Not really my cup of tea so I wasn’t able to finish it. So I DNF around 25% sorry! I will day thought I was able to point some people I know would love this book that way. Even if I didn’t like it I know others will!!

Manuela, or Manu, is an illegal immigrant whose mother moved her from Argentina to escape her father's dangerous and influential family. Her undocumented status and the strange eyes she inherited from her father are enough for her mother to keep Manu at home at fear of discovery, either by ICE or her father's family, but as Manu becomes older, she dreams of a life for herself, outside of her cramped apartment. As events unfold, Manu discovers that her life and the story about her Argentinian origins aren't anything like what she has been told or could have ever imagined.

This young adult fantasy gave me a lot of Harry Potter vibes; there's a girl sequestered from the world who one day discovers she's magical and happens upon a school for other teens just like her. However, the magic in this story relies heavily on Argentinian myth about lobizonos (werewolves) and brujas (witches.) The novel starts off at a fast pace, which completely sucked me in, but lags a bit in the middle. The end ramps up the speed again as Manu's true identity and that of her father are revealed.

The writing in this novel is decent, I particularly enjoyed how the author injected plenty of Spanish into the dialogue, but in such a way that English readers understand without a direct translation. I also really connected to Manu; she is a very normal teenage girl just with capital "P" problems. Garber's exploration of how it must feel to be "illegal" in a country that would love to cage you through Manu's eyes is impactful, especially when her status among the people most like her is also in question.

Overall, an enjoyable YA Urban Fantasy with an interesting POV that I think Latinx teens would relate to and teens from other cultures would benefit from.

Wow! Just....wow. Manu is an illegal immigrant from Argentina. Her mother is keeping her hidden and she isn’t allowed to leave her apartment building for any reason. She is homeschooled, has no friends, and as a teenage girl she is itching to get outside. She has been told her father was killed and that they are on the run from the bad men who killed him. She also knows she inherited her unusual eyes from him...eyes she must hide behind sunglasses around the clock. When tragedy strikes and her mom is detained by ICE, she has to venture out in the world to find help but stumbles upon a group of people with eyes just like hers. Can they help her, or are they the reason her mom has been on the run? This book is so incredible and there is a twist at the end I didn’t see coming! I can’t wait to read the next one! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I will no doubt be buying copies for all my friends!

If Lobizona is not yet on your radar, it absolutely should be! One of the best YA fantasy novels I've read this year, it combines magical realism, portal fantasy, Latinx werewolf mythology, and a decidedly progressive vision of the world into a smart, engrossing tale that you won't want to put down. Vivid imagery, a cool magic system, fantastic world-building, important themes, interesting characters, and unexpected twists all contribute to making this something truly special.

I can't tell you too much about the plot without spoiling things, but the story follows Manuela (Manu) Azul, a sixteen-year old girl from Argentina living illegally in Miami with her mother. Manu's existence is a constricted one, not only because of her immigration status, but also because of her unusual eyes that she must hide behind mirrored glasses. She also has extremely difficult periods each month and her mother gives her pills that keep her unconscious for the first three days of her cycle, during which she dreams vividly of a dangerous and magical world. Things begin strange and quickly get even stranger as Manu tries to uncover the secrets of her identity and her estranged father's past, and gets sucked into a dangerous yet magical world she never knew existed.

Without getting into details, we also end up getting a great friend group, forbidden love, and queer representation (not the MC). But things don't go the way you might expect in this kind of story and the author has thoughtfully woven in big issues that are well worth your time and consideration. Obviously this addresses immigration, legal status, and the problems with ICE, but it also addresses misogyny, the problems with a binary system of gender and gendered expectations, privilege, and even, (in a truly brilliant scene) the problems with awarding a privileged status to only "special" or talented outsiders when every life has value. It's such a smart and important book, but also a fun and thrilling one. Not to mention, if a certain book announcement has you excited for vampires and werewolves, Lobizona just might scratch part of that itch. (to be clear, this does not have vampires, but it DOES have werewolves and witches!)

Clearly I was a fan of this and I'm very excited to see people talking about it once it's widely available. There is a lot that could be said, but spoilers! So I'll just say, please read this one. I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book is so beautifully crafted that it's hard to put it into words. It has a dozen alluring subtleties and yet so bold. It is such a poignant reflection of so much bigotry that plagues our society - xenophobia, racism, sexism, misogyny. At every point in the story where it can be conventional, it chooses to defy norm and continues to amaze readers. It has the most perfect pace even though the entire storyline happens in a short period of time, nothing feels rushed or slowed. With amazing worldbuilding and tantalising characters, this book is a winner through and through.


