyłam kropki stronę przed odkryciem i przypomniało mi to bohaterów More Than This Patricka Nessa.
No i jak na opowieść Chokshi przystało, nie mogło tu zabraknąć zaskakującego zwierzęciopodobnego towarzysza głównej protagonistki z niepokojącym popędem ku destrukcji. Saso, mały krokodylku, jestem twoją fanka no. 1!
"You be patient and I will be obsessive!"
"How is that helpful?"
"I don't know, but it's certainly inevitable."
The Spirit Glass to przede wszystkim opowieść o zaświatach, śmierci i żałobie; jak wiem, inspirowana szczególnymi doświadczeniami autorki. Od kilku lat jestem zafascynowana historiami o duchach i zauroczyło mnie to, jak w tej powieści zostają na obrzeżach nie tylko, by załatwić niedokończone sprawy, ale też pożyć w inny sposób, niż mieli w zwyczaju. To dla mnie całkowicie nowe podejście, a jakże podnoszące na duchu. Prowadzenie małej magicznej lodziarni z sorbetami o jedynych takich na świecie smakach brzmi jak niezłe odkupienie!
Corazon traci rodziców i choć doświadcza tego całkiem inaczej niż inne sieroty, to nie pozwala jej jednak ruszyć dalej i dziewczynka żyje niepewną nadzieją i lękiem. Leo wie, że ktoś ma po niego przybyć, ale nie pamięta kto i dlaczego; jest w stanie ofiarować wszystko, by oczekiwanie dobiegło końca. Główna antagonistka, szalona zbłąkana dusza, w rozpaczy szuka czegoś, co dawno utraciła. Chokshi przedstawia różne oblicza żałoby: przeżycia uzewnętrznione i zamykane na cztery spusty, oczekiwanie i płonne nadzieje na odwrócenie losu. Krótkie i długie pożegnania z ukochanymi osobami oraz żal po przyszłości, której nie będą uczestnikami. Pamięć, chęć zawieszenia się w rzeczywistości i nieśmiałe kroki naprzód. Żałoba dziecka po rodzicach, bo nie jest gotowe i tęskni, żałoba rodziców po dziecku, nie tak mówi natura. The Spirit Glass przywróciło moje wspomnienia i odcisnęło na mnie swój znak.
But hope is not always kind. We cling to it in the dark, but sometimes it casts a light so bright that we are blinded to all other treasure. I shall not make that mistake again.
Zaskakujące jest dla mnie to, jak Chokshi wplotła w tę powieść dla dzieci motyw mizoginii; to tak proste i eleganckie słowo, że chyba lubimy zapominać, ile w sobie kryje. Kryje głęboką nienawiść do kobiet, przemoc, traktowanie ich albo przedmiotowo albo niczym zwierzęta, gotowość mężczyzn do największego okrucieństwa, tylko dlatego, ponieważ ktoś im odmówił. Chokshi wyrzuca tutaj cały swój gniew i zapala go na nowo w czytelniku. Nie ma w tym nic złego, że nastoletnie dziewczynki odkrywają te historie.
Dodatkowo autorka ponownie sprawia nam ten zaszczyt i dzieli się z nami kulturą, mitologią i historią swoich przodków, tutaj narodu filipińskiego; to bezcenne doświadczenie.
Roshani napisała piękną powieść o dziewczyne i jej zmarłych rodzinach, którzy z całych sił pragną znów się dotknąć. Zadedykowała ją swojemu dziecku, które odeszło, zanim zdążyła je poznać. Podzieliła się z czytelnikami swym bólem i zrobiła najwłaściwszą rzecz pod słońcem.
And if you find love, give love, and share love, then life - no matter its bumps and lumps and roads and cliffs - will be worth living.
Nawet kiedy Chokshi tworzy literaturę dziecięcą, uwzględnia dojrzałe treści i sprawia, że starsi czytelnicy mogą jak najbardziej utożsamić się z historią. Podczas lektury The Spirit Glass czułam się, jakbym osuwała się w czasie, jako dorosła i jako dziecko.
