It has been a while since I’ve wrapped anything up! September and October were incredibly busy months for me! I had lots going on, in terms of reading and school which really brought down the hammer on me. And while another hammer is coming soon…I am very excited to see what books I can get to this month!
So let’s get started!
What Rendz Read!
September (1st-15th) Wrap-Up
The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson (5/5) Review Ciel by Sophie Labelle [ARC] (4/5) Review The Wedding Date Disaster by Avery Flynn (DNF) Review Fable by Adrienne Young [e-ARC] (5/5) Review Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz [ARC] (4.5/5) Review + Fan Art!
Latinx Heritage Month Wrap-Up
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (5/5) Review Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez (5/5) Review You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria (5/5) Review Each of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro (4/5) Review Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (5/5) Review Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera (4/5) Review Lush Money by Angelina M. Lopez (DNF) Review Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno (5/5) Review
October (16th-31st) Wrap-Up
The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi (4.5/5) RTC A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey (4/5) Review + Fan Art Holiday Home Run by Priscilla Oliveras (3/5) Review Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (4/5) Review The Sky Weaver by Kristin Ciccarelli Rating and Review to come
Highlight Book(s): Wow I read so many books these past weeks it’s so hard to choose!!! But if I must: The Barren Grounds, Furia and Don’t Date Rosa Santos are the top top top!
Lowliest Book(s): Two DNFs really disappointed me: The Wedding Date Disaster and Lush Money were just not good. I wish I could get that time back….oop, I said what I said!
The Haul
Let me tell you all lovely people. THE BOOK MAIL HAS BEEN STRONG THESE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND I AM VERY HAPPY!
Publisher Sent
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
The Ikessar Falcon by K.S. Villoso Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
Charming as a Verb by Ben Phillipe The Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Recreating Silvia Moreno-Garcia Covers with my Sisters
Oh the things I do for my love of books and oh the things my sisters do to please me! But anyways, please enjoy the following images!
Certain Dark Things ft. The Eldest Sister, M (yup that’s her face in there 😂) The Beautiful Ones ft. The Middle Sister, K (fun fact: she donned her quinceañera dress for this silhouette) Mexican Gothic ft. The Youngest Sister, aka Rendz (I’m wearing the only red dress I own!)
An Amazing Latinx Heritage Month
Oh my wonderful friends, I had so much fun during LHM this year! Not only did I read a ton of amazing books (though not all the ones I had originally planned), I had so much fun participating in the LHM BookFest prompts on blog and on Instagram! I had to be really brave for some of these posts XD, but it was so worth it!
It was an incredible 30 days, and I cannot wait for next year! Here are some special posts I made!
I had already written a blog post on my love for SMG, but I decided to take it to Instagram too and it was a hit! I love getting people onto my band wagon!
The Beautiful Ones & Untamed Shore Paperback Cover Reveal
This came as a total surprise to me and both were only a week apart! I must say that I love both of them so much! I plan on doing a full comparison soon because I do love them BUT I STILL HAVE THOUGHTS. For now I will leave you with these stunning covers and remind you to pick them up in the new year!
People I really have no idea what I’m doing this month! Seriously, it’s already halfway through. I took a rather unannounced hiatus from blog because school got intense and it is getting even more intense as we near the end of the semester!
That being said I still have to get some reading done so here is what I propose to you all!
Pine Island Home by Penny Horvath Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo The Crow Rider by Kalyn Josephson Historically Inaccurate by Shay Bravo
Joining in on Indig-a-thon late, but maybe enough to get a bingo! Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse Pemmican Wars: A Girl Called Echo by Katherena Vernetto Surviving the City: Vol 1. Tasha Spillett Those Who Run in the Sky by Aviaq Johnston Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
Will I be getting to all of this with only half a month left? No. I just feel like giving myself some choices for these next two weeks. I feel a slump coming on, but that is not an option so I hope to find something to love this month!
Let me know what you think! What have you read this month? What books did you get? What books are you looking forward to reading!
*Please Share and/or Donate = Link to a master list of how you can help/educate yourself on Black Lives Matter and other humanitarian movements across the globe*
As we end Latinx Heritage Month (in the US at least), I come to remind you of two things:
First: You should be reading Latinx books year round. So if you have found a groove this past month, I encourage you to keep it up!
