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.