I'm not completely sure what I was expecting with this book (which was a bit of a departure from some of my usual reads), but it didn't "click" with me as I'd hoped.

Some of the YA elements were solid, and I enjoyed many things about the heroine. But the fantasy elements were tired and cliched, as though the author were trying a bit too hard. Overall, I really struggled with this book.

Lobizona was heartbreaking and beautiful and I am so glad I was approved to read it. It has been one of my favorite reads on the year so far and I am already needing the next book in my life. Romina Garber draws from some of her own personal experiences which makes the book all the more touching and for some, relatable.

Manu is such a relatable character for so many different people, I feel. Her mother has kept her fairly isolated from society in hopes of protecting her from a world of judgment and crime for having beautifully unusual eyes. As Manu's story progresses you learn of her internal struggle with having to constantly be in fear of not only ICE but her fathers Argentinian crime-family. The representation within this book is beautifully done and addressed in such a raw and honest way, it was inspiriting. I feel like so many people can connect with her - if you have ever felt like you didn't fit into a certain 'bubble' or you like you didn't have a place in the world, you need to read this book. There is so much more I want to say about this book but I don't want to spoil anything. I highly suggest reading this book if you enjoy Fantasy, Argentinian Folklore and a moving story about finding your place in the world.

Lobizona made me laugh out loud, it made me reflect on my adolescent years, it made me cry in the middle of my living room and it made me grateful to have an author that would write something making so many people feel seen.

Reading Manu's story brings up issues of immigration through a fantastical lens, as well as a realistic one. The separation between the real world and the fictional is a thin line that is crossed about 1/4-1/3 of the way through and highlights similar issues between these two worlds. Between the review version (300 pages) and what seems to be the final version (400 pages) there is a lot of details that could have been added, moments that changed, or even new scenes that I didn't get in the review, but I hope are there. I feel like the beginning, which takes place in Miami, is more fleshed out than the fantastical world. It's not clear whether it's due to lack of explanation, or that it's a completely different world these characters are living in, but I felt a bit lost.

I assume, and I hope, that the fantastical world is fleshed out a bit more in the final copy. If so, then I think the book is going to connect and resonate a lot more with readers than it would right now.

Overall, I really liked the story. I'm a fan of Romina's work in general and I'm excited to see this new story come to light soon!

Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC of Lobizona, it was such a pleasant surprise to find this in my inbox!
I was so drawn into this story that I had troubles putting it down. Weaving together YA contemporary and fantasy elements influenced by Argentinian folklore, it tells the story of Manu and her family origins.
Considered an “illegal” citizen in the US she dreams of one day belonging and being able to one day start living the life she has been dreaming of. When she is drawn into a world of magic and werewolves she must decide between uncovering who she really is and wants to be, or going back to who she was.

Lobizona was so much more than I expected! I went into it knowing that it was a contemporary YA fantasy that tackled themes like immigration and that it had garnered a lot of advance praise online so I knew it had to be good, but it blew every preconceived notion and expectation I had out of the water! I loved it sooooo much, yall!

Manuela, or Manu, is an undocumented immigrant from Argentina. As a child, she escaped with her mother to the US, running from her father’s family who would likely kill them both if they ever found out that she existed.

Unfortunately, (because living in a country that isn't known for being friendly to the undocumennted, afraid of being found and deported back to a place where her own family would kill her, isn't bad enough) that's not all Manu has to worry about. She’s forced to stay cooped up in a small apartment due to a genetic condition that makes her eyes...well..stand out and would bring extremely unwanted attention should anyone see them. On top of that she spends at least three days every month knocked out cold due to the extreme pain from menstruation. I mean really, can the girl catch a dang break already? Sheesh!

No. No, she cant. Once her mom is picked up in an ICE raid, immediately after Manu discovers that she’s been lied to for years about their status, she realizes it isn't safe at home for her either and hides in the back of the truck of someone she suspects was staking out her apartment building in an attempt to find some answers about her life and why it seems to be unraveling.

"I’m a passenger not just in this vehicle, but in my body, in this country, in my life. Defined by decisions I didn’t make. My undocumented status. My father’s family. My eyes."

This girl gets put through the ringer! In all the years of her mother doing everything she thought was right just to keep them alive, Manu never had the chance to really LIVE. She's always had big dreams but didn't know anything about who she really was or what she was capable of until the crap hit the fan and she was on her own in a world she hadn't even known existed. Literally.

From one shock to another, Manu discovered just how strong she really was and it was lovely to see her come into her own and start finding her place in the world. Along the way she found out that family is defined by more than just sharing blood. Family can be found anywhere with anyone.

