Reviews

Bindle Punk Bruja by Desideria Mesa

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librarylandlisa's review

4.0

Light on the fantasy, still an enjoyable read. Al Capone and the KKK make a few appearances and this book is a light thriller, a lot of 1920's slang, and POC and LGBTQ+ representation.

barium_squirrel's review

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adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rhi_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

hjhill_55's review against another edition

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As a Library audiobook, I found bits of the world building interesting (the magic), but when it came time to renew or return due to my lending period expiring - I returned without intention of completing. I’m not as drawn in as I thought with the time period/tone.

gsmith923's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Such a fun read. Great relationships are developed between the characters. Some of the plot was predictable, to the point where I'm yelling at the main character to see the obvious. But I really enjoyed the mix of magic in the 1920s.

nerdydeathwitch's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I only finished it because I wanted to count it towards my reading goal for the year, and I was more than halfway through. This book needed both more and less. It needed a more thoughtful magic system that wasn't just a convenient plot device, and it needed connective tissue between scenes. I sometimes didn't know where or when we were because the narrative abruptly jumps (not in an intentional way). It also needed editing. There were too many characters, and the pacing was off. There were some good ideas, but the whole thing felt like a writing exercise that no one had bothered to make better. It gets two stars because I liked the characters, although the main character seemed hopelessly naive and overconfident (great combo, especially when everyone keeps calling her a "strong woman!"). I was bored alot so I clearly didn't find any of them that compelling despite liking them. Also, all these historical characters act like contemporary progressive liberals. That didn't bother me, but it was definitely noticeable, given how much the author was working overtime to make them sound like they were in the 20s and the overabundance of minor historical details. I don't really understand why everyone wants to pretend like every minoritized group supported each other for most of history when any amount of research will show that that is patently false, but whatever. I guess we all want an escape from reality? This just wasn't the one I wanted or needed. The cover looks really great, though. It's a 5 star cover.

eggbeater's review

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book will make you want a cigarette, even if you have never smoked. It romanticizes smoking so much that this ex smoker with seriously itchy. So be forewarned.

I was really into it. I had trouble putting it down, but there were a few details that struck me as implausible. Certain involvement with mobsters and where bodies ended up didn't make sense to me.

The book was more historical fiction than fantasy. There were elements of magic, but the atmosphere was very 1925. The author did a good job with that. The racism, misogyny, and homophobia tracked.

Content Warnings

ashify's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional

I am a sister, a daughter, a lover, and a friend. I am who I say I am.

I love a story that starts & ends with the same line. This book, made me fall in love in unexpected ways. I never thought I’ll love it as much as I did.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Plot

The blurb promised a sexy, action-packed story & it delivered. Mostly. The entire plot was a series of continuous ups & downs, which I rather enjoyed. I couldn’t stop myself from turning the pages when I picked this up. Honestly, the first few chapters were a bit confusing, given the main character is of a background I’ve least knowledge of. Also, some times the prose came off as more tell, than show.

But that is that, and I loved the compelling story.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Characters

Let’s start with our protagonist Luna, or Rose, the name she goes by in the world. She is a half bruja, charms & allure being her strongest suits. She charms her way in the underbelly of the dangerous world; where she strives to make a cut for herself. Given her powers, she is closed off to commitments. Family & friends matter to her. But she finds no way to show that.

Javier, half brother to Rose. A wonderful man, with equal parts love & fierceness imbued in him. He is headstrong, knows to challenge his sister’s and others’ belief. He is also a lovesick fool. I just loved his relationship.

Heck Kessler, the charming blondie who doesn’t really wish to charm the wrong crowd. He has a kind heart, great confidence & exquisite fashion sense. The one best friend that Luna needed.

Gio Cattaneo, the charming pianist, with a charming heart. I just love him.

Pretty honestly, I loved the diverse cast of characters this book gave us. From the the family members, to the club members & employees, they stole my heart. The villains made me hate them, seethe with rage.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Moments

Here are my favorite moments:

“Because there will always be those who will never see who we truly are. But if we waste our energies punishing their ignorance, we will drown in our own bitterness.” Love ya Heck for that.

“Oh, kitten.” Letting me down, he presses a kiss into my hair that makes me bawl even harder. “Please don’t cry. I made a fool of myself. It wasn’t your fault. And I love you too.”

“Our friendship means the world to me. I can’t lose it.”

Love this two.

“So they really aren’t from jail.”

“Boss, the closest I came to jail was the lion’s cage.”

“And you just let the circus paint you from head to toe?”
Love this two as well.

As Javier weaves around the tables, sliding his arms under our incapacitated friend, Heck begins to stir. “Mmm, Javi, not tonight. I’m too tired.”

“Mr. Kessler.” My brother clears his throat as he hoists a stupidly grinning Heck into his arms. “I’m taking you to a room to get some rest.”

“Nooo,” Heck whines into his shoulder. “I don’t want you to go.”

“I have to go. Gio will stay with you.”

My brother avoids my curious eyes as Gio and I exchange a look, my brows lifting at the flush climbing up Javier’s cheeks.

And I love this two. How can I not?

raebrock's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I don’t know why more people aren’t talking about this book. I absolutely loved it. It’s got a little bit of everything! Action, intrigue, fantasy, romance, friendship - the whole shebang! I know some reviews have said the fantasy fell flat but I actually liked that the magic was lighter, more weaved throughout real life. There was less world building but that meant more room for character development and I truly loved these characters.

jamalee's review

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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