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.

The first book in what looks to be a series of adventure books set in a fantasy world that draws heavily from Latinx cultures. Rosa has been raised by her grandmother and they are both trappers of magical monsters, the lowest profession and social group within their culture. But Rosa wants to be a keeper, a sort of magical locksmith, and had been training herself in the arts illegally for years. Her poverty and her grandmother's harsh practicality mean Rosa is unlikely to achieve her dream until she is unexpectedly offered the opportunity to join a famous criminal gang. However her membership in the gang in threatened by her own past selfish choices, not to mention the risks inherent to the gang's plan to steal a magical item that allows the owner to control the monsters that threaten everyone's daily life.

Rosa herself is difficult to like, but she does grow on you. The story is saved by the rest of the criminal gang, each of whom have interesting back stories and make a compelling collective. I would read the next book in the series if I came across it.

This was everything that I was hoping for from this type of book, it uses the concept perfectly and enjoyed the world that was created from Sarah J. Mendonca. The characters were everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed the way they worked with this world. I loved the supernatural element and how it worked with this storyline. It left me wanting to read more from Sarah J. Mendonca.

The cutest middle grade fantasy! I would have been obsessed with this book back in middle school. It’s the perfect mix of a dark & magical heist intertwined with the author’s Portuguese heritage. Also that cliff hanger at the end was awesome!
I’m only knocking off a star because some of the world building needs to be refined. I think a guide at the beginning of the book listing each monstro, and what a keeper vs trapper does, etc would be beneficial to the reader.