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Messenger 93
“She will fall in seven days,” say the crows. “As she falls, so do we all.” Who falls? wonders M. The ominous, supernatural message starts M on a quest that could save more than one life. But what if the person in danger happens to be her nemesis?
Along the way, M meets up with Gray, a Cree boy with his own hopes of saving a runaway Indigenous girl. As they begin a wild journey through the city and into the bleak northern woods, M grasps for the true meaning behind the crows’ messages and pushes deeper and deeper into worlds she doesn’t know or understand, holding fast to a questionable dream that she might be a modern-day Joan of Arc.
Along the way, M meets up with Gray, a Cree boy with his own hopes of saving a runaway Indigenous girl. As they begin a wild journey through the city and into the bleak northern woods, M grasps for the true meaning behind the crows’ messages and pushes deeper and deeper into worlds she doesn’t know or understand, holding fast to a questionable dream that she might be a modern-day Joan of Arc.
- GenresYoung AdultTeen
288 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2020
4 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Radecki
2 books17 followersBarbara Radecki was an actor first, known for voicing the role of Sailor Neptune in the original English dub of the popular Sailor Moon anime. She worked extensively in film and television before turning her focus to writing. She has written several screenplays, which are in various stages of development.
Her second novel, Messenger 93, came out April 2020, in the midst of a pandemic. The story is about a teen who receives a cryptic message from a crow, and then runs off in a desperate bid to save someone. "Save her, save us all."
The video of her unique virtual book launch is posted here, and it features lots of behind-the-scenes insights and stellar performed-readings of excerpts from Messenger 93.
Her debut novel, The Darkhouse, came out to acclaim in 2016/17. She was shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize in 2017.
She was born in Vancouver, grew up in Ontario and Montreal, studied at the University of Windsor, and is now based in Toronto.
Reviews for THE DARKHOUSE:
Kirkus Starred Review
Globe and Mail: "A showstopper."
CBC Radio: One of "5 Great Books" for YA, Christmas 2016
CM Magazine: "Highly Recommended."
Join her on Facebook at:
Barbara Radecki Facebook Author Page
On Instagram at:
Barbara Radecki Instagram
Her second novel, Messenger 93, came out April 2020, in the midst of a pandemic. The story is about a teen who receives a cryptic message from a crow, and then runs off in a desperate bid to save someone. "Save her, save us all."
The video of her unique virtual book launch is posted here, and it features lots of behind-the-scenes insights and stellar performed-readings of excerpts from Messenger 93.
Her debut novel, The Darkhouse, came out to acclaim in 2016/17. She was shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize in 2017.
She was born in Vancouver, grew up in Ontario and Montreal, studied at the University of Windsor, and is now based in Toronto.
Reviews for THE DARKHOUSE:
Kirkus Starred Review
Globe and Mail: "A showstopper."
CBC Radio: One of "5 Great Books" for YA, Christmas 2016
CM Magazine: "Highly Recommended."
Join her on Facebook at:
Barbara Radecki Facebook Author Page
On Instagram at:
Barbara Radecki Instagram
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 16, 2023
Messenger 93 earns a 3.5 star rating.
Messenger 93 by Barbara Radecki is a Young Adult Fictional Thriller where the protagonist M goes on a search guided by magic crows to find her old frenemy Krista. On the way she meets someone else on a similar mission, Gray. Gray is trying to find a missing girl who’s search has been swept under the rug, nobody really cares about where she is besides some people who knew her, contrasting with M’s friend Krista who has been getting all the attention. The Author's purpose in this plotline is to show the differences between the attention given to someone who is white vs the attention given to someone who is indigenous. This issue was not well executed in the book.
The sub-plot line tries to help bring light onto culture appropriation but doesn't do it well. It ends up feeling like the author was halfway through writing the book and just stuck in the issue of culture appropriation purely from the lack of effort put into it. There aren’t any references to indigenous culture in the beginning of the book so it isn't set up well. The author also kind of struggles to describe the setting and appearance of characters, the reader is given context clues and kind of has to figure out what everyone looks like. You only really figure out everyone at the farmhouse is indigenous until someone references how, M, a white person is trying to lecture them on something. The message is good but the execution is poor.
The story was actually pretty good which is what earns this book it's 3.5 stars. The journey M goes through to try and save Krista is actually pretty interesting considering what's at stake throughout the book. I don't want to give away the story but I think for most you’ll find it a good and fast read. The dialogue can be pretty out of touch sometimes but the author does a pretty decent job with conversations in the book. For me the book just has one major flaw, the ending which makes the book feel kind of rushed.
