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dreaming_ace's review against another edition
5.0
This is proof of why we need new authors to bring their amazing voices to others. We need more Trans Latinx protagonists dealing with issues of identity, cultural acceptance, love, day of the dead, ghosts, and magic in the stories we love. We need more people to see themselves in the stories they read. We need more stories that are so successful as showing there is never a single story about a community. This is both an important book for us to all read while also being just an amazing story. It is always great when important books are so enjoyable to read. I recommend you read this book.
mitskacir's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, rounding up because I think this would be an excellent book for a younger age group (12-18 years). It was certainly a YA novel, in subject matter and style. Its biggest fault, however, was that it was too predictable: from the moment we met a certain character, I knew they were going to be the big baddie, and of course the two leads are going to fall in love and live happily. That being said, the premise was very interesting and fun and it was an enjoyable read (and I guess there is some enjoyment to being able to say "I knew it all along!" at the big reveal). Most importantly, the representation in this book is amazing: if I read a book like this as a teenager that represented my culture and sexual orientation in the way that this book will for many readers, I would have felt so empowered and seen (and what healthy relationships this book portrays too!!).
coolschoolgal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.25
m_rst's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eestellar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.5
I really liked this book, I guess I'm just a sucker for books about people living in cemeteries and hanging out with ghosts. I loved how big a part Hispanic Culture played in this story, and loved how it centered dia los muertos. I loved Adrian and Julian but Maritza is my girl, I'd read a book with her as the main character so fast. I didn't love the ending, it felt too good to be true in some senses but overall I enjoyed it.
rhiannonhoward's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
minnxes'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Alcohol and Child abuse
bright_night'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
noorandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
“You don't need anyone's permission to be you, Yads.”
This story has walked into my heart.
It's a familiar, heart-wrenching tale. Yadriel wants to prove he is a brujo to his family, who seem accepting of who he is at first, but upon further inspection, only humor him in hopes he will 'accept his girlness'. So, he sets out with his cousin, Maritza, to prove who he is and accidentally summons the ghost of Julian.
“Remember why we're doing this."
Yadriel steeled himself and spoke with as much courage as he could muster. "So they'll see that I'm a brujo."
"Well, yeah, but other than that."
"Spite?" Yadriel guessed.
"Spite!" Maritza agreed enthusiastically.”
The characters are so lovable from the beginning. When Julian was first introduced, I was certain I was going to hate him but I couldn't help falling for him the same way Yadriel did. Their relationship progression feels so natural and so tender and just so electric, that it feels like they were born to meet each other.
Julian was achingly beautiful, but in the way a thunderstorm was beautiful - wild, rough, electric. And bound to leave devastation in his wake.
I felt a lot of the struggles that Yadriel went through, the body dysphoria and the misgendering, the constant need to prove to everyone and yourself that you're who you say you are and... I just love this book. I love the romance. I love learning more about this world and just. Just. They.
sarahbook's review against another edition
I had a tough time with this on audio. I think I would be able to decode a lot more of the Spanish and keep the characters more straight if I could read with my eyes.