This is a solid sequel to the first book and makes a fine duology. The world has changed since the events of the last novel and now our two protagonists are visiting the results of their efforts and connecting deeper to their heritage and thier powers.

I enjoyed this book and was so confused. Older drops the reader right into the action which confused me a little because of the gap between reading the first and this one I quickly remembered and became invested only to have the characters go from an intimate moment to being completely separated. Eventually I was able to figure things out even though I somehow felt fully invested. this narrative does not have clear edges or a defined magic system which I do not prefer but also did not mind. I still do not one hundred percent know how I feel about this one.

An enchanting story that's unputdownable. Definitely leaves an emptiness when its over. The dialogue is crisp and snappy. The plotlines twist and turn and tumble in the most intriguing and delightful ways. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for this DRC.
Although I found this book very interesting, I did find myself not paying attention. Something about it was a little slow or a little too long in parts.


#LastCantooftheDead #NetGalley

Thanks to Disney Publishing Worldwide for the review copy of this book.

This dad read Last Canto of the Dead, the second novel in the Outlaw Saints series by Daniel José Older. We jump right back into the story of Mateo and Chela, a pair of teenagers-turned-gods that must fight for their love and the salvation of their native island, San Madrigal. What book one, Ballad & Dagger, had going for it was a unique take on the YA/fantasy genre. With its rich culture filled with music, language, and magic, I was delighted to jump into a world that felt ready for adventure. Did Last Canto of the Dead live up to my expectations? Let’s dig in.

Last Canto of the Dead sets up an intriguing second chapter for the Outlaw Saints. Mateo and Chela are not just teenagers in love but they’re now the embodiment of literal gods. With San Madrigal back on the map and a number of new threats on the horizon (including one that would make it near impossible for the duo to stay together), Canto primes readers for an epic experience. The story that unfolds ends up being unnecessarily intricate, a narrative that occasionally stumbles and ultimately left me unsatisfied.

At the very least I was expecting elements that I always enjoy about Older’s writing: humor, humanity, and heart. While those three elements are definitely present in Last Canto of the Dead, they got lost amongst fight scenes, exposition, and a plot that never quite got off the ground. By the end of the novel I found myself confused at what exactly the stakes were for our heroes. I think that broadening the scope of the story actually hurt the novel in the long run. I can see what Older’s is doing here, blending fantasy, romance, and lore, but I think a smaller, more tightly focused plot revolving around Mateo and Chela’s relationship would have left me more satisfied.

Ultimately, Last Canto of the Dead is a stew with too many ingredients, resulting in an edible meal that won’t leave you asking for seconds. Hyperbole aside, Last Canto of the Dead left me wanting more. Older’s skill and personality definitely shine through and if you’re a fan of his writing and enjoyed book one I’d say give it a shot, otherwise, it’s a 2 out of 5 stars for me.

Daniel José Older's follow up to Ballad and Dagger really leans into the weird side of his Caribbean diaspora mythic fantasy, and I am entirely here for it. With their island of San Madrigal returned, but in intense danger, Chela (the incarnation of a deity of both destruction and creation) sticks around to fight it out with the monsters, while Mateo (a healer deity) goes back to their people in New York to take on the political machine that lives even in small communities, and fight disinformation spreading about the events that lead to the current crisis. I liked it quite a bit.

I found that I really struggled with the writing of this series. Since it was part of the "Rick Riodion Presents", I was hoping that the writing would be of a high caliber. Loved the cover art, loved the idea behind the story, and the cultural elements, but the writing is ultimately what made me not purchase this for the collection. Makes me hesitant to purchase anymore from this imprint without reviewing it first.

A sequel to the Ballad & Dagger series. I feel that this story wasn't as strong as the first book. It wasn't a bad story in any way but it just didn't pull me in like the first one. There were some parts that seemed to drag and got too much attention and other parts that needed more. Overall, I will include this in my classroom collection but it won't be one that I hype up a lot.

Last Canto of the Dead is the sequel to last year's Ballad & Dagger, and it picks up immediately from where that first story leaves off. I loved Mateo and Chela and was so glad to be back with them and their world. Sequels are always hard for me to talk about because I worry about spoilers, but like the first one, I found this to be stunning. Older has created a world that feels so familiar yet also so unique. His prose is lyrical and rhythmic and powerful.

Last Canto has BIPOC Jewish rep, LGBTQ+ rep, and really plays with the concept of questioning who writes your history...and whose history they leave out while doing so. The story goes back and forth between Chela and Mateo as they soon have to separate and you are with each as they grapple with who they are in the present, and the spirits they have always been throughout time. I also love how much Spanish is woven throughout the text.

My only issue was not with the book at all--I went back and forth between the digital ebook and the audiobook, and I found myself getting pretty confused in some parts with the audiobook. Personally, I think this was a me problem, because the narrator (Lee Osorio) is amazing. I will definitely be purchasing these books so I can reread!

