The Fire Keeper

September 1, 2019

Gr 5-8-Zane Obispo has had a lot to get used to in the past few months: relocation to Holbox Island with his mom and uncle Hondo and his nawal friend Brooks, his ability to wield fire, and his strained relationship with his dog Rosie, who hasn't really been listening to him since she returned from the underworld as a hellhound. Just as Zane is about to leave the island to help his Maya god father, Hurakan, Zane comes across Ren-another godborn like him-and as they make their way through Xib'alb'a, Zane discovers that there are many more godborns than he'd thought. To make matters worse, the godborns are in danger, and Zane realizes he must do something to help them, and his father, before it is too late. This second installment in the series follows Zane and characters old and new as they face the familiar struggles of forging identity and figuring out whom to trust. Short chapters will pull readers in and keep them turning pages long into the night. The addition of new mythological characters will catch the attention of those interested in Mayan and Aztec mythology. VERDICT A fast-paced addition to a solid middle grade series whose mythological roots are sure to satisfy fans of the first book.-Selenia Paz, Harris County Public Library, Houston

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 15, 2019
Zane Obispo must die in order to save all the other young godborns of the world after he accidentally reveals their existence to the gods. Since the events of series opener The Storm Runner (2018), Mexican American Zane has been holed up on an island off Mexico's Caribbean coast with his mother, uncle Hondo, best-friend-and-maybe-crush Brooks, and Ms. Cab the seer, kept hidden from the other Maya gods' eyes by a magical barrier drawn by the goddess Ixtab. When another godborn named Ren shows up, she sets off a chain of events that forces them off the island to save both other godborns, who have been kidnapped, and Zane's father, the disgraced Maya god Hurakan. That journey will take them to the underworld and back to the U.S. in search of a god named the Fire Keeper. As in the first book, the plot is busy, and the conclusion feels unfinished, even for a series entry. Readers without a detailed memory of the first book may find themselves confused for the lack of backstory. The female characters, though full of personality and with major magical powers, feel underused, alas. What gives the book its charm is the many Maya gods and demons, who do not present like stereotypical old, wise beings but come with all the snark and melodrama of any 21st-century character. Diagnosis: middle-book syndrome, but it'll satisfy hungry readers who are fans of fast-paced stories. (Fantasy. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2019
Grades 4-7 Zane is back with allies old and new to tackle new adventures, starting with finding (and saving) as many other godborns in the world as possible and rescuing his father, Hurakan, from imprisonment. The big question is whether he can do both, and at what cost? The Maya gods have their own devious plots, and everyone gets tangled up in them. So it's up to Zane and his friends to fight for the best outcome. The beginning of the book is on the slow and steady side, setting the scene and getting readers back into the groove of the world, but about a fifth of the way in, the action begins and never lets up. Cervantes has written an excellent sequel that doesn't fall short, gearing readers up for big battles in the future. The story's cast has grown considerably, but the characters are all distinct and relatable in their own ways. In case anyone gets lost, though, there's a handy glossary at the back, complete with pronunciations. Don't miss it if you like gods and monsters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)