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.
While the rest of his tight-knit Brooklyn diaspora community dreams of someday finding a way back home, Mateo--now a high school junior and piano prodigy living with his two aunts (one who's alive, the other not so much)--is focused on one thing: getting the attention of locally-grown musical legend Gerval. Mateo finally gets his chance on the night of the Grand Fete, an annual party celebrating the blended culture of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews that created San Madrigal all those centuries ago.
But the evil that sank their island has finally caught up with them, and on the night of the celebration, Mateo's life is forever changed when he witnesses a brutal murder by a person he thought he knew.
Suddenly Mateo is thrust into an ancient battle that spans years and oceans. Deadly secrets are unraveled and Mateo awakens a power within himself--a power that not only links him to the killer but could also hold the key to unlocking the dark mystery behind his lost homeland.
From the author of the award-winning Shadowshaper Cypher series comes the first novel in the Outlaw Saints duology--a brilliant story that will transport readers to a world where magic, myth, and gods reign over the streets of Brooklyn.
Endorsed by Rick Riordan, author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, now a hit series on Disney+.
Dahlia Adler is an author
It's #JewishAmericanHeritageMonth, which is truly perfect timing for @djolder's BALLAD & DAGGER, the first YA book for Rick Riordan Presents and a contemporary fantasy that features Sephardic Jewish rep!
St. Louis County Library is the busiest library in Missouri. We offer free programs and activities for all ages. Visit us at http://t.co/JNN0cbGN.
Bestselling Young Adult Fantasy Author @djolder discusses his new book, “Ballad & Dagger: An Outlaw Saints Novel” this Saturday at 2pm at Library HQ: http://ow.ly/Zg0930sgSql https://t.co/yAnC4zFby6