This review was written by: C
Received: Borrowed from Library
Date of Publication: June 2018
Stars: 4/5
Official Summary:
Three sisters. One spell. Countless dead.
Lula Mortiz feels like an outsider. Her sister's newfound Encantrix powers have wounded her in ways that Lula's bruja healing powers can't fix, and she longs for the comfort her family once brought her. Thank the Deos for Maks, her sweet, steady boyfriend who sees the beauty within her and brings light to her life.
Then a bus crash turns Lula's world upside down. Her classmates are all dead, including Maks. But Lula was born to heal, to fix. She can bring Maks back, even if it means seeking help from her sisters and defying Death herself. But magic that defies the laws of the deos is dangerous. Unpredictable. And when the dust settles, Maks isn't the only one who's been brought back...
My Thoughts:
Zoraida Córdova has truly been an author whose work I have fallen in love with and cherish. I first stumbled across The Vicious Deep series shortly after the first book was released way back in 2012. I instantly had to get my hands on it once I discovered that it revolved around a teen half-merman. I mean, come on, how much YA fantasy is out there that focuses on that kind of character? Mermaid YA is already a pretty bleak selection, so amazing mermen stories are almost nonexistent. From the first chapter, I couldn't put The Vicious Deep down. I'd never come across a story quite like it. I became enamored with the plot, action, great characters, deep emotion, and pure fun. The world she built was spectacular, and I waited with bated breath for every installment that came out. Honestly, when the final book in the trilogy was published, I was so sad that I would never get to return to this amazing world that Córdova had created. Little did I know...
I was ecstatic when my younger sister told me that Córdova was coming out with a new fantasy series. I'd been waiting three years since the Vast and Brutal Sea for another fantasy/urban fantasy series from one of my favorite authors. I ate Labyrinth Lost up as soon as I got my library copy! And let me tell you, when they mentioned Tristan (the main character from The Vicious Deep series), I practically lost my shit. I couldn't believe that Córdova had decided to expand her existing universe. I was ecstatic, I was elated -- I just couldn't handle this reveal.
I was so thrilled with my discovery that I even released a Tweet. And guess what?!! The author commented on it! I have proof:
Look at that reply!!!! I couldn't wait! Two characters from The Vicious Deep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you feel how palpable my excitement is??!!!
Once I knew that I would be getting more interaction between the bruja and paranormal worlds established in both the Brooklyn Brujas and The Vicious Deep series, Bruja Born couldn't come out fast enough. And I couldn't believe it when my library set it on the shelf a few days before the book was officially released. I snatched that baby up and cracked it open as soon as I got home, and I was able to finish it in just a few days. I was kind of in a reading slump, and this brought me right out of it.
Before I go any further, I just want to mention that I really enjoyed Labyrinth Lost and the introduction to the world of brujeria and a whole new cast of great characters. However, I didn't love it as much as The Vicious Deep series. Maybe it was just the fact that most of the book took place in an entirely different realm, but regardless, I knew that I would be continuing the series.
Additionally, each book in the series is from the perspective of a different Mortiz sister and the adventures and trials that they face. Labyrinth Lost focused on Alex (the middle child) and her coming to terms with her magic, Bruja Born focused on Lula (the oldest) and her mistake of breaking a taboo of magic, and I believe the third will focus on Rose (the youngest). Perhaps I also wasn't able to connect with Alex as much as I did with Lula, which may be a reason as to why I enjoyed the second book so much more. Plus, I guess I didn't really like the love triangle.
In terms of Bruja Born, we follow Lula as she tries to get past what happened to her in Los Lagos and the mental and physical scars that resulted from it. To add salt to the wound, she's been pretty distant from her boyfriend, who decides to break up with her. As her life continues, she's involved in a fatal bus crash that's also carrying the soccer team, and she ends up being the sole survivor. In a desperate attempt to save her ex-boyfriend, Lula cheats death and sets off a chain of events that have dire consequences.
I think what I enjoy most about this series is the focus on family (both blood and non-blood related) and how far you are willing to go to help, save, or support those whom you love. The Mortiz sisters remind me a bit of my own siblings - we're there for one another through thick and thin, even if one of us does make a not-so-great decision. They're there to love and support one another. Of course, the author doesn't only show the love that family shares, but Córdova also demonstrated the fights that can occur and anger that can arise. She shows all aspects of family -- the good and the bad.
Aside from the family values, I love the Latina culture that's shown. Books aren't always capable of flawlessly expressing a culture, making it understandable to an outsider, and showing the amazing aspects of it. I enjoyed this part of the book immensely, and I couldn't get enough of it.
Córdova also has flawed characters, and Lula is far from perfect. Lula is a physically beautiful person. However, scars now mar her face from events that occurred in the previous book. Consequently, she has her sisters charm her face to hide them. I don't want to say she's vain, but it is mentioned that she was once told that beauty is power. Thus, she has to come to terms with the fact that she views this "disfigurement" as ugly even though she is still beautiful. I also found it very touching when her youngest sister was told to transform into the most beautiful person she can imagine, and it was Lula, scars and all.
I think a significant lesson was self-love. Some books really go into the whole boyfriend breakup and how people don't know how to be their true selves unless they aren't in a relationship, and how people don't need a significant other to find purpose, etc. In Lula's case, she was a bit afraid of being alone and her boyfriend (Maks) left her after being in a relationship for two years. I think that she truly did love him. Why would she complete an illegal spell to save Maks if she didn't love him? I guess what I'm trying to say is that this book did focus on self-love and how you need to love who you are. Yet, you also don't need a significant other to find worth, but that relationships are also good for you (I predict Lula will definitely be marrying that Hunter in the future :) ). Don't mind my rambling, but I appreciate how the author went about self-love and getting past traumatic events in one's life.
You're might also be wondering who the two characters were from The Vicious Deep. In all honesty, I really hoped at least one of them would be Tristan. After all, it was mentioned in Labyrinth Lost that Lula had dated him and got her heart broken. So, I figured he could potentially enter the story. Plus, Tristan's mother was mentioned several times because Lula's mother went to go and help deliver her new baby. However, Tristan did not make an appearance, which slightly disappointed me, but I will not lose faith, because there will be at least one more book and you never know what could happen. I also don't want to reveal who showed up, because I don't want to spoil too much. Just go read the book and find out for yourself!
It's a spectacular read and you won't be disappointed!
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