Loved this Book! I flew through it the pacing was perfect and there was never a dull moment. The sisterly bond the three girls shared even when they didn’t always see things the same way was heartwarming they always had each other to lean on. I truly loved their culture and everything about their craft, you don’t get much cooler than being a Bruja. I also love that this book stood on its own as I had not read the previous novel, I never felt confused or like I was missing something but I ended up loving this one so much I ended up picking up the first. I look forward to reading more from this author in book 3!

Bruja Born picks up right after the events of the first book. The book focuses of the other Mortiz sister. Lula.

This book is the perfect sequel to Labyrinth Lost. One of my favorite things about this book as the Lula's mental health was portrait. Because after the Los Lagos incident it is clear it took emotional and physical strength from Lula.

I have to stay I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced, full of action and I absolutely love the family aspect. As a Latina, its so important to see my culture properly reseprented. I could totally see my family in the Mortiz family (with a few obvious differences) .

If you enjoyed Labyrinth Lost, you have to read Bruja Born. Is the sequel you can not miss. Zoraida Cordova comes back in full force and honestly I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Ahoy there me mateys! I received this fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here are me honest musings. While I try to post no spoilers, if ye haven’t read the first book and ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .

bruja born (Zoraida Cordova)
Title: bruja born
Author: Zoraida Cordova
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: Tomorrow! (hardback/e-book)
ISBN: 978-1492650652
Source: NetGalley

It was an absolute delight to be back in the world created by this author. If ye haven't read these novels, they mix Latin American religions and cultures, Mexican holidays, Afro-Caribbean religion, and other things. It is beautifully done.

The first book dealt with Alex. This one focuses on her sister, Lula. Lula has been struggling since the events in the previous book. She seems to have lost sight of herself and is clinging hard to the pieces of identity that she no longer seems to inhabit. So when events threaten to take the one thing that seems to be holding her together, she aims to fight back no matter what the cost.

This book continues to highlight the importance of family and community. One of the more interesting aspects is that ye get to see the results from Alex's adventure and how it has impacted the entire family. The whole family is struggling with grief, guilt, and post-traumatic stress. There are scars from the past, some literal, and everyone is coming to terms with this new reality. I think that this is an extremely positive outlook despite the inherent pain involved. Magic didn't solve everything and there is a price to be paid for mistakes. And yet, this family sticks together and are determined to love and support one another as they heal.

I found Lula's story to be heart-wrenching. She really doesn't make the best choices and doesn't know what she wants out of life anyone. She is clinging to a version of the past and the idea of a future that has disintegrated. Lula uses the familial bonds of love and guilt to chose a selfish path of action that brings no relief and only more pain to all involved. It is a harrowing journey.

While this was an extremely quick and compelling read, I did have a quibble with the story. Alex's actions in the first book seemed to only impact her direct family and friends. Lula's actions have a much broader scale and effected people outside of the community. It seemed out of line with the rules set up in book one. I am not sure how ye hide magical trouble with those kinds of fatal results. I am hoping the next book will explain this in more detail.

It seems very likely that the next book will focus on the third sister, Rose. I sure hope so! I will definitely be reading it.

So lastly . . .
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire!

Normally, I would post the synopsis here but it be full of spoilers. I recommend ye skip it and discover the details for yerself!

To visit the author’s website go to:
Zoraida Cordova - Author

To buy the novel please visit:
bruja born - Book

To add to Goodreads go to:
Yer Ports for Plunder List

Previous Log Entries for this Author
labyrinth lost - book 1 (On the Horizon – Young Adult Fantasy eArc)

“This is a love story. At least, it was, before my sister sent me to hell.”

Friends, Bruja Born was such a treat. It’s the ownvoices, Latinx, magical story you’ve been looking for. And I liked it even more than Labyrinth Lost, which I loved! When I first requested an ARC of this, I was completely surprised when I found out it wouldn’t be following Alex, the main character of Labyrinth Lost, but her sister, Lula, who I quickly and easily fell in love with, too.

“Magic transforms you. Magic changes you. Magic saves you. I want to still believe in all those things.”

