Blog Tour: THE SHAPE OF TIME by Ryan Calejo (Review)

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on THE SHAPE OF TIME by Ryan Calejo Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours.

Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

THE SHAPE OF TIME

Author: Ryan Calejo

Series: Rymworld Arcana #1
Source: ARC via Publisher
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication Date: September 12, 2023

Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Representation: Black main character, Black side characters

Summary:

First in the middle-grade mind-bending Rymworld Arcana adventure series from award-winning author Ryan Calejo, The Shape of Time is destined to be an instant classic.

Fourteen-year-old Antares De La Vega is a natural born adventurer. He dreams of journeying across burning deserts, trekking through wild and uncharted jungles, sailing the farthest reaches of the seas—and yet, he’s never even stepped foot outside of South Florida. But that all changes when strange creatures come leaping out of lightning bolts to kidnap him.

Locked away in a secret prison in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle, Antares meets fourteen-year-old Magdavellía, a mysterious and iron-willed girl who opens his eyes to a shocking that this world is a far different place than he’s been led to believe. He learns of the existence of the Flat Earth Society, an ancient secret order, whose main function is to keep the world beyond the great Ice Wall a mystery—a land known as Rymworld. But Rymworld is in trouble. Led by a nameless evil, a sinister group of mystics seek to seize control over its only true time itself.

Antares and Magdavellía must set out beyond the edges of any map to discover the a lost and forgotten island where there is rumored to exist a legendary artifact—a mythical compass that just might hold the key to foiling the mystics’ plans. Following a series of intricately concealed clues left behind by Magdavellía’s parents (clues Antares seems to be the key to unlocking), they must wield both geometry and alchemy, outsmart molemen and mermaids, and outrun fiendish outer space aliens––all while attempting to solve a riddle as old and mystifying as the sun.

Includes Black-and-White Illustrations

Purchase:

Amazon (affiliate)

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

This was a wonderful middle grade read! It definitely has the ability to become an instant classic and it showcases a great Black main character.

The story immediately had my attention and I was constantly wondering what would happen next. I loved how the different time characters were introduced and then used throughout the story.

It follows some typical tropes while adding some unique world building and a nice range of characters. I thought it had some elements of A Wrinkle In Time (one of my favourite books growing up) and that made me enjoy it even more. I felt nostalgic for this book while reading it and can't wait to pass it along to my niece!

Overall this was a great, engaging read, perfect for middle graders who love science fiction or you want to break them into the genre!

Ryan Calejo is an award-winning author born and raised in sunny

south Florida. His critically acclaimed Charlie Hernández series has been featured in half a dozen state reading lists and has earned starred reviews from Booklist and Kirkus, was a Texas Bluebonnet Master List Selection, and won an International Latino Book Award, a Sunshine State Young Readers Award, and a Florida Book Award (Gold Medal). He lives in Miami.