If you love tales of sisterhood this is a great book for you. It took me a while to really get into the story but when I did it was enjoyable. The plot isn't surprising but the culture and magic are cool. Great book for YA fans.

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

Wow! I really enjoyed this book. It was much darker and full of mystery themes than I expected, but I really appreciated the weaving together of Cuban politics (although much of it was fictionalized), santeria, immigrant stories, and of course magic!

It started off a tad slow for me, and there were parts I had trouble staying engaged with. But overall the twists and suspense in the book were gripping and I couldn't put it down at the end. Can't wait to see what else the author writes in the future!

This book was so much fun! I loved the vibes and the setting of it. It reminded me a little of Dexter with it being set in Miami (even though they're so different).

I knew I'd love this book as soon as I read the first chapter. Anything with Brujo's or Bruja's is just so much fun and I love seeing Spanish / Latin American witchcraft in books. I was literally dreaming about this book at night, that's how into it I was.

The mystery was so fun to uncover and to piece together. I loved having the flashback scenes in Cuba showing how things were unfolding there in the 80's and figuring out how that timeline was impacting the twins and their lives.

The only negatives/ things I didn't like, was that some parts felt a bit repetitive. Especially when switching perspectives, the same thing was repeated for like no reason. I also found myself getting a bit confused with who's perspective I was reading as there didn't seem to be strong and distinct voices between the characters.

Overall I really enjoyed this. If you love things like Practical Magic and Aiden Thomas' works (Cemetery Boys) I'm sure you'll love this. It's full of fun magic, spirits, amazing mother/daughter/ sister relationships, with a murder mystery and magical curse at the center. It's just such a fun read and I can't wait to read more by Montalban.

I only managed to reach 34%.

The main characters are the twin sisters, Delfi and Lela. Following their mother's orders, they were restricted from using magic and, on top of that, they carried a family curse that cast shadows over their relationships, preventing them from forming lasting connections. After experiencing visions of a young woman in danger, Delfi suggests investigating and helping her, but sadly, it's too late when the enigmatic woman appears dead on the seashore. From that moment onwards, they become embroiled in the task of uncovering what happened and why they are entangled in this murder mystery.

Overall, I failed to connect with the plot. Lela chooses to distance herself from magic and not explore her full potential, while on the other hand, Delfi, as her mother describes her, is "a tad more rebellious", simply because she wants to learn more about magic and obtain answers about her history.

As for the romance, I didn't manage to feel anything, no connection whatsoever. The narrative describes gestures of affection between Ethan and Lela, but at no point did I sense a genuine romance. And as for Delfi and Andrés, well... I barely found a few exchanged words and the occasional remark from Delfi about his good looks.

One aspect I appreciated was the loyalty between the twins, and though I didn't make it to the end of the book, I'm unsure if there might have been other elements I could have liked. But in terms of how the story was unfolding, I couldn't continue, and I deeply regret that.

I received a copy of this title from Netgalley. My thoughts are my own. I requested this title because I enjoyed the author's short story in an upcoming anthology, Night of the Living Queers: 13 Tales of Terror Delight.

I found much to enjoy in this story, and I recommend it, but I can't say I loved it, and it took me a while before the pages turned themselves, if you know what I mean.

Half of the story is set in 80s Cuba, and I really liked those portions with Anita. In the modernish day, we're in Miami, and we follow 2 sisters, Delphi and Lela, each with magical abilities. One sister is more eager to explore this side of her identity. Both of them are having premonitions of a woman's death. Their mother very much wants them to ignore this side of their identity. (This last detail reminds me of The Witches of Bone Hill, and it's interesting to compare each mother's reasons for discouraging her daughters from coming into their full power.)

The girls are under a family curse, as well, that means that anyone they love romantically will come to ruin. So, they both have love interests. It might say something about my wiring, but I could resist resist temptation under the circumstances. Not going to lie, while I like romance, I don't consider it mandatory across genres. In this book, there's so much material that I'd like at least one of the three romantic subplots to have been eliminated. But of course, if this is your candy, you're going to think the more of it the better. In that case, the love interests are all interesting, particularly Anita's love interest, who gets the fewest pages, and then Andres, Delphi's guy. I feel like I have unanswered questions about Lela's love interest.

While I was entertained, I was never shocked. I find myself wondering how much I was supposed to have figured out, maybe all of it. Still, knowing that the sisters' initial impressions of a couple characters were wrong, took away what could have been a moment to gasp. I minded less that how Cuba and Miami relate to one another was obvious, but I think it was supposed to be -- that we're a step ahead of the sisters, and waiting for them to figure it all out.