But Lula’s story also quickly and easily breaks my heart. I want to write so much here to give you guys a synopsis, but I’m going to be very vague. The book’s actual synopsis feels really spoilery, in my opinion. I went into the book without reading the synopsis, and I truly think I had a better reading experience because of it. But Lula finds herself in a very heartbreaking situation, and when this tragedy strikes, the goddess of death herself is there to pick up the pieces. Lula finds herself unable to give someone up and uses her magic to desperately try to keep them close to her, but she quickly discovers that not all things are meant to stay.

Trigger and content warnings (please do not read if you want to go into this book completely unaware of the events) for car crash, blood, gore, loss of a loved one, grief, trauma, a lot of talk of death, talk of dead bodies, and scenes with physically harming oneself.

One of the best elements of Bruja Born is the strong emphasis on familial bonds, and how unconditional love will always be the most powerful kind of magic any of us will ever possess. Lula, Alex, and Rose are such sister goals, but their entire family and their willingness to sacrifice is something so beautiful that I don’t even have words for it.

“You really think I’m going to betray my sister for you? Boy, bye.”

And Lula’s personal journey, to loving herself, outside and inside, is so powerful that I wish I could put this book in the hands of every teenage girl in the world. Being able to sacrifice for the ones you love, but to ultimately put yourself and your life first is a combination I hardly ever read in books, but it is so very needed. This truly is the most beautiful love story of all time: the love story of loving yourself, unapologetically.

“My mother told me beauty was a gift. If they’re right, then what am I now? All I know is I left fragments of myself in Los Lagos and I don’t know how to get them back.”

And this book also heavily deals with the effects of grief. Everyone in this family is grieving from what they’ve lost or what they’ve found. PTSD, trauma, and grief are all touched upon in this book, and everyone is coping and dealing with it differently. Lula is the star of this book, and everything she is dealing with breaks my heart, but seeing her deal with it is so important and so inspiring.

Overall, I loved this and I think the world will love it, too. And I feel like I could never get enough stories about these Brooklyn Brujas! I’m guessing the next installment will be about Rose, and I’ll be honest with you all: she’s my favorite sister. So, I’m extra hyped. Also, Nova totally won me over in this book as well. So, hopefully we get both of them and more paranormal beings, because this book had vampires, shifters, zombies, and more! Please, Zoraida, give me all the fae! I loved Bruja Born and I hope you all fall in love with it too, this June 5th!

In Bruja Born, Zoraida Córdova reintroduces readers to the Mortiz sisters and her world of witches. When Alex Mortiz cast a spell to take away her power, she inadvertently sent her entire family to Los Lagos, a dangerous in-between realm. While Alex was able to save her family, she could never foresee just how much her world would change. In Bruja Born, Alex’s older sister Lula takes center stage. While Alex is learning to accept who she is as an encantrix, an all-powerful bruja, Lula is trying to find her way back to who she was before Los Lagos. When Maks, Lula’s boyfriend and the only person who makes her feel normal, is taken from her, Lula does everything she can to bring him back. Unfortunately for Lula, in her quest to save Maks, her actions will disrupt the very balance of life and death, and in the end, Lula will have to decide what she is willing to sacrifice to right her wrongs.

As much as I enjoyed Alex in Labyrinth Lost, I actually think I relate more to Lula. Before I had finished the first chapter, I was fully invested in Lula’s story. There is something incredibly fragile about her, but the strength and determination underneath is never sacrificed for this fragility. Lula was a character flawed from the very beginning. She makes rash decisions because she is a character driven by emotion. Though her journey has her meeting the Lady de la Muerta, the goddess of death, and facing off against zombie-like creatures, ultimately Lula’s story is internal. I don’t want to give too much away but there is one moment at the end where it felt that Lula had finally taken back control of her life and she was able to see how strong and valuable she was. It made me want to cheer out loud. Watching Lula struggle between being the girl she used to be and the one who emerged from Los Lagos is heartbreaking, but in the end, her story manages to be incredibly hopeful.