I give this book 4.75 stars, only because the romance that the main character finds herself in seems a little thin to me. But, in every other way, this book is a triumph and I eagerly await its sequel.

5 STARS


If you pick up one book this August, let it be Lobizona.


Originally meant to release yesterday, Lobizona has been moved to early August. And in a twist that worries me, it has the same publication date as the new Stephanie Meyer book, which means I have one request of you: do not let Lobizona flop.

I picked it up on a whim from NetGalley during the brief period where it was available as a "Read Now" title. It sounded incredible, and had a cover that drew me in with its beauty and intricacy.

Reader, what you get on the surface is nothing compared to the outstanding story inside. Lobizona follows Manu, an illegal immigrant from Argentina, as she begins to unlock the secrets of her family and search for belonging in a world that is against her every step of the way. From the streets of Miami to the enchanting bruja and lobizón stronghold hidden in the Everglades, she aims to find her place, or better yet, to carve it out exactly as she deserves, on her terms.


The tropes may feel familiar, especially to fantasy readers, but it's a comfort.


From the summary alone, you know that Manu is no ordinary girl, not by mundane standards, nor by the standards of the magical world she finds herself thrust into. It's hardly a spoiler to say that she is the title lobizona, a female werewolf, and an impossibility even in this freeing world of Argentine magic. Because of this, Lobizona can feel familiar for most fantasy readers. With a dash of chosen one tropes, questions of parentage, unusual and highly emphasized eye colors, and rebellion brewing on the horizon, it's building blocks are nothing unfamiliar.

But the power is in the execution, and Romina Garber has gone above and beyond.

While the building blocks of the story are familiar, the stunning setting and the sheer strength of character Manu exhibits are a solid hook. It's a case where a degree of predictability works, because you're not worried about where the story will go. Instead, you're worried about how it will get there. More than that, you're worried about where it will go once it leaves familiar territory behind.

I adored every minute of this book, I truly did. It was only a matter of time before Manu's world blew wide open, and I was desperate to know which match was set to light the fuse. And now, having finished the book, I can't wait to know where she and her friends go next. They have enemies now, powerful ones, but they also have the drive to change everything.

Maybe I'm just a sap, but how can I say no to a story about teens shaking off the traditions of older generations in order to build something better? Especially since in this case, we're talking about teens angling to dismantle huge systems. Rampant sexism? It's out. Homophobia? We're done with that. The notion that anyone's existence can be illegal? Our protagonists have had it up to here with that.

Even though Lobizona doesn't yet dismantle these structures, it's preparing to do so. Whatever comes next for the Wolves of No World series is bound to center on the hard work of radical change in the same way that Lobizona centers on Manu discovering herself.


And of course, Lobizona is unapologetically Latinx.


While I can't comment on the precise quality of the rep, since I'm not Latinx, let alone Argentine, I can say that this is not a book that sprinkles a dash of culture on top in an effort to appear diverse. It's an OwnVoices story by an Argentine immigrant, and it makes no apology for the untranslated Spanish, nor the cultural superstitions, nor the food and drink.

Moreover, it deals with incredibly real contemporary issues. Though most of the novel is fantasy through and through, the early chapters are more contemporary. They focus on Manu's life in Miami, always keeping an eye out for ICE, always keeping her head down. Going unnoticed is the best way to survive, and her existence as an illegal immigrant defines how she and her family move through Miami. Sure, her magical heritage affects that, too, but her immigration status is never far from mind.

No matter where she is in the world, Manu must contend with the powers that be claiming that she doesn't belong. It makes me love her even more, how she fights against it even as she wavers in the face of it.


"May you be blessed by the moonlight."


I could probably go on for another thousand words about this book if you let me. It's packed with gorgeous imagery, a lovely group cast, and hope for a different, better future. Not only that, but it's Latinx, it's queer, it talks frankly about menstruation, it condemns ICE for the brutal organization that it is, and it's the first in a series. I can't wait to explore more of this world. Better yet, I can't wait to see Manu make the rules. Her existence is not illegal. It's simply new, and she has the power to write her own story. That no longer belongs to anyone else.

