Book cover of Ballad & Dagger: An Outlaw Saints Novel

Book description

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Daniel José Older's extraordinary YA urban fantasy about two teens who discover each other while fighting for their diaspora community.

Almost sixteen years ago, Mateo Matisse's island homeland disappeared into the sea. Weary and hopeless, the survivors of San Madrigal's sinking escaped to New York.…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Ballad & Dagger as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love an urban fantasy brimming with music, magic, deadly secrets, and unimaginable power.

High school junior Mateo’s life revolves around the piano. He’s a musical prodigy who completely underestimates his potential as a demon-fighting, curse-breaking hero.

His humor and yearning to find himself hooked me from the beginning. I loved his exotic diaspora community with its quirky, endearing-to-dangerous denizens. None of his neighbors bat an eye at him living with his two doting aunts, one alive, one dead.

It made me want to fly to New York, comb Brooklyn in search of Mateo’s neighborhood, and join the party!

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