Corazon Lopez to dziewczynka pochodząca z rodziny obdarzonych mocą babaylanów. Mieszka w domu, który spełnia jej wszelkie zachcianki i jest otoczona fantastycznymi istotami oraz czarami. Jednak czuje, że jej własna magia nie potrafi się w pełni ujawnić. A przecież znalazła dla niej tak ważny cel - kiedy tylko siła się objawi, Corazon przywróci do życia rodziców.
"Don't be scared, Saso," she said.
"I'm never scared with you, Corazon," he said, nuzzling her ear.
The Spirit Glass jest oparte na motywie podróży - questu. Tak jak ostatnio ten schemat opowieści zaczął mi się przejadać, to spodobał mi się tutaj. Autorka trochę inaczej do niego podeszła. Corazon i jej dzielni towarzysze mniej koncentrują się na pojedynkach i zabawie w kotka i myszkę z antagonistką, a bardziej odkrywają świat magii, uczą się współdziałać z napotkanymi istotami oraz dokonują autorefleksji, mierząc się z kolejnymi wyzwaniami. Główna bohaterka to inteligentna, życzliwa i silnie kochająca dziewczynka, która głęboko porusza serce i której wysyła się nadzieję. Jej nowy przyjaciel, obiecujący młody pisarz Leo jest tak urokliwą, bystrą i delikatnie napisaną postacią, że już byłam gotowa podpisywać papiery adopcyjne. Jego wątek jest jednym z najlepszych, z jakimi spotkałam się w tym gatunku, a zwrot akcji doprowadził mnie dzisiaj do łezek w komunikacji miejskiej. Połączyłam kropki stronę przed odkryciem i przypomniało mi to bohaterów More Than This Patricka Nessa.
No i jak na opowieść Chokshi przystało, nie mogło tu zabraknąć zaskakującego zwierzęciopodobnego towarzysza głównej protagonistki z niepokojącym popędem ku destrukcji. Saso, mały krokodylku, jestem twoją fanka no. 1!
"You be patient and I will be obsessive!"
"How is that helpful?"
"I don't know, but it's certainly inevitable."
The Spirit Glass to przede wszystkim opowieść o zaświatach, śmierci i żałobie; jak wiem, inspirowana szczególnymi doświadczeniami autorki. Od kilku lat jestem zafascynowana historiami o duchach i zauroczyło mnie to, jak w tej powieści zostają na obrzeżach nie tylko, by załatwić niedokończone sprawy, ale też pożyć w inny sposób, niż mieli w zwyczaju. To dla mnie całkowicie nowe podejście, a jakże podnoszące na duchu. Prowadzenie małej magicznej lodziarni z sorbetami o jedynych takich na świecie smakach brzmi jak niezłe odkupienie!
Corazon traci rodziców i choć doświadcza tego całkiem inaczej niż inne sieroty, to nie pozwala jej jednak ruszyć dalej i dziewczynka żyje niepewną nadzieją i lękiem. Leo wie, że ktoś ma po niego przybyć, ale nie pamięta kto i dlaczego; jest w stanie ofiarować wszystko, by oczekiwanie dobiegło końca. Główna antagonistka, szalona zbłąkana dusza, w rozpaczy szuka czegoś, co dawno utraciła. Chokshi przedstawia różne oblicza żałoby: przeżycia uzewnętrznione i zamykane na cztery spusty, oczekiwanie i płonne nadzieje na odwrócenie losu. Krótkie i długie pożegnania z ukochanymi osobami oraz żal po przyszłości, której nie będą uczestnikami. Pamięć, chęć zawieszenia się w rzeczywistości i nieśmiałe kroki naprzód. Żałoba dziecka po rodzicach, bo nie jest gotowe i tęskni, żałoba rodziców po dziecku, nie tak mówi natura. The Spirit Glass przywróciło moje wspomnienia i odcisnęło na mnie swój znak.