Romina Garner has created an incredible world with a unique spin on Argentine folklore, one that is well written and full of awesome magic and werewolves. Her characters are so wonderful and easy to relate to. There's a lot going on in this story and I felt like the pacing never faltered. Once I started, I never wanted to put it down.

More importantly, beyond those standard points of execution like writing style and plot and character development, there are layers in this story that examine a number of important themes and issues. Some are prominent, like immigration and the immigrant experience, while others are more subtle like acceptance, gender roles, love, and family.

It's just a beautiful story that grabs your attention and pulls you along on the adventure. But make no mistake, this one isn't just mindless fun; it gives the reader a glimpse of the multifaceted experience faced by so many immigrants who are always seen as "other," it makes you think, and hopefully instills some empathy and compassion.

In a word: superb!

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.**

This book is so needed, especially during this time. It's an absolutely timely, stunning, diverse, magical, powerful story that tells of Latinx folklore that blends the reality of today's treatment of Latinx folks. It's a magical and emotional and driven ride, and I can't wait for everyone to read it. Everyone needs to read it whether they know it or not. Romina Garber is a phenomenal storyteller and I can't wait to read more from her.

This novel had a lot of new things to say about belonging partially to multiple cultures and fully to none. It also closely followed a lot of YA/teen fantasy adventure/chosen one tropes—but why not? Tropes and the hero's journey may make a story's path predictable, but they're <em>fun</em>. And no one seems to mind when the story is one of the exceedingly popular ones about white males. Why shouldn't an undocumented Argentinian-American girl get a turn at bat? Although Harry Potter is the series that kept being mentioned in its pages, the book was much more like Percy Jackson—it could easily have been one of these new "Rick Riordan presents" books, except that it was a bit more young adult than middle grade.

I'm pretty sure every book I've reviewed recently I need to go back and drop a star to give them all to this book. I was absolute blown away. It takes current equal rights and immigration issues that are hard to read but important to stay aware of. The Argentinian folklore was SO intriguing and I've been looking up more about it independently from the book. I also appreciated the straight on period discussion because it needs to be normalized too!

The characters I really enjoyed and really wanted Manuela to find her place! The book is full of twists and turns. A few I really wasn't expecting!

This book felt so refreshing and new. Creative and such a breath of uniqueness to really stand out in the YA fantasy realm

Garber's novel albeit relying heavily on magical realism is painfully contemporary, poignant and sincere; I'm definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

After having read and loved the Zodiac Series, I was so excited to see that Romina was starting a new series. This book touches on an extremely relevant and tough topic of illegal immigration and deportation. Lobizona is a great Urban Fantasy novel, it takes place in Miami and another fantasy realm with Brujas and Werewolves. This is a story about equality, fighting, which are summed up in one of my favorite quotes "Gender equality and freedom of lifestyle are battles I can't take on yet, because first I need to win a different war: The right to exist." The reveal at the end was one that I didn't see coming and really took me by surprise. Lobizona is such a beautiful new novel in a new series that I can't wait to read more from.

Lobizona is the first book in a new series that combines topics of immigration into a fantasy world. The main character, Manu, lives with her mother in Miami. Manu does not attend school or really leave her house. She is under the impression that it is because of her undocumented status, as well as the unique color of her eyes that would make her stand out. Manu and her mother moved to Miami from Argentina, fleeing the dangerous family of her father. Manu doesn't learn that she is actually descended from magical beings until she tries to uncover the secrets of her past. She is thrown into the realm of werewolves and witches who live secretly around the world in magical conclaves that are hidden from view. While werewolves are always male and witches are always female, Manu doesn't quite fit in here either.

There is a lot of adventure wrapped up in the novel. It fits many of the traditional YA fantasy novels that put young kids into specific groups and houses. My favorite thing about this book is how the author addresses ideas around immigration and gender in a way that is entirely new.

For any Latinx who longed to see yourself in the halls of Hogwarts. For anyone who has felt out of place in every place you've been. For adults who spent their lives straddling two worlds, and for teens who navigate those worlds every day. For white folks like me, who have no concept of what it means to be called "illegal," who have never been hunted for merely existing. For fans of the boarding school trope, of werewolves, witches, beautiful magical worlds, and a bit of romance

Lobizona is the first book in a coming series set in two worlds: contemporary Earth, and a parallel world called Lunaris. Garber weaves into Lunaris the truths of our world and blatantly dissects them, leaving them bare and glaring. This book is at once allegory and exposition, leaving little room to wonder what the message is. As Garber says in the author's note: "When we use labels like illegal, we negate a person’s worth and humanity, and the real dangers they’re running from—dangers that are not contained by borders because they are born from ideas."

