Thank you to NetGalley and Levine Querido for this DRC.
This book starts as a very dark post-apocalyptic story of survival and how badly human beings can hurt and control each other. It moves slowly at first, but stick it out, the fight that Leandro takes on is magical. There is some fantastic future tech and a beautiful story of survival and love.
#Alebrijes #NetGalley

This is not my typical genre, but I read The Last Cuentista based on a friend’s recommendation and fell in love with the writing. When I saw a new book by the same author I knew I had to read it.

This was didn’t drag me in and hold my attention quite like The Last Cuentista, but I still enjoyed the story. The beginning was a slow lead in to the heart of the story and I found myself putting it down and not picking it up for a few days. Once I got to around 60% though I didn’t want to put it down.

If this is your typical genre I think you will love the book and if you are like me and it is outside your box I still think it is worth the read.

This book provides a great scaffolding to discuss political ideologies, bias, biotechnology ethics, and social-emotional skills for middle grade and YA readers. The story was engaging and fast-paced and the writing was lovely.

I knew I would be reading this book as soon as possible. The Last Cuentista is a book that I still reflect on and promote to others. Alebrijes has the same creepy feeling (meant with all the love in the world) and strong kids. So inventive and powerful.

Alebrijes was a fantastic book, and I plan on using it for my 7th grade book club when it’s available in paperback. It starts out a little bit slow, but after the alebrijes enter the story (around 30%), it gets really good and it’s hard to put down. Higuera does a lot of world building, which is necessary but I like really fast paced books so it kind of made it hard to get though initially, but stick with it! I don’t speak Spanish so it also took me a while to get into the style of the book because she adds so many Spanish words and phrases. I started by looking them up on Google translate, but she uses enough context clues and defines the words later that I stopped. It just took me out of the story and isn’t necessarily to look up.

I haven’t read a lot of science fiction or dystopian novels, but I think the premise for Alebrijes is very unique and different from other books out there. It still has the oppressive ruling regime that is hiding secrets which I think is pretty standard in most dystopian books, but I really enjoyed how it all played out. I also liked that the story is the main focus and not a love triangle- maybe because this is more a middle grade book than a YA book.

I really liked Leandro’s character. I added this book to my book challenge under the prompt “character I would be friends with.” He cares for his younger sister and will do anything to help others. He is the moral core in a very unjust world. I think readers will connect to his love of family and how he views others vs the leadership of Pocatell. Gabi is a spitfire and strong, but more reckless. Selah’s character is more cynical but she has her reasons. I think there will be a lot of good discussion about the character’s choices through out the book. I can’t wait to read this with my students! I also want to read Higuera’s other book, The Last Cuesta, now.

Absolutely PG rated and great for a school library. I think it’s really targeted to grades 4-8, but has a broader appeal that older kids and adults will enjoy. There are several deaths, but that’s the only thing that could be triggering.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Donna Barbara did such a fantastic job with this book. Alebrijes is set in a dystopian future where humanity has survived a massive extinction event. We follow Leandro and his sister as they navigate life in Pocatel. The setting is unique and intriguing, and the character development is compelling. This book evoked a lot of emotion in me and made me cry on several occasions. The incorporation of Mexican cultural references and the use of Spanish was done respectfully and in a way that honors them.

Overall I can't recommend this book enough, and I'll be keeping a close eye on new books by the author.

After reading The Last Cuentista, I was so excited to read this new book by Donna Barba Higuera. I knew it would be tough to follow a Newbery winning title, but I wanted to see what new world she'd construct this time.
Alebrijes, rather than a sci-fi story like The Last Cuentista, takes readers to a dystopian world that also has the feel of a folktale.
The writing in this book wasn't as tight or action-packed as Cuentista. I found myself having a hard time getting immersed into the world of Alebrijes. Some story threads sort of fizzled away and never came back again. It began with very few characters, and about halfway through leapt to almost too many characters.
It was an interesting story, but I didn't feel like I needed to tear through the book to see how everything would end up.
I'm not sorry I read it, but I don't think it's a story that will stick with me.

In post-apocalyptic Mexico, the elite live well and the poor starve. And sometimes they're just killed outright. Young Leandro agrees to take part in a risky project in order to save his little sister: his consciousness is transferred into a hummingbird robot. There follow many adventures in which Leandro isn't very smart, followed by someone saving him. He finally gets back into his body, fights the elite baddies, and he and his sister leave for a place where things actually grow in the ground and apparently it's utopia.

I felt like I was in a video game, and I did not enjoy it much. Like a lot of other male leads in fantasy series, Leandro isn't actually the hero. He's an inept dude who has to be saved time and again. This means the reader has to keep reading the POV of a character who, were they to encounter them in a movie, would be yelling at the screen: NO DON'T GO THERE and DUH DRINK THE WATER. Sigh.

Thanks to the author/publisher for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story about Leo, a 13-year-old who lives with his younger sister Gabi, in a future Earth that is already ravaged by disasters, leaving very few humans alive. They live in Pocatel, where they and their fellow Cascabelas are treated like second class citizens. When Gabi was almost caught pickpocketing, Leo saved her by getting caught instead of her, and he got exiled. But his exile is different from what he thought it would be as his mind is transferred to a hummingbird drone. And now he must use his new form to save not just Gabi, but his fellow Cascabeles from the oppressive Pocatelan Regime.

