Magic schools are making a comeback in young adult lit right now (THANK GOD), and Lobizona should be at the top of any magic enthusiast’s list. This story is both breathlessly, immediately real and ethereal, dealing with heavy topics like racism, patriarchal sexism, and the fear of “the other” while also juggling a fantasy-bent narrative that promises to enchant. Enlightening without being pedantic and introducing a fresh magical folklore onto the shelves of readers, this book (and its GORGEOUS cover) deserves a place on your nightstand.

Noticeably, we are merging into an era where references to a certain magical wizarding school is abundant and has become such a pinnacle piece of knowledge for determining characters. (and hey, I am not complaining! I love it). However, Romina Garber has given us more than just a silly pop-culture tidbit as so many authors have done before for simple humor. Instead, she has given readers a new home. A new place of magic where anyone can come in and find their new family and want to stay.

And it is gorgeous.

Lobizona takes such care to enrich readers with cultural details that only Garber with her own experiences can give. Those emotions and love for two homes bleeding out on to the pages here with true heart. But, just how our main character, Manu, must rise above her insecurities in believing herself unwanted, so to must the reader fight to get through the beginning of this book.

Despite understanding and knowing the message the author wanted to portray, without Manu having a real tangible personality until she arrives at the academy– it all fell flat in a way that had the narration just telling me what was happening emotionally instead of allowing me to have reason to invest in it. Making it a chore of trudging through the opening chapters of this book. Which is a shame since everything that comes after increasingly gets more exciting as we learn more about this new world and magic system.

On top of that, although I admire it, the spanish in the beginning however inclusive and centrally important to building Manu’s home life – wasn’t always translated. And despite Garber very cleverly translating or explaining most of it, there are still instances where the lines become skippable and unimportant. Additionally, as the story progresses the use of the language, outside of the vocab words the reader learns, lessens more and more regardless of there being even more of a reason to speak it. Essentially, it felt off-balanced from beginning to end. Though, I can’t say it was wholly a disappointing thing. Some of the lines Garber gives us once Manu gets to the academy are precious and beautiful in their rarity. But why build up such a multi-lingual world only to give and take the value?

Aside from that, Manu as a character was often clueless. I could forgive her for not knowing things because she was never told. Even if I had a very hard time believing that she just thought it normal to have stronger senses than those around her. Yet, she never once thought that maybe the myths and bedtime stories about witches and werewolves could be true to herself, and the lame excuses she gives for it pales in humor as we as readers obviously know what’s actually happening.

But, what I couldn’t forgive from this and what honestly drove me to pulling out my hair, is whenever we’re on the very cusp of finding out prevalent information to things– Manu quite literally changes the topic each time. Seemingly oblivious to the fact she just interrupted someone about to give her advice. Often leaving dialogue clunky in other areas as information is pushed out all out once or sometimes leaving key plot point revelations coming out too expectedly or with a choppy flow to them without room to expand in their predeposited point in the story.

Regardless, even with all that said, I really enjoyed this book. It covers so many themes from immigration to sexism without being too overly in your face about it. Additionally, I’m excited to read on into a second book for more reasons than just finding out what happens to Manu, but also for seeing more interactions between her and her pack of eccentric friends and new found family.

But also, can I just say that I want my own wolf shadow? Those things were honestly TOO cute! I don’t need bruja magic if I can get an adorable shadow.

A timely, well-written use of werewolf-as-analogy that was genuinely refreshing and unflinchingly political.

That said, at times, the plot (especially once Manu meets the other Septimuses) kinda drags and the world-building, while well-imagined, can be a little confusing and hard to keep up with, and I was bummed about what felt like a very abrupt ending. But I'm definitely looking forward to more from this series and from Romina Garber.

(Also, god, what a beautiful cover).

A Latinex Harry Potter, but rather than wizards they’re werewolves, Lobizona blends genre conventions to enchant readers with this Argentinian fused sultry magical drama.

Cecelia Beckman, Sheaf & Ink

My Thoughts
Before reading the synopsis I was drawn in by the cover. You’re instantly taken by the dark uncanny imagery. The design of the cover entails a young girl with hair that flows into wild untamed foliage. Her unusual eyes as gold as the sun. It’s a breathtaking image.