I want to touch on how much I enjoy the relationship between the Mortiz sisters. At the beginning of the novel, Lula harbors a lot of resentment toward Alex and Alex, who recognizes that Lula has changed, blames herself. Though tension and anger are always present, underneath it all is love. Alex and their younger sister Rose have done their best to take care of their older sister. While the Mortiz household has be disrupted by the return of their missing father, these three have always had each other. In the end, these sisters would do anything for each other and it’s this relationship that is at the heart of this series. I feel like we get to see this even more in this sequel and after getting to know Rose better, I am really looking forward to her novel.

In Bruja Born, the dead live and the living get their hearts carved out, both metaphorically and literally. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the Mortiz sisters and following them on their witchy journey, you’re missing out.

Bruja Born is the follow up to Labyrinth Lost and while the books are quite different, they're both fantastic. Bruja Born is diverse urban fantasy with strong themes of family, grief, and letting go, with strong female characters. AND this is one that would be appropriate for younger teens! The series follows the three Mortiz sisters, teen girls who are Brujas (Latinx witches) at the intersection of magical problems and mortal ones. Which can cause some serious drama. Book 1 was from the perspective of Alex. In Bruja Born, we get Lula's perspective during events a few months after book 1 ended.

I was expecting a continuation of Alex's story, but I'm loving this emphasis on sisterhood and getting a different perspective. I'm guessing that book 3 will tell us more about Rose, the youngest sister, and I'm looking forward to it. Bruja Born starts out with a bang and keeps you hooked! As the book begins, Lula's boyfriend of two years breaks up with her and they are in a serious vehicle crash, just as things take a turn with magic and Deos (gods).

I'm loving this series and will definitely be recommending it. If you want a fast-paced, diverse, magical adventure that is all about family, making mistakes, and growing up, then definitely go check it out. I freely agreed to review an early copy of this book from NetGalley.

I said when I reviewed Labyrinth Lost that the book tore out my heart, threw it on the ground, stomped all over it, and then continued on it's merry way. Bruja Born did the exact. same. thing. Don't get me wrong - the second book in the Brooklyn Bruja series is completely different from the first, and I'd even go so far as to consider it more of a companion novel. Reading the first book helps, but you could get by without it (although I'd recommend reading it, as it's fantastic).

In Labyrinth Lost, we follow Alex and her journey through Los Lagos (aka hell) to save her family after she made a huge magical error. In Bruja Born, our narrator is Lula, and the story remains in Brooklyn as she tries to save the world after she - you guessed it - made a huge magical error. I liked Bruja Born better than Labyrinth Lost for a few reasons. First, there was a whole lot more action. In the first book, the entire story was a journey, until the very last couple of chapters, where I felt the action scenes and climax of the story was a bit rushed and jammed in. In Bruja Born, there was so much action I felt like I could barely catch my breath. Second, I liked our narrator better the second time around. Lula is AWESOME and I would definitely want to be friends with her in real life.

As per usual, I'll break it down:

WHAT I LOVED:
-Everything. I'm not kidding. I loved this book from cover to cover. I couldn't put it down. When I'm reading a book, especially an ARC, I try to think of things that I didn't love, in order to help determine my rating. I came up blank here.
-The writing style. This has not changed from Labyrinth Lost. Córdova manages to write in a way that is so colorful and descriptive that you can really SEE what's being described. You feel like you're really there. Normally I struggle with super descriptive writing - it doesn't hold my attention well and I end up skimming. But I was hanging on the edge of my seat for this book. 
-Pretty much everything I loved from Labyrinth Lost: the representation of POC, the rich culture, the family love, and the girl power. It's all still there, and it's all still awesome.
-The pacing. I touched on this above, but this book was paced so much better than the first book. It was action-packed all the way through, and I had NO idea what was going to happen next. 
-Lula. I identified with Lula so much more than with Alex, and I never wanted to punch her in the face - this is such a win for a main character! (How often I want to punch a MC is honestly how I judge how much I liked them). She is badass by nature, but a little lost due to circumstances in the first book. Even though she's off her game, you can still see the spark underneath. In my opinion, she had WAY more reasons and got more understanding from me as a reader for her magical mistake than Alex did. Don't get me wrong, I liked Alex, but I connected much more with Lula. I really could feel her desperation, her love, her fear - and through it all, her determination to protect everyone she loves. Any character that I want as a friend IRL is a win in my book.

