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evamadera1's review
4.5
At first I mixed up this book with Pahua Moua which made the beginning a little confusing. Once I realized my mistake, I quickly got into the narrative and found myself hooked. Whereas the first book took place primarily in the "fantastical" portion of the world, this one spent more time in the "real" world with a huge emphasis on relationships as well as taking accountability for how ones actions affect those relationships. I liked this book more than the first, unusual for most series for me and cannot wait to read the series conclusion.
hannahhbic's review
5.0
Really genuinely spooky. Paola's life becomes more complicated as her nightmares escalate. I didn't know what duendecillos were before listening to this book and would love for them to reappear in book 3. Emma and Dante (Paola's best friends) remain one of the strongest elements in this series; both grounding and uprooting Pao simultaneously. Overall I highly recommend this series and even would say that I enjoy it more than [b:City of Ghosts|35403058|City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake, #1)|Victoria Schwab|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516638225l/35403058._SY75_.jpg|56772894]. Frankie Corzo's narration was fantastic like it was in book 1.
Digital audiobook preview copy graciously provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Digital audiobook preview copy graciously provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
alyshadeshae's review
5.0
I'm not happy... How dare that story end with a partial cliffhanger!? I need to know more things!!!!
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This second book in the series explores the fallout from the gang’s misadventures in River of Tears. Things have been weird between Paola and her two best friends since they saved the world together. Paola supported Emma when she came out, but then she felt like they grew apart when Emma started hanging out with a new group of people. And Dante has been avoiding her completely, assumedly because of the moments when they were on their adventure and things started to veer into “not just friends” territory between them. But when Dante’s grandma falls into an unexplainable coma, Paola’s sure it has supernatural origins and that the dreams she’s been having can lead her to the answers. Dante comes with her (begrudgingly) to Oregon, where the dreams seem to be sending Paola, and a new adventure begins, but this time Paola feels like she might as well be all alone.
The book explores themes of changing friendships, budding romance, betrayals, and family mysteries. It also features quite a bit of diversity since there are multiple LGBT characters and most of the main characters are Latinx (the fact that brown kids are looked at with suspicion is brought up in multiple scenes in the book). There’s plenty of action since Paola once again finds herself fighting creatures from the void as she makes her way to her missing father. What she finds is a bit of a surprise, though, and the mystery of Paolo’s dreams and her estranged dad will keep kids turning the pages. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book in the series, especially since one major element of the book ends with a definite cliffhanger!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley and Rockstar Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
The book explores themes of changing friendships, budding romance, betrayals, and family mysteries. It also features quite a bit of diversity since there are multiple LGBT characters and most of the main characters are Latinx (the fact that brown kids are looked at with suspicion is brought up in multiple scenes in the book). There’s plenty of action since Paola once again finds herself fighting creatures from the void as she makes her way to her missing father. What she finds is a bit of a surprise, though, and the mystery of Paolo’s dreams and her estranged dad will keep kids turning the pages. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book in the series, especially since one major element of the book ends with a definite cliffhanger!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley and Rockstar Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
shadowofadoubt89's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
alexbthelibrarian's review
4.0
I received an eARC of this audiobook through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Plot: I enjoyed the second installment to this series. I thought it added an interesting twist to the storyline and explained some of the loose ends that were left in the first book. The characters were more in depth and fleshed out a bit more than in the previous book. While I feel the inclusion of an LGBTQ+ character is important, I also felt the way it was talked about especially in the beginning was odd. It felt a little cold, distant, and more factual than going in to the emotions of it all. It also was kind of used as a way to make the main character feel like they didn't belong in the group because of them being LGBTQ+ and fighting for human rights. I just felt it wasn't a good enough reason/obstacle for the main character Paola to feel like they were left out. It could have been something a little better. Other than that, the story was well written and interesting.
