clauleesi's review against another edition
3.0
As a latinx woman and someone who loves witches so much she even has a bruja tattoo, it's an understatement to say that [b:Labyrinth Lost|40510987|Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas, #1)|Zoraida Córdova|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528727384l/40510987._SY75_.jpg|42472829] spoke to me. Sadly, even though the latinx elements were wonderfully executed, I think I'm starting to outgrow YA books.
Born in a family full of magic and impossible things, Alejandra is not only the most powerful bruja to be born in generations, she is also the only one who hates her powers. When she decides to take fate into her own hands and tries a spell at her Deathday to get rid of her witchery, everything goes wrong. Her family disappears to another world, Los Lagos, filled with monsters, and the only person who can help Alex get them back is a mysterious brujo with some secrets of his own.
“Right now, I'm just a girl, and there is also magic in that.”
I'm going to go straight to my least favorite part of this book, and that is Alex. Right from the start, we are introduced to this whiny teenage girl who hates her lot in life. She is powerful, unique, and has a loving family that supports her and yet, she's just miserable. It takes her family ending up in what is the bruja equivalent to hell for her to start appreciating what she has, and even though the end result was nice, I couldn't stand Alex for the major part of this book, which is sadly what made me not give [b:Labyrinth Lost|40510987|Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas, #1)|Zoraida Córdova|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528727384l/40510987._SY75_.jpg|42472829] a higher rating.
Alex even seemed like she doesn't feel proud of her culture, as, for an example, she didn't want people to call her Alejandra but the more white-passing Alex. If [a:Zoraida Córdova|4824952|Zoraida Córdova|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1586829789p2/4824952.jpg] had done this to show how interalised racism affects so many PoC, this could have been an amazing part to the story; instead it felt like Alejandra was rejecting her culture.
As for the setting, atmosphere and latinx aspect of [b:Labyrinth Lost|40510987|Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas, #1)|Zoraida Córdova|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528727384l/40510987._SY75_.jpg|42472829], it was, as I mentioned before, amazingly done. Los Lagos seemed both terrifying and beautiful, almost like a witchy Wonderland, and when we were introduced to some of its inhabitants it all just became better. As for the villain and the actual quest, I wish that the solution wouldn't have been as easy as it was, but I guess that is just the young adult part that's not working with me again.
Unfortunately I don't have much more to say - I really wanted to love this book more, and although it had a lot of potential, it was a mediocre read for me. The rating is honestly me being generous as I don't want to rate it lower. In reality, it's probably closer to a 2.5. However, I have heard that the sequel is much better, and might be giving that a chance in the future.
Born in a family full of magic and impossible things, Alejandra is not only the most powerful bruja to be born in generations, she is also the only one who hates her powers. When she decides to take fate into her own hands and tries a spell at her Deathday to get rid of her witchery, everything goes wrong. Her family disappears to another world, Los Lagos, filled with monsters, and the only person who can help Alex get them back is a mysterious brujo with some secrets of his own.
“Right now, I'm just a girl, and there is also magic in that.”
I'm going to go straight to my least favorite part of this book, and that is Alex. Right from the start, we are introduced to this whiny teenage girl who hates her lot in life. She is powerful, unique, and has a loving family that supports her and yet, she's just miserable. It takes her family ending up in what is the bruja equivalent to hell for her to start appreciating what she has, and even though the end result was nice, I couldn't stand Alex for the major part of this book, which is sadly what made me not give [b:Labyrinth Lost|40510987|Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas, #1)|Zoraida Córdova|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528727384l/40510987._SY75_.jpg|42472829] a higher rating.
Alex even seemed like she doesn't feel proud of her culture, as, for an example, she didn't want people to call her Alejandra but the more white-passing Alex. If [a:Zoraida Córdova|4824952|Zoraida Córdova|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1586829789p2/4824952.jpg] had done this to show how interalised racism affects so many PoC, this could have been an amazing part to the story; instead it felt like Alejandra was rejecting her culture.
As for the setting, atmosphere and latinx aspect of [b:Labyrinth Lost|40510987|Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas, #1)|Zoraida Córdova|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528727384l/40510987._SY75_.jpg|42472829], it was, as I mentioned before, amazingly done. Los Lagos seemed both terrifying and beautiful, almost like a witchy Wonderland, and when we were introduced to some of its inhabitants it all just became better. As for the villain and the actual quest, I wish that the solution wouldn't have been as easy as it was, but I guess that is just the young adult part that's not working with me again.
Unfortunately I don't have much more to say - I really wanted to love this book more, and although it had a lot of potential, it was a mediocre read for me. The rating is honestly me being generous as I don't want to rate it lower. In reality, it's probably closer to a 2.5. However, I have heard that the sequel is much better, and might be giving that a chance in the future.
buffee's review against another edition
4.0
A bit of predictability but overall a good YA book featuring brujas, family relationships, bisexuality, and trauma.
millennialbookreview's review against another edition
4.0
Labyrinth Lost is a book I enjoyed far more than I expected to. I loved the character dynamics and the world. The representation in the novel felt so refreshing. The plot and the conclusion felt so satisfying. At the same time, the characters themselves didn’t really stand out to me. The pacing also felt a little slow in the middle, when the plot became repetitive. The ending of this book really sold me and I’m definitely going to read the next book in the series.
My full review can be found here
My full review can be found here
thesempiternalreader's review against another edition
3.0
This was a unique concept. I enjoyed learning about Alex's powers and her family history. The writing was pretty simple too. But the world building felt incomplete as I couldn't get a better idea of Las Lagos. On top that, the voice of the main character was like that of a ten year old for most of the time. It was hard to enjoy because of my dislike of the main character. Overall it was a decent but unremarkable read.
leyza052's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
emilygaynier's review against another edition
3.0
I think if this story had some more details about the setting the world would've felt more immersive
alysoninthelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this, but I was a little disappointed in some of the end-game character development, so four stars.
carolikesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
scrow1022's review
5.0
Loved this. It was a little slow for me to get into but it kept unfolding and getting richer and richer, and since I've finished it I keep thinking about the characters and about the world. Lots of unexpected but natural turns to the story. Got it from the library but immediately got my own copy so I can return to it.