#Alexandra Villasante
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
lgbtqreads · 1 year ago
Text
Exclusive Cover Reveal: We Mostly Come Out at Night ed. by Rob Costello
Today on the site, I’m delighted to be revealing the cover of We Mostly Came Out at Night, a YA anthology edited by Rob Costello and releasing from Running Press Books on May 21, 2024 that’s the perfect intro to spooky season! Here’s the gist: An empowering cross-genre YA anthology that explores what it means to be a monster, exclusively highlighting trans and queer authors who offer new tales…
Tumblr media
View On WordPress
255 notes · View notes
the-final-sentence · 10 months ago
Text
‘Did you get your tongue pierced?’
Alexandra Villasante, from “Other Fish”
2 notes · View notes
readtilyoudie · 11 months ago
Text
Making people disappear is like balancing an equation; one half is the taking of a person, the other half is pretending not to see.
Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories: El Viejo de la Bolsa by Alexandra Villasante
4 notes · View notes
night-writ3r · 2 years ago
Text
The Empty Spaces (Original Poem)
Here is a poem I wrote for an assignment. It was inspired by Alexandra Villasante’s novel: The Grief Keeper. Enjoy!
The Empty Spaces by NightWrit3r
Echoes of turmoil and distrust follow them everywhere; chasing them like prey.
The endless journeys haunt them in times of peace.
Prayers for a haven or sanctuary are spoken to a god with no clear answer.
Paradise is found in the eyes of the travelers, in the land of frees; 
but lost in the eyes of those who call it home.
Even in darkness, there is light as the traveler dreams of honey and neon lights.
Spaces in the soul once filled with light grow dim with fear and anger.
There is no warmth in these spaces; no home.
There are only ghosts here; only husks in human forms.  
Wounds and hushed cries lay buried or trapped in the air.
In a new land, the travelers are free at a heavy price.
They choose to rise instead of falling; choosing to fight 
instead of hiding; they show the world who they are.
Keeping secrets; Keeping burdens of the mind from others.
There is little difference between them.
Mountains of wealth and grandeur surround the weary travelers.
While the barren desserts of home remember them.
Hands of help and trust follow them; spaces of the souls are full again. 
1 note · View note
theartofangirling · 1 year ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
part 2 of the 2023 version of this post: young adult books!
part 1: middle grade books | part 3: adult books
this is a very incomplete list, as these are only books I've read and enjoyed. not all books are going to be for all readers, so I'd recommend looking up synopses and content warnings. feel free to message me with any questions about specific representation!
list of books under the cut ⬇️
aces wild by amanda dewitt
the chandler legacies by abdi nazemian
bruised by tanya boteju
juliet takes a breath by gabby rivera
picture us in the light by kelly loy gilbert
when we were magic by sarah gailey
iron widow by xiran jay zhao
the rise of kyoshi by f.c. yee
jane unlimited by kristin cashore
summer of salt by katrina leno
the wicker king by k. ancrum
the dead and the dark by courtney gould
wilder girls by rory power
i kissed shara wheeler by casey mcquiston
her royal highness by rachel hawkins
tell me how you really feel by aminah mae safi
the weight of the stars by k. ancrum
you should see me in a crown by leah johnson
last night at the telegraph club by malinda lo
the grief keeper by alexandra villasante
crier's war by nina varela
how to excavate a heart by jake maia arlow
imogen, obviously by becky albertalli
in other lands by sarah rees brennan
carry on by rainbow rowell
cemetery boys by aiden thomas
felix ever after by kacen callendar
i wish you all the best by mason deaver
little thieves by margaret owen
technically you started it by lana wood johnson
the gentleman's guide to vice and virtue by mackenzi lee
the infinite noise by lauren shippen
bonds of brass by emily skrutskie
the darkness outside us by eliot schrefer
simon vs. the homo sapiens agenda by becky albertalli
what if it's us by becky albertalli and adam silvera
aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe by benjamin alire sáenz
like a love story by abdi nazemian
different for boys by patrick ness
history is all you left me by adam silvera
twelfth grade night by molly horton booth, stephanie kate strohm, and jamie green
across a field of starlight by blue delliquanti
heartstopper by alice oseman
check, please! by ngozi ukazu
