Scan barcode
A review by popthebutterfly
Pilar Ramirez and the Curse of San Zenon by Julian Randall
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 The book had great historical references with the history of the DR and I loved learning about it.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.