Once I read the synopsis I was hooked. My goal as a reader is to immerse myself into novels that have roots in more diverse soil. Where these novels are also written by diverse authors. And this novel is one of them. Written by an Argentinian, Garber infuses her story with rich details of Argentinian folklore. She includes Spanish speaking characters and the paralyzing reality of undocumented immigrants.

Lobizona captivated from the very first chapters. Manu’s anxiety, her alienation from the world. How she escaped her reality. Diving into the novels she read in droves and her awareness of her own body was refreshing. It isn’t often authors focus on what young girls go through on a monthly basis. Or how it affects their lives on a regular basis is something readers will identify and appreciate.

Garber also vividly depicts a stifling world where no one sees Manu for who she is, constantly having to hide herself in order to live a semi-normal life. She uses themes of gender identity, racial and gender inequality, and acceptance, weaving them into her story, magnified by the experiences Manu encounters throughout the novel.

Although Garber does not go into great detail of the magical school as J.K. Rowling does for Hogwarts in her Harry Potter series: the intricacies of the day-to-day life of a student and staff, you still have this vivid visual of Lobizona’s magical school itself along with the relatable teenage drama.

I did have a few concerns. The pacing of the plot at times seemed rushed or confusing. When the setting transitioned from Miami to the magical realm there seemed to be a disconnect, where I had to go back and read to ensure where I was within the story.

Where it felt most rushed was during transitional periods of the school weeks. I felt here there were missed opportunities. Garber had moments where she could have dove deeper into the mythology and founding of the school. While also exploring more of the classes preparing students to enter society as a werewolf or witch.

All in all I enjoyed reading this book. My hope is Lobizona will reach a larger audience. An audience who will appreciate the beauty and wonder Garber builds. Along with the fascinating cultural aspects imbued by the rich and sumptuous details that make this a satisfying read.

Happy Reading ̴ Cece

Lobizona is everything 15 year old me dreamed of -- and more. I wish I had this book back then, because I know I would become its number one fan and teen marketer.

Lobizona is inherently Latinx and filled with feminist analogy. I haven't read much YA written from a Argentinian MC's perspective so it was great to learn about Argentina and see all of the little quirks that make Manuela so great.The author does not shy away from "taboo" topics in YA like periods. I adored that the main character's power was in a way activated by this. There was something very primal and rooted in creation about it that i really loved. The descriptions throughout this novel are also so, so, great, I loved learning about the world alongside Manuela.

Undocumented. Unprotected. Unafraid.

It's been awhile since I picked up a fantasy novel, but this one was written by Romina Garber and it did not disappoint. Lobizona is based on Argentinian folklore with lobizones and brujas.

Manu and her mom are undocumented immigrants from Argentina living in Miami and are constantly in fear of deportation. Manu knows that she is different, but discovers that her mom has been hiding a secret from her about her own identity. Manu has been hiding who she is her entire life and finally has a chance to be herself in a place filled with magic.

This book centers strong POC characters and addresses misogyny, homophobia, the struggles that undocumented immigrants face and the idea of home. I loved this one and am really hoping there is a sequel.

Thanks so much @rominagarber
@netgalley and @wednesdaybooks for this ARC. Lobizona comes out on August 4, 2020. 🌙

Review can be found at https://instagram.com/p/B_lSajfgRSg/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51179882

This book was an incredibly moving and powerful read. I don’t want to give too much away but the main characters growth was incredibly well written and beautifully woven throughout the narrative.

I do not believe I am particularly qualified to be reviewing this in any matter that should be taken seriously.

First of all, I am not Latinx, so while I think this was a unique and powerful way to explore immigration and the (horrible) concept of a person being illegal and this exploration was the highlight of the book for me, I cannot speak for this. Nor can I speak for the integration of Latinx (especially Argentinian) culture into the book. I appreciated both those aspects, but please read Latinx reviewers' reviews for more discussion on that!

While I personally did not necessarily enjoy this book, because it just took a lot of tropes I personally don't like or that rub me the wrong way and pushed them together, I know there are people out there who will love it. I know I am not the voice that should be saying what this book has or lacks where other people can hear, so please keep that in mind when considering this review.

