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leesibadom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
One thing I can’t deny is that this book has good bones, the premise of this book is a story that deserves to be told in any form of media available to us.
But did it feel a bit rushed to me? Absolutely.
Did I enjoy this? It was fun, if only a bit underdeveloped
Will I be reading book 2? Oh absolutely.
But did it feel a bit rushed to me? Absolutely.
Did I enjoy this? It was fun, if only a bit underdeveloped
Will I be reading book 2? Oh absolutely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Deportation, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Misogyny, and Bullying
Minor: Abandonment and Violence
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
cozylifewithabby's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
3.75
I really enjoyed this. I have never read anything like it. Check it out if you like YA Fantasy and are interested in Argentinian mythology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Homophobia, Body horror, Death, and Forced institutionalization
shortstackz's review against another edition
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
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