WHAT I DIDNT: Just kidding. Nothing. I gave this book 5 stars for a reason. I LOVED IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I have no complaints.

To sum it all up: same message, much different story. If you need a story that literally screams BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, this is the series for you. I'm hoping there will be a third installment from the third sister's perspective - I'm so anxious to learn more about Rose! Guys, I loved these books. Pick them up. You won't regret it. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this incredible story.

Bruja Born releases June 5th.

If I could tell you just one thing about Bruja Born, its that this book is nearly un-putdownable! Our main character, Lula, is scarred both physically and emotionally from her past. When she is suddenly in a terrible accident with a bus load of people, including her boyfriend, Macks, she finds herself caught up with the goddess of death and the plot only thickens from there. This book had nearly every member of the paranormal you can think of: vampires, zombies, shifters, and more. But ultimately, beyond any powers or magic, is the strong bond of love between the sisters Lula, Alex, and Rose. These three--and their entire family--are on such an incredible journey and are willing to sacrifice so much for each other it just makes these books so great to read.

This book was way better than book one in my opinion. However, like the last book, the pacing doesn't flow as nicely as I'd like. It moved slow despite there never being an empty moment? However, the second half picked up and I was a lot more invested. I appreciated the consequences the characters had to deal with. But throughout it all, family is there, even though secrets were kept, which could have prevented a lot of this book. Lula as a main character was one I knew I'd love even from Labyrinth Lost. Again, she made mistakes, but it was a dark time for her, she starting thinking of herself and we see her as a complex person. Even characters from the last book who I was indifferent to became characters I love a lot. This book has made me a fan of the series and I'm excited for book three.

Only Zoraida could make me read and love a book featuring the not quite dead. The sisters are as charming and feisty and enchanting as ever. Those who loved Labyrinth Lost will love Lula’s story as well. I cannot wait to read the next story which I hope will feature sweet Rose.

Bruja Born is dark and I say that in the best way possible. Where Labyrinth Lost felt like a fun adventure with Romance, Bruja Born is about a curse and good intentions (and bad judgement). But most of all it is about sisters and their bonds and that is what has drawn me to this series. I couldn't help but compare Lula and Alex while reading especially in the beginning and finding Lula's story slightly lacking in comparison. These are very different girls with different beliefs and powers and connections to their magic and once I reconciled all that I came to appreciate Lula's journey in its own, different way. Her connection to her deos is beautiful and my favorite part of her story.
The only thing I do wish is that we got more of a sense of who Maks was before he died (not a spoiler it's right there in the description of the book!) because I felt like I never really knew who he was before. Also I know this series is all about the brujas, but I'm really going to need Nova to get his own book.

Thank you to Netgally and Sourcebooksfire for my ARC in exchange for a honest review!!!



“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.”



WOW…wow…WOW!!! This book.

We follow Lula Mortiz, sister to Alex Mortiz. If you read Labyrinth Lost we all know about Alex.  Bruja Born is titled the second book to Labyrinth Lost, but if you read Bruja Born first you won’t be lost in the history of the Mortiz girls.  

I should start off that I read this book in about 6 hours. I could not put it down! I love Zoraida’s writing style. She keeps everything moving, and I had no slow reading spats in Bruja Born. There are plenty of big surprises that jump at you and leave you wanting more of the world Zoraida has created. I will say that I loved this book more then Labyrinth Lost. Maybe it was the setting? Maybe Zoraida just grabs her readers and makes you want to visit her made up world? I dunno, but you need to read this book! Bruja Born was, is everything a Bruja (Witch) novel should be. All you teen witch authors out there…take notes because The Mortiz girls are coming for ya!



***RATING***

5/5 stars because I want to read this over and over.

I really liked this second book in this series, but not quite as much as the first book. The first book had Alex, Lula’s sister, as the main character, and I found that I connected better with her than with Lula. Everything else that I loved about the first book was here in this second one though, so it is still a really good read.