But hope is not always kind. We cling to it in the dark, but sometimes it casts a light so bright that we are blinded to all other treasure. I shall not make that mistake again.
Zaskakujące jest dla mnie to, jak Chokshi wplotła w tę powieść dla dzieci motyw mizoginii; to tak proste i eleganckie słowo, że chyba lubimy zapominać, ile w sobie kryje. Kryje głęboką nienawiść do kobiet, przemoc, traktowanie ich albo przedmiotowo albo niczym zwierzęta, gotowość mężczyzn do największego okrucieństwa, tylko dlatego, ponieważ ktoś im odmówił. Chokshi wyrzuca tutaj cały swój gniew i zapala go na nowo w czytelniku. Nie ma w tym nic złego, że nastoletnie dziewczynki odkrywają te historie.
Dodatkowo autorka ponownie sprawia nam ten zaszczyt i dzieli się z nami kulturą, mitologią i historią swoich przodków, tutaj narodu filipińskiego; to bezcenne doświadczenie.
Roshani napisała piękną powieść o dziewczyne i jej zmarłych rodzinach, którzy z całych sił pragną znów się dotknąć. Zadedykowała ją swojemu dziecku, które odeszło, zanim zdążyła je poznać. Podzieliła się z czytelnikami swym bólem i zrobiła najwłaściwszą rzecz pod słońcem.
And if you find love, give love, and share love, then life - no matter its bumps and lumps and roads and cliffs - will be worth living.
September 11, 2023
Rating: 5/5
Favourite quote: "Never let your heart turn to stone, my Corazon. Stones cannot be wounded, but they also cannot weep. Stones don’t laugh, or love. Someone who is made of stone cannot change. . .and that is the opposite of living,” said Althea. “Pain is the price we pay to live.. . . We cannot avoid it.”
Roshani Chokshi writes a book, It becomes a favourite of mine, and I give it 5 stars..... that's how the drill goes. This is definitely the best middle grade book I've read! This book is magic in its purest form and once again, Chokshi has proven her mastery over storytelling.
First of all, let me warn you......do not read this book on an empty stomach, our you'll suffer from hunger pangs! It is full of references to Filipino cuisine described in the most delectable way possible! Like the palace of illusions in the Aru Shah series and the House of Dreams in the last tale of the flower bride, we have a magical house in the spirit glass, which gives off major encanto vibes.
Corazon is a charming protagonist and I adored her right from the beginning, but it was Saso who was the highlight of the book..... he's the best animal companion! Saso's humour had me giggling throughout the book. I appreciate the Rick Riordan Presents imprint for bringing underrepresented mythologies and cultures into the spotlight. I'll definitely be checking out the books the author has mentioned in the author's note. The midnight bridge was a great concept which reminded me of the night bazaar from Chokshi's previous works. I loved the way the author incorporated Filipino culture into the book. The magic system was fascinating in particular. Here's how the bargains at the midnight bridge:
"This, Corazon knew, was the law of magic. The push and pull of balance. For whatever is given, something of equal value must be received.
“But how do you know it’s fair?” she often asked Tina.
Tina would only shrug. “You just do.”
For me, this just made sense. While the spirit glass is a grand, adventurous quest, it's a story about grief and loss at its heart. This book made me tear up at the dedication itself. Please check out the author's post on Instagram for more insight into the book. Both major plot twists were VERY emotional and made me cry. There were also some pages from the POVs of diffrent mirrors, and I particularly loved this line from the spirit glass's pov. :
"I do not move. I cannot embrace or console. I have nothing to offer but my presence or reflection. But sometimes that is all we need. I see you, little one. Your pain is not invisible to me."
If you like sentient houses, great animal sidekicks, magical quests, whimsical books with a dash of spookiness and any of the RRP books, this one's for you. I cannot recommend it enough!!
