Ryan Calejo

Charlie Hernandez and the Golden Dooms

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

Book: Charlie Hernandez and The Golden Dooms

Diversity: Mexican American MC, Mexican American characters, Mexican characters, and Hispanic characters

Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, mythology, Mexican folklore and mythology, Percy Jackson vibes

Age Relevance: 10+ (violence, peeping tom references, pet kidnapping)

Explanation of Above: There is some slight violence in the book. There is a reference to a peeping tom that some younger kids might not understand. There are scenes where pets are said to be kidnapped.

Synopsis: After hitchhiking across Central and South America to rescue the Witch Queen and face off against La Mano Peluda, Charlie Hernández is pretty much grounded for life. But after all he’s been through, some quiet time at home with his parents might be nice. Though it would be better if he didn’t have to share his room with his obnoxiously perfect cousin Raúl, who’s staying with them.

But quiet is hard to come by when you’re the fifth and final morphling, and it’s not long before death walks back into Charlie’s life. Or at least, the dead do, starting with a mysterious young calaca who corners him at school, dropping cryptic hints about trouble brewing in the 305. With the League of Shadows focused on repairing fractured alliances and tracking gathering armies, this one’s up to Charlie to solve.

Following the clues only leads to more questions, and not even teenage investigative journalist extraordinaire Violet Rey can figure out how a sudden rooster infestation, earthquakes, missing persons, and a pet-napping gang of lizard-men—whom Charlie doesn’t recognize from any legend—are all connected. Most concerning of all is when they learn a map has been stolen that reveals the locations of the Golden Dooms, the twelve ancient calaca watchmen who form the magical barrier between the realms.

To stop the impending invasion, Charlie and Violet must outwit an ancient evil and unravel the most sinister of schemes. That is, unless they’d rather watch the Land of the Living get overrun by the dead.

Review: This was such a sweet book and a good addition to the Charlie Hernandez line up! I loved the continued story and how the characters continued to develop. The book did well to have a lot of light hearted moments in what is probably a bit of darkness in the book. The author also crafted a well done mystery in this book. The book had well developed characters and world building.

The only thing I can really critique about the book is how it was a bit wonky in pacing, but otherwise it was a well done book!

Verdict: It was great! I recommend this series!

Paige Green

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

 

Book: Charlie Hernandez and The Golden Dooms

 

Author: Ryan Calejo

 

Book Series: Charlie Hernandez Book 3

 

Rating: 5/5

 

Diversity: Mexican American MC, Mexican American characters, Mexican characters, and Hispanic characters

 

Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, mythology, Mexican folklore and mythology, Percy Jackson vibes

 

Publication Date: September 13, 2022

 

Genre: MG Fantasy

 

Age Relevance: 10+ (violence, peeping tom references, pet kidnapping)

 

Explanation of Above: There is some slight violence in the book. There is a reference to a peeping tom that some younger kids might not understand. There are scenes where pets are said to be kidnapped.

 

Publisher: Aladdin

 

Pages: 384

 

Synopsis: After hitchhiking across Central and South America to rescue the Witch Queen and face off against La Mano Peluda, Charlie Hernández is pretty much grounded for life. But after all he’s been through, some quiet time at home with his parents might be nice. Though it would be better if he didn’t have to share his room with his obnoxiously perfect cousin Raúl, who’s staying with them.

 

But quiet is hard to come by when you’re the fifth and final morphling, and it’s not long before death walks back into Charlie’s life. Or at least, the dead do, starting with a mysterious young calaca who corners him at school, dropping cryptic hints about trouble brewing in the 305. With the League of Shadows focused on repairing fractured alliances and tracking gathering armies, this one’s up to Charlie to solve.

 

Following the clues only leads to more questions, and not even teenage investigative journalist extraordinaire Violet Rey can figure out how a sudden rooster infestation, earthquakes, missing persons, and a pet-napping gang of lizard-men—whom Charlie doesn’t recognize from any legend—are all connected. Most concerning of all is when they learn a map has been stolen that reveals the locations of the Golden Dooms, the twelve ancient calaca watchmen who form the magical barrier between the realms.

 

To stop the impending invasion, Charlie and Violet must outwit an ancient evil and unravel the most sinister of schemes. That is, unless they’d rather watch the Land of the Living get overrun by the dead.

 

Review: This was such a sweet book and a good addition to the Charlie Hernandez line up! I loved the continued story and how the characters continued to develop. The book did well to have a lot of light hearted moments in what is probably a bit of darkness in the book. The author also crafted a well done mystery in this book. The book had well developed characters and world building.

 

The only thing I can really critique about the book is how it was a bit wonky in pacing, but otherwise it was a well done book!

 

Verdict: It was great! I recommend this series!

Charlie Hernandez and the Golden Dooms

Reviews

Highlights