Review: Labyrinth Lost

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

The first book in the Brooklyn Brujas series presents some interesting concepts of Latin American witchcraft, and that fantasy mainstay, a girl coming into her powers with serious reservations about them. Alejandra Mortiz (Alex), the youngest in her family, who is coming into her powers, is shocked to find she is the most powerful bruja in her family in generations, like her grandmother, Mama Juanita. Alex wants to reject this power on her deathday, a day when her power will be sealed and grounded by her family, but in the process banishes her entire family (living and dead) to a demonic netherworld called Los Lagos. She relies on a teenage brujo, Nova, and the surprise help of her girlfriend Rishi to try to rescue them from the demon bruja, The Devourer, who is wreaking havoc in Los Lagos by endlessly absorbing the power of magical entities stranded there. Along the way Alex gains the support of the avianas (harpy-like creatures) and an exiled band of fairies.

Córdova blends elements of Spanish fantasy, giving us duendes (spirits), hadas (fairies) and Deos (gods). Elements of the story are interesting but I was thoroughly underwhelmed by The Devourer, who is just not scary. She's all talk and no terror, and for a person who has reportedly absorbed such immense power, she seems to control so little of her environment. Come for the view into the Latin mythos, not the scary villain. I'd also have to say that the relationship between Alex and Rishi is so underplayed that to call it a romance feels rather a stretch for a YA book.

I'll be reviewing book two in the Brooklyn Brujas series, Bruja Born which features Alex's snarky sister Lula before it releases on June 5, 2018.



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