Labyrinth Lost – Granite Media

Brooklyn Brujas, Book 1

Written by Zoraida Córdova

Read this book in Sora, Granite’s Digital Library

This book has popped up in my “to read” list several times and I don’t know why I haven’t picked it up before. From the first page to the last I was enthralled with the bruja world Cordova created. Though Santeria and the Latinx culture is foreign to me, I could see their imprints in the bruja traditions. The main character, Alex, rang true for anyone who has ever felt different, wanted to hide who they are, or were afraid of their own potential (and angry about it). The relationships between Alex and her sisters were complicated as all relationships with siblings tend to be. If you are picking this up for the LGBT+ content it is light and feels underdeveloped, as most of the story focuses on Alex and the brujo guide Nova, but it is there if you can hold out through the requisite YA love triangle. Romantic love takes a back seat here for familial love, so don’t expect too much in the way of angsty or deep feels. Overall it was an enjoyable read about magic and coming into one’s own power.

Reviewed by Lissa Woolf, Library Media Educational Technology Specialist, Hunter High School
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 8-12