The idea of a middle grade heist fantasy adventure (plus set in a Portuguese-inspired world!) was very appealing to me.

The world of this book is a lot of fun. The monstros and the world system of magic users is interesting and unique. There’s colors and pastries that pop off the page, and Rosa learning to be a better actor helps us learn a lot about the class system. There’s some emphasis on the attitude of wealthy not needing to care about the costs of anything while the poorer people are willing to do anything for a chance at a better life.

I liked the beginning of the book and was excited about where things were going to go, but there were some things that didn’t work super well for me.

I thought the actual heist ended up being not very exciting. There were a few too many “reveals” that didn’t land and not enough tension. I found myself getting bored halfway through. The characters were sometimes a little too simple-minded in what they wanted. I didn’t think that the part where they all have to reveal their secrets didn’t work well. I also didn’t like the “he told me something that changed everything” and then needing to go back to that moment later. I think it can work in TV for something to be hinted at happening and that returning later, but I found it jarring the way it happened.

There’s a lot of mentions of things like farts and excrement and things like that. I usually expect to see more of that in books for readers that are a bit younger than this one, so it sometimes felt out of place to me. The “humor” of that kind of thing doesn’t seem like a great fit for the rest of the book, but I’m sure it may help some readers be entertained with the book.

Overall, it was a fun adventure that some people will connect to but didn’t quite work for me.

Thanks NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book!

I've read a ton of MG books in recent years and have read a ton of heist books, especially recently. I wasn't sure if this one would stand out from those, but in fact, this one absolutely tops the list! I was so engrossed with this book that I couldn't stop reading. The characters are great with flaws and clear motives. The world building and magic system and monsters are SO COOL! Overall loved it!!

This middle grade fantasy heist is full of danger and excitement kids will love, with a found-family element that hits emotionally. When Rosa's family is put in a desperate situation, she resorts to "trying out" for a band of thieves. The only problem is, she has to lie about her credentials as a magical safecracker to get into the group. Rosa's character arc is one many kids will relate to--Rosa has so much going on in her own life that she winds up being inadvertently selfish. She has to come to terms with this in order to be a true team player. The dynamics between Rosa and her fellow heist-mates is compelling, and the plot itself is fast-paced and exciting. But where Mendonca truly shines is in her worldbuilding--it's incredibly elaborate (with an intricate magical society and system, monstros, Portuguese influences, and more) but it somehow never feels overwhelming or confusing. In addition, thanks to the fantasy setting, the book tackles the topic of wealth disparity without feeling the least bit preachy. The book also gives us a satisfying finale while still building excitement for the next book in the series!

This book completely swept me away. An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic is a vibrant, atmospheric fantasy rooted in folklore, heartache, and hard won power. Sarah J. Mendonça creates a world where monstros are more than just beasts to be battled. They’re mirrors of grief, fear, and forgotten magic.

Well written and exciting, with a good cast of characters, this was a good read. I found the new magical world a bit too complicated in parts, but i liked it overall.

a fun adventure full of unique mythical creatures and a well explained magic system. The world was also interesting and well built. I would not mind seeing more stories in this world.

This was such an easy book to read. I loved the cast of characters. The whole story is told from Rosa’s point of view, but she gets close to several others while on her mission with the thief crew. I liked that the crew members all had different personalities and secrets that made them assets and liabilities. As Rosa struggled to get to know the team and form friendships, oh, I just wanted to hug her! Her clumsy attempts made me cringe or laugh out loud. Her strong heart kept me believing she’d figure it out in the end, though.

Plot-wise, the story keeps a steady pace. The chapters are a nice length. They’re long enough that we get to dive into a scene or problem and short enough that they don’t overwhelm. I found myself leaping from one chapter to another, reading past my bedtime, because I was sure I could fit one more chapter in before it got too late.

Rosa has an interesting approach to her relationships with others. I’m not sure if there’s some neurodivergence at play, or if she’s meant to read as sheltered and inexperienced. The narrative doesn’t specify. At any rate, anyone who has struggled to form new friendships, especially in the middle-grade years, will likely empathize with Rosa.

An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic is the first book that I’ve read with some Portuguese words in it since I started learning a little bit of the language. It was cool to recognize some words as I read, though the author offers context or translation within the narrative, so even if you were unfamiliar, you wouldn’t be lost.

The story offers a satisfying ending to the heist, but raises plenty of new questions for a follow-up book. It looks like a sequel is expected next year, which I’m excited about.

If you liked Monsters and Marvels by Alysa Wishingrad, you’ll want to read this monster-chasing adventure.

