Some books really grab you and once read can never be forgotten. Jaguars and Other Game is such a book. Not only is it brilliantly executed, but it is also utterly enthralling from start to finish.

The attention to the historical detail has to be commended. The author has certainly done her homework and this shines clearly through. Likewise, I thought the author had created a cast of very believable characters.

If you enjoy quality historical fiction then this book has to be on your to-read list. I highly recommend it.

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for review consideration.

This story was so much fun! It felt like it was Six of Crows solving a mystery, but set in Brazil in 1808. This historical fiction novel centers on three young women who represent different parts of the Portuguese society and their journey to solve a mystery, free a friend, and possibly stop a coup. Overall, and absolutely thrilling read with awesome characters!

I enjoyed the story of family, chosen loved ones, and community that Barineau has written here, she has used the history, setting, time, and people that would have existed in Brazil under very restrictive and brutal conditions to create a believable world. The strength that each women possesses is a testament to the drive and inner badass that resides within. Using the historical foundation for Brazil in this time allowed Ba4ineau to construct a tale that would explore facts while playing with establishing her characters.

This was an easy and engaging read that centred women and the bonds they form and how tenacity and determination can drive actions when it comes to saving the ones that mean the most.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun read! Action-packed, lots of twists and turns, and badass females! This read like one of those action-packed movies, think Pirates of the Caribbean but in Rio and with female leads - I loved it!

Instead of a review, I want this to be more of a thank you note to the author. Ive been looking for a book set in Brazil or written by a Brazilian for one of my reading challenges and I was very excited when I happened on this galley. When I finished reading it, I discovered it was written by a non-Brazilian and I knew I had to give her kudos for writing this novel with such sensitivity. There was no pandering, the characters didn't feel stereotyped and the banter is unmatched. I really enjoyed this and can't wait for more readers to experience this. An awesome debut!

Like land pirates on an adventure to rescue their friend from the clutches of tyranny and corruption. Maria and Isabel are sisters running a mule train through the jungles of Brazil into Rio, which is a great cover for diamond smuggling. Maria is a strong leader protecting her team with her second Mateus. When they pull into Rio to unload their train Isabel runs afoul of the local constables, called Bats who have stepped up all law enforcement since the Portugese royal family moved their court to Rio to escape Napoleon's invasion of Portugal. When Mateus is framed for the murder of one of their wealthy diamond buyers, the sisters engage the help of a maid from the castle named Victoria, who they saved from an attack on the beach. Initially Victoria is just looking for information about Mateus's situation but as her friendship with the sisters grows so does her involvment in their activities.
The first appeal to me was the adventure of two sisters forging their own destiny in a time period where they might otherwise be slaved, Maria because she was black, and Isabel because she was indigenous. I loved Victoria, who at first was a very submissive and poorly treated maid of the crazy old queen, and how she grew in strength and confidence through her friendship with Isabel. I liked the slight romantic tension between the two girls. I liked reading something in this era of history, I had no idea that Rio had served as the capitol of the Portugese empire at any point, and reading about that time period was very interesting to me. I loved the view of the inter relationships and internal politics of the Portugese royal family and nobility from the perspective of servants and lower class Brazilians.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me early access to this title. The opinions stated here are mine alone, and neither paid nor influenced. I can't wait to buy this book for my public library and share it with my patrons!

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me.

This book had a lot of elements I was excited about: a relatively unknown place and time period, strong female characters, a dash of adventure, and a murder mystery.

However, the prose didn't hold me. I put this one aside at 50%.

Sisters Maria and Isabel are racing against the clock to find a killer in Rio de Janiero so that they can free their lifelong friend, Mateus, who has been framed for a crime he did not commit. Together with their newfound friend, Victoria, the women try to find out who wants the diamond smugglers of the city dead.

What a fun read! Reading Jaguars and Other game made me feel like I do when I watch a good action flick. There was never a dull moment, and the book was very fast paced. There lots of twists a d turns, and while it could be argued that some of the reveals were predictable, I thought the author still wrote things in a way that keeps the reader engaged.

The biggest allure of this nook is definitely the strong female characters. They were larger than life and could hold their own against seemingly impossible odds. I loved the distinctive personalities that Maria, Isabel, and Victoria had. They were so vibrant and unique from one another, but they worked well as a team. They reminded me a lot of the Three Musketeers.