Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Nov 30 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Tristan Strong is back in this sequel to Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (2019).A month's passed since rising eighth grader Tristan's first adventure in Alke, the world where African American folktale heroes are gods who live alongside African deities. Tristan's now an Anansesem, "a carrier and spreader of stories," and after the Shamble Man, a new foe, kidnaps his grandmother and takes her back to Alke, he follows, determined to rescue her. Tristan heads off on an adventure that will challenge his reluctant hero-ness (realistically, this aspect of his character hasn't changed) and force him to reckon with the truth: Though he saved Alke, he was also the reason Alke was in danger in the first place. Fans of the first book will cheer the return of old friends, like capable, reliable Ayanna; the ever quippy Gum Baby (who steals the show, as per usual); and cellphone-bound trickster Anansi, and appreciate the new characters. The ending is nothing short of earth-shattering, promising a fascinating next entry. Well-paced-just like the previous installment-this sequel focuses on themes such as the meaning of diaspora and the effects of trauma, making for a more nuanced and stronger story than the first. The human characters are Black with varying shades of brown skin.Packs a punch. (map) (Fantasy. 10-14)

ALA Booklist (Thu Nov 30 00:00:00 CST 2023)

A few weeks following the events of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (2019), Tristan's summer on his grandparents' Alabama farm is once again interrupted by the stirrings of an otherworldly evil. This time, an armored hulk called the Shamble Man arrives with a vengeance, kidnapping Tristan's grandma, whose own magical connections are revealed. Thus begins another whirlwind adventure through Alke, home to the myths and folktales of the African diaspora, as Tristan allies with powerful friends old and new, unravels the mystery of the Shamble Man, and fights to save Nana d both his worlds. Mbalia's universe continues to excite through sheer conceptual brilliance, nonstop action and adventure, and t's be honest e comical aggression of sidekick god Gum Baby. This time around, the story largely reacts to book one, with the idea of trauma being central to both Tristan's inner journey and the greater plot. An apocalyptic conclusion serves as the dark nadir in the second act of a planned trilogy, setting up an epic conclusion that fans will be eager for.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Mbalia's debut, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, was an instant hit, garnering a Coretta Scott King Honor and New York Times best-selling status, and this series is only picking up steam.

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

In the sequel to CSK honoree Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (rev. 7/20), Tristan once again finds himself responsible for saving Alke from destruction. This time, however, the stakes are even higher, as the fate of Alke is intricately intertwined with the fate of the real world. A month after Tristan's return to his family's farm in Alabama, a mysterious monster called the Shamble Man abducts Tristan's grandmother and takes her back to Alke. Tristan is determined to save her, so he embarks on an adventure that will again challenge his hero identity and force him to consider a difficult truth: although he did previously save Alke, he was also the one who created the danger. Fans of the first novel will enjoy this sequel, as familiar characters, such as Gum Baby and Ayanna, populate the story and new African and African American gods, such as Keelboat Annie and Mami Wata, are introduced. Mbalia's stunning landscapes, suspenseful action sequences, and well-paced story line -- including questions of how our stories can create but also destroy -- will keep readers enthralled to the very end.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Tristan Strong is back in this sequel to Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (2019).A month's passed since rising eighth grader Tristan's first adventure in Alke, the world where African American folktale heroes are gods who live alongside African deities. Tristan's now an Anansesem, "a carrier and spreader of stories," and after the Shamble Man, a new foe, kidnaps his grandmother and takes her back to Alke, he follows, determined to rescue her. Tristan heads off on an adventure that will challenge his reluctant hero-ness (realistically, this aspect of his character hasn't changed) and force him to reckon with the truth: Though he saved Alke, he was also the reason Alke was in danger in the first place. Fans of the first book will cheer the return of old friends, like capable, reliable Ayanna; the ever quippy Gum Baby (who steals the show, as per usual); and cellphone-bound trickster Anansi, and appreciate the new characters. The ending is nothing short of earth-shattering, promising a fascinating next entry. Well-paced-just like the previous installment-this sequel focuses on themes such as the meaning of diaspora and the effects of trauma, making for a more nuanced and stronger story than the first. The human characters are Black with varying shades of brown skin.Packs a punch. (map) (Fantasy. 10-14)