Review by Booklist Review
Zapotec teen Donaji departs her village on a quest to find her long-lost father. Brimming with confidence, she loses her way, stumbling upon Itzcacalotl, a Mexica boy separated from his own party of warriors, members of the enemy Triple Alliance. Despite differing allegiances, they band together on Donaji's quest, pitting her fearlessness, her god-inhabited poncho, and his burgeoning crow-themed superpowers against the supercompetent thief Citlalmina, as well as various supernatural creatures, including the ghastly, terrifying Yohualtepuztli, the Night Axe. As this summary attests, here is a historical epic that fully immerses readers in Mesoamerican culture, religion, politics, language, and aesthetics. However, a visual language that is pure manga, vibrant colors, and burnished lighting combine to make it feel absolutely immediate and tonally modern. Indeed, the fully fleshed-out cultures soar to heights of such marvelous fancy, the setting could easily be taken for wholly invented high fantasy, making this a great way to sneak some history to your fantasy-minded readers. The characters and emotions, though, are highly relatable, the climax turning not on battle but on Donaji's ability to confront her own shortcomings. Both a thrilling epic and a setup for forthcoming volumes--not to mention a rollicking action-adventure featuring well-crafted characters--this gets the highest recommendation, right down to its very helpful back matter, addressing language, beliefs, and historical context.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This fantasy adventure based on a popular webcomic introduces a mythical world of gods and monsters overlaid on the historical backdrop of the Triple Alliance in the final days of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The book opens on a forbidden ritual performed under cover of darkness, as orbs of light rise and summon a Child of Darkness against the backdrop of the first days of colonial expansion in Mesoamerica and reign of the Triple Alliance between Tenochtitlan, Tetzcoco, and Tlacopan. Meanwhile, Itzcacalotl, an ambitious, 17-year-old would-be Mexica warrior, wanders from his group into the jungle where a murder of crows brings magical transformation. Elsewhere, 15-year-old Donaji prepares to leave her Zapotec home on a quest to find her long-lost father with help from a quechquemitl, a poncholike garment, imbued with the spirit of a god. A wrong turn puts Donaji in Itzcacalotl's way, and they are able to join forces on the quest to find Donaji's father, though the path is fraught with supernatural dangers. But how the dark creature from the ritual ties into their journey remains shrouded. Alert readers will know that Spanish invaders lie on the horizon, leaving them eager for the next installment. Graphic novel fans will appreciate how the colorful, manga-inspired illustrations dramatically bring the Mesoamerican setting to life, and history buffs will enjoy the footnote factoids sprinkled throughout. An enticing, fast-paced series opener. (map, name glossary, places, historical context, deities, author's note, additional sketches) (Graphic fantasy. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
