"A lush and mysterious fable, full of beauty, full of wonder." – –Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me
"With lyricism and elegance, Erin Entrada Kelly weaves a rich tale. Powerful and gripping." – Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil series
"Unlikely but determined heroine Lalani is lovably loyal, kind-hearted, and optimistic even as she faces unspeakable dangers, and her relentless spirit makes her a worthy protagonist in this triumphant tale about fighting for the people one loves and staying true to oneself." – Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Newbery Medalist Kelly writes a heroic fantasy about making choices, going on a quest, and conquering evil. Scattered throughout the novel are short, beautifully illustrated second-person vignettes allowing readers to imagine they are the mythical creatures Lalani encounters . . . Fast-paced and full of wonder, this is a powerful, gripping must-read." – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Inspired by Filipino folklore, Newbery Award̶winner Kelly has woven her narrative with a mythology that is rich and delicious. . . . Readers will be cheering for Lalani in her unlikely quest to save her family and friends, using only the power of her wits, courage, and empathy." – Booklist (starred review)
"Beautifully rendered . . . A journey illustrating the importance of story and the power of faith and hope."
– School Library Journal (starred review)
"Brimming with injustice, beauty, pain and wonder . . . A fluid, intentional novel grounded strongly in emotional reality and overflowing with the fantastic. Absolutely bewitching." – Shelf Awareness (starred review)
"Fans of Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon will be enthralled." – Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Kelly turns from the contemporary realistic settings of the Newbery-winning Hello, Universe and of You Go First to a tropical island-set fantasy world. . . . An excellent job of world-building." – Horn Book (starred review)