What a wild ride this story was. Thank you to NetGalley and Alexis Neuville with St. Martin’s Press for providing me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I completely fell in love with this story within the first chapter. Manu’s struggle of being undocumented in the U.S. was heartbreaking. It’s something that happens to people every single day in this country and it’s absolutely horrible. Manu struggles with this, but loves her mother and respects her mother’s wishes. I loved Manu’s relationship with her mother. They were very close, despite the secrets between them. I was a little sad we didn’t get to see them together after they were separated when ICE took Manu’s mother away. But their love for one another was so obvious, it warmed my heart.
After ICE takes Manu’s mother, Manu finds herself in a world that was supposed to only be a myth. She lies her way into a school for Septimus. After becoming roommates with the headmistress’s daughter, Cata. Cata’s best friend, Saysa, decides Manu is going to be in their friend group. Saysa’s brother, Tiago (who I couldn’t figure out for way too long if he was Saysa’s brother or Cata’s brother) is a part of that group too. He’s the alpha of the pack and takes Manu under his wing. This romance was clear from the start and I really didn’t care for it because at their school everyone knows that Tiago and Cata are end game (but we find out some things that made this untrue and made me okay with their relationship). Though things weren’t kittens and rainbows when Manu first arrived, the four of them developed and really solid relationship and I absolutely loved it. I loved that Manu finally felt like she had found the place she belonged. Sadly, this didn’t last long before she learned that once again, she was something that wasn’t supposed to exist, wasn’t allowed. I really liked that this book point blank discussed that immigration issues within the U.S. but it also talks about the struggle within a fantastical world. The world of the Septimus is a backwards one. Men are werewolves and women are witches, there’s no room for discussion of changing these gender roles what so ever. Those in charge of Septimus are very strict in their thinking and the last person that tried to change the ways of the Septimus was Manu’s father, who Manu believed to be dead until she heard the rumors at her new school. I really liked the full circle of Manu trying to become the change right where her father left off.
Many people had issues with the fantasy world, but I really loved it. I really loved the comparison to Harry Potter and that the author had Manu be a fierce lover of the story so that Manu made the comparisons before the reader could. I thought it was an interesting world, hidden within the world we know today.
Overall, this book was heartbreaking but also incredibly fun. The found family was so wonderful, but there were also strong family values and I loved those too. The conversation this story brings to the table is a hard one but a necessary one. I really hope that so many other people will enjoy this book as much as I did.

I've long been a sucker for any kind of werewolf story, so I looked forward to reading this book, the first in a new series b tased on Argentine folk lore. Hidden away in Miami, Manu and her mother live illegally in the United States, on the run from connections to her infamous father and also hiding from ICE. But nearly seventeen at the book's open, Manu begins to chafe at the constant restrictions in her life. But she doesn't seriously rebel until one fateful day turns her entire world upside down.

The book takes a little while to really get going. And once it does, it follows some familiar young adult fantasy tropes - a school, a love triangle, the search for information on her parents' past - but these don't really detract from the story in their familiarity. If anything, this is when the pacing really picks up. I love the werewolf angle - and the romance works well, too.

The book ends on a pretty serious cliffhanger in a lot of ways, with the ending serving more as a temporary respite than a genuine solution. I am definitely curious to see where the rest of the series will go! I think that this will be a definite discussion starter amongst its readers, too!

The concept of this book drew me into it right away. Often realistic, contemporary problems are reserved for realistic, contemporary books. “Supernatural” tends to invoke images of escapism. But Lobizona by Romina Garber deals with a real, heart-wrenching modern issue, and at the same time, introduces a mystical element that takes the protagonist Manu on an incredible journey of resolve-building and self-discovery.

At the start of the story, Manu is focused on staying hidden from ICE, which is especially challenging given that her eyes look so different from anyone else’s. She also receives special pills from her mother that cause her to sleep during the most painful parts of her monthly cycle. But Manu soon discovers that her family has deep, even magical, secrets that she must uncover. And the medicine she’s been receiving may have other purposes. Manu sets out on a journey to learn who (and what) she is and to find her father, who might have the answers she’s looking for.

