Each Of Us A Desert is a story of responsibility, freedom, love, and the strictures of power, told via a desperate journey across an unforgiving desert to a destination which keeps shifting to remain just out of reach.

The structure of the journey in this book is really good. It feels open without being aimless, they have places they're trying to go and things they need to do or find there, but part of the point seems to be that what they're looking for keeps being just out of reach, or not quite what they thought it would be. The ending is amazing, it brought everything together in a way that surprised me while also completely fitting the story. The characters are great, the prose is beautiful, and I love the way that we travel through various towns with different ways of handling something which is deeply personal to the main character in a way that, by the end, changes the way they think about it. I don't understand Spanish, but the way it was interwoven with the English meant I had enough context to get the feeling of what was being said even if I don't know the translation.

I love everything this book was doing, but it was a difficult read for me because I’m terrified of vomit. The MC (for great and very interesting plot reasons) spends a long stretch in the book occasionally throwing up and consistently thinking about how she’s trying not to throw up. If you have a phobia of that very particular thing (as I do) then please be careful. It’s handled with care and there isn’t much of a description in each instance, but it’s very clear that that’s what’s happening and so it stressed me out. If you don’t have that specific phobia then you’ll probably be fine, this just happens to be a major thing for me and it affected how much I could handle reading at a time.

Overall this is fantastic, and if you don't have my particular hangup you should be fine (just check the CWs first). It felt different from anything else I've read and I definitely recommend it.

CW for vomit, dismemberment, gore, massacre, parental death, murder.

“Cada una de nosotras es una desierta
Solitaria y vasta
Quemada
Nos estiramos por siempre.
Each of us a desert
Solitary and vast
Burned
We stretch forever.”

Within the first few pages Mark is able to take me to a part of my life that I’ve been lacking since the start of this year. This small town of Empalma and how everyone acts with one another, it reminds me of going to my grandparents house for a party. This is shown even more with spanish being added into the story in such a natural way. Although I don’t know a lot (as I’m barely learning spanish) whenever I do get a word right I’d just be happy and move on. When I didn’t know the words Mark had made sure to put enough context clues for you to be able to decipher it or put a translation. You get these especially with the poems which are my favorite parts. This was my first time reading a book that was written in spanglish and I enjoyed it very much. Now onto the rest of the book.

One thing I now know I can depend on Mark for is characters and beautiful writing. Every side character I can remember their name and their backstory. He makes them feel like real people as opposed to just the cast you’ll be reading about for the next 400 pages and then forget right afterwards. These characters have life in them, and I think he’s able to do that with how these characters are portrayed. All having faults and needing to tell someone of their guilt, anger, fear or shame. And the one character who can hear them out and take their pain away is of course our main character Xochital.

And if I thought the side characters were memorable I of course mean that even more with our main characters. Xo being stuck with a power of having to take on everyone’s pain and get nothing in return is the perfect way for the reader to immediately go on her side and root for her to find a way to be rid of it.Then when we learn their might be a way from the character Emilia you just get hooked into the story more and want to continue on this journey to see it happen. And that is where Mark’s writing comes into play of making you feel like you’re in this desert with them, traveling these long days till you get to your goal. And along the way you get to see Xo and Emilia slowly grow closer till their end of admitting their love for one another. I greatly appreciate that the romance does not completely take over the story and instead being subtle with the looks they give each other and Xo’s thoughts. I greatly enjoyed that we stayed focused on the journey and the development of these characters.

Then we get to the ending and I’m sure Mark is also really great at writing final lines:

“I just hope that you have been listening. Because this is the last story I will ever tell.”

And I love me a good ambiguous ending of knowing enough of what might happen, but not getting the conclusion if that’s what happened. It’s very bittersweet and all you can really hope for Xo is that Emilia will stay with her till the end, even if she has to remind her everyday of their journey and how they grew close to one another.

