Never Look Back
by
Lilliam Rivera
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Bloomsbury Publishing
Imprint
Bloomsbury USA
ISBN
9781547603732
Awards and Honors
2021 Belpre Honor Book for Young Adult Text
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Discrimination: Racial Insensitivity/Racism , Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Underage Use , Language: Strong Language , Sexual Content: Mild Sexual Content/Themes , Violence: Sexual Assault/Rape , Violence: General , Violence: Cruelty to Animals
Pheus is a golden-voiced, bachata-singing charmer, ready to spend the summer on the beach with his friends, serenading a girl or two. When he meets Eury, all he wants is to put a smile on her face and fight off her demons. But some dangers are too powerful for even the strongest love, and as the world threatens to tear them apart, Eury and Pheus must fight for each other and their lives.
Featuring contemporary Afro-Latinx characters, this Own Voices retelling of the Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice is perfect for fans of Ibi Zoboi's Pride.
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Discrimination: Racial Insensitivity/Racism , Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Underage Use , Language: Strong Language , Sexual Content: Mild Sexual Content/Themes , Violence: Sexual Assault/Rape , Violence: General , Violence: Cruelty to Animals
Details
Format
Page Count
320
Trim Size
8 3/10" x 5 1/2"
Dewey
F
AR
3.9: points 9
Genre
Fiction
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
Nov 2020
Book Genres
Supernatural
Topics
Love. Spirits. Family life. Puerto Ricans. Dominican Americans. New York City. Retellings of “Orpheus and Eurydice.” Hispanic and Latino Americans. Bronx, New York. Musicians. Folklore and mythology.
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Cover Art
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Praise & Reviews
Praise & Reviews
Horn Book
Pheus is an Afro-Dominican, bachata-singing teen whose Bronx world is upended when he meets Eury, a Puerto Rican girl visiting New York after she is forced from her home in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Suddenly, instead of spending his time charming girls and going to the beach, Pheus feels driven to allay the trauma that follows Eury. Eury is hoping the evil spirit Ato, who has haunted her life since childhood, won’t follow her to New York, and meeting Pheus distracts her temporarily from her troubles. But eventually, when she is attacked and falls into a coma, Ato finds her and takes her to el Inframundo (the Underworld), and Pheus follows on a quest to save her. This detailed reimagining of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice mixes contemporary realism with fantasy, starting with the backbone of the Greek myth and adding elements of Caribbean mythology alongside realistic issues of identity and trauma, as Eury’s loved ones debate the best way to help her in her struggles with anxiety. Though one could enjoy this story without prior knowledge of the myth, knowing the original will likely give readers a unique appreciation for this version’s updates. CHRISTINA L. DOBBS
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-This is a modern retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice Greek myth featuring Latinx teens. Eury and her mother lost their home to Hurricane Maria but Eury knows it was no ordinary storm. The death spirit Ato befriended Eury as a child. As she grew older, he became more possessive and sinister, wreaking havoc to get her attention and promising to take her to el Inframundo, the Underworld, so they could be together forever. No one believes Eury and she is wary of trusting people with her secret. While visiting her cousin in the Bronx, she meets Pheus, a talented and charming Afro-Dominican bachata musician. Pheus wants to spend all his time getting to know Eury and soon learns that her traumatic experience in Puerto Rico was created by a supernatural being, something outside of his comfort zone. Spending time with Eury makes him reevaluate his life, the way his friends treat others, and his casual romances. When Ato finally succeeds in taking Eury to the Underworld, Pheus risks everything to bring her back but must follow the cardinal rule of all myths: Don't turn around. This book seamlessly blends Caribbean and Greek myth into a contemporary teen novel, exploring realistic aspects of identity, stereotypes, trauma, and romance. VERDICT This #OwnVoices novel is highly recommended for all teen collections. No prior knowledge of the original myth is needed, but readers may be inspired to research it after devouring this compelling and updated retelling.-Marissa Lieberman, East Orange P.L., NJ?(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Grades 9 & Up
Young Adults
For Grades 9 & Up
Your older teen readers will appreciate the 12 selections in this category, a diverse mix of fiction and nonfiction covering complex issues and more mature content, from crushes and body changes to friendships and sibling rivalry.
12 books per Year
$243.96 per Year
Interests
Diversity,Fiction,Mature Readers,LGBTQ+,Novels,Funny/Humorous,Realistic Fiction
Grades 9 & Up
Young Adults
12 books per Year
$243.96 per Year