Favourite quote: "Never let your heart turn to stone, my Corazon. Stones cannot be wounded, but they also cannot weep. Stones don’t laugh, or love. Someone who is made of stone cannot change. . .and that is the opposite of living,” said Althea. “Pain is the price we pay to live.. . . We cannot avoid it.”
Roshani Chokshi writes a book, It becomes a favourite of mine, and I give it 5 stars..... that's how the drill goes. This is definitely the best middle grade book I've read! This book is magic in its purest form and once again, Chokshi has proven her mastery over storytelling.
First of all, let me warn you......do not read this book on an empty stomach, our you'll suffer from hunger pangs! It is full of references to Filipino cuisine described in the most delectable way possible! Like the palace of illusions in the Aru Shah series and the House of Dreams in the last tale of the flower bride, we have a magical house in the spirit glass, which gives off major encanto vibes.
Corazon is a charming protagonist and I adored her right from the beginning, but it was Saso who was the highlight of the book..... he's the best animal companion! Saso's humour had me giggling throughout the book. I appreciate the Rick Riordan Presents imprint for bringing underrepresented mythologies and cultures into the spotlight. I'll definitely be checking out the books the author has mentioned in the author's note. The midnight bridge was a great concept which reminded me of the night bazaar from Chokshi's previous works. I loved the way the author incorporated Filipino culture into the book. The magic system was fascinating in particular. Here's how the bargains at the midnight bridge:
"This, Corazon knew, was the law of magic. The push and pull of balance. For whatever is given, something of equal value must be received.
“But how do you know it’s fair?” she often asked Tina.
Tina would only shrug. “You just do.”
For me, this just made sense. While the spirit glass is a grand, adventurous quest, it's a story about grief and loss at its heart. This book made me tear up at the dedication itself. Please check out the author's post on Instagram for more insight into the book. Both major plot twists were VERY emotional and made me cry. There were also some pages from the POVs of diffrent mirrors, and I particularly loved this line from the spirit glass's pov. :
"I do not move. I cannot embrace or console. I have nothing to offer but my presence or reflection. But sometimes that is all we need. I see you, little one. Your pain is not invisible to me."
If you like sentient houses, great animal sidekicks, magical quests, whimsical books with a dash of spookiness and any of the RRP books, this one's for you. I cannot recommend it enough!!
August 30, 2023
The Spirit Glass is a fitting addition to the Rick Riordan Presents set of books, both for the inclusion of Filipino mythology and the story itself, which is beautifully written and contains several twists.
Corazon is nearly 12 years 0ld; she lives with her aunt Tina, following the death of her parents in a car crash. She is a babaylan, a mystical magic user, waiting impatiently for her twelfth birthday, when her powers will awaken fully and she will be able to train her abilities properly. Like all babaylan, she has an anito, a spirit guide; hers takes the form of a gecko, a happy, loud-mouthed, very confident gecko at that. Corazon is visited every Saturday evening by the ghosts of her mother and father, who come for dinner and stay through the evening, through the auspices of her spirit key, a mystical device that allows them to visit. But on a trip to the Midnight Bridge, a different ghost steals the spirit key, and Corazon must go on a quest to replace it, or she'll never be able to see her parents again.
This is, in some ways, a very fun novel, especially with Saso, Corazon's anito, which provides comic relief throughout the novel. In some ways, it is very solemn, because woven all through the book are references to Corazon's deceased parents, and her desire to bring them back to life once she comes into her powers. But even with that, there is a lightness and hope to this story than is very engaging. I can only hope that Corazon will have another adventure in the future - and soon. Recommended for ages middle school to adult.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Corazon is nearly 12 years 0ld; she lives with her aunt Tina, following the death of her parents in a car crash. She is a babaylan, a mystical magic user, waiting impatiently for her twelfth birthday, when her powers will awaken fully and she will be able to train her abilities properly. Like all babaylan, she has an anito, a spirit guide; hers takes the form of a gecko, a happy, loud-mouthed, very confident gecko at that. Corazon is visited every Saturday evening by the ghosts of her mother and father, who come for dinner and stay through the evening, through the auspices of her spirit key, a mystical device that allows them to visit. But on a trip to the Midnight Bridge, a different ghost steals the spirit key, and Corazon must go on a quest to replace it, or she'll never be able to see her parents again.