Luscious world building dealing with classism, a well-rounded and relatable cast, and a fun, unique heist! I was immediately intrigued by “Encanto meets Oceans 8” and it delivered. Rosa and her crew are flawed, yet lovable and they are an amazing cast of characters to follow on this magical adventure. I love a good heist filled with challenges I don’t know how the characters could possibly get out of and I cannot wait for the sequel!

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

*3.75 Stars*

I liked this overall. I had some trouble getting through it at first but then I got into the story and couldn't stop reading. I liked the world and the concept, the magic system. I loved how everything was so layered. It really felt like there was several stories in one but in a good way. It was quite well paced and I appreciated the different parts. The ending really made me want to read the next book. It was so smartly done. However, I didn't fully connect to the characters, they didn't feel completely fleshed out. Still, this was a good read and I can't wait to see what happens next!

An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic is a vibrant, heart-pounding fantasy adventure that blends magical heists, fierce friendships, and cultural depth into one unforgettable middle-grade debut. With shades of Encanto's family magic and Ocean’s 8’s daring heist energy, Sarah J. Mendonça crafts a story that’s as rich in emotion as it is in action.

Rosa Coelho is a scrappy, determined heroine readers will instantly root for. Her fierce love for her grandmother and her burning desire to protect their struggling Encantadora shop grounds the story in real emotional stakes. Mendonça doesn’t shy away from highlighting systemic injustice—in this case, the way the elite gatekeeps access to knowledge and power—and she threads these themes seamlessly into Rosa’s magical world.

The plot picks up quickly as Rosa cons her way onto a legendary thief crew, and the magic-infused heist that follows is full of twists, clever planning, and just the right touch of danger. Each crew member brings something unique to the table, and the found-family dynamics add heart and humor to the tense mission. Rosa’s arc—from monster hunter to magical safecracker to revolutionary force—is satisfying and empowering.

While some worldbuilding elements could have been expanded, especially regarding the monstros and magic system, the Portuguese-inspired setting is refreshingly original and beautifully detailed. Mendonça’s prose is lively and immersive, maintaining a brisk pace without sacrificing emotional resonance.

Perfect for fans of daring adventures with strong heroines, magical mischief, and stories that challenge injustice with courage and heart, An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic is a dazzling debut with teeth—and plenty of soul.

Rosa is a trapper, dealing with the dangerous monstros. Her father was a keeper, a maker of many different types of charms. Rosa wants to follow in his footsteps, but she and her grandmother can't afford the education. When the Ministerio's unfair fees threaten their shop, Rosa takes extreme measures to prevent that. With her best friend Tiago, Rosa joins a team of thieves. Their target? The Ministerio itself.

An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic's rich description paints a vivid mental image of a vibrant Portuguese-inspired city. Rosa is a complicated character, who makes questionable, though understandable, decisions. All the characters are well-realized and interesting, with their interactions driving the narrative forward. There are some awkward moments, but in a very believable-for-the-ages-of-the characters way; working through conflicts eventually bring the team closer together.

This is great for fans of friendship, magical heists, and striking back at corrupt systems.

Incredibly clever, adventurous, and steeped in fantastically intricate world-building. This was the middle grade heist fantasy of my dreams (seriously, Little Me would've eaten this UP) filled with complex characters you can't help but root for. It's a story about magic and secret thievery societies, but also about power and privilege and poverty and the simple unfairness stitched into a world of socioeconomic hierarchies. Sound familiar? Sarah J. Mendonca is a talent to watch, and I'll be eagerly awaiting the sequel.

Huge five stars for this story, it was phenomenal. Beyond original and magical, it is perfect for young readers to start reading adventure with a little bit of spookiness. I read it in one sitting and couldn’t get enough of the world building and the fantastical creatures we encountered.

The story centered around Rosa Coelho, and she is trying to have a better life not only for her but for her grandmother. She has a very special occupation and that is to hunt monstros aka monsters. I loved the opening sequence of the book and how each chapter there’s a lesson from her family’s monstros catching techniques. One of my favorite parts was when Rosa meticulously infiltrated into the mysteriously secretive Tea Leaves. Definitely pick this up if you want an original and fast paced story. I can’t wait for its sequel.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic by Sarah J. Mendonca is a third person-POV Middle Grade fantasy. Rosa comes from the bottom rungs of society and spends her time hunting monstros with her best friend Tiago. But Rosa dreams of being a keeper and making a better life for herself and her family. When the opportunity presents itself for her to join a heist and finally fulfill her goals, she takes it but she might lose her friendship with Tiago in the process.

