A fantastic mix of stories from such an exciting mix of new as well as established voices. I was so impressed with the amount of absolute bangers packed into the one collection!

(4.5)
Absolutely loved this collection of short stories from various Latine authors, some of which were new to me and are now on my radar. This collection holds various short stories representing mythologies across various Latin countries. The themes represented across the collection can appeal to a wide range of young adults.

Loved the narration on this book and that they used narrators who could pronounce the spanish words or names correctly. This was a great collection of short stories and I found myself invested in it the entire time.

What if I told you that you could keep the spirit of Latine Heritage Month alive with this dark, creepy Latine horror anthology that’s perfect for spooky season? OUR SHADOWS HAVE CLAWS compiles original short stories exploring Latine mythology’s most memorable monsters, as written by 15 incredible Latine authors. This collection has everything from brujas to demons to shape-shifters and more! Fast-paced and enthralling, every single story is sure to grip you from start to finish.

This is the perfect book to read in the run up to Halloween, Día de Muertos, and beyond. I’m the type to take anthologies slowly, story by story, and it was awesome to see so many different and creative takes on familiar Latine monsters and myths.

There are selections from tried and true SFF authors and also stories from authors who are relatively new to the horror genre, which brings in some really fresh and exciting perspectives. This anthology is a great sampling of so many talented Latine creators that explores not only venturing into the darkness, but emerging beyond it—finding ways to evolve despite it or perhaps because of it.

I am very interested in legends, oral histories, mythology, folklore and monster stories from around the world, so I was very excited to see this book. It did not let me down. I was unfamiliar with many of the stories contained in this book so I loved the opportunity to learn about them. This anthology also introduced me to authors I have not read before, so I look forward to reading more. Middle grade and YA horror has been very popular with my customers lately, so this will be a nice addition to my recommended reads.

A journey through the hidden corners of a continent's imagination.

Edited by Yamile Saied Méndez and Amparo Ortiz, Our Shadows Have Claws is a bone-chilling anthology that gathers folk monsters from all corners of Latin America. Now, before I proceed to reviewing this book, I feel I have to insert an important note. At Nerds of a Feather, I've previously covered other collections of speculative short fiction from the Latin diaspora, which I'm always excited to do; I see it as my small contribution toward increasing the visibility of Latin authors. Like many contemporary writings by bilingual migrants, those stories contained bilingual dialogues; by now it's become increasingly accepted that people who publish in English and come from cultures where English is a foreign presence shouldn't have to treat their own mother tongue as the weird Other. As an aspiring writer myself, with English as my second language, I can appreciate the empowering effect of demanding English to accommodate our words instead of the other way around.

However, in Our Shadows Have Claws I find a substantially higher proportion of untranslated Spanish compared to previous collections I've reviewed, which will doubtlessly make the stories hard to follow for the monolingual reader. On discussing this point I must be mindful of my own position. I'm not a member of the diaspora, so I'm not qualified to evaluate the verisimilitude of Spanglish and successive code-switching in the context of the geographic settings where those dialogues occur. Speaking only for my experience as a reader, I had no difficulty with the book because I grew up with Spanish; your particular mileage may vary. The authors' (and editors') choice to include this much untranslated Spanish places the book in the middle of a conversation about intended audience, a conversation that was already intense back when Junot Díaz miraculously convinced The New Yorker to print his Spanglish untouched by the editorial hand.

All this is to say that Our Shadows Have Claws is unapologetically not meant for the incurious gringo. In a way, it's fitting for a collection of spooky fiction to make itself a bit elusive, partially out of the reach of unprepared eyes. So let's get to the stories.

The Nightingale and the Lark by Chantel Acevedo, about the doomed love between the respective descendants of a lineage of cryptid rescuers and a lineage of cryptid hunters, leans on Latin America's thorny baggage of civil wars to comment on the regrettable ease with which inherited grudges can continue to poison social ties.

¿Dónde Está el Duende? by Jenny Torres Sanchez, about a girl haunted by the sound of nighttime scratching during a visit to her profoundly disturbed cousin, takes advantage of the stylistic arsenal of first-person narration to draw the reader into the perspective of a second-generation immigrant gradually losing her memory and identity.

