Cazadora: A Novel

4 stars — maybe even 3.5 stars. I think it’s a shame that the stories were initially promoted as a duology, but when that obviously became not true, they didn’t do enough to correct the assumptions. I don’t mind cliffhangers — I mean, yeah, I cry and wail, but I don’t hate on authors for them (especially when it’s just unresolved, not literal cliffhangers). But I do get annoyed when a book is marketed a certain way, and does not prepare you for an incomplete story. The author’s answer above is not exactly satisfying — it’s like she thinks that Manu’s story is complete, and she’s just setting up a spin off. That’s not how it felt to me AT ALL. And so I think it kind of sways with my enjoyment. As the book kept creeping along, I started to seriously wonder if it wasn’t a conclusion after all. But I couldn’t find any answers anywhere on her webpage or on the publishers web page. I think that’s a mistake. Proper marketing HELPS books, people. ANYWAYS. I will admit that the first half of this book felt a bit meandering. It wasn’t that there weren’t enjoyable and interesting things happening, but they didn’t feel tied together in a linear plot. I wasn’t sure what we were building up to. I came into the book thinking I was going to get one thing — the beginnings of a revolution — but what I got instead was a bunch of confusion and little mini climaxes. It was fun, and intriguing, but not quite what I was hoping for. The second half felt more cohesive, but by that time I was starting to get anxious about not getting a satisfying conclusion. I was definitely more hooked, and I plowed through to the end. But I have so many unanswered questions, and not a sniff of when I will get those answers. I was kind of bummed that we didn’t get much time with the secondary secondary cast from the first book (Pablo, Javier, Diego…even Bibi and Gus). I was really endeared by them, and felt that they each had stories to tell. And while they cameo’d (some more prominently than others), I wanted more. Instead we got to meet a bunch of new people, who also endeared themselves to me…and who also look like they might fade into the background. I just…I’m greedy. I need more Enzo in particular. I’m not sure how I feel about her family, and how all that played out. It didn’t go as I was expecting, but I think I’m reserving judgement to see how it plays out in the end (whenever we get an end). I think this book took me on a bit of a rollercoaster, with these highs and anticipations, but then these falls and sharp twists. I’m kind of disoriented now, and I’m not sure where I want to see this series going. I appreciated some of the lessons Manu was learning, and some of the choices she made. I even liked that while I thought she made good choices in some circumstances, they didn’t turn out perfectly — it felt real. Similarly, the society, and how they reacted to Manu’s secrets, were hard for me…probably because they felt so realistic. They reminded me of our own society, and that could be brutal at times. We got a lot more of the “magic” in this book, but I still feel quite confused about it. Even just simple things either weren’t explained, or I can’t remember, or it didn’t feel consistent: do their clothes magically melt away when they transform? I think so? But, I don’t know…I couldn’t remember. Some of the magic felt really convenient. Other magic felt cool, and I loved how unique it was. Some of that cool magic was only used for a short time and I wish it would come back. The relationships surrounding Manu also went through their ups and downs. I loved the strides that she made with Tiago, and we got lots of great romance moments. I’m worried about so many of her friends.