A review by jennifermreads
Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende

3.0

When Maya finds herself sent to a small island in Chile until “it is safe to come home,” she takes along a notebook from her grandmother to recount the journey that led her there.

My sister is a HUGE Isabel Allende fan. So, when I saw that the 2017 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge had a challenge to read a book by a Central or South American author set in Central or South America, well, I knew Isabel Allende would be the one to check this box!

By the end, I found that I had enjoyed reading Maya’s story, following her journey to the island and learning about her life in the small community of Chiloé. But along the way, I struggled to connect with Maya and, several times, I wondered if I should put the book aside and move on. It was a determination to meet the Read Harder Challenge that I hung on and finished. I am glad I hung on as the story was indeed a good one – though I was not surprised by the twists.

Spoiler

I’m not sure how I suspected that Manual was her biological grandfather but I did figure it out. Though I admit, I thought he was Nini’s first husband Felipe living under an assumed name. Also, I was not surprised the Officer Arana turned out to be a corrupt cop tied up with Brandon and the rest of the Vegas underworld. Again, I’m not sure how I knew but I felt it in my gut!

I also think it was the secondary characters that kept me in the book for the long haul. I enjoyed Manual, Blanca, Freddy, and the many residents of Chiloé. All were an entertaining bunch and helped me continue with the story when Maya was driving me a little mad!