Name: Frida Kahlo's review of The Gatekeeper of Pericael by Hayley Reese Chow
Item: The Gatekeeper of Pericael
Rating: 4
Author: Frida Kahlo

Hayley Reese Chow

The Gatekeeper of Pericael

Ahaana Bhargava

Frida Kahlo

I received an eARC copy from Hayley Reese Chow via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. 

Actual rating 4.25 stars, getting some extra points for the lovely cover. 

If you have decided to pick this book up - welcome to the wonderfully dark world of Pericael! Here, you will meet Porter, a 12-year-old boy who is all about his soccer practices and science but is also an excellent shaman who communicates with spirits and saves Pericael from falling into the evil hands; his cousin Ames, the biggest Star Wars fan, clumsy and chatty at times, but always optimistic and supportive; and Fira and Conri, the sisters Porter meets when Pericael faces grave danger and help him save the world and the Gate with their knowledge and readiness to fight.

The Gatekeeper of Pericael brings us to the parallel world, the world where the magic happens. The world is set in motion by many spirits and shamans and guarded by the Gatekeeper, whose role is to maintain the balance between the two worlds. That's where Porter comes in, getting trained and prepared to take on this serious and important responsibility. He is a bit reluctant to take on the role; when Mimoosh, his magic teacher, brings him the horrible news of danger that'll storm through Pericael soon, he feels compelled to help (secretly hoping nothing unfortunate will happen). 

I loved the characters here, and I enjoyed the world-building. There are many traits I liked with each character - Fira's straightforwardness, Ames' encouragement, and Conri's wisdom. I do approve of Porter's reluctance as well. I feel that he is mature enough (and developing as the story goes), considering all the possible aspects of his actions, thinking about all the possible consequences and taking his Gatekeeper's role more serious than everyone thought, surprising even himself. 

The world is magnificent! I enjoyed the spiritual world, its intricate connection to Porter's world, the powerful presence of each spirit that inhabits Pericael, and the dangerous and destructive threats from everyone who seeks to control them. It is a bit hair-raising, I admit that, but I would have enjoyed it a lot more if more of it was there (I know this is a middle-grade story, but who says I am not allowed to enjoy it as well?) 

The Gatekeeper of Pericael is a fast-paced, action-packed read everyone would enjoy, no matter the age. Sadly, it is a short one, being the only (major) negative thing I could say about this book. I wish it were longer, which would allow for some details to be explained (why was Porter's family chosen as the Gatekeepers, for example, I didn't understand that). Nevertheless, this excellent middle-grade story is an adventure that will hold your attention until the very end.

Ahaana Bhargava &
The Gatekeeper of Pericael by Hayley Reese Chow

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Ahaana Bhargava &The Gatekeeper of Pericael by Hayley Reese Chow

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Ahaana Bhargava &
The Gatekeeper of Pericael by Hayley Reese Chow