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Charlie Hernández #1
Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows
“A perfect pick for kids who love Rick Riordan.” —Booklist (starred review)
“A winner for all kids, but it will be especially loved by Latinx and Hispanic families.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
The Lightning Thief meets the Story Thieves series in this middle grade fantasy inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America.
Charlie Hernández has always been proud of his Latin American heritage. He loves the culture, the art, and especially the myths. Thanks to his abuela’s stories, Charlie possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the monsters and ghouls who have spent the last five hundred years haunting the imaginations of children all across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Central and South America. And even though his grandmother sometimes hinted that the tales might be more than mere myth, Charlie’s always been a pragmatist. Even barely out of diapers, he knew the stories were just make-believe—nothing more than intricately woven fables meant to keep little kids from misbehaving.
But when Charlie begins to experience freaky bodily manifestations—ones all too similar to those described by his grandma in his favorite legend—he is suddenly swept up in a world where the mythical beings he’s spent his entire life hearing about seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Hispanic folklore and into his life. And even stranger, they seem to know more about him than he knows about himself.
Soon, Charlie finds himself in the middle of an ancient battle between La Liga, a secret society of legendary mythological beings sworn to protect the Land of the Living, and La Mano Peluda (a.k.a. the Hairy Hand), a cabal of evil spirits determined to rule mankind. With only the help of his lifelong crush, Violet Rey, and his grandmother’s stories to guide him, Charlie must navigate a world where monsters and brujas rule and things he couldn’t possibly imagine go bump in the night. That is, if he has any hope of discovering what’s happening to him and saving his missing parents (oh, and maybe even the world).
No pressure, muchacho.
“A winner for all kids, but it will be especially loved by Latinx and Hispanic families.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
The Lightning Thief meets the Story Thieves series in this middle grade fantasy inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America.
Charlie Hernández has always been proud of his Latin American heritage. He loves the culture, the art, and especially the myths. Thanks to his abuela’s stories, Charlie possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the monsters and ghouls who have spent the last five hundred years haunting the imaginations of children all across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Central and South America. And even though his grandmother sometimes hinted that the tales might be more than mere myth, Charlie’s always been a pragmatist. Even barely out of diapers, he knew the stories were just make-believe—nothing more than intricately woven fables meant to keep little kids from misbehaving.
But when Charlie begins to experience freaky bodily manifestations—ones all too similar to those described by his grandma in his favorite legend—he is suddenly swept up in a world where the mythical beings he’s spent his entire life hearing about seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Hispanic folklore and into his life. And even stranger, they seem to know more about him than he knows about himself.
Soon, Charlie finds himself in the middle of an ancient battle between La Liga, a secret society of legendary mythological beings sworn to protect the Land of the Living, and La Mano Peluda (a.k.a. the Hairy Hand), a cabal of evil spirits determined to rule mankind. With only the help of his lifelong crush, Violet Rey, and his grandmother’s stories to guide him, Charlie must navigate a world where monsters and brujas rule and things he couldn’t possibly imagine go bump in the night. That is, if he has any hope of discovering what’s happening to him and saving his missing parents (oh, and maybe even the world).
No pressure, muchacho.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2018
222 people are currently reading
2363 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Calejo
21 books186 followersRyan Calejo is an author and teacher from southern Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 404 reviews
September 10, 2018
This is a debut novel and I am so impressed with the skill and craftsmanship of this first book! Fast-paced and full of adventure and fun, Calejo takes tried and true story tropes and plays with them so entertainingly. Charlie and Violet and terrific characters and Charlie's self-deprecating humorous voice pulled me in right from the first page.
I'm sorry to say that I knew very little of Central, South and Iberian myths and legends and one of the great features of this book is the way Calejo introduces them to readers like me while never slowing the pace or sounding instructive.
Thanks to Rick Riordon, myths are hot topics with young readers and this is an ideal book to hand to young fans. This will make a fabulous book talk ;-) I can't wait for the next installment.
I'm sorry to say that I knew very little of Central, South and Iberian myths and legends and one of the great features of this book is the way Calejo introduces them to readers like me while never slowing the pace or sounding instructive.
Thanks to Rick Riordon, myths are hot topics with young readers and this is an ideal book to hand to young fans. This will make a fabulous book talk ;-) I can't wait for the next installment.
August 17, 2018
This was the type of book that I needed when I was smaller and had no Hispanic/Latino characters in books. I was always looking for a book with characters that I could culturally relate to and had stories that I was familiar with, and now, I finally have it. This book was a wonderful blend of all of the stories and mythologies that I had heard from my own grandmother brought to life for me in an entirely new way. To say that I loved this book, with its witty dialogue and dynamic characters and monsters, is almost an understatement.
September 11, 2018
In the book Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows, a boy named Charlie Hernández suddenly finds that his parents have gone missing, and the next day, he finds horns growing out of his head! When Charlie finds a map in the locket his mom left for him, he follows it into a world of demons and monsters from the Hispanic legends taught to him as a boy by his grandmother. Along with his newfound friend, Violet, Charlie tries to find out who he actually is and save the world from a evil group of people called The Black Hand.
Opinion:
Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows is one of my favorite books! Personally, I didn’t know much about Hispanic myths, so it was a very enjoyable experience to learn some of them. The characters were explained vividly, making the whole story more fun because I could see the monsters and characters in my head. The book uses some Spanish, but when it is used, I could figure out exactly what the words meant from the context. This was an incredibly good book, and I give it five stars.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer, Age 11
Opinion:
Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows is one of my favorite books! Personally, I didn’t know much about Hispanic myths, so it was a very enjoyable experience to learn some of them. The characters were explained vividly, making the whole story more fun because I could see the monsters and characters in my head. The book uses some Spanish, but when it is used, I could figure out exactly what the words meant from the context. This was an incredibly good book, and I give it five stars.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer, Age 11
October 12, 2018
Look out, Percy Jackson. You have some fierce competition in Charlie Hernandez. This middle grade novel begins with a 12-year-old boy whose parents have disappeared, his house has burned down and he has grown two horns. When the horns disappear, feathers appear -- while he is in class. And so begins Charlie's quest to discover what is happening to him and how it relates to the disappearance of his parents. Along the way he teams up with classmate Violet and we meet a multitude of mythical creatures, many with their own quirky sense of humor. Charlie knows them all from stories his abuela told him. The book includes a glossary for reference and the promise of more stories to come.
Thank you, Aladdin and Edelweiss, for a digital ARC of this book.
Thank you, Aladdin and Edelweiss, for a digital ARC of this book.
February 28, 2023
ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!
Are you a fan of Rick Riordan's Lightning Thief books? You ain't seen any monsters till you have seen monsters from Hispanic mythology. Read Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows now. What with the adventures with various scary creatures from assorted Hispanic cultures around the world plus all the Spanish tucked into every page, I'm swooning with happiness to share this book with the universe.