El Viejo de la Bolsa by Alexandra Villasante, about an unofficial foster home that welcomes the children of missing political dissidents, makes Cold War dictatorships pass through the lens of allegory to portray with an understated expressiveness how the loss of basic civil rights can feel as dreadful as an urban legend told to make children behave.

Beware the Empty Subway Car by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite, about a teenage mutant cannibal shapeshifter on the loose in Manhattan, deftly weaves together the desire for prey and the desire for human connection, thus subverting the power dynamic that occurs when comfortable New Yorkers choose not to see those in need among them.

Dismembered by Ann Dávila Cardinal, about a grieving granddaughter who returns to a childhood home where things start to go bump in the night, suggests an original, gentler tweak on the trope of ghosts with unfinished business.

Blood Kin by Ari Tison, about a family physically and spiritually wounded by territorial encroachment on their Native reservation, balances the tragic tone of its ending with a resounding plea for drawing strength from the struggles of those who resisted colonization before us.

La Boca del Lobo by M. García Peña, about a girl dangerously fascinated with a particular spot in the woods near her parents' former home, invites the reader to walk through her dreams and daydreams as she reconnects with her half-forgotten wild side.

Blood-Stained Hands Like Yours by Gabriela Martins, about a homeless orphan desperate to prevent her family curse from hurting the girl she loves, builds slowly toward a triumphant affirmation of our ability to redefine ourselves beyond the evil we've inherited.

The Boy from Hell by Amparo Ortiz, about a young slayer pursuing the clues to a vampire who's been stalking her classmates, proposes an interesting parallel between the abstruse politics of vampire clan rivalries and the equally arbitrary dynamics of Latin-on-Latin racism.

La Patasola by Racquel Marie, about an avenging spirit who seeks unfaithful men to brutally punish them, is curiously set far from the Colombian mountains where this folk monster is said to roam, which, for all the gore in its plot, suggests the comforting notion that the power of our stories can still sustain and protect us wherever we go.

The Other Side of the Mountain by Claribel A. Ortega, about a young man who goes on a quest to rescue his sister from the witch who kidnapped her, plays with the standard hero's journey and puts it on its head, warning that in the jungle there are forces you can't defeat.

La Madrina by Yamile Saied Méndez, about a house built on the road between life and death, where a personified cosmic force gives succor to those uncertain of their journey, descends upon the reader like a soothing balm before sending us back on our quest.

Sugary Deaths by Lilliam Rivera, about an unrepenting womanizer who one day makes the poor choice of messing with the wrong girl, is a straightforward but impactful revenge fantasy set in the streets of a 1980s Nuyorican neighborhood.

Leave No Tracks by Julia Alvarez, about a secret community of river spirits with a natural defense against the exterior world, has in its biracial protagonist an example of how you can fight for your homeland and your heritage even if you already have a life settled far away from it.

The Hour of the Wolf by Courtney Alameda, about a high school mean girl haunted by a savage presence she unwittingly summoned, closes the book with a terrifying game of cat and mouse that honors the wave of supernatural flicks that swept the 1960s.

A common thread in many of these stories is a warning to the gringos to not mess with what they don't understand. One by one, colonizers, exploiters, harassers, bigots and plain vanilla jerks meet their demise at the hands (or claws) of the beasts that roam our mountains and jungles. This is not only a collection that showcases our folk monsters, but one that explores the specific unequal relationship between the United States and Latin America. I'm usually not very moved by revenge fantasies, but there are some days when white Latinophobia gets so irritating I would just like to roar it into shreds. Perhaps you've heard of the classic Mexican Llorona. Now meet her extended family. Read, and tremble.


Nerd Coefficient: 8/10.

POSTED BY: Arturo Serrano, multiclass Trekkie/Whovian/Moonie/Miraculer, accumulating experience points for still more obsessions.

"Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories" edited by Yamile Saied Méndez and Amparo Ortiz, is an outstanding collection of short stories that will leave readers captivated and wanting more. With a full contributor list that includes some of the most talented Latin American writers in the industry, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves horror, fantasy or simply appreciates a good story.

