This book was PHENOMENAL. I could not put it down. It grabbed my attention immediately and held it fast. I thoroughly enjoyed The Wicked Bargain by this author, but he outdid himself in this book. The flow and pacing was spot on. I never felt like the story lagged or had any boring or down moments. Normally I lose interest when books go back into the past with flashbacks and the like, but this book did it so well, I didn't mind one bit. The characters were perfection and I loved the ones I was supposed to and hated the ones that were meant to be hated. Honestly, I can't think of a single complaint. This book is five solid stars and if I could give it more, I would.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.

I really loved this book. Dami was my favorite character in The Wicked Bargain and it was so cool to see them get their own book that delves into their story and how they want to live the life they’ve never been able to have. Silas, Dami, and Marisol are a true dream team. All of the main characters are LGBTQ+, which is amazing and something Novoa does so well in his books. I definitely recommend this if you loved The Wicked Bargain or just fun adventures!

Following Dami, introduced in Gabe Cole Novoa’s previous book The Wicked Bargain, The Diablo’s Curse is the story of the former demonio trying to keep their humanity and stop themselves from reverting back to not being able to feel, taste or be in the world. To do so, they must end every single deal they have made during their demonio days. This brings them to Silas Cain, a boy whose family has been cursed with dying young, a boy whom they had previously made a deal with to keep him from dying. They must work with him to travel to an island to discover hidden treasure to break Silas’ curse so that he can end his deal. But of course, the island isn’t quite right.

I was super excited going into this, I loved Dami in The Wicked Bargain and could not wait to read their own story, from their perspective and since the previous book, I had been rooting for them to regain the humanity that was cruelly taken away from them as a baby. As it turns out, this book did not disappoint. Dami is hilarious, their witty remarks sometimes at the worst moments are amazing, and the way they hold themselves and deal with what they’re going through is incredible. I loved getting to see their backstory, how they made deals and what it was like for them growing up. We got to see Dami’s humanity through this, through their regret at making deals and their disgust at having to reap souls. Yet, we also got to see that they did have some enjoyment in their work, they liked the power they got from it.

Silas was adorable, his constant blushes every time Dami made a cheeky comment were sweet and I felt sorry for him each time he died, which let’s be honest, was a lot. The love he has for his sister was super admirable and it made him likeable. His fear of dying wasn’t just his fear of the unknown, but also his fear of the curse passing down onto his younger sister. The relationship between him and Dami was so sweet. From snarky comments and his resentment of them for making them die over and over to Silas' willingness to sacrifice his own life for Dami’s humanity. I also loved how Dami was almost annoyed at themselves for catching feelings for him, but then just letting themselves go for it.

The concept of the island was terrifying. Having the villain as the island itself, but also the American treasure hunters. Damn, Paul. The character of Eve gave me the absolute creeps and the revelation of her being the actual curse was super clever and then the discovery that she and the island were made by El Diablo. Sigh, will he ever truly go away? Stop tormenting poor Dami. I loved Marisol and I really liked getting her perspective from time to time to see Silas and Dami from the outside but also getting another non-magical view of the happenings on the island.

The queerness in this book was an utter joy. Silas telling Dami that he’s mostly interested in boys, and only girls sometimes but thinks that Dami is gorgeous all the time made me melt. Dami’s worries about not being able to transform to their will if they turn human and the others not being bothered by them changing their form to suit their feelings. Marisol’s story, with her brother being the only one who saw her as his sister, and not something else. It was subtle but beautiful. It was never made into a big ordeal, which I think needs to happen more in books.

To me, the ending felt a little rushed. It felt like there was still a lot to happen and then everything happened within a couple of pages. However, the ending was beautiful and in a way that worked for everyone. I would have also loved to see the character of Juno more as she seems super interesting, and I would love to read about her deals and how she works as a Diablo.
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Overall, The Diablo’s Curse is a beautiful story that humanizes Dami, gives them the ending they deserve and surrounds them with people who truly care for them as a person, not just what they can give. It was magical, gripping, scary at times, and overall amazing. Introducing beautiful queer characters and making such a wonderful friendship trio to tackle a terrifying island for their physical, and mental, freedom.