There wasn’t much that I didn’t enjoy about this book, besides maybe the gorey details that popped up but that’s a personal thing with me being grossed out as opposed to it being random and not needed. Those moments were absolutely gritty and dark so I just loved how real it got. Showing how despicable people can be to one another.

Overall I adored this story and look forward to when Mark Oshiro decides to put out his next book because I will buy it without question.

This is a hauntingly beautiful story. I loved the use of the desert as the setting as well as an extended metaphor. The characters are complex, the story line filled with twists and turns. Unique and delightful.

Each of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro is a fantasy novel set in a world that is now a desert. It is believed that, as a punishment, the god Solís sent a firestorm to decimate mankind and the few people who survived had to adapt to the post-apocalyptic setting.

In the midst of all of this, Xochitl is a Cuentista, a person who has the most important job of all, to hear people's stories and tell them to Solís as a way of absolvement. The part she plays is fundamental to her village, Empalme, or so she's been told all her life. However, when dangerous circumstances make her leave Empalme, she must take Emilia's help and cross the desert and get to Solado, a place she's sure she can find help.

"I had my doubts about You and Your love but at the moment surrounded by possibility ad hope it was easier to believe" — Mark Oshiro, Each of Us a Desert

I didn't know the book had the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope, so that was a very nice surprise. Nevertheless, I appreciated how both characters, Xochitl and Emilia, had their own separate journeys that happened to overlap. Xochitl is trying to understand her part in the world beyond being a Cuentista and Emilia wishes to flee from her cruel father. Because of that, they felt realistic and were easy to relate to. Concerning all the characters actually, Mark Oshiro was excellent in portraying the good and the bad in human nature. Throughout the book, we hear confessions from different people and therefore we learn that literally every character is flawed and carries some kind of sin.

Xochitl especially had an amazing character development throughout the story, as she met new people and places, as she learns more about Cuentistas. More than her journey crossing the desert, that was what I enjoyed. Besides, I loved how the small stories here and there Xochitl is told shaped or reshaped the characters while also having an impact on Xo.

“We all decided to come on this journey,” she reminded me. “You get to decide how to end it.” — Mark Oshiro, Each of Us a Desert

As for the plot, to be honest, the beginning of the book felt a little bit slow, as most fantasy novels are due to, you know, all the introductions and such. Regardless, once I reached about 25% of the story, I read it all in one sitting. The ending was satisfactory concerning the plot, although I could have read five more pages as an epilogue or something. Of course, that's just because I am a sappy greedy reader.

Oh, and the plot is not exactly focused on romance, but if you are into a slow burn, wlw, this book is "chef's kiss".

Anyway, I have to praise Mark Oshiro for having written such a beautifully worded book. And in two languages, no less! Each of Us a Desert has a lot of Spanish in it, which I highly appreciated. But, if you don't speak the language, don't worry! The story will still be clear, I promise. Also, the world-building is amazing! It's Mark's fantasy debut and I think he's done a great job creating a post-apocalypse world with so much depth. (also, let's be real, with climate change and all, the desert-like scenario is very possible).

Each of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro is a great fantasy read and a strong pick for the Latinx Heritage Month!

I don’t know how I feel about each of us a desert. It was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I found myself very confused right from the start and I kept feeling like I was missing something, like some backstory or off page world building I’m just not understanding. I don’t know if that was due to the book or myself. I guess it felt a little like I missed the start of the story and jumped in a couple of chapters later.
I will say, as usual, Mark Oshiro’s writing was amazing and I think what I loved most about this book: on that alone I recommend this one. As I’m still figuring out how I felt about this one, I’m unsure of how to rate it, but I think a solid 3 stars would be fair.

I really enjoyed this, I thought the writing was gorgeous and poetic. The world building was super interesting and overall an unforgettable story.