bloom by kevin panetta and savanna ganucheau
laura dean keeps breaking up with me by mariko tamaki and rosemary valero-o'connell
the princess and the grilled cheese sandwich by deya muniz
if you'll have me by eunnie
on a sunbeam by tillie walden
the girl from the sea by molly knox ostertag
always human by ari north
rust in the root by justina ireland
dread nation by justina ireland
pet by awkwaeke emezi
the darkest part of the forest by holly black
elatsoe by darcie little badger
i was born for this by alice oseman
loveless by alice oseman
i hate everyone but you by gaby dunn and allison raskin
you know me well by nina lacour and david levithan
the black flamingo by dean atta
spinning by tillie walden
dreadnought by april daniels
a lesson in vengeance by victoria lee
all the bad apples by moira fowley-doyle
clap when you land by elizabeth acevedo
summer bird blue by akemi dawn bowman
the miseducation of cameron post by emily m. danforth
we are okay by nina lacour
radio silence by alice oseman
we used to be friends by amy spalding
a neon darkness by lauren shippen
i hope you get this message by farah naz rishi
are you listening? by tillie walden
alone in space by tillie walden
all out edited by saundra mitchell
out now edited by saundra mitchell
out there edited by saundra mitchell
905 notes · View notes
battyaboutbooksreviews · 2 months ago
Text
🩷 Sapphic BIPOC Books for Sapphic September
💜 Too often, books by authors of color get shelved out of view in favor of books written by well-known, already-established white authors. No more! In this amazing era of writing, there are more sapphic books by authors of color (about characters of color) than ever before! Here are a few sapphic BIPOC books to consider adding to your TBR! Spread the word about these books to give them the attention they deserve.
🩷 Girls of Paper and Fire -Natasha Ngan 🩷 You Should See Me in a Crown - Leah Johnson 🩷 Once Ghosted, Twice Shy - Alyssa Cole 🩷 Cinderella Is Dead - Kalynn Bayron
💜 Friday I'm in Love - Camryn Garret 💜 The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali - Sabina Khan 💜 Wild Beauty - Anna-Marie McLemore 💜 Last Night at the Telegraph Club - Malinda Lo
🩷 Gay the Pray Away - Natalie Naudus 🩷 D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding - Chencia C. Higgins 🩷 The Good Luck Girls - Charlotte Nicole Davis 🩷 Clap When You Land - Elizabeth Acevedo
💜 The Midnight Lie - Marie Rutkoski 💜 Tell Me How You Really Feel - Aminah Mae Safi 💜 We Set the Dark on Fire - Tehlor Kay Mejia 💜 The Henna Wars - Adiba Jaigirdar
🩷 All of Us with Wings - Michelle Ruiz Keil 🩷 How to Find a Princess - Alyssa Cole 🩷 Cinderella Is Dead - Kalynn Bayron 🩷 Sorry, Bro - Taleen Voskuni
💜 Wish You Weren’t Here - Erin Baldwin 💜 Girl, Serpent, Thorn - Melissa Bashardoust 💜 We Didn’t Ask for This - Ali Alsaid 💜 The Grief Keeper - Alexandra Villasante
🩷 Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Really Feel - Sara Farizan 🩷 Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me - Mariko Temaki 🩷 It’s Not Like It’s a Secret - Misa Sugiura 🩷 Everything Leads to You - Nina LaCour
💜 You Exist Too Much - Zaina Arafat 💜 The Skin and Its Girl - Sarah Cypher 💜 Hijab Butch Blues - Lamya H 💜 Roses in the Mouth of a Lion - Bushra Rehman
🩷 Faebound - Saara El-Arifi 🩷 Legendborn - Tracy Deonn 🩷 The Weight of Stars - K. Ancrum 🩷 Dread Nation - Justina Ireland
💜 I’ll Be The One - Lyla Lee 💜 Not Your Sidekick - C.B. Lee 💜 Honey Girl - Morgan Rogers 💜 Every Body Looking - Candice Iloh
20 notes · View notes
autistickhunsam · 2 years ago
Text
@panampalmersgf 's end of year sapphic book list (2022)
This is every sapphic book I read (and reread) this year
1. Homesick Stories by Nino Cipri
2. Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett
3. After the Eclipse by Fran Dorricott
4. Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler
5. Girls of Fate and Fury by Natasha Ngan
6. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
7. Every Little Piece of My Heart by Non Pratt
8. The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus
9. She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
10. The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante
11. Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings
12. No Tomorrow by Luke Jennings
13. Die for Me by Luke Jennings
14. This Poison Heart by Kalynn Byron
15. Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
16. Huntress by Malinda Lo
17. The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blake
18. Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake
19. Home Field Advantage by Dahlia Adler
20. Out on Good Behavior by Dahlia Adler
21. Wild Things by Karin Kallmaker
22. Ash by Malinda Lo
23. The Other Side of Forestlands Lake by Carolyn Elizabeth
24. Alma Mater by Rita Mae Brown
25. Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
26. Love by the Numbers by Karin Kallmaker
27. Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin
28. This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
13 notes · View notes
kingsbridgelibraryteens · 2 years ago
Text
Tumblr media
Reluctant Reader Wednesday: Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories ed. by Yamile Saled Mendez and Amparo Ortiz with illustrations by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz
This collection of 15 original horror / fantasy stories features characters of Latin American heritage, and the stories are set in locations like Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Florida, and even the Bronx. It also features a variety of monsters that are creepy, haunting, and terrifying. Some of these monsters may already be familiar to readers, but with such a wide geographical and cultural range, this book is also bound to expand our definition of what we expect a monster to be. I mean, yes, you’re probably familiar with vampires and shapeshifters … but have you also heard of the bruja, the chupacabra, the madre de aguas, the duende, and the patasola?
Authors like Courtney Alameda, Julia Alvarez, Claribel A. Ortega, Lilliam Rivera, and Alexandra Villasante contributed scary stories to this collection, and the illustrations by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz will help to hook readers deeper into each story.
Give this anthology to teens and even grownups who enjoy horror, fantasy, a diverse cast of characters, and PLENTY of monsters!
2 notes · View notes
kvothes · 2 years ago
Text
okay fuck it. new YA that i think looks cool. source: i’m a bookseller.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
the ones we burn, rebecca mix - a blood-witch’s mission to assassinate the prince she is betrothed to is compromised by the discovery of a deadly plague—and the beautiful princess intent on stopping it.
hell followed with us, andrew joseph white - sixteen-year-old trans boy benji is on the run from the cult that raised him—the fundamentalist sect that unleashed armageddon and decimated the world’s population.
six crimson cranes, elizabeth lim - the exiled princess shiori must unravel the curse that turned her six brothers into cranes.
if you could see the sun, ann liang - a chinese american girl monetizes her strange new invisibility powers by discovering and selling her wealthy classmates’ most scandalous secrets.
last night at the telegraph club, malinda lo - (national book award, stonewall book award) america in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in chinatown.
elatsoe, darcie little badger - elatsoe lives in a slightly stranger america—one shaped dramatically by the magic, monsters, knowledge, and legends of its people, both indigenous and not. she can raise the ghosts of dead animals. but her beloved cousin has just been murdered, in a town that wants no prying eyes…
an arrow to the moon, emily pan - a lyrical and magical novel about two teens who fall in love despite their families being caught in a bitter rivalry.
the grief keeper, alexandra villasante - after escaping a detention center at the u.s. border, 17-year-old marisol agrees to participate in a medical experiment hoping to keep her and her younger sister from being deported to el salvador.
seasparrow, kristin cashore - newest book in the graceling series!
anyway support your local bookstore, don’t buy from amazon, get a book for a teen in your life if you aren’t one
sometimes the way people talk about YA on here kinda irks me. i’ll be the first to make “a court of x and y” jokes, and i agree that like any genre it has its popular drivel, but there is also a lot of really cool concept YA being published right now. it’s not all waifs in ball gowns okay
254 notes · View notes
nanowrimo · 3 years ago
Text
Pro Tips from a NaNo Coach: How to Meet Your NaNoWriMo Goal
Tumblr media
NaNoWriMo can seem like a daunting task sometimes, for NaNo newbies and veterans alike. Fortunately, our NaNo Coaches are here to help guide you through November! Today, author Alexandra Villasante is here to share some specific tips for meeting your goal this month: National Novel Writing Month is here again and I’m excited and scared and slightly nauseous. PERFECT conditions for starting to write a novel!
