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mkate4's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Blood
lrose02's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
This was a read I’d heard amazing things about. And it was amazing. The cultural parts are so rich, and the fantasy parts are so much more believable because of it. I struggled at first as the first 20 pages are very Spanish heavy which is hard trying to read when you don’t speak it but also when you’re tired. The chemistry between the two boys feels natural, in a way that felt right. It didn’t cause me to kick me feet and squeal but it didn’t need to. Yadriel’s trans identity is a plot point but is used in a different way, as its tied to the magic system and whole belief of the community. You’re rooting for the characters the whole way. I started to doubt around 70% through how it’s going to end and if the mystery was ever going to be resolved. But it did and in a way that was completely shocking. What seems just like a lore dump and a cute side character moment is actually important. And you feel the betrayal with Yadriel. The ending is satisfying as you’re rooting for him the whole time and celebrate just as much when he finally gets all he’s been working towards
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent and Murder
Minor: Child abuse and Deportation
keyka's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, and Murder
kennethwade's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Super entertaining and quick read, although the plot is pretty predictable and the climax is somewhat overwrought. I wish it leaned more into the horror/thriller elements, but it’s a nice story nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Blood, and Murder
nikia4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I figured out the plot twist less than halfway thru the book and there were some things that felt like maybe lazy writing to me, but I honestly loved the characters, the romance, and the worldbuilding so much that this was still a really lovely read. I really enjoyed it. I think I may be older than the target age group for this book too and it would be a great book for younger kids/teenagers to read.
The things that confused me:
1. Why/how was Julian still briefly alive at the end pre Yadriel’s sacrifice when the others were all dead aside from it being a plot device for Yadriel to be able to talk to him… Also how did he have a spirit if he was still alive the whole time?? How did he survive while bleeding out for 3 days??
2. Those daggers needed to be in a triple locked safe and tracked at all times bro. Wdym it was in a box in some grandma’s storage??? it makes no sense that it was That easy to steal and that they were being that casual about it being lost
Aside from that tho i felt like there could have been more development towards the final twist in the second half, it kind of felt like there was no plot progress for a while until suddenly at midnight on Dia de Los Muertos. It slso made me sad that the uncle was the villain, even tho i could tell he was being set up for it bc he was just too perfect and nice/the daggers gave power and he didn’t have much. I didn’t love that the trope was that the one guy without power was the villain and I would have preferred if it was like a false flag and people turned on the Tio and then it turned out they were wrong. It would have done more for the narrative of broader inclusion. It felt like Yadriel’s arc was him being accepted because he evolved to fit perfectly into the binary, and I wish it had been a nicer message loll. But this book is definitely for people younger than me and I can see why a simple narrative of belonging like this would be important.
1. Why/how was Julian still briefly alive at the end pre Yadriel’s sacrifice when the others were all dead aside from it being a plot device for Yadriel to be able to talk to him… Also how did he have a spirit if he was still alive the whole time?? How did he survive while bleeding out for 3 days??
2. Those daggers needed to be in a triple locked safe and tracked at all times bro. Wdym it was in a box in some grandma’s storage??? it makes no sense that it was That easy to steal and that they were being that casual about it being lost
Aside from that tho i felt like there could have been more development towards the final twist in the second half, it kind of felt like there was no plot progress for a while until suddenly at midnight on Dia de Los Muertos. It slso made me sad that the uncle was the villain, even tho i could tell he was being set up for it bc he was just too perfect and nice/the daggers gave power and he didn’t have much. I didn’t love that the trope was that the one guy without power was the villain and I would have preferred if it was like a false flag and people turned on the Tio and then it turned out they were wrong. It would have done more for the narrative of broader inclusion. It felt like Yadriel’s arc was him being accepted because he evolved to fit perfectly into the binary, and I wish it had been a nicer message loll. But this book is definitely for people younger than me and I can see why a simple narrative of belonging like this would be important.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Murder
Moderate: Self harm, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Animal cruelty and Racism
amy_in_the_city's review against another edition
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
This was such an interesting premise, and I loved Yadriel! I'm not sure how I felt about Julian. While I liked how playful he was and how he protected those he loved, his anger issues were concerning. The scene where he got upset threw a skateboard around his friends felt like a red flag. I did appreciate that Yadriel set firm boundaries and told Julian that his violent outburst was unacceptable and wouldn't be tolerated again, but I would have felt better if we got some indication afterwards that Julian was working on his anger management skills.
The plot was very predictable. I guessed who the villain would be as soon as they appeared and by 10% into the book I had already guessed the villain's plan.
I still really enjoyed the book because I liked the side characters, Yadriel's character journey, and the main relationship overall.
The plot was very predictable. I guessed who the villain would be as soon as they appeared and by 10% into the book I had already guessed the villain's plan.
I still really enjoyed the book because I liked the side characters, Yadriel's character journey, and the main relationship overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Deportation
Minor: Body shaming, Child death, Hate crime, Racism, Car accident, and Classism
splittedvoid's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A lovely book but it is too slow paced for my taste
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Self harm, Transphobia, Blood, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
arlingtonchamberofgay's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming, Violence, and Blood
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
A great mix of latinx culture, mystery and a lil queer romance. Just amazing characters that were fun to read! Julian and Maritza especially are iconic! I really enjoyed reading about Yadriel's family and was pleasantly surprised by how intricate the storytelling and plot pacing was. Honestly this would make a fantastic screen adaptation!!!
Really appreciate the positive representation of Maritza as a vegan character!
Really appreciate the positive representation of Maritza as a vegan character!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, and Blood
Moderate: Deadnaming and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
animal blood is used for some ritualselodiethefangirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Blood
Moderate: Deadnaming