steviereads77's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
slow-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
4.5
Sapphic Latinx story centered around sisters trying to finding ways to save each other, a mysterious forest, and a god of death lurking in the shadows.
Lucha Moya is a hunter with a special skill to go unnoticed by the beasts she’s tasked to kill. The more she tempts fate with this uncanny ability, the less she wants to use it. So she only resorts to taking bounties when her mother has gone on another bender with the Forgetting Drug, Olvida. After one such time, their mother hasn’t returned for several days and the sisters, Lucha and Lis, are facing immediate eviction. They decide to take matters into their own hands and go on their own terms, leaving their mother behind and heading into the unforgivable world.
Plot: 4/5
I. Love. Mushroom. Magic. The whole magic system developed in this story is incredible and I love it.
The plot starts kind of slow, it takes a while to feel completely invested in the story. But once they’re deep in the forest and the action picks up, I was deeply invested.
Characters: 4.5/5
Lucha Moya is such a strong character even when she believes herself to be weak. Her life has been full of pain and disappointment but she’s determined to save everyone else before herself. She doesn’t have that chosen one ego because she never really believes she was chosen. I love seeing her overcome her trust issues and fight for the ones she loves.
Paz was such a surprising character. At first I didn’t think she had much depth or purpose but she proved me wrong! She was the warrior at Lucha’s side. I liked the note the book ended in regarding their romance and I’m really hoping for a second book so I can get some more of it.
Writing: 5/5
Truly ethereal writing. I may be biased because I love mushrooms but I have never seen a cooler type of earth Magic than flesh eating fungus. Mejia created such a vibrant world with so much depth and intention. Lucha’s inner monologue builds on profound self reflection that gave me chills.
Overall: 4.5/5
kdsmoove's review
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
“Life was made of choices. Destiny was a myth.”
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
just. go pick it up. right now. well i guess preorder it because it doesn’t come out until march. this was an excellent fantasy novel. the magic isn’t *too complex* the situations are relatable, the characters have DEPTH. it’s a dystopian novel with an oldest daughter complex as the trope and it’s got friends to enemies and A MAGIC FOREST and oh man.
I feel like Lucha was able to learn a lot about herself throughout this story, and I’m not sure if this is the first in a series, but I think I would be interested to see where it goes if it is. It is fast paced, but I think maybe a little is lost in that pacing, but again, that would make sense if this is the first in a series.
All in all, five stars all day. The cover is beautiful, the writing is wonderful, and you feel for literally all the characters. Even the Bad Guy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Trafficking, Violence, Death of parent, and Addiction
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