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A review by pastelwriter
Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It’s a shame that I didn’t write my thoughts down for this closer to when I read it 😩 To be fair, though, I was in the absolute trenches in November. It’s a good thing that so much of it did leave a strong impression, so I still have thoughts to share!
Anyway. I absolutely loved this book! Jonny Garza Villa has done it again and given me the gift of another phenomenal novel 💖😭💖 They are truly amazing with their ability to combine both fun sweet moments with heart wrenching moments.
One of my favorite things about this novel was Rafie. I must admit that I have a weak spot for characters who are cocky but have the skill to back it up! Like my boy is so sure of himself and his talent and that he deserves the world…and damn right he does! He’s overflowing with talent. THE WORLD IS YOURS RAFIE AND DON’T YOU DOUBT IT FOR A SECOND 😭😭😭 (I fear that my growing love for this type of character is born out of my unhealthy obsession with my all time favorite book series which features this type of character 🙃)
Anyway ✨ Rey is also my beloved son. He absolutely doesn’t take any of Rafie’s shit, and we simply have to Stan for that. He doesn’t let Rafie think he can just do whatever he wants and get whatever he wants, and Rafie does need someone to keep him in check a little. I wish I could say more, but my blinding love for Rafie makes it hard to recall more about Rey 🥲
Something else incredible about this novel is how it handles the homophobia present in Latino culture. It doesn’t shy away from it, but also still gives hope for change. I really appreciated how it’s largely understood by the mariachi band Los Todos Colores that the main reason they haven’t won first place in competitions previously is because of homophobia. It was impeccable 👌🏻
The element in here that hit the hardest for me here, though, were the discussions of grief. Rafie’s abuelo has recently passed away, and this hits him really hard. He really looked up to him, and he was Rafie’s favorite person. So, he’s really struggling to make sense of his life and his future without this man he loves so much. There were so many scenes in here that hit me right in the feels with how Rafie was dealing with this grief that often felt all-consuming for him.
So, yeah, I really did love this book! It was even better Buddy reading it with my friend Steff who is now finally firmly convinced she should try more books by this author ✨ This was my mission as she doesn’t read much YA, but I was trying to show her that I know what the good shit is 😩🙏🏻
Anyway. I absolutely loved this book! Jonny Garza Villa has done it again and given me the gift of another phenomenal novel 💖😭💖 They are truly amazing with their ability to combine both fun sweet moments with heart wrenching moments.
One of my favorite things about this novel was Rafie. I must admit that I have a weak spot for characters who are cocky but have the skill to back it up! Like my boy is so sure of himself and his talent and that he deserves the world…and damn right he does! He’s overflowing with talent. THE WORLD IS YOURS RAFIE AND DON’T YOU DOUBT IT FOR A SECOND 😭😭😭 (I fear that my growing love for this type of character is born out of my unhealthy obsession with my all time favorite book series which features this type of character 🙃)
Anyway ✨ Rey is also my beloved son. He absolutely doesn’t take any of Rafie’s shit, and we simply have to Stan for that. He doesn’t let Rafie think he can just do whatever he wants and get whatever he wants, and Rafie does need someone to keep him in check a little. I wish I could say more, but my blinding love for Rafie makes it hard to recall more about Rey 🥲
Something else incredible about this novel is how it handles the homophobia present in Latino culture. It doesn’t shy away from it, but also still gives hope for change. I really appreciated how it’s largely understood by the mariachi band Los Todos Colores that the main reason they haven’t won first place in competitions previously is because of homophobia. It was impeccable 👌🏻
The element in here that hit the hardest for me here, though, were the discussions of grief. Rafie’s abuelo has recently passed away, and this hits him really hard. He really looked up to him, and he was Rafie’s favorite person. So, he’s really struggling to make sense of his life and his future without this man he loves so much. There were so many scenes in here that hit me right in the feels with how Rafie was dealing with this grief that often felt all-consuming for him.
So, yeah, I really did love this book! It was even better Buddy reading it with my friend Steff who is now finally firmly convinced she should try more books by this author ✨ This was my mission as she doesn’t read much YA, but I was trying to show her that I know what the good shit is 😩🙏🏻