This is middle-grade/dystopian book that even older readers might enjoy. The book started a bit slowly for me because even though this is a middle-grade book, the book never really spoon-fed the readers when it comes to the exposition/worldbuilding. Everything is done naturally (which, in this case means slowly) even if it means the readers might get a bit lost at the start of the story.

But once I was more used to the world and the characters, I was able to get really into the book, for a couple of reasons. The first one is the mystery behind the world itself, like what exactly happened and how. Even though the answers behind the mystery themselves aren't the most satisfying, the process of uncovering them are really exciting to read.

The second reason is the main character himself. He's one of those characters that are just so easy to root for, his actions always make sense (though other characters sometimes make questionable decisions, but that's not that big of a deal) and he has a strong character motivation from start to finish. The story itself might not be the most fast-paced, but it's satisfying in the end, so combined with the two things I just mentioned, it means a good read from start to finish.

There's a lot of social commentary in this book, and they're not particularly subtle, but I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing because they still hit hard and they feel like they fit the story perfectly, they don't feel like they're unnecessarily added into the story.

If I have a complaint is just the fact that there are aspects of the book that I wish the book had explored more. Like the science fiction elements of the story that I didn't fully understand, and also some of the side characters that seemed really interesting. Also, the book's epilogue is one that some people might consider to be unnecessary, but I'm personally ambivalent about it, I can take it or leave it, and it probably wouldn't affect my enjoyment that much.

Overall, just a great middle-grade read that even older readers might enjoy if you like dystopian stories with a lot of social commentary.

Alebrijes is a dystopian novel that explores the themes of survival, identity, and resistance in a post-apocalyptic world. The author, Donna Barba Higuera, creates a vivid and imaginative setting where humans are divided into two classes: the privileged Pocatelans and the oppressed Cascabeles. The protagonist, Leandro, is a 13-year-old Cascabel who lives in the city of Pocatel, where he and his sister Gabi struggle to survive as pickpockets. When Leandro is exiled for stealing, he discovers that he has been transformed into an alebrije, a mechanical animal that can communicate with other alebrijes and has the power to change the fate of his people.

The novel is full of adventure, suspense, and emotion as Leandro embarks on a journey to find his sister, his true self, and his place in the world. He encounters various challenges and allies along the way, such as mutant monsters, wasteland pirates, a hidden oasis, and a mysterious School Master who holds the secrets of the past and the future. The author skillfully weaves elements of Mexican culture and folklore into the story, such as the concept of alebrijes, which are colorful fantastical creatures created by Mexico City-based papier-mâché artist Pedro Linares Lopez in the mid-1930s1. The cover illustration by David Álvarez, rendered in a dark palette, hints at the drone/alebrijes connection2.

The novel also raises important questions about social justice, environmental issues, and human nature. The author shows how people can build better societies from the ashes of unequal, oppressive, and corrupt ones. She also explores how stories can shape our identities and inspire us to fight for our dreams. The novel is a testament to the power of imagination, hope, and courage in the face of adversity.

Alebrijes is a captivating and inspiring read that will appeal to fans of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure. It is suitable for readers aged 10-14 who enjoy stories with strong characters, rich worldbuilding, and meaningful messages. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story with a twist.

A dystopian adventure with lots of interesting characters. The premise and the characters were interesting, the book didn’t quite grab me as much as some other fantasy adventures. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy

I cannot remember the last time a book immediately pulled me in such as this one did. From the start, you can't help but empathize for the siblings. While the story holds alot of misery and bleakness, there are these beautiful pockets of hope. There were many elements withing this story that made me think back to other stories that I've loved. Think a sort of weird mix of: Immortals by Tamora Pierce, I Who Have Never Knew Men, and The Village (movie). (And probably a few more that I just cant think of at the moment.) For anyone who enjoyed The Last Cuentista, this is a must read.

Read this book if you love fantasy worlds, believe all people should be treated fairly, and will do everything in your power to protect your family.

Living in poverty and filth, Leandro is no stranger to doing what he can to get by. With only himself and his sister Gabi left out of their family the children spend their days in the fields and their evenings pick pocketing in the market. When the directors who lead the city realize their is a thief among the children, Leandro volunteers himself as the perpetrator even though his sister Gabi was the true thief. When Leandro is whisked away to trial he realizes the death he was expecting for his crimes is not coming. He is sentenced to an isolation within an alebrijes faceted as a hummingbird. Once he takes flight he realizes that there is a community of other alebrijes looking to improve their impoverished land.

This was a great middle grade book with lessons woven throughout the whole story and strong character development. While the fantasy world did lack a bit of detail I think that was done on purpose to allow you to fill in the blanks based on what you wanted to see. I loved Leandro's character and the strength he continued to show for his sister. This book was a great and quick read!

Thank you to Donna Barba Higuera, Levine Querido, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released on October 3rd for all to enjoy.

