I know that if I had this book when I was a kid, I would champion it so hard (and I mean be super annoying about it like I used to be – maybe still am – when it comes to things that I love)! It was true to the reality that we live in, a real mirror and that was so awesome to see. It was diverse in more ways than one, with a cast of characters with different races and sexual orientations. Oh my goodness, this was so much fun!!!! I can’t remember the last time I read an urban fantasy that was this authentic in that it wasn’t following a bunch of white people in an urban setting.

With the help of her friends and the hot graffiti artist Robbie, Sierra must dodge Wick’s supernatural creations, harness her own Shadowshaping abilities, and save her family’s past, present, and future. Now Wick wants to become the ultimate Shadowshaper by killing all the others, one by one. Jonathan Wick, who turned the Caribbean magic to his own foul ends. Her grandfather once shared the order’s secrets with an anthropologist, Dr. Sierra soon discovers a supernatural order called the Shadowshapers, who connect with spirits via paintings, music, and stories. Well, something stranger than the usual New York mayhem is going on. And when the graffiti murals in Bed-Stuy start to weep….

Sierra’s near-comatose abuelo begins to say “No importa” over and over. But then a weird zombie guy crashes the first party of the season. Sierra Santiago was looking forward to a fun summer of making art, hanging out with her friends, and skating around Brooklyn. Note: This review is part of the 2016 Summer Reading Diversity Spotlight.

Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older