Are you a fan of Rick Riordan's Lightning Thief books? You ain't seen any monsters till you have seen monsters from Hispanic mythology. Read Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows now. What with the adventures with various scary creatures from assorted Hispanic cultures around the world plus all the Spanish tucked into every page, I'm swooning with happiness to share this book with the universe.
August 11, 2018
This book is so much fun! It’s an adventure from beginning to end. Mythology, magic, & an unlikely mystery-solving duo.
March 6, 2019
What a blast! And what a great kid Charlie is, and what an awesome team he and Violet make, figuring out the myth-based clues and what they mean, while fighting for their lives.
The story energy is pretty high, action is practically constant, and there’s lots of humour as Charlie finds out that the myths his grandmother told him are real, and with a ton of insight from Violet (and most of the investigatory work), has to find a way to fight an evil league intent on killing both of them. Equally important, Charlie has to figure out what friendship really is, and who he is. I am so going to read book 2 in this really fun storyline.
The story energy is pretty high, action is practically constant, and there’s lots of humour as Charlie finds out that the myths his grandmother told him are real, and with a ton of insight from Violet (and most of the investigatory work), has to find a way to fight an evil league intent on killing both of them. Equally important, Charlie has to figure out what friendship really is, and who he is. I am so going to read book 2 in this really fun storyline.
August 14, 2018
I picked this up at book expo and I haven’t gotten around to it yet, but my 9 year old son loved it! Full review to come when I read :)
October 18, 2018
Absolutely loved this book. A winner! This book is perfect for middle school readers.
August 25, 2018
This book is just chock full of figures from Hispanic mythology and I think middle school readers are going to love its humor and sense of exploration and adventure. Can’t wait to booktalk this one!
April 11, 2019
So much waffling lately with ratings. My biggest struggle seems to be deciding whether to give a book two or three stars.
I want to give this book three stars because it did have moments that really gripped me. Unfortunately, I sort of had to convince myself to chug through it by the end, which is never a good sign for me.
As always, I really loved the idea behind this book. I wouldn’t pick up a novel if I had misgivings about its overall concept. I love the hijinks and adventure and heart behind Percy Jackson, and I love learning about mythologies of all cultures (particularly ones that mass media ignores) — so I was thrilled to see this book. The notion of a PJO setup with a Hispanic/Latino/Aztec context was intoxicating to me. I had a taste of this lore in another book, and I was really eager to know more.
In a lot of ways, this novel does satisfy that hunger. Ghoulish calaca (walking skeletons) and weeping witches who kidnap children and mythical bruja ... there’s a darkness and a danger to these old myths that really struck me, and they certainly figure heavily in this novel. A particularly gripping moment is when the protagonist faces a demonic horse beast known as ‘La Sihuanaba.’ The creature looks like a woman from behind and takes on the form of the main character’s missing mother; then turns around to reveal a face so horrific that it nearly cripples the protagonist’s mind. That’s powerful imagery.
I also thought that the protagonist’s (Charlie) at-times-self-deprecating personality was charming. His ability to point out his own flaws makes you sympathize with him and seek out his better traits for him. Like PJO, there’s also a lot of comedy in his voice, an ability to laugh at himself that often lightens the mood.
Finally, I really appreciate how much Spanish language is in this novel, particularly because it’s directed at kids. What better way to get kids to want to learn a new language — or celebrate your own language, if you are a bilingual, Spanish-speaking reader?
Unfortunately, despite these positive elements, I struggled with a lot of this novel. My largest problem was that the book felt rushed to me — which leads to underdevelopment.
For example, the first few chapters are only a page or so long; they introduce and then kill off Charlie’s grandmother, who is a central figure in the novel given that she gives Charlie the mythical knowledge that he needs to survive these Spanish monsters. If the novel had spent maybe ten pages on their relationship in a first chapter, then flashforwarded and had the grandmother die in present day — having the main character go through the whole funeral process — we would have ‘felt’ the relationship instead of simply being ‘told’ about it.
Another example of this rushing comes with Charlie’s parents. Around five pages into the book and we discover that his house burned down and his parents are missing. We do not get to see this traumatic event happened, nor do we get to see what Charlie’s relationship is like with his family. We are, of course, told about these things in detail, but it’s all recounted in hindsight, and we never see this event or relationship for ourselves, not even in a flashback. I really feel that if the author had slowed down and shown us these events — especially what Charlie’s life was like before his parents’ disappeared — we could suspend disbelief more easily, and feel for Charlie so much more.
Large dollops of information are dropped on the characters all at once, who accept it quickly in favor of pushing the plot along. In particular, Charlie takes a big reveal about himself rather well — so well that it’s almost understated — and important plot points are revealed very suddenly and (in my opinion) a little abruptly. The speed by which these concepts are dropped almost gives me whiplash, keeping me from submerging in the story.
Another struggle for me is how the characters behave. Charlie’s parents are missing and he’s living with an old lady in foster care — you think his friends would be tiptoeing around him, concerned, expecting him to be an emotional wreck, right?
Nope.
Obviously, the fact that Charlie’s in a band and they have a competition coming up (a plot line that sort of fizzles into nothing) are much more important than his mental state. How dare he act distracted or unconcerned about the band ... ! He’s only been displaced from his home and ripped from his guardians for no reason, after all. Why should his friends have to be sensitive at all in speaking to him? Why should they have to ask him how he’s doing, or if he needs any extra help or support? Might as well completely and totally ignore that fact.
I know the characters are kids — but if you care about someone at all, wouldn’t you find yourself at least halfway wondering how they feel emotionally in such a horrible situation?
It doesn’t help that Charlie’s friends hardly figure in the novel at all. In fact, the book has barely any characters outside Charlie and his super-supportive friend (love interest) who builds a relationship with him very quickly at the beginning of the book. She’s also pretty much perfect, but somehow still manages to accomplish very little — always a difficult character type to inject any reality into.
Overall, very interesting ideas, but rather rushed and underdeveloped.
I want to give this book three stars because it did have moments that really gripped me. Unfortunately, I sort of had to convince myself to chug through it by the end, which is never a good sign for me.
As always, I really loved the idea behind this book. I wouldn’t pick up a novel if I had misgivings about its overall concept. I love the hijinks and adventure and heart behind Percy Jackson, and I love learning about mythologies of all cultures (particularly ones that mass media ignores) — so I was thrilled to see this book. The notion of a PJO setup with a Hispanic/Latino/Aztec context was intoxicating to me. I had a taste of this lore in another book, and I was really eager to know more.
In a lot of ways, this novel does satisfy that hunger. Ghoulish calaca (walking skeletons) and weeping witches who kidnap children and mythical bruja ... there’s a darkness and a danger to these old myths that really struck me, and they certainly figure heavily in this novel. A particularly gripping moment is when the protagonist faces a demonic horse beast known as ‘La Sihuanaba.’ The creature looks like a woman from behind and takes on the form of the main character’s missing mother; then turns around to reveal a face so horrific that it nearly cripples the protagonist’s mind. That’s powerful imagery.
I also thought that the protagonist’s (Charlie) at-times-self-deprecating personality was charming. His ability to point out his own flaws makes you sympathize with him and seek out his better traits for him. Like PJO, there’s also a lot of comedy in his voice, an ability to laugh at himself that often lightens the mood.
Finally, I really appreciate how much Spanish language is in this novel, particularly because it’s directed at kids. What better way to get kids to want to learn a new language — or celebrate your own language, if you are a bilingual, Spanish-speaking reader?
Unfortunately, despite these positive elements, I struggled with a lot of this novel. My largest problem was that the book felt rushed to me — which leads to underdevelopment.
For example, the first few chapters are only a page or so long; they introduce and then kill off Charlie’s grandmother, who is a central figure in the novel given that she gives Charlie the mythical knowledge that he needs to survive these Spanish monsters. If the novel had spent maybe ten pages on their relationship in a first chapter, then flashforwarded and had the grandmother die in present day — having the main character go through the whole funeral process — we would have ‘felt’ the relationship instead of simply being ‘told’ about it.
Another example of this rushing comes with Charlie’s parents. Around five pages into the book and we discover that his house burned down and his parents are missing. We do not get to see this traumatic event happened, nor do we get to see what Charlie’s relationship is like with his family. We are, of course, told about these things in detail, but it’s all recounted in hindsight, and we never see this event or relationship for ourselves, not even in a flashback. I really feel that if the author had slowed down and shown us these events — especially what Charlie’s life was like before his parents’ disappeared — we could suspend disbelief more easily, and feel for Charlie so much more.
Large dollops of information are dropped on the characters all at once, who accept it quickly in favor of pushing the plot along. In particular, Charlie takes a big reveal about himself rather well — so well that it’s almost understated — and important plot points are revealed very suddenly and (in my opinion) a little abruptly. The speed by which these concepts are dropped almost gives me whiplash, keeping me from submerging in the story.
Another struggle for me is how the characters behave. Charlie’s parents are missing and he’s living with an old lady in foster care — you think his friends would be tiptoeing around him, concerned, expecting him to be an emotional wreck, right?
Nope.
Obviously, the fact that Charlie’s in a band and they have a competition coming up (a plot line that sort of fizzles into nothing) are much more important than his mental state. How dare he act distracted or unconcerned about the band ... ! He’s only been displaced from his home and ripped from his guardians for no reason, after all. Why should his friends have to be sensitive at all in speaking to him? Why should they have to ask him how he’s doing, or if he needs any extra help or support? Might as well completely and totally ignore that fact.
I know the characters are kids — but if you care about someone at all, wouldn’t you find yourself at least halfway wondering how they feel emotionally in such a horrible situation?
It doesn’t help that Charlie’s friends hardly figure in the novel at all. In fact, the book has barely any characters outside Charlie and his super-supportive friend (love interest) who builds a relationship with him very quickly at the beginning of the book. She’s also pretty much perfect, but somehow still manages to accomplish very little — always a difficult character type to inject any reality into.
Overall, very interesting ideas, but rather rushed and underdeveloped.
October 18, 2018
My daughter loved the book. She said it was fun, fun, fun! I recommended highly.
October 25, 2021
This was such a cool, fun book. It was a little weird at first. I can't say too much because it would be a spoiler, but something happens to the hero that I had never seen and it was kind of hilarious picturing how he looked in my head. But it was also disturbing and I felt really bad for Charlie. He was already dealing with a major loss, and now all of a sudden, some weird changes are happening to him, and his world opens to some very unnatural, downright supernatural occurrences. And it wasn't like he could open up to his friends about everything.
Despite my confusion at first, I really got sucked into this book. I was listening to the audiobook, and the narrator, Giordan Diaz kept it fun. His accent was authentic and that was crucial with this story in which Charlie's Latin heritage is integral. For Charlie is getting dropped right into the world of Latin American creatures of lore. His family has a heritage that makes what was considered legend very, very real. I love folklore, and I was thrilled at getting introduced to characters from the legends, several that I knew, and some that were very unfamiliar and really fascinatingly weird.
I appreciate so much that Latinx kids get a story that speaks to their heritage and takes them on fun adventure in the style of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series, but very much unique as well. This was a bit on the short side, but it was an enjoyable introduction to Charlie's world. There are two books so far, and I hope there are more. I recommend it to Middle Grade readers and older folks like me who enjoy Middle Grade books.
Despite my confusion at first, I really got sucked into this book. I was listening to the audiobook, and the narrator, Giordan Diaz kept it fun. His accent was authentic and that was crucial with this story in which Charlie's Latin heritage is integral. For Charlie is getting dropped right into the world of Latin American creatures of lore. His family has a heritage that makes what was considered legend very, very real. I love folklore, and I was thrilled at getting introduced to characters from the legends, several that I knew, and some that were very unfamiliar and really fascinatingly weird.
I appreciate so much that Latinx kids get a story that speaks to their heritage and takes them on fun adventure in the style of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series, but very much unique as well. This was a bit on the short side, but it was an enjoyable introduction to Charlie's world. There are two books so far, and I hope there are more. I recommend it to Middle Grade readers and older folks like me who enjoy Middle Grade books.
April 27, 2020
What a terrific start to a series. Fun, fast-paced adventure story featuring a Hispanic protagonist and introduces readers to Latin folklore, legends, and myths.
Charlie Hernandez is a middle grader whose parents have recently gone missing. Shortly afterwards, he notices that there are horns growing out of his head, later followed by feathers. On a side note, he starts to develop the feathers during the school day which leads to some pretty embarrassing moments of him trying to hide them. But, as he is trying to figure out what is going on, he finds a locket that had belonged to his mother. With the help of his new friend (or blackmailer), Violet, they notice the locket contains a map. It is this map that ultimately leads them to discover that all the myths and legends his abuela has shared with him over the years might actually be true.
