Neftali and Proserpina are two friends in the near-future wasteland of Three Rivers, Texas, in a world where books are banned and shredded, and where the mothers work at a fish cannery. Run by mayor Crick, a tech oligarch, Three Rivers is a grim, desolate place with no future.

Neftali is one of the last literate people in the town, and she has just managed to get her hands on the latest book by Jazzmin Monelle Rivas, called Brother Bronte. But Crick's brutality is only increasing as he strengthens his hold on the town, and Neftali, Proserpina, and their friends face an inevitable showdown.

The narration was outstanding and the world of Three Rivers was tangible and vibrant in its desolation. I very much enjoyed this timely story and look forward to reading more from Fernando Flores.

This is my first Fernando A. Flores novel and while it took me a little while to trust the story, Flores masterfully connects plot threads that seem disparate into a fully-fleshed, supremely strange whole. Brother Brontë has been sorted into various publishing categories as sci-fi or fantasy or dystopia but I would categorize it pretty definitively as magical realism. Magical realism when well-done has a habit of making the reader feel slightly off-kilter, like the world is just that much stranger than you might realize. This energy is usually hard to sustain in a novel-length piece but Flores's rich, at times bizarre description—the opening line begains "Rain fell hard, like slabs of ham..."—goes a long way to preserving the atmosphere throughout, painting a world vicious in its injustices but beautiful in its details.

That being said, I think the description of this book distributed alongside it is at odds with the energy of the novel itself and could be misleading. If you read "Neftalí and Prosperina, with the help of a wounded bengal tigress, three scheming triplets, and an underground network of rebel tías, rise up to reclaim their city" and expect a typical violence-fueled action-adventure, you'll be disappointed. There are moments of action—of brutal violence, in fact—but most of the classic rebellion moments seem to happen off-screen or in passing. Instead, the "gonzo romp through a ruined world" is more about the world, about a reflection on the people trying to live their lives and preserve their knowledge through awful, ruinous times. Which, if you think about it, is probably more important and relevant than a typical violence-fueled action-adventure.

I’m glad I went with my gut and decided to check this out. The title didn’t catch my attention so I almost passed it up before reading the description. There are a bunch of characters and a lot going on but it’s written in way that’s lively, exciting and far from overwhelming. I felt hopeful and refreshed after listening.
The audiobook narrator was the perfect voice for this book! Thanks to the publishers and NetGallery for letting me listen!

Brother Brontë by Fernando A. Flores begins with a strong, captivating premise and introduces us to the intriguing friendship between Prosperina and Neftalí. The writing is beautifully crafted, immersing readers in a world brought to life with vivid imagery and rich language. Yet, as the story unfolds, I found myself feeling somewhat disoriented.

While the book features fascinating side characters and thought-provoking subplots, the main plot feels directionless at times. The dystopian town Flores creates is haunting, with its nightmarish landscape—books are shredded, illiteracy is rampant, and mothers are forced into labor, separated from their children. It paints a chilling and dystopian reality that is at once terrifying and disturbingly plausible.

The novel offers a stark, powerful portrayal of a society teetering on the brink of collapse, and in some ways, it feels almost too real. Despite its strong start and impressive world-building, the lack of a clear narrative structure ultimately held the story back from reaching its full potential.

A note for the audiobook: Victoria Villareal’s narration is a standout, adding a compelling layer of depth to the story and enhancing the experience.