Second: You should be reading Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s work!
You: But why Rendz? Why SMG?
Well here’s why:
Versatility. Atmospheric writing. Unforgettable characters. These three key things among a number of others are what attracted me to and kept me reading SMG’s work until I became a self-proclaimed stan! I have now read all five of her published novels and have thus been blessed with so many amazing reads! So to convince you to read them and lessen your google searching, I figured I would present them all to you today with reasons why I love them and why I think you would love them too!
Of course is every SMG book going to be for you? Probs not. (Sucks for you though) But like I said SMG is a versatile writer and she has written in many different genres so there is a story for everyone!
Before we start:
All of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s books are Adult fiction – so while they may have cross-over appeal, tag them as Adult Fiction.
You can find out more about Silvia on her website!
Signal To Noise (2015)
via Goodreads
A literary fantasy about love, music and sorcery.
Mexico City, 1988: Long before iTunes or MP3s, you said “I love you” with a mixtape. Meche, awkward and fifteen, has two equally unhip friends – Sebastian and Daniela – and a whole lot of vinyl records to keep her company. When she discovers how to cast spells using music, the future looks brighter for the trio. The three friends will piece together their broken families, change their status as non-entities, and maybe even find love…
Mexico City, 2009: Two decades after abandoning the metropolis, Meche returns for her estranged father’s funeral. It’s hard enough to cope with her family, but then she runs into Sebastian, reviving memories from her childhood she thought she buried a long time ago. What really happened back then? What precipitated the bitter falling out with her father? Is there any magic left?
This SMG’s first novel and my latest read of hers ironically! Here are 5 reasons I loved it and why you should read it:
Misfit characters so witty they charm the heck out of you
Dual timeline that makes perfect sense and amps up the drama
Talk about DRAMA. Lots of ~interesting~ things go on between family dynamics, friendship pacts, crushes, love and betrayal!
Music! So many tunes to jam out to with this one!
Magic! For fun, loving and…revenge!
Certain Dark Things (2016)
via Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic comes a pulse-pounding neo-noir that reimagines vampire lore.
Welcome to Mexico City, an oasis in a sea of vampires. Domingo, a lonely garbage-collecting street kid, is just trying to survive its heavily policed streets when a jaded vampire on the run swoops into his life. Atl, the descendant of Aztec blood drinkers, is smart, beautiful, and dangerous. Domingo is mesmerized.
Atl needs to quickly escape the city, far from the rival narco-vampire clan relentlessly pursuing her. Her plan doesn’t include Domingo, but little by little, Atl finds herself warming up to the scrappy young man and his undeniable charm. As the trail of corpses stretches behind her, local cops and crime bosses both start closing in.
Vampires, humans, cops, and criminals collide in the dark streets of Mexico City. Do Atl and Domingo even stand a chance of making it out alive? Or will the city devour them all?
This novel will be re-released on May 11, 2021 so get in your pre-orders! Having had the privilege to read the first edition I’m excited to see what changes will be made to this already astounding novels!
Here are 5 reasons to read:
Vampires galore! Mexico City is a hot spot for these ancient creatures from different cultures!
An omniscient view lets us know what is happening in every corner!
Bloody, dark and gritty atmosphere! It is what one expects of vampiros!
Rival gangs (human and undead) out for blood…literally
Twists and turns that you definitely don’t see coming!
The Beautiful Ones (2017)
via Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic comes a sweeping romance with a dash of magic.
They are the Beautiful Ones, Loisail’s most notable socialites, and this spring is Nina’s chance to join their ranks, courtesy of her well-connected cousin and his calculating wife. But the Grand Season has just begun, and already Nina’s debut has gone disastrously awry. She has always struggled to control her telekinesis—neighbors call her the Witch of Oldhouse—and the haphazard manifestations of her powers make her the subject of malicious gossip.