Narrator: I feel like the narrator is really good with keeping a calm and even tone. It was a nice audiobook to fall asleep. I do feel like the narrator could show a bit more emotion. Every time I heard them do a different voice, it felt very similar to their own and also fairly monotone. I just wish it would have been a bit more energetic instead of making the main character constantly sound whinny. After saying all that though, I think they do a decent job of reading the story and clearly communicating to the reader what is going on.
Plot: I enjoyed the second installment to this series. I thought it added an interesting twist to the storyline and explained some of the loose ends that were left in the first book. The characters were more in depth and fleshed out a bit more than in the previous book. While I feel the inclusion of an LGBTQ+ character is important, I also felt the way it was talked about especially in the beginning was odd. It felt a little cold, distant, and more factual than going in to the emotions of it all. It also was kind of used as a way to make the main character feel like they didn't belong in the group because of them being LGBTQ+ and fighting for human rights. I just felt it wasn't a good enough reason/obstacle for the main character Paola to feel like they were left out. It could have been something a little better. Other than that, the story was well written and interesting.
Narrator: I feel like the narrator is really good with keeping a calm and even tone. It was a nice audiobook to fall asleep. I do feel like the narrator could show a bit more emotion. Every time I heard them do a different voice, it felt very similar to their own and also fairly monotone. I just wish it would have been a bit more energetic instead of making the main character constantly sound whinny. After saying all that though, I think they do a decent job of reading the story and clearly communicating to the reader what is going on.
cimorene1558's review
4.0
Another excellent Paola book. Paola is awesome, she’s so un likeable, yet totally likeable. And the fantasy is, well, fantastic!
alliereads's review
4.0
4.25 stars
This was a great sequel to the series. I was so excited to read about this group of kids. I love Pao so much. I love reading about the folklore and myths that I wasn’t raised with. I have to look up way more words but I can’t wait to add this to my bookshelf in the middle school office.
This was a great sequel to the series. I was so excited to read about this group of kids. I love Pao so much. I love reading about the folklore and myths that I wasn’t raised with. I have to look up way more words but I can’t wait to add this to my bookshelf in the middle school office.
emmaito's review
4.0
I absolutely loved Paola Santiago and the River of Tears when I read it last year, so I was really looking forward to the second installment featuring Paola. And Tehlor Kay Mejia did not disappoint!! Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares picks up six months after River of Tears left off, but after her encounter with La Llorona, Paola is feeling more alone now than ever. She and her best friends, Emma and Dante, have drifted apart and when Dante's abuela falls ill, it's clear Dante blames her for everything. Paola begins to have nightmares of a terrifying green forest, where she believes her long-lost father may be held against her will. On an adventure to help Dante's abuela and to find her father, Paola hopes she'll also find answers about herself.
I love Tehlor Kay Mejia's skill in weaving such an incredible setting; many times I felt like I was in the cold, dark woods of Oregon, looking over my shoulder for monsters. I particularly appreciated her skill in character building - and while I often wanted to punch Dante in the face - Tehlor Kay Mejia's writing really showed how characters rationalize their decisions. One of my favorite pieces of this book too is the friendship between Paola and Emma - I loved how Tehlor Kay Mejia wrote about Emma coming out and how Paola was able to support her - and vice versa, I love to see Emma trying to support Paola as best she can and how she acknowledges and uses her white privilege.
Fantastic story and I can't wait to read more about Paola in the future - I wish I had this book as a youth!
I love Tehlor Kay Mejia's skill in weaving such an incredible setting; many times I felt like I was in the cold, dark woods of Oregon, looking over my shoulder for monsters. I particularly appreciated her skill in character building - and while I often wanted to punch Dante in the face - Tehlor Kay Mejia's writing really showed how characters rationalize their decisions. One of my favorite pieces of this book too is the friendship between Paola and Emma - I loved how Tehlor Kay Mejia wrote about Emma coming out and how Paola was able to support her - and vice versa, I love to see Emma trying to support Paola as best she can and how she acknowledges and uses her white privilege.
Fantastic story and I can't wait to read more about Paola in the future - I wish I had this book as a youth!