If you're interested in Lobizona, be sure to place a pre-order before August 4th! Those of you who do will receive a set of five pins in the mail, plus the satisfaction of a brilliant new werewolf book. I can't recommend it enough that you take advantage of this. Really.

Lobizona is one of my favorite books this year. Hopefully, it's one of yours, too. ❤️


CW: loss of a loved one, sexual harassment and rape mentions, violence, ICE raids, graphic injury, gore

[This review will go live on Hail & Well Read at 12:30 PM EST on 5/6/20.]

Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for providing me with this ARC. Lobizona hit my radar thanks to Book Riot late last year (I've already pre-ordered, which I rarely do). When I saw that this was available for review, I jumped on the opportunity. Several of my students and I have discussed using this book as our "book club" selection. Garber has a pretty cool voice with a new narrative in this book. I really enjoyed brushing up on my high school Spanish and trying to figure out conversations between the MC and her mother. I wasn't always right, but gosh it was fun. The story in Lobizona is critical at this time in our society. Garber is not shy in tackling the fear and sensitivity that occur with ICE raids and how a community continues on. Lobizona is a multi-storied story, which makes the reader work for their dinner, which I appreciated. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and its different nuances of being Other in the US.

Just from the description, I felt this was going to be a good book. I can say with pride that I was correct! As a person with the Latinx community, this book is such a piece of connection and nostalgic in in writing for me. I love the use of the Spanish language in the writing. It takes a lot of precedence and it's used just right for certain scenes and certain characters. The Spanish is translated for the readers who don't understand it, but it just felt so right. I love the exploration of Argentine mythology and culture. It's so important to represent not just diversity, but also diversity within communities. It's great weaving of realities that people go through like immigration,safety anxiety and the transformation of a girl with the mix of the mythic, magic and folklore. I can't wait to read more of this world and explore it further.

Magic schools are making a comeback in young adult lit right now (THANK GOD), and Lobizona should be at the top of any magic enthusiast’s list. This story is both breathlessly, immediately real and ethereal, dealing with heavy topics like racism, patriarchal sexism, and the fear of “the other” while also juggling a fantasy-bent narrative that promises to enchant. Enlightening without being pedantic and introducing a fresh magical folklore onto the shelves of readers, this book (and its GORGEOUS cover) deserves a place on your nightstand.

Noticeably, we are merging into an era where references to a certain magical wizarding school is abundant and has become such a pinnacle piece of knowledge for determining characters. (and hey, I am not complaining! I love it). However, Romina Garber has given us more than just a silly pop-culture tidbit as so many authors have done before for simple humor. Instead, she has given readers a new home. A new place of magic where anyone can come in and find their new family and want to stay.

And it is gorgeous.

Lobizona takes such care to enrich readers with cultural details that only Garber with her own experiences can give. Those emotions and love for two homes bleeding out on to the pages here with true heart. But, just how our main character, Manu, must rise above her insecurities in believing herself unwanted, so to must the reader fight to get through the beginning of this book.

Despite understanding and knowing the message the author wanted to portray, without Manu having a real tangible personality until she arrives at the academy– it all fell flat in a way that had the narration just telling me what was happening emotionally instead of allowing me to have reason to invest in it. Making it a chore of trudging through the opening chapters of this book. Which is a shame since everything that comes after increasingly gets more exciting as we learn more about this new world and magic system.

On top of that, although I admire it, the spanish in the beginning however inclusive and centrally important to building Manu’s home life – wasn’t always translated. And despite Garber very cleverly translating or explaining most of it, there are still instances where the lines become skippable and unimportant. Additionally, as the story progresses the use of the language, outside of the vocab words the reader learns, lessens more and more regardless of there being even more of a reason to speak it. Essentially, it felt off-balanced from beginning to end. Though, I can’t say it was wholly a disappointing thing. Some of the lines Garber gives us once Manu gets to the academy are precious and beautiful in their rarity. But why build up such a multi-lingual world only to give and take the value?

Aside from that, Manu as a character was often clueless. I could forgive her for not knowing things because she was never told. Even if I had a very hard time believing that she just thought it normal to have stronger senses than those around her. Yet, she never once thought that maybe the myths and bedtime stories about witches and werewolves could be true to herself, and the lame excuses she gives for it pales in humor as we as readers obviously know what’s actually happening.

