Despite being identical twins, the Sanchez sisters have wildly different personalities. The elder sister Lela is quiet and calm, while younger Delfi is brash and ready to break both rules and hearts. While the sisters have always had an uncanny ability to sense emotions and make “lucky” guesses, turning eighteen has kicked their paranormal powers into overdrive. Lela can touch an object and instantly have visions of any strong memory attached to it. Delfi’s emotional perceptiveness manifests as different flavors on her tongue. The young women have been trying to figure out how to master their abilities so they’re not blindsided by unexpected triggers, but knowledge is unfortunately difficult for them to find in 2016 Miami.

It doesn’t help that their immigrant mother is altogether disapproving of the twins doing anything beyond pretending that their extrasensory abilities don’t exist. As Delfi narrates:

QUOTE
To Mami, our intuition, our visions, the shadows we see are unnatural. Something to be stifled and ignored.

I’ve always assumed Mami’s aversion comes from her experiences back in Cuba, from the bruja that cursed our family to live with a love that taints. It’s part of why she sacrificed everything to come to the US. But what happened to our dad, and my ex, is proof that when it comes to magic, you can’t really leave it all behind.

Running might be her thing, but it’s never been mine.
END QUOTE

When the twins start having vivid nightmares about a blue-eyed woman in mortal danger, they know that neither running away from their abilities nor ignoring the dreams will save her. Feeling duty-bound to help the mysterious woman escape her fate, they begin trying to figure out who she is and where they can find her. They soon discover that the woman is being targeted by witch hunters, and that if they’re not careful, they’ll end up in the crosshairs, too.

The narrative switches between Lela and Delfi, but there are also compelling chapters from the point of view of a young woman named Anita. As a teenager in 1980s Cuba, she feels both stifled and unfairly privileged. The repressive regime makes it difficult for any person of conscience to live freely, but it’s even worse for Anita. Her mother is a well-known bruja, and one of the leaders of a sinister cult known as las Palomas:

QUOTE
The local communities of Afro-Cuban religious practitioners and Espiritistas disapproved of las Palomas because they believed the way that las Palomas channeled and controlled spirits as maldeados was a corrupted and twisted form of power, and that their practices painted all spiritualists in a bad light. And while under Castro’s regime, religious practitioners were forced to hide their faith, host their gatherings secretly in the confines of their homes or old abandoned building because of the government’s religious prohibitions, las Palomas were given an exemption because they were secretly and hypocritically sought out by el Comandante and his cabinet for magical protections.
END QUOTE

Mama Orti expects Anita to embrace her own powers and be inducted into las Palomas when the time comes, but Anita has little interest in spending her life propping up the health and well-being of a regime she despises. When Anita’s brother Rafe begins making plans to defect, she eagerly joins him. Little does she suspect how this will kick off a tangle of misfortune and murder that will only grow thornier over the course of the next few decades, eventually ensnaring two unsuspecting teenage girls who seek only to do the right thing.

Despite how lukewarm I was over Anita’s character, and how much I was rooting for the much more engaging Lela and Delfi, I found myself most interested in the parts of this story set in 20th-century Cuba. The settings and action on the island felt vivid and absorbing, really bringing history to life. The modern day murder mystery had twists both magical and mundane, but Anita’s teenage struggles to escape both her mother and an oppressive government felt somehow more immediate and urgent than the chapters closer in time to the present.

Overall, this was a great look at little-known and -understood systems of religious and magical practices, and how those might be translated to a modern urban fantasy setting. Vanessa Montalban deftly highlights those systems, linking them across two different but very much related times and places. This unique Young Adult thriller mixes the supernatural with reality-based criminal and political machinations, showing how historical actions can cast a long shadow over the present day.

When Lela and Delfi receive premonitions of a mysterious killer targeting witches, the sisters must embrace their emerging powers to save innocent lives. Teaming up with their best friend Ethan and brooding detective-in-training Andres, Delfi and Lela set out to catch a murderer on a dangerous hunt that will bring them face to face with the dark secrets of their family’s past.

Meanwhile, in 1980s Cuba, Anita de Armas whispers to the spirits for mercy—not for herself, but for the victims of her mother’s cult. She’s desperate to rid herself of her power, which manifests as inky shadows and an ability to speak to the dead, especially as political tensions rise and Anita’s cult initiation draws near.

Told in a dual timeline, the author managed to merge both beautifully. I liked reading about the twins and how same and different they are at the same time. Though the romance felt a little bit forced borderline unnecessary, the plot held up and ended on a good note.

I swear I didn't mean to read another witchy book but here we are 😅

Intriguing and magical!

Delfi and Lela are haunted by a family curse: they can't have romantic love in their lives. Therefore, they are forbidden from getting near magic, despite the gifts they both have. When they start having premonitions about a killer targeting brujas, they have no choice but to get involved and prevent the worst from happening.