Each of the 15 stories in this collection is unique in its own way, with different monsters, settings, and themes. From traditional folklore creatures such as La Llorona and El Cucuy to more contemporary monsters like a bloodthirsty chupacabra, the stories in this book will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The authors have skillfully woven together elements of horror, suspense, and even humor to create a range of stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.

One of the most impressive aspects of "Our Shadows Have Claws" is the diversity of the authors and their backgrounds. The stories draw from a wide range of Latin American cultures and traditions, and the authors' individual voices shine through in their writing. This book is a testament to the richness and complexity of Latin American storytelling, and it is a refreshing departure from the mainstream horror genre dominated by Western narratives.

Overall, "Our Shadows Have Claws" is an exceptional collection of Latin American monster stories that will appeal to readers of all ages. The stories are expertly crafted, the monsters are terrifyingly real, and the themes are timely and timeless. This is a book that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page. Highly recommended.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this title. I was pleasantly surprised with the stories contained inside. Each one bringing a new monster to light, some straight from Latino mythology. Super entertaining. I highly recommend to those who like scary stories.

Each culture has a heritage of stories, legends and lore that is passed down to cement their understanding of their past, present and to guide their future in a hopeful direction. Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories features young adult stories that integrate the darker legends of peoples of the Latin American diaspora. Each story features a young protagonist who must confront the fact that legends can often be (or is an entrenched part of their) reality, along with the often dark aspects of humanity as well.

The fifteen stories in this volume varied greatly in subject matter and tone. Both an educational journey and a rollercoaster of emotions as the young people in the stories face their fears and heartbreaks of growing up through the lens of their Latin heritage. As a folklore lover, this volume allowed this reader an opportunity to delve into legends that were unknown, and also learn the cultural context of others, such as the vampire and Chupacabra. While the occasional story failed to meet expectations, either too short, or the writing veering too far into camp, this was overall a very strong collection. Many of the stories were very scary. The character work is a highlight of almost every story, as the legends and lore mean nothing if there is no intersection and confrontation with a person navigating through both daily trials (often quite distressing) and the angst of growing up. The accompanying illustrations by Ricardo López Ortiz at the beginning and end of each story absolutely add to the tone and the appeal of this collection. This volume is very much recommended to readers of dark fantasy, especially those who enjoy folklore and learning/exploring diverse cultures.

Our Shadows have Claws was such a breath of fresh air as a Latina who loves fantasy and horror.
These stories were filled with such rich mythology and culture that even though I am only from Cuba it really felt like I had a deep connection to all the other cultures represented in this book.

Each of these authors did a fantastic job with their storytelling despite all the chapters being short stories. The characters each come into their own within their own worlds and you get to learn so much about different mythologies.

Our Shadows have Claws will always be close to my heart from here on out.

This is a great anthology of Latin American mythology-inspired YA stories. The stories range in their level of horror, but my favorite was the story of the ghost-witch that seeks revenge against cheating boyfriends.

Our Shadows Have Claws delivered in the sharpness suggested by its title, I enjoyed all 15 takes of of horror, which additionally inspired deep thought on social justice issues. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me access to this title.

One of the better short story collections that have come out in the last two years. It's appropriate for Middle Grades and High School and will help kids get an introduction to some great new writers.

A fantastically dark showing of myth and folklore from the Latine community with strong stories of darkness and danger that reminds me of [book:Eternally Yours|53292156]. Each short story has an illustration to get it started and slash marks during paragraph transitions that spice it up a little.

Favorite short stories included the abuela dismemberment story called Dismembered by Ann Davila Cardinal, the vampiric story of The Boy From Hell by Amparo Ortiz, Sugary Deaths by Lilliam Rivera about the fate of local girls. But there's also a cool mix of beasts in woods and a ragged man who steals kids away and stuffs them into sacks in the middle of the night.

A solid short story collection.