Each of Us a Desert won my heart solely by having one of most beautiful and lush prose imaginable. It instantly hooked me with its beckoning fingers, and I found myself standing next to Xochitl. When reading, the prose itself evoked a yearning so devious it could not be sated. I drank it in by the mouthfuls, and yet found myself still parched and hungry for more. Exactly how Xochitl feels, which makes sense because she is the one telling her own story. Only the recipient she intended it for is not the one listening.

The book is vivid in its imagery and emotions. And they are what seamlessly carry the book, through wild wastelands and sprawling cities. I immediately fell in love with the book because of its setting – an unending desert land, that is not seen as something despicable or savage; but it is home to many different villages and cities. I think that because of white, colonial gaze, we have all come to see deserts as wastelands where nothing but danger and death await. Some see them as useless swaths of land, unyielding and home to the “uncivilised”. But Mark Oshiro changed that perception by populating their desert with people, guardians, gods and myths; something truly fascinating and beautiful, which is closer to the truth than any other portrayals of deserts that I have ever seen.

For me, reading this book was like watching one of those intense films in which the camera is focused on the main character’s face and hands the entire time; with opportune cuts to these wide shots of their surroundings. What I mean by that is, the story is focused entirely on Xochitl and her emotions; but it manages to be scintillatingly atmospheric. This is a story about the journey, not the destination. You find yourself in the desert, facing the sweltering heat and with a parched throat, walking beside Xochitl; all because of the vivid descriptions of the characters’ journey through many different parts of desert. Throughout her journey, Xochitl finds her beliefs and understanding of the world constantly challenged. How she reflects and interprets those challenges is what makes this book immensely delightful to read. You cannot peel your eyes off of this girl, whose world falls and rebuilds over and over again. I had seen some people say that even through a significant portion of the book, they couldn’t gauge what Xochitl’s characters is supposed to be like; and to them I say, that is the point! She is a blank slate, because that is what she was told to be. La cuentista, who holds everyone’s stories inside her; but she shrunk her own down to accommodate others.

As someone who looks at religion and religious stories only from an interest point of view, Each of Us a Desert paints with most impressive brushstrokes. From its inception to its conclusion, the story deals with religious events and its various interpretations through Xochitl’s lens. It challenges the readers perception of their own religious perceptions as well. The end that it reaches is glum, but somehow also soothing; probably because it is somewhat rooted in reality.

I also enjoyed the very subtle and beautiful slow-burn sapphic (f/f) romance this book interspersed through its pages. How the relationship between the characters constantly sifts in the sand – enemies, distrustful acquaintances, friends, people who understand each other intrinsicly, destined for each other. Although, I would have liked to see some more yearning and angst, especially with the point their relationship reaches at the end of the book.

The finale of this book is ambigous; or to be fair, open-ended. Which I think accurately reflects its theme of the journey being more important than the destination. However, we did reach a destination and learnt the harsh truth. A truth that reflects themes of colonisation and how it changed the landscape of colonised countries; that shows that the violence created by colonisers in a quest for power and riches begets more violence, because some of those oppressed seek that power too. It was a destination that changed everything; but the book doesn’t end there. I understand that there is more to be said and resolved, and that Xochitl must journey back to her home; but the journey no longer holds that same allure, because we have already seen everything there is to see. Which is why, even though I understood the reason behind it, that return journey grated on my nerves.

Each of Us a Desert made me feel every emotion and experience every single grain of the desert sand, every crook of the mountain rock and every bead of sweat that formed on Xochitl’s forehead. I highly recommend this book, not only for its lush prose and atmospheric setting; but for the deeper questions it asks of humanity and faith.

Mostly ok. I did think parts of it were boring. I thought the premise sounded pretty good, but once I started reading, I knew I probably wasn't going to be hooked. I tried though! Just not the book for me.

4/5 stars
Recommended for people who like: fantasy, story-telling, journeys, unique narration styles, LGBTQ characters, enemies-to-lovers

This book tells the story of la cuentista, Xochitl, who relieves others of their burdens by taking their stories and returning them to the earth (technically, Solis, but whatever). It's such a fascinating concept, particularly with the post-apocalyptic fantasy setting Oshiro wrote it in. For the most part, it lives up to that promise.

