A Tall Dark Trouble
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Perfect for fans of Shea Ernshaw, Nina Moreno, and Elizabeth Acevedo, Vanessa Montalban’s YA debut is a dazzling Latine twist on Practical Magic that follows a family of Cuban American brujas entangled in love, magic, and murder.
In contemporary Miami, twins Delfi and Lela are haunted by a family curse that poisons any chance at romantic love. It’s no wonder their mother forbids them from getting involved with magic. When Lela and Delfi receive premonitions of a mysterious killer targeting brujas, however, the sisters must embrace their emerging powers to save innocent lives. Teaming up with their best friend Ethan and brooding detective-in-training Andres, Delfi and Lela set out to catch a murderer on a dangerous hunt that will force them to confront the dark secrets of their family’s past.
Meanwhile, in 1980s Cuba, Anita de Armas whispers to the spirits for mercy—not for herself, but for the victims of her mother’s cult. She’s desperate to rid herself of her power, which manifests as inky shadows and an ability to speak to the dead. As political tensions rise and Anita’s cult initiation draws near, she must make a decision that could change not only her fate, but the fate of the nation.
Lela, Delfi, and Anita’s stories intertwine in a thrilling fantasy that spans oceans and generations as each woman steps into her power, refusing to be subdued by any person or curse.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Cuban American twins Delfi and Ofelia "Lela" Sánchez, 18-year-old brujas, must unravel their family's history to break a generations-old curse in Montalban's captivating debut. Each sister has their own special skill set; Delfi can taste emotions in the air via her emotional perception, and Lela catches glimpses of the past, present, and future through objects' memories. Both also carry the Sánchez curse, which causes all of their romantic endeavors to fail. When they inexplicably begin having the same dream of a woman in danger, the siblings resolve to save her, only for her body to wash ashore in their Miami hometown. Recruiting close friends and romantic interests Ethan and Andres, the twins uncover the circumstances behind her death, and realize that their family history is somehow tied up in the situation. This dual-POV narrative, set in 2016, features additional historical interludes depicting a young woman in 1980s Cuba attempting to escape the clutches of a magical cult that is dedicated to upholding Fidel Castro's regime. Montalban respectfully weaves religion and Latinx culture into a mystical tale that highlights the importance of family and freedom, and incorporates the harsh realities of Cuba's history and the determination of its people. Ages 14–up.