When entertainer Hector Auvray arrives to town, Nina is dazzled. A telekinetic like her, he has traveled the world performing his talents for admiring audiences. He sees Nina not as a witch, but ripe with potential to master her power under his tutelage. With Hector’s help, Nina’s talent blossoms, as does her love for him.
But great romances are for fairytales, and Hector is hiding a truth from Nina — and himself—that threatens to end their courtship before it truly begins. The Beautiful Ones is a charming tale of love and betrayal, and the struggle between conformity and passion, set in a world where scandal is a razor-sharp weapon.
This novel will be re-released on May 11, 2021 so get in your pre-orders! This is my first SMG novel and my favourite probably!
Nina Beaulieu is a QUEEN. I love her.
A Belle Epoque world to enchant everyone
Romance so sweet it squeezes the heart!
Telekinesis to enhance the FLAVOUR
Pure happiness after some DRAMA
Gods of Jade and Shadow (2019)
via Goodreads
The Mayan god of death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this one-of-a-kind fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore.
The Jazz Age is in full swing, but Casiopea Tun is too busy cleaning the floors of her wealthy grandfather’s house to listen to any fast tunes. Nevertheless, she dreams of a life far from her dusty small town in southern Mexico. A life she can call her own.
Yet this new life seems as distant as the stars, until the day she finds a curious wooden box in her grandfather’s room. She opens it—and accidentally frees the spirit of the Mayan god of death, who requests her help in recovering his throne from his treacherous brother. Failure will mean Casiopea’s demise, but success could make her dreams come true.
In the company of the strangely alluring god and armed with her wits, Casiopea begins an adventure that will take her on a cross-country odyssey from the jungles of Yucatán to the bright lights of Mexico City—and deep into the darkness of the Mayan underworld.
This is also my favourite! (Yes, I have two favourites. Let me live!)
Casiopea has to be the most raw, daring and incredibly real character I have ever read.
Mexico in the 1920s is the place to be!
Not to mention Xibalba, the Mayan Underworld
THE DIVINE INTERVENTION PLOT.Â
Fairy-tale like feel but make it darker!
Untamed Shore (2020)
via Goodreads
Renowned author Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s first thriller, UNTAMED SHORE, is a coming-of-age story set in Mexico which quickly turns dark when a young woman meets three enigmatic tourists.
Baja California, 1979. Viridiana spends her days watching the dead sharks piled beside the seashore, as the fishermen pull their nets. There is nothing else to do, nothing else to watch, under the harsh sun. She’s bored. Terribly bored. Yet her head is filled with dreams of Hollywood films, of romance, of a future beyond the drab town where her only option is to marry and have children.
Three wealthy American tourists arrive for the summer, and Viridiana is magnetized. She immediately becomes entwined in the glamorous foreigners’ lives. They offer excitement, and perhaps an escape from the promise of a humdrum future.
When one of them dies, Viridiana lies to protect her friends. Soon enough, someone’s asking questions, and Viridiana has some of her own about the identity of her new acquaintances. Sharks may be dangerous, but there are worse predators nearby, ready to devour a naïve young woman who is quickly being tangled in a web of deceit.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of the most exciting voices in fiction, and with her first crime novel, UNTAMED SHORE, she crafts a blazing novel of suspense with an eerie seaside setting and a literary edge that proves her a master of the genre.
This book needs more love! Crime and thriller fans out there need this book in their hands!
A hot, sticky, summer setting in a shark fishing town!
Murder! Fraud! Blackmail! All that good stuff!
Viridiana – Practical, straightforward and yet dreamy MC
American tourists who are fishy AF
Edge of your seat THRILL
Mexican Gothic (2020)
via Goodreads
An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets. . . .
From the author of Gods of Jade and Shadow comes a novel set in glamorous 1950s Mexico.
After receiving a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemà Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find – her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemà knows little about the region.
Noemà is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by NoemÃ; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.
Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemà but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemà digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.
And NoemÃ, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.Â
The perfect read for SPOOKY SEASON! This is the time to get it friends!
ATMOSPHERIC. Seriously, the chills and eeriness are real!
Noemi Taboada – An absolute queen.
Slow burn that just EXPLODES in your face!
Gorey, creepy, dark, gritty!
