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sealbrecht's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.0
This was such a solid read! While the book relied on a lot of YA cliches, Garber did a great job of putting a little twist on each one, and Lobizona ended up being a completely immersive fantasy story with a lot of heart and a lot to say about important topics like immigration and dismantling systems of oppression. This call to action is voiced through our strong protagonist, Manu, who is so compelling to follow as she navigates finding her place in both the real world and the fantasy world. Also, it has a magic academy, so what's not to love?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Misogyny
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Police brutality
meaghanelizabook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Xenophobia, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Homophobia, and Kidnapping
Minor: Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Grief
luckykosmos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
4.25
This one is complex, contrasting citizenship with magic, talking about the gender roles of each society. This set the stage for something deeply fascinating, that I hope lives on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, and Xenophobia
bookishandlegal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
People are not illegal! That’s definitely an overarching theme of the book and I love that it worked on the actual, present day US immigration level as well as the fantasy level in the book. The world building was great and the story meshed our actual world with the fantasy world really nicely. The pace of the book was good and the relationships that were built throughout felt realistic and relatable. The ending felt a tad rushed, but big questions were mostly answered and the book left off in a great spot to start the second one. This book is stunning and any fantasy reader (or not tbh) should read it. I absolutely cannot wait until the second book in this series comes out later this year.
CW: ICE raid/detention, misogyny/sexism, casual mentions of Harry Potter books/world throughout
CW: ICE raid/detention, misogyny/sexism, casual mentions of Harry Potter books/world throughout
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Misogyny
Minor: Homophobia
Casual mentions of HP world/series throughout the book.betweentheshelves'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
3.5
Where this book excels is its themes. Manu's journey is parallel to an immigrant's story in the US, with a little fantasy twist. Prejudice, racism, and illegal immigration all work their way into this fantasy story. The beginning of the book is strong, setting the stage for the rest of the book.
However, the second half of the book has its bumps along the way, re-centered when it ties back to its main themes and plot points, specifically Manu and the mystery of her family. I did love Manu and her new friends, and I can't wait to see where they go next in the sequel!
However, the second half of the book has its bumps along the way, re-centered when it ties back to its main themes and plot points, specifically Manu and the mystery of her family. I did love Manu and her new friends, and I can't wait to see where they go next in the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Police brutality, Xenophobia, and Homophobia
Frequent mentions of Harry Potter throughout.sarah984's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book was okay, but it disappointed me a bit. I appreciated a different perspective with a main character who is an undocumented immigrant and the use of Argentinian culture in the werewolf society, and the story was relatively fast-paced once Manu got to the school. Having her find out that her existence in werewolf society as well paralleled with her mundane life in an interesting way (even if it doesn't make much sense for a society that places so much emphasis on reproduction to label any child illegal). All of the scenes involving ICE and the Cazadores (essentially serving the function of werewolf ICE) were appropriately tense and upsetting.
The characters were mostly fun, though the love interest was like a block of wood and some of the background students didn't get much development. The insta-love and pointless love triangle annoyed me.
I can see that the author was going for a feminist message but since their powers are innate it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Even if Manu gets to play werewolf football that won't pave the way for other girls because they're still not werewolves. The constant description of her power coming from her uterus was off-putting. Did the boys’ werewolf power come from their reproductive organs as well?
It was really weird to me that Manu was cooped up the way she was at the beginning, as many undocumented children go to school. The twist involving Manu’s father was pretty silly, and there were a few dropped plot threads (particularly regarding an identical girl who lived across the street) that I'm hoping get picked up in the next book.
The characters were mostly fun, though the love interest was like a block of wood and some of the background students didn't get much development. The insta-love and pointless love triangle annoyed me.
I can see that the author was going for a feminist message but since their powers are innate it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Even if Manu gets to play werewolf football that won't pave the way for other girls because they're still not werewolves. The constant description of her power coming from her uterus was off-putting. Did the boys’ werewolf power come from their reproductive organs as well?
It was really weird to me that Manu was cooped up the way she was at the beginning, as many undocumented children go to school. The twist involving Manu’s father was pretty silly, and there were a few dropped plot threads (particularly regarding an identical girl who lived across the street) that I'm hoping get picked up in the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Homophobia, Confinement, Misogyny, Police brutality, and Racism
Minor: Rape and Sexual content
mfieldshalva's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Grief, Misogyny, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Homophobia and Violence
psistillreadyou's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Sexism
Minor: Rape
ICE raids involving police brutality, descriptions of heavy menstruation and intense menstrual pain, drugging of a minorehmannky's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This! Book! Is! So! Good! I was engrossed from page one, and Garber created such a wonderfully unique and magical world that interweaves real life horrors of ICE and America's horrendous immigration system with supernatural terrors and wonders. Manu is a fabulous character and loved how she wrestles with the idea of wanting to make a name for herself and come into her own v. the desire for safety in anonymity, with wanting to prove that she is as good and belongs to the world v. not wanting to play the game of a broken system and close the doors to those who may follow, with being an individual with her own desires and thoughts v. belonging to a community and acting for that community to the detriment of oneself. It's such a complex and beautiful book and I am obsessed.
The magical school is a good riff on the genre. If you're feeling the lack of magical schools in your life after Harry Potter, I would definitely give this series a read.
The magical school is a good riff on the genre. If you're feeling the lack of magical schools in your life after Harry Potter, I would definitely give this series a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Sexual harassment, Blood, Police brutality, and Violence
pandagirlmb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence