Book Review: 'A Cruel Thirst' by Angela Montoya

Angela Montoya’s first novel A Sinner’s Isle was released on October 31, 2023, and now she is back with another book to sink your teeth into. A Cruel Thirst is set to release on December 17, 2024, with Joy Revolution at Penguin Random House.

Carolina Fuentes wants to join her family in hunting the bloodthirsty vampiros that plague her pueblo. Her father, however, wishes to marry her off to a husband of his choosing, someone who’ll take her away from danger. Determined to prove she’d make a better slayer than wife, Carolina vows to take down a monster herself. But when she runs into un vampiro that is somehow extremely attractive and kind, her plan crumbles. Lalo Villalobos was content leading a perfectly dull life until un vampiro turned him. Now forced to flee his city, he heads to the pueblo where he believes the first vampiro was made. Surely its residents must know how to reverse this dreadful curse. Instead of finding salvation, Lalo collides with a beautiful young woman who’d gladly drive a dagger through his heart. Fortunately, Lalo and Carolina share a common enemy. They can wipe out this evil. Together. If his fangs and her fists can stay focused, they might just triumph and discover what it feels like to take a bite out of love.

Montoya’s gift of incorporating her own twists on classic themes and monsters leaves readers with a memorable impression of her writing. The novel has many characteristics of the “classic” bloodsucker; burning up in the sun, needing an invitation inside someone’s home, and super strength. Her vampires also absorb the memories and shorten the lifespan of their victims with every bite. This feat of the vampires added to the intensity of the attacks and for the protagonists to reach victory. An additional attribute of her strong writing style in this novel is the inclusion of newspaper articles, journal entries, and more that amplify the plot. While readers can enjoy the story of Carolina and Lalo, Montoya demonstrates that she can successfully relay a story from all angles.   

“ Montoya’s gift of incorporating her own twists on classic themes and monsters leaves readers with a memorable impression of her writing”

Carolina Fuentes is the daughter of affluent rancheros in Del Oro. The thing to note about her family is that the men are all decorated vampiro hunters. Throughout the novel, Carolina perseveres to show her father that she is capable of being a hunter. Something admirable about her, though, is her character growth. While her iron-will was a great proponent in reaching her goals, it also had its downfalls. Her need to be respected as a hunter came from a place of selfishness, which caused blindness in how she viewed the world. In her journey with Lalo, she saw that he wasn’t the hungry bloodsucker that she viewed all vampiros as. A buried secret exposed that her family wasn’t as righteous as she thought they were. Carolina is incredibly courageous, not just because she is willing to fight supernatural beings but because she is willing to admit when she is wrong and to rectify those wrongs.

Lalo Villalobos was on the hunt for revenge for his parents who were killed by a vampiro. In an unfortunate situation, he was turned by that same vampire. In navigating his new affliction with his sister Fernanda, he researches possible cures while in the city of Del Oro. What he doesn’t know is that it is also a hot spot for vampire attacks and hunters. He partners up with a novice vampiro hunter, Carolina, who is constantly trying to kill him, to get to the bottom of a possible cure. At a glance, Lalo has every reason to succumb to the darkness that has overtaken his life. His parents were murdered, he was turned by the same monster, and is constantly getting attacked by Carolina before uttering a sentence. Not to mention he is also clumsy, awkward, and desperately introverted. However, there’s something to admire about someone so well acquainted with the terrors of the world but never lets their heart darken. This light within Lalo served him well and showed him that life is worth living, and that he should sink his teeth into every moment with vigor.

Overall, A Cruel Thirst has intriguing vampire lore and an intense battle to correct a familial mistake. Lalo goes against the grain of what traditional vamps are viewed as while realizing life is worth living to the fullest and Carolina uses her novice vampiro-hunting skills to absolve her and her family’s mistakes. Montoya shows readers that adventure goes hand-in-hand with uncovering a larger meaning of life. 

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Melissa Gonzalez (she/her) loves boba, horror movies, and reading. You can spot her in the fiction, horror/mystery/thriller, and fantasy sections of bookstores. Though she is short, she feels as tall as her TBR pile. You can find Melissa on her book Instagram: @floralchapters

Book Review: Immortal Pleasures by V. Castro

V. Castro is a Chicana from San Antonio, Texas, who now lives in London, England, and is a two-time Bram Stoker award nominee. Being fascinated by Mexican folklore and Texas urban legends, it’s no surprise her writing reflects these inspirations while also putting her own edgy twist on such legends. 

Immortal Pleasures follows Malinalli, otherwise known as La Malinche, the Nahua translator for Hernan Cortés. History has her name and actions written down in infamy, but this novel tells her side of the story. She’s reborn as an immortal vampire and travels the world as an avenger for her people by reclaiming stolen artifacts to return them to their rightful home. However, she’s also in search of satisfying her desire for pleasure and love through two captivating men. In her travels to Dublin, Ireland for Aztec skulls that hold a personal history to her, enemies from her past begin to emerge. 

“History has her name and actions written down in infamy, but this novel tells her side of the story. ”

When two people, or even items, whose side of history are overlooked by the majority, a bond between them becomes inevitable. It’s no wonder why Mali is in the line of work to find and return stolen artifacts to their home county, as she and these items have something in common: they are both misunderstood. How can the history and significance of a stolen artifact be appreciated and understood in foreign hands? How can anyone understand the hardships that she’s endured when she’s seen as a traitor first and a human second? Or understand her vampire self and all of its difficulties when she meets so few like her? Since Malinalli and these items are so misunderstood, a yearning for something familiar grows within them. If anything, it’s natural that they gravitate toward each other. Just as the artifacts receive what they’ve been looking for, so does Mali. When she meets a mysterious vampire and learns that his name is also written in infamy, she finds solace, and love, in another misunderstood person. 

Despite the many evils and atrocities of the world around her, Malinalli never loses her capacity for love, kindness, and desire. These affections can be seen as an act of resilience and rebellion but it’s simply that she never lost her humanity. Her romantic relationships, fleeting and not, show how she has evolved in her opinions on giving and receiving love and desire. Her human self was always under the order of the Spanish, “My only duty at this point in my life was to serve and never receive.” Now that she doesn’t have to fear the hands of her oppressors, she takes charge of her sexuality and allows herself to feel affection at its purest and in multiple ways. Being romantically involved with humans and vampires in various forms of commitment, she gets to explore the feelings that were once not an option for her. Mali gives and receives love and sex with whoever and however she pleases. 

V. Castro illustrates a wonderful twist and perspective on Doña Marina. When so many voices screamed La Malinche and traitor, Castro shines light on her name: Malinalli. Mali, who has endured many tragedies of history, who never fails to honor those who were kind to her, and who continues to retain her humanity in a world that tries to strip her of it. 

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Melissa Gonzalez (she/her) is a UCLA graduate with a major in American Literature & Culture and a minor in Chicana/o & Central American Studies. She loves boba, horror movies, and reading. You can spot her in the fiction, horror/mystery/thriller, and young adult sections of bookstores. Though she is short, she feels as tall as her TBR pile. You can find Melissa on her book Instagram: @floralchapters

Book Review: Sinner’s Isle by Angela Montoya

Rosalinda is a beautiful witch, or a Majestic, trapped on Sinner’s Isle with others just like her because society deems their magic dangerous. However, an event is held every year for powerful men to exploit these Majestic’s powers. The Offering is a party for the wealthy to ogle the Majestics and to decide which one they want to bind themselves to for their benefit. This year’s Offering is Rosa’s debut as the prized commodity, and she plans to flee. Rosalinda and her friend conjure an escape plan but under the watchful eye of their domineering mistress and Binding Day looming closer, she is forced to rely on a swashbuckling pirate for help.

Mariano is the Prince of Pirates, the son of El Draque, the most feared pirate of all time. This cunning, handsome pirate has sailed many seas and is no stranger to adventure. After their ship is attacked, he is marooned on Sinner’s Isle along with a prisoner and an enchanted chain. He believes his heart’s desire is treasure and gold until he meets the equally cunning Majestic. Behind this brave face is a man who cares deeply about his family, his new friend, and Rosa. Though they have their suspicions of one another, Rosa and Mariano must rely on each other if they want to make it off of Sinner’s Isle in one piece.

“Sinner’s Isle has everything you could ever want in a fantasy: witches, pirates, and magic galore! ”

Sinner’s Isle has everything you could ever want in a fantasy: witches, pirates, and magic galore! Each Majestic has a unique power and I love that with everyone that we meet, we get a taste of what kind of magic they possess. I also loved the inner conflict that Rosa, and other Majestics, had in terms of her powers. While her magic is incredible, I can sympathize with her hesitations and childhood trauma in using her phantoms. The story had so many twists and turns that I felt like I was on the edge of my seat the whole time reading. Angela Montoya beautifully showcases that she can keep a reader’s eyes glued to the page.

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Angela Montoya has been obsessed with the magic of storytelling since she was a little girl. She hasn’t seen a day without a book in her hand, a show tune in her mind, or a movie quote on her lips. Angela comes from a family of storytellers with revolutionary ideas, including her grandfather, José Montoya, who was a celebrated activist and poet laureate. When she isn’t lost in the world of words, Angela can be found on her small farm in Northern California where she’s busy bossing around her partner, their two children, as well as a whole host of animals. Angela has participated as a Round 5 Author-Mentor Match mentee and was selected to be a mentee in Pitch Wars 2020. Sinner’s Isle is her debut novel.

Melissa Gonzalez (she/her) is a UCLA graduate with a major in American Literature & Culture and a minor in Chicana/o & Central American Studies. She loves boba, horror movies, and reading. You can spot her in the fiction, horror/mystery/thriller, and young adult sections of bookstores. Though she is short, she feels as tall as her TBR pile. You can find Melissa on her book Instagram: @floralchapters

Four Anthologies to Read in 2023

Anthologies have so much to love about them. They provide multiple stories in just one book where the author can showcase many aspects of their writing style. There are always new characters to meet, new plots to read, and new worlds to lose yourself in. 

Here are four anthologies that you should read in 2023.

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Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed:
15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora
edited by Saraciea J. Fennell

This anthology, edited by Latinx in Publishing Board Chair Saraciea J. Fennell, is composed of well-known and up-and-coming authors who challenge the myths and stereotypes that surround the Latinx diaspora. 

“In Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed, writers from across the Latinx diaspora interrogate the different myths and stereotypes about this rich and diverse community. From immigration to sexuality, music to language, and more, these personal essays and poems are essential additions to the cultural conversation, sure to inspire hope and spark dialogue.

The bestselling and award-winning contributors include Elizabeth Acevedo, Cristina Arreola, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Naima Coster, Natasha Diaz, Kahlil Haywood, Zakiya Jamal, Janel Martinez, Jasminne Mendez, Meg Medina, Mark Oshiro, Julian Randall, Lilliam Rivera, and Ibi Zoboi.”

The Book of Wanderers
by Reyes Ramirez

If you want an anthology that’s filled with unique worlds and characters across different genres, these short stories by Reyes Ramirez are for you.

“The collection follows multiple characters of Mexican &/or Salvadoran descent in past, present, and future settings inspired by Houston. Readers will recognize many of the landmarks and cultural influences of H-Town in The Book of Wanderers, whether it be pro wrestling, driving on I-45, roadside memorials, the Ship Channel, and even its unique radio DJs. However, as the stories progress, their genres stray further from reality, ranging from hallucinatory realism to science fiction to the post-apocalyptic. Houston is a cosmopolitan metropolis in Texas that’s part of the South, West, and Southwest on the Gulf Coast that encompasses the urban, suburban, and rural while being near the Borderlands with connections to the cosmos through NASA.”