The book is quite lengthy, which I’m all for if the story demands it. But at times Lobizona felt like a brilliant short novel that had been asked if it could please stay on stage just a little longer. Manu’s inner monologue stretches–she’ll have a thought or a question, take an action, and then repeat that same thought or question. Sometimes events are repeated in short succession, such as when certain characters distract a group the same way twice in a single scene. The length of time it takes Manu to realize and accept that there are supernatural forces also felt a bit drawn out, although this certainly isn’t an issue unique to Lobizona. It’s a common dilemma in urban fantasy: the audience knows magic exists, but the protagonist doesn’t. It’s hard to hold readers in suspense when something strange happens–we know why it’s happening, after all–and yet, we still want the protagonist to react in a believable way.

With that criticism out of the way, however, there is a lot to admire in this book. I enjoyed seeing Manu’s growth from someone who always let others make decisions for her to someone who takes initiative and owns it. She quickly became a character I could cheer for. I also thought the integration of Spanish within the text and dialogue was very well done. I loved the insights as to why a character might choose to speak in one language or the other in any given situation. My Spanish is strong enough that I usually got the gist of what was being said, but I always appreciated the way Manu translated in her head. It came off as a natural thing she might do, rather than a translation for the benefit of the audience.

Overall, Lobizona is a book I recommend. It’s a story that’s long overdue on the shelves, both for its willingness to tackle real-world issues within a supernatural setting and for its diverse cast and unique ideas.

The premise of the novel is intriguing – teenaged Manuela is an undocumented immigrant from Argentina, living with her mother in Miami. Her mother isolates her in their apartment until one day ICE arrives, spiralling Manu’s life into a direction she never expected (into magic, in this case).

I’ll begin with what I enjoyed. The best thing about this novel is its blatantly unapologetic focus on Latinx culture and mythology while being approachable to anyone. The book raises (valid) points about how dehumanizing the word “illegal” is and how unempowered it can make people. I found the parallels between Manuela’s “magical” illegality and her status in the United States to be poignant (yet heavy-handed, which attribute to it being YA). And while I appreciated the attempts at dismantling patriarchy and gender roles in regular society by depicting an even stricter set of norms in the magical society, it too felt rather didactic (but, again, perhaps not to a YA audience).

The book was very easy to read, the setting is well-described, and the first quarter was engrossing. Unfortunately, where it took a downturn for me was when Manu’s story entered magical realism.

I’m not fond of this genre. In fact, I’d rate it as one of my least favourites. I’m also not a huge YA person. I’ll admit, I did not realize this was YA when I requested it on NetGalley (I believe I was swayed by the gorgeous cover). I was expecting an adventure with horror aspects (given there’s werewolves). Yet, these things wouldn’t have mattered if the novel hadn’t fallen into cliché YA tropes.

I give YA novels some leniency regarding tropes when it comes to narrative craft, but at the same time, my personal enjoyment of the novel faded when I could see every plot twist and character development coming.

This novel includes:
- A “chosen one” concept.
- “Instalove” with the popular boy (but something vague is keeping them apart!)
- mean-popular-girl-turns-friend.
- a magical school that explains everything.
- the chosen one doesn’t have to train or learn to use their abilities, despite everyone else having honed their skills their entire life (this particularly irked me).
- the chosen one taking half the book to realize their true self, despite the audience already knowing it because it’s the title of the book.

Despite these tropes, the novel is easy to read and moves at a fast, fun pace, so I wasn’t bored or struggling to finish it. I just wasn’t engaged.

Would I recommend it to my daughter when she’s 14 or so? Definitely! But for an old lady like me, it's a bit too formulaic.

(There also seems to be a trend now where authors are leaving their novels unresolved to force you to read the series. I understand wanting to encourage repeat sales, but having your novel end on a cliff-hanger, without stating in the blurb that it’s part of series, is downright annoying and bordering on cheap. This didn’t affect my rating, but I wish publishing companies would stop pushing this marketing tactic.)

Lobizona is 100% my favorite read of 2020! This book addresses serious topics such as the struggles of undocumented immigrants, homophobia, and misogyny, while also delivering a fascinating magical world full of brujas and lobizones. I adore this book and I need the sequel immediately!