Mateo and Chela are not just teens in love but they are also gods, the gods of creation, healing and destruction and they are fighting to not just save the world most people know, Brooklyn, but also their mythical world, San Madrigal. They have both lost so much but must find their way through to save what they do have left.
This is the sequel to Ballad and Dagger, and has so much action and suspense packed into it I can’t believe the book still shuts. I am not sure if it seemed a bit slow at times because I haven’t read the first book or there was just so much detail. But in all it was a good book and I would like to go read the first now.

Daniel Jose Older’s follow up to “Ballad & Dagger” is as phenomenal as Book 1. Mateo and Chela are rich, vivid characters you automatically root for and their love story is super sweet. The impact of colonialism, colorism, and loss of community continue to be explored as Mateo and Chela fight against foes to restore their home .

I had trouble reading this book. It was disjointed and hard to follow, and the first quarter or so was focused largely on the social problems caused by Chela's and Mateo's new powers, as well as their developing relationship, rather than anything necessary to the plot. I read the first book and enjoyed it, but even so, I had trouble getting through this one. The repetition of fights with the bambaruto and the evolution of the bambaruto seemed tangential at best. The book got better as it progressed, and more text was spent on the plot than on character development, but it wasn't enough to redeem the book for me; it was barely enough to get me through the end of the book. The focus of the novel seems to be Chela and Mateo trying to deal with life after finding out they've become gods - in Chela's case, two gods with opposing powers and desires - as well as finding out they are now immortal... but that's kind of a key characteristic of gods to me, so I don't know why it was such a big deal.

There are people who will love the chaos that occurs throughout the book, but for myself, I found it difficult to follow and thought some of it was irrelevant to advancing the storyline or exploring the characters. It just didn't do it for me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Last Canto of the Dead is the wonderfully explosive second book of the Outlaw Saints series by Daniel Jose Older. This book really kept up the momentum of the first book with all the action and adventure that came with San Madrigal, but takes the conflict and adventure from their Brooklyn home in Little San Madrigal to the newly risen island of San Madrigal. Chela and Mateo are in for the battle of their lives and the precious island as they rally themselves to deal with what it means to be spirits incarnate, fight off evil plots, internal conflict & being in love in this brilliant, but messy state of their lives. There was a lot to keep up with in the story so I can see how some of it might confuse readers a bit, but I strongly recommend reading these in order. You won't understand the context without the first book. For those returning to the series, strap in for a great ride. I highly recommend it for ages 15+. It's a 5/5 for me. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for this wonderful arc and a chance to relive the magic of San Madrigal again.

Mateo and Chela (Galanika and Oklana and Madrigal) raise the island of San Madrigal from the ocean and are immediately faced with more problems. Somehow Mateo's ancestor Archibaldo and Tolo's mother Mimi survived the island's sinking. Mateo and Chela must delve deep into the island's (and their) history to save the island. This one sort of drug on a little too much for me until the last quarter.

This takes place one second after the last book ends, and to put it simply, Mateo and Chela's lives become utter chaos. The island rising from the ocean may be a dream come true, but it also sank for a reason. Monsters have infested the land, and there are some other hidden secrets as well. This is especially difficult for Chela, who is as much the spirit Madrigal as she is literally the island itself. A bit confusing for any teenager, but Chela can hold her own.

This book makes quick work of separating Mateo and Chela near the beginning of the story, and I think it’s all the better for it. The narrative benefits from Chela being on the island, exploring her powers and making a new friend (my favorite character in the book, by the way). I loved seeing Chela struggle and overcome, loved living in her head, which is full of so much strength and determination. Going solo makes her ultimate success even more resounding. Mateo, on the other hand, is sent back to Little Madrigal to dig into the history of the island. It’s fun seeing him step into a leadership role, become closer with Tolo, and work through the grief and sacrifice from Ballad & Dagger. We reconnect with family and friends—and foes!—from the last book, and even though little time has passed since we last saw them, everything has changed. His time back home isn’t always easy, but it’s certainly worth it.

There is truly something special about how vivid these books are, how they are like music for your eyes. There’s a rhythm beneath the story that bubbles up to the surface in the dialog and action sequences. Both of these books are so easy to read because they push you forward with an urgency that makes you excited to turn each and every page. History and culture collide in Last Canto of the Dead, but this is as much a story about us versus them as it is about us versus ourselves. There is a political undertone that’s difficult to ignore; a conversation between Mateo and various characters about the correct way to fight for your rights, to forgive those who wronged you, to pave a path for the generation to come.

The story comes to a resounding crescendo that shakes the very earth of the island as the past and the present collide. I know this is the last we’ll see of the Outlaw Saints series, but with a world so full of life, I hope that one day Daniel José Older will treat us to a new song as sweet and symphonious as this one.

I am going to give my honest opinion of this title. I was beyond lost. Granted I had not read the first book in this series. However, I have found that most Rick Riordan Presents titles you can pick up a book in the series and get enough background to feel confident reading it. Not with this book I was just lost from page one. I was still just as lost for 80% of the book. There were so many cultural references that I just could not connect to without having more background information. That made this book personally very difficult for me to read. I couldn’t really connect with the characters, nor was I swept up in the story. Overall, this book was a personal miss for me. That doesn’t mean that it will not resonate powerfully with the correct audience. I sadly just wasn’t that audience.
Thank you so much to Disney Worldwide and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Author Daniel José Older takes readers into one of the most vivid and detailed fictional worlds ever encountered in Last Canto of the Dead, the epic saga to Ballad & Dagger. The two immortals-turned-teenagers story continues as they are forced apart to wage two battles, one in the Caribbean and one in Brooklyn. Their powerful love stands unwavering as the duo is forced apart to face old enemies and new battles.

Older once again continues to bring the world of Mateo, Chela, and San Madrigal to life by raising the stakes even higher than Ballad & Dagger. By shifting the story from only Little Madrigal in Brooklyn to the island of San Madrigal, Older adds a new layer of mythological storytelling, immediately capturing the imagination. Mateo and Chela’s own love story also takes center stage, even as they spend much of the book apart. Older takes care to build the stakes within the relationship and ensures readers feel the pining and love for one another in both points of view. By splitting readers’ team between Mateo and Chela, Older impossibly ups the ante as they each wage their own battles. Mateo’s return to Brooklyn hinges on a mysterious prophecy, thus creating an even more compelling story. Mateo and Chela’s otherworldly connection is still felt, but they’re each determined to fight for their people in whatever way they can.

As often is the case in sequels, epic battle moments are a must. Older takes care never to have a battle scene simply for the sake of a battle scene, but rather ensures each has a purpose in hurdling our two heroes forward in the plot line. The pacing of the story builds quickly, and the book is a difficult one to put down once fully settled back into the world. The larger-than-life main characters combined with the poetic prose from Older create the feeling of falling into another world where anything is possible. The magic and mythology within Last Canto of the Dead is beautifully woven throughout the story and feels near tangible at times while reading.


Author Daniel José Older takes readers into one of the most vivid and detailed fictional worlds ever encountered in Last Canto of the Dead, the epic saga to Ballad & Dagger. The two immortals-turned-teenagers story continues as they are forced apart to wage two battles, one in the Caribbean and one in Brooklyn. Their powerful love stands unwavering as the duo is forced apart to face old enemies and new battles.

Older once again continues to bring the world of Mateo, Chela, and San Madrigal to life by raising the stakes even higher than Ballad & Dagger. By shifting the story from only Little Madrigal in Brooklyn to the island of San Madrigal, Older adds a new layer of mythological storytelling, immediately capturing the imagination. Mateo and Chela’s own love story also takes center stage, even as they spend much of the book apart. Older takes care to build the stakes within the relationship and ensures readers feel the pining and love for one another in both points of view. By splitting readers’ team between Mateo and Chela, Older impossibly ups the ante as they each wage their own battles. Mateo’s return to Brooklyn hinges on a mysterious prophecy, thus creating an even more compelling story. Mateo and Chela’s otherworldly connection is still felt, but they’re each determined to fight for their people in whatever way they can.


As often is the case in sequels, epic battle moments are a must. Older takes care never to have a battle scene simply for the sake of a battle scene, but rather ensures each has a purpose in hurdling our two heroes forward in the plot line. The pacing of the story builds quickly, and the book is a difficult one to put down once fully settled back into the world. The larger-than-life main characters combined with the poetic prose from Older create the feeling of falling into another world where anything is possible. The magic and mythology within Last Canto of the Dead is beautifully woven throughout the story and feels near tangible at times while reading.


Overall, Last Canto of the Dead is everything readers could hope for in a sequel. Epic battles, epic romance, and believable mythology that pulls you in the moment the pages touch your fingers.

Last Canto of the Dead is a satisfying sequel to Ballad and Dagger, but it got bogged down in its own story sometimes.

Chela and Mateo arrive at San Madrigal to find more bambarutos and other creatures of lore, ancestors they thought were long dead, and a curse that says if they are together, San Madrigal will fall. When one peak blows up, Chela sends Mateo back to Little Madrigal to research and figure out what to do to win the war that is coming. When he arrives, he finds that Tolo's club blew up the same time as the peak did, and the police are harassing his community. There are factions here, too, who want to take over and bring about the war on San Madrigal.

At times, the details of what was going on was convoluted. The love affair between Chela and Mateo feels too strong and not realistic, even though they are incarnations of gods. The backstory of why the inhabitants of San Madrigal are at war is hard to understand as well.

But overall, this story is enjoyable to read, and I was invested in finding out what happens to Chela and Mateo! Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

Book 2 of this duology jumps right into the action on San Madrigal as Mateo and Chela fight to be together and keep their newly raised island afloat. That is proving to be difficult with Mateo’s evil uncle and his terrible beings trying to defeat them at every turn. This is a book about finding your roots, holding onto what they are and confronting the uncomfortable parts of that because all of it makes us who we are!

Last of the Dead picks up right where Ballad & Dagger left of. It jumps right back into the thrilling world of magic, gods and love. Mateo and Chela are thrust into battles that forces then apart. As the two teens are actually gods in disguise they must find a way to save everyone from their enemies. Mateo and Chela must find their way back together while saving everyone in the process. I
really enjoyed this installment of the Ballad & Dagger but I did have to go back to the first to refresh on some of the world building,