This middle-grade fantasy-adventure delivers a thrilling mix of heists, magic, and social commentary in a lush, Portuguese-inspired world. *Encanto* meets *Ocean’s 8* is an apt comparison, as the novel blends heartfelt family dynamics with the adrenaline rush of a high-stakes theft. Rosa Coelho is a compelling heroine—resourceful, determined, and grappling with the injustices that define her world. Her desperation to save her family’s Encantadora shop makes her an easy character to root for, and the story’s themes of class disparity and knowledge as power add meaningful depth to the adventure.

The novel’s worldbuilding is one of its strongest elements, immersing readers in a society where magic is both a tool and a privilege, tightly controlled by the elite. The Ministério dos Monstros is an intriguing antagonist, embodying systemic corruption in a way that feels relevant and weighty. The heist itself is well-paced, full of clever twists and betrayals that keep the tension high.

However, while the book shines in its atmosphere and premise, some aspects feel underdeveloped. The supporting cast, particularly Rosa’s crew, could have been more fleshed out—though they each have distinct roles, their personalities sometimes blur together. Additionally, Rosa’s transition from street-smart monster hunter to master thief happens rather quickly, making her newfound skills feel somewhat convenient. A bit more struggle or training would have made her arc feel more earned.

Despite these minor shortcomings, the novel is a captivating, fast-paced read with a strong emotional core. Readers looking for a fantasy adventure that balances action with social critique will find plenty to enjoy.

Following is my best attempts at as spoiler-free review as possible.

An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros & Magic is a thrilling middle grade fantasy heist sure to keep readers turning pages non-stop. Major bonus points for all of the Portuguese cultural influences so seamlessly woven into it. But it's also so much more than that!

There's a lush magic system and monstros for readers to get to discover, not to mention getting to know each of the crew! There's also the discussion of the value of knowledge and what it means when only the wealthy have access to it as well as the divide between the ministers and the encantadoras. But it takes a more personal approach too, like touching on topics of loss, friendship, and wanting to belong somewhere.

In the middle of all of this is our heroine, Rosa, a trapper with the dream of becoming a keeper. Throughout Rosa's journey we see her grow in the most splendid ways. Others around her change and grow too, but she shines the brightest with all she does (including sometimes messing up the best).

All of this is to say I thoroughly enjoyed Sarah Mendonca's An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros & Magic! I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.

An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic pulled me in with its cover and title, but the detailed, colorful world kept me immersed. I loved following Rosa as she navigated doubts and new friendships. The monstros were fun and unique, but dangerous. (Bookworms, fire slugs, mountain goats!) There were more than a few unexpected twists. I'd love to follow Rosa and her friends into another adventure.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!

Mendonca has done a beautiful job of creating a rich world with a lot of depth to it. Though the fear inherent with being a Trapper kept Rosa self-reliant and kept her friends at arms length, working with a team taught her that trusting others allowed for greater strength and more success. The heist at the end was riveting! I thought the themes of wealth discrepancy were woven in subtly and poignantly as well. Overall a fun read full of adventure and colorful characters!

Just finished #AnEncantadorasGuidetoMonstrosandMagic by @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social. If you like stories about magic, social injustice, coming of age, and exaggerating your qualifications for a job, you'll love this book. I got an ARC of it courtesy of #NetGalley.

It follows Flora, a girl apprenticing to be an Encantadora, creating magical charms that her family uses in their magical pest control business. However, she wants to become a Keeper, a magical locksmith (or lockpicker, depending on your needs).

When her family is informed that they must pay a substantial amount of previously-waived fees to the Minestério dos Monstros, she signs on with a crew in need of a Keeper, neglecting to mention that technically that's not her profession at all.

How can she earn the trust of her new crew if she can't be honest with them? How could they trust her when they find out she lied to them? And will her self-taught magical lock skills be enough to get the job done or has she put the whole team in terrible danger?

This book is aimed at younger audiences, but the world building is more than interesting enough for an adult, or at least for me. The author's use of her Portuguese heritage as inspiration for the story give the setting a different feel than I usually see in fantasy books.