Welcome to a magical world based on Argentinian folklore that's like Harry Potter but add in more werewolves! (And that cover 😍)

Manu has always felt different- forced to wear sunglasses over her stunning, bright eyes that don't look human. An undocumented girl in the US, constantly hiding from ICE.

She is swept into a new world in a search for her missing father. Where there are (always women) witches and (always men) werewolves..... Or is that entirely true?

Armed with new friends in the world of Septimas , Manu will need to navigate her new being while being forced to hide once again. Yet you know at the end that she will go about bringing change!

I loved this magical tale and am excited for book #2!

“It’s about everyone who doesn’t fit inside the box they were born into.”

I did not want this book to end—I wanted to exist in this world forever! This is a beautiful story about a girl searching for her identity when all she feels is that she doesn’t belong.

All her life Manu has known she was different, but as her world falls apart when her mother is arrested by ICE, she is left with even more questions about who, and what, she is. As Manu begins to uncover secrets, and the Argentine folklore she grew up knowing becomes reality, Manu begins to discover who she really is—and that she may be the answer to a long awaited uprising.

Lobizona is an enchanting story that unfolds perfectly, as the author builds and creates a spectacular world that you want to get lost in. This was a story I found myself binging well into the wee hours of the morning because I was in-vest-ed, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

This book has it all: fantasy, mystery, adventures, love, friendship, loyalty; but most of all, it’s a story of equality, tolerance and empathy. I felt it all when I read this book!

If you want a book with a magic world steeped in rich culture and tackles relevant societal issues, pick up lobizona

Lobizona begins in modern day Florida where Manuela Azul lives in an apartment with her mother and surrogate grandmother. We learn that Manuela doesnt leave much, not even for school, due to two important factors: 1) she is an undocumented Argentinian immigrant 2) her unique golden eyes make her noticeable. And to her attention brings scrutiny & with it deportation.

One day the clinic her mother works at is raided by ICE and Manuela's world changes. She learns that her mother was hiding more secrets than she knew and their is a whole world outside the one she was brought up in. Manuela finds herself in the Everglades & she discovers a magical school.

She soon learns this school is filled with people with eyes like hers, eyes she thought were unique. She learns secrets her mother kept from her. Theres more to her father than she was told. More to the Argentinian superstitions. Witches and werewolves exist. But not everything changes for Manuela. Just like in the human world, one word follows her: illegal. In this world she is something that should not exist, just like her existence in America.
But as she tries to uncover her own story, she has something she never had in the human world: friends and a sense if belonging.

Important discussions in the book:
-"illegal" status
-gender roles/constructs in society

Tropes:
-magical school
-chosen one
-insta love

Lobizona is a story that I loved specifically for the rich culture and social commentary. And as someone who hasn't read fantasy in years, it made me want to pick it up all over again. I cant wait for book two.

This book really dove into some of the issues of today's world, all while painting a wonderful paranormal picture.

Wow, just wow. This book jumps right into the action. I felt the terror of being chased by ICE in the begging of the story. The author really painted the picture of what the character was going through and it made me understand more of what its like to live in this constant fear. There was a nice use of Spanish phrases, that were explained in a way that didn't make me feel like I was being lectured.

As the book progressed into the paranormal side, the character finds herself in a similar situation in the paranormal world, where she has to hid who she is to fit in. It was incredible to see how the two stories overlaid each other, different, but similar.

The world was interesting and unique. Bringing to life the witches and werewolves we all know and love, but in a new way that I haven't heard it told.

This was a great read. I can't wait for the sequel.

My review will go live on the Book Confessions blog on 7-28-20.

First of all, thank you to Wednesday Books for an ARC of Lobizona!

Manuela has spent her whole life hiding. Raised in Miami, she and her mom are undocumented immigrants, and to top it all off, Manuela's eyes are strange, golden suns with stars at their center. She and her mom stay with Perla, an older Argentine woman who took them in years ago and helped teach Manuela. Every full moon, Manuela gets her period and she experiences lunaritis, a 3-day stretch of time where she is sedated because of excruciating pain.

