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lazthewhale's review against another edition
It's a me thing. Will try again later.
adoereading's review against another edition
5.0
I won this ARC through Wednesday Books but this is an honest review written without any influence.
I want to set aside the legends and myths Lobizona is based on and discuss the minor tones of this book first.
If you’re looking for book which touches on the matter of being in the United States from another country then this is the book for you. Through Manu’s story you gain an understanding of what it feels like to live in fear of being taken away—going back to a place that could mean death for her mother because of the secret of her existence.
And many people face this today. They hear sirens and hide. They wonder what they’ll face and if they’ll see those who they are leaving behind again. Sure, it’s easy to put it off as they should have gotten her legally, but when in a war torn country with children what do you do?
Now that I’ve given my two cent of food to chew on I loved Manu’s story. While it took some time for me to feel engrossed within the pages as the plot was built up and I saw some things coming I was absolutely taken by surprise by things that had been laid out to be quite obvious. Diving into the world of witches and werewolves where lives are divided and decided by gendered to have Manu shake the whole system just a fraction has me wanting the next book now to see how it’ll all turn out. I cannot wait for the second book and hope this is a series.
I want to set aside the legends and myths Lobizona is based on and discuss the minor tones of this book first.
If you’re looking for book which touches on the matter of being in the United States from another country then this is the book for you. Through Manu’s story you gain an understanding of what it feels like to live in fear of being taken away—going back to a place that could mean death for her mother because of the secret of her existence.
And many people face this today. They hear sirens and hide. They wonder what they’ll face and if they’ll see those who they are leaving behind again. Sure, it’s easy to put it off as they should have gotten her legally, but when in a war torn country with children what do you do?
Now that I’ve given my two cent of food to chew on I loved Manu’s story. While it took some time for me to feel engrossed within the pages as the plot was built up and I saw some things coming I was absolutely taken by surprise by things that had been laid out to be quite obvious. Diving into the world of witches and werewolves where lives are divided and decided by gendered to have Manu shake the whole system just a fraction has me wanting the next book now to see how it’ll all turn out. I cannot wait for the second book and hope this is a series.
rosatulipan's review against another edition
3.0
General Rating: 8/10
Personal Rating: 7.8/10
~"Most of the guys are cheering too, but there’s no doubt this is the brujas’ moment. The field trembles beneath my feet, and I feel a sprinkling of water, followed by a wave of heat, then my clothes flap in a gusty wind. Their emotions awaken their magic, and it’s like the whole planet is celebrating."~
These are the three words that best describe this book, according to me: beautiful, rushed and magical.
Lobizona was so cute and cozy to me. Yes, it has its teen-book cliches, but all the world-building makes up for it. And what makes it even better is the argentinian folklore and culture that Romina Garber incorporated into the story, and she did it in such a beautiful and unique way.
I also really liked this set of characters, and I'm thrilled about the fact that we will be visiting Argentina in the next installment in the series.
I really enjoyed this book, please, check it out!
P. S: I've been seeing that in other reviews they mention insta love. Personally, I don't think that what the main couple experienced when they first met was love, but more like attraction and curiosity towards eachother.
Personal Rating: 7.8/10
~"Most of the guys are cheering too, but there’s no doubt this is the brujas’ moment. The field trembles beneath my feet, and I feel a sprinkling of water, followed by a wave of heat, then my clothes flap in a gusty wind. Their emotions awaken their magic, and it’s like the whole planet is celebrating."~
These are the three words that best describe this book, according to me: beautiful, rushed and magical.
Lobizona was so cute and cozy to me. Yes, it has its teen-book cliches, but all the world-building makes up for it. And what makes it even better is the argentinian folklore and culture that Romina Garber incorporated into the story, and she did it in such a beautiful and unique way.
I also really liked this set of characters, and I'm thrilled about the fact that we will be visiting Argentina in the next installment in the series.
I really enjoyed this book, please, check it out!
P. S: I've been seeing that in other reviews they mention insta love. Personally, I don't think that what the main couple experienced when they first met was love, but more like attraction and curiosity towards eachother.
hannahhbic's review against another edition
5.0
Y’all are sleeping on this book and it’s a damn shame. The audio version is important because you can hear the Argentine Spanish! Anyways this is so good that I am SO thankful I have book 2 audio from NetGalley. Let’s goooooo.
edit 8/16 (a week later): I'm honestly still thinking about this book and this series???
edit 8/16 (a week later): I'm honestly still thinking about this book and this series???
triggs4780's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mariugonza's review against another edition
5.0
Lobizona is finally here, and I couldn’t be happier, not everyday you see a Latinx or Hispanic author being successful in the publishing industry.
