Lula Mortiz feels like an outsider in Bruja Born. Her sister’s newfound Encantrix powers have wounded her in ways that Lula’s bruja healing powers can’t fix, and she longs for the comfort her family once brought her. Thank the Deos for Maks, her sweet, steady boyfriend who sees the beauty within her and brings light to her life.
Then a bus crash turns Lula’s world upside down. Her classmates are all dead, including Maks. But Lula was born to heal, to fix. She can bring Maks back, even if it means seeking help from her sisters and defying Death herself. But magic that defies the laws of the deos is dangerous. Unpredictable. And when the dust settles, Maks isn’t the only one who’s been brought back… (via Goodreads)
I received a physical ARC of Bruja Born from the publisher as part of the #RWFsquad promotion in exchange for an honest review.
I read, reviewed and adored Labyrinth Lost last year, so it’s safe to say that I am definitely a big fan of Córdova’s. When I had the chance to interview Lula, the main character of Bruja Born, I jumped at it. You can read that interview, from when Bruja Born was titled Circle Unbroken, here! Bruja Born did not disappoint.
In Bruja Born, Córdova built on the fantasy she created in Labyrinth Lost, but brought it back into the real world through Lula’s eyes. Lula, Alex and Rose are still dealing with the aftermath of their trip to Los Lagos, which has left some physical, emotional and mental scars on all three girls.
Lula is dealing with the physical scars on her face, which Alex is glamouring for her so that no one at school notices, and also a lot of emotional issues relating to her time in Los Lagos. Her boyfriend, Maks, has noticed the difference in her over the last few months and doesn’t love it. Maks breaks up with her right before the final game of the season. Dick move, Maks. Shortly after, the bus that they’re all on on the way to the game crashes. You’d think that would be the end of the worst day of their lives. But it’s not, because the Mortiz sisters decide to try a cantos to bring Maks back to life… and accidentally turns all of their dead classmates (including Maks) into casimuertos, zombies that can only feed on human hearts.
I won’t go further into the plot here, because you have to read it yourself. It was great to learn more about the magical community in Brooklyn outside of the brujas. I loved seeing all three sisters working together. They were both badasses and real teenagers. It was good to see. We met a lot of new side characters in this story, all of them interesting. I’m interested to see who comes back in the next book, which will focus on Rose.
I highly recommend Bruja Born for fans of Labyrinth Lost. You can pick up a copy on Amazon or Indiebound!