Because writing is a freaking adventure. The kind with unknown obstacles, pitfalls (possibly of quicksand, more likely research rabbit holes) where you’d better bring the write weapon (both pen and sword), pack the Takis, don’t forget to hydrate and wear comfortable shoes. This endeavor should be taken on with equal parts trepidation and glee.
But how do we start?
1. Math Your Goal. 
Figure out how much time this will take. Divide that by how much time you have. Put some x’s & y’s in there to make your equation look cool, and you have your writing goal (if you are looking for real math, see below, but I warn you, I went to art school so I didn’t have to math.)
1666 words a day breaks down into:
6.5 pages per day 250 words per page (12pt font, double spaced approximately) so you can:
Write 2 pages before your breakfast; 2 pages during your lunch break; 2 pages while you eat; half a page while you brush your teeth.
OR-if your work week is hell and you cry into your ramen every night –ONCE A WEEK you can crank out a marathon 50 pages.
2. Prepare your space.
When you sit down to write, write. Don’t get up and put the clothes in the dryer, or go change your cardigan or search for your perfect playlist on Spotify. Those are the things you do BEFORE you sit and write. Time is words, so preparing your space before you sit to write is key. And also, all kidding aside, take this seriously. Your words don’t have to be perfect; YOU don’t have to be perfect, but words change people’s lives every day. So let’s prepare:
Clean off a part of a desk or table – move distractions (bills, notes from your Mom, YOUR PHONE) off your space.
Pick your music, if that works for you, or use noise cancelling headphones if you need silence.
Water, tea, coffee, snacks should be nearby (but you don’t need to replenish your wasabi peas every 15 minutes.)
Light a candle, ring a bell, utter a spell. Whatever you need to do to let your unconscious mind know that you are creating now, shut up with the raking leaves thing, do that now.
3. Write.
It’s only word after word after word; as hard and as simple as that. Whatever your reason for starting this chaotic journey (with SO MANY of the world’s writing fools) it means a lot to you. For me, it’s been a terrible year and I have given my writing mind zero attention. I’ve been scared to start something new because the world is so dark and it sometimes feels like there’s no point. National Novel Writing Month reminds me that the point is the community and the words on the page. That’s it. It’s a chance to make something (and you WILL make something, whether you get to the finish line or not) that didn’t exist before. That’s beautiful. 
Buena suerte. I’ll be shoving Takis in my mouth and crying into my ramen right along with you. And when November ends, we’ll have made new words and new worlds. I can’t wait.
Alexandra Villasante has always loved telling stories—though not always with words. She has a BFA in Painting and an MA in Combined Media (that’s art school speak for making work out of anything). Born in New Jersey to immigrant parents, Alex has the privilegio of dreaming in both English and Spanish.
When she’s not writing or painting, Alexandra plans conferences and fundraisers for non-profits. She lives with her family in the semi-wilds of Pennsylvania. Her debut Young Adult novel, The Grief Keeper, was an Indies Next, Indies Introduce and Fall 2019 Junior Library Guild Selection. The Grief Keeper is on ALA’s Rainbow Book List 2020 and is the winner of the 2020 Lambda Literary Award  for LGBTQ Children’s Literature/Young Adult Fiction.
114 notes · View notes
lgbtqreads · 2 years ago
Text
Fave Five: Queer YAs About Grieving the Death of a Sibling
Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman The Ghosts We Keep by Mason Deaver The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle  The Honeys by Ryan La Sala  The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante 
Tumblr media
View On WordPress
22 notes · View notes
publishedtoday · 2 years ago
Text
Our Shadows Have Claws - Yamile Saied Méndez (Editor), Amparo Ortiz (Editor) 
Chantel Acevedo, Ricardo López Ortiz (Illustrations), Courtney Alameda, David Bowles, Ann D��vila Cardinal, Mia Garcia, Gabriela Martins, Racquel Marie, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Maika Moulite, Maritza Moulite, Claribel A. Ortega, Lilliam Rivera, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Alexandra Villasante, Ari Tison
Tumblr media
From zombies to cannibals to death incarnate, this cross-genre anthology offers something for every monster lover. In Our Shadows Have Claws, bloodthirsty vampires are hunted by a quick-witted slayer; children are stolen from their beds by “el viejo de la bolsa” while a military dictatorship steals their parents; and anyone you love, absolutely anyone, might be a shapeshifter waiting to hunt. The worlds of these stories are dark but also magical ones, where a ghost-witch can make your cheating boyfriend pay, bullies are brought to their knees by vicious wolf-gods, a jar of fireflies can protect you from the reality-warping magic of a bruja—and maybe you’ll even live long enough to tell the tale. Set across Latin America and its diaspora, this collection offers bold, imaginative stories of oppression, grief, sisterhood, first love, and empowerment.