One thing this story does extremely well is introduce us to multiple aspects of the Hispanic culture. Not only do we get shown various monsters from legends, but also food and language. What really impressed me was how effortlessly the author introduces us to phrases or terminology without it being cumbersome to read. I remember a children’s book I once read that was bi-lingual, except during the story the readers weren’t always told what something meant or given context clues and it ultimately made the reading more difficult than it needed to be. In this story, Charlie often finds himself having to figure out which monster he is in contact with, which in turn helps the reader learn about them too. One of my favorite parts is when he is with a particular monster who is upset that Charlie can’t figure out who she is. She keeps telling him all the various names people have called her throughout the years trying to get him to recognizes just one of them. She gets so exasperated with him until she finally hits on one he is familiar with. I mean, I suppose if you are going to choose to be a monster you definitely would want folks to known who you are. Right? After all you need to be recognized in order to give that big monster/evil character speech that all villains are known to do.
Here are just some of the monsters/folklore characters Charlie and Violet meet along the way:
- Sihuanaba – a ‘shape-shifting spirit’ originating from Central America, whose face can resemble a horse.
- The Just Judge – Salvadoran legend of a man with a hat dressed in black on a horse who believes the night belongs only to him.
- El Sombreron – Guatemalan legend of a bogeyman or goblin who wears a big, large hat and is seen as a gangster.
Overall, a fantastic read and one that had me racing to the Internet to learn more about the monsters and myths presented in the story.
Rating: 5 stars
Charlie Hernandez is a middle grader whose parents have recently gone missing. Shortly afterwards, he notices that there are horns growing out of his head, later followed by feathers. On a side note, he starts to develop the feathers during the school day which leads to some pretty embarrassing moments of him trying to hide them. But, as he is trying to figure out what is going on, he finds a locket that had belonged to his mother. With the help of his new friend (or blackmailer), Violet, they notice the locket contains a map. It is this map that ultimately leads them to discover that all the myths and legends his abuela has shared with him over the years might actually be true.
One thing this story does extremely well is introduce us to multiple aspects of the Hispanic culture. Not only do we get shown various monsters from legends, but also food and language. What really impressed me was how effortlessly the author introduces us to phrases or terminology without it being cumbersome to read. I remember a children’s book I once read that was bi-lingual, except during the story the readers weren’t always told what something meant or given context clues and it ultimately made the reading more difficult than it needed to be. In this story, Charlie often finds himself having to figure out which monster he is in contact with, which in turn helps the reader learn about them too. One of my favorite parts is when he is with a particular monster who is upset that Charlie can’t figure out who she is. She keeps telling him all the various names people have called her throughout the years trying to get him to recognizes just one of them. She gets so exasperated with him until she finally hits on one he is familiar with. I mean, I suppose if you are going to choose to be a monster you definitely would want folks to known who you are. Right? After all you need to be recognized in order to give that big monster/evil character speech that all villains are known to do.
Here are just some of the monsters/folklore characters Charlie and Violet meet along the way:
- Sihuanaba – a ‘shape-shifting spirit’ originating from Central America, whose face can resemble a horse.
- The Just Judge – Salvadoran legend of a man with a hat dressed in black on a horse who believes the night belongs only to him.
- El Sombreron – Guatemalan legend of a bogeyman or goblin who wears a big, large hat and is seen as a gangster.
Overall, a fantastic read and one that had me racing to the Internet to learn more about the monsters and myths presented in the story.
Rating: 5 stars
November 19, 2018
This novel was an amazing read! To begin, this novel features a diverse cast. I had been waiting for sooo long to read a novel like this that featured a Hispanic protagonist! Kudos to the author! However, the novel doesn't just provide the reader with a Hispanic character, but also uses many Hispanic myths and legends to develop the plot, and done very well indeed! I appreciated that in this novel, the myths and legends are part of Charlie's quest and are not just delegated to quick mentions. Personally, I knew some of the characters from my own childhood, such as La Llorona, but there were others that I did not know, which led me to research them and learn more about my own culture and other cultures as well! This adventure book kicks it up a notch as soon as you start reading it, and I can assure you, it will be difficult to put down! Charlie's appeal is that the author created a well-developed, rounded character that we can relate to (sans his powers, of course), and it is wonderful to see that through his grandmother's stories, he is able to survive another day against the evil forces. The way that this novel pays homage to elders as Charlie uses his grandmother's wisdom is an excellent way to showcase how storytelling, passed down through generations, is invaluable! Overall, this book is a must-read for anybody that wants to find something different, something that highlights the Hispanic culture and at the same time provides enjoyment for readers! Whether you are a teen or an adult, this book is a great choice!
November 20, 2018
Charlie Hernandez grew up listening to his abuela’s stories about witches and monsters of Iberian and Central and South American myths. She made sure he knew everything inside and out. Charlie thought they were just stories until his parents disappeared and his house burned down. Soon after, Charlie started experiencing physical manifestations – horns sprouting from his head and feathers growing all over his body! Middle school is hard enough without having feathers sticking out from under your shirt. When Charlie finds his mother’s locket with a secret map inside, things are about to get even weirder. Newfound friend and longtime crush Violet Rey wants to help him find out what happened to his parents and what is now happening to him. Charlie realizes his grandmother’s stories weren’t just stories – they are real and happening to him! He is soon mixed up with the League of Shadows, who Charlie thinks is trying to help him, and La Mano Peluda (the Hairy Hand) who is trying to kill him.
This debut novel by Ryan Calejo fits right in with other books about cultural mythology. Calejo introduces various mythological characters without slowing down the pace of the book. There is a glossary at the end to help keep track of the terminology. I was very impressed with this first showing and can’t wait for more! Great for fans of Rick Riordan fourth grade and up.
This debut novel by Ryan Calejo fits right in with other books about cultural mythology. Calejo introduces various mythological characters without slowing down the pace of the book. There is a glossary at the end to help keep track of the terminology. I was very impressed with this first showing and can’t wait for more! Great for fans of Rick Riordan fourth grade and up.
October 16, 2018
4 out of 10
It's a children book written in an adult manner with a bunch of unnecessary stylization. Weird combination. Fantasy meets science, mythos meets reality, fast pacing meets weak intrigue. Not my cup of tea. But! I like the cultural side of this book.
May 13, 2019
I liked the idea, but the execution left much to be desired.
August 10, 2019
WOW! Charlie Hernandez is Awesome!
Charlie Hernandez is a 12 year old Hispanic Boy, whose parents go missing after a mysterious fire. Suddenly drawn into a world where Spanish Myths are very real, but it may or may not be up to CHarlie to save the whole world.
What I love about it is 1) Diversity with proof in the pudding 2) the awkwardness of middle school perfectly conveyed 3) the chapters are short but filled with action and drama 4) Charlie is not a push-over, goody-two-shoes, 5) the book contains a lot of Spanish dialogue, names and places; something I've never seen in Juvenile literature before 6) the mythology and dialogue in Spanish are not only explained in both English and Spanish but it is also expanded upon.
This has to be one of my top favorite Juvenile Fiction I've ever read! Enjoy!