This is a compilation of Latin American monster stories by YA authors - many known names as well as new writers. I’m a little late as it’s past Halloween but this is a great anthology for any season. Note that it isn’t billed as horror stories - while some of them are a bit creepy depending on your tolerance, others are tales involving folkloric creatures and legends, so exactly that: Latin American monster stories.

The stories vary in length and at 15 total, this a great volume to pick up and read a story every once in a while. From Haitian lougarou to Columbian la patasola to completely original creatures, this anthology is a rich bundle of creativity and culture.

My favorite, while not at all creepy, was probably Blood Kin by Ari Tison, a captivating tale of family, heritage, and eco-exploitation where the real monsters are the evil oil companies.

Other favorites were the opening tale, The Nightingale and the Lark by Chantel Acevedo, a Romeo and Juliet forbidden romance in Cuba with a monster-hunting twist; Dismembered by Ann Davila Cardinal, a horrifying but touching tale set in Puerto Rico; Beware the Empty Subway Car by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite, an emotional and lovely-written take on the lougarou legend; Leave No Tracks by Julia Alvarez, a feminist-focused story of finding magical heritage.

The Other Side of the Mountain by Claribel A. Ortega is unique for being the only male protagonist in the collection, otherwise the stories exclusively feature Latina teens. ¿Dónde Está el Duende? by Jenny Torres Sanchez is arguably the creepiest of the stories, next to Dismembered.

Altogether this was a very high-quality collection of spooky stories, also made interesting by being spread across a wide variety of locales in both Latin America and the United States. Each story also has its own illustration, which were a nice touch and added to the atmosphere.

Our Shadows Have Claws is an anthology featuring Latin American horror. Many of the tales are riveting and truly horrifying. "Beware the Empty Subway Car" will haunt me for the rest of my life. The anthology is very diverse within the scope of the Latin American themes, featuring LGBTQ characters in many stories as well as characters from a spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds and characters who live and travel all over.

I loved the range of stories here, about monsters and mythologies I've never heard of! With collections like these there are always stories that are more effective than others, but overall, a solid anthology with creepy, creepy monsters.

this book is full of short stories from young writers, about creatures such as the chupacabra, vampires 🧛🏻, werewolves 🐺 , demons 😈 and ghosts 👻 . I had so much fun reading them, especially since all had a hidden meaning beneath the frights and scares! I had to keep google translate open so I could understand some of the Spanish sayings but that honestly just made the whole experience of this book better. Spooky season definitely started early 💀. All the stories were absolutely amazing and perfect to read on a cold rainy night.

Favorite 😍 stories:

•The nightingale and the lark:
A twist in Romeo and Juliet’s love story but filled with vampires, monsters and shape shifters. In the end it is a story of warning, of how we sometimes allow our own prejudice to cloud out judgement and how love can give us courage.

•Donde esta el duende:
A creepy story of how goblin robs children of their memories, feeding, until they become shells. This story apart from being creepy and will have me checking the walls before sleeping, also underlined how a mother would go to any lengths to save her child; even if it means bringing harm to others.

•Dismembered:
Can you imagine hearing banging on the front door in the middle of the night to find your dead dismembered grandmother at the door? I would lose it, but it turns out, even if ghoulish getting closure and getting to say goodbye to a loved one is the comfort we need to find the strength to go on living.

•Blood kin:
This tale was so beautiful. I could feel the passion Nama had for people and her land and her determination to seek the truth and justice; to walk in her grandfather’s footsteps. This story was the epitome of the saying “if you stand for nothing you will fall for everything”

The struggle to complete this book is definitely real. I sew it on my kindle but can't seem to muster the enthusiasm to return to it. I really wanted to enjoy this book.

This was such a fun book to read for Spooky Season and Latinx Heritage Month!! With some of my favorite Latinx authors included, I knew I was guaranteed some masterpieces and I was not disappointed! There was nothing too scary to keep me up all night but they were the right amount of creepy and some stories even left me with a lot to ponder.
My top three favorite stories were:
The Nightingale and the Lark by Chantel Acevedo
• Dismembered by Ann Dávila Cardinal
• Leave No Tracks by Julia Alvarez