In this book, Manu navigates a life in hiding from ICE and from the people who made her father disappear. That life is further complicated by the simple fact that she is different. Not because of her skin tone or because she was born in Argentina, but because her eyes are incredibly unique and incredibly difficult to hide. When Manu finally finds here way to answers about her eyes, she learns more than she bargained for. We fallow Manu as she struggles to fit into the molds created by multiple societies, and we hope with her as she discovers more about herself and her place in the worlds she is part of.

Lobizona is equal parts Rowling's Harry Potter, Cordova's Brooklyn Brujas, and Andrews' Kate Daniels. It's a YA novel that skews young, except in a few short 'sexy' passages and in a few uses of "fuck." Definitely give it a read.

“Now go forth and shatter every convention.”

Garner has written an incredible book that weaves fantasy with important current issues. Young readers will be fascinated by Manuela’s world and will be enthralled with this magical realism story. Highly recommended.

This book is set in dual places, Miami and a series of fantastic/magical/folkloric realms that are open only during specific times of the month that correspond to moon phases.  In Miami with her mother, Manu Azul is not allowed to really leave the house or have a "normal" life.  Her mother fights to keep her protected and demands that she always wear sunglasses since Manu's eyes are quite different from everyone else's; they have large golden suns on/in them.  After threatening ICE raids on her neighborhood and building, a mysterious couple of people who seem to be spying, strange red clouds of mist, an 'attack' on her dear Perla, and her mother's secret occupation in the city Manu flees Miami and goes into the Everglades.  Once there, she enters into a different realm that isn't sticky with Florida humidity and where strange animals and insects roam.  As she enters, she is told to show her huella.  Once she begins to make friends and fall into a world she seems to fit into, chaos ensues and secrets begins to tumble out not just about her new friends and classmates, but also who Manu is and her mysterious father, Fierro.

When I read this synopsis of this book I fell in love with it and how diverse and truly magical the story seemed to be.  The author writes in her note that she was so in love with an inspired by Hogwarts, that she wanted to write something that also had the accepting and magical feel to it.  This book is somewhat successful of this, my only hesitation being that this book covers so little of the actually school where Manu ends up.  This isn't a bad thing at all, I just expect and can't wait for more books that do continue on the world building that this sort of story and setting require.  For the first book and opening of a series, this book does a great job setting the scene for both realms and introducing readers to a new and different magical/fantastical system that is based in Argentine folklore. 

On the same note, I love how lush and vibrant this world and this book are!  Garber has a skill for writing about colors and textures and describing these magical settings in ways that are almost tactile.  For me, this is something that really makes this book and story one to remember and fall in love with.  I love the way she describes even the most seemingly mundane things such as drinking yerba.  There is an intimate and deep recognition of Argentine culture and folklore and is woven throughout this story and I really appreciate those small things such as the incorporation of yerba and how the play into both the larger book and the larger Argentine culture outside of the book.  

On a similar note, the cover art for this book is some of the best and definitely one of my favorites.  It is so beautiful and packed with colors and textures.  It also makes sure to highlight Manu and her stunning eyes as well as a wolf.  The cover art helps me to imagine what the magical realms would look like, as well as steep this story even further into its folkloric roots and basis.  

As far as the story itself and the technical writing, I feel like there is a lot of intense foreshadowing about what or who Manu is with the usage of the moon phases and the weird monthly issues she has.  I did appreciate that it wasn't just stated up front though.  It an interesting story with interesting characters.  I am upset that Manu ends up falling for a guy, who also happens to be the alpha of the group.  I get it, people still want to read this storyline but I feel like more could have been done with it, especially considering who or what Manu is.  I was appreciative of the same-sex couple (although they were in secret for a long time).  I was glad to see that bit of representation, but honestly there could have been so much more.  I completely get it though, this is a first novel and there is still many other stories and characters to both tell and develop throughout.  Hopefully the representation will continue and it won't be a cut and dry male/female sort of adventure.

Lastly, something that I really appreciate was how Garber chose to talk about both history in Argentina and the current ICE raids happening in the United States.  Using media such as fiction and fantasy books is a fantastic way to bring both history and current events to readers.  It casts these subjects in lights that aren't boring and one-sided, but gives you a character to follow, connect with, and think about.  Books like this, for me, are much more successful when it comes to spreading a message or teaching a lesson either based in history or current day.  Garber makes some blatant statements in her afterward, but is also very eloquent in the book when it comes to talking about these things.  I liked that she incorporated some intense statements near the end of the book and seems to want people to think about those tough things.  There were plenty of times where I was either screenshotting a really good quote or writing down something that I wanted to remember from this book.  There really are some good pieces to keep with you all throughout this book.  