This is, in some ways, a very fun novel, especially with Saso, Corazon's anito, which provides comic relief throughout the novel. In some ways, it is very solemn, because woven all through the book are references to Corazon's deceased parents, and her desire to bring them back to life once she comes into her powers. But even with that, there is a lightness and hope to this story than is very engaging. I can only hope that Corazon will have another adventure in the future - and soon. Recommended for ages middle school to adult.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 1, 2023
I enjoyed The Spirit Mirror. I think I might use this next year for the October 7th grade book club pick because there are plenty of ghosts and some creepy monsters from Filipino lore that it will make it a fun October read. I started but never finished Chokshi’s Aru Shah series. I think I liked The Spirit Mirror better because it had a lot of magic and intrigue right in the first chapter. Listening to the audiobook also probably helped as well. However, I kind of struggle with listening to middle grade books on audio because in order to sound young, the narrator’s voice is kind of annoying, but I got used to it. There is a lot more of Corazon’s internal dialogue than her talking to other characters. Actually, Leo the Ghost & Saso the geko companion do most of the talking. There are plenty of quips and Saso is a constant comic relief which is definitely a middle grade literary thing.
Corazon’s an ok character. There isn’t a lot of depth to any of the characters (which again is a very middle grade book thing that bugs me) but what the book does really well is introducing creatures from Filipino legends and making you want to look them up and learn more about them. There are just a lot of cool characters and situations introduced in the book. I also liked the two stories of Corazon’s quest and Flordeliza’s history and how the two interconnect in a surprising way that seemed pretty satisfying at the end. The ending was also pretty good and wrapped most things up. (Chapter 34 ended up being mostly static and I don’t know if that’s because it was an ARC, but it sounded like it imparted some wisdom to Carazon that I missed and might have wrapped it up more.) Overall, I’m sure elementary and middle grade students will enjoy it.
Thank you too NetGalley for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
Corazon’s an ok character. There isn’t a lot of depth to any of the characters (which again is a very middle grade book thing that bugs me) but what the book does really well is introducing creatures from Filipino legends and making you want to look them up and learn more about them. There are just a lot of cool characters and situations introduced in the book. I also liked the two stories of Corazon’s quest and Flordeliza’s history and how the two interconnect in a surprising way that seemed pretty satisfying at the end. The ending was also pretty good and wrapped most things up. (Chapter 34 ended up being mostly static and I don’t know if that’s because it was an ARC, but it sounded like it imparted some wisdom to Carazon that I missed and might have wrapped it up more.) Overall, I’m sure elementary and middle grade students will enjoy it.
Thank you too NetGalley for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
March 18, 2024
3.5 but I'm rounding up because I love Roshani Chokshi's worldbuilding and writing every time. She even got me to adore Saso because I usually am not a fan of talking animals in any format but he was hilarious and relatable. I know that the author had a miscarriage before writing this book so I know it was very personal to her and it was really interesting to read a mythology book about grief. I think that she does such a great job of portraying not only grief but the denial and reluctance to move on. I suppose maybe I wanted things to be drawn out more. I loved the pacing of the first 1/3 of the book and then it went very fast for me. Yeah, I did predict the Leo stuff in advance, but I think that it could have been longer anyway. Ultimately, a very nice idea that I wish had been fleshed out a bit more.
August 25, 2023
5 stars!!!
I was introduced to Roshani Chokshi through The Gilded Wolves, which I thought was okay, though I liked the second book, The Silvered Serpents more. It made me pick up the Aru Shah series, which I loved. Aru Shah was the series that introduced me to Hindu Mythology (other than what I had picked up from yoga), and I really enjoyed it. I didn't know if I would like a heroine as much as Aru Shah, but as soon as I started reading this, I was hooked. So much that I ended up reading it in one sitting. I loved Corazon, and I especially loved how Chokshi incorporated Filipino mythology (which is a broad category according to the author's note). The magic system was very cool, and I especially loved the house, which was a character in its own right. Her gecko companion was the best, and the story was so engrossing. There were some surprises along the way, including the end, that I would think, "I should have figured that out, that is exactly what should have happened," but of course, I didn't figure it out beforehand. The story is wonderfully crafted, and although this appears to be a standalone novel, I would love to revisit Corazon and Saso.
I was so lucky to receive this as an advanced review copy from Netgalley and the publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was introduced to Roshani Chokshi through The Gilded Wolves, which I thought was okay, though I liked the second book, The Silvered Serpents more. It made me pick up the Aru Shah series, which I loved. Aru Shah was the series that introduced me to Hindu Mythology (other than what I had picked up from yoga), and I really enjoyed it. I didn't know if I would like a heroine as much as Aru Shah, but as soon as I started reading this, I was hooked. So much that I ended up reading it in one sitting. I loved Corazon, and I especially loved how Chokshi incorporated Filipino mythology (which is a broad category according to the author's note). The magic system was very cool, and I especially loved the house, which was a character in its own right. Her gecko companion was the best, and the story was so engrossing. There were some surprises along the way, including the end, that I would think, "I should have figured that out, that is exactly what should have happened," but of course, I didn't figure it out beforehand. The story is wonderfully crafted, and although this appears to be a standalone novel, I would love to revisit Corazon and Saso.
I was so lucky to receive this as an advanced review copy from Netgalley and the publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 26, 2024
“Librarians can be very dangerous creatures. It’s not merely that they know where knowledge lives; it’s that they possess a second voice that, when they choose to use it, coaxes out your deepest secrets.” ~Corazon in The Spirit Glass by Roshani Chokshi
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Pain is the price we pay to live.”
There are so many quotes in this book that has found a place in my heart. The Spirit Glass is a beautifully blended tale with Filipino mythology and family history and stories.
Corazon is prepared to become a Babaylan in the hopes to bring her parents back to life after they tragically died three years before. However, after her soul key is stolen, she must go one a quest to make a new one, unlock her powers, and fix the unbalance between the spirit and mortal realms. But, on her quest with her anito, spirit companion, Saso the blood thirsty gecko and her new ghost friend, Corazon learns the truth about the ghost she chases and the secrets of her powers.
I highly recommend this book. It is a tale with twists that may leave you crying. Corazon is a spirited girl who is determined to bring back her parents. She isn’t fearless, but knows that if she doesn’t do this quest that the consequences would be severe. Saso was by far my favorite character! He was hilarious and there were many times I laughed out loud because of his sudden reactions.
Add this to your never ending TBR! You won’t regret it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Pain is the price we pay to live.”
There are so many quotes in this book that has found a place in my heart. The Spirit Glass is a beautifully blended tale with Filipino mythology and family history and stories.
Corazon is prepared to become a Babaylan in the hopes to bring her parents back to life after they tragically died three years before. However, after her soul key is stolen, she must go one a quest to make a new one, unlock her powers, and fix the unbalance between the spirit and mortal realms. But, on her quest with her anito, spirit companion, Saso the blood thirsty gecko and her new ghost friend, Corazon learns the truth about the ghost she chases and the secrets of her powers.
I highly recommend this book. It is a tale with twists that may leave you crying. Corazon is a spirited girl who is determined to bring back her parents. She isn’t fearless, but knows that if she doesn’t do this quest that the consequences would be severe. Saso was by far my favorite character! He was hilarious and there were many times I laughed out loud because of his sudden reactions.
Add this to your never ending TBR! You won’t regret it.