But, what I couldn’t forgive from this and what honestly drove me to pulling out my hair, is whenever we’re on the very cusp of finding out prevalent information to things– Manu quite literally changes the topic each time. Seemingly oblivious to the fact she just interrupted someone about to give her advice. Often leaving dialogue clunky in other areas as information is pushed out all out once or sometimes leaving key plot point revelations coming out too expectedly or with a choppy flow to them without room to expand in their predeposited point in the story.

Regardless, even with all that said, I really enjoyed this book. It covers so many themes from immigration to sexism without being too overly in your face about it. Additionally, I’m excited to read on into a second book for more reasons than just finding out what happens to Manu, but also for seeing more interactions between her and her pack of eccentric friends and new found family.

But also, can I just say that I want my own wolf shadow? Those things were honestly TOO cute! I don’t need bruja magic if I can get an adorable shadow.

A timely, well-written use of werewolf-as-analogy that was genuinely refreshing and unflinchingly political.

That said, at times, the plot (especially once Manu meets the other Septimuses) kinda drags and the world-building, while well-imagined, can be a little confusing and hard to keep up with, and I was bummed about what felt like a very abrupt ending. But I'm definitely looking forward to more from this series and from Romina Garber.

(Also, god, what a beautiful cover).

A Latinex Harry Potter, but rather than wizards they’re werewolves, Lobizona blends genre conventions to enchant readers with this Argentinian fused sultry magical drama.

Cecelia Beckman, Sheaf & Ink

My Thoughts
Before reading the synopsis I was drawn in by the cover. You’re instantly taken by the dark uncanny imagery. The design of the cover entails a young girl with hair that flows into wild untamed foliage. Her unusual eyes as gold as the sun. It’s a breathtaking image.

Once I read the synopsis I was hooked. My goal as a reader is to immerse myself into novels that have roots in more diverse soil. Where these novels are also written by diverse authors. And this novel is one of them. Written by an Argentinian, Garber infuses her story with rich details of Argentinian folklore. She includes Spanish speaking characters and the paralyzing reality of undocumented immigrants.

Lobizona captivated from the very first chapters. Manu’s anxiety, her alienation from the world. How she escaped her reality. Diving into the novels she read in droves and her awareness of her own body was refreshing. It isn’t often authors focus on what young girls go through on a monthly basis. Or how it affects their lives on a regular basis is something readers will identify and appreciate.

Garber also vividly depicts a stifling world where no one sees Manu for who she is, constantly having to hide herself in order to live a semi-normal life. She uses themes of gender identity, racial and gender inequality, and acceptance, weaving them into her story, magnified by the experiences Manu encounters throughout the novel.

Although Garber does not go into great detail of the magical school as J.K. Rowling does for Hogwarts in her Harry Potter series: the intricacies of the day-to-day life of a student and staff, you still have this vivid visual of Lobizona’s magical school itself along with the relatable teenage drama.

I did have a few concerns. The pacing of the plot at times seemed rushed or confusing. When the setting transitioned from Miami to the magical realm there seemed to be a disconnect, where I had to go back and read to ensure where I was within the story.

Where it felt most rushed was during transitional periods of the school weeks. I felt here there were missed opportunities. Garber had moments where she could have dove deeper into the mythology and founding of the school. While also exploring more of the classes preparing students to enter society as a werewolf or witch.

All in all I enjoyed reading this book. My hope is Lobizona will reach a larger audience. An audience who will appreciate the beauty and wonder Garber builds. Along with the fascinating cultural aspects imbued by the rich and sumptuous details that make this a satisfying read.

Happy Reading ̴ Cece

Lobizona is everything 15 year old me dreamed of -- and more. I wish I had this book back then, because I know I would become its number one fan and teen marketer.

Lobizona is inherently Latinx and filled with feminist analogy. I haven't read much YA written from a Argentinian MC's perspective so it was great to learn about Argentina and see all of the little quirks that make Manuela so great.The author does not shy away from "taboo" topics in YA like periods. I adored that the main character's power was in a way activated by this. There was something very primal and rooted in creation about it that i really loved. The descriptions throughout this novel are also so, so, great, I loved learning about the world alongside Manuela.

This book was an incredibly moving and powerful read. I don’t want to give too much away but the main characters growth was incredibly well written and beautifully woven throughout the narrative.

I do not believe I am particularly qualified to be reviewing this in any matter that should be taken seriously.