Goodreads review link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5672354662

I really enjoyed Alebrijes!
This was actually the second book I've read by Donna Barba Higuera, the first was The Last Cuentista which I also really enjoyed!

The story was really good and I couldn't put the it down.
I also really liked the characters.
I definitely can't wait to read more books by this author!

This really was a really good middle grade book and I would definitely highly recommend it!
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a phenomenal book. Donna Barba Higuera has such talent, I get so lost in the world she creates. This book will fill you with hope and love even in the darkest of places. Leandro’s story will stay with me for quite some time.

Could not put down incredible book, Alebrijes! It’s a tale of hope, perseverance love and friendships. I would recommend this book to my middle schooler’s with the hope they take its message to heart.

What a powerful, compelling, at times horrifying dystopian story of a boy banished from a desperate place and the journey he endured.
When I saw the cover reveal several weeks ago, I was intrigued by the title and researched the word. Knowing that an alebrije is crafted by combining parts of different animals would have made it easier to understand the title and the concept for the story; I feel the meaning should be included in an introduction.
Also, as someone fluent in Spanish, I was able to understand the Spanish parts; but if someone is not, I think their understanding would be limited. Footnote translations would help.

I still have not read The Last Cuentista, which has been an absolute darling of youth staff at my library. At 30%, I was completely enamored, and this was a five-star book. Orphans working potato fields! Cruel adults! A striated society!

It didn't quite stay that way for me.

This was still an amazing book, evocatively written and thoroughly imagined. However, once a pivotal plot point took Leandro and his sister away from their indentured servitude in Pocatel, and especially once Leandro joined the Alebrijes, I found the storytelling became a bit more choppy. I wanted to know more about the orphan house, more about the Sparks, more about the Directors. The action scenes, especially, jumped from one moment to another in such a way that at least three times I had to move back a page or two to clarify what exactly had happened.

Despite these flaws, I still really liked this book. I don't know if it would be enhanced by having read The Last Cuentista (the epilogue especially left me a little puzzled), but it certainly stood on its own. A worthy addition to the middle grade after-the-collapse canon.

Amazing. Powerful. Socially aware and vitally important. This book is a must read.

First the story: Excellent writing and storytelling. This dystopian world is vividly detailed—you can feel the desolation and despair that surrounds the society. The characters were beautifully polished. And towards the end of the book I was crying—not just once, but again and again. And the ending... I never saw it coming!

Then the subtext: Beyond the actual story, there is so much to unpack in this book. It is a social commentary on racism, a reminder to question everything (especially the propaganda of those in power), and a warning about the corruption of social infrastructure (those with the most power/money/influence protecting and promoting themselves while actively trying to subvert everyone else). I can see this becoming a classic in the same veins as Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World.

This book is next level.

What worked:
The author skillfully takes the time to describe the oppressive, despondent dystopian setting in the early parts of the book. Leandro and his little sister Gabi harvest potatoes all day in the hot sun only to be paid with a couple of potatoes for themselves. They share a tent-like hut with a frail, old woman but she takes most of their payment for herself and threatens them into submission. Anyone caught stealing or not obeying the rules of Pocatel is taken into custody by the Patrol and banished into the barren Outlands. The wyrms and spores that become active at night almost guarantee the exiles won’t live to see the sunrise. Leo is determined to escape with Gabi and find a safer place to live.
The Old-World refers to Earth as it used to be. Leo and Gabi wonder if the unbelievable tales of abundant wildlife and plants are actually true and they dream of someday living in a place like that. Readers will try to make mental connections between the world we know and the general descriptions of a world long gone. Some familiar technology and building structures are mentioned along with geographical locations and occupations. The term alebrije refers to mythical creatures but in this book, they’re simply animals the characters haven’t seen before. Leo speaks Spanish at times and I confess that I don’t know exactly what he’s saying. Readers can get the gist of the meanings for these phrases and the language enhances the cultural aspect of the story.
The essence of the conflict is based on the governing structure of Pocatel. The Pocatelans lived independently and took care of their own until the Cascabels arrived years ago. The Cascabels are used to ensure the survival of Pocatel but it’s clear the city’s citizens are more valued than the immigrants. The Cascabels living in the Pox are afraid of banishment and probable death so they don’t complain and silently perform the harsh tasks assigned to them. However, the story later reveals there’s more going on behind the scenes than anyone knows. The Directors are planning to take drastic, heartless actions that go well beyond anything done before. The real problem is the Imperator leading all of Pocatel. The repressive, cruel atmosphere has conditioned most of the citizens to have the same attitudes since speaking out against the leaders can lead to Pocatelans being banished too.
What didn’t work as well:
The book’s synopsis tells readers where the plot is headed but it takes a while to get there. There’s a great deal of description. However, the story takes a drastic turn about a fourth of the way into the book when Leo goes through an extreme transformation, and his consciousness is joined with a hummingbird drone.
The Final Verdict:
The book shares an innovative view of a dystopian culture living under a repressive, strict government. The interest level kicks up once Leo is banished as the plot opens up to a new setting, new characters, and significant revelations. Overall, this is a highly entertaining book and I highly recommend you give it a shot.