Thank you to netgalley and Random House Children's, Random House Books for Young Readers for allowing me access to The Diablo's Curse by Gabe Cole Novoa. This book was so damn good. I loved every moment of this book. The character representation in this book was chefs kiss.

Review posts on my blog on February 4th, 2024.

THE DIABLO'S CURSE is set chronologically after THE WICKED BARGAIN, and contains a few brief references to it early on, but it can function as a stand-alone book. While some of Dami's situation was explained in the previous book, the only thing someone would need to know from that is that El Diablo was killed there, and this is about Dami dealing with the results. This means that someone could pick up this book and have a good time without having read THE WICKED BARGAIN, but I do recommend starting with the first book, for both enjoyment and continuity. Dami is an excellent character, and I enjoyed getting their point of view after having seen them through another character in the first book. This time the perspective swaps between Dami in the present day, Silas in the present day, and some interludes from Dami's past working for El Diablo.

In the course of trying to break Silas's curse so that Dami can cancel their deal and become human, Dami and Silas travel to a magical island where the weather is too tropical for the latitude and everything is trying to kill them. They meet Marisol, who joins up with them to try and find the treasure so they can get off the island. I like the setup, and the worldbuilding is very cohesive. The rapport between the three of them is fun in the face of the dire circumstances, and the mix of antagonists is enough to be an impediment but not so much as to overshadow the deathly effects of the real killer: Silas's curse.

It has a storyline which is almost entirely self contained, save that Dami is making moves based on El Diablo being dead, something which took place in THE WICKED BARGAIN. This means that almost everything important is both introduced and resolved here, save for that. This is unlikely to be the last book, but if it is this is a satisfying enough ending that I have closure. I hope there are more, this has the possibility to be a great series of loosely or tightly interconnected books, and I'd happily read more with any mix of these characters.

I really enjoyed reading this book!! I mean, I knew I'd enjoy it because it's DAMI, but still, you never know. I really liked the adventure Dami goes on, the things they learn, learning about their past, and the ending was honestly great. I was worried because even I wasn't sure what kind of ending I wanted, lol.

Dami is a genderfluid demonio that has to cancel all of their deals to be able to become human again. His last human is Silas, a boy whose family has been cursed to die young except for the deal he made with Dami which prevents him from staying dead. To help Dami become human and make it to where Silas can live a life without constantly dying, they have to find a way to end the curse that was placed on Silas's family.

I was excited to see that Dami was getting their own story after reading The Wicked Bargain. And The Diablo's Curse was worth the wait. Dami is portrayed well as a genderfluid person/demon and I love their characterization. I feel for them because all they want is to stay human after having a taste of it and now they have to go through so much trouble to be able to stay that way. Silas is a great character. Since making his deal with Dami, he has died at least once a week and because of this he stays away from his family so others don't know about his curse. It sucks for Silas because all he wants to do is protect his sister but is not able to be near her. Then about half way through the book we are introduced to Marisol. She is a smart sassy character who wants to be perceived as a girl that she stowed away on a ship to get away from her home only to be shipwrecked on a magic island that no one can get off of. My only complaint I have is that I want more on Marisol. Maybe we'll get another book about her. One can hope.

I want to think Netgalley and Random House Children's for the ARC of The Diablo's Curse. This is a great book to read for fantasy readers who love well written characters with great representation. This is a must read for 2024.

4.5 stars

After getting a taste of what human life has to offer, Dami is on a quest to cancel every deal they’ve ever made as a demon. Once they do so, they’ll be able to taste, feel, smell, and everything else that comes with truly living. However, there’s only one person sitting in their way: Silas Cain.

Cursed to die young, Silas made a deal with Dami that he wouldn’t truly die until he was ready. Unfortunately, that means that Silas has been dying over and over again. In order to break the curse, Dami and Silas must find Captain Kidd’s treasure and return it to his grave. But will they be able to survive the journey to get the treasure in the first place?

