My week is over and I think it went pretty well! So it’s back to regular programming, I hope.

I first heard about this book when Zeezee reviewed it. Since I’ve not read much African and African-American-inspired fantasy and since I also enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, I thought I would enjoy this one. And I did!

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is a fun, fast-paced adventure that starts when a grieving Tristan moves to his grandparent’s house. He doesn’t get to stay there for long, though; on the first night, a weird doll (sorry, Gum Baby) tries to steal the book he and his best friend created. While chasing after her, Tristan accidentally created a rip in the fabric of reality and now, he has to team with the gods John Henry and Brer Rabbit to destroy the monsters that are threatening to destroy their home. All Tristan has on his side are his fists and the stories his Nana told him – will they be enough?

As expected, this was SO FUN. If you’re familiar with the Percy Jackson series, you’ll be somewhat familiar with the premise of Tristan Strong – a seemingly ordinary kid finds out that he has not-so-ordinary powers and has to go on a quest. For Tristan, the stories that his grandmother told him do more than help him understand the world that he’s in – they’re a source of power as well. In fact, the central mystery of the book revolves around the power of stories, which is something I really appreciated.

The worldbuilding was also very original, with both African-American and African gods involved. I have heard a few of these myths but many of them were new to me; for example, I’ve heard of Anansi but I’ve never heard of the story of Gum Baby. As someone who loves myths and legends, being introduced to so many myths just added to the enjoyment of the story.

Speaking of Gum Baby, she and Tristan were definitely my two favourite characters of the book. Gum Baby because she’s just so sassy that every scene she’s in is funny, and Tristan because he went on a growth journey that really made me root for him. Plus, some of his reactions when he’s talking to the gods are so funny and realistic that you can’t help but like him as a character!

I enjoyed Tristan Strong Pinches A Hole in the Sky so much that I went to look up the book and the Rick Riordan Presents series in general and I’m so happy that it’s a trilogy! I’m definitely going to pick up the second book and I’m probably going to check out the other Rick Riordan Presents books as well.