I think you'll enjoy the story if you love sisterhood, siblinghood, familial bonds, and female friendships. Magic. Real and fictionalized religious and spiritual practices. Cuba and Cuban politics. The author is great at setting a scene, and atmosphere, and so there's some delightful creepiness. And gore.

Because Vanessa Montalban can set a mood, I'm interested in seeing where she'll go next.

What an incredibly brilliant, enchanting, whirlwind of a story.

You need to read this immediately!

An interesting book about family, love, and the price of freedom. The writing itself is good, nothing spectacular, but clean and easy to read - although, there are a few instances of incorrect tense that were jarring, but I'm sure they'll be cleaned up for the final version. I enjoyed putting together all the little mysteries woven in, and I learned a lot about Cuba in the 80s and Castro's reign, which I appreciate. The characters are all pretty standard, interesting in their own ways, but I never really got attached to any of them. This book deals with a lot of emotional situations, but it isn't written in a way that, to me, deeply conveyed the gravity of those emotions - it overall felt like the author was telling me how to feel and not making me feel that way organically. The climax felt a bit underwhelming, but the ending was good and wrapped things up in a way I was satisfied with. Overall, an enjoyable one-time read, but not up my alley enough to warrant buying a physical copy.

a tall dark trouble was a captivating read that had all the enchanting elements i look for in a fantasy book, magic, mystery, family drama, a little romance, murder! the story follows twin sisters lela and delfi in modern-day miami, and anita in 1980s cuba under castro's rule.

the twins have been warned to avoid magic due to a family curse that dooms any romantic love for the sanchez women. but when they start having visions of murders, they decide to use their magical abilities to uncover the truth and save lives of fellow witches. and in the past, anita has found herself heir to her mother's powerful coven, a role she is unwilling to accept. while the twins had distinct personalities, i found anita's pov more engaging and her connection to the twins intriguing. none of the romance was at the center of the plot and neither of the romantic interests were particularly...interesting to me anyway.

each of the three women discovers her strengths and learns to embrace her power and identity, standing strong against curses and covens that try to hold them back. this debut YA fantasy delves into the challenges faced by three generations of women and seamlessly weaves afro-cuban folklore into its contemporary setting. one thing that could have been improved though are the concepts and terms in spanish that were left here and there without any explanation, they may confuse readers. overall, a great read for those who love stories of magic, strong women, and the power of sisterhood

thanks to netgalley and zando projects for this uncorrected proof!

I haven’t read a book about Bruja’s in too long. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this one. I loved that we got two timeline and three POV’s. It was such a wild ride to the collide of these separate storylines.

Delfi and Lela have always been told of the curse that follows the women in their family. They’ve also been prohibited from learning how to wield their Bruja magic and they don’t know why. The secrets of their mother’s past is a mystery but as the sisters start seeing visions of other Bruja’s/Brujo’s, they know they need answers. The way to get them may not be the safest, but with the help of a couple boys they may get the courage to ask the hard questions.

I really enjoyed this one. The plot structure flowed together perfectly, characters dynamic and clearly distinct from one another, and the writing well developed. I thought everything came together smoothly and the timelines and POV’s kept me on my toes. I recommend this to anyone looking to read more authentic latinx stories.

A Tall Dark Trouble was a spellbinding and engaging read. This story had all the witchy vibes that I adored! I loved Vanessa Montalban’s writing and I really enjoyed this book. This story had magic, curses, romance, mystery, and murder. There were dual timelines that followed the lives of twin sisters, Ofelia and Delfi in present day Miami, Florida, and Anita in 1980, during Castro’s regime in Cuba.

I loved the strong sisterly bond between Ofelia and Delfi. They were both such interesting and vibrant characters. I also loved the chapters that took place in the past and how everything tied together in the end.

I definitely recommend A Tall Dark Trouble! I look forward to reading Montalban’s next novel.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC, the opinions that follow are my own.

What a story! I loved the relationship between Ofelia and Delfi! Their relationship reminded me of the dynamic we see in our on-screen sister scream queens!

Murder and mystery generations in the making! I love a good family curse and boy did this book deliver! Highly recommend if you’re looking for something spooky and a pinch anti-romantic (well, maybe not that anti-romantic!).

“And who’s to say love isn’t a curse on its own?”

"A Tall Dark Trouble" by Vanessa Montalban is a spellbinding YA contemporary fantasy that weaves together the struggles of three generations of women in one captivating tale. Twin sisters Ofelia and Delfi Sanchez have been taught to steer clear of magic due to a family curse that has left a trail of poisoned love. But sometimes, the heart can't resist, and when the sisters begin experiencing premonitions of a series of murders, they know it's time to embrace their magical inheritance to uncover the truth and save innocent lives.

