Name: Tristan Strong Keeps Punching (a Tristan Strong Novel, Book 3 Indies Signed Edition)
ISBN: 9781368077606

Kwame Mbalia

Tristan Strong Keeps Punching (a Tristan Strong Novel, Book 3 Indies Signed Edition)

The Strong family is having a reunion in New Orleans, and twelve-year-old Tristan is supposed to be keeping an eye on his younger cousin Terrance when several things happen at once: he sees his archenemy, King Cotton, and a mysterious girl grabs his magic cellphone--her name is Seraphine, and she seems to know everything about Tristan and the god Anansi (currently inhabiting the cellphone), and she has a mission for Tristan, one that is going lead to a final confrontation with haint King Cotton.

Tristan Strong Keeps Punching (a Tristan Strong Novel, Book 3)

Renee Delcourt

I absolutely love this series and just will continue to shove these books in to every person's faces that I know or ever met. I think Gum Baby is the best character ever written. I adore how the adults legitimately care. I know this is supposed to be the end of the series but I hope to God it really really isn't.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Tristan Strong Keeps Punching

Author: Kwame Mbalia

Book Series: Tristan Strong Book 3

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: Black MC and side characters, African myth and lore

Recommended For...: children’s books, middle grade, fantasy, mythology)

Publication Date: October 5, 2021

Genre: MG Fantasy

Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, gore, some scary moments, trauma, grief)

Explanation of CWs:

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents

Pages: 400

Synopsis: After reuniting with Ayanna, who is now in his world, Tristan travels up the Mississippi in pursuit of his archenemy, King Cotton. Along the way they encounter new haints who are dead set on preventing their progress north to Tristan's hometown of Chicago. It's going to take many Alkean friends, including the gods themselves, the black flames of the afokena gloves, and all of Tristan's inner strength to deliver justice once and for all.

Review: I highly enjoyed this book! The character development is great and the world building is sound. I loved the story and I love that the author does not shy away from talking about society or how life is for our main character. Now only is this an important voice for children to read about, I believe that the more talked about these issues that Tristan faces are, the more tools we give children to change the future for the better for all.

The only issue I had with the book is that the beginning of the book is slow and it takes a second for me to remember everything from the previous two books, but I highly recommend this book!

Verdict: Highly recommend!