First of all, I am not Latinx, so while I think this was a unique and powerful way to explore immigration and the (horrible) concept of a person being illegal and this exploration was the highlight of the book for me, I cannot speak for this. Nor can I speak for the integration of Latinx (especially Argentinian) culture into the book. I appreciated both those aspects, but please read Latinx reviewers' reviews for more discussion on that!

While I personally did not necessarily enjoy this book, because it just took a lot of tropes I personally don't like or that rub me the wrong way and pushed them together, I know there are people out there who will love it. I know I am not the voice that should be saying what this book has or lacks where other people can hear, so please keep that in mind when considering this review.

What a wild ride this story was. Thank you to NetGalley and Alexis Neuville with St. Martin’s Press for providing me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I completely fell in love with this story within the first chapter. Manu’s struggle of being undocumented in the U.S. was heartbreaking. It’s something that happens to people every single day in this country and it’s absolutely horrible. Manu struggles with this, but loves her mother and respects her mother’s wishes. I loved Manu’s relationship with her mother. They were very close, despite the secrets between them. I was a little sad we didn’t get to see them together after they were separated when ICE took Manu’s mother away. But their love for one another was so obvious, it warmed my heart.
After ICE takes Manu’s mother, Manu finds herself in a world that was supposed to only be a myth. She lies her way into a school for Septimus. After becoming roommates with the headmistress’s daughter, Cata. Cata’s best friend, Saysa, decides Manu is going to be in their friend group. Saysa’s brother, Tiago (who I couldn’t figure out for way too long if he was Saysa’s brother or Cata’s brother) is a part of that group too. He’s the alpha of the pack and takes Manu under his wing. This romance was clear from the start and I really didn’t care for it because at their school everyone knows that Tiago and Cata are end game (but we find out some things that made this untrue and made me okay with their relationship). Though things weren’t kittens and rainbows when Manu first arrived, the four of them developed and really solid relationship and I absolutely loved it. I loved that Manu finally felt like she had found the place she belonged. Sadly, this didn’t last long before she learned that once again, she was something that wasn’t supposed to exist, wasn’t allowed. I really liked that this book point blank discussed that immigration issues within the U.S. but it also talks about the struggle within a fantastical world. The world of the Septimus is a backwards one. Men are werewolves and women are witches, there’s no room for discussion of changing these gender roles what so ever. Those in charge of Septimus are very strict in their thinking and the last person that tried to change the ways of the Septimus was Manu’s father, who Manu believed to be dead until she heard the rumors at her new school. I really liked the full circle of Manu trying to become the change right where her father left off.
Many people had issues with the fantasy world, but I really loved it. I really loved the comparison to Harry Potter and that the author had Manu be a fierce lover of the story so that Manu made the comparisons before the reader could. I thought it was an interesting world, hidden within the world we know today.
Overall, this book was heartbreaking but also incredibly fun. The found family was so wonderful, but there were also strong family values and I loved those too. The conversation this story brings to the table is a hard one but a necessary one. I really hope that so many other people will enjoy this book as much as I did.

I've long been a sucker for any kind of werewolf story, so I looked forward to reading this book, the first in a new series b tased on Argentine folk lore. Hidden away in Miami, Manu and her mother live illegally in the United States, on the run from connections to her infamous father and also hiding from ICE. But nearly seventeen at the book's open, Manu begins to chafe at the constant restrictions in her life. But she doesn't seriously rebel until one fateful day turns her entire world upside down.

The book takes a little while to really get going. And once it does, it follows some familiar young adult fantasy tropes - a school, a love triangle, the search for information on her parents' past - but these don't really detract from the story in their familiarity. If anything, this is when the pacing really picks up. I love the werewolf angle - and the romance works well, too.

The book ends on a pretty serious cliffhanger in a lot of ways, with the ending serving more as a temporary respite than a genuine solution. I am definitely curious to see where the rest of the series will go! I think that this will be a definite discussion starter amongst its readers, too!

The concept of this book drew me into it right away. Often realistic, contemporary problems are reserved for realistic, contemporary books. “Supernatural” tends to invoke images of escapism. But Lobizona by Romina Garber deals with a real, heart-wrenching modern issue, and at the same time, introduces a mystical element that takes the protagonist Manu on an incredible journey of resolve-building and self-discovery.

At the start of the story, Manu is focused on staying hidden from ICE, which is especially challenging given that her eyes look so different from anyone else’s. She also receives special pills from her mother that cause her to sleep during the most painful parts of her monthly cycle. But Manu soon discovers that her family has deep, even magical, secrets that she must uncover. And the medicine she’s been receiving may have other purposes. Manu sets out on a journey to learn who (and what) she is and to find her father, who might have the answers she’s looking for.

