This book has beautiful prose, seamlessly slipping between English and Spanish, and strong themes of storytelling, pain, loss, hope, family, and obligations. This book is filled with adventure - a literal and figurative journey - and examines what stories mean, and what it means to hold them or let them go. 3.5 stars.

An adventurous books filled with trial and love. This book took me on a winded journey of self discovery.

I enjoyed the story of Cuentista (Storyteller) Xochitl as she attempts to balance the needs of her people with her own desires, and discovers her place in the world. I appreciated the discussion of the many facets of religion & thought that the author brings up many points to consider. Truly an interesting work.

Spanish is frequently used. I think it suits the book as it allows the cuentista to speak in her own language. However, I would have preferred more contextual clues as to the meaning of these phrases, so as not to overwhelm those with no Spanish language ability.

Each of Us a Desert takes place in post apocalyptic Central America, following a small town's cuentista as she ventures out of her town and travels through the desert with the daughter of a man who brought death and destruction to her village and led to her starting her journey. As cuentista, Xochitl takes people's stories from them and gives them back to Solís, their deity. She's had this duty since she was 8 years old and much o her journey revolves around her wondering why she keeps doing this and if there's anyway she might change how it's done.

Before I start the actual review, I want to say that I really hope to reread this at some point, because I wasn't in the best place while reading this. I got distracted easily, I read short sections with lots of pauses because I was having several panic attacks a day and couldn't focus, my mental health was dipping. So I definitely couldn't appreciate the beautiful writing and sceneries and characters to the full extent I might have at other times. I'm still writing the review because despite all that, I kept coming back to read when I physically could, because anytime I read this, I was enveloped in the world and felt rejuvenated, even if just for a short while.

This was a little different from the genres I usually read, but I still loved being pulled into it for a little while everyday. It's hard not to fall in love with just about anything given how beautiful Oshiro writes. They have a wonderful way of painting the setting around the characters in such a vivid way that I could practically feel the desert heat and sand scraping against my skin. There was such a wide range of rich, complex characters and it was the sort of plot that by the end, I realized just how well everything tied together and all the signs that pointed towards it all along.

Even reading it under less than ideal circumstances, this novel was a masterpiece. I'm looking forward to rereading it with a clearer head and I encourage everyone to pick this up once it comes out!

Each of us a desert.
Yet each of us dreams to be a part of something.

Each of us yearns to be free.
Yet when we are free, we are opened up to more boundaries.

Each of us desires to know our purpose and calling in life.
Yet each of us might not want the destiny.

Each of us long to learn.
Yet will the knowledge set us free?

Each of Us a Desert is a beautifully-written, thought-provoking novel about family, identity, love, and community. As Cuentista ( storyteller), Xochitl begins to question the role she plays in her religion, as well as the ways in which her religion has been interpreted by others. As someone who's interested in religious studies, I thought the author did a stellar job of providing thoughtful commentary on exegesis and interpretation, and I appreciated the care with which religion and religious beliefs were presented. The world-building is exquisite, featuring diverse cultures and communities, all of which are careful and intricately crafted. Our heroine, Xochitl, is relatable without being "relatable," if you understand my meaning - she's clearly a unique person in a unique situation, and the author doesn't pander to the audience in describing her feelings and opinions. In sum, I highly recommend this book. A queer fantasy featuring a strong heroine and complex themes, this is one for all fantasy fans to pick up and enjoy.

This book was gorgeous, which I expected nothing less from Mark Oshiro. A stunning story, with real characters and a world that you could so easily fall into. I read this in one sitting but didn't stop thinking about it for days.

This has a wonderful concept and lovely prose, but I'm having a hard time immersing myself in it at the moment so unfortunately I won't be finishing it for the time being. I'd love to come back to it in the future and in the meantime I wish the best of luck with it.