Ballad & Dagger By Daniel José Older

Ballad & Dagger is the first book in the Outlaw Saints young adult fantasy duology by Daniel José Older, published under the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. The story follows Mateo Matisse, a Brooklyn teenager from a diaspora community whose island homeland, San Madrigal, sank into the sea years ago. Mateo discovers he has healing powers and must use them to fight an ancient evil that is threatening his community and unravel the mystery of his lost home. The novel blends urban fantasy, magic, music, and romance, exploring themes of diaspora, community, and identity through a unique mix of cultures, including pirates, Sephardic Jews, and Cuban Santeros.