Read
December 1, 2023Children's books are really teeming sites of imagination and wonder. In this book, Corazon is a little girl who lives in a special pink house that bursts with life. Tomorrow the house may retrofit its wall to be splotches of blue, while its sofas watch the TV and the kitchen reorganizes its condiments jars. The bed tucks her to sleep, while she waits for a supper visit from her dead parents, who arrive like clockwork. She comes from a long line of magically powerful women, such as her aunt and caretaker, Celestina, who can still the storms with a single breath of command. Unfortunately, Corazon doesn't seem to exhibit magical gifts, despite the unqualified faith of her spirit animal, a blue gecko. While finishing up an evening of barter on the night market of spirits crossing different worlds across the openings of mirrors with her aunt, Corazon lands on the forbidden zones, and a dead soul snatches her soul key. This could lead the dead to come back to the land of living and create all sorts of chaos for the balance of life! What will Corazon do? In this book, the reader can join her as she tracks the clues down to reforge her soul key and reencounter the spirit. This is a creative fantasy inspired by Filipino mythology.
November 14, 2023
2023 Cybils SF middle grade nominee
This was a fun and powerful book. And a stand alone! Corazon is a fun kid with an awesome lizard sidekick and a very interesting small family. And a house made of love. Literally. The house is the one who cares for her while the adult aunt keeps herself emotionally distant. The one dark spot is her dead parents, but at least they come to visit on the weekend.
And then the adventure starts, with a nemesis ghost and a guide ghost and strange and powerful spirits who must be coaxed into revealing blessings, and secrets that were in plain sight but camouflaged skillfully. It was great and emotionally satisfying. Vivid descriptions, clever solutions, snarky but not condescending tone, and emotional truth make for a wonderful fantasy book.
This was a fun and powerful book. And a stand alone! Corazon is a fun kid with an awesome lizard sidekick and a very interesting small family. And a house made of love. Literally. The house is the one who cares for her while the adult aunt keeps herself emotionally distant. The one dark spot is her dead parents, but at least they come to visit on the weekend.
And then the adventure starts, with a nemesis ghost and a guide ghost and strange and powerful spirits who must be coaxed into revealing blessings, and secrets that were in plain sight but camouflaged skillfully. It was great and emotionally satisfying. Vivid descriptions, clever solutions, snarky but not condescending tone, and emotional truth make for a wonderful fantasy book.
August 9, 2023
Corazon can't wait until she can begin her babaylan training with her Aunt Tina so she can bring her parents back from the dead and not only see their ghosts every Saturday night. Things go sideways when a vengeful ghost steals Corazon's spirit key. She and her destruction-happy anito Saso must enter the spirit realm to retrieve the spirit key. If the ghost makes it through the spirit glass with the key, the already fragile balance between the human world and the spirit world will be destroyed. Corazon must get two blessings from powerful beings in the spirit world and meet Aunt Tina in the Library of Mirrors in five days. What could go wrong? #RickRiordanPresentsTheSpiritGlass #NetGalley
September 2, 2023
Three years ago Corazon Lopez’ parents died. Since then, she has lived with her magical, emotionally distant babaylan aunt and her spirit lizard companion, Saso. As a babaylan as well, Corazon’s powers should include being able to guard the boundaries between human and spirit worlds. Two days before her twelfth birthday, however, she has no indication of her powers emerging. Things take a turn for the worst when a vengeful ghost steals her soul key, a powerful token that was supposed to help her save her parents. Soon, the Library of Mirrors, a place with portals to the different realms, begins showing warning signs that something is wrong. With the help of her lizard companion, Corazon must dive into family secrets to find a way to rebalance the worlds before it’s too late. Can she stop the vengeful ghost? Can she reset the balance in the realms?
The plot is well-developed, engaging, and magical. The world building is well-done and draws the readers into the story. Corazon and Saso are likable and easy to relate to. Fans of mythology, fantasy, adventure, and other Rick Riordan presents books will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
Please Note: A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own. No other compensation was received.
The plot is well-developed, engaging, and magical. The world building is well-done and draws the readers into the story. Corazon and Saso are likable and easy to relate to. Fans of mythology, fantasy, adventure, and other Rick Riordan presents books will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
Please Note: A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own. No other compensation was received.