How to Date a Flying Mexican:
New and Collected Stories
by Daniel A. Olivas

This whimsical anthology by Daniel A. Olivas intertwines Chicana/o and Mexican culture and history such as gods, curanderismo, education, immigration, and more.

“How to Date a Flying Mexican is a collection of stories derived from Chicano and Mexican culture but ranging through fascinating literary worlds of magical realism, fairy tales, fables, and dystopHow to Date a Flying Mexicanian futures. Many of Daniel A. Olivas's characters confront—both directly and obliquely— questions of morality, justice, and self-determination.

The collection is made up of Olivas's favorite previously published stories, along with two new stories—one dystopian and the other magical—that challenge the Trump administration's anti-immigration rhetoric and policies. How to Date a Flying Mexican draws together some of Olivas's most unforgettable and strange tales, allowing readers to experience his very distinct, and very Chicano, fiction.”

Her Body and Other Parties
by Carmen Maria Machado

Within these thought-provoking and captivating stories, Carmen Maria Machado presents the reality that surrounds violence against women and their bodies.

“In Her Body and Other Parties, Carmen Maria Machado blithely demolishes the arbitrary borders between psychological realism and science fiction, comedy and horror, fantasy and fabulism. While her work has earned her comparisons to Karen Russell and Kelly Link, she has a voice that is all her own. In this electric and provocative debut, Machado bends genre to shape startling narratives that map the realities of women’s lives and the violence visited upon their bodies.”

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Melissa Gonzalez (she/her) is a UCLA graduate with a major in American Literature & Culture and a minor in Chicana/o & Central American Studies. She loves boba, horror movies, and reading. You can spot her in the fiction, horror/mystery/thriller, and young adult sections of bookstores. Though she is short, she feels as tall as her TBR pile. You can find Melissa on her book Instagram: @floralchapters

Book Review: The Worry Balloon by Monica Mancillas, Illustrated by Betty C. Tang

The Worry Balloon is written by Monica Mancillas with beautiful illustrations done by Betty C. Tang. The book follows Isla who is experiencing anxiety about her first day of school. The big “what if” questions plague her mind as the first day looms closer, but fortunately, her mom is there to help. Her mother teaches Isla a trick, or a coping mechanism, to calm her worried thoughts. She is a beacon of comfort as she validates her daughter’s concerns. At the end of the book, additional coping mechanisms are provided along with a beautifully written author’s note that goes on to explain why the book was written.

““The Worry Balloon” is the type of book that I wish was available to me as a young girl. . . Mancillas is doing a service not just for children, but for anyone who is seeking coping mechanisms for their worries or concerns.”

The Worry Balloon is the type of book that I wish was available to me as a young girl. At a young age, I changed schools and this resource would have given me the skills that I needed to be brave, just like Isla. Mancillas is doing a service not just for children, but for anyone who is seeking coping mechanisms for their worries or concerns. This book is especially important for the Latinx community because mental health is a topic that is rarely talked about, in our community, and can even be even seen as taboo. This book creates mental health awareness, while opening the door for conversations to be held, in a gentle and validating manner.

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MÓNICA MANCILLAS writes picture books, along with middle-grade nonfiction and fiction, that center on identity, culture, and mental health. She was born in Ensenada, Baja California, and then moved to the United States at the age of two. She is an alumna of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and has a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley. 

MELISSA GONZALEZ (she/her) is a UCLA graduate with a major in American Literature & Culture and a minor in Chicana/o & Central American Studies. She loves boba, horror movies, and reading. You can spot her in the fiction, horror/mystery/thriller, and young adult sections of bookstores. Though she is short, she feels as tall as her TBR pile. You can find Melissa on her book Instagram: @floralchapters

Review and Excerpt: Our Ancestors Did Not Breathe This Air: A Collection of Poems

Note: The review and poems associated with this post majorly focus on author Ayse Guvenilir

Our Ancestors Did Not Breathe This Air is an anthology written by six Muslim women and it is about how they view culture, identity, womanhood, and so much more. Afeefah Khazi-Syed, Aleena Shabbir, Ayse Guvenilir, Maisha M. Prome, Mariam Dogar, and Marwa Abdulhai are a dynamic group of women of various backgrounds who met as undergrads at MIT. Not only do they share a love of STEM, but they also have a passion for poetry. Aside from their studies, they spent their days discussing their shared love of the art form and that love proved to be strong as even COVID-19 couldn’t deter them from continuing what they dub their “grounding medium.” 

