Reviews with content warning for Colonisation - The Last Cuentista

This is a great introduction for kids to one of my favorite genres sci-Fi! This Newberry award winner has themes of colonization, diversity, individual vs. collectivism, grief, and the power of storytelling. Although I found most of the twists predictable (having read/watched many stories with similar themes) I think they would be earth-shattering to young readers.

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moodreader89's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This story was a great read. I loved the integration and weaving of the folklore with the sci-fi genre. The characters are interesting, but it is a plot driven story (imho). I found the plot line unique and know that this book does not really have an equal— but I could see some comparisons to other ya sci-fi novels in terms of structure; but I’ve not really seen the magic realism tied in like this. It is beautiful! There are many meaningful themes and ideas to explore here: colonization, cultural identity, how colonization has lead to erasure, power, sacrifice, and how far is too far for collectivism vs. individualism? So much to think about, learn from, and share; I throughly enjoyed this book!

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gabydoesgrowth's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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

4.25

This was my first middle-grade story as an adult and at first I felt a little silly reading it, but I really enjoyed it. The cover drew me in and I had to get it. It’s short and moves pretty fast so it kept me interested.

Some of the sci-fi aspects are familiar, but it still felt fresh and original.

The writing was really well done and I loved learning about Petra and her family and how her heritage was such a central part of herself.

I wish the story continued after its end.

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greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful tense 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

3.5

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toriliz's review

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adventurous dark 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

3.0

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taliahsbookshelf's review

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

If you’re anything like me, you probably have some sort of collection. It could be small, it could be big, it could be made of anything. Books, DVD’s, potato chip cans, I don’t know. But I want you to think about that collection. This stuff that means a lot to you, even if it isn’t worth a lot. Then I want you to think of the hidden gem in that collection. The thing you might not think of first when asked about your collection, that you might not think of as the most important one in your collection, that doesn’t necessarily stand out from your collection at first glance. But it’s the one that hidden deep beneath, is secretly your favorite. It’s the one you default to when you’re a little sad, or when you have to remind yourself why you started this collection in the first place.

That’s what reading this book felt like. That little kernel of pure, unbridled joy that feels childlike and limitless. With a plot that packs a punch and characters ready to stand up to it all, The Last Cuentista now sits in its rightful place of honor on my bookshelf.

When I first picked up this book at my local bookstore, it was the cover that drew me in. The bright colors, the whimsical nature tied in with some sci-fi elements. Then I read the summary, and was intrigued by the Latinx culture as seen in a sci-fi genre, with spaceships and aliens. But when I was reading it, it was the story that kept me captivated. The last storyteller, our main character, Petra, was simultaneously a badass and a beautiful, relatable character. She might only be thirteen, but she feels so real that you forget she isn’t standing right next to you.

This book gave off the vibes of the movie Passengers, the book series Percy Jackson, and strangely, somehow, the city of Chicago. I can’t really explain that last one, just like I can’t really explain the way this book was perfection in a beautiful casing.

Read it. Now. I promise you that you will get lost in the story and stay invested until the very last word.

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