Charlie Hernandez is a 12 year old Hispanic Boy, whose parents go missing after a mysterious fire. Suddenly drawn into a world where Spanish Myths are very real, but it may or may not be up to CHarlie to save the whole world.
What I love about it is 1) Diversity with proof in the pudding 2) the awkwardness of middle school perfectly conveyed 3) the chapters are short but filled with action and drama 4) Charlie is not a push-over, goody-two-shoes, 5) the book contains a lot of Spanish dialogue, names and places; something I've never seen in Juvenile literature before 6) the mythology and dialogue in Spanish are not only explained in both English and Spanish but it is also expanded upon.
This has to be one of my top favorite Juvenile Fiction I've ever read! Enjoy!
March 2, 2019
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Charlie Hernandez’s parents are gone. While waiting at child services for placement, he discovers tiny horns sprouting from his head and recalls the stories his abuela told him night after night, especially those about the Morphling, the myth about a young hero who always defeats his nemesis—an evil twice-cursed witch—by manifesting some kind of an animal trait.
But those were just made up stories.
No longer sleeping at the police station, he’s placed temporarily with the elderly doll collector, Mrs. Wilson, and just when life begins to feel normal again, feathers sprout up all over his body—at middle school! Thinking fast, Charlie ditches into the office and finds a long-sleeve sparkly snow jacket in the lost and found. Wearing a ski jacket during the afternoon in Miami shouldn’t bring any unwanted attention.
Then he runs into Alice-the-Terrible, 6-foot-tall-fastball-crushing all-state softball player—and she wants the locket he’s wearing. The one thing he has left of his mother’s.
Not while Violet Rey is around—super-sleuth-school-newspaper-reporter—with the megawatt smile stops Alice in her tracks. The same girl he’s crushed on since first grade. Turns out, Violet has admired Charlie’s father, the animal geneticist, ever since his presentation on the harm in breeding dogs, she even used it for the school paper. Violet is very curious about his mother’s locket and knows it’s an antique (her father owns a pawn shop). Is there anything Violet doesn’t know? But it’s locked and Charlie’s unable to open it. Violet has a look and it clicks open in seconds. Inside, they find a miniature map, with the same horns and feather insignia Charlie sees everywhere.
Together, they make an unlikely team, and go underground with the tiny map, in search of answers to where Charlie’s parents are, and they come face to face with supernatural villains, myths and folklore from all over the Spanish-speaking world.
Conversations with a calaca, and La Llorona, the weeping woman, after following the glowing orbs of La Luz Mala, deep into the woods, among many others. Charlie discovers the stories his abuela told him were true. Was she preparing him?
An exciting, fast-paced Middle Grade adventure! With friends standing up for each other and working together. I loved Violet’s character and the skills she has when they’re needed and Charlie’s self-deprecating humor. Rich in cultural mythology, and so much fun! For further study of these fascinating tales, the glossary of Spanish folklore is a good starting point. Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, or anyone who loves magic, adventure, and tracking down a mystery.
Charlie Hernandez’s parents are gone. While waiting at child services for placement, he discovers tiny horns sprouting from his head and recalls the stories his abuela told him night after night, especially those about the Morphling, the myth about a young hero who always defeats his nemesis—an evil twice-cursed witch—by manifesting some kind of an animal trait.
But those were just made up stories.
No longer sleeping at the police station, he’s placed temporarily with the elderly doll collector, Mrs. Wilson, and just when life begins to feel normal again, feathers sprout up all over his body—at middle school! Thinking fast, Charlie ditches into the office and finds a long-sleeve sparkly snow jacket in the lost and found. Wearing a ski jacket during the afternoon in Miami shouldn’t bring any unwanted attention.
Then he runs into Alice-the-Terrible, 6-foot-tall-fastball-crushing all-state softball player—and she wants the locket he’s wearing. The one thing he has left of his mother’s.
Not while Violet Rey is around—super-sleuth-school-newspaper-reporter—with the megawatt smile stops Alice in her tracks. The same girl he’s crushed on since first grade. Turns out, Violet has admired Charlie’s father, the animal geneticist, ever since his presentation on the harm in breeding dogs, she even used it for the school paper. Violet is very curious about his mother’s locket and knows it’s an antique (her father owns a pawn shop). Is there anything Violet doesn’t know? But it’s locked and Charlie’s unable to open it. Violet has a look and it clicks open in seconds. Inside, they find a miniature map, with the same horns and feather insignia Charlie sees everywhere.
Together, they make an unlikely team, and go underground with the tiny map, in search of answers to where Charlie’s parents are, and they come face to face with supernatural villains, myths and folklore from all over the Spanish-speaking world.
Conversations with a calaca, and La Llorona, the weeping woman, after following the glowing orbs of La Luz Mala, deep into the woods, among many others. Charlie discovers the stories his abuela told him were true. Was she preparing him?
An exciting, fast-paced Middle Grade adventure! With friends standing up for each other and working together. I loved Violet’s character and the skills she has when they’re needed and Charlie’s self-deprecating humor. Rich in cultural mythology, and so much fun! For further study of these fascinating tales, the glossary of Spanish folklore is a good starting point. Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, or anyone who loves magic, adventure, and tracking down a mystery.
October 25, 2023
This was advertised as “POC Percy Jackson” and while there are a lot of similarities between the two, I don’t completely agree. Let’s stop advertising books as “something meets something” and let the books develop on their own, why don’t we?
I exclusively listened to the audiobook for this one, and unfortunately fell asleep too many times to not be annoyed 😂 but that’s entirely my fault. It doesn’t say anything about the book.
The folklore and the culture were the most interesting part about this. But other than that and the obvious themes, the book gives a nice message about accepting yourself and your body as it changes and becomes something new and, should I say, atypical?
Plus, the chapters were short, the story was fast-paced, and the characters were entertaining. Let’s see how the series evolve after this first book.
I exclusively listened to the audiobook for this one, and unfortunately fell asleep too many times to not be annoyed 😂 but that’s entirely my fault. It doesn’t say anything about the book.
The folklore and the culture were the most interesting part about this. But other than that and the obvious themes, the book gives a nice message about accepting yourself and your body as it changes and becomes something new and, should I say, atypical?
Plus, the chapters were short, the story was fast-paced, and the characters were entertaining. Let’s see how the series evolve after this first book.
January 12, 2019
Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows was a fun read! I really enjoyed seeing the Latinx and Hispanic mythological creatures on the page, many of whom I'd heard while growing up Colombian. I'm incredibly drawn to these stories and often write about them, so it was a pleasant surprise finding this book. My son enjoyed the adventure and the myths, too, and we're both looking forward to book 2!
August 20, 2019
Simply fun to read!!!!!!! Literally every chapter has something happening that keeps you reading.
There is no build up, just adventure and suspense in every chapter as the author takes the reader through a smorgasbord of Latin folklore.