“A stylish and sinister read” – Gwenda Bond. Truer words have never been spoken.
Coming Soon…
A Dangerous Eagerness (2021)
Dangerous Eagerness, is a noir crime novel set in Mexico in 1971, against the backdrop of the student movement that was taking place in Mexico City at the time, and the student massacre that took place in the city on a certain day in June.”
The Daughter of Dr. Moreau (2022)
Pitched as a reimagining of The Island of Dr. Moreau, set in the volatile Yucatan in the 1800s. Have I read the original novel? No, but I will just to have the privilege to read this book!!!
And a third novel with no details…yet!!
SO yes! On this the last day of LHM, do me a favour, do yourself a favour and READ BOOKS BY SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA!
As for me? I’ll be highly anticipating her next novels, while also diving into to her short fiction over the next couple of months! I will definitely be back to share some of my favourite short stories with you!
If you have read a book by SMG, I would love to hear your thoughts about it! Please share and spread the love as much as you can!
*Please Share and/or Donate = Link to a master list of how you can help/educate yourself on Black Lives Matter and other humanitarian movements across the globe*
Full discretion: I can’t cook, but I can clean. I said what I said to create a snazzy tagline line and get your attention here, so forgive my dishonesty. Although if you ask my mother I can’t really do both to her standards.
Welcome one, welcome all to a post that is sure to get those salivary glands working! Today’s Latinx Heritage Month Book Fest challenge is to talk about Latinx food in books! I have been blessed to read some very delicious books so I am here to share them with you today!
A Note: Obviously I wanted to include photos of what the food looks like, but I’ll be honest I didn’t have the time to find the right photos and be sure I got the right permissions, so instead I linked to some very delicious recipes! You can visit these sites or just do a google search to see what the food looks like!
Lobizona by Romina Garber – Choripan
I don’t think I’ve ever really had Argentinian food. I cannot recall a time, but having read Lobizona I definitely want to try choripan. My mouth is SALIVATING at the thought of it friends! It looks simple enough to make, which is a plus because I suck at cooking, but also quite elegant! All in all I’d gobble this up! Lobizona has lots of references to Argentinian foods, but this dish is definitely the one that caught my eye!
With the Fire of High by Elizabeth Acevedo – Lemon Verbena Templeque
via Goodreads
First of all, this whole book made me feel inadequate about my cooking skills. I felt attacked. Second of all, I loved this book. Emoni’s journey and pursuing her culinary passion despite juggling so many other things in her life was a heartfelt and stunning to read about. I loved that each section of the book started off with a recipe and the Puerto Rican Lemon Verbena Templeque caught my eye right away. I didn’t know what it was so I googled and was quite intrigued. It sounds delicious. I mean coconut, lemon and vanilla sound like a delightful mix in my head!
While googling I stumbled across a post by Eating Books where they actually made LVT (And took some really STUNNING photos)! I highly recommend reading their post!
Every time autumn rolls around, my Mexican Bookstagrammer friends start showing off their books and bread posts and I get hungry. The most famous of all the bread pieces obviously being the concha, which if you didn’t know is sweet bread shaped like a sea shell (or concha)! When I read A Dash of Trouble, which is about a Mexican family and their bakery (of magic), I instantly fell in love and wanted to try all their sweets, especially conchas. I know what you’re thinking: “Rendz, it’s bread.” YEAH. IT’S BREAD and I want to try it. I’m a picky eater, but bread is one of the few foods that I’m a little more adventurous in trying. AND JUST LOOK AT THE SHAPE! It’s an experience eating this bread and I want to live it!
Here is a recipe I found by a Mexican home cook and food blogger, Mely Martinez!
Let me know what you think! What books make you hungry? Have you ever tried to make a recipe from book? What are some of your favourite cuisines?
*Please Share and/or Donate = Link to a master list of how you can help/educate yourself on Black Lives Matter and other humanitarian movements across the globe*
Today is the day! AND BOY HAS IT BEEN A WHOLE DAY FOR SINCE THIS POST IS COMING TO YOU AT NIGHT!