Overall, this was a fun and colorful book packed with some interesting characters, dynamic plot lines, and tons of right history and folklore related to Argentina.  It also works really hard to use a lot of Spanish and colloquialisms throughout, which really took the cake for me.  It just helped to round this story out even further and made it feel so real.  It was obvious the time and love that the author put into this book.  I feel like this book, when it is published (May 5, 2020) is set to be quite a hit.  I can't wait to see what others think about it!

This is one of the BEST books I have ever read! Not only is it prevalent to today’s world but I absolutely loved each character (well, maybe except Carlos...) and, as a woman, it made me feel like I could do anything. Thank you, Romina Garber, for writing one of the greatest books I’ve ever read. Now I just need book 2!

"Why settle for being a son of the system, when you can mother a movement"

first i want to thank Netgalley and Macmillan for the E-arc as a Hispanic i am trying to read more books written by Latinx authors and i was so happy to receive this and will be buying a physical copy when it comes out.

Lobizona is a Argentina Folklore set in our time with Werewolves and Brujas. Werewolves are only males and brujas are only female but there is Manu who is a werewolf living in hiding and doesnt even know who she is.

This read hits you with todays reality of immigrants living in fear of ICE as Manu and her mother do, also equality, and sexism is discussed in here. its what i loved about this book, even with the fantasy involved it really hit you with the ugliness that we still deal with today.

Manu doesnt know what she is until she has to run from people after her and stumbles into a magic school. She has to lie to hide her identity which leads to more problems but also helps her find who she truly is along the way. She is making a name for herself. She is a hybrid, Half werewolf half human which is illegal in the magic world so her friends do everthing to help hide her identity. The school reminded me of Hogwarts but i really dont want it to be compared to HP because this is a whole different story, a whole new world with POC characters and just all around amazing. I love the main character who never felt like she had a home only to realize she now has two homes and i love how she is discovering who she is and finding her place in both worlds.

There are queer characters in this book which i loved, i want to say more but dont want to ruin it for readers just know this is one of my newest favorite reads and i can not wait for book two! but i highly recommend this book to everyone.

I really enjoyed the way the Romina Garber told this story. Its such a great idea and so well done as well. It's also the perfect time to be telling a story like this. Manu was a fantastic character to follow and I love the way the magic was weaved into this story about immigrants and ICE. I do have to admit, the pacing was a little fast in the beginning, but it honestly works itself out as the story goes on. I think what I liked most about this book was that it wasn't afraid to tell the story.

Lobizona is a book for today, with all of the issues it so artfully explores. Yet, Romina Garber writes in a timeless and beautiful way. This is a book worthy of attention.

I really, really loved this book. Manu, the main character, is an illegal immigrant in Miami with her mother, trying to hide from her father's crime family. Her mom is taken by ICE and Manu learns that a myth from her childhood about werewolves and witches is actually all true, and she is the first female werewolf-- a lobizona. She learns that her father was a werewolf and her mother was human, which is forbidden, and means if she's found out, she's dead. She tries to uncover the truth about her father while avoiding being discovered herself, while going to a magical school for witches and werewolves. Included are lots of great characters, an engaging story, magical sexism, and a sprinkle of magic homophobia.

This book had complex emotional depth, discussing what it means to be "illegal," what it means to be "alien," and how relationships are formed. It's also a highly enjoyable fantasy. Lobizona is a fun read! The characters introduced were pretty well-rounded, and the twists at the end were enjoyable, if a little disconnected.

The world that Garber builds is alive. I can visualize it well, and she doesn't over or under explain. Some of it can be a little clumsy, but it still works! The last 30% of the book gets a little rushed, and I think it either could have been extended or the middle could have been shortened, but it ended on a strong note. I have a love/hate relationship with book series, and I often give up after the first book, but I'll definitely be reading the next book in this series. I'm so excited for Manu and Saysa and Cata and Tiago and all their friends- the characters were the best part of the story, and I can't wait to see them again!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

oh my GOSH this is BEYOND FANTASTIC. I've literally lost sleep for it. Young Adult fiction has been a necessary diversion from all the academic reading and writing I'm doing lately, but YA fiction has REALLY grown as a genre in the past few years as cultural commentary (and as such, is also appropriate educational reading for me).

Lobizona is an incredible response to ICE raids, immigration and family separation, the desire for and loss of home and the REAL and often seemingly-insurmountable reasons why people seek asylum, packaged in a delicious and fantastical world of the Septimus, beings whose powers as werewolves and witches manifest at the onset of puberty.

I really can't say enough about it right now (too busy trying to get back to writing philosophy papers). I don't want to make style comparisons - Romina Garber's beautiful work is hers and hers alone, and it's very, very necessary - but lovers of Tomi Adeyami's Children of Blood and Bone will love this, too. What a beautiful ride. Thank you again!