Montalban masterfully creates a rich and engaging world filled with magic, mystery, and sisterhood. The bond between Ofelia and Delfi is beautifully portrayed, capturing the complexities of sibling relationships and the power of love and support. Their determination to protect each other and their best friend Ethan adds depth and emotion to the narrative.

Intertwined with their story is that of Anita, struggling with her own magical conflict in 1980 Cuba. The portrayal of Anita's predicament and her mother's secret coven adds an additional layer of intrigue and depth to the plot. Montalban's writing effortlessly navigates between the present and the past, seamlessly connecting the lives of these remarkable women.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each woman finding strength and courage to defy the expectations imposed on them by their magical legacies. Ofelia, Delfi, and Anita's journeys toward self-discovery and embracing their true identities make for a compelling and empowering read.

"A Tall Dark Trouble" is a gripping page-turner that effortlessly balances magic, mystery, and romance. Montalban's debut novel is a testament to the power of sisterhood, love, and self-acceptance. The enchanting storytelling and captivating world-building make it an unputdownable read for anyone who roots for magic, sisterhood, and love.

With its engaging plot and well-crafted characters, "A Tall Dark Trouble" is a must-read for fans of YA fantasy and those who appreciate stories of female empowerment and resilience. I enthusiastically recommend this novel and award it four stars for its captivating storytelling, poignant themes, and its celebration of the strength of women and the magic that lies within them.

A TALL DARK TROUBLE was a fun and magical story that follows Cuban twins, Delfi and Ofelia, who are planning to spend their summer telling fortunes using their (forbidden) bruja magic. Strange things start happening, their magic isn’t working as it should, and the girls suspect that something in their past may be causing their magic to suffer. With the story’s dual timelines, readers are taken from present-day Miami and transported to 1980s Cuba, where the girls Cuban and family history is explored, and together they work to figure out what happened in the past that’s affecting their present. ⁣
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This was such a fun story from start to finish. I adored the sisters’ family dynamic and how despite being twins, they couldn’t have been more different. I enjoyed learning about the girls family history and I loved how readers get a little history lesson on Cuba in the 80s. There’s also a bit of romance thrown in along with some thrills and chills, which all blended together to make one fantastic debut. 4.5 stars. Many thanks to @zandoyr and @turnthepagetours for gifting a copy of the book for the tour + gorgeous page overlays!

Lela and Delfi are Cuban twins living in Miami. They're also living under a family curse to never be able to fall in love. They also have powers, like tasting emotions or seeing visions, but also a mama who wants to make sure they have nothing to do with magic.

Stuff you get:

magical twins
bruja magic
puppy-boy love interest
a respectful depiction of SanterÍa
The twins voices are distinct, with Delfi's reckless nature, and Lela's sarcastic introvert voice, so I was never that confused when the POV switched from one twin to the other. The narrative changes between the twins in modern Miami and a girl in 1980 Cuba.

I loved the look at SanterÍa (a syncretic mix of Catholicism and West African traditions) we get in this book, and the link to it gives a unique dimension to the magic. I like that it is a darker and more cultural magic than the generic new-age stuff usually seen. The author makes it clear that the "bad cult" side of her story is a corruption and does not represent real-life SanterÍa, which is too often misrepresented.

The only thing was that once the mysteries had mostly been solved, I felt that the final villain was a little underwhelming and one-dimensional.

Overall, this was an enjoyable YA magical mystery with a strong Cuban flavor.

*Title: A Tall Dark Trouble-standalone
*Release date: 8/29/23, read 7/29/23
*Author: Vanessa Montalban-debut author
*Book cover: loved the pink and purple with Lela and Delfi's faces- it's what drew me here.
*Format: PDF-It was difficult reading in the NetGalley Shelf App because the font was so small. I had to use send to kindle to read it without a table of contents.
*Page Count: 384 kindle per Goodreads
*POV: multiple- Ana from 1980 & Lela and Delfi 2016
*Setting: alternating timelines -Miami 2016 and Fidel Castro's regime Cuba 1980
*Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, historical fantasy
*Tropes: witches, magic/folklore, family saga- Afro Cuban religious inheritance

Summary and Review:
Twins Ofelia/Lela and Delfi Sanchez (both 18 yrs. old) knew very little about magic because their mother Maria Sanchez forbade it. They didn't understand why they are cursed to be alone with no lasting romantic relationships. But the curse took a backseat to the visions they had about Idaly and Emiliano-both murdered.

Back in 1980 Cuba, Anita/Ana knew her mother "Mama Orti" was the leader of the powerful coven las Palomas Eterna (the eternal dove) and didn't want to end up like her. I loved the reveal of Anita's connection to the twins and their visions.
 Note: The language was a bit tricky for me as someone who speaks zero Spanish (Yes, I know I need to learn it). There were unexplained words w/o much context or translation. I used Google translate a bunch, but it just got tedious after a while.