STORY SPOILERS:
Messenger 93 by Barbara Radecki is a Young Adult Fictional Thriller where the protagonist M goes on a search guided by magic crows to find her old frenemy Krista. On the way she meets someone else on a similar mission, Gray. Gray is trying to find a missing girl who’s search has been swept under the rug, nobody really cares about where she is besides some people who knew her, contrasting with M’s friend Krista who has been getting all the attention. The Author's purpose in this plotline is to show the differences between the attention given to someone who is white vs the attention given to someone who is indigenous. This issue was not well executed in the book.
The sub-plot line tries to help bring light onto culture appropriation but doesn't do it well. It ends up feeling like the author was halfway through writing the book and just stuck in the issue of culture appropriation purely from the lack of effort put into it. There aren’t any references to indigenous culture in the beginning of the book so it isn't set up well. The author also kind of struggles to describe the setting and appearance of characters, the reader is given context clues and kind of has to figure out what everyone looks like. You only really figure out everyone at the farmhouse is indigenous until someone references how, M, a white person is trying to lecture them on something. The message is good but the execution is poor.
The story was actually pretty good which is what earns this book it's 3.5 stars. The journey M goes through to try and save Krista is actually pretty interesting considering what's at stake throughout the book. I don't want to give away the story but I think for most you’ll find it a good and fast read. The dialogue can be pretty out of touch sometimes but the author does a pretty decent job with conversations in the book. For me the book just has one major flaw, the ending which makes the book feel kind of rushed.
STORY SPOILERS:
March 2, 2025
Very interesting. Kinda slow at parts.
June 23, 2021
“You are Messenger 93. You must find her. She will fall in seven days. As she falls, so do we all. Only you can save her.” Those are the exact words that the crow said to M as it appeared in her room, hovering over her bed, in the middle of the night. But what did the crow mean? Had it all just been a dream? The next morning M finds out Krista, M’s ex best friend and nemesis, went missing the day before and hadn’t been seen since. M soon realizes Krista’s life could be in danger and it is up to her to find Krista. Along M’s journey she meets a boy with his own mission to save a runaway girl. They start off together on their journey to find the missing girls. M seeks for the truth behind the crows' messages which may lead her to more confusion and more questions. Will M be able to find Krista before it is too late?
M is my favorite character because of how brave, determined, and kind she is. Even though she's never quite sure what path to take she trusts the messages and her instincts and continues pursuing, despite her fears. M is a well developed character who is entertaining to read about and enjoyable to follow on her journey to find Krista.
I recommend this book to teenagers/highschoolers who like young adult fiction books about adventure, friendships, mystery, and journey. There is some profanity but overall this book was an interesting and fun book to read.
The message behind this book is to teach readers the importance of following your instincts, not being afraid to take adventures, and believing in yourself. I believe a hidden message in this book is that the answers may not always be right in front of you, so sometimes you have to work for what you want.
Reviewed by Alexis N., 15, North Texas Mensa
M is my favorite character because of how brave, determined, and kind she is. Even though she's never quite sure what path to take she trusts the messages and her instincts and continues pursuing, despite her fears. M is a well developed character who is entertaining to read about and enjoyable to follow on her journey to find Krista.
I recommend this book to teenagers/highschoolers who like young adult fiction books about adventure, friendships, mystery, and journey. There is some profanity but overall this book was an interesting and fun book to read.
The message behind this book is to teach readers the importance of following your instincts, not being afraid to take adventures, and believing in yourself. I believe a hidden message in this book is that the answers may not always be right in front of you, so sometimes you have to work for what you want.
Reviewed by Alexis N., 15, North Texas Mensa
January 1, 2021
3.5 stars. (I was originally rating it 4, but changed my mind.) A few things bugged me:
1. The author is Canadian, but wrote the book in American English. That might not be her fault, though; she might've done that on the advice of her editor to make it more "approachable" to an American audience.
2. There was a reference to "troopers" in a scene with police officers, but we Canadians don't have "troopers", exactly, because we don't have states. Our police officers are usually local, provincial, or RCMP detachments. Again, this might've been the editor's choice. But I'd like to see a revised edition that isn't so Americanized.
3. The ending was a bit too open-ended.
All that said, it was a pretty good book, and a fast read for me. I found the beginning a bit heavy on the similes, but it improved as the story progressed. I felt like the author's experience with writing screenplays showed through, and that this might lend well to the screen. It was also good to see the author acknowledge her white privilege, and also acknowledge the indigenous authors she sought guidance from and the tragedy of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirit. Her whole author's note/list of acknowledgements at the end felt very genuine.
1. The author is Canadian, but wrote the book in American English. That might not be her fault, though; she might've done that on the advice of her editor to make it more "approachable" to an American audience.
2. There was a reference to "troopers" in a scene with police officers, but we Canadians don't have "troopers", exactly, because we don't have states. Our police officers are usually local, provincial, or RCMP detachments. Again, this might've been the editor's choice. But I'd like to see a revised edition that isn't so Americanized.