Lula was a bit hard for me to connect to. At first I just felt sorry for her, but she was also a bit whiney and self centered for me. She has some lingering issues stemming from the first book, but didn’t want to deal with them or let her sister’s help her with them. Some of her decisions throughout the book also bothered me. Yes it would be hard to lose someone you love, and if I had the power of healing like she does, I might want to do what she does, but really? She does try hard to fix her mistakes but she does put a lot of people in danger in the process.

Maks also didn’t connect for me, nor their relationship. Even before he became a casimuerto, I didn’t like him. I did feel a bit sorry for him though, he was so lost through out most of the book, but by the end, I was done with him and didn’t feel much for him.

Except for not liking Lula and Maks very much the rest of the story was great. I continue to enjoy the sister bond and all that that entails. Rose, the younger sister, played an interesting role in this book I’m looking forward to a book from her perspective. The casimuertos were a very interesting take on the whole zombie world. Lady de la Muerta was also a fascinating character and the lore we learned surrounding the other deos was rich and amazing. The whole world that has been created has grown larger with witch hunters, vampires and others in the supernatural world making appearances. I kind of missed that they didn’t go anywhere like they did in the first book, but the urban fantasy aspect of this book was good too. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Nova as well, he was one of my favorite characters from the first book, and although he is involved, I would have liked to seen more.

The overall plot of this book was good. Lula’s journey of self discovery and eventually acceptance of who she is was well done. There were some plot points that I didn’t agree with and some I didn’t think were necessary, but it was overall a fast paced and had some awesome action sequences.

If you liked the first book you will enjoy this one as well. I don’t think it is necessary to read these in order, although it is helpful because there are references to events in the first book that would be hard to understand.

Wow okay... this was SO much better than the first. I loved the change of scenery. Everything was just on such a bigger, grander scale. The way magic is woven throughout this story is so original. I also really loved Lula, I thought she was so much more complex and real. Oh and the teen zombies? I'm so here for it. This was fabulous.

Labyrinth Lost was one of my favorite reads from last year, and I was more than ready to return to the world of the Brooklyn Brujas. As such, I had high hopes that I would love Bruja Born just as much Labyrinth Lost. I did have one minor issue with it (more on that later). That being said, it was still such a fabulous story full of magic, family, and mayhem.

Lula Mortiz appeared in the last book, but wasn’t on-page much due to the circumstance surrounding the story of Labyrinth Lost. I remember her sister, Alex more, because she was the main character. So, I was excited to see that Lula was getting her own story. What I initially remembered about Lula was that she was a healer who seemed sure of her place in the world as well as confident in her magical capabilities. Bruja Born had a different Lula, and if you’ve read Labyrinth Lost you’ll understand what I mean. At the start of the story, she comes off as bit selfish and self-absorbed. She was readily willing to ignore the pain of others because she felt like they owed her. There was a point where her selfishness and refusal to accept what happened—as well as attempting to ignore what was really going on—kind of irritated me after a while. However, I also got that that pattern of behavior had a place in the story. Lula was supposed to be different and hurt in so many ways. So her willingness to cling to the one thing she perceived as being the most good and stable aspect in her life was believable.

Bruja Born was story about magic, family, and choices. Choices are tricky. Some are right, others are wrong, some are mistakes and you don’t even realize it until later. And the story of Bruja Born illustrates how a split second decision, a moment of desperation, can have unforeseen and lasting consequences. It was also kind of a coming of age type story. Lula had to grow up and understand her mistakes and be held accountable for her actions, as well as learning to let go of the past—no matter how painful—in order to move forward. So, despite my irritation at some of the things that happened, as far as the story overall, Bruja Born was amazing.

It was also nice getting to see some familiar faces from Labyrinth Lost like Rishi, Nova, and others. I also liked the new characters who were introduced, and I have my fingers crossed that they’ll make another appearance in the next book.

I’ll read the next book in the series since the story seems like it’s going to focus on Rose. I’m looking forward to that...

Disclaimer: This copy of the book was provided by Sourcebooks Fire via Netgalley for this review.