On September 15th, five Central American countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica celebrate their independence day from Spanish rule in 1821. On September 16th and 18th, Mexico and Chile also have their independence days respectively! And because there is so much Latinx goodness to celebrate, the month between Sept 15th and Oct 15th has been designated Latinx Heritage Month!
So why not also celebrate bookishly?
This is the first LHM where I have made plans to participate in as many challenges and read as many Latinx books as possible and I am so excited!
If you would like to know about all the books I will be reading this month and the challenges I will joining you can check out this post that I made!
But if you are too lazy to click through posts (I get it, it’s been a whole day! phew) I will leave the image of all the books I’m planning to read! I have lots of new books, some backlist and some on my library app! There is just so much goodness to come! I cannot wait!
This first day of LHM also happens to be a huge day for Latinx Releases!! So several Happy Book Birthdays are in order!:
Happy Book Birthday to NEVER LOOK BACK by Lilliam Rivera
Featuring contemporary Afro-Latinx characters, acclaimed author Lilliam Rivera blends a touch of magical realism into a timely story about cultural identity, overcoming trauma, and the power of first love.
Eury comes to the Bronx as a girl haunted. Haunted by losing everything in Hurricane Maria–and by an evil spirit, Ato. She fully expects the tragedy that befell her and her family in Puerto Rico to catch up with her in New York. Yet, for a time, she can almost set this fear aside, because there’s this boy . . .
Pheus is a golden-voiced, bachata-singing charmer, ready to spend the summer on the beach with his friends, serenading his on-again, off-again flame. That changes when he meets Eury. All he wants is to put a smile on her face and fight off her demons. But some dangers are too powerful for even the strongest love, and as the world threatens to tear them apart, Eury and Pheus must fight for each other and their lives.
An #ownvoices contemporary YA set in Argentina, about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line—even her blooming love story—to follow her dreams.
In Rosario, Argentina, Camila Hassan lives a double life.
At home, she is a careful daughter, living within her mother’s narrow expectations, in her rising-soccer-star brother’s shadow, and under the abusive rule of her short-tempered father.
On the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila gets the chance to see just how far those talents can take her. In her wildest dreams, she’d get an athletic scholarship to a North American university.
But the path ahead isn’t easy. Her parents don’t know about her passion. They wouldn’t allow a girl to play fútbol—and she needs their permission to go any farther. And the boy she once loved is back in town. Since he left, Diego has become an international star, playing in Italy for the renowned team Juventus. Camila doesn’t have time to be distracted by her feelings for him. Things aren’t the same as when he left: she has her own passions and ambitions now, and La Furia cannot be denied. As her life becomes more complicated, Camila is forced to face her secrets and make her way in a world with no place for the dreams and ambition of a girl like her.
Happy Book Birthday to EACH OF US A DESERT by Mark Oshiro
From the award-winning author Mark Oshiro comes a powerful fantasy novel about finding home and falling in love amidst the dangers of a desert where stories come to life.
Xochital is destined to wander the desert alone, speaking her troubled village’s stories into its arid winds. Her only companions are the blessed stars above and enimagic lines of poetry magically strewn across dusty dunes.
Her one desire: to share her heart with a kindred spirit.
One night, Xo’s wish is granted—in the form of Emilia, the cold and beautiful daughter of the town’s murderous mayor. But when the two set out on a magical journey across the desert, they find their hearts could be a match… if only they can survive the nightmare-like terrors that arise when the sun goes down.
Fresh off of Anger Is a Gift’s smashing success, Oshiro branches out into a fantastical direction with their new YA novel, The Stars Around Us
I cannot wait to read all three of these! They will be the first books I tackle this month and I know I am going to enjoy them!
Let me know what you think! What books will you be reading this LHM? What kind of Latinx books would you love to read? What Latinx books are on your to-buy list?
Be sure to tune in for more LHM Book Fest posts on the blog and IG! There are a lot of great things happening and I am EXCITED!!!!
*Please Share and/or Donate = Link to a master list of how you can help/educate yourself on Black Lives Matter and other humanitarian movements across the globe*
I happy to say that Latinx Heritage Month is right around the corner and I hope you are all ready to celebrate with me! From September 15th to October 15th, I will be reading, promoting and enjoying all books Latinx! This will be the first year that I’m putting together a proper TBR and joining in on other challenges too.