October 14, 2023
another wonderful, magical, and heart-warming release by roshani chokshi. i'm not too familiar with the filipino myth, folklore, and legends but i loved learning and reading about it in the spirit glass. corazon is learning about life and death, her own magic, and her family's past. alongside her are a gecko and a ghost. i always love a good adventure book. the world-building was great, the characters were relatable, the stories were heart wrenching. roshani chokshi's a brilliant storyteller and i can't wait for more.
December 24, 2023
I was drawn to The Spirit Glass because I wanted to learn more about Filipino mythology. This book was amazing! I loved the themes it included (coming of age, self love, and fantasy) and the journey it took me on.
"And if you find love, give love, and share love, then life - no matter its bumps and lumps and roads and cliffs - will be worth living." This quote from the book really resonated with me and describes the story so well. If you're looking for a quick read and something with a little of everything, I definitely recommend The Spirit Glass!
"And if you find love, give love, and share love, then life - no matter its bumps and lumps and roads and cliffs - will be worth living." This quote from the book really resonated with me and describes the story so well. If you're looking for a quick read and something with a little of everything, I definitely recommend The Spirit Glass!
July 13, 2024
Excellent. Young babaylan/mystic healer doesn't have her powers yet, but has a LEGENDARY tiny blue gecko crocodile companion named Saso. They're trying to stop a vengeful ghost from disrupting the spirit realm, which they might have set in motion...
Great audiobook! Uncle Rick needs to have Disney make this into an animated feature so I can see Saso on the screen. Also please have Ferdelle Capistrano be Saso's voice. So good.
Great audiobook! Uncle Rick needs to have Disney make this into an animated feature so I can see Saso on the screen. Also please have Ferdelle Capistrano be Saso's voice. So good.
September 5, 2023
An exciting entry in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, exploring Filipino culture and folklore. The story is, as usual, a middle grade adventure and a quest steeped in mythology, but this one is a bit deeper emotionally than many others in this genre. It's melancholy in a lovely way; quite sad, but ultimately hopeful.
December 28, 2023
HOLY TANGERINES! The ending for this book was amazing, I love how the story of the Sky Maiden is incorporated into the book, the ending really shocked me, but it was the best ending ever! When I first figured out that Tina was the Sky Maiden, my heart broke (I was gonna cry..I was in the car too), why does it gotta be sad and happy..anyways it is really good ^^
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2023
* I got this book for review*
I loved this book It was such a fun read and i really enjoy how this story was strucutured. this story was a fun quest story but had so much heart to it and also some very impoetant lessons about grief. I loed the world buiksing in this story and all the side characters. It was a soild standalone story but also one that i would love to see the world again!!
I loved this book It was such a fun read and i really enjoy how this story was strucutured. this story was a fun quest story but had so much heart to it and also some very impoetant lessons about grief. I loed the world buiksing in this story and all the side characters. It was a soild standalone story but also one that i would love to see the world again!!
July 18, 2024
Amazing! If you’re a fan of Spirited Away, this is the book for you. With beautiful prose, gorgeous culture additions, all the Filipino food, mythology, it was just breathtaking. Also grab a few tissues 🥹.
August 21, 2024
Actual Rating: 3.5 / 5
This book lacked some oomph. The story and the writing style were easy and quick to follow. The incorporation of Filipino culture and beliefs was refreshing to read through. It's just that something felt lacking and needed more fleshing out.
This book lacked some oomph. The story and the writing style were easy and quick to follow. The incorporation of Filipino culture and beliefs was refreshing to read through. It's just that something felt lacking and needed more fleshing out.
September 11, 2023
A beautiful tale of grief and magic, steeped in Filipino folklore, peppered with wit (and the sassy Saso!), and harboring cherished moments of both comforting and bitter truths.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
October 6, 2023
This book hurt me. Five stars.
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