I really enjoyed this book. Yolanda's story is intriguing in following the life of an everyday bruja in modern times. I was a bit triggered by the school shooting because of my own personal experiences, but it didn't take away from the wonderful story and journey that Yolanda is on. Its a story of honoring family traditions, social justice, racial tensions, and coming into your own. Thank you so much to RBMedia and NetGalley for the opportunity to give this book a listen.

I'm fascinated by the relationship between belief and culture as portrayed in this book. That is the strongest part of this narrative - how folk magic is an essential part of history and thus an integral part of cultural identity. There's also a strong exploration of guilt, responsibility, and the justice system. The final third of the book was less compelling than the set up as the characters flattened out. Overall there are enough positives to make this worth reading and discussing.

The Making of Yolanda la Bruja is a story that ties in racism, social justice, gun violence, community love, spirituality, and more. This book boosts awareness in anyone who picks up this read.

I opted to check out this story via audio, read by Lorraine Avila, the author herself. Even though I vibed with the story, Avila's voice was my least favorite thing about the experience. I found her to be monotone and flat with her narration. I wished that Avila would have considered a professional voice actor who could bring her vision to life, but I understand that some authors like to keep their babies close to their chests as long as possible. ***Sidebar*** I found out after I wrote this review that she is partially deaf herself, so I get the reasoning behind her doing the narration.

Once I accepted the delivery of the story, I started enjoying the life of a teenage inner-city kid. At the story's beginning, I questioned and judged the hell out of the main character (Yolanda). Alas, I did respect Yolanda's character. I liked how she carried herself, even when she doubted her place in society as an apprentice-in-training bruja. In true coming-to-age fashion, I love learning who she was as a person and the story she was trying to tell.

What I liked most about TMOYLB and what kept me engaged was the portrayal and initiation of the family tradition of becoming a Bruja.

I rated this book 3.5. It was a nice story that touched on a lot of human issues. I loved the elements of Yolanda's religion mixing with her everyday life. It was a sad and happy ending with a message that can hopefully change how we think of people.

A really important story about the radicalization of white men and particularly white teenage boys. I really enjoyed the framing of the story and how much Yolanda strived to see the best in anyone.

I wish the narrator was a little more lively - but I did enjoy it over all.

Yolanda Alvarez is a high school student in the Bronx juggling school and being initiated as a bruja in her family's tradition. Things are going well for her until a white boy, a politician's son, starts at her school and slowly starts causing disruptions. It eventually ends in a school shooting and brings many issues to light. It brings to light race, justice, spirituality and many other racial and political injustices. It was a moving and emotional read. Lorraine Avila's narration makes this an even more emotional listen.

The Making of Yolanda La Bruja is a fantastic book, in both senses of the word. The quality of the writing is very high, the MC is likable yet not without her inner conflict, and the narrative moves at a nice clip. On the other hand, the story follows Yolanda, a modern day "witch" who reads tarot cards and has visions of the future. Most of her visions have to do with a new kid at her school and an act of school violence. Because not everyone might believe such visions, Yolanda is hesitant to share what she has seen with teachers/authorities and, when she does, nothing comes of it. Overall, I really enjoyed the book, though I wished the author spent a bit more time detailing the denouement, but you'll have to give it a read to find out what happens for yourself!

I absolute LOVED this story; every single piece to the puzzle that completes it.
From the every beginning, the talk about the female experience through the cycles and how the body reacts to it, what the call from nature feels... was so real and poetic. Bit of a different perspective that made me teary eyed.
The lifelong spiritual journey Yolanda takes us through is mesmerizing. I enjoyed this very much and the details of the baths for cleansing, the support from her Mama (grandmother), the learning of reading her cards, Gaza, and visions. Being so in-touch with your spirituality/religion gave me all the goosebumps in a very positive way.
With these rooted and strong beliefs, Yolanda is navigating learning how to take part in awareness of social injustice and how to manage it in all aspects of life, but specially in her school Julia De Burgos in The Bronx; a space where in the past few years, the community have made a very safe space, until, Ben arrives.

I was able to get this in Audiobook form. I enjoyed the reading performance straight from the author Lorraine Avila although at times it was a little too slow but this was at very FEW times, not that it hindered the performance as a whole.
After finishing the book and knowing now how special this book feels. I don't think the cover does it justice. This book has more intricacies and feels, nothing that could be perceived at all from the cover. This book is more than the pops of yellow and orange that typically signify something very fun and happy.

A difficult story told with a compelling, poetic voice. I loved how this story touched on spirituality as it discussed race, education, and justice. If you love Elizabeth Acevedo, I would highly recommend this book for you! Please check content warnings before reading.

