Illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza
3 stars
A The Rainbow Fish-style adventure with stronger themes and a most satisfying ending, in my opinion. When the ocean goes dark one day, Maren and Remy seek the guidance of Huixtocihuatl, the Aztec goddess of salt and salt water. Along the way, they meet various creatures that are troubled by the unexpected darkness. Marne shares her sparkling scales with her new friends to help them find food, navigate through the darkness, and feel less afraid.
An interesting origin story of how certain marine creatures got their glow. The artwork is absolutely stunning. Gorgeous illustrations that perfectly capture the light and dark themes of the story.
Okay writing. A nice take on Rainbow Fish with a main character that gives her scales out of true kindness and a desire to help others rather than being pressured to do so.
At the back is a bit of information about Huixtocihuatl and Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec goddess and god mentioned, as well as an introduction to the real-world creatures Maren shared her light with. This includes the anglerfish, moon jellyfish, and bioluminescent waves. I especially liked the inclusion of the newly discovered ninja lanternshark.