Shadowshaper starts with Sierra Santiago, a young Latina artist, working on a mural in her local Brooklyn neighborhood. She notices something strange happening to the artwork around her area but can’t quite put her finger on it. Alongside dealing with these odd changes, she’s also worried about her grandpa, Lázaro, who recently had a stroke. Despite his moments of confusion, he sometimes speaks with sudden clarity, telling Sierra that mysterious forces are targeting a group known as the shadowshapers. He urges her to complete her mural quickly and to seek help from Robbie, a boy from her school whom she barely knows.
With her grandfather’s warnings lingering in her mind, Sierra attends a party with her friends Bennie, Izzy, and Tee, where she encounters Robbie. Their conversation about the shadowshapers is interrupted by a strange man, causing Robbie to try and distract him. However, the man confronts Sierra, asking about someone named Lucera. Sierra escapes the encounter, her thoughts racing with confusion and fear.
The next day, Sierra questions her grandpa about Lucera and the shadowshapers. She learns of a phrase, “where lonely women go to dance,” and a name, Jonathan Wick, from a photo Lázaro shows her. Determined to uncover the truth, Sierra starts investigating these clues. Her search leads her to Columbia University, where an anthropology archivist named Nydia helps her understand Wick’s connections.
As Sierra learns more from Robbie, he explains that shadowshaping is the practice of merging art—such as stories, paintings, and music—with spirits, a skill passed down and not seen or practiced by everyone. The neighborhood’s fading art signifies that Lucera has vanished, a war is brewing, and spirits are abandoning the paintings.
Throughout her journey, Sierra discovers more about the shadowshapers, learns to use her art for shadowshaping with Robbie’s help, and witnesses the escalating conflict with evil spirits that are kidnapping people and reanimating their bodies. The key to ending this battle lies in uncovering the truth about Lucera’s disappearance, her family’s role in shadowshaping, and Wick’s motives, all of which Sierra eagerly seeks.
In the story’s climax, Sierra, with the support of her friends, reveals her full potential as a shadowshaper. The magical elements that Daniel José Older introduces are refreshing and vividly bring Brooklyn to life as an urban fantasy setting, with rich descriptions and a blend of art and culture that captivates readers. The book does an excellent job of explaining shadowshaping without cluttering the plot.
One of the standout features is the authenticity of the teenage characters’ dialogue, making them relatable and real. Whether through text messages or face-to-face interactions, Older captures the essence of teen conversations. The characters, even those who appear briefly, are fully developed and avoid clichés, making the story inviting and genuine. The relationships, both within Sierra’s family and her circle of friends, are realistically complicated and relatable, showing that friendships can sometimes be as strong as family bonds.
Sierra is a strong, independent character whose moments of doubt are natural for her age. Readers will cheer for her victories. Importantly, Sierra is never portrayed as needing rescue, even in her partnership with Robbie. Their romantic moments are subtle yet satisfying, with a particular scene where they go dancing standing out as especially memorable.
For those new to urban fantasy, Shadowshaper is a great entry point. The depiction of Sierra’s vibrant and diverse neighborhood, combined with the intriguing elements of shadowshaping, would translate wonderfully to a TV series with the right cast.
Overall, Shadowshaper is a fantastic blend of teen life, art, and supernatural elements, making it a delightful and engaging read.
