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caidyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.25
If I thought the first book was fast, this second book was even faster and better. I loved how the books are switching to give each sister a spotlight and how this one deals with 1) Lula's aftermath of book one and 2) gives her her own story. This book handles a lot of grief because there is quite a bit of death that kicks the whole story off. Also, loved the weaving in of a wider magical world than was introduced in the first book. I can just tell how expansive Cordova's world is and I adore it. Can't wait for the third book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Grief
Moderate: Gore
samusc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was such a strong sequel that handles consequences from the first book in the series incredibly well.
I loved that this book focused on Lula, and the next will on Roseespecially given Roses' powers .
Lula's motivations make sense. As she explains in the early chapters, of course she'd want to hold on to Maks, the only sense of normalcy she's had in the last two years.
Since this book took place fully in Brooklyn, the reader is treated to more worldbuilding surrounding magical beings and organizations in NYC.
It was great to see Nova again and I appreciate his role asa brother/son for the family .
This installment of the series executed horror elements really well, to where I feel this counts as horror subgenre.
The biggest strength I think this series has is the bonds between these sisters and their Bruja community.
I'd love to see this series adapted as a TV show/movie trilogy.
My best friend was lucky enough to meet the author at Book Con, and maybe once Covid has passed and in-person conventions return, I'll be so lucky.
I loved that this book focused on Lula, and the next will on Rose
Lula's motivations make sense. As she explains in the early chapters, of course she'd want to hold on to Maks, the only sense of normalcy she's had in the last two years.
Since this book took place fully in Brooklyn, the reader is treated to more worldbuilding surrounding magical beings and organizations in NYC.
It was great to see Nova again and I appreciate his role as
This installment of the series executed horror elements really well, to where I feel this counts as horror subgenre.
The biggest strength I think this series has is the bonds between these sisters and their Bruja community.
I'd love to see this series adapted as a TV show/movie trilogy.
My best friend was lucky enough to meet the author at Book Con, and maybe once Covid has passed and in-person conventions return, I'll be so lucky.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Vomit
marissasbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Death, Gore, Self harm, and Violence
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Bruja Born is about clinging to love gone sour, plans gone rotten, and the strength required to accept new realities and move on. The young brujas are fierce, brave, and naive in ways that make them feel like the children they are. A good sequel.
The sibling dynamic between Lula, Alex, and Rose feels complex and genuine. Even though Rose hasn't been a pov character yet, she feels like a full character in context with Alex and Lula, which can be tricky to pull off.
I get stressed out by stories which have extended sequences where someone is lying about something huge, and that's a driving factor in most of this book, so it was difficult for me to read. It's a common trope, so that's mostly a thing I had to adjust to, and not a fault with the story. Given that, I still like this one and I was satisfied by the ending.
My one concern is that when reading this book, it feels like I'm missing information, like there's more I should have known coming in. After finishing the book, the supplemental material indicated that a group encountered there, the Thorne Hill Alliance first appears in The Vicious Deep, also by this author, so I'll skip over to that series and see if that addresses this feeling. If it feels like something was said elsewhere because it literally was in a different, earlier book, that's fine. If it's because this book vaguely gestures at world-building without putting enough detail in, that would be a negative for me.
I must say, Zoraida knows how to write a cliffhanger, I'm itching to read the next book.
The sibling dynamic between Lula, Alex, and Rose feels complex and genuine. Even though Rose hasn't been a pov character yet, she feels like a full character in context with Alex and Lula, which can be tricky to pull off.
I get stressed out by stories which have extended sequences where someone is lying about something huge, and that's a driving factor in most of this book, so it was difficult for me to read. It's a common trope, so that's mostly a thing I had to adjust to, and not a fault with the story. Given that, I still like this one and I was satisfied by the ending.
My one concern is that when reading this book, it feels like I'm missing information, like there's more I should have known coming in. After finishing the book, the supplemental material indicated that a group encountered there, the Thorne Hill Alliance first appears in The Vicious Deep, also by this author, so I'll skip over to that series and see if that addresses this feeling. If it feels like something was said elsewhere because it literally was in a different, earlier book, that's fine. If it's because this book vaguely gestures at world-building without putting enough detail in, that would be a negative for me.
I must say, Zoraida knows how to write a cliffhanger, I'm itching to read the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Blood, Gore, Violence, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Cannibalism
Minor: Ableism and Pregnancy
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