Scan barcode
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
This book is great! Very [a: Rick Riordan|15872|Rick Riordan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1383677264p2/15872.jpg]-style, but referencing lore from Spain, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, and other Spanish-speaking and/or Central or South American countries. And ownvoices!
I read this to take along to virtual visits with local middle schools (it's 2020, in case you're reading this years from now and didn't notice that) and ended up opening my presentations by paraphrasing an early scene where the protagonist starts sprouting feathers.
Calejo roots this in Miami (I could find maps on the internet of specific streets that are mentioned) and weaves in lots of creatures and deities that were new to me. Naturally, there are Spanish words and dialogue integrated into the story. I saw one of the climactic twists coming, but there were nuances I didn't anticipate. The story is largely told in short chapters that will make it easy for more hesitant readers to hook into.
This deserves to be read and promoted!
I read this to take along to virtual visits with local middle schools (it's 2020, in case you're reading this years from now and didn't notice that) and ended up opening my presentations by paraphrasing an early scene where the protagonist starts sprouting feathers.
Calejo roots this in Miami (I could find maps on the internet of specific streets that are mentioned) and weaves in lots of creatures and deities that were new to me. Naturally, there are Spanish words and dialogue integrated into the story. I saw one of the climactic twists coming, but there were nuances I didn't anticipate. The story is largely told in short chapters that will make it easy for more hesitant readers to hook into.
This deserves to be read and promoted!
bookladykd's review against another edition
4.0
5 stars for the use of Latino mythology, the smart-talking bilingual main character and the sheer fun of the plot. Two stars (and that's being generous) for the plucky girl sidekick/friend/possible love interest. She's the lead journalist for the school paper AND head cheerleader AND a competitive gymnast? And she still has time to go gallivanting all over Miami with Charlie? What, she's borrowed Hermione Granger's time turner? And for at least one of their expeditions she chooses to wear, "a long silky dress the color of a wintry sky" which later on gets caught on a chain-link fence but apparently causes no difficulty in BICYCLING. Seriously? Were there no females involved in the editing of this book to point out the sheer impracticality of bicycling in a long flowing skirt, or the stupidity of the idea in general? Hispanic mythology come to life--sure, I'll suspend disbelief. Boy growing horns and feathers--no problem. Biking in a long flowing skirt without it getting hopelessly tangled in the chains and spokes? Nope. Just nope.
smalefowles's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
Wholesome.
thenextgenlib's review against another edition
4.0
I loved seeing a fantasy MG novel about South American and Latin American myths and characters. Students will love all the adventures and stories that come alive in this novel. I’m excited it’s a series.
johanna_b's review against another edition
4.0
Charlie Hernandez grew up listening to his abuela's stories which spanned Hispanic and Latin mythology from all over the Spanish-speaking world. He thought that they were solely myths until one day he starts to change. First he sprouts horns on the top of his head, then he has an extreme breakout of feathers all over his arms. But these changes are only the beginning. Soon, Charlie and his friend Violet are swept up into a world full of myths-turned reality and a war that could ruin them both.
This was a really fun read! It started off a little slow but halfway through it started to pick up steam and ended with a plot-twist I never could have guessed! At first I thought it was kind of weird that It was really fun getting to know more about Hispanic/Latino mythology, most of which I'd never heard of before! I also loved how the Spanish language flowed though the book and even though some of the characters only spoke English, the Spanish was still present and it was cool to see it as such a normal part of the dialogue.
As I mentioned above it took a little while for me to get into the story but it picked up once we were introduced to La Liga and the conclusion was excellent! Lots of action but with some things left unresolved to set us up for book two which I hope to read when I get a chance. I would definitely recommend this to any Percy Jackson fans, especially Hispanic or Latino readers as well as anyone looking to explore this mythology in a fun way! Happy Reading :)
This was a really fun read! It started off a little slow but halfway through it started to pick up steam and ended with a plot-twist I never could have guessed! At first I thought it was kind of weird that
Spoiler
Charlie hadn't recognized his parents as dolls before because he had lived in the same house as them and passed by them so many times, but I guess it's true that you tend to ignore the things that you aren't expecting.As I mentioned above it took a little while for me to get into the story but it picked up once we were introduced to La Liga and the conclusion was excellent! Lots of action but with some things left unresolved to set us up for book two which I hope to read when I get a chance. I would definitely recommend this to any Percy Jackson fans, especially Hispanic or Latino readers as well as anyone looking to explore this mythology in a fun way! Happy Reading :)
kelly80's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the idea, but the execution left much to be desired.
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really fun middle grade adventure! And so great to see so many Hispanic myths come to life in it.
I really liked Charlie, and I also wish we’d got to properly meet his Grandma, she sounded so awesome! Charlie is fun as a MC as he doesn’t really know what he’s supposed to be doing but he can translate what’s going on from the myths for Violet who is great at figuring out what they should do next. She needed a little more agency for me - I felt we didn’t really know why she was helping, but I did love her.
And the people from the myths were both awesome or terrifying, depending whose side they were on! Hehe.
I’m definitely going to be picking up book 2 when it comes out
I really liked Charlie, and I also wish we’d got to properly meet his Grandma, she sounded so awesome! Charlie is fun as a MC as he doesn’t really know what he’s supposed to be doing but he can translate what’s going on from the myths for Violet who is great at figuring out what they should do next. She needed a little more agency for me - I felt we didn’t really know why she was helping, but I did love her.
And the people from the myths were both awesome or terrifying, depending whose side they were on! Hehe.
I’m definitely going to be picking up book 2 when it comes out
hilaryjsc's review against another edition
4.0
This was very delightful. I too would dress my best to meet a Witch Queen even if I was riding my bike there.
katreadsalot's review against another edition
2.0
This book was enjoyable. The ending worked well, and improved the whole reading experience for me. I wasn’t as invested in the characters as I wish I had been and found it a little tough to get through.
chyreads29's review against another edition
3.0
I love that this celebrates Hispanic mythology! There were countless intriguing figures/creatures I was introduced to for the first time. However, towards the end, the story got wildly confusing and messy and the characterization was a bit flat.