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grem_ler's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Deportation
kshertz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Minor: Abandonment, Death, Deportation, Lesbophobia, Police brutality, Bullying, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
wellreadandhalfdead's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I did not like how much exposition there was, especially in the beginning. Garber dumps info on you, instead of spreading it out and letting it reveal itself to you organically. It affected my ability to get into the story properly. There was so much of it that I was confused frequently but not invested enough in the magic system to flip back and reacquaint myself with what was what. I also thought the magic system was strange. There were witches and there were werewolves and that was it. It's a very narrow definition of magic and presents the question of why there are only these two types, and why the werewolves can't do spells and vice versa. I think a lot of it has to do with the Argentinian myth at the heart of the story but I was still dissatisfied.
I thought the characters were all wonderfully complex. I was invested in the developing relationships between all of them, as well as the consequences of all their actions. Even the antagonists and their motives had a depth that surprised me. There were politics at play, and I'm a sucker for the exploration of the effect of systems of power on the lives of characters. The story also comments on immigration and how we value borders over people, as well as who gets documented and the immense power imbalance those documents cause in society.
Overall, a great book that needed a little editing. I would still recommend it.
Moderate: Deportation
joisaddler's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Violence and Deportation
bebidocrimes's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Minor: Cursing, Body horror, Confinement, Deportation, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
lmatakas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Deportation
ericageorge91's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Deportation, Homophobia, Police brutality, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence, Bullying, and Sexual content
snarkandspark's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, and Deportation
Minor: Lesbophobia
bookishpaula's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Deportation and Misogyny
Moderate: Homophobia
thejuliebookshelf's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Garber has written excellent YA fantasy. This story discusses issues of sexism, binaries, gender roles and expectations, culture, and being undocumented with nuance, empathy, and anger. You’re definitely going to want to check the content warnings for this book.
I enjoy reading books with untranslated Spanish dialogue, phrases, or sentences. LOBIZONA was particularly fun for me, because it made me realize that I was unfamiliar with Argentine Spanish, and I went down a huge internet rabbit hole after reading the first chapter.
The most important stuff for plot or character development is translated, and non-Spanish speakers can easily use Google Translate for the rest. If this makes you frustrated, remember that language is an essential part of identity and culture – the Spanish is intrinsic to the novel and LOBIZONA would feel incomplete without it!
I’m not going to say too much else for fear of spoiling, as the synopsis for this book is quite vague. But know that I really loved this book and immediately purchased the duology.
Graphic: Confinement, Deportation, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Police brutality, and Xenophobia