The poems “when i think sunshine” and “comb through from root to end” are written by Ayse Guvenilir. Ayse Guvenilir was born in Austin, Texas to a Venezuelan mother and a Turkish father. When I read her poems, I found them to be relatable and very interactive, which added to the experience of her serene and powerful writing. On their website, Ayse says that she sees poetry as, “a form of writing that can surpass the bounds of what words are expected to be.” I truly believe readers will find that sentiment in her entries as well as in the poems of Afeefah, Aleena, Maisha, Mariam, and Marwa.

Reading “when i think sunshine” felt like I was reading about almost every memory I have of enjoying the summertime when I was a kid. Remembering those feelings of running around with my siblings and many cousins, enjoying the hot weather, and feeling like stress didn’t even exist during summer. With being written in haibun, a combination of prose and haiku, there was that added emphasis on those endless summer days that always ended as quickly as they started. Ayse perfectly captured that with the haiku at the conclusion, which only further showcases her strong writing style.

I found “comb through from root to end” to be another powerful entry, not just because of the message but also because of its format. Some lines are written to the left, some to the right, with the last few lines placed in the middle. It felt like I was moving my head back and forth between a conversation of people giving their perceived notions of a person, how they think someone should present themselves based on their identity (or identities), and almost making that person feel less than in terms of who they are. When the format ended in the middle, it felt like a powerful stop to the side comments. Like going in the middle and forging your own path in terms of who you are and who you want to be.

There are many other entries that are uniquely written in terms of format and various poetry styles, making them incredibly immersive. What’s also noteworthy about this collection is that some of the poems come with notes containing extra information, personal and not, about the entry. The additional knowledge makes them even more captivating because readers get to see the inspiration behind the story.

Our Ancestors Did Not Breathe This Air has many poems written by Ayse and her fellow co-authors that are incredibly immersive, captivating, and beautiful to read. They are multi-layered and there is always something to take away from their writing. It is a wonderful collection that contains their experiences and explorations into the many facets of their identity.

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Enough

Ayse Guvenilir

I have never been where

I will never go stuck

in this house with a heavy ceiling

reaching for the truth of what

I was trying to do

with you when I said

that I had to go

book the next flight out

would they ever trust me

a gringa—as Abuela dutifully reminds me—

otherwise?

Not that

given the current state of affairs

they would ever trust anyone

outside of whom could fix

every one of their problems bringing

them light

in the middle of the night

it’s so hot

they can hear

their brain sweating feel

their sense slipping waiting

hours upon hours for gas shifts switching

in a car that is going to burn

anyways

the ground beneath my feet has never

felt more unstable than it feels right now

kids in CAGES the world AVOIDING

the humanitarian CRISIS—

like they avoid every crisis—

does anyone hear their cries into the echo

of the storage building

is it real? Does it matter?

How can I be

and not be saving

my home once-removed y

gente who I feel are my gente

bonded by lengua y risas y cultura

rooted in over exaggerations y bendiciones y

Dios te cuide y no te amo te adoro y

seemingly excessive abrazos y besos

that keep us whole.

Will I ever be enough

to save them all?

Enough: The two crises referenced are the immigration deportation and detainment along the border in the United States, and the continued political and economic hardships faced by many in Venezuela.

Excerpted from “Our Ancestors Did Not Breathe This Air: A Collection of Poems,” used with permission from Beltway Editions. (c) Ayse Guvenilir.

