Sheine Lende (Elatsoe #0) by Darcie Little Badger – whimsical emotional YA fantasy

Sheine Lende is a whimsical, magical, and deeply emotional YA fantasy—a story about what it means to be human, the importance of family and community, and the enduring strength of Apache culture and history.

Synopsis

Darcie Little Badger’s Elatsoe launched her career and in the years since has become a beloved favorite. This prequel to Elatsoe, centered on Ellie’s grandmother, deepens and expands Darcie’s one-of-a-kind world and introduces us to another cast of characters that will wend their way around readers’ hearts.

Shane works with her mother and their ghost dogs, tracking down missing persons even when their families can’t afford to pay. Their own family was displaced from their traditional home years ago following a devastating flood – and the loss of Shane’s father and her grandparents. They don’t think they’ll ever get their home back.

Then Shane’s mother and a local boy go missing, after a strange interaction with a fairy ring. Shane, her brother, her friends, and her lone, surviving grandparent – who isn’t to be trusted – set off on the road to find them. But they may not be anywhere in this world – or this place in time.

Nevertheless, Shane is going to find them.

Review

Sheine Lende is a touching and adventurous YA fantasy that beautifully blends folklore, family, and resilience. It follows the story of 17-year-old Shane (Sheine), who lives with her mother, Lorenza, their ghost dog Nellie, and two hunting dogs, Neal and Nealey. Together, they help find and rescue missing people—driven by goodwill rather than profit, even though accepting money could ease their struggles.

One day, Lorenza sets out alone on a rescue mission, leaving Shane to watch over her little brother, Marcos—but she never comes back. When Nellie, their loyal ghost dog, returns without her, Shane knows something is terribly wrong. She calls her grandfather, Louis, and with Marcos tagging along, they set out to find Lorenza. Along the way, they discover that the two missing kids Lorenza was searching for—Bobby, who’s about Marcos’ age, and Donnie, closer to Shane’s—along with Lorenza herself have accidentally been transported through magical fairy rings known as Mimic.

With the help of friends, Shane sets out on a dangerous, mystical journey to bring them home. What follows is a wild ride full of secrets, courage, and revelations about family, history, and survival.

The world-building is rich and carefully introduced in the first 30% of the book. Set in 1970s Texas, the story takes place in an urban fantasy world where the extraordinary exists alongside humans—faeries, vampires, and people with unique abilities.

The lore of fairy rings is fascinating. I loved reading about their history, the speculation around how they work, and how these details slowly helped Shane figure out where her mother and the missing kids might be. But what truly stole the show for me was the representation of Lipan Apache people, their culture, and their stories woven into the narrative.

One of the most intriguing aspects is Shane and her family’s ability to raise animal ghosts—a gift passed down through the maternal lineage, starting with Elastoe, the first woman to possess this power. Though I haven’t read Elastoe’s full story, we get the snippets of her adventures sprinkled through Shane’s thoughts.

While the fantasy elements are engaging, what truly makes the story shine is its emotional depth and historical resonance. The portrayal of their tragic past—the betrayals, the loss, and the way Shane’s people were treated even after peace treaties—is heartbreaking.

It’s painful to see how cultural erasure and broken promises left their community vulnerable and dwindling, making Shane fear that her people might vanish like prehistoric creatures. Yet, there’s a profound beauty in the hope, kindness, and solidarity offered by friends and community, showing that even in darkness, compassion survives.

Shane is an exceptional protagonist—brave, determined, and mature beyond her years. Her life has shaped her into a skilled tracker and survivor. I admired her love for her family and friends and her selflessness in helping Donnie and Bobby even when she couldn’t find her mother.

One of my favorite parts was when she willingly ventured into the underworld to save Bobby, knowing her mother wasn’t there. Her journey is not just physical but emotional—teaching her to trust again, embrace her gift, and grow confident in who she is by the end of the book.

The final act—Shane’s journey through the underworld—is the most thrilling part of the book. It’s tense, immersive, and tests her courage and determination at every step. The way her ancestors guide her, the emotional stakes of the rescue, and the satisfying resolution all make for a memorable ending.

My only minor gripe? The pacing could have been tighter in places, and there were moments of heavy internal monologue that slowed things down.

Overall, Sheine Lende is a whimsical, magical, and deeply emotional YA fantasy—a story about what it means to be human, the importance of family and community, and the enduring strength of Apache culture and history.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Have you read any book featuring Apache culture?
What is your favorite book in which MC can raise a ghost?

Just in case you missed,,,

• Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison – dark and atmospheric cult horror
• The Songbird and the Heart of Stone (Crowns of Nyaxia #3) by Carissa Broadbent – emotional and mesmerizing vampire fantasy
• The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang – enchanting Korean Fantasy

Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | YouTube

---