Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Before he ages out of seeing Holy Beings, Nathan must find water monster Dew a mentor.A couple of years after the events of Healer of the Water Monster (2021), Nathan's life in Phoenix, Arizona, is changing-he and his mother, Janet, are moving in with Janet's boyfriend and his son, the book's co-protagonist, Edward. More than that, Nathan's going through puberty and knows his time with Dew is limited-her new guardian will be Edward. But to ensure that Dew learns the water monster songs, she needs a mentor. Nathan wants it to be powerful water monster Yitoo Bi'aanii, who eagerly returns to the Fourth World. Upon seeing how her river has dwindled, Yitoo declares that an Enemy is stealing the water. The quest to thwart the Enemy is quickly complicated as the stakes rise and the heroes face conflicting loyalties. The environmentalist narrative embraces nuance and complications, avoiding easy answers without undermining the possibility of a hopeful future. Edward, newly informed of his Diné family's brutal relocation era story, also struggles with inherited trauma, while Yitoo, who was witness to the violence, carries the atrocities with her. Additionally, Edward grapples with the fact that his late mother was White and with being the only household member who is not fully Diné. The bittersweet ending is as beautiful as the prose describing the fantastical journey to get there.Thought-provoking and full of heart; a genuinely pleasurable read. (author's note, glossary, note from Cynthia Leitich Smith) (Fiction. 10-14)

Horn Book (Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In this sequel to Healer of the Water Monster (rev. 7/21), Nathan and his mother and Edward and his father have moved in together. Both boys can see Holy Beings from traditional Dine stories, such as playful Dew and powerful Yitoo, water monsters from the first book. Now that Nathan is entering puberty, he will soon lose his ability to see them, and before that happens, he needs to travel to the Third World to ask Yitoo to mentor Dew. She agrees, but upon her return to the Fourth World (this world), Yitoo finds that her water is being diverted from sacred Navajo lland to be used for private swimming pools and water parks. She vows to take her water back and return it to its rightful owners, but her methods would destroy many cities and communities. Navajo author Young interweaves the atrocities of the Long Walk, Navajo traditional beliefs, and modern issues of climate change and water consumption in an action-filled adventure featuring two appealing Indigenous protagonists. Young readers are faced with big questions about identity, justice, and inherited trauma. An author's note and glossary add further context.

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

Before he ages out of seeing Holy Beings, Nathan must find water monster Dew a mentor.A couple of years after the events of Healer of the Water Monster (2021), Nathan's life in Phoenix, Arizona, is changing-he and his mother, Janet, are moving in with Janet's boyfriend and his son, the book's co-protagonist, Edward. More than that, Nathan's going through puberty and knows his time with Dew is limited-her new guardian will be Edward. But to ensure that Dew learns the water monster songs, she needs a mentor. Nathan wants it to be powerful water monster Yitoo Bi'aanii, who eagerly returns to the Fourth World. Upon seeing how her river has dwindled, Yitoo declares that an Enemy is stealing the water. The quest to thwart the Enemy is quickly complicated as the stakes rise and the heroes face conflicting loyalties. The environmentalist narrative embraces nuance and complications, avoiding easy answers without undermining the possibility of a hopeful future. Edward, newly informed of his Diné family's brutal relocation era story, also struggles with inherited trauma, while Yitoo, who was witness to the violence, carries the atrocities with her. Additionally, Edward grapples with the fact that his late mother was White and with being the only household member who is not fully Diné. The bittersweet ending is as beautiful as the prose describing the fantastical journey to get there.Thought-provoking and full of heart; a genuinely pleasurable read. (author's note, glossary, note from Cynthia Leitich Smith) (Fiction. 10-14)

School Library Journal (Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Gr 5–7 —The second installment in the "Healer of the Water Monster" series is a fantastical blend of action, Navajo lore, and familial relationships. As Nathan is getting older, he understands he needs to pass the care of Dew the water monster off to Edward, his (sort of) stepbrother. But that doesn't make it any easier, coupled with the fact that Dew needs to learn more about her water monster siblings. So when Yitoo arrives to teach Dew, it seems like the perfect fit! However, Yitoo has quite the grudge against the Pale People and sets out on a path of revenge. Readers will be engaged in the fascinating Navajo legends and characters that Young has populated throughout the novel. Young deftly touches on a number of tough topics like climate change, generational trauma, and divorce in a manner that is insightful and age appropriate. The evolving relationship between Edward and Nathan is realistic and heartwarming and highlights the dynamics of blending families. Yitoo, while being downright mean at times, is still easy to empathize with. VERDICT An immersive and heartfelt story that tackles tough topics with grace.—Tara Peace