5 notes · View notes
readtilyoudie · 11 months ago
Text
El viejo was once again dressed in rags, but his face was the young man’s face, and his spine was straight and strong. Each of el viejo’s faces were faces that Esther knew she could love, human faces, full of curiosity and flaws and fierce wanting. What could be more attractive in a person than them wanting you above all other things?
Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories: El Viejo de la Bolsa by Alexandra Villasante
0 notes
starrlikesbooks · 3 years ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Have a good July!
As always, more in depth horoscopes below the cut
Aries: This month finds you full of passion and determination. July has you easily finding and embracing the things you love, and going for it. This is a time of transformation and newness, which is sure to be exciting. The problem is, things like making plans or working with the changes and uncertainty are going to be difficult to get a handle on. There’s distance between you and the situation, but also between you and your bigger dreams, which may leave you feeling a bit directionless.
Taurus: You’re feeling ready to react this month. Things feel new, or getting there, this month, and you’re ready to embrace that. Your passion sparking and your ability to be vulnerable and examine your self will guide the way you act and react throughout the month. However, it’s present-tense exclusive. Issues making plans for the future or connecting to long term goals has your focus stunted directly in the here and now.
Gemini: This is a good month for you, Gemini. You’re more connected to both your emotions and intuition, and ready to follow them to interesting new adventure & ideas. You’re feeling as free spirited as ever, and above it all. You may have a desire to put a wall up, and you can expect some struggle for a while to branch out in your own opinion or point of view, but you’ll get there eventually!
Cancer: Expect an extra dose of cancer sensitivities! You’re definitely in an emotional and open place, and your connection with Mercury this month luckily helps you get it out into the world at large. You’re good at communicating your thoughts and feelings, and reaching out to others. Embrace that power!
Leo: This month the sun in your sign makes you extra confident and yourself. You’re also open minded and do well with change and uncertainty- however, the idea of endings or concrete beginnings/newness are going to make you immediately shy away. You’re focused on the present tense, enjoying the moment.
Virgo: You’re feeling super connected to your emotions this month, but especially connected to passion and love. You’re definitely ready to act, meeting your dreaminess in a way that spurs you into impassioned action. Your own connection does have an exception- you may feel more sensitive and unable or uninterested to confront that vulnerability. You’ve got a wall up, and that may cause a little friction or encourage closing yourself off.
Libra: You need to find balance in July. While you’re ready in some ways, other sections of your life are more fragile. Pull away where you need to and focus in on where things seem to require more of your time and attention. You’ve got the energy and interest to work on things, so follow the urge, but the wall that’s up between you and the future doesn’t need to be a problem unless you let it be.
Scorpio: Things are feeling a bit tense and tough this month, Scorpio. You’ve got some issues with confidence and owning your situation, as well as problems with connections and communication. But the retrograde in your sign is asking you to examine and release, so lean into that and don’t be afraid to close some doors!
Sagittarius: July finds you curious and ready to ask questions. You’re good with making connections and telling the world what you’re thinking, but you’re also having some problems with love and finding something to keep your interests. Expect to do a lot of questioning on goals and dreams, and don’t be afraid to get led somewhere else! Capricorn: Your usual ambitious nature is going to take a backseat this month, Capricorn. You’re in a much less active state in July, and less connected to others or your own interests/loves. Just let things move in the direction and at the time things are going!
Aquarius: This month the full moon in your sign has you feeling extra free spirited Aquarius energy, but also super connected to your emotions. You’re comfortable in your skin and good around people, but there’s also sure to be a bit of emotional turmoil as you sort through your feelings and motivation, and you’re not going to actually push yourself to make a real move.
Pisces: This month pushes you towards the future. You’re feeling your abilities and your own worth, and how those things can link up with your next steps or your next goal. You may have some trouble compromising with others or just communicating, but the biggest focus in this month is internal!
67 notes · View notes
battyaboutbooksreviews · 2 months ago
Text
❤‍🔥 Books for Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month
❓What's your favorite book written by a Hispanic or Latine author?