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy of The Diablo’s Curse by Gabe Cole Novoa to review! Novoa burst onto the YA fantasy scene last year with The Wicked Bargain, and he has been on my radar ever since.

This book is technically a companion to The Wicked Bargain; I wouldn’t necessarily call it a sequel because it technically centers different characters. For the most part, I do think this book stands on its own, but you will get spoilers for The Wicked Bargain if you read this one first. And you’ll miss a lot of Dami’s background with El Diablo.

Anyway! I loved this one just as much as I loved Novoa’s first book. What Novoa is great at is writing these characters you truly care about, working against what seem like impossible odds. These adventure stories center queer characters, of all kinds. Dami and Silas were excellent, and we get a third treasure hunter in Marisol. I would definitely read more of their adventures together!

My only complaint is that sometimes, the points of view change without warning, which is a bit disorienting. I wanted that to be a little more clearly outlined. Despite that, Novoa builds well on the world built in the first book, introducing some new magic and new characters.

All in all, if you’re looking for a treasure hunting adventure fantasy centering queer characters, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up in February!

Love the diversity and the nonbinary representation. I will definitely be reading more books form this author.

I loved The Wicked Bargain, but I think I might have loved The Diablo's Curse even more. The Diablo's Curse follows Dami in their request to become fully human. To do so, they must dissolve every deal they've made, and they've almost done it; there's only one person left: a boy about their age named Silas, who Dami granted immortality to. Only Silas doesn't want to give up his immortality, miserable as it is, because if he dies for good, the family curse passes onto his sister. So Silas and Dami strike a deal: Dami helps Silas break the family curse, and Silas ends his deal with Dami. Only the deal is harder to break than either of them thought, and it takes them to an island full of deadly horrors. And, though Silas never stays dead for long, Dami worries they might be human enough to stay dead if the island manages to kill them, stuck as they are halfway between demonio and human.

The Diablo's Curse is an incredibly fun adventure filled with danger, lost treasure, and two teens who are more drawn to each other than either would like to admit. It is a phenomenal sequel to a phenomenal book, and it's one I know I will be rereading.

I didn’t know The Diablos Curse was the sequel to The Wicked Bargain, and when I found out, I was scared I wouldn’t understand the story, especially because this is a magical one set in the eighteen hundreds, and I’m not much of a fantasy reader. But I didn’t need to be scared because it’s perfectly readable as a standalone, even if it’s a historical YA infused by (dark) magic and fantasy.

This story made me think of F.T. Lukens’ wit and writing combined with the animosity and the quests from The Sunbearer Trials.

I immediately liked Dami and Silas. Both passionate and full of perseverance. There was this kind of rivalry/enemy’s to lovers kind of trope with lots of banter, and it made me smile so many times. Sami and Silas were sometimes so annoyed with each other. But they also grew closer—that slow burn!—I loved how Silas cared about his family and how Dami wanted to be fully human. And I just adored Marisol!!

The Diablos Curse was my first book by Gabe Cole Novoa, but definitely not my last!

What an unexpectedly precious tale! I've never read anything from Novoa, but they're officially on my list of YA authors that I love. "The Diablo's Curse" is a gorgeously written, funny, sharp tale of a demon who wants to be human, and a human who wants to be uncursed. Their goals are diametrically opposed, and so they're forced to work together to figure out demonic loopholes and take on some big players in the underworld.

This was a very cute, plotty YA romance, and I absolutely adored both main characters. It's great representation and even greater characterization; I found the central plotline engaging and charming. It's also apparently a sequel to "The Wicked Bargain" which I didn't read - and now I'm running off to do that. For those who want to start with "The Diablo's Curse", I can say I had NO idea it was a sequel until after I was done reading it.

3.5/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this ARC!

