It was a little bit of a rough start, but once the trials really began I was hooked. The “children competition” plot is a little worn in YA but Thomas infuses the heck out of it with Mexican mythology and lore which totally changes the game. It’s beautiful and creative and completely inclusive. As I got to know some of the characters more, like Niya, some parts had me cracking up. If you liked the unexpected humor of Cemetery Boys, it’s back in this, but the stakes are higher in Teo’s world of myth-made-true. Duologies are tricky so I’m hoping he can maintain the tension and pacing for the second book - because of course we get a cliffhanger!
There are some twists I didn’t see coming, and characters who are more than they appear. Along with Niya I liked seeing the other competitors getting fleshed out without the narration getting too caught up in the details. Exposition never felt sluggish or taking away from the action.
There are some twists I didn’t see coming, and characters who are more than they appear. Along with Niya I liked seeing the other competitors getting fleshed out without the narration getting too caught up in the details. Exposition never felt sluggish or taking away from the action.