For such a short book, this packed a punch!! Some magic, some mystery, some love. I really enjoyed it!!

The Brujos of Borderland High is a story told in verse, during which we are in the head of Alejandro, as he is grappling with the ending of a relationship and some weird events that seem to be focused on him.
This book was a really quick and easy read, that introduces a very unique magic system. While I do love books that play with form, I wonder if verse was the best way to really show off this world. Since it was so short, and in verse, a lot of the magic system and worldbuilding were just not touched on which can make it hard to completely understand how all the elements work.
I did enjoy the cast of characters and think that there are plenty of really unique relationships shown off, that make Alejandro feel like a real person.

Gume for sure has a unique writing style and take on storytelling that leaves an impact long after you finish reading it.
We meet Alejandro, a gay teen brujo with a supernatural ability to use his tarot cards to see into the past. The story centers around his first breakup and his journey of navigating it.
This book for sure gave me all the feels. I could relate on a deep level with the central characters expiernce with a first break up. And the want to just to be loved and not be abandoned.
I always feel that when a book can bring up such deep emotions, it’s a great book.
Overall I loved this book. It’s a quick and easy read with an emotional punch that stays with you long after reading the last page.
Gume knows how to put a piece of himself into an each book he puts out. It’s awe inspiring.
Highly recommend.

Thank to the folks at NetGalley and Rosen Publishing for a ARC of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

I've never read a book written entirely in verse, and this was a great introduction to the style! The book was short but quick paced and interesting, I'd love to have more from this alternate world where everyone is some type of creature. A really unique idea with the Brujos all have different fortune telling powers with their tarot decks. I fell in love with Ale and his big heart and would love more from other characters in this world!

I also plan on getting a hard copy of this to see the final formatting as I think this kindle version had a lot of issues

Thanks very much to the author, West 44 Books, and NetGalley for this ARC!

My Review
(very minor spoilers)

This is a short and sweet YA story about learning self-worth and opening yourself up to love, with a Latine cast set at a queer-normative magical high school in Texas with monsters, demons, and time travel. This was a new format for me, both in terms of hi-lo and verse novels. The concept of hi-lo is so cool for accessibility, and this author accomplishes it SO well! I was so impressed by his ability to develop complex characters, describe a complete magical system/world, and even integrate timeline flashbacks, all using very simple language AND sentence structures in the verse format. I think the verse structure helped facilitate the impact of Ale’s emotions too, which so astutely captured his adolescent experiences navigating first relationships, family, and identity development. I feel like his emotional vulnerability and growth throughout the book make him a really loveable character - I’m lowkey proud of him for breaking toxic cycles, Gustavo is trash! I also really enjoyed reading a Mexican American MC and family, including the Latin American brujería/lore and Spanish language sprinkled in (with glossary). The inner design integrating the tarot cards was a very cool added artistic element I’ve never seen before, I’d recommend the hard copy to get the full experience!

Thanks to the guys at Rosen Publishing Group for proving this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
***
3.5
When I realized what was going on I started screaming that's all I will say

The story centers on Ale, a high-school brujo (witch-doctor) who is gay, Latino, orphaned, raised by a young uncle, and who has recently survived his first, brutal breakup (by text!). His magical gift is the ability to see the past through use of his Tarot deck, but when things get squirrely on the eve of a highly anticipated musical recital, Ale has to find a way to change his focus to imagine a new, more positive future.

I zipped through this novel-in-verse while on a recent flight: it's quick, surprisingly jam-packed with action and characterization, aimed at youthful readers who might not have patience for a slowly unfolding story — but which I, as a relatively sophisticated older reader, found a delightful change of pace.

This is a book sure to be challenged by book banners, but like most of what people find edgy in fiction is how the book takes a look at our shared world from an outlier's viewpoint. Which is precisely the reason to read — and why I hope this muscular, boycentric poetry will find its way to public bookshelves for all of us to enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and West 44 Books for the free eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Gume weaves another fantastic story in verse with The Brujos of Borderland High. We have a high school boy who has just dealt with a major breakup. He is unsure of himself and his magic. This is a short read that is surprisingly full of twists. The ending was adorable and makes me want more as well!

Alejandro, or Ale for short, attends Borderland High, a magical school where everyone possesses mystical abilities. Ale's abilities allow him to see the past through his tarot cards.
We meet Ale while he is in the throes of his first heartbreak after discovering his boyfriend's infidelity. Despite his best friend's efforts to lift his spirits, Alejandro remains deeply lovesick. Ale immerses himself in prepping for his school's piano recital to distract himself.
His plans are disrupted however by a time-traveling demon who suddenly crosses his path. Alejandro quickly realizes he must shift his focus to defeat this demon and save his school.