This book genuinely had no right making me as emotional as it did. I loved the magical world, absolutely fell in love with all the characters, and the diversity and care and love that shone through the pages captured me in a way I didn't think was possible. Even with all the magic, the character's motivations all felt so real, and I want to read so much more of Dami, Silas, and Marisol because I just want to spend more time in this rich world. Knocking down the rating a little bit just because I think the plot was lost somewhere in the middle and it turned somewhat into a Survivor-esque battle I wasn't sure how to feel about, but these characters honestly got me through it. I would recommend it to anyone who loves magic in a diverse world and characters that capture your heart.

The Diablo’s Curse was queer, sarcastic, sweet, and funny. I absolutely loved this book.

Dami was so easy to feel for. They got a taste of being human and they didn’t want to give it up. Their gender identity was portrayed very realistically. Most people don’t always like the genderfluid shapeshifter trope, but I like it when it’s done well. Silas was just trying to break their family’s generational curse. He didn’t want to fall for a demonio. I absolutely adore a good annoyances to lovers trope. Marisol easily became my favorite. She is perfect.

The whole plot of the book is paced well and very well developed. Really enjoyed the writing style. Treasure hunts are always fun, but the trials were great too! I find myself wanting more, but that’s just my inability to let go of characters. Will definitely be reading The Wicked Bargain immediately!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for the arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

More queer fantasy!!! I loved the characters, both for their representation and for their personalities. The plot was gripping and fun. I highly suggest.

I really liked the vast majority of this book, but I did not like the way it ended, for a variety of reasons, mainly involving gender. I know experiences are different for everyone, but I just don’t like the whole genderfluid shapeshifter trope, and I thought the book would go away from that, but it turned out not to. The plot of the book and the characters themselves were all really great though, so if you don’t have anything against that concept, read it.

A twisting adventure with new dangers at every turn, this spinoff has the comfy vibes of found family with the romantic tension of annoyances to lovers

Gabe Cole Novoa's books are everything I love about YA. Adventurous with a heavy dose of sarcasm, sweetness between two idiots who don't want to fall in love, so casually, wonderfully queer, and just downright fun to read.

Once again thank you to Netgalley for the eARC of this glorious book. I feel so spoiled for getting to read both of Gabe's books before the publishing date.

I did adore this book, and I think it would be fine to read without having read The Wicked Bargain, but I have no clue why anyone would skip that one. I am so glad to get more Dami! Also a knowledge Diablo that is basically a kickass librarian?! Excellent!

Spoilers below


So I loved the slow burn between Dami and Silas, with them both trying to convince themselves that they don't have feelings for each other. But then when they finally kiss, they immediately have sex and that felt like a really sudden flip of the switch for me and I got pulled out of it for a moment. I love Marisol and was surprised how long it took for her to show up. I wish we could have had more of her, but also I understand why having her enter where she does makes the most sense. Dami having another friend, outside of the one they are romantically in love with was very good, and I am so glad they had her to talk to. The tenderness of their relationship was so well done.

Also I absolutely loved the tests designed for each one of them specifically, that part was very fun.

My only other issue is... How the Hell did Paul get off the island? I cannot remotely begin to figure that one out. It seemed unnecessary for him to make it off the island seeing as he dies pretty soon after, and it made me a bit confused.

Also I would have loved a bit of an epilogue, but that's me being greedy. I can't help smiling when I imagine this trio and Bastian and Mar being a lovely queer chosen family.

Anyway thanks for writing the books I crave Gabe!

If like me, you loved the gender-fluid fashionistx demonio with devil-may-care attitude and pithy comebacks in The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Nova, have I got news for you - Demi is back and this time it is all about them-well it always was, but in The Diablo’s Curse, Dami must cancel their prior dealings with lost souls in order to become fully tethered to humanity. But a beautiful boy named Silas is not willing to undo his deal until Dami helps him end a generational curse inflicted upon his family by a famous pirate. The two find their way to a magical island to track down a treasure that must be returned to the spirit of the pirate in order to break the curse. Adventure, mystery, romance, friendship and so many ways to die await! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for an advanced look at this YA novel available in February. Look for my recommendations and reviews of this and other YA and middle grade books by Latine authors https://linktr.ee/juliemajercak