Already ordered the Castle of Bones and so looking forward to reading it.
I MOST highly recommend it.
There is no build up, just adventure and suspense in every chapter as the author takes the reader through a smorgasbord of Latin folklore.
Already ordered the Castle of Bones and so looking forward to reading it.
I MOST highly recommend it.
May 6, 2023
[3.5 Star]
May 20, 2020
The Charlie Hernández Series by Ryan Calejo is a middle grade adventure series Inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths. This is going to be a series review of the first two books in the series, Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows and Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones. I don't do series reviews that often, but 2020 has been the year of binge reading for me. When I find a book that I love, I want to be able to grab the next installment and continue on my fun with this characters. That is exactly what I did with Charlie, and I completely loved it! As soon as I was done with the first book, I was completely hooked and I had to immediately dive into the second book. I think this series is perfect for middle grade readers and older readers because it is just pure fun. If you are as big of a fan of legends and mythology as I am, you need to read the Charlie Hernández Series. You will love it!
Book 1- Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows
Our main character, Charlie Hernández, has been a fan of Latin American myths and legends. He gobbles up his abuela's stories of monsters and creatures, but little did he know that soon these creatures from the legends were going to come to life right before his very eyes. In true adventure story form, Charlie is swept up in a whole new world of secret societies, evil villains and creatures and a quest to rescue his parents and save the world. Everything about this book was right up my alley. I loved the vivid imagery that Ryan Calejo conjured with his prose, and I really loved the characters. Charlie sets out to figure out what on earth is happening, alongside his friend Violet face their challenges (and some pretty creepy creatures) head on. I admired both of them so much! They are brave young adults for sure! Their courage was inspiring, and the scenery was so cool. It was a blast watching all these creatures pop up around Miami, which is a city I know well. The author does such a cool job of mixing in the ordinary with the extraordinary, and as a result the story he weaves is one that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Book 2- Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones
Without being spoilery (though it is mentioned in the summary of book 2), there was a certain trait that Charlie learns about himself throughout the course of the first book, and I couldn't wait to see more of that in this installment. [spoiler]Charlie is a morphling, which means he can manifest traits of different creatures and even turn into them. Like flying or breathing underwater.[/spoiler]And I was really not let down. Charlie is one cool kid! The stakes are raised pretty dramatically in this novel, and he didn't back down once! Not only is he fascinated by legends and myths, but he is also so courageous, and the mix of magic woven into the story adds a really awesome element that I was not expecting when I first started reading book 1. There is so much fun and adventure going on this book! When Charlie hears that the Witch Queen Joanna is kidnapped he sets to save her. Along the way they travel all over the place and they meet just as many mythical creatures and big bads as they did in book one. I think this was an excellent sequel and it left me hungry for the next installment in what I hope is a long series. Charlie as a character also had some impressive story growth in this novel, which I always appreciate. I also enjoyed the different settings Charlie and Violet found themselves in. There is quite a bit of traveling that takes place in Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones.
The Charlie Hernández Series is a wonderful quest style adventure filled with great characters, oodles and oodles of myths filled with fierce creatures and monsters and lots of magic to keep readers of all ages entertained. I love these books! Throughout both books, I really enjoyed learning about the myths themselves. The books come with a handy glossary that I consulted more than a few times. I loved this addition because not only did I learn about many new to me legends, but it also helped add a richness to the plot of the story. These books are really fantastically crafted. I cannot wait for more from the Charlie Hernández Series. Please bring on book 3! This series is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan's series (any of them!), J.C. Cervantes' Storm Runner Series, or Roshani Chokshi's Pandava Quartet.
Book 1- Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows
Our main character, Charlie Hernández, has been a fan of Latin American myths and legends. He gobbles up his abuela's stories of monsters and creatures, but little did he know that soon these creatures from the legends were going to come to life right before his very eyes. In true adventure story form, Charlie is swept up in a whole new world of secret societies, evil villains and creatures and a quest to rescue his parents and save the world. Everything about this book was right up my alley. I loved the vivid imagery that Ryan Calejo conjured with his prose, and I really loved the characters. Charlie sets out to figure out what on earth is happening, alongside his friend Violet face their challenges (and some pretty creepy creatures) head on. I admired both of them so much! They are brave young adults for sure! Their courage was inspiring, and the scenery was so cool. It was a blast watching all these creatures pop up around Miami, which is a city I know well. The author does such a cool job of mixing in the ordinary with the extraordinary, and as a result the story he weaves is one that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Book 2- Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones
Without being spoilery (though it is mentioned in the summary of book 2), there was a certain trait that Charlie learns about himself throughout the course of the first book, and I couldn't wait to see more of that in this installment. [spoiler]Charlie is a morphling, which means he can manifest traits of different creatures and even turn into them. Like flying or breathing underwater.[/spoiler]And I was really not let down. Charlie is one cool kid! The stakes are raised pretty dramatically in this novel, and he didn't back down once! Not only is he fascinated by legends and myths, but he is also so courageous, and the mix of magic woven into the story adds a really awesome element that I was not expecting when I first started reading book 1. There is so much fun and adventure going on this book! When Charlie hears that the Witch Queen Joanna is kidnapped he sets to save her. Along the way they travel all over the place and they meet just as many mythical creatures and big bads as they did in book one. I think this was an excellent sequel and it left me hungry for the next installment in what I hope is a long series. Charlie as a character also had some impressive story growth in this novel, which I always appreciate. I also enjoyed the different settings Charlie and Violet found themselves in. There is quite a bit of traveling that takes place in Charlie Hernández the Castle of Bones.
The Charlie Hernández Series is a wonderful quest style adventure filled with great characters, oodles and oodles of myths filled with fierce creatures and monsters and lots of magic to keep readers of all ages entertained. I love these books! Throughout both books, I really enjoyed learning about the myths themselves. The books come with a handy glossary that I consulted more than a few times. I loved this addition because not only did I learn about many new to me legends, but it also helped add a richness to the plot of the story. These books are really fantastically crafted. I cannot wait for more from the Charlie Hernández Series. Please bring on book 3! This series is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan's series (any of them!), J.C. Cervantes' Storm Runner Series, or Roshani Chokshi's Pandava Quartet.
November 21, 2019
Full video review of Charlie Hernandez and
Dactyl Hill Squad
can be found here.
While it was great to see untranslated, unitalicized Spanglish and folkloric beings from across multiple cultures interacting together on page, the consistent use of ableist language, lack of development for important female character, and the poor choice of using a colonizer as a "good guy" ultimately left me disappointed.
While it was great to see untranslated, unitalicized Spanglish and folkloric beings from across multiple cultures interacting together on page, the consistent use of ableist language, lack of development for important female character, and the poor choice of using a colonizer as a "good guy" ultimately left me disappointed.