Also, the many scenes featuring heaps of delicious pastries will probably make you hungry. Fair warning.

Rosa is a character kids will root for. Even though it's set in a fantasy world, it shares themes with our society that will resonate with many kids. There is just enough danger, suspense and fantastical scary creatures to keep even the most reluctant readers going. The world building is detailed and vivid--I could see the events unfolding like watching them on screen. It's the type of story that begs for a sequel or series. I can see students wanting to stay immersed in this world longer. For middle grade readers, the themes of trust and friendship are woven expertly through the story without ever feeling heavy handed.

There are also nice touches not found in most children's novels, like the selections from guides written in this world that open the chapters. The cover art is stunning, and begs you to pick up the book and take a look. I'm hoping a copy of this book finds its way into classrooms.

I loved this world! The setting was so rich and I liked that the main character wasn't annoying at all either.

An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic by Sarah J. Mendonça is an action-packed, magical adventure set in a Portuguese-inspired world, blending the charm of Encanto with the intrigue of Ocean’s 8. The story follows Rosa Coelho, a young girl who has spent her life hunting monstros with her best friend, Tiago, and dreaming of a better future for herself and her grandmother. When her family’s shop is threatened by the Ministry of Monsters, Rosa sees an opportunity to change her fate by tricking her way into a notorious thief crew as their magical safecracker.

Mendonça’s worldbuilding is rich and immersive, with a vibrant city full of magic, danger, and high-stakes heists. Rosa’s journey into the world of luxury and betrayal is filled with twists and turns as she navigates a dangerous mission to steal from the Ministry itself. With her magical abilities and newfound allies, Rosa must trust herself and her crew to pull off the heist, knowing that failure means losing everything she holds dear.

The book combines heart-pounding action with a strong, relatable protagonist who must balance her desire for a better life with the risks of betrayal and corruption. The themes of loyalty, courage, and self-discovery are woven seamlessly into the plot, and the diverse characters and relationships add depth to the story.

An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic is a thrilling, magical ride that will captivate fans of fantasy-adventure. Mendonça’s debut is perfect for readers who enjoy fast-paced heists, magical worlds, and strong, resilient protagonists.

I love Rosa! As an ND individual, I recognized and related to much of the way Rosa interacts with her peers and with the world around her —despite the fact I’ve never had to battle actual monsters/monstros! I rooted for her as she followed her dream of becoming a keeper throughout the book. I desperately wanted her to make friends and I cannot wait for book 2 to find out more about her family. The book was full of suspense and fun and I wish I could give a copy to every kid I meet!

Absolutely Obsessed with This Book!

Okay, stop what you’re doing and add An Encantadora's Guide to your TBR right now—because this book is pure magic. Rosa Coelho is the kind of heroine you root for from page one. She’s fierce, scrappy, and determined to do whatever it takes to protect her family—even if that means conning her way onto a crew of master thieves. And the crew? Perfection. Every character is larger than life, dripping with charm, and the kind of ride-or-die found family you immediately wish you were part of.

The biggest thing here is just understanding the different monstros on your own because their is no guide to it or what you need to expect throughout the book. It’s like finding your own Pokémon at this point. Overall story is really good, it just needs to have a guide somewhere about the different monstros that will be encountered, like maybe a prequel should have explained that. It’s a mid grade magic heist which I feel that was perfect for the way the world they lived in was but, that guide would have been golden. The only reason why I knocked some points off. Loved it, looking forward to more from the author though.

This was such a well thought out, well developed middle grade with a more mature voice and I loved it.

I really enjoyed this book so much. I loved the magic system it has in it. I highly recommend this book to anyone at any age. It is worth the read. 10/10

An enjoyable middle-grade fantasy with excellent worldbuilding and engaging characters! Thank you to NetGalley and to HarperCollins Children's Books for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Imagine a heist with Avatar the Last Airbender elements and a touch of Encanto's vividity and spirit. This is what you get in this new middle-grade fantasy novel set in a Portuguese-inspired world.

