Cover Image: Juan Pablo and the Butterflies

Juan Pablo and the Butterflies

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Member Reviews

This book follows a young boy who is being hunted by a cartel. He is on the run with his childhood best friend. The story arc and the plot are simple. Get to safety. There is a constant hum of adrenaline in the back of your mind as you read this.

However, within that plot, the story lacks complexity. It feels very face value. The parallels and symbolism are spoon fed to you. Instead of creating the mystery that allows a reader to connect points and ideas on their own, they are listed. Instead of allowing the reader to realize that Juan Pablo's intuition may be coming from his grandmother, Flowers tells us that immediately. It makes the book feel bland and choppy. There was also not a lot of setting built up. I found that I had no idea what the setting looked like until a particular element served a purpose. Oh there are cliffs here? I thought we were in open desert. Open desert? When did we leave the woods?

I think this might have worked better as a short story. The book lacks complexity and depth for a full novel, but if edited and constructed a bit differently, the same messages and story could have been delivered more smoothly.

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As Europeans we forgot or have no idea of the lives of South Americans and why so many flee to the USA. This novel makes it very clear the human cost of lawlessness and gun culture and their impact on the most vulnerable in society.

It is notable that the only adults in the village are grandparents and the men are all in gangs. One explanation we are given is from a boy who tells how he was kept alive only to join the gang otherwise he would die. A horrid choice, luckily he escaped. It is reminiscent of Apartheid, which is the best documented for us to understand the life laid out for Juan Pablo.

Almost all in Juan Pablo's village have run away from the threat of a gang's arrival. Only he and his best friend, Rocio, remain with one grandparent each, who is to ill to leave.

In a bid to get away he accidentally poisons the gang members. Ensue a mad scramble to escape for the teenagers on thier own. Both. Grandparents having passed away. they are guided only by butterflies and JP's grandmother's teachings.

Follow them as they strive to find refuge with her mother and his father in America.

This is a must read for all to understand the plight of those who are still oppressed in this modern age of enlightenment.

I could not put it down but when I did I was reluctant to find out what the next crisis was. Well worthy of reading and debating the cost of conflict and instability around the world.

This was beautifully written and the beliefs conveyed in a very sensitive way. An understanding of Mexican life through JP's memories of his grandmother's teaching is enlightening for the reader.

I was given the novel free by netgalley.com for my fair and honest review.

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Juan's hometown in Mexico is no longer safe. He and her neighbour Rocio has to flee to America, following the butterflies, Juan to find his father and Rocio to her mother. They face many obstacles along the way before they finally reach America.

This story has potential and great plot. The involvement of the butterflies to the course of the story makes it interesting. But, since the beginning, it felt like some parts are missing. With clearer characters' background, world building, and connection with Juan's father, this could be an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily read and review a free copy of this book provided via NetGalley.

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Although the world-building and character relationships were gripping to read, I often felt that the writing was quite choppy. I also found the story to be a bit of a mess and that some plot holes still needed to be filled. However, the story itself was brilliant. Sure, it's not exactly the most original writing compared to fifty years of Hollywood movies that surely come out every two years. However, I have to say that it was just as good as sitting in a theatre and drinking in the sweet, sweet action.

I suppose the only thing lacking from this story was more characters. I felt myself wanting more, more, more by the end. I felt the need to tug myself back into this world and to take these adventures with the characters again in hopes that there were different outcomes.

I definitely recommend this book especially for people who love action, comedy, drugs, and friendships that truly do show you the other side.

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I really enjoyed this book. I found myself rooting for Juan to get away from the drug cartels. My kind of story!

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This jewel of a novel was quite the surprise for me. I didn't know what to think before reading it and had put it aside a few times before starting to read it. The writing was amazing and raw. I felt for Juan Pablo and Rocio as they ran from the drug cartels. I am so glad that I finally got around to reading this!

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