And let me tell you there are a lot of challenges! But I am here to give you a list of things going down!
This Bingo is hosted by three amazing Latinx booklovers, Sophia, Paola and Allie! It runs all month long and has some incredible prompts to follow and enjoy! For those of you who want to participate and/or just want Latinx Book recommendations in general, Sophia @ Bookish Wanderess made this amazing list of 170 titles to read from and enjoy! Please show your support for the incredible amount of work she did to put this together!
This is my first year joining and I am very, very, very excited and maybe even a bit nervous! I want to get at least one bingo so help me God!
Afro-Latinx: Dear Haiti, Love Elaine by Maika & Martiza Moulite or Freedom Soup by Tami Charles
Lighthearted Story: A Sprinkle of Spirits by Anna Meriano
Set in/MC from LATAM: Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Any Book by a Latinx author: You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
2nd Row:
Backlist Title: Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno
Rec’d by a Latinx Reader: Sia Martinez & the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez-Gilliland (Rec’d by Cynthia’s Reading List)
Nonfiction: In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrero
On Cover Rep: Furia by Yamile Saied-Mendez
3rd Row:
Never Before Read Latinx Author: Lush Money by Angelina M. Lopez
Cover with Latinx Flag-Colours: Category Five by Ann Davila Cardinal (Red for Puerto Rico)
Award-Winning: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Group Book: By Any Means Necessary by Candace Montgomery
4th Row:
2020 Release: Historically Inaccurate by Shay Bravo
Queer Rep: Each of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro
Immigrant Story: We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Intersectional MC: The Resolutions by Mia Garcia
Latinx-a-thon
Here is another fun 10-day readathon running from September 15th – September 24th! The hosts are also doing a giveaway for the group book! There are three ways to enter so be sure to get in your entries before September 1st!
ROOTS: Mi Papi Tiene una Moto/My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero OR You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria (I’m pretty sure the MCs are bilingual)
HERITAGE: Dear Haiti, Love Elaine by Maika & Martiza Moulite or Freedom Soup by Tami Charles
LATINXLIT TAKEOEVER: By Any Means Necessary by Candace Montgomery
Latinx Heritage Month Book Fest
This is going to be a month long festival of blog posts and Instagram features and fun! I am planning accordingly! While I hope to get to do all the challenges and join in on as many discussions as I can, I am only human so forgive me if I miss one!
Nevertheless, I am super excited to be joining in! Be sure to follow me on Instagram where I will most likely be posting the most! But I am still 10/10 still going to post on here so please stop by to say hola!
That’s it for me! I’m sure there is more that is going to happen throughout the month! I hope everyone comes out to celebrate, whether you identify as Latinx or not, I encourage us all to read Latinx books as much as we can!
I know for a fact that I probably won’t finish this huge TBR, but I hope to get at least one bingo and fulfil 3 of the five prompts for Latinxathon! Who knows?! I am just so excited to be celebrating and I hope you join the fiesta!
*Please Share and/or Donate = Link to a master list of how you can help/educate yourself on Black Lives Matter and other humanitarian movements across the globe*
Today is another review round-up from my Hispanic Heritage Month TBR. I had two backlist books lying around my house and I am so happy I got around to reading them this past month!
The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes
via Goodreads
Publisher: Disney Books
Pub Date: Sept 18th, 2018 Goodreads
Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He’d much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie, than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno — for his one good leg. What Zane doesn’t know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy.
A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he’s destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he is imprisoned in — unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happens. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all while trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods, one of whom happens to be his father. To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can’t even walk well without a cane?
Feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants are just some of the pleasures that await in this fresh and funny take on Maya mythology, as rich and delicious as a mug of authentic hot chocolate.Â
These characters were wonderful! I thought Zane was a really fun character to be around. Just his way of talking was hilarious and the part when he sprinkles holy water on his myth book after reading about demons was peak Rendz XD
Brooks was also an interesting character. I liked her stand-offishness and cool demeanor. She was so set on getting her goal done and even though she realizes its a little selfish she tries to make up for it which is nice.