 *Rating:3.5

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

A delightful read and tribute to sisterhood and culture. The shifting viewpoints kept the story engaging. One of the best YA fantasy books I've read in a long time. Highly recommend.

"A Tall Dark Trouble" is a ya contemporary fantasy written by Vanessa Montalban.

The story follows 18-year-old twins Lela and Delfi Sanchez, residents of Miami, as they struggle with their mysterious emerging powers. Magic is something to which their family is no stranger, but about which they know very little. The Sanchez women, in fact, are cursed in love. Not unlucky, but really doomed to never be able to fall in love, at least if they do not want to cause the madness of their partners. A dark and arcane curse that originated in the past and followed their family from Cuba to Miami, poisoning any chance of romantic love. Something that prompted their mother to forbid them magic, warning them of the dangers of practicing it. An order the twins cannot comply with, not when their gifts are growing stronger and not when premonitions of an unknown woman in danger begin to haunt them. When the same woman from their visions is found dead on a Miami beach and ominous new images begin to torment them, Delphi and Lela realize they must embrace their powers to save innocent lives. Teaming up with their best friend Ethan and the brooding detective-in-training Andres, the twins discover that someone is targeting witches. Determined to stop the murderer, the girls soon come face to face with the dark secrets of their family's past. Meanwhile, in 1980s Cuba, 18-year-old Anita de Armas whispers to the spirits to have mercy, not for herself but for the victims of her mother's cult. Heir to a powerful yet cruel order, Anita is desperate to rid herself of its power, which manifests itself in inky shadows and the ability to speak to the dead, especially as political tensions rise and her initiation into the cult approaches.

I loved this book! I found it to be a bewitching, emotional and evocative read, which enthralled and touched me a lot.

The author's writing is something wonderful in my opinion. Evocative, intense and lyrical, I loved it. I sensed a richness in the words, a depth, that really captivated me. The descriptions then are extremely vivid, so much so that I was able to imagine the various places in the story. I sensed a shade of melancholy, at times heartbreaking, that I simply loved. Just as I loved the darker, anguished and and arcane tones present in certain passages of the book. The fast and compelling pace, combined with the presence of short chapters, pushed me to finish it in less than a day!

The setting convinced me a lot, especially 1980s Cuba. The whole difficult political, economic and social situation is rendered in a way that I found quite efficient. However in my opinion, the part about Afro-Cuban folklore constitutes the real gem of the book! The numerous references to the Regla de Ocha (otherwise known as Santeria) were super interesting and I confess that it prompted me to seek out more information about it. The presence of some words in Spanish, without explanation, as well as some concepts without information left me a bit puzzled, but in general I enjoyed everything.

The plot proceeds briskly, full of events and intrigue, with a dual timeline, between 2016 Florida and 1980s Cuba. The narration takes its time, without sudden acceleration, leading to a result that satisfied me very much. I admit that I identified the solution to the mystery early, however, this did not bother me.

I loved Delphi, Lela and Anita, the main characters in the story. Delphi and Lela have their povs in the first person, while Anita's pov is in the third person. I would like to tell more about all of them, but in this case I am afraid of making spoilers unintentionally, so I avoid. However, I can say that I found them beautifully characterized, with wonderful development. I really liked the twins' relationship of Delphi and Lela, as well as the bond with their mother. I appreciated their diversity of character, the fact that they are well distinguishable. Anita, on the other hand, is a girl who has been through a lot, stuck in a terrible situation, to whom I became so attached. The journey they all take in search of their roots, toward self-acceptance, is really emotional.

The secondary characters, on the other hand, seemed flat to me. Excluding those in the past, who engaged me quite a bit, those in the present conveyed little to me. Especially the two romantic interests failed to captivate me, leaving me rather indifferent to the couples' development.

All in all, I found it a beautiful read, accompanied by evocative, exciting and fast-paced writing, which I recommend a lot!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.

I was enthralled with this story. It kept me guessing throughout. Perfect for those who love both thriller and fantasy.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Zando Projects for allowing me to read this early!

This book was so much fun and so well written! The characters were dynamic and felt as if they were truly real. This story has great action and pacing! I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy when it comes out!

Unfortunately I had a hard time getting into this one. While the concept is fresh, and I love the Cuban take on Practical Magic, the sisters felt interchangeable and the execution felt cluttered and packed with repetition. I found myself backtracking frequently to remind myself who Idaly was but couldn't get a good grip on the plot through the noise.

Ultimately I put this one down.