In terms of something I wasn't too fond of, I feel like the bit with Solado was 1) rushed and 2) not foreshadowed nearly enough. It was a pretty big reveal and obviously there was some foreshadowing going on there, but I still feel like it kind of came out of left field and barely lasted 10 pages. It's an interesting way to tell a story, with the climax being quick enough that the story really revolves around the to-and-from the climactic moment/location, but I would've liked something more in Solado. That being said, there was one foreshadowed moment that was a bit too obvious, but I'll let readers decide for themselves how they feel about that, since I was rolling my eyes at Xochitl not figuring it out until she did and, frankly, I actually think it worked despite the obviousness of it.

Also, Julio is set up to be the main villain with his supuestos and he is just really...not. Having read the entire book I understand why things happened the way they did, but while I was reading I got to a certain part and was kind of like 'well what happens now?'. I was only about 30% of the way through at that point and a certain sequence of events left me wondering what was left to tell. So, if you're reading this before reading the book, I'd advise to perhaps be aware this story is very much a self vs self/internal conflict sort of a book rather than one that focuses on self vs other/external conflict.

I also wish we got to know/see more about the world Xochitl and Emilia are in, but I also get that, for the story to work, we really can't. Something that makes this book so fascinating is that it is largely about the journey and realizations that the characters, mostly Xochitl, have and what they decide to do about it. It's a story about the stories and truths and lies we tell ourselves and each other and how they can become so tangled and ingrained that we stop questioning them. It's a fantastically tangled web and I love it. While it is a bit rocky at first, once you get into it it's easy to get caught up in Xochitl and the stories people tell her and the various myths people have about la cuentista and Solis.

The narrative structure is rather unique as well. It's told from 2nd POV, with Xochitl narrating as she tells the story to Solis. It's not particularly a format you see all that much and, of the one other story I remember being really genuinely 2nd POV, it is easy to do very very badly (I cannot for the life of me remember the book it was, but W O W it turned me off of 2nd POV narration). Oshiro does it well, though, and it's a unique method of storytelling that doesn't get overwhelming and, considering the theme and plot of the book, it works well for Each of Us a Desert. The story is also circular, in a way, which I liked but won't say too much about to avoid spoilers.

Onto the characters: Xochitl is an interesting character, naturally. In the beginning of the story, she's stuck in a relatively dead-end town where she's pretty much solely talked to by people who want her to relieve their burdens by taking their stories. Xochitl, on the other hand, does not feel burden-free from taking these stories and sees it, rather, as a burden that was thrust upon her but which she must perform to save her people. Things always get complex when you mix resentment with responsibility for other lives. Add in Julio and that was a spark just waiting to burst. Xochitl wants so much to be seen and wants to be able to choose her own path and, though the start to her journey doesn't begin that well, she is able to go on that journey and grow a lot as a character.

Emilia is really the other character we get to see the most of, and while it's harder to judge how much she changes over the course of the book, she certainly seems different at the end than she did at the beginning of the journey. Poor Emilia has been through a lot in a different way than Xochitl has been, but she, too, just wants to be free and feel seen. From a girl who feels helpless to stop her father from hurting aldeas and her she transforms into someone who can survive and lead people through the desert toward hope and peace, however and wherever they find that.

Overall, I feel like Each of Us a Desert is a good book and I enjoyed it. The narrative structure was unique without being overwhelming and fit very well with the themes and plots of the story. I liked the characters and, though it was hard to get a feel for the world at first, I did enjoy the bits we got to learn about it throughout the book. I do prefer books with a little more action to them typically, even if it's relatively minor, and felt the climax was too sudden and quick, but I don't think those things detract too much from the story since the characters, plot, and events were interesting and enjoyable.