Uncle Hondo is the reason I was in this to win this. I wish he was my uncle XD Even though we’re pretty much the same age XD
The writing was really perfect for a middle grade book. It was always cracking jokes and like I said Zane was a perfect voice for this adventure!
I liked the road trip plot. You can never go wrong with a road trip plot so long as there is lots of action, suspense and twists, which I totally think the book delivered on.
Now let’s talk Maya Mythology because that is what we are here for!: It was lovely. I think that rep was great and I loved how Cervantes wove it into every aspect of the book.
The gods were quite conniving and I quite liked their parts in the book!
The monsters were wonderfull!!!!!!!!!
And the magic was very clever!
Overall, I enjoyed myself very much while reading! It is perfect for young readers. Lots of people have said it reads like Percy Jackson and I can see why, but I still think that this book has its own unique take! Don’t forget that this book has great Hispanic and disabled rep bringing in a lot of good content to the book world!
Rating: 3.75 / 5 Stars
Recommend: Absolutely!
Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano
via Goodreads
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Pub Date: Jan 2nd, 2018 Goodreads
Leonora Logroño’s family owns the most beloved bakery in Rose Hill, Texas, spending their days conjuring delicious cookies and cakes for any occasion. And no occasion is more important than the annual Dia de los Muertos festival.
Leo hopes that this might be the year that she gets to help prepare for the big celebration—but, once again, she is told she’s too young. Sneaking out of school and down to the bakery, she discovers that her mother, aunt, and four older sisters have in fact been keeping a big secret: they’re brujas—witches of Mexican ancestry—who pour a little bit of sweet magic into everything that they bake.
Leo knows that she has magical ability as well and is more determined than ever to join the family business—even if she can’t let her mama and hermanas know about it yet.
And when her best friend, Caroline, has a problem that needs solving, Leo has the perfect opportunity to try out her craft. It’s just one little spell, after all…what could possibly go wrong?
Oh my god, I loved this book.
The characters were PHENOMENAL. Leo was so mischievous and funny and stubborn and ADORABLE.
The whole sister clan was PERFECT! I definitely got some Penderwick ~vibes~!!!
This wholesome family dynamic had me permanently in heart eyes!!!!!
The Latinx rep was beautiful. This is a Mexican family that loves their traditions and I loved reading about them!
The MAGIC is FANTASTIC. I found it so unique that this bruja family was able to perform magic while baking and wishing. I really hope to delve in this system a little bit more in the next books
I loved that the book was set around the Day of the Dead, it definitely added that perfect spook vibe, but more importantly really emphasized that family dynamic.
The actual plot was so much fun. Leo gets into lots of antics and gets into quite a bit of trouble which makes this book so entertaining!
You could honestly fly through this book, that’s how great it is.
It’s a feel great book. Perfect for the Halloween season.
Seriously I just felt so happy after finishing it, which is just a wonderful sign overall!
Overall, I simply loved this book. It is wonderfully entertaining. It has beautiful family and friendship dynamics. The magic is so sweet and intriguing. And yes you will be hungry after reading this!
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
Recommend: YES PLEASE READ THIS WONDERFUL BOOK!
Let me know what you think! Have you read either of these? Are they on your TBR? What middle grade books give you that wholesome feeling?
Today I am excited to share my first review of my Hispanic Heritage Month read. This is one of my most anticipated reads of 2020 and I am so grateful that I was able to get my hands on it!
I would like to thank the Canadian Manda Book Group for sending me an ARC! This is in no way affects my opinions!
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
via Goodreads
Pub Date: Jan 7th, 2020
Publisher: Page Street Books Goodreads
A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history.
Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena’s motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight.
When Atoc demands the real Condesa’s hand in marriage, it’s Ximena’s duty to go in her stead. She relishes the chance, as Illustrian spies have reported that Atoc’s no longer carrying his deadly relic. If Ximena can find it, she can return the true aristócrata to their rightful place.
She hunts for the relic, using her weaving ability to hide messages in tapestries for the resistance. But when a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princess, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge—and her Condesa.
