Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova
Summary
Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives.
Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation...and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can't trust. A boy whose intentions are as dark as the strange marks on his skin.
The only way to get her family back is to travel with Nova to Los Lagos, a land in-between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland.
Book Details
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova
Series: Brooklyn Brujas
On Sale Date: September 6, 2016,
Young Adult Fiction \ Fantasy \ Wizards & Witches
Sourcebooks Fire, 336 pages
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 Stars
Rich in Latin American Culture, Magic and Adventure, Labyrinth Lost is sure to captivate YA readers.
Many readers are going to find several aspects to enjoy from Cordova's newest series the Brooklyn Brujas. With strong family ties, authentic Latina American traditions, a diverse cast of characters and the dark wonderland-like realm of Los Lagos - adventure is only a page away.
"I'm not the encantrix everyone thought I would be. Right now, I'm just an ordinary girl, and there is also magic in that."
Labyrinth Lost is very much a heroine's journey. I love a good quest and with this story, you get that. We see many changes and growth in Alex as she comes to appreciate her family and its traditions while in the face of danger. There's just something about fighting off monsters that brings out the best in some heroines.
"When we were children, they would scare us to sleep with stories of the maloscuros under the bed. But we aren't like normal families. Our monsters are real."
Los Lagos is a dark and enchanting mashup of Lewis Carroll's Wonderland and Guillermo del Toro's El Laberinto del Fauno, aka Pan's Labyrinth! The hardcover comes with a gorgeous map in full color and you'll want to follow it as Alex descends into the strange realm. I enjoyed the many twists and turns. The adventure at times does feel like you're following point A to point B but Cordova writes in such a way that I didn't mind much. I wanted to get to the end!
“Spells are for witches. Brujas do cantos.
All brujas are witches but not all witches are brujas.”
Strong female family ties and friendship play a central part to the story's theme and Labyrinth Lost also touches upon them in its romance. I do feel a touch of a love triangle possibility in the future that has me curious. I'm guarding my heart at this time.
"Not all loves are meant to last forever. Some burn like fire until there is nothing left but ash and black ink on skin."
Labyrinth Lost was an entertaining read as the adventure and magic held me captivated. Los Lagos is a destination unlike others and should be a big hit with YA paranormal readers. It was wonderful to see such strong girl power and family ties as well. A great start to a new series.
