Life and Death play a game of Loteria that effects what happens to Clara. Can Clara change the outcome with free will or does fate decide what happens to her? I really enjoyed how each turn of the card showed up in the subsequent chapter, and it was very interesting how it was woven into the tale. I won't reveal what the ending was, but I did not like it. However, overall the story was interesting and exciting.

Storyline is fantastical, and really allows the reader to dive into the idea of cause/effect. You're drawn into what is happening to Clara and her family, but at times the focus and theme felt a little lost.

I really enjoyed this book! I love board games and was excited to learn that the story was based off of a game. The story was beautifully written with all the right amounts of adventure, suspense, sadness, love, and hope. This book also address deeper issues that can become great questions for a discussion. I am excited to book talk this book to all of the 4th and 5th graders in 3 school districts!

I truly did not anticipate the ending so if you are looking for a book where you are unsure of what will happen this is for you. An excellent world builder, the author takes us into both this world and a magical one. Full of magical realism and a lot of chance this novel will keep you on your toes and turning the page to see what happens next. There is also an extensive theme of choice versus fate/destiny that you can try to reason if you wish. A great summer diversion and thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read it!

Valenti has crafted an engaging and exciting tale that is perfect for fans of portal fantasy and culturally-based fantasy. The tale is fast-paced and will keep readers turning the page. The ending is unexpected but absolutely perfect, certain times provoke conversations among students. Highly recommended.

This book wasn't really what I thought it would be. I thought Clara would be more involved, more conscious of the game between Catrina and Life. It was still a good book full of adventure, but some of the choices seemed unfulfilling, and I didn't feel connected to or invested in characters too well. It was still a good book, and I'm still incredibly excited to share with the kids I work with.

A story about life and death. Are our destinies preordained or do we have free will and the ability to change our fate. These questions are contemplated by Life and Death during their annual Loteria (Mexican Bingo) game. Each year their game affects the life of one predetermined person and those around theme. An interesting and novel look at age old questions surrounded by Mexican traditions.

Middle grades magical realism story set in Mexico. A young girl, Clara, becomes an unwitting pawn in a card game between life and death. TW for multiple character deaths, although none of the deaths are gory. Includes a reader's guide with discussion questions

I love the premise and am enjoying the book so far. But there are a few issues with the translations of the rhymes. Please double check your translations for typos.

Lyrical and timeless, the voice captures a feeling of a folktale or fable meets the opening of an episode of the Twilight Zone. Perfection! The language used to describe the setting is so evocative and sensory. I love the themes of Fate vs Choice and Life vs Death. This story felt both familiar, yet novel. The ending fit beautifully with the themes but wasn't predictable or formulaic. Overall it felt really fresh and different, partly because of the distance from the main character, but even with the distance there was plenty of emotion. The pacing was amazing and switching from the game of Lotería to the resultant action was super engaging. I think this will make an excellent read-aloud and I will definitely purchase this when it comes out.