September 17, 2020
4.5/5 estrellas.
Necesitamos más libros con mitología latinoamericana boludoooo 🔥
Ésto fue tremendo. Una bomba. Me encantó. Ya quiero saber cómo continúa 🤯
Necesitamos más libros con mitología latinoamericana boludoooo 🔥
Ésto fue tremendo. Una bomba. Me encantó. Ya quiero saber cómo continúa 🤯
March 19, 2020
3.5 Stars .
The story really surprised me, although there were two scenes that feel not very well developed, and the end a bit rushed, I think the author has great potential and his next installments will be better.
My biggest complaint would be the death of two characters near the end, I feel that it was not necessary, because they both had a lot of potential.
La verdad la historia me a sorprendido mucho,aunque habia dos escenas que se sienten no muy bien desarrolladas,y el final un tanto apresurado, creo que el autor tiene un gran potencial y sus proximas entregas seran mejores.
Mi mayor queja seria la muerte de dos personajes casi al final,siento que no eran necesarias para la historia;pues ambos tenian mucho potencial.
The story really surprised me, although there were two scenes that feel not very well developed, and the end a bit rushed, I think the author has great potential and his next installments will be better.
My biggest complaint would be the death of two characters near the end, I feel that it was not necessary, because they both had a lot of potential.
La verdad la historia me a sorprendido mucho,aunque habia dos escenas que se sienten no muy bien desarrolladas,y el final un tanto apresurado, creo que el autor tiene un gran potencial y sus proximas entregas seran mejores.
Mi mayor queja seria la muerte de dos personajes casi al final,siento que no eran necesarias para la historia;pues ambos tenian mucho potencial.
January 7, 2019
*ARC provided by publisher*
I won’t lie the expectations for this book were over the roof. I have never read a book with Hispanic and Latin American mythology–ever–even though I am of both. So like I needed to get on these things!! So yes, the expectations were high. Lucky for me I found it quite charming, funny, a little outrageous and very magical!
What I liked:
Characters:
Charlie: He was quite the kid. He had it rough in the first couple chapters with having to deal with the emotions of his missing parents. He was a quirky kid with a big heart, no doubt. I thought his voice was incredibly well done, even though I’ve never been a 12 year old boy. He was a curious soul and he loved his family and heritage very much which is what I liked the best about him! While I don’t think he went through many dramatic character changes, I still think he learned a lot from the hectic adventures that he was put through in this book!
Violet: She was also a stellar character. She wasn’t Latina so she was new to all these myths and legends that Charlie knew so much about. I still enjoyed her very much. She was fierce and courageous. I loved her journalistic ambition and drive. For a girl so young she knew what she wanted, and knew how to get it!
The Plot:
It was very easy to follow, there was never any point where I was like “What the heck is goin’ on!?” Calejo draws out a nice history and prophecy for readers to follow and guess about along the way. It was interesting and led to some very fun and fast-paced scenes. I would have perhaps liked to spend just a little more time with La Liga, just to get to know them and their motives a little better. The explanation bits were kind of rushed, which I understand was to avoid stalling the story, but I don’t mind a little description.
The Mythology (What we are all here for):
Okay. So……………………..I’ll be 100% I knew like 3 legends from this book before going in. *A little me backstory* My parents didn’t really tell me any myths growing up except like one or two. It was mostly when we travelled back home to El Salvador that I would hear about these legends. The most prominent being La Siguananda (creepy as hell). I feel like I kind of missed out on a lot of these myths because I had no one to tell me, so books like these really help me get to know some of them. (In which I then go down a google search spiral for hours)
Anyways, back to the story! I thought the mythological aspects were great! There was a glossary at the back of the book which I often referred to it when new myths arrived! Every new legend had their own little spotlight and got their history spanned out! My favourites would have to be La Siguanada (since I actually knew her story and find it fascinating….now that I am older and not so scared XD) and Justo Juez because he is apparently super famous in El Salvador, but I didn’t know! (Google search will happen very soon)
Oh but there were so many! They added such fun and creepiness to the story! While some were more comic reliefs others really had major effects on the plot. Not all of the myths were fully evil or fully good. They all had a purpose to the story and I had a fantastic time learning about all these new kind of magical beings!
The Action:
So well done! With so many different beings to encounter there was a lot going on and poor Charlie couldn’t catch a break sometimes! There was always another myth lined up ready to be revealed. It was a great amount of fun and the scenes were super intense, but still funny which is my favourite combo! I especially liked how the author did not shy away from hiding these supernatural phenomenons from the human world. Although, it did make it harder for Charlie to hide his manifestations and bruises from near-death experiences.
Those times when there were phrases in Spanish and I didn’t need the characters to translate for me:
It feels good.
What I Disliked:
Little things here and there. Ummmm….personally I was not the biggest fan of the flow. I mean I enjoyed the action and the direction of the story, but it felt a little choppy here and there. I don’t know exactly how to explain it, but I felt like there was some connection missing between certain events. Also, there was like one big twist in the book. It was a good one, but still, gimme more.
Overall, I enjoyed this book! Did it meet those super high expectations? For the most part. Frankly, I just enjoyed the fact that I was reading a book where a part of my culture was being reflected, something I have never read before. It was so interesting to read about and I’m sure many Hispanic and Latinx folks out there will find something in this book that will make them go, “Hey! I know that legend!”
I don’t know if there is going to be a sequel…but that ending sure looked like it was ready for a sequel and I am all for it!
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars (The good four)
I won’t lie the expectations for this book were over the roof. I have never read a book with Hispanic and Latin American mythology–ever–even though I am of both. So like I needed to get on these things!! So yes, the expectations were high. Lucky for me I found it quite charming, funny, a little outrageous and very magical!
What I liked:
Characters:
Charlie: He was quite the kid. He had it rough in the first couple chapters with having to deal with the emotions of his missing parents. He was a quirky kid with a big heart, no doubt. I thought his voice was incredibly well done, even though I’ve never been a 12 year old boy. He was a curious soul and he loved his family and heritage very much which is what I liked the best about him! While I don’t think he went through many dramatic character changes, I still think he learned a lot from the hectic adventures that he was put through in this book!
Violet: She was also a stellar character. She wasn’t Latina so she was new to all these myths and legends that Charlie knew so much about. I still enjoyed her very much. She was fierce and courageous. I loved her journalistic ambition and drive. For a girl so young she knew what she wanted, and knew how to get it!
The Plot:
It was very easy to follow, there was never any point where I was like “What the heck is goin’ on!?” Calejo draws out a nice history and prophecy for readers to follow and guess about along the way. It was interesting and led to some very fun and fast-paced scenes. I would have perhaps liked to spend just a little more time with La Liga, just to get to know them and their motives a little better. The explanation bits were kind of rushed, which I understand was to avoid stalling the story, but I don’t mind a little description.
