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perpetualpages's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? N/A
4.0
thebooktender's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
stephlovaofbooks's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thebookworm_queen's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
shereadytoread's review
adventurous
4.0
This book is a fun sequel that is much more action packed than the first book, but feels like it’s more focused on the fighting than the relationships that were so vital to the first book. Definitely worth reading to finish the duology.
popthebutterfly's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Pilar Ramirez and the Curse of San Zenon
Author: Julian Randall
Book Series: Pilar Ramirez Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Dominican American MC, Dominican characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, mythology, Dominican Republic
Publication Date: February 28, 2023
Genre: MG Fantasy
Age Relevance: 10+ (parental death, violence, gore, war mentioned)
Explanation of Above: There is a parental death mentioned briefly. There is some violence and small blood gore. There are mentions of war.
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 272
Synopsis: After being magically transported to the mythical island of Zafa and rescuing her long captive cousin Natasha, Pilar is back in Chicago . . . and hiding the shocking truths about Zafa and Natasha being alive. So, when she and her family are invited on a trip to Santo Domingo, Pilar welcomes the distraction and the chance to see the Dominican Republic for the first time.
But when Ciguapa and close friend Carmen magically appears in the DR searching for help, Pilar is soon on the hunt for the escaped demon El Baca and his mysterious new ally. Now, with a cursed storm gathering over the island to resurrect an ancient enemy, Pilar will have to harness her newfound bruja powers if she has any hope of saving her own world, Zafa, and most importantly her family before the clock runs out and ushers in a new era of evil.
Review: This book revolves around our MC a year after the previous book’s events. Pilar is invited with her family to go back to the Dominican Republic and good times are had until Zafa residents reappear to PIlar looking for her help yet again. The book did better this time with the pacing and it felt like it was smoother and more even. The book had great historical references with the history of the DR and I loved learning about it. The book also had good world building and character development.
However, I did think that the book is still too fast paced and I think it would be better slowed down. But overall it was good!
Verdict: It was good! Highly recommend.
Book: Pilar Ramirez and the Curse of San Zenon
Author: Julian Randall
Book Series: Pilar Ramirez Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Dominican American MC, Dominican characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, mythology, Dominican Republic
Publication Date: February 28, 2023
Genre: MG Fantasy
Age Relevance: 10+ (parental death, violence, gore, war mentioned)
Explanation of Above: There is a parental death mentioned briefly. There is some violence and small blood gore. There are mentions of war.
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 272
Synopsis: After being magically transported to the mythical island of Zafa and rescuing her long captive cousin Natasha, Pilar is back in Chicago . . . and hiding the shocking truths about Zafa and Natasha being alive. So, when she and her family are invited on a trip to Santo Domingo, Pilar welcomes the distraction and the chance to see the Dominican Republic for the first time.
But when Ciguapa and close friend Carmen magically appears in the DR searching for help, Pilar is soon on the hunt for the escaped demon El Baca and his mysterious new ally. Now, with a cursed storm gathering over the island to resurrect an ancient enemy, Pilar will have to harness her newfound bruja powers if she has any hope of saving her own world, Zafa, and most importantly her family before the clock runs out and ushers in a new era of evil.
Review: This book revolves around our MC a year after the previous book’s events. Pilar is invited with her family to go back to the Dominican Republic and good times are had until Zafa residents reappear to PIlar looking for her help yet again. The book did better this time with the pacing and it felt like it was smoother and more even. The book had great historical references with the history of the DR and I loved learning about it. The book also had good world building and character development.
However, I did think that the book is still too fast paced and I think it would be better slowed down. But overall it was good!
Verdict: It was good! Highly recommend.
bookdragon217's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
laurensbookvibes's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Brujas, Ciguapas, and Hell Hounds, Oh My!!
Pilar Ramirez and The Curse of San Zenon is the second book in the fantasy series about a girl who has to “save the world before high school”! It’s an action packed, adventure story packed full of Dominican Republic culture, myths, and history.
Pilar is a relatable middle grader. I love the easy flow between her usage of the English and Spanish languages. She’s just like any typical middle grader with her sisterly drama, a strong feminist attitude, and being protective of her family. But there’s one important difference between Pilar and the typical middle grader next door: she’s a Bruja (witch) and a powerful one!
This story is filled with many Latinx legends and mythological creatures just like in the first story. We find Pilar and her friend Carmen back together fighting all these dark forces. But while the mythical creatures are scary, the most horrific enemy throughout the series is the threat of the return of real life dictator Trujillo, who we find the young heroines fighting to stop his return. Trujillo, or El Jefe, was responsible for the tearing apart and displacement of thousands of Dominican families, as well as horrific abuse, torture and murder of them. I appreciated how Randall used this real life threat as the most horrific enemy of all.
If you haven’t read this Latinx Middle Grade series yet, I highly recommend! It’s the perfect book to pick up for upcoming Middle Grade March!I’m
Pilar Ramirez and The Curse of San Zenon is the second book in the fantasy series about a girl who has to “save the world before high school”! It’s an action packed, adventure story packed full of Dominican Republic culture, myths, and history.
Pilar is a relatable middle grader. I love the easy flow between her usage of the English and Spanish languages. She’s just like any typical middle grader with her sisterly drama, a strong feminist attitude, and being protective of her family. But there’s one important difference between Pilar and the typical middle grader next door: she’s a Bruja (witch) and a powerful one!
This story is filled with many Latinx legends and mythological creatures just like in the first story. We find Pilar and her friend Carmen back together fighting all these dark forces. But while the mythical creatures are scary, the most horrific enemy throughout the series is the threat of the return of real life dictator Trujillo, who we find the young heroines fighting to stop his return. Trujillo, or El Jefe, was responsible for the tearing apart and displacement of thousands of Dominican families, as well as horrific abuse, torture and murder of them. I appreciated how Randall used this real life threat as the most horrific enemy of all.
If you haven’t read this Latinx Middle Grade series yet, I highly recommend! It’s the perfect book to pick up for upcoming Middle Grade March!I’m