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kballetbeauty's review against another edition
4.0
4 ⭐
YA Sci-fi - Mexican Folklore - Middle-grade (easy read) - Represents Diversity
The author really did something here and I'm all for it!
I don't think this book should be left to be read only by kids in the middle school great. The story telling is phenomenal and makes you really feel for the 12 year old girl, Petra. This girl is smart, cunning, brave, and dedicated in finding her family while transforming her grandmother's stories into new storytale's 'cuento's'. Also this story is as wholesome as it is sad.
One thing I don't understand in this book is how the author switches from present time to a flashback/memory. I've notice there'll be one line present-day, then the next line, flashback and this appears to happens on almost every page... It gets confusing. At least the flashback parts could be in italics or something.
Overall this book is great and I would recommend this to a friend
YA Sci-fi - Mexican Folklore - Middle-grade (easy read) - Represents Diversity
The author really did something here and I'm all for it!
I don't think this book should be left to be read only by kids in the middle school great. The story telling is phenomenal and makes you really feel for the 12 year old girl, Petra. This girl is smart, cunning, brave, and dedicated in finding her family while transforming her grandmother's stories into new storytale's 'cuento's'. Also this story is as wholesome as it is sad.
One thing I don't understand in this book is how the author switches from present time to a flashback/memory. I've notice there'll be one line present-day, then the next line, flashback and this appears to happens on almost every page... It gets confusing. At least the flashback parts could be in italics or something.
Overall this book is great and I would recommend this to a friend
sabrinaapreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
My local librarian, Frasier, shelved this as one of her favorites.
We have similar tastes and I wanted a good read for a recent road trip - this fit the bill!
This novel forces the reader to ponder the importance of stories and their central role in our shared humanity.
While facing the end of earth due to Haley's Comet going off course and set to hit planet Earth, Petra's family makes the most impossible decision - to leave with a select group of others to start again on Sagan (another planet). The goal to start anew without the plagues that vexed our lives on earth. Sadly, it doesn't go as planned due to a fringe group known as "The Collective" and Petra relays her experiences in this heartbreaking tale that ends (kind of) where it begins.
Favorite Character:
Read this and fall in love with Lita, Petra's Abuelita. Her voice stays present even when her physical being is gone.
Favorite Moment:
Celebrate family - both found and blood.
Split between Voxy making his way with Petra and crew and Javier doing what he does at the end.
Must keep this spoiler free!!
Final Thoughts:
Ultimately, let this serve as a reminder to hold onto hope and celebrate differences as a path forward together.
We have similar tastes and I wanted a good read for a recent road trip - this fit the bill!
This novel forces the reader to ponder the importance of stories and their central role in our shared humanity.
While facing the end of earth due to Haley's Comet going off course and set to hit planet Earth, Petra's family makes the most impossible decision - to leave with a select group of others to start again on Sagan (another planet). The goal to start anew without the plagues that vexed our lives on earth. Sadly, it doesn't go as planned due to a fringe group known as "The Collective" and Petra relays her experiences in this heartbreaking tale that ends (kind of) where it begins.
Favorite Character:
Read this and fall in love with Lita, Petra's Abuelita. Her voice stays present even when her physical being is gone.
Favorite Moment:
Celebrate family - both found and blood.
Split between Voxy making his way with Petra and crew and Javier doing what he does at the end.
Must keep this spoiler free!!
Final Thoughts:
Ultimately, let this serve as a reminder to hold onto hope and celebrate differences as a path forward together.
mdevlin923's review against another edition
4.0
It's 2061 and Haley's comet is on a trajectory to hit Earth. So, specific people have been chosen to colonize a new planet: Sagan. The first ship was sent with farmers, but Petra and her brother and parents will be sent on the second ship along with other scientists and experts. Petra (and everyone except the Monitors) will be "frozen" until they arrive...but Petra is still able to hear what's going on around her. While in this deep sleep, Petra learns that a radical group (the Collective) has infiltrated the space shuttle and things have gone terribly wrong. When Petra is woken up, she learns that ovet the 480 years it has taken to travel, the Collective has brainwashed everyone, purged individuals who do not agree with them, and removed any memories of previous life on earth. Petra is detemined to save herself (and her new friends) from the Collective; and she uses her scientific knowledge and love of storytelling to do just that.
An incredibly written and suspenseful story about potential space travel and the human responses to it. This could be read by middle grade readers as well as young adult readers!
An incredibly written and suspenseful story about potential space travel and the human responses to it. This could be read by middle grade readers as well as young adult readers!
abarbour1027's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
copascribe's review against another edition
5.0
The first time I tried reading The Last Cuentista, I could not get into it. I DNF'd and then my daughter ended up reading it and loved it, so I put it back on my TBR...and I'm SO glad I did.
This is such a special book with so much to unpack. I love how rich the storytelling is and the references to Mexica lore. The characters were relatable and there was so much depth to the plot. I absolutely loved it.
Esta es mi reseña sobre la historia de Petra Peña.
This is such a special book with so much to unpack. I love how rich the storytelling is and the references to Mexica lore. The characters were relatable and there was so much depth to the plot. I absolutely loved it.
Esta es mi reseña sobre la historia de Petra Peña.
monchies's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
go_devils's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5