Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Lobizona by Romina Garber

32 reviews

caseythereader's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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

5.0

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karwc's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

3.75

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carolined314's review

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious 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

4.5

While featuring a lot of (justified) fear around being undocumented and deported, this book also has a ton of complex fantasy world and some fascinating character development. Great fun.
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ananyagarg's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

I loved getting to learn about Argentine folklore through this magic-filled adventure about subverting gender norms and the reality of being undocumented in the U.S. However, I wish this book wasn't filled with references to Harry Potter :(
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joisaddler's review

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adventurous emotional inspiring 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

3.0

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bebidocrimes's review

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adventurous mysterious tense 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

4.0

Enchanting and well developed, I loved every page. Manu is such an interesting character, and I love the idea of a space-loving werewolf going to the moon. I would also like to make out with a boy in his secret illegal library. Javier was a red herring, I thought the queer rep would just be him as a closeted side character, but NOPE. I love how many layers of metaphors you can fit in a werewolf. This could have been just an incredible fantasy story that happened to feature a magical school, but it had to go and reference Harry Potter over and over again. Girlie, you're better than that in every way. Big sad my library doesn't have the sequel because I'm trying not to buy more books rn.
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ericageorge91's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

4.25

I felt so full while reading this book. I immediately loved the writing. Often, Garber does a phenomenal job of showing and not telling with the readers. That’s something I really value in books and I don’t find as often as I would like in YA stories. This is an Argentinian story about a magical world of witches and werewolves. Garber deftly weaves and grounds these supernatural elements with social issues that we see today. I found this story really well-paced. I was never bored. 

I also want to take a moment to commend the world-building in this story. I’m not one for setting or the outdoors for that matter. When I envision characters, they are always acting in the barest of backgrounds. That being said, I cannot emphasize enough how breathtaking El Laberinto sounds. I don’t want to spoil too much because I think that you should experience that magical place yourself. I will say that I have not felt that awe-inspired by a magical place in years. It felt so immersive. Garber, I—🧎🏾‍♀️ 

I also want to say, that for conflicted and former HP fans, there are a few references in this book. If you are full on anti-HP, I would say try the story anyway. I found echoes of that story in this one that made me feel so nostalgic, but in a story written by someone that I can happily support. Based on the premise of this book and the sex/gender discussions so far, I feel as if this author will not lead you astray. I’m very hopeful, at least!

Rep: Latinx, sapphic officially. There’s not explicit confirmation but I feel as if there’s incoming achillean and/or trans rep coming. I know it’s not much but I feel like the main character’s storyline has good discussion about existing outside of the sex/gender binary that might resonate with trans readers
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thejuliebookshelf's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

LOBIZONA can be summed up in one word: lush. The writing is beautiful, the worldbuilding is detailed, the plot is engaging, and the Argentine folklore is rich.

Garber has written excellent YA fantasy. This story discusses issues of sexism, binaries, gender roles and expectations, culture, and being undocumented with nuance, empathy, and anger. You’re definitely going to want to check the content warnings for this book.

I enjoy reading books with untranslated Spanish dialogue, phrases, or sentences. LOBIZONA was particularly fun for me, because it made me realize that I was unfamiliar with Argentine Spanish, and I went down a huge internet rabbit hole after reading the first chapter. 

The most important stuff for plot or character development is translated, and non-Spanish speakers can easily use Google Translate for the rest. If this makes you frustrated, remember that language is an essential part of identity and culture – the Spanish is intrinsic to the novel and LOBIZONA would feel incomplete without it!

I’m not going to say too much else for fear of spoiling, as the synopsis for this book is quite vague. But know that I really loved this book and immediately purchased the duology.
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onceandfuturereaders's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5

I think the only reason this isn’t a 5 star read is because it took me so long to get into. I’d say the first 30% was necessary to setting up the story, but I struggled through it so much that I wasn’t sure how to feel. But once Manu connected with her friends and started really discovering who she was, I couldn’t put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the second book. 

There are quite a few references to Harry Potter. Just feel like it’s important to note. 
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author2223's review

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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

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