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rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
4.0
'Lobizona' by Romina Garber is a coming of age novel about a young girl learning about her family and her own abilities.
Manu and her mother are undocumented, laying low to protect themselves from Manu's father's crime family. But when Manu stumbles into the truth about her mother's job, she's also thrust into the truth about her father that will show her a side of herself that she never knew existed.
Garber builds upon folklore to create a magical realist coming of age story. The story starts in one area, following Manu and her mother, but it quickly becomes more than that as Garber explores family history, growing up, and what it means to be undocumented in the United States. Manu is an engaging and at times frustrating character, who is easy to care for. Her search for her father and to learn more about his past adds just enough mystery to create an engaging through line in the story. Adding in a full cast of characters that are distinct in both their frustrating characteristics and their lovable ones, a setting change that provides new opportunities for Manu, and a hint of magic make this story heartfelt, adventurous, and thought provoking.
As this is one half of a duology, Garber leaves the end of the story at a high point of action and a turning point for Manu. I'm interested to see what happens next and to learn more about the world that Garber has created.
Manu and her mother are undocumented, laying low to protect themselves from Manu's father's crime family. But when Manu stumbles into the truth about her mother's job, she's also thrust into the truth about her father that will show her a side of herself that she never knew existed.
Garber builds upon folklore to create a magical realist coming of age story. The story starts in one area, following Manu and her mother, but it quickly becomes more than that as Garber explores family history, growing up, and what it means to be undocumented in the United States. Manu is an engaging and at times frustrating character, who is easy to care for. Her search for her father and to learn more about his past adds just enough mystery to create an engaging through line in the story. Adding in a full cast of characters that are distinct in both their frustrating characteristics and their lovable ones, a setting change that provides new opportunities for Manu, and a hint of magic make this story heartfelt, adventurous, and thought provoking.
As this is one half of a duology, Garber leaves the end of the story at a high point of action and a turning point for Manu. I'm interested to see what happens next and to learn more about the world that Garber has created.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Violence
author2223's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Police brutality
Moderate: Racism
ellythequeen's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book understood the assignment!!! Could not have been better, lovable characters, enticing plot, amazing setting, writing style is like nothing I've ever read!!! Has great messages around feminism and equality! Why are you still reading this review? Go read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, Confinement, and Bullying
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Drug use, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
bethann's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Homophobia
shortstackz's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-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
4.5
Romina Garber has a talent for weaving the feeling of being "othered" into a fantasy narrative that can really be felt from a diverse background of people. I loved the introductions to each character, and how Manu explored the world to bring us along for the ride. The way the plot moves is written for probably an 8th or 9th grade reading level, which I LOVE how accessible that makes these really intricate topics that are being explored throughout the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexism, Racism, and Physical abuse
Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, and Misogyny
constantlybooked7's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual assault
rachelgronbach's review
adventurous
dark
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality, Racism, and Xenophobia
thefightinside's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Lesbophobia
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-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
5.0
Loved this so much!!
Rep: Undocumented Argentinian female MC, Latine male love interest, Latine WLW couple, Latine cast.
CWs: Abandonment, blood, body shaming (for unusual eye color), confinement, drug use (sedatives), homophobia/homomisia, injury/injury detail, lesbophobia/lesbomisia, misogyny, outing, racism, sexism, transphobia/transmisia, violence, xenophobia.
Rep: Undocumented Argentinian female MC, Latine male love interest, Latine WLW couple, Latine cast.
CWs: Abandonment, blood, body shaming (for unusual eye color), confinement, drug use (sedatives), homophobia/homomisia, injury/injury detail, lesbophobia/lesbomisia, misogyny, outing, racism, sexism, transphobia/transmisia, violence, xenophobia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Body shaming, Confinement, Drug use, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, Violence, and Xenophobia