This book was everything I wanted it to be: relatable, deep and entertaining. The story of Manu is one many of us immigrants know of have heard about (minus the magical world part, and if somehow you emigrated and got yourself into a fantasy world... well good luck): even when many immigrants have a legal status in this country, we might still live with fear, for example, people with pending asylum fear getting their cases denied and having to go back to a country where their lives are in danger, or how kids with student visas are at risk of not being able to stay in this country after they finish their studies.
What I mean is, when you leave your country, you are exposed to knew dangers. But even when people like me might live in fear of not being able to stay any longer in a country, or having to go back to a place where our lives are at risk, nothing is as terrible as being labeled as “illegal”, the stigma that comes with it, the inherent risks and the mere fact that your existence is considered a problem in another nation, that’s just hell.
Lobizona makes an incredible job at showing the small life Manu lives, the pressure, the fear and the hope of something better. The way this book is written is beautiful, the diversity of the main group of characters, the way the topics are treated, everything. I’m just so happy I got to read this.
Also... like the Spanglish in this book is on point, and the Miami experience. That scene where a Cuban says “Asere que bola?” And Manu is just confused and doesn’t know how to answer... such a mood omg. Plus thank you, Romina, for mentioning Venezuelans in the first pages, we are never mentioned in books and my heart fills with joy even when a Venezuelan thing is mentioned.
So yeah, go read the book, explore the amazing world of Argentinian folklore this amazing author created, and I hope you’ll like it as much as I did.
This book was everything I wanted it to be: relatable, deep and entertaining. The story of Manu is one many of us immigrants know of have heard about (minus the magical world part, and if somehow you emigrated and got yourself into a fantasy world... well good luck): even when many immigrants have a legal status in this country, we might still live with fear, for example, people with pending asylum fear getting their cases denied and having to go back to a country where their lives are in danger, or how kids with student visas are at risk of not being able to stay in this country after they finish their studies.
What I mean is, when you leave your country, you are exposed to knew dangers. But even when people like me might live in fear of not being able to stay any longer in a country, or having to go back to a place where our lives are at risk, nothing is as terrible as being labeled as “illegal”, the stigma that comes with it, the inherent risks and the mere fact that your existence is considered a problem in another nation, that’s just hell.
Lobizona makes an incredible job at showing the small life Manu lives, the pressure, the fear and the hope of something better. The way this book is written is beautiful, the diversity of the main group of characters, the way the topics are treated, everything. I’m just so happy I got to read this.
Also... like the Spanglish in this book is on point, and the Miami experience. That scene where a Cuban says “Asere que bola?” And Manu is just confused and doesn’t know how to answer... such a mood omg. Plus thank you, Romina, for mentioning Venezuelans in the first pages, we are never mentioned in books and my heart fills with joy even when a Venezuelan thing is mentioned.
So yeah, go read the book, explore the amazing world of Argentinian folklore this amazing author created, and I hope you’ll like it as much as I did.
nicolefisher'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
4.5
lindsayjohnna's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
rainbowbookworm's review
4.0
When I lived in Puerto Rico I used to frequent my local bookstore, The Bookmark (San Patricio Plaza). During my visits I would talk to other regulars including Jan, who was obsessed with Garber's (nee Russell?) Zodiac series. I always said I would read them, but never actually picked any of the books up.
Then came Lobizona. I was granted an ARC by the publisher and the book blew my mind time and time again. The author deftly weaves in issues that immigrants face, sexism, and gender roles in a tale about the titular werewolf. I was expected a lighter fantasy fare, the kind of book many gringos confuse with magical realism, but instead I found myself in awe of the layers and layers of social criticism packed among its pages.
Read this book if you like #ownvoices and are a fan of [a:Anna-Marie McLemore|6434877|Anna-Marie McLemore|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1516319453p2/6434877.jpg].
Then came Lobizona. I was granted an ARC by the publisher and the book blew my mind time and time again. The author deftly weaves in issues that immigrants face, sexism, and gender roles in a tale about the titular werewolf. I was expected a lighter fantasy fare, the kind of book many gringos confuse with magical realism, but instead I found myself in awe of the layers and layers of social criticism packed among its pages.
Read this book if you like #ownvoices and are a fan of [a:Anna-Marie McLemore|6434877|Anna-Marie McLemore|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1516319453p2/6434877.jpg].
tmathews0330's review
5.0
Loved the references to Harry Potter, loved the plot twists, excited there is a sequel. A world I liked escaping to.