Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia

Abstract

Reviewed by: Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia Alaine Martaus Mbalia, Kwame Tristan Strong Destroys the World. Rick Riordan/Disney Hyperion, 2020 [400p] (Tristan Strong) Trade ed. ISBN 9781368042383 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781368068024 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R* Gr. 4-7 A month has passed since Tristan Strong punched a hole in the sky, releasing an evil haint into the myth and folklore–populated world of Alke. Now a new foe, the powerful Shamble Man, has forced its way into Tristan's world and kidnapped his grandmother. To save her, Tristan reunites with old comrades and teams up with a few new ones, but there's more to the Shamble Man than anyone realizes, because this time the villain has a grudge against Tristan himself, and his actions may spell doom for all of Alke's inhabitants. As dark history leaches poison into the waters and the specter of the defeated haint rises in a new form, Tristan must choose between saving his friends and destroying their world forever. Mbalia returns with a sequel as impressive and even more compelling, offering all the power-packed goodness of the previous volume, with well-plotted pacing and a quick-witted narrative voice. Tristan may be a less reluctant hero this time, but he still grapples with his past deeds, the trauma he experienced, and his fitness for the role. Old favorites are also back, including the raft-piloting heroine Ayanna, scene-stealing Gum Baby, and Anansi, who crafts hilariously useful apps from his Story Box Phone prison. New figures like Keelboat Annie and Mami Wata, meanwhile, round out the cast with strong female-focused myth and folklore, and valuable new concepts are woven in, from storytelling quilts to the African diaspora. A stunning conclusion will leave readers breathless and eager for the next installment. [End Page 93] Copyright © 2020 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois