This was quite the adventure! Tor, Engle, and Melda set out on an epic journey across the Isle of Emblem to undo a curse that Tor has accidentally brought upon the three of them. In their travels, they happen upon all kinds of new places and creatures and learn quite a bit about themselves. This is a wild coming of age story about learning to b happy with ourselves and the with the cards life has dealt us.

The story ends on a cliffhanger setting up a whole new journey/adventure for our threesome in the next book. I look forward to reading it and seeing where the Isle of Emblem and fate takes them next.

Very interesting magic system, solid introduction to a series, likeable characters only a little whiny so it was perfect, and a lot of adventure!!

I love middle grade fantasy books because the characters are raw and genuine, they have just started to need independence and are ready for whatever life throws at them, even if it's a quest to go to the opposite side of the world to defeat a witch who cursed them.

Tor, Melda, and Engle each has flaws, weaknesses, and strength, bringing something that will see them victors. It won't be easy, they are 12 years old, first time away from home, facing all kinds of bad things! But they are lucky to stumble upon good people along their way and they will go back home different when the quest is over.

This is a book about finding what you're good at, fighting what the world wants you to do with your life, not settling if you're not okay with it. Maybe it'll have horrible consequences, maybe not, but if you don't take a risk, how can you change a situation that's not good for you?

Love love love how the author used latin america's myths to create the folklore this book is based on and the magic the people are born into and use in their everyday life. Being latin American myself (Ecuador here!), I love seeing these myths I didn't know about until now represented one way or the other!

A great first book, a great start. Now I'm really curious to know what other adventures the trio will get to live in the future!

I loved this!! I don't read middle grade books that often, and the ones I do are usually ones I grew up with. I loved the sound of this book, and I'm so happy that I can honestly say it was a fantastic read! The pacing is just perfect, giving us a gradual buildup and then full steam ahead. Tor and his friends were extremely relatable, and I have no doubt that readers will fall in love with them. While Tor is our male MC, I can say that anyone will enjoy him as our protagonist. I adored this book, and I'll be picking up a physical hardback for sure!

An amazing adventure full of imagery. I could see everything; the beautiful colors, flora and fauna. Three friends embark on a quest and learn their strengths and weaknesses while learning to depend on each other.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

This is a book based on the author's Colombian heritage, and the stories that her abuela used to tell her. Set in the fantastical world of Emblem Island, it's an adventure that will appeal to kids who love a quest to right a wrongdoing, where the stakes are life or death.

Tor Luna, like his mother before him, is destined to be a leader. He was born with the leadership emblem marked on his skin, but it's not the destiny he wants. On a special New Year's Eve ceremony, he wishes for a different mark, but instead, receives a curse that leaves him with one week left to live. Tor Luna and his friends must travel to find the Night Witch and have the curse removed before time runs out. Along the way they meet monsters, beasts, and encounter challenges that require cunning and bravery.

I would recommend Curse of the Night Witch to kids who like the Rick Riordan Presents books, stories based on cultures that we too seldom see represented in middle grade fiction. The story is fast-paced, the stakes are high, and characters use their individual strengths to face the challenges before them. This is the first book in the series, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

This is the start of, one assumes, a new middle grade fantasy series set on an island where everyone is born in a birthmark (called an emblem) that indicates what their unique gift will be. This particular novel focuses on Tor who was born with a leadership emblem but wishes it away in favor of a water-breathing emblem only to be cursed instead. His curse transmits to two of his classmates and in short order all three are racing across the island and dodging previously thought to be mythical monsters and searching for the legendary Night Witch. This particular volume is suitable for middle grades, but I suspect future ones may not be given the nature of the cliffhanger at the conclusion of the novel.