The Likes:
I really liked the plot of the book, it was very politically charged and dealt with themes of colonialism and revolution. It really shows how grey and complicated it is to discuss this subject, but also how necessary it is. The kingdom of Inkasisa has suffered centuries of conquest and has recently felt the rumbles of a revolt that has the kingdom headed down a rough path. Ximena, an Illustrian, was part of the group that was overthrown by the Llacsans. She had a very one-sided view of how the world worked and she was constantly painting the Illustrians as the victims. What I loved to read about was her growth in understanding that Illustrians were not blameless and that their racism led to this mass schism and eventual revolt. However, the book doesn’t show that the revolt results in perfect harmony either and I loved that Ibañez didn’t shy away from writing about the corruption of power.
I also loved how the author displayed this cycle of violence that persists when people choose to always focus on the differences between groups of people instead of A) embracing the diversity of cultures and B) Seeing the harmony that also exists between cultures. I know that Ibañez was heavily inspired by the political climate in Bolivia, which just makes this book all the more realistic and authentic.
The magic system had to be my favourite aspect of this book. Ximena’s weaving of moonlight (title epiphany!!!) was so cool. And while I don’t want to give too much away, I must say that the cover is quite a revealing piece…..*wags eyebrows* Lots of characters in the book practiced magic and I was super intrigued to see everyone explore their powers.
You’ll honestly probably be hungry after reading this book. Ximena does a lot of eating and there are so many delicious foods described in this book. Luckily there is a glossary at the end for those who want to know more about the tasty treats. Beyond the delicious food, there was a wonderful exploration of culture in the book. There was a lot of talk about traditions, clothing and religion. Most of it fiction, but a lot of it was drawn from Bolivian life. Safe to say that the world building is top notch and you really get immersed into the life and conflict of the people of Inkasisa.
I liked how the ending set up the companion novel. I really, really liked the drama at the end. It was bittersweet because it is a reflection of what happens in real life when opposing views sever bonds.
The Questionable
The characters were just not in it for me to win it. I feel like this is such a cop-out for not enjoying a book, but I cannot lie about how I feel. Ximena, whose name I forgot was Ximena half the time since everyone referred to her as “Condesa”, was a decent character to say the least. I wasn’t totally in love with her but I didn’t mind reading from her perspective. It was actually very interesting reading about her growth from this close-minded, hostile girl to a more open-minded one. I understand that pretending to be someone you are not is pretty much a guaranteed way to lose yourself, so I liked that we got this self exploration plot. I can’t say that I really connected with her. Maybe a little when she would talk about having to unlearn an almost heritable hatred and the discomfort of re-evaluating your whole life, but other than that…meh. There was nothing really exciting to look forward to with her, this feels like such a horrible reason for not enjoying a character…
Rumi fell so flat to me. I…couldn’t. Like I found nothing remotely intriguing about him and I cannot even think of one thing right now that made him interesting. It’s not that he was bad and I in no means hate him, but he was just there. I didn’t connect to him in any way which is upsetting because I really wanted to find him interesting.
The other characters were slightly more intriguing. Like Atoc, the dictator, although he was pretty nasty. The priest guy and Atoc’s sister were also very, very interesting. They had lots to do with the twists which I really like.
The romance, I did not buy. It really tried to sell me this enemies to lovers thing which did happen, but I didn’t find myself involved. It probably has to do with my lack of connection to the characters. I just felt nothing. I had no feels. How do you ship, if you have no feeeeeellllzzzzz.
The pacing was quite slow and there weren’t many action packed moments. The author does kind of make up for it with some twists and secrets. But the single most important twist was so obvious, I just couldn’t.
Overall, this book was good, but it wasn’t what I was hoping for. Maybe I aimed too high with my expectations which is the likely culprit of my disappointment. I hate to call it disappointment though because this book has a really important message and I think that the YA world really needs to read this message.
Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
Recommend:Â Yes, on the basis of the plot and it’s overall meaning.
Let me know what you think! Are you looking forward to picking this up? What politically charged books do you enjoy? Have you ever had the problem of not connecting to characters?
Reading with Rendz 