The book is quite lengthy, which I’m all for if the story demands it. But at times Lobizona felt like a brilliant short novel that had been asked if it could please stay on stage just a little longer. Manu’s inner monologue stretches–she’ll have a thought or a question, take an action, and then repeat that same thought or question. Sometimes events are repeated in short succession, such as when certain characters distract a group the same way twice in a single scene. The length of time it takes Manu to realize and accept that there are supernatural forces also felt a bit drawn out, although this certainly isn’t an issue unique to Lobizona. It’s a common dilemma in urban fantasy: the audience knows magic exists, but the protagonist doesn’t. It’s hard to hold readers in suspense when something strange happens–we know why it’s happening, after all–and yet, we still want the protagonist to react in a believable way.

With that criticism out of the way, however, there is a lot to admire in this book. I enjoyed seeing Manu’s growth from someone who always let others make decisions for her to someone who takes initiative and owns it. She quickly became a character I could cheer for. I also thought the integration of Spanish within the text and dialogue was very well done. I loved the insights as to why a character might choose to speak in one language or the other in any given situation. My Spanish is strong enough that I usually got the gist of what was being said, but I always appreciated the way Manu translated in her head. It came off as a natural thing she might do, rather than a translation for the benefit of the audience.

Overall, Lobizona is a book I recommend. It’s a story that’s long overdue on the shelves, both for its willingness to tackle real-world issues within a supernatural setting and for its diverse cast and unique ideas.

The premise of the novel is intriguing – teenaged Manuela is an undocumented immigrant from Argentina, living with her mother in Miami. Her mother isolates her in their apartment until one day ICE arrives, spiralling Manu’s life into a direction she never expected (into magic, in this case).

I’ll begin with what I enjoyed. The best thing about this novel is its blatantly unapologetic focus on Latinx culture and mythology while being approachable to anyone. The book raises (valid) points about how dehumanizing the word “illegal” is and how unempowered it can make people. I found the parallels between Manuela’s “magical” illegality and her status in the United States to be poignant (yet heavy-handed, which attribute to it being YA). And while I appreciated the attempts at dismantling patriarchy and gender roles in regular society by depicting an even stricter set of norms in the magical society, it too felt rather didactic (but, again, perhaps not to a YA audience).

The book was very easy to read, the setting is well-described, and the first quarter was engrossing. Unfortunately, where it took a downturn for me was when Manu’s story entered magical realism.

I’m not fond of this genre. In fact, I’d rate it as one of my least favourites. I’m also not a huge YA person. I’ll admit, I did not realize this was YA when I requested it on NetGalley (I believe I was swayed by the gorgeous cover). I was expecting an adventure with horror aspects (given there’s werewolves). Yet, these things wouldn’t have mattered if the novel hadn’t fallen into cliché YA tropes.

I give YA novels some leniency regarding tropes when it comes to narrative craft, but at the same time, my personal enjoyment of the novel faded when I could see every plot twist and character development coming.

This novel includes:
- A “chosen one” concept.
- “Instalove” with the popular boy (but something vague is keeping them apart!)
- mean-popular-girl-turns-friend.
- a magical school that explains everything.
- the chosen one doesn’t have to train or learn to use their abilities, despite everyone else having honed their skills their entire life (this particularly irked me).
- the chosen one taking half the book to realize their true self, despite the audience already knowing it because it’s the title of the book.

Despite these tropes, the novel is easy to read and moves at a fast, fun pace, so I wasn’t bored or struggling to finish it. I just wasn’t engaged.

Would I recommend it to my daughter when she’s 14 or so? Definitely! But for an old lady like me, it's a bit too formulaic.

(There also seems to be a trend now where authors are leaving their novels unresolved to force you to read the series. I understand wanting to encourage repeat sales, but having your novel end on a cliff-hanger, without stating in the blurb that it’s part of series, is downright annoying and bordering on cheap. This didn’t affect my rating, but I wish publishing companies would stop pushing this marketing tactic.)

Lobizona is 100% my favorite read of 2020! This book addresses serious topics such as the struggles of undocumented immigrants, homophobia, and misogyny, while also delivering a fascinating magical world full of brujas and lobizones. I adore this book and I need the sequel immediately!