This story is set in a Queer normative magical world, filled with Mexican folklore creatures, linguistic diversity, and diverse characters with Chicano Tex-Mex roots.

The book is written in verses, which makes it easy to read for those who are learning or struggling with the English language, as well as a unique format to the chapters

What it's about: A gay teenager learns to deal with his first heartbreak in an all-magic society.

Pros: I really liked the worldbuilding with Latinx magic and symbolic cartomancy. The romance was very cute. And I found that the glossary being at the beginning, and not too long either, was very useful,

Cons: The free verse took me some time to get used to. The page design is really cool and fits the story's cartomancy element, but it wasn't an easy format for me to plunge into.

Comp: The romance had Heartstopper Season 1 vibes.

Overall, I found it an enjoyable YA, short and sweet. If you want a read with a different magic system that doesn't require 400 pages just to get started, this is for you!

Stars: 4/5

Thank you to NetGalley, West 44 Books, Rosen Publishing Group, and Gume Laurel III for the opportunity to read The Brujos of Borderland High in exchange for an honest review.

After being absolutely blown away by Samson & Domingo, I knew Gume Laurel III's next novel would be an absolute gem. As you read the novel, be sure to take an extra moment to think about the cover and what it signifies to the narrator, Alejandro, as well as the overall thematic elements. An ouroboros with a clock pictured. And on a tarot card too! One of the cool aspects of the novel is that every page is laid out like the tarot card on the cover, giving the novel an interesting feel of fate as you are learning about Ale's own fate.

Ale is a brujo, among other magical creatures that attend Borderland High, such as Lechuzas, Sirenas, and Chupacabras, to name a few. The Spanish glossary at the beginning of the novel is a nice touch, if one needs to reference any of the Spanish words. Using Spanish in the writing really adds a culturally authentic feel to the novel as well. After a rough breakup with Gustavo, Ale has a hard time moving on. He constantly thinks about Gustavo and wants to get back with him, but he already has a new boyfriend. In the meantime, Ale finds friendship in Zander, who tries to help prevent Ale from the toxicity that is his ex.

While Ale's brujero magic involves seeing the past, it is the future that seems problematic, and there's not much he can do about something he doesn't know. It's always the same cards giving his hand of fate. When a time-traveling demon comes to wreak havoc on the school, eyes turn to Ale because of their similarities. Determined to fight the demon and clear his name, Ale takes on his greatest challenge yet. But is there truly anything more challenging than a breakup? 

The Brujeros of Borderland High is a hi-lo novel written in a poetic verse style. Gume Laurel III has a brilliant craft with creating such dynamic characters that the reader truly cares about in such a short amount of time and with so few words. The LGBTQ representation feels  like a truly natural aspect on the novel, as opposed to some where it feels forced. The cultural aspects of this novel really make it stand out among the masses, adding that paranormal aspect with Hispanic folklore and mysticism. The diversity of this novel really makes it a true gem. This is a novel readers of all ages can pick up and enjoy.

I couldn’t put the book down. I really enjoyed how it included the Latino culture to the fantasy world of Alejandro. Alejandro is going through a breakup and even though he is a brujo (witch), he still struggles just like any other teenager. This is such a great read and struggling readers will be able to read this book.

Gume Laurel III's The Brujos of Borderland High shuffles a potent deck of heartbreak, self-discovery, and Latine culture, presenting a narrative as captivating as a well-laid tarot spread. Alejandro, our young Brujo protagonist, only wants to focus on his piano. But he's haunted by echoes of his past after a brutally emotional break-up. Then fate, like a capricious hand, throws down a troublesome card. A time-traveling demon knocks Alejandro off course, forcing him to confront the future and the transformative power of forgiveness.

Laurel's captivating verse explores the universal themes of heartbreak and self-acceptance. The concise lines crackle with raw emotion, capturing the depths of Ale's grief and the gradual arc of his healing. It’s a powerful exploration of navigating loss, embracing self-worth, and stepping courageously toward a brighter future, a Fool's Journey writ large.

But there’s much more than melancholic introspection here. This queer story is built on a unique magic system, intertwined with Latine culture, and laced with thrilling action and a captivating mystery as Alejandro confronts the demon and unravels its secrets. Prepare to be enthralled, and know that the emotional resonance will linger long after you turn over the last card.

In "The Brujos of Borderland High," author Gume Laurel III weaves an enchanting story that seamlessly blends the struggles of teenage life with elements of supernatural fantasy. The novel follows Alejandro, a gay teen brujo (male witch) navigating the complexities of his first heartbreak while grappling with his newfound ability to glimpse into the past through tarot cards.