The story features Rosa Coelho, an apprentice trapper, who dreams of a better life for herself and those she loves. But in a universe where knowledge is not only power but an exclusive perk, it seems like that odds aren't in her favour. Until one day when she crosses paths with a strange group of misfits with a dream that may just be crazier than anything she could ever concoct.

The world-building is phenomenal. You can picture every corner, every Monstros and every character so vividly in your head. The colours, the scents and the tasty pastries and tea practically jump out of the pages at you. The snippets from various books and guides from the universe that are shared at the beginning of each chapter are such a delightful touch, often leaving me wondering how they’ll fit into the events. You will feel like a part of their world, so much so that you wouldn't want to leave.

But I especially appreciate the attention the author paid to character growth. Rosa especially is written in a manner very authentic to girls her age and she goes through a wonderful transformation. Topics such as true friendship, trust and found families are handled very tastefully and strategically.

Overall the pacing was pretty good. There were a couple twists I didn't see coming and the epilogue clearly teases a sequel. If so, count me in! I cannot wait!!

P.S: I would love to see merch based on this universe! Coupled with the gorgeous art style used for the cover? Oh, it would be glorious.

This is a great Portuguese-influenced fantasy novel for young readers. The characters feel real and honest--no perfect heroes here--and grow over the course of the novel. The magic and its hierarchies are fun and original and create tensions that propel a non-stop plot involving becoming part of a top thieves' gang, a way out of poverty and powerlessness for the heroes and their families. Rich in detail and full of twists, you may start off annoyed with the protagonist but will--as she becomes a better, more thoughtful, more compassionate person--come to cheer for her and her companions. My only complaint is that I find crude body humor off-putting, although I suppose it's common for characters of this age and maturity.

Super fun middle grade book with magic, monstros, and a HEIST! There were some fantastic moments in this one! I loved the world-building and monstros. It was easy to picture it in my head. I thought the author did a fantastic job with the atmosphere. My only complaint was that I was not overly connected to the main character. They did grow throughout the book, but I still did not find myself rooting for them enough. But there are fantastic side characters and enough magic to more than make up for it. Heist was a blast too!

Thanks to NetGalley, Sarah J. Mendonca, and HarperCollins for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!

What a fun ride!! Middle grade readers are going to love it! Rosa is a monster trapper based out of her grandmother's charm shop. She has plans to move up in the magical ranks, but they can barely afford the awful fees the ministry charges them to practice at all. When it seems like they'll lose everything, an incredible opportunity presents itself: audition for an audacious ring of thieves known for Robin Hood-esque heists. It is a cut-throat competition to see who gets in and the danger increases from there in a winner-take all mission. Fantastic world-building for the magical city setting and the festival that bring people and monsters from all over heightens the drama.

Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 40% of the way through.

Rosa is an incredibly self-centered and annoying protagonist. That does not get better as the story goes on. Around the 40% mark her friend breaks up with her and she still thinks she's 100% valid, even though she was 10000% in the wrong.

It also doesn't help that I didn't realize this was a heist book. I personally can't stand heist books but I was willing to give this a shot since it had a strong opening, but nope...it always has those stupid "PROVE YOURSELF WORTHY OF THE HEIST" challenges that do nothing except pad the book.

If the book was more about Rosa and her Grandmother's shop I would've been more interested but alas. Heist.

In a world where you are told to trust no one, Rosa has to trust the members of the mysterious gang she has joined, to steal the priceless necklace that can control monstros (monsters). And the world that Rosa lives in is filled with monsters that will maim and kill you if you don’t know how to handle them.

The description above does not do justice to this book where Rosa is constantly in some kind of danger for the very first page where she almost gets burned by fire slugs. It only gets worse from there. And the thing that she knows, how to pick locks, is not something she has a license for, and yet she knows better than just fighting monsters.

I felt as though I was on a wild ride, the whole time I was reading this. Every chapter I wondered how she would get out of what situation she had landed in. Even things such as falling out with her best friend, held danger, because she could be kicked out of the group of thieves.

The monsters are great, but they are not the true bad guys. It is society itself.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published July 8th 2025. You really need to put it on your TBR list, as well as preorder it. You won’t be disappointed. All the stars.