3. The ending was a bit too open-ended.
All that said, it was a pretty good book, and a fast read for me. I found the beginning a bit heavy on the similes, but it improved as the story progressed. I felt like the author's experience with writing screenplays showed through, and that this might lend well to the screen. It was also good to see the author acknowledge her white privilege, and also acknowledge the indigenous authors she sought guidance from and the tragedy of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirit. Her whole author's note/list of acknowledgements at the end felt very genuine.
November 9, 2020
Crows come to the main character in a dream, she begins a quest but in the end the book is about culture appropriation. There are elements of this book that do not make sense but I think the message overall is a good one. This book fluctuates between a four and a two star rating. I am still confused as to where the crow stuff came from, there was no reference to indigenous culture in the beginning of the book. Cultural appropriation is a serious issue, so is MMIW and the lack of resources going into missing indigenous persons cases; however, I think a stronger tie in is needed before the adventure begins. As I was reading I kept waiting for some “big reveal” that did not come. There is no reason for her not to go home and check in with her parents or pretend she is without family (?). Yes teens can be rash but these aspects are far fetched even for the world of the characters.
Krista may have some PTSD or severe mental illness but she is clearly not well. Unsure why she only had one victim? Abusers typically have a stream of victims not just one. I do not understand Dell’s motivations either. If Krista had blackmailed Dell or threatened her perhaps Dell’s actions would have been more believable. But Dell was more popular, no way she would bend to some “random” without motivation.
A lot of potential with this book. I like how the main character is incredibly flawed but I think the reasoning behind the choices could be greatly improved.
Krista may have some PTSD or severe mental illness but she is clearly not well. Unsure why she only had one victim? Abusers typically have a stream of victims not just one. I do not understand Dell’s motivations either. If Krista had blackmailed Dell or threatened her perhaps Dell’s actions would have been more believable. But Dell was more popular, no way she would bend to some “random” without motivation.
A lot of potential with this book. I like how the main character is incredibly flawed but I think the reasoning behind the choices could be greatly improved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2020
A real page turner! I just could not put this book down. I read this book during the Covid-19 Pandemic. During this time I find myself always questioning- what message am I suppose to get from these times? How will I be changed by this? What is important right now and what roads should I follow to be sure I am "not wasting this pandemic". Reading about M fearlessly following her messages and trusting that she is on the right path even though she feels very lost and scared has been very inspiring to me. I find myself changed after reading this book- now fearlessly trusting my instincts and the messages I am hearing all around me. I feel braver now. Thank you for being so brave in writing this exquisitely written book. A must read for all young readers and adults alike.
February 2, 2021
I wanted to like this book. I thought the parallels and stark differences between the privileged missing white girls and the missing Indigenous girl as great potential but it never really materialized. The book seemed disjointed and at time just weird. The Crow and the Messenger 93 stuff never made much sense and some characters didn’t seem to have any reason to actually be in the story. The best part of he book was he author’s note where the author acknowledged that she may have appropriated Indigenous stories and opens herself to criticism.
October 17, 2020
Magic. Barbara Radecki spins a tale with rich words and vivid images. Her ear for dialogue is authentic. Teens actually sound like the teens of today. The book is filled with metaphors. A true hero's journey's ... one that is often unasked for and taken alone. Radecki grabs you in on the first page and doesn't let go. Although a perfect YA book, it is also a great read for anyone else. My suggestion? Buy it for the young adults in your life, then read it yourself before you give it to them!
May 1, 2020
From the first page to the last, you are pulled along into M’s journey. Impossible to put down. Are these messages real? Will she save the world? How will that manifest? What place do each of us have in saving the world? All of these questions follow us through the narrative, making the reader question both themselves and M’s motives. So good, on so many levels.
March 19, 2020
Wow! This book was phenomenally well written. I was engrossed by page 16. It didn't end the way I thought it would end and I was thrilled by that. This should be a suggested reading for all grade 8 students and for those that don't feel seen.
March 31, 2020
Just loved it! Thought provoking and challenges the reader to examine their own motives when we embark on selfless journeys; what are our true motives? Not just for YAs, adults will enjoy it too. Radecki’s writing is always so cinematic too.
April 7, 2020
If there is anything I love more than a novel that is brave, it's a novel with a shimmering intelligence.
Then if you throw in suspense and exquisite writing...well, let's just say that I'm in reader heaven.
Then if you throw in suspense and exquisite writing...well, let's just say that I'm in reader heaven.
August 14, 2020
It took an effort to finish this book. At certain points it’d catch you, and entice you to read on, then at other points it felt like a chore to read on. More action would be loved, but in the end it was a okay read. Not much character development.
June 2, 2020
I highly recommend this book! It's a wild story, and it has elements that every teen can relate to, learn from, and find comfort in.
October 1, 2020
Messenger 93 was quite good, but hard to follow. I didn't like the characters and I found myself very confused multiple times. Very interesting and out-of-the-box, though!
3 stars. :)
3 stars. :)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews