The Chainbreakers

July 15, 2024
Twelve-year-old Violet Moon is next in line to become a Reaper like her father, who captains the Mooney, a magical boat that’s used to rescue souls—or “Passengers”—from the Children of the Shark, ghosts that steal spirits wading in the Tides of the Lost. Their latest mission goes awry when her father is abducted by the Children of the Shark, an unprecedented event which triggers the passing of his duties to Violet. As the new captain of the Mooney, Violet must earn the respect of her crew and peers, who mourn the apparent death of her father. Yet Violet, who doesn’t believe that he’s dead, determines to sail the Mooney to the Depths to find him. But opposition from her first mate and an organization comprising myriad powerful figures called the Chainbreakers Council, as well as brewing unrest among the Reapers and Passengers, complicate matters. Randall (the Pilar Ramirez duology) introduces a large cast of memorable and fiercely protective characters to ferry this swiftly moving tale. Lush worldbuilding depicted via swashbuckling prose encapsulates a propulsive fantasy adventure that entertains while sparking thoughtful discussions about grief, legacy, and revenge. Violet’s father has brown skin. Ages 8–12.

August 1, 2024
Violet Moon, 12, must bring the Five Heavens together for a dangerous mission to save her father. Beneath the ocean waves lies the realm called the Tides of the Lost, with "water above and water below but air in between." In this space, the people of the Five Heavens, descendants of the Sun People--"children of a gold continent"--have found refuge from the Chainmakers, who sought to enslave them. This is where Violet, a Black girl, lives as a Reaper with her father, Virgil, the captain of theMooney. She's spent her life at the helm of the Heaven of Horizon's ship, helping to save Passengers, or souls, who are lost in the waters. But a Passenger rescue mission is thwarted by the Children of the Shark, Chainmakers transformed into ghostly shark-demons. They capture Violet's father, who vanishes into the Depths. The Mark of the Scythe, a lavender tattoo, is transferred to Violet, acknowledging her as theMooney's new captain, and she sets off to save her father and the others who have been pulled into a dark, dangerous lair. Violet is a powerful lead who's sharp-witted and brave and leans on friends when needed. The eloquently descriptive worldbuilding will paint vivid images in readers' minds. A magical high-seas adventure led by a strong girl with a powerful message of hope.(Fantasy. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2024

Gr 4-8-As a Reaper, Violet sails with her captain father on the Mooney to help rescue passengers (souls who've died at sea) from the Children of the Shark, also called Pointers. The Reapers descended from the original Chainbreakers who fought the Chainmakers with the help of their gods, a battle called The Storm at the Edge of the World. The Chainmakers, who captured and enslaved people, were cursed by the gods and became ghost sharks, living beneath the waves on the Tides of the Lost. The Chainbreakers established new homes under the Atlantic Ocean in the enchanted underwater world known as the Tides of the Lost, on five islands they called heavens. Violet's father gets taken by the Pointers on one voyage to rescue passengers, but she's sure he's still alive in the Depths. As the new captain of the Mooney (her father gave her his magic before diving overboard to rescue Violet's dearest friend, Moss), Violet wants to rescue her father, but this will require locating the one person who's been to the Depths and survived and convincing the other Reaper captains to join in on the dangerous mission. The action and strong emotion running through the story make for a compelling read. Themes related to the power of home and freedom and teamwork shine through the well-written text. VERDICT A fresh new fantasy for readers who enjoy feisty, brave protagonists doing what they feel is right with heart and humor.-Heidi Grange

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 10, 2025
Grades 4-7 Long ago, the Chainmakers enslaved the Sun People and carried them across the ocean. When the Sun People revolted, the Reapers were created to carry souls lost on the journey across the ocean to the five heavens (blessed islands). Violet Moon is a Reaper, and she becomes the youngest captain in the five heavens after her father is taken by the Children of the Shark. Determined to rescue her father, Violet is joined by a crew of both young and old, with the young crew members showing that age does not define ability. Randall's world building is strong, and readers will enjoy all the different legends and myths he creates around the magical undersea realms. The legend of the Chainmakers in many ways is an allegory of the enslavement of Africans: the Reapers and residents of the five heavens are Black while the Children of the Shark are described as being pale skinned. A rich fantasy that will speak to those fascinated by mythology.

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