There are a lot of mentions of excrement and farts in this book. It’s common for bathroom jokes to show up at least once in MG, but it was really threaded throughout this book. For readers who like that kind of humor, this will be a pleasure to read. For readers who don’t like bathroom humor, it might feel like a lot. I feel like the appeal of reading this in a classroom setting would be that an educator has a chance to help students not be ashamed of perfectly normal bodily functions that we tend to get more and more embarrassed of as we get older.

The worldbuilding and themes deal strongly with classism. Rosa is on the lowest part of society and she wants to move up in the world but the actual attitudes of the wealthy and powerful are foreign to her. We do see moments of extreme excess, such as the wealthy taking a single sip of tea and then tossing the rest of the cup for a different flavor. In the current climate, it is infuriating to see these reminders, but it’s good for young readers to see these examples so they understand the frustration around modern classism.

One thing I really liked was that Rosa loses Tiago as a friend and she has to earn the respect and trust back of the crew while also recognizing that something is wrong in how she views friendships. And it was so interesting how that came about and how differently Rosa and Tiago view friendship but neither of them are completely wrong.

I would recommend this to young readers who are looking for an introduction to discussing classism and readers of Middle Grade who entire bathroom humor in their fantasy

While heisty middle grade fantasies always delight readers, what makes Mendonca's debut truly exceptional is the grounded quality of both the fantasy and the character relationships. Portuguese folklore, real and mythological bestiary, and transactional, artisanal charms construct a tangible magic system that pairs perfectly with the relatably nuanced power dynamics and social structures among friends, family, and political strata. The Epilogue suggests a sequel. I would consider this a must-buy for middle grade fantasy collections.

What a fun and unique adventure! Sarah J. Mendoca introduces us to a society that is steeped very heavily in a class system. It seems that money is the only way to ever advance and thus ‘succeed’ in life. But a small group of kids find themselves set to a dangerous task with continuous unexpected discoveries and deeply hidden secrets. There are beautiful themes of friendship, learning to trust, honesty, and selflessness. And it was really fun to get the Portuguese tie ins. If you enjoy a good story about a heist, like Ocean’s 11, then this book is for you.

I adored this magical heist! Rosa is a compelling protagonist who effortlessly draws us into her monster-infested world as we learn about her family's history and the traumas she's lived through. She is slow to trust, keeping her armor up around others and terribly afraid that they will discover the secrets she keeps close to her chest. This reluctance to let anyone in is made even more powerful as we find out her backstory and why she believes so strongly that she can only rely on herself (which is, of course, proved wrong later on). After all, heists rely on multiple people working together to pull off a grand theft and they must trust one another to get the job done. The supporting cast of characters are all endearing, with wounds of their own they carry inside themselves. I was hooked by each character's story and found myself rooting for them every step of the way. I'm looking forward to reading book 2!

Come for the heist, stay for the on-point commentary on poverty, oppression, betrayals by those in power, and the powerful and enduring bonds of friendship.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I was drawn to An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic, based on the title and it being pitched “Encanto meets Ocean’s 8.” However, the book failed to meet my expectations in that regard.
The world building is perhaps the most interesting aspect, with the Portuguese cultural influences being woven in. The use of magic throughout is also intriguing, particularly in how it’s woven into the power structure of the world.
However, almost everything else fell very flat. The protagonist, Rosa, is very self-absorbed, and while I don’t mind a bit of that, especially to reflect a young character’s narrow point of view and need to grow, she was a drag to spend time with. It also meant that the rest of the heist crew felt woefully underdeveloped by comparison..
And while the writing was fine and the other aspect that kept me going, I found the plot overall rather sluggish, detracting from the promise of action-adventure that usually comes with a heist.
While I was unimpressed with this book, I recognize I’m not the target audience for this book, and reviews generally skew toward the favorable. I recommend giving it a chance if you don’t mind a very flawed protagonist and a somewhat slower-paced take on a heist book.

An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros & Magic is such a great book! The world-building! The characters! The monsters! The magic! Middle grade readers will love this one!

This is a fantastic story! The worldbuilding pulls you in right away--I was totally fascinated by every new monster we meet--and the heist element keeps the plot moving along quickly. I loved how Rosa and Tiago are two sides of the same coin: she is earning to break free from her family's traditional boundaries and prove that she's bigger than her current life; Tiago loves his family's traditions and wants to protect them at all costs, and never sees his life as small. There's so much for young readers to dig into here.