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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.
fishky's review
4.0
Typical hardbodied teen lust themes, but a fun and topical twist with some really heartsad moments. Protagonist would make an absolutey awful spy. Can't imagine teeth going down past someone's chin or star shaped pupils in a non-anime sense, but I enjoyed trying. The novelty of the alternate dimension as a sort of pocket existence was really interesting: you do SOMETIMES see it in other fantasy books, but the author made this world her own. Love septibol. Didn't totally get the Gael twist at the end/ the drama there, felt a little forced, but as a plot device and setup for future hijinks, I feel totally fine about its potential.
louielouie24's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
- 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