I received an advanced copy of Each of Us a Desert through NetGalley, so I could share my review with you!

Xochital is the most important person in her village, but also the most alone. She has been burdened with carrying all the stories of her troubled people, speaking them only to the stars and sand. Her role keeps the balance in the world but leaves her feeling oh-so empty. Xo’s biggest desire is to have someone that understands her, to share her heart with. She never expected for her wish to come in the form of Emilia, the daughter of the town’s dangerous mayor. Together, they set off on a magical journey across the desert. If they survive, they just might be made for each other.

You can get your copy of Each of Us a Desert on September 15th from Tor Teen!

Each of Us a Desert was one of my most anticipated releases for fall 2020, but, honestly, I struggled with the writing style of this book. I think if I’d had a ton of time to read and really digest the story, I would have enjoyed it much more. As it was, I found myself getting lost trying to understand the world, so that I never really got a sense of who the characters were. I plan on giving this book a second chance sometime in the future, possibly as an audiobook, to see if it’s a better read the second time around. It’s entirely possible that I was simply not the right reader for this particular story, so I urge you to give it a read and make your own conclusions!

My Recommendation-
If you enjoy complex worldbuilding and poetic language, you might want to give Each of Us a Desert a try! I think it’s got a lot of potential, and, in the right reader’s hands, could be a life-changing read.

4.5/5

This book is so, so good.

Xochitl is a teenage girl in a post-apocalyptic desert world. She holds the sacred power of being a cuentista - her fellow villagers go to her to give her stories that she is to give back to Solís, a deity in this world. Xochitl is bound to her aldea due to her role as cuentista, but all she desires is to be able to leave and explore what lies beyond the only place she has ever known. She also yearns to be understood - no one else in her aldea can understand what it's like to bear the responsibility of being a cuentista. We follow Xochitl as she goes on her journey and learns about herself, those around her, and her world.

This is a coming-of-age story, but one that even readers way beyond their teenage years can strongly connect with. This is a story of personal belonging, of learning the world is much larger and more complicated than you had known, of finding love, of what you might do when your faith in something you believed in is challenged.

Each of Us a Desert is a good story, but what really stood out to me is that it's a beautifully written one. As I neared the end and I could see the threads Mark Oshiro was pulling together with their narrative, I nearly yelled out loud several times as I made connections and realized what was happening. The way Oshiro deftly wrote about finding meaning, finding love, the importance of stories, and the pain of growing up - I highlighted and bookmarked so much in my ebook. I felt for Xochitl and identified with her and her struggles. She was extremely clear to me, but not just her. All other characters that were part of the story, whether playing large or small roles in the narrative, felt alive and easy to picture in my mind as well.

And I loved the way Spanish was just naturally woven into the narrative. And speaking of natural, I loved that queerness was just a natural and effortless part of this world.

Totally recommend this fantasy coming-of-age YA novel!

Xochitl, a 16 year old girl from Empalme, was bestowed the burden of the cuentistas at the mere age of 8 in which she must consume others’ stories to elevate them from memories, secrets, and guilt. She then must venture out into the desert and deliver them to the god Solís. This process takes a mental and physical toll on her and after years of exploitation, Xo decides she will reclaim her life and body. This leads her on a journey across the desert, accompanied by Emilia, who yearns to escape her own past. Xo is comforted by poemas strewn across the desert which give her the confidence to confront her fears and establish her own story.

In this captivating desert fantasy, we follow Xo and Emilia who must deal with the looming threat of murder and dehydration, while also encountering spirits, tricksters, tragedy, and even new friends on their path to freedom. This novel explores themes of isolation, depression, abuse, faith, and self-discovery. The mythos of this novel includes clear allusions to religion and immigration, which are handled with care. People, their actions, and beliefs are not villainized because Oshiro highlights that everyone has sacrifice and pain. The transference of stories showcases how the power of sharing one’s truth can be as liberating as it is terrifying. Extreme empathy is an understatement for cuentista obligations because to be one means to carry around a curse. Oshiro pens an incredibly graphic, sorrowful tale, and… I loved every minute I got to read it. From the normalized queerness to the inclusion of Spanish and poetry, I felt as though this novel was written for me. Each of Us a Desert is the epitome of magic and one of the most beautifully written books I’ve come across.