Laurel's writing vividly transports readers into Alejandro's world, where the mundane and magical intertwine. As a time-traveling demon threatens to disrupt the high school's winter recital, Alejandro must confront his inner demons and harness his powers to protect not only the event but also his own future.

What truly sets this novel apart is its authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and their experiences. Laurel deftly explores themes of identity, acceptance, and self-love, creating a narrative that resonates deeply with readers from all walks of life.

With its captivating blend of romance, supernatural elements, and relatable coming-of-age struggles, "The Brujos of Borderland High" promises to be a spellbinding addition to the young adult literary landscape. Laurel's masterful storytelling and inclusive representation make this a must-read for anyone seeking a magical escape that also offers profound insights into the human experience.

High school is hard for everyone and this story really helps us see that teenagers are teenagers are teenagers. Brujo or not, magic doesn’t make feelings and intrusive thoughts and heartbreak and growth easier. It’s acceptance of self and those who love us most. It’s letting in the good and recognizing when to let go of the bad. All this and more are felt throughout Brujos and it is all told in verse.

The way the author evokes so much emotion with just a few lines and expertly laid periods is inspiring. The use of white space and short sentences truly helped drive the action sequences and conversely, the longer sentences and sentiments made the emotional moments that much more impactful. Lyricism is tricky to pull off when the lines are not meant to rhyme. There is an ebb and flow that needs to be understood in order for a story to blend together and work off of itself, and the author flows in and out of emotion with an ease that is not usually seen in YA.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you have a student or child that struggles with reading long stories. This is a fully formed story from start to finish written in a way that makes it fast – paced (even when it’s not an action sequence), yet slow enough to truly understand what Ale is feeling and thinking and longing for. This book covers topics of addiction, generational trauma, heartache, self-love, and redemption (among others). Alejandro is a gay, teenage brujo going through his first breakup and not taking it well. I think we can all agree we have been in his shoes at least once.

This was my first time reading a book in verse and I loved it! I cannot wait to own a physical copy.

A novel told in verse about a gay teen brujo going through his first breakup. His magic is using tarot cards to see the past. There are other magical creatures including vampires, chupacabras, demons, and lechuzas. It’s a magical setting but really a story about wanting to find love and needing to forgive and find love within yourself. For how short it is, it was effective in introducing this magic system and characters and giving us an emotional arc. I think it could’ve benefitted from 100 or more pages just to flesh out the magic system and characters more. Otherwise, though, a really enjoyable read.

So cool. A totally different type of genre I usually read but I'm so happy I got out of my comfort zone. It was cool, it totally delivered! 4 stars and a half for sure.

This was the first time I've read Gume Laurel III’s work, and I loved it. This just as easily could have been a book about/for adults, but I think making it about a teenager gives it a different kind of energy, and allows for it to be a powerful story for readers of any age. I like that if I gift this book to a nibling, they might glean different lessons from it over the years.

I from time to time read prosa in verse, therefore I quite quickly got used to the writing style and could easily emerge into the story.

What bothers me is, that sometimes the headlines were part of the text, sometime they were well headlines.

The story itself was fast paced and well executed. Especially the setting was great but the characters were also cute. Of course, the plot was not groundbreaking but I had a good time!

3,5/5

‘Since these possibilities / are make-believe, / I’d also like to be/ happy when I grow up’

This is the first novel written in verse I’ve read and, while I’m usually not a fan of poetry, I loved ‘The Brujos of Borderland High’. So much so, that it only took me 2 hours to finish it.
This fairly short book follows young brujo Alejandro at his magical high school after his boyfriend cheated on him. Accompanied by his friend Zander and his uncle-turned-adoptive father, he must try to survive a time-traveling demon whose havoc-wreaking activities threaten to stop his school band’s concert from happening.
With a fast pace, this hi-lo* novel weaves endearing characters, themes forgiveness, friendship and overcoming recent and past trauma, Latinx rep, queer rep, depression and teenage angst in a short but powerful story. This novel manages to evoke profound feelings despite its briefness and seemingly simple language.
I also loved the setting: a magic-normative world with brujos, vampires and demons, where these brujos must attend special magical schools and each brujo owns a deck of 40 cards which they use to practice whatever specific magic they have. Our main character Ale, for instance, can see the past through his readings.
Something less related to the story itself, but that made the experience even more enjoyable, were the card illustrations on each page that encapsulated the words, as if we’re reading from Ale’s cards.
I’d recommend ‘The Brujos of Borderland High’ to anyone, but especially to those stuck in a reading slump that need something with a quick rhythm.

*Hi-lo: high interest, low readability: the plot includes themes geared towards older teens, while the vocabulary and the complexity of the speech remain accessible. Check the author’s video on his Instagram (@tx.author) for more information on the meaning of hi-lo.