This book was overall a fun read. The context was intriguing and I liked the witchy vibe of the story. The mystery was gripping and the fact that we had flashbacks of the twins ancestor helped link everything together and made the story even more interesting. I really enjoyed the mystery, the magic and the curse especially, as well as how the story develops and plays out throughout the book. The sisters were intriguing and very different, which made it easy to relate to them. However, I sometimes had trouble keeping track of what was happening with whom and the side characters confused me at times. It might just be a me thing, and it didn't prevent me from enjoying the book. The writing was easy to read and addictive, which made the story all the more gripping and unique. The ending was quite intense, which I really liked, and even if some parts of the story were somewhat predictable, I had a blast.

I recommend if you like mystery and magic!

"Her magic wasn't used to heal, or to bless."

TW: violence, blood, murder, death, assault, abuse

3.5*

A Tall Dark Trouble was an entertaining, at times challenging, read. It took a bit for me to become fully engaged in the story, but once everything kind of "clicked" into place I was ready to see where this story would take me. It did tend to drag a little in parts, but that could just be because I was anxious for things to come together.

I enjoyed that this story was told in multiple points of view. It helped to see what happened in the past, that lead to what was going on in the present day. The magical aspects of the story were very engaging, I liked seeing how Lela and Delfi each dealt with their gifts. The story was also a little creepy and sad.

Overall this was a compelling read about the power of family.

A Tall Dark Trouble, in short, shows a triple perspective POV, generational curses, a hint of mystery, found family, murder, magic, and more.

It's been a while since I've read a story with solid pacing throughout the book. From Page one down to page 384, Montalban kept me engaged and locked in trying to find the mystery of the De Armas family. I'm starting to enjoy the magical realism genre in books. We saw the good and bad of having an internal gift that most people wouldn't understand and would scream voodoo and witchcraft if given the chance. No, this conjuring is entwined more with ancestral roots and religion.

Read the full review over at The Litt Librarian.

I am at a lost for words for how through and detailed this dual timeline fantasy book is with the twins Delfi and Ofelia's point of view in Miami 2016 and Anita in 1980 's Cuba. After the first 25% of it I started it becomes almost completely clear what the sister where going to face in the resolve to figure out there magic and the murder of Idaly. I love a good book that weaves in the how the history can play a impact in younger peoples lives, especially with magic that's passed on from ancestors and how that can impact what actions the point of view characters do. Each are different of course because of the time and place but also what they feel is best for them , experiences, and personalities. The love of family and romance makes this book more special though on top of the danger and adventure that comes with the spiritual magic.

Montalban is one of the first authors I've read from a country, that just happened to be hispanic, with so much going on both family and political wise that made the risky fantasy elements almost completely believable. It's saying a lot that she did not exclude the afro-hispanic magic culture in the 1980's and how that is depicted in the 21st century as being multicultural. This was definitely one that I stuck with for that aspect but also the suspense and to see what happens with these characters and how they develop when everything plays out. Because I love fantasies that don't give answers you need until finished to discover.

I truly enjoyed this story. It's about sisterhood, magic, and the things you can do when you fully embrace who you are. The mystery in this book was so engaging, the characters were so likeable, and the setting was very cool. I really enjoyed both timelines, and I think the author did a great job making them both stand on their own but also go together really well.

A Tall Dark Trouble is a wonderfully witchy debut intertwined with aspects of thriller and mystery. I really enjoyed this book and did not want to put it down!

This is a me problem, not a book problem. I do not always do well with magic, and this one just wasn't for me. I think that the right audience will eat this right up.

As a Cuban American who adores witchy vibes and lives in Miami, I was thrilled to find a book that felt like it was made just for me. The generational magic reminds me of how people always endearingly referred to my abuela, my mom, and myself as three generations of strong women with even stronger intuitions. I loved the dual timelines, the sprinkles of Spanish, and the practical magic vibes (a movie I watched annually with the women in my family). The writing was fun, albeit with some telling rather than showing in some parts, and the atmosphere was poignantly felt. This was made for a community often overlooked, so thank you and congrats and your publication!

In 2016 Miami, twins Defli and Lela have been followed by malicious magic and a love curse their entire lives, leading to them trying to suppress the magic that lives within them. But when they start having visions of murders that have yet to happen, they realize that it’s time to embrace their magic in order to help save innocent lives. Alongside their best friend Ethan and detective-in-training Andres, the sisters set out to figure out how to control their magic and stop their visions from coming true.

In 1980 Cuba, Anita is also struggling with her magic in a different way. She was raised by her mother, the head of a secret magical cult, and uses her abilities to whisper to spirits - not to save herself, but to help those who her mother’s cult have injured. As the days tick toward Anita’s initiation, she makes secret plans to find her way out of Cuba and away from her mother’s clutches.

I don’t think I have the words to explain how much I loved this book. It was a bit slow going at the beginning as I got to know the characters and get into the groove of the different POVs and the jump between timelines, but once it got going, it never stopped. Montalban brings to life a story that on its surface is a bit of a fantasy murder mystery, but also weaves in the beauty of sisterhood and familial love with a bit of magic and romance tossed in.

