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caidyn's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
I liked this quite a bit more than the first one, mainly because the expansion of the world and how it showed even more diversity in the world. And I really can't wait to see the third book come out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Rape, and Xenophobia
psistillreadyou's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
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? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Child death, and Transphobia
gentlethem94's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
While I enjoyed this second book, it fell in the same way Lobizona does. It feels still edited to help hand-hold white readers. The over-explanation of things in real-world Latine culture can be a lot and annoying for a fellow Latine person. This book also left me feeling a little deflated for Manu and her friends at the end. Yes you can change things from the inside, but it feels like a slap in the face to the undocumented folks who are seeing themselves in Manu, for her to end up where she does. Overall, still enjoyed the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Police brutality
TW for mention/inclusion of ICE and deportationehmannky's review
emotional
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
4.5
I love everything about this series. I think that Garber interweaves fantasy elements so seamlessly with real world concerns like immigration, binary thinking, racism, homophobia, etc. And it never feels heavy-handed, it just feels integral and natural to the story. I love Manu, and I love that she stays true to herself and damn the consequences to her life. It's just...a stellar series. And it sounds like the next book is going to be all about Manu and Gael doing some daughter-father bonding and that is a trope I am weak for and I just know that I am going to cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexism
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Racism and Violence
allisonwonderlandreads's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
While Lobizona offered up a dazzling magical school and sport combo, its sequel spreads its wings and takes us to all kinds of new locales. Strap in for arboreal cities with secret passageways and a fungal information network, enchanted oceans with a giant shell of a submersible ship and a secret rebel base, and volcanic hideaways, midnight garden pocket dimensions, and hot air balloon rides.
I like a plot that doesn't stall out, and this one definitely keeps things moving. However, I think it offered fewer opportunities to feel connected to the characters than in the first book, where there were frequent moments of bonding, of internal struggle, of unfettered joy -- all requiring pauses from the action that were well worth it. In Cazadora, while the plot is undeniably punchy, it's ultimately a generic ya fantasy vehicle (chosen one against all odds, insta-love, revolution) for the spectacular world-building and meaningful messaging it attempts to carry.
The messages against false binaries and labels are far from generic for a ya fantasy universe. Also, the always relevant questioning of arbitrary borders and the concept of a person somehow being "illegal" through their mere existence are powerful. The author further drives home the non-fantasy importance of her story in the acknowledgments, referencing the many horrors the US has perpetrated against immigrants. I hope this book is successful with a young adult audience and that protagonist Manu helps some feel seen and helps others open their eyes to the experiences of their peers and the inequities of our laws and institutions.
Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, out 8/17.
I like a plot that doesn't stall out, and this one definitely keeps things moving. However, I think it offered fewer opportunities to feel connected to the characters than in the first book, where there were frequent moments of bonding, of internal struggle, of unfettered joy -- all requiring pauses from the action that were well worth it. In Cazadora, while the plot is undeniably punchy, it's ultimately a generic ya fantasy vehicle (chosen one against all odds, insta-love, revolution) for the spectacular world-building and meaningful messaging it attempts to carry.
The messages against false binaries and labels are far from generic for a ya fantasy universe. Also, the always relevant questioning of arbitrary borders and the concept of a person somehow being "illegal" through their mere existence are powerful. The author further drives home the non-fantasy importance of her story in the acknowledgments, referencing the many horrors the US has perpetrated against immigrants. I hope this book is successful with a young adult audience and that protagonist Manu helps some feel seen and helps others open their eyes to the experiences of their peers and the inequities of our laws and institutions.
Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, out 8/17.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexism
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Abortion, Colonisation, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Sexual content, and Violence
kristynpittman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Death
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