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

Lorraine Avila hits home sharing the story of a Bronx teen, Yolanda, navigating school, hormones and, most importantly, her cultural manifestations in the form of visions, trusting her instincts and protecting those around her.

The writing is raw and relates easily to the thoughts and feelings we all had in our teen years. Though I didn’t grow up in the Bronx, I had homework to do and boys to crush on and best friends to confide in. I had bullies and those who didn’t sit right with me. Pain in teen years is always difficult to read about and Avila’s piecing of pain together is no smoother to swallow. She writes with pride and emotion felt throughout.

Lorraine Avila has captured vividly the scape of both racial tension and the spirituality of Afro-Caribbean descendants within this book. Through Yolanda we see her coming-of-age and coming into her destiny of being chosen by the ancestors and their spirits of power. Seeing Yolanda existing in a safe space with her disability was great. The tone used also conveyed the realities and societal mores that are so familiar as to be a rendering of a true story within a Bronx community.

She incorporates the realities of young, Black bodies growing up under a regime of violence and hate and puts it into words that will make their way into the young adult spaces easily. I enjoyed how Avila uses aspects of Black and Afro-Caribbean spirituality and beliefs to weave a story of social awareness and justice in a volatile time. Young people today on both sides of the racial divide are learning ideas of equality and intolerance; here Avila uses the bruja spirit to show how Yolanda navigates a space that has been exposed to a darkness.

This read will reach and reflect an experience that all racialized individuals have experienced and seeing their community and beliefs reflected will give them the avenue they need to feel seen and heard.

*Audiobook*

Yolanda is a sophomore at a high school in the Bronx. After a rough freshman year, things are going more smoothly for her. She has her best friend, Victory, her boyfriend, Jose, and a few staff she’s especially close to. She’s also growing in her spirituality, receiving more visions and communications from her Brujas Diosas. But when a new kid—the white son of a politician—moves into the district after being kicked out of several private schools, Yolanda can’t shake the bad feeling she has about him.

This is a YA novel but it’s enjoyable even for adults. Even though Yolanda is only 16, her and her friends are more mature than the characters in many YA novels. I enjoyed Yolanda as a narrator and was invested in her growing connection with her Brjuas Diosas. I loved the Afro-Caribbean aspect. It was interesting to get a glimpse of a different culture and to see Yolanda come into her own. I also enjoyed Victory and Jose. They were a great support system for Yolanda, and they all went through relatable teenage struggles. Avila discusses a lot of important topics, but maybe too many for one book. White supremacy, gun violence, the justice system, police brutality, and covid are all touched on, which at times made the book lose focus. It still has an important message that was clear throughout, and I was sucked into the story. I do feel it could have been a bit shorter. The climax happened with an hour and a half left in the book, and while I enjoyed the ending and felt many of the characters got closure, it could have wrapped up much sooner. The audiobook is narrated by the author. Avila’s voice fits Yolanda well, but the narration is veryyyyy slow and monotone. I usually speed up to 1.5x anyway, but it’s necessary for this one. Thanks to NetGalley, RB Media, and Lorraine Avila for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This debut has a clear objective and executes it almost as well. And the author does an excellent job at narrting it!
Yolanda Noels Alvarez is one of the most unique YA protagonists I have come across: from a Black Dominican family, she is being initiated by her grandmother into her Bruja role, she is very active in her school in regards to building a good learning space and fostering a community. She is proud and unafraid to speak up yet also still working through some old fears and coming into her own as a young adult. The book is also a little queer (Yolanda mentions a previous crush on a girl, no labels are used) and se has been wearing hearing aids since she was a toddler - it covers a lot of ground in terms of lived experiences even if race is one that takes center stage.
The subject matter is heavy and the book does not shy away from being upfront with its content but there is a really nice balance between the possible hate crime that might occur and Yolanda's otherwise positive life. Community, in general, is a big part of the novel. Friendships, guidance from teachers and grandmothers, religious practices and the importance of mental health, new romantic relationships and reconnecting with parents, the book does not limit itself to just one part of Yolanda's life but paints a full, vibrant picture.

I have a few minor quibbles, like maybe I sometimes felt that the kids were talking a bit too analytical for their age but I'm not even that mad about it cause it gave space for varying opinions and viewpoints to be shared. I think this book would be really well served as a group/discussion read.

The Making of Yolanda La Bruja by Lorraine Avila was wonderful display of traditional African culture from the Dominican Republic diaspora. I enjoyed this story so much and I can't wait to re-read it again.