Maya and the Rising Dark (Maya and the Rising Dark #1)

This opening installment of what will be a much-anticipated series is fast-paced and adventurous, offering a fresh blend of culture, community, and folklore rooted broadly in the African diaspora.

Astonishing series of subsequent revelations leaves readers agog, eager to know how Maya and her pals will use their powers to heal the veil and save their mostly black and brown neighborhood.... A truly #BlackGirlMagic, cloudy-day, curl-up kind of book.

Gr 5-7—Twelve-year-old Maya is daydreaming about summer break when time pauses and the color begins to bleed from the world. Her two friends, science-obsessed Frankie and occult-obsessed Eli, try to offer an explanation (science and ghosts, respectively) but when creatures from African folklore come to life in their South Side Chicago neighborhood and Maya's father goes missing, the community elders finally reveal the truth: The three tweens are godlings of the Orisha, and Maya's father is the Guardian of the Veil between worlds. With the help of her friends, Maya is determined to find her father and restore order to both worlds. Though Maya is the protagonist of this work, her community is the heart of the story and is celebrated in rich detail. Maya is fierce, observant, and unashamed of her love of comics—much like Frankie and Eli, who are similarly unapologetic of their interests. Their community is vibrant, close-knit, and diverse; neighbors spend time outside, know each other, and look out for one other. The vivid world-building, quick pace, high stakes, and steady stream of legendary African creatures keep readers engaged and invested in the tweens' predicament. VERDICT Mixing in hard choices, believable emotions, tough lessons, and mistakes made with the best of intentions, Barron has created a must-read tale. For fans of "Percy Jackson" who are yearning for a new pantheon, but not quite ready for Tomi Adeyemi's Children of Blood and Bone.—Maggie Mason Smith, Clemson University, SC

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"A fresh new fantasy adventure with epic stakes and a fierce heroine at its heart. This book will keep you turning pages well into the night!" —MarcyKate Connolly, New York Times bestselling author of the Monstrous and Shadow Weaver series

"Fantastically fun and full of characters I adore. I can't wait for Maya's next adventure!" —Stephanie Burgis, author of The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart and Kat, Incorrigible

"Maya is the kind of hero the whole world needs. If you're dwelling into the dark you couldn't ask for a better protector (or a better read)!" —Lamar Giles, author of The Last Last-Day-of-Summer

"In this unputdownable fantasy adventure, the clever, brave, and witty Maya takes a worthy place among the hall of fantasy heroes as she battles against drooling werehyenas, shapeshifting demons, and one seriously creepy Lord of Shadows. An irresistible ode to the power friendship, family, and community can have in the fight against the forces of evil." —Anne Ursu, author of The Real Boy and The Cronus Chronicles series