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

This was such a beautiful book with such a beautiful positive message.
I have so much to say of this book but I think first of all I have to start praising the writing, it was beautiful, poetic, atmospheric and involving.
Each of Us a Desert presents us a story of someone with a powerful gift but one that is not 'good' or helpful to her, just a burden, Xochitl is burdened with hearing everyone's story. In the course of the book she tries to find herself and her meaning in all of this. I loved the unapologetic use of Spanish, I loved the character of Emilia and I loved how her journey was fleshed out. This is a beautiful story that is so magical and fantastical it's hard to put down.

Each of Us A Desert by Mark Oshiro was a vividly imagined tale of storytelling, faith and humanity. It was so vividly written and imagined with lush imagery and poetic and lyrical prose. Each of Us A Desert was so emotive, the plot was unique and wonderful and odd, and the f/f romance was gorgeously slow burn enemies to lovers, though I would have loved some more angst and yearning.


What I loved:
- Xochital is such a great main character! Her story of trying to find her own place in the world away from her duties and responsibilities is one that really resonates and I loved her character arc as she sees the possibilities for who she can be, comes to terms with her gifts and accepts certain realities that change the way she sees the world.
- The world was so vividly built and atmospheric, the heat of the desert seems to almost seep from the page, it’s amazing how real it felt. It’s a world that is at once magical and unimaginable and also deeply realistic and grounded.
- The magic of this world was so unique and gorgeous and though it wasn’t always completely explained it fitted seamlessly into the world and story.
- Just like Xochital feels people’s emotions so deeply and vividly, Mark Oshiro portrays them in the same way so that the reader too, feels almost overwhelmed by the desperation, longing, regret, guilt or love that the characters feel.
- The romance between Xochital and Emilia is incredibly slow burn, and it may not be the focus of the book but you could really feel the longing between these two and the chemistry they shared. Their connection to each other was so deep and natural that as they slowly gravitated closer and closer together, it made complete sense. Also I love sapphics, as we know.

- The writing was absolutely stunning, every sentence was lush and gorgeous, it’s incredible how well this book was written.
- The way the book is structured with Xochital telling a story to the god Solis, leading up to that hard-hitting ending…all I can say is DAMN??

What I didn’t like quite as much:
- The ending was very abrupt. I completely understand why it was so but I still feel like I would have loved some more closure on the story.
- Whilst the book was perfect for what it was and achieved everything it tried to do, it’s not my normal thing, and in the romance especially I couldn’t help but want more of the angst and yearning of typical YA.
- I do think we could have benefitted from just a little bit more explanation regarding the world, the magic and the events of the book, particularly some things in the ending felt a little rushed and unclear.


Verdict:
Each of Us A Desert was absolutely phenomenal, and I would completely recommend it, especially to fans of lyrical prose, unique storytelling and hard-hitting storylines.

Mark Oshiro has done it again. This book will stay with me forever.
Told in beautiful prose and lyrical verse, my emotions were constantly torn to pieces by the story. Grief, magic, self-discovery...the book told it all. I felt like I was truly journeying alongside our protagonist and I was hooked into this story from beginning to end.

I have so much feels but don’t know how to express this book. As a Latinx Queer person this was everything and more. I loved the prose, it was written so beautifully and had my emotions all over the place. This book was so intense and not what i was expecting at all. I was so captivated by this book and it just felt so special , i loved the f/f romance, i loved the characters and the magic.

This is one review that i am having a hard time expressing in words or even explaining the book but one i highly recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor books for allowing me to read and review this book early.