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Ayse Angela Guvenilir was born in Austin into a family with a Turkish father, a Venezuelan mother, and three older brothers. Growing up in Texas, France, and various parts of upstate New York, Ayse has always used reading and writing for connection, reflection, and relaxation as she moved from place to place. She sees poetry in particular as a form of writing that can surpass the bounds of what words are expected to be, in turn connecting her with others. Ayse got her bachelor’s degree in biological engineering with a minor in creative writing from MIT and is currently a master’s student in the Biomechatronics Group at the MIT Media Lab. Through her work, Ayse aims to empathize, educate, and inspire, the way that the works of others have always done for her.

Melissa Gonzalez (she/her) is a UCLA graduate with a major in American Literature & Culture and a minor in Chicana/o & Central American Studies. She loves boba, horror movies, and reading. You can spot her in the fiction, horror/mystery/thriller, and young adult sections of bookstores. Though she is short, she feels as tall as her TBR pile. You can find Melissa on her book Instagram: @floralchapters

Review: A Ballad of Love and Glory by Reyna Grande

A Ballad of Love and Glory takes place in 1846. After Texas has been annexed, the US army begins to head south to start a war with Mexico over the Río Grande border. The novel follows Mexican army nurse, Ximena Salomé Benítez y Catalán and Irish soldier, John Riley. To honor the memory of her deceased husband, Ximena uses her skills in healing to tend to those injured in the war. After John Riley deserts the US Army, he forms a group within the Mexican Army called the Saint Patrick’s Battalion or El Batallón de San Patricio. As tensions rise between Mexico and the US, so does the love and passion between Ximena and John.

Ximena Salomé Benítez y Catalán is a gifted healer and has learned her skills from her grandmother, Nana Hortencia, a renowned curandera in the area. She lives on her ranch with her husband, Joaquín, but when the infamous Texas Rangers make their way onto her home, she is left a widow. This incident, on top of the impending war, sparks the drive for Ximena to be on the frontlines by using her healing skills to tend to patients, on both sides of the war. Upon meeting a new Irish soldier, Ximena begins an affair with him and finds a new reason to fight for the fate of her nation.

John Riley is a soldier for the US army but becomes frustrated with the mistreatment that he, along with his other Irish and European comrades, faces at the hands of the Yankees. When the final straw takes shape in the death of a good friend, he swims across the Río Grande to join ranks within the Mexican army. He quickly finds better treatment as well as better opportunities to rise in the ranks. When he does, he forms the Saint Patrick’s Battalion. Riley has a wife and son back in Ireland but begins an affair with the army nurse. After a number of taxing battles, he soon faces the greater consequences of this war.

“Grande’s thorough research of the Mexican-American War, or the U.S. Intervention in Mexico, as Mexico calls it, brings forth a significant part of history that is often forgotten.”

Grande’s thorough research of the Mexican-American War, or the U.S. Intervention in Mexico, as Mexico calls it, brings forth a significant part of history that is often forgotten. John Riley and his battalion are seen as traitors to Americans and as heroes to Mexico – to this day, they are praised as such in the country they fought for. Something I appreciate is that she includes the various texts that she read to learn more about this war and group. Like Grande, I did not learn about the Mexican-American War until taking my first Chicano/a/x history class. I have been drawn to the history of this battle and to the heroes in Saint Patrick’s Battalion, and I am happy to see that their history continues to live on. Vivan Los San Patricios! Erin Go Bragh!

Book content warnings: Murder, violence, sexual assault, NSFW

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Reyna Grande was born in Mexico and arrived in the United States at a young age. She attended Pasadena City College, received her B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an M.F.A. from Antioch University. She has been the recipient of various awards, appeared on many prestigious media outlets, and her books are part of reading selections in educational institutions across the country. To be awarded and praised for one’s writing while also being included in educational readings is an incredible feat. It is evident that Grande’s writing is a force to be reckoned with.

Melissa Gonzalez (she/her) is a UCLA graduate with a major in American Literature & Culture and a minor in Chicana/o & Central American Studies. She loves boba, horror movies, and reading. You can spot her in the fiction, horror/mystery/thriller, and young adult sections of bookstores. Though she is short, she feels as tall as her TBR pile. You can find Melissa on her book Instagram: @floralchapters