❤‍🔥 The Luis Ortega Survival Club - Sonora Reyes ✨ With the Fire on High - Elizabeth Acevedo ❤‍🔥 Brownstone - Samuel Teer & Mar Julia ✨ Suncatcher - Jose Pimienta ❤‍🔥 Mexican WhiteBoy - Matt de la Peña
❤‍🔥 The First to Die at the End - Adam Silvera ✨ Shut Up, This Is Serious - Carolina Ixta ❤‍🔥 Small Town Monsters - Diana Rodriguez Wallach ✨ I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter - Erika L Sanchez ❤‍🔥 Chronically Dolores - Maya Van Wagenen ✨ It's All Love - Jenna Ortega
❤‍🔥 Does My Body Offend You? - Mayra Cuevas & Marie Marquardt ✨ Bad at Love - Gabriela Martins ❤‍🔥 Northranger - Rey Terciero & Bre Indigo ✨ Before We Were Free - Julia Alvarez ❤‍🔥 Lucero - Maya Motayne ✨ Queerceañera - Alex Crespo
❤‍🔥 The Turning Pointe - Vanessa L. Torres ✨ Suddenly a Murder - Lauren Munoz ❤‍🔥 Always Isn't Forever - JC Cervantes ✨ It Sounds Like This - Anna Meriano ❤‍🔥 Flirting With Fate - JC Cervantes ✨ Undead Girl Gang - Lily Anderson
❤‍🔥 When We Make It - Elisabet Velasquez ✨ Diamond Park - Phillippe Diederich ❤‍🔥 Juliet Takes a Breath - Gabby Rivera ✨ Libertad - Bessie Flores Zaldivar ❤‍🔥 This Is How We Fly - Anna Meriano ✨ Viva Lola Espinoza - Ella Ceron
❤‍🔥 The Grief Keeper - Alexandra Villasante ✨ Just Another Epic Love Poem - Parisa Akhbari ❤‍🔥 Sanctuary - Paola Mendoza & Abby Sher ✨ Solis - Paola Mendoza & Abby Sher ❤‍🔥 We Are Not From Here - Jenny Torres Sanchez ✨ Azar on Fire - Olivia Abtahi
❤‍🔥 Up in Flames - Hailey Alcaraz ✨ Beyond the Break - Heather Buchta ❤‍🔥 Chasing After Knight - Heather Buchta ✨ Cemetery Boys - Aiden Thomas ❤‍🔥 The Sunbearer Trials - Aiden Thomas ✨ What the River Knows - Isabel Ibañez
6 notes · View notes
yaworldchallenge · 2 years ago
Text
🇸🇻 El Salvador
Region: Central America
The Grief Keeper
Author: Alexandra Villasante 
Tumblr media
320 pages, published 2019
Original language: English
Native author? Author is Spanish heritage
Age: Teen
Blurb:
Seventeen-year-old Marisol has always dreamed of being American, learning what Americans and the US are like from television and Mrs. Rosen, an elderly expat who had employed Marisol's mother as a maid. When she pictured an American life for herself, she dreamed of a life like Aimee and Amber's, the title characters of her favorite American TV show. She never pictured fleeing her home in El Salvador under threat of death and stealing across the US border as "an illegal", but after her brother is murdered and her younger sister, Gabi's, life is also placed in equal jeopardy, she has no choice, especially because she knows everything is her fault. If she had never fallen for the charms of a beautiful girl named Liliana, Pablo might still be alive, her mother wouldn't be in hiding and she and Gabi wouldn't have been caught crossing the border. But they have been caught and their asylum request will most certainly be denied. With truly no options remaining, Marisol jumps at an unusual opportunity to stay in the United States. She's asked to become a grief keeper, taking the grief of another into her own body to save a life. It's a risky, experimental study, but if it means Marisol can keep her sister safe, she will risk anything. She just never imagined one of the risks would be falling in love, a love that may even be powerful enough to finally help her face her own crushing grief.
Other reps: #lesbian
Genres: #contemporary #sci-fi #romance #family #immigrant
My thoughts:
Grief, immigration, shady goverment experiments, and girls loving each other - this sounds like a very unique book and I’ll be interested to read it.
Review to come.
Bookshop.org link | Kindle link
4 notes · View notes