Each of Us a Desert is the kind of book that you finish and already want to reread.
This book is Xo's story. She's a cuentista, she takes the stories of the people of her village, she listen to them, she helps them, and then she gives back the stories to her God. But one day, Xo has to keep one story and her life is going to change.
I LOVED this book! The writing was simple but also poetic and all the characters were so interesting. I speak a little of spanish so I understood most of the words in spanish and I loved that the poems were written in spanish, it really added something more to the book.
Each of Us a Desert is very slow-paced but there was always something that kept me invested in the story.
I also loved the ending, I found it perfect and I wouldn't mind reading a book about Emilia's story.

I have never read anything like this before. I was so sucked into the cultural lore around Solis and the theological practices of the different villages. Seeing everything through this young woman's eyes was perfect, she and I were both journeying to understand who we were through this story at the same time. A little bit slow to begin, but it picks up the pace and found a steady rhythm. t's part nature writing, part coming of age, part saving the world. Truly a masterpiece.

*I received an eARC copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Tor Teen for the opportunity to read and review in advance of publication.

Thank you Tor Teen for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to review.

Each of Us a Desert follows Xochitl, who is held in esteem in her village for the power she holds as la cuentista of her village. She has the ability to hold stories and deliver them to their god, so that people can make peace with their experiences or nightmares, and while it is a privilege, it is extremely taxing on Xochitl and a duty for life, one that she has had since childhood. Hence, as Xochitl undertakes a journey across the desert, accompanied by Emilia, the daughter of the town's murderous mayor, she discovers what it means to carve your own space in the universe.

Oshiro has such a stunning writing style, and nuanced way of alluding to our characters' strengths, weaknesses, and emotions, all of which is necessary when it comes to themes of freedom, reassessing belief systems and trying to hold onto these ties in a changing world, overcoming fear, and taking responsibility for, and prioritising, one's self.

The book is graphic, not shying away from bloody scenes despite the beautiful romance. It requires trigger warnings for graphic violence, injury, death (allusions to animal deaths), and instances of emotional abuse and domestic abuse. It's about physical survival as much as survival of the soul.

Both Xo and Emilia are such incredible, well-crafted characters to follow. They are so easily relatable and welcome you to go along the journey with them. Both are so strong-willed, yet kind despite the struggles they go through. Their romance is not a large focus, but develops naturally and slowly over time, which I LOVE. Moreover, incredible diversity in the characters, with all of them being Latine, and gay and lesbian relationships being normalised. Although I am not Spanish-speaking, Oshiro explains everything so seamlessly, I never felt confused or out of place.

Definitely one to hype up in two weeks when it's released!

Each of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro weaves an atmospheric, culturally rich fantasy tale. The novel follows the literal and metaphorical journey of the protagonist Xochital, who is her village’s cuentista, divinely decreed to accept the troubled secrets and stories of her fellow villagers and then expel them into the desert as offerings.

To say this book is beautifully written would be an understatement; the prose and poetry within its pages are gorgeous and easily admired. I came to this story with no knowledge beyond the fact that there’s a sapphic relationship and what is contained in the blurb, and it definitely provided a unique reading experience. Themes of struggle, grief, discovery, self-acceptance, and the need we all have to share our stories with others are explored throughout. Thematically, this novel veers darker than a lot of the YA I have read lately—other reviewers have provided a selection of content warnings, but for my purposes here, I will reiterate this book does not read as light escapism.

As a slow and introspective tale, this book’s pacing wasn’t my particular jam, though if you enjoy novels more about the journey than the destination, it’s likely you’ll enjoy the way this story plays out. I also found characters other than the protagonist Xochital to be underdeveloped and flat.

However, with stunning writing, an environment so steeped in detail that the scenes come alive on the page, and a queer protagonist who feels nuanced and three dimensional, there’s still lots to love about this novel and it’s definitely worth a read.