agmaynard's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Audio. Homeschooled upper teen finds out her secret heritage and struggles to grow into her new identity, while experiencing the stress of family/friends caught up in immigration and injury trauma. A new pack, love interest, and a chance to connect with long-lost family. Challenges to gender differentiation and look at privilege. Followed by Cazedora.
tarynlk92's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
serenityfound's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
2.75
A prime example where I can't decide if this book just wasn't for me, is bad, or the audiobook didn't work. It felt like a slog.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Lobizona
Author: Romina Garber
Book Series: Wolves of No World Book 1
Diversity: Argentina characters, lesbian couple
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Werewolves, witches, other planets, Argentinian characters And lore
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, drugging, drugs mentioned, rape mention)
Synopsis: Manuela Azul has been crammed into an existence that feels too small for her. As an undocumented immigrant who's on the run from her father's Argentine crime-family, Manu is confined to a small apartment and a small life in Miami, Florida.
Until Manu's protective bubble is shattered.
Her surrogate grandmother is attacked, lifelong lies are exposed, and her mother is arrested by ICE. Without a home, without answers, and finally without shackles, Manu investigates the only clue she has about her past--a mysterious "Z" emblem—which leads her to a secret world buried within our own. A world connected to her dead father and his criminal past. A world straight out of Argentine folklore, where the seventh consecutive daughter is born a bruja and the seventh consecutive son is a lobizón, a werewolf. A world where her unusual eyes allow her to belong.
As Manu uncovers her own story and traces her real heritage all the way back to a cursed city in Argentina, she learns it's not just her U.S. residency that's illegal. . . .it's her entire existence.
Review: Overall, I thought the book was amazing. I loved the mythology and lore of Lobizones and Brujas (werewolves and witches basically). I liked how the author intermingled issues of ICE into this story and also sexism. The book had a well done story arc and plot and I loved the world building. Other things of note are that the book addresses sexism and homophobia and the menstrual cycle is important to the storyline.
However, I did think the pacing was a bit too fast for me and I think the book had a lot of characters that weren't fully developed.
Verdict: Recommended read! I can't wait for the next one!!
Book: Lobizona
Author: Romina Garber
Book Series: Wolves of No World Book 1
Diversity: Argentina characters, lesbian couple
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Werewolves, witches, other planets, Argentinian characters And lore
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 400
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, drugging, drugs mentioned, rape mention)
Synopsis: Manuela Azul has been crammed into an existence that feels too small for her. As an undocumented immigrant who's on the run from her father's Argentine crime-family, Manu is confined to a small apartment and a small life in Miami, Florida.
Until Manu's protective bubble is shattered.
Her surrogate grandmother is attacked, lifelong lies are exposed, and her mother is arrested by ICE. Without a home, without answers, and finally without shackles, Manu investigates the only clue she has about her past--a mysterious "Z" emblem—which leads her to a secret world buried within our own. A world connected to her dead father and his criminal past. A world straight out of Argentine folklore, where the seventh consecutive daughter is born a bruja and the seventh consecutive son is a lobizón, a werewolf. A world where her unusual eyes allow her to belong.
As Manu uncovers her own story and traces her real heritage all the way back to a cursed city in Argentina, she learns it's not just her U.S. residency that's illegal. . . .it's her entire existence.
Review: Overall, I thought the book was amazing. I loved the mythology and lore of Lobizones and Brujas (werewolves and witches basically). I liked how the author intermingled issues of ICE into this story and also sexism. The book had a well done story arc and plot and I loved the world building. Other things of note are that the book addresses sexism and homophobia and the menstrual cycle is important to the storyline.
However, I did think the pacing was a bit too fast for me and I think the book had a lot of characters that weren't fully developed.
Verdict: Recommended read! I can't wait for the next one!!
themagikat's review against another edition
5.0
This book BLEW MY SOCKS OFF. It is one of the most empathetic, compassionate, and empowering perspectives on being an outsider I have ever read. It questions and confronts the cruel concept that any person could be considered "illegal". Lobizona is one of those fictions that uses fantasy to hold a mirror up to society and says "We MUST do better." Furthermore, it is truly an engaging and beautiful story! I was deeply entrenched in each character's feelings and paths, as well as their relationships with each other. Cazadora, HERE I COME!!!
quinnpjd930's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
bookish_jeanie's review against another edition
4.0
The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover and the second was the synopsis. Lobizona is about a young girl, Manu, on her journey to discover who she is .... what she is. She is an undocumented immigrant living with her mother in a tiny apartment hiding from both ICE and her fathers family in Miami. The only thing she has been told about the later is that they are dangerous and powerful. After seeing her mother get taken up by ICE and discovering that everything she’s been told is not as it seems she finds herself on a journey to not only who she is but also what she is and in that there is the danger.
At first, it was difficult to get into this book. I couldn’t seem to associate or really feel any connection with Manu but after I got past the first few chapters her story really started to draw me in. One thing I felt the author did really well was bring forward what is going on in our country in terms of undocumented immigrants. The other thing the was the author described her would so beautifully, from the food, to the locations, to the people...I was truly transported to these places. I definitely look forward to reading the next installment of Manu and her friends journey!
At first, it was difficult to get into this book. I couldn’t seem to associate or really feel any connection with Manu but after I got past the first few chapters her story really started to draw me in. One thing I felt the author did really well was bring forward what is going on in our country in terms of undocumented immigrants. The other thing the was the author described her would so beautifully, from the food, to the locations, to the people...I was truly transported to these places. I definitely look forward to reading the next installment of Manu and her friends journey!
librosydragones's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful, powerful story about belonging, family and friendship. Manu struggles to find her true identity, she's been an outcast all her life, illegal, and it will be up to her to make a place for herself in history.
Romina's writing has evolved over time. I enjoyed her Zodiac series, but this is so much better. I believe she's a stronger fantasy writer than a sci-fi one, but that's just my personal opinion.
I'm starting Cazadora now, I hope it's as good as this installment!
Romina's writing has evolved over time. I enjoyed her Zodiac series, but this is so much better. I believe she's a stronger fantasy writer than a sci-fi one, but that's just my personal opinion.
I'm starting Cazadora now, I hope it's as good as this installment!