I adored Bruja Born. Everything I loved from the first came back, even better and bigger than before. And at the same time Córdova raises the bar even higher, surpassing my high expectations and delivering a fantastic sequel. I can’t believe I waited so long to read these, but now that I have, I am fully on board.

So I’m going to list the five reasons I loved Bruja Born better than Labyrinth Lost.

Sisters. I will read anything with sisters. Seriously. I am trash for sisters. I’m not sure if it’s because I have a sister, or because I am transfixed by the idea of family – being adopted. But whatever it is, I’m there. And we get to know more about Lula and Rose.
Córdova has some really succinct and poignant writing. There are just sentences that stop me in my tracks. Writing like this deserves to be read. It deserves to be read aloud and put in frames and on cards. Make them all for me, okay? Thanks! Re-reading all my notes, my book is littered with highlights.
There is fantastic tension on the pages. It’s like a rippling of consequences, a tsunami brewing and all the ways we dive into trouble for love head first without an escape plan. What we will do and sacrifice for love is a huge theme in this book. It’s one of my favorite themes!

Lula feels like an outsider. After Alex gains newfound Encantrix powers have scarred her more than her healing abilities can fix, Lula just wants to be comforted by her family. Thank the Deos for Maks, her boyfriend who sees the best in her and brings a spark of light to her life. Then a bus crash changes everything. All of her classmates are dead, including Maks. With her powers Lula can resurrect Maks, even if she needs the help of her sisters in order to defy Death. Magic that defies the laws of the deos is unpredictable and dangerous. When it's all said and done, though, Maks isn't the only one that's back.

Bruja Born (Brooklyn Brujas #2) by Zoraida Córdova is a fantastic sequel to Labyrinth Lost. In fact, I definitely preferred this sequel to book one. Labyrinth Lost was good and very promising, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. However, I needed to return to the world that Córdova created because her world-building is top notch. As much as I enjoyed exploring the world of Los Lagos the first time around, I loved exploring the sisters' expanding world at home seeing more of the magic they're capable of since they've really started to come into their own. Without the Alice in Wonderland major inspiration, this novel is able to stand more on its own two feet. Honestly, I think I prefer Lula more than Alex as the leading perspective character. I found myself much more invested in Lula and her story rather than Alex who sometimes fell a bit short for me. Lula goes through a lot here, and as far as I'm concerned she's more realistic and relatable overall despite her flaws. My one favorite "cameo" in this story is at the 26% - Adam Silvera get a shout out! Finally, I just want to mention that this novel is more a companion to book one rather than a direct sequel. You wouldn't necessarily need to be familiar with Labyrinth Lost to appreciate Bruja Born, but honestly it just makes the story more intriguing to know the characters, world, and everything the Moritz family has been through.

Overall, Bruja Born hooked me right from the get go. I'm can't wait to see book three - and, of course, I expect it's going to feature Rose, the third Moritz sister, who has psychic abilities. I'm also looking forward to seeing more of the Thorne Hill Alliance and the Knights of Lavant in the next book. In the meantime, though, I will need to pick up the Cordova's other fantasy series, The Vicious Deep to tide myself over. If you're a fan of dark YA urban fantasies, witches, magic, you'll need to try this companion novel.

One of the things author Zoraida Córdova does best is to describe relationships: between sisters, between mothers and daughters, between daughters and their father, between teenaged friends. In her latest book, Bruja Born, all of those interactions are vividly three-dimensional. Add magic, mystery, heart-racing action, and more magic, and you have a wonderful sequel to Labyrinth Lost.

I loved this book so much. It's so, so great to read not only POC rep, but also LGBTQ+ rep, and therefore see myself represented on the page. I'm very happy to have read this.

Since Lulas life was ripped from the roots it hasn't been the same. Seeing her boyfriend impaled and Lady de la Muerte in the same day doesn’t seem to help things. There are perks to being a bruja, Lula is a healer after all. She can fix this…or can she? Rational or not she's willing to protect the boy she loves, no matter the cost. This is a great fast paced book full of suspense, action and magic.