The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore

The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book because it received a Nerdy Book Club 2021 YA Fiction award. But I have read and loved all of Anna-Marie McLemore's books and been moved by the magical realism and their worlds of diverse Latinx characters. This book is different (read the Author Note after you have read the book) and though many tough topics are discussed, YA readers will relate to Ciela and Lock in their worlds of color and privilege. Both are struggling with what happened to them at a party (two rooms next to one another) by awful privileged white students whose parents names appear on school buildings. Ceila and Lock do not know one another at the beginning of the book, but become friends when he is a new student at her high school. Ciela has magic that has been passed down by her family and when she is assaulted that ability stops. How Ciela reclaims her life and becomes Lock's friend show what a strong brown girl feels for what is right, even as it shatters her life like a shard of glass nestling in her body. I could not stop turning the pages, and many times it was a difficult read because of what was perpetrated on these teens by classmates. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears (Rick Riordan Presents) by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With a rip roaring introduction by Rick Riordan, this 1st book in Rick Riordan Presents by Tehlor Kay Mejia was nonstop tension, adventure, ghosts and friendship as Paoala and her two friends, Dante and Emma, become involved in a mystery of missing children. But this is so far out of Pao's world because she is a scientist believing in facts but what this mystery involves is so out of reality---but involves sinister forces, evil gods and goddesses. These are what her mother has believed in since Pao's childhood with her scary tales of La Lorona, who lures children into the river. I held my breath with all the awesome Latinx food, culture, religion, and beliefs author Tehlor Kay Mejia weaves seamlessly and suspensefully in this first book about a fierce protagonist and her 12 year old nightmares, insecurities and friendship woes. A must read!!! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG! I loved this book! If you have read Daniel Jose Older's fantastic Shadowshaper series and Zoraida Cordova's awesome Brooklyn Brujas series, you will LOVE this book! the difference is it takes place in Los Angeles and involves a transgender boy, Yadriel and his best friend, Maritza, as they try to find out who killed cousin Miguel, how to deal with Yads and his mistaken summoning of Julian and most importantly prove to his father (and everyone else), the head of the community of brujas and brujos, that Yads should be recognized as a brujo and accepted by the brujx community (practicing brujx with powers to heal and speak to spirit/ghosts) . I could not put down Aiden Thomas' beautiful book with bigger than life relatable characters, themes of friendship, the importance of family and the rich Latinx culture. Superb, a rewarding must read!

View all my reviews

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had no idea this was the beginning of a new series!!! I loved the narration by Kyla Garcia, the strong and multifaced character, Dani, who must never let anyone know where she really came from; even more intriguing was the inner dialog from Dani as she shed or donned her faces---she was such a winner at graduation she lands the highest role, Primera, to the highest ranking political family while also having to deal with her enemy, Carmen, being chosen as the Segunda (the wife who bears the children) in the Garcia home. I bit my nails as Dani spied for La Voz and at the same time warred with hating and being fearful while wanting to do so much more to help with the movement. The characters were all so interesting; Medio was a place of magic and beauty but there were so many who suffer under harsh government control, a wall, and lives lost due to no medicine or hospitals. I was not entirely sure about Carmen and their insta-friendship. She made 5 years of Dani's life hell, so I am going to wait until the 2nd book and see what really continues for Dani and Carmen. An exciting, thrilling read!

View all my reviews

Don't Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno

Don't Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nina Moreno, awesome debut author, sucked me into Rosa's world and family and I so enjoyed the ride (on land and sea!!!) as this brave firecracker Lantinx girl into making lists, getting others excited about projects, and trying to navigate the world of her grandmother, Mimi, who will not tell Rosa anything about her life and love in Cuba and her mom who just keeps leaving. Both Mimi and her mother are dealing with grief in their own way---they have lost their men to the sea and now Rosa is cursed as well, or is she? Oh did I love the world and beauty of the seaside town, Port Coral ---Rosa and her family and friends bring so much to this world (food, fun, music) , I want to live there too! Whether she is saving the town or herself, I rooted for Rosa!!! Thanks to my friends @summerathon for recommending this book as a perfect summer read!!! I can't wait for next year!

View all my reviews