The Mythology (What we are all here for):
Okay. So……………………..I’ll be 100% I knew like 3 legends from this book before going in. *A little me backstory* My parents didn’t really tell me any myths growing up except like one or two. It was mostly when we travelled back home to El Salvador that I would hear about these legends. The most prominent being La Siguananda (creepy as hell). I feel like I kind of missed out on a lot of these myths because I had no one to tell me, so books like these really help me get to know some of them. (In which I then go down a google search spiral for hours)
Anyways, back to the story! I thought the mythological aspects were great! There was a glossary at the back of the book which I often referred to it when new myths arrived! Every new legend had their own little spotlight and got their history spanned out! My favourites would have to be La Siguanada (since I actually knew her story and find it fascinating….now that I am older and not so scared XD) and Justo Juez because he is apparently super famous in El Salvador, but I didn’t know! (Google search will happen very soon)
Oh but there were so many! They added such fun and creepiness to the story! While some were more comic reliefs others really had major effects on the plot. Not all of the myths were fully evil or fully good. They all had a purpose to the story and I had a fantastic time learning about all these new kind of magical beings!
The Action:
So well done! With so many different beings to encounter there was a lot going on and poor Charlie couldn’t catch a break sometimes! There was always another myth lined up ready to be revealed. It was a great amount of fun and the scenes were super intense, but still funny which is my favourite combo! I especially liked how the author did not shy away from hiding these supernatural phenomenons from the human world. Although, it did make it harder for Charlie to hide his manifestations and bruises from near-death experiences.
Those times when there were phrases in Spanish and I didn’t need the characters to translate for me:
It feels good.
What I Disliked:
Little things here and there. Ummmm….personally I was not the biggest fan of the flow. I mean I enjoyed the action and the direction of the story, but it felt a little choppy here and there. I don’t know exactly how to explain it, but I felt like there was some connection missing between certain events. Also, there was like one big twist in the book. It was a good one, but still, gimme more.
Overall, I enjoyed this book! Did it meet those super high expectations? For the most part. Frankly, I just enjoyed the fact that I was reading a book where a part of my culture was being reflected, something I have never read before. It was so interesting to read about and I’m sure many Hispanic and Latinx folks out there will find something in this book that will make them go, “Hey! I know that legend!”
I don’t know if there is going to be a sequel…but that ending sure looked like it was ready for a sequel and I am all for it!
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars (The good four)
December 18, 2018
With fast-paced adventure, this book steers through Central and South American myths in an exciting and fun frenzy.
Charlie is a middle-schooler, who was normal until his house burnt down and his parents disappeared. A couple of months later, and living in a foster home, his life gets really strange. Horns grow out of his head, feathers burst from his chest, and even more. If it wasn't for a sudden new friend, Violet, he might think he's loosing it. Her instincts as an investigative reporter have her more than willing to help him figure out what's happening and maybe, what happened to his parents. But neither of them expected to run face-to-face with practically every mythical creature Charlie's grandmother once taught him about. And most of them are not exactly friendly.
This is a whirl-wind adventure. The beginning reminds a bit of the Goonies but quickly steers into an extremely fast-paced adventure, reminding a bit of Rick Riordan's tales. Except in these pages, there is little time to catch a breath. Once the creatures start to appear, Charlie runs into one after another. The danger and tension fly nonstop as he and Violet try their best to figure out what is happening.
The story heads in the prophecy direction when it comes to Charlie, but it does take an interesting twist with the mounds of myths tossed in. For anyone not familiar with the myths, it's definitely a learning experience and opens up to the richness of these cultures. It also feels like jumping into cold water. With every new creature, the author builds in a very short summary to give the reader a quick glimpse behind the corresponding tale since many readers probably won't necessarily be familiar with them. But there are a lot of different myths built it. The creatures hit rapid fire, and while this definitely keeps the pace high, some pass by with a blink before the next one already swoops in. In any case, it is an exciting read that is sure to hold until the very last page.
Charlie and Violet make a wonderful duo, balancing each other with very different personalities. Charlie has the myth knowledge but is in a little over his head. Still, he does what needs to be done and reacts pretty well on his feet. Violet is gung-ho and more than ready to dive into any situation. Still, she keeps a good head on her shoulders and knows when to stop. The middle-schoolers do act a bit old for their age at times, but it reels back in during other scenes to keep it believable. Either way, it's fun and easy to root for Charlie and Violet until the very last page.
This is a fun adventure for action fans, and those who love reading tales of all those things hiding in the shadows. The myths are interesting and definitely an extra treat.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed diving into this read so much that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
Charlie is a middle-schooler, who was normal until his house burnt down and his parents disappeared. A couple of months later, and living in a foster home, his life gets really strange. Horns grow out of his head, feathers burst from his chest, and even more. If it wasn't for a sudden new friend, Violet, he might think he's loosing it. Her instincts as an investigative reporter have her more than willing to help him figure out what's happening and maybe, what happened to his parents. But neither of them expected to run face-to-face with practically every mythical creature Charlie's grandmother once taught him about. And most of them are not exactly friendly.
This is a whirl-wind adventure. The beginning reminds a bit of the Goonies but quickly steers into an extremely fast-paced adventure, reminding a bit of Rick Riordan's tales. Except in these pages, there is little time to catch a breath. Once the creatures start to appear, Charlie runs into one after another. The danger and tension fly nonstop as he and Violet try their best to figure out what is happening.
The story heads in the prophecy direction when it comes to Charlie, but it does take an interesting twist with the mounds of myths tossed in. For anyone not familiar with the myths, it's definitely a learning experience and opens up to the richness of these cultures. It also feels like jumping into cold water. With every new creature, the author builds in a very short summary to give the reader a quick glimpse behind the corresponding tale since many readers probably won't necessarily be familiar with them. But there are a lot of different myths built it. The creatures hit rapid fire, and while this definitely keeps the pace high, some pass by with a blink before the next one already swoops in. In any case, it is an exciting read that is sure to hold until the very last page.
Charlie and Violet make a wonderful duo, balancing each other with very different personalities. Charlie has the myth knowledge but is in a little over his head. Still, he does what needs to be done and reacts pretty well on his feet. Violet is gung-ho and more than ready to dive into any situation. Still, she keeps a good head on her shoulders and knows when to stop. The middle-schoolers do act a bit old for their age at times, but it reels back in during other scenes to keep it believable. Either way, it's fun and easy to root for Charlie and Violet until the very last page.
This is a fun adventure for action fans, and those who love reading tales of all those things hiding in the shadows. The myths are interesting and definitely an extra treat.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed diving into this read so much that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
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