When Perla is attacked, Manuela flees to her mom, forced to run again when ICE is tipped on the business her mom has been quietly working. With nowhere else to go, Manu follows the man she saw attack Perla to a secret academy where brujas (witches) and lobizones (werewolves) go. With nowhere else to turn to, she sneaks in.

Lobizona is touted as a Harry Potter with Argentine folklore and modern challenges face undocumented immigrants. I really liked what Romina Garber was trying to do, but did it come across well?

I had some difficulty getting into the book. I'm not sure if it's just a probelm of flow or if it had something to do with the writing style, but I literally had to force myself through this book. There were sections where I just skimmed pages to get through it because I was bored, but I wanted to at least hit the halfway mark, because some other reviews mentioned it picked up there.

And it did, and I really started to enjoy the story. Without spoling anything, I'm going to let you figure out why the book is titled Lobizona when lobizones is the plural male word for werewolves. Did I spoil it for you? Good, because it does that on its own!

Ugh, I know I'm being harsher than usual, but this book was just trying to be so many things. It wanted to be the feminist Harry Pottter with LatinX characters, but it just felt so forced for me. To top it all off, it has LGBTQ representation, but oh, wait, it happens in the last 40 pages, and there were never any clues hinting that the characters were LGBTQ. Ugh, I just...there's also a scene at the end with the MC, and it mentions phrases like "alpha" and "dominance" and it's trying to be sexy, but it felt so WRONG. I had my husband read it to make sure I wasn't seeing something that wasn't there, and he said it seemed creepy and domineering, and to fit this into a story trying to have a feminist agenda? It felt so very wrong. The world Manu steps into is ruled by gender, and to be honest, it bothered me the whole book.

I dunno, everyone. I was really bothered by this book. I'm all for books telling us the difficulty of feeling like you never beong, and enlightening the world on the lives many undocumented immigrants live, but this just didn't sit right with me at all.

I recieved an early earc from netgalley for an honest review.
Manu is a illegal immigrant along with her mother who had to run away from her father's crimes in Argentina. They end up in Miama hiding in her surrogate grandmothers house and events happen changing Manu life forever.
I enjoyed this story and all the plot twist that revieled themselves through the story. Our main character is strong, hard headed, and loyal to those she loves. She will do absolutely anything to get her family back together all while discovering who she truly is.
I loved the friendship and the bond they all grew together. This story teaches many lessons of friendship, feminism, loyalty and love. I highly recommend this book and can not wait to get a hard copy when it is released.

THIS IS A TRANSLATED VERSION FROM MY REVIEW (ORIGINALLY IN SPANISH)

Score: 4.6 stars.

First of all, thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the Arc!
As soon as I saw the author's name, I knew I wanted to read this advanced copy. I remember with great emotion when I read Zodiac a couple of years ago.

On this occasion, Romina Garber brings us a story based on an Argentine tradition that has both mythical and real foundation. It is the decree that states that the seventh son (or daughter) of a family is adopted by the first president of the nation.

The first thing I want to say is that I love it when a book teaches me something without me expecting it. From the first pages, I learned about this decree and about the Argentine legend that gives it its origin as it is known as its real origin.

In this novel we will follow Manu, a girl brought to Miami by her mother during the first days of her life. The first problem we see here is that neither Manu nor her mother are US citizens, which means that they are illegally in the country (they do not have papers). Due to this, and because Manu has a very extreme condition in her eyes, which are yellow and that instead of circular pupils are shaped like a grayish star, the mother decides to keep her "Hidden" from the authorities and the outside world. Every time Manu goes outside, she should wear sunglasses to cover her eyes.

Lobizona has many elements of Harry Potter, I could even say that it is Latin Harry Potter, in Spanglish and with werewolves. I´m sold already for this. In addition, Romina appropriates many of these elements, adapting them to her history and making them work perfectly with the world they are creating. (I would love to visit El Laberinto).

The last 100 pages of the book are full of revelations. Information that makes the story take other directions and taking the reader to the climax of the novel. I have been very satisfied with Lobizona, I have enjoyed this book from start to finish.

I look forward to its publication and much more to its publication! I highly recommend this story to young readers, I'm pretty sure they'll enjoy every page of it. Also, every Harry Potter fan would lov this book!