The way each of the girls (Delfi, Lela, and Anita) grow into their own and learn the power of their inner strength and magic develops slowly throughout and is one of the things that ties the two timelines together so seamlessly. They have each struggled to come to terms with what has happened in their lives and what they can and cannot control. But each is able to move forward and find something that feels better for them with the help of the people and relationships around them. As the story progresses and more and more is revealed in both timelines, we are taken on a journey that feels incredibly grounded despite the fantasy elements weaved in.

It is clear that Montalban put a lot of love and care into creating this story and weaving in bits of the very real struggle of growing up multicultural with the fantasy elements. Real life can be hard to swallow and by providing a contemporary fantasy space to present some historical events, Montalban teaches the reader in a way that makes us want to learn more rather than run and hide from the ugly truths.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

An enchanting witchy debut! I'm a sucker for a good thriller, so the mystery aspect woven throughout this story really took my enjoyment to another level and kept me guessing!

A Tall Dark Trouble is a magical fantasy about twins coming into their magic and investigating a series of witchy deaths. Told alongside is the story of a young girl in the past in Cuba desperate to give up her own magic.

This is definitely a dark fantasy, but the characters were compelling and the magic was intense. I really enjoyed it!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

All opinions are my own. I received advanced copy through book tour hosted by TurnThePagesTours.
A Tall Dark Trouble is a magical book of generational magic. It's not roses and unicorns instead it's darker. When Lela and Delfi turn 18 their powers seem to unlock much to the dismay of their mother. All three are keeping secrets for the safety of each other. When bodies and mysterious brujos begin appearing where the twins are, there's no denying something is wrong.
The author did an amazing job portraying a new magic system. I was sucked in and couldn't stop. Granted the wickedness is probably why I had nightmares about maldeados. I'm good though.
The Sanchez women are strong and it shows that familia is everything even when your scared.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love this cover! It’s absolutely beautiful. I loved the story of sisterhood and magical fantasy. This is a beautiful story of love with settings that span through time and location. This also has creepy undertones for people who like their stories a little spooky. Stories with time skips are always interesting and you learn things you never have before about the past. This was a fun quick read and this is an amazing debut!

"A Tall Dark Trouble" by Vanessa Montalban is an exciting and adventurous young adult novel that ventures into the realms of sci-fi and fantasy, offering readers a thrilling blend of mystery and supernatural intrigue. Montalban's storytelling skill shines as she crafts a tale of otherworldly powers, hidden secrets, and the challenges of teenage protagonists. The book's dynamic plot and relatable characters create an immersive reading experience that resonates with teens and young adults interested in supernatural stories. Montalban deftly explores themes of discovery, bravery, and the bonds of friendship, adding depth to the narrative. "A Tall Dark Trouble" is an exhilarating reminder that even in the face of extraordinary challenges, the strength of youth and the power of friendship can overcome any obstacle, leaving readers with a sense of excitement and a renewed appreciation for the limitless possibilities of the unknown.

A TALL DARK TROUBLE by Vanessa Montalban (read on digital ARC): In the often white-washed world of YA fantasy, ATDT is a breath of fresh air, an #ownvoices tale of magic among a Cuban exile and her descendants in South Florida.

Twins Delfi and Ofelia, Cuban-American teenagers living in Miami, both possess magic — which they embrace to different degrees. Headstrong, sassy Delfi is determined to explore her powers and use them to their fullest potential. She’s “la lengua,” able to taste the emotions of those around her. Reserved, obedient Ofelia would rather pretend their abilities don’t exist. She’s “el ojo,” able to see visions from touching objects.

When the sisters begin envisioning scenes from a murder, they get pulled into a mystery that extends beyond them and beyond Miami, back to the shores of their mother’s homeland. Further complicating their lives is a long-ago curse that causes their love interests to become warped versions of themselves, preventing the twins from forming the romantic ties they desire.

ATDT is YA magical fantasy meets coming of age story meets murder mystery, with generous splashes of Cuban history, fascinating religions (like Santería), action-adventure, and light romance. It’s entertaining, fast-paced, humorous, suspenseful and fun. I especially found Delfi’s powers to lend themselves to evocative imagery, and I adored the passages exploring the history of the twins’ mother, Anita, as she struggled to escape the clutches of a magical pro-Castro cult in Cuba. Having read the digital ARC on my uncooperative/failing iPad, I can’t wait for my signed print pre-order to arrive from @booksandbooks!

Bonus: I’ve been studying Spanish for years, but ATDT taught me such fun slang as “cocotaso.” 😂

Pub date is 8/29. Thanks to @vvmontalban, @zandoyr and @netgalley for the early look. Pre-orders of signed copies available via @booksandbooks.

Read if you like:
✨ Contemporary YA fantasy
✨ Dual timeline
✨ Magic/witches
✨ Cuban culture/history
✨ Miami as a setting (my unabashed fave)

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC
This story is about sisters who all their lives have had their magic hidden away because their mother forbade magic. I felt I was being told and not shown the story. The pacing felt a big laggy in places but over all I still enjoyed it.
I'm not sure if I would read it again so I may not be stocking my shelf with a copy.

This was such a great book about sisterhood, This was also a fast and easy read. I will recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an okay book. I really enjoyed the settings, culture and thw 1980 storyline, but I wasn't invested in the modern one.