Never Look Back

July 15, 2020
An otherworldly Latinx retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth set in the South Bronx. Pheus visits his father in the Bronx every summer. The Afro-Dominican teen is known for his mesmerizing bachata music, love of history, and smooth way with the ladies. Eury, a young Puerto Rican woman and Hurricane Maria survivor, is staying with her cousin for the summer because of a recent, unspecified traumatic event. Her family doesn't know that she's been plagued since childhood by the demonlike Ato. Pheus and Eury bond over music and quickly fall in love. Attacked at a dance club by Sileno, its salacious and satyrlike owner, Eury falls into a coma and is taken to el Inframundo by Ato. Pheus, despite his atheism, follows the advice of his father and a local bruja to journey to find his love in the Underworld. Rivera skillfully captures the sounds and feels of the Bronx--its unique, diverse culture and the creeping gentrification of its neighborhoods. Through an amalgamation of Greek, Roman, and Ta�no mythology and religious beliefs, gaslighting, the colonization of Puerto Rico, Afro-Latinidad identity, and female empowerment are woven into the narrative. While the pacing lags in the middle, secondary characters aren't fully developed, and the couple's relationship borders on instalove, the rush of a summertime romance feels realistic. Rivera's complex world is well realized, and the dialogue rings true. All protagonists are Latinx. This fresh reworking of a Greek myth will resonate. (Fabulism. 14-adult)

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July 1, 2020
Grades 9-12 Pheus can have any girl he wants, thanks to the soulful music he creates. Yet none has captivated him more than the mysterious Eury. Eury's coyness is not a game, however. She harbors a dangerous secret?Ato, the embodiment of Death, follows her, visiting misfortune on anyone receiving her affection. Even worse is that no one believes that Ato exists. When, by chance, Pheus catches a glimpse of Ato, Eury finally feels like there is a chance for freedom. They must work together, braving the underworld itself, if Eury has any chance of escaping her fate. Rivera (Dealing in Dreams, 2019) retells the Greek tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice, setting it in a magic-filled version of the Bronx, infused with the borough's Puerto Rican and Dominican cultures. She showcases her masterful grasp of setting, integrating the complexities of the modern day with the gauzy haze of ancient myth through a slow, careful unveiling. Best of all, Rivera revises the original tale to give Eury her own voice, allowing her to fill a heroic role all her own.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

Starred review from October 1, 2020

Gr 9 Up-This is a modern retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice Greek myth featuring Latinx teens. Eury and her mother lost their home to Hurricane Maria but Eury knows it was no ordinary storm. The death spirit Ato befriended Eury as a child. As she grew older, he became more possessive and sinister, wreaking havoc to get her attention and promising to take her to el Inframundo, the Underworld, so they could be together forever. No one believes Eury and she is wary of trusting people with her secret. While visiting her cousin in the Bronx, she meets Pheus, a talented and charming Afro-Dominican bachata musician. Pheus wants to spend all his time getting to know Eury and soon learns that her traumatic experience in Puerto Rico was created by a supernatural being, something outside of his comfort zone. Spending time with Eury makes him reevaluate his life, the way his friends treat others, and his casual romances. When Ato finally succeeds in taking Eury to the Underworld, Pheus risks everything to bring her back but must follow the cardinal rule of all myths: Don't turn around. This book seamlessly blends Caribbean and Greek myth into a contemporary teen novel, exploring realistic aspects of identity, stereotypes, trauma, and romance. VERDICT This #OwnVoices novel is highly recommended for all teen collections. No prior knowledge of the original myth is needed, but readers may be inspired to research it after devouring this compelling and updated retelling.-Marissa Lieberman, East Orange P.L., NJ

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