An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic

This middle grade fantasy heist is full of danger and excitement kids will love, with a found-family element that hits emotionally. When Rosa's family is put in a desperate situation, she resorts to "trying out" for a band of thieves. The only problem is, she has to lie about her credentials as a magical safecracker to get into the group. Rosa's character arc is one many kids will relate to--Rosa has so much going on in her own life that she winds up being inadvertently selfish. She has to come to terms with this in order to be a true team player. The dynamics between Rosa and her fellow heist-mates is compelling, and the plot itself is fast-paced and exciting. But where Mendonca truly shines is in her worldbuilding--it's incredibly elaborate (with an intricate magical society and system, monstros, Portuguese influences, and more) but it somehow never feels overwhelming or confusing. In addition, thanks to the fantasy setting, the book tackles the topic of wealth disparity without feeling the least bit preachy. The book also gives us a satisfying finale while still building excitement for the next book in the series!

This is such a delightful book. I was fortunate to read an advance copy, and read it again once it had been published, which felt like a visit to a fascinating friend. It was impossible to put down both times.The story is a perfect heist. When Rosa learns of the massive financial threat to her family's business and has the opportunity to make a significant sum when the chance to join a famous band of thieves comes up, she goes for for it. She is a brave, eager person, skilled as both a monstros trapper (her aunt's profession) and a keeper (a very skilled safe-cracker, a calling that is very expensive to learn, which was the profession of her missing father). While Rosa is not licensed as the second, she pretends that she is, and thus joins that band of thieves who need those safe-cracking skills.With strokes like this, the author brings up questions of what makes a moral society. What choices do we have when a society isn't moral, or is treating some of its members unfairly? I loved the heist that is the heart of this book—tension builds constantly among the members of the thief-band, and especially when the heist is on—but I also loved how the story poses so many questions of what *is* the right thing to do, and what to do when you make a mistake. I especially loved that all the major characters have a chance to be heroic. (The cast is so much fun.)This is a wonderful story, a great book for the classroom (so many issues to discuss!), and a perfect mentor text for students and writers of middle grade alike: I've rarely read a heist so perfectly done. Truly a masterpiece.

Imagine a heist with Avatar the Last Airbender elements and a touch of Encanto's vividity and spirit. This is what you get in this new middle-grade fantasy novel set in a Portuguese-inspired world.The story features Rosa Coelho, an apprentice trapper, who dreams of a better life for herself and those she loves. But in a universe where knowledge is not only power but an exclusive perk, it seems like that odds aren't in her favour. Until one day when she crosses paths with a strange group of misfits with a dream that may just be crazier than anything she could ever concoct.The world-building is phenomenal. You can picture every corner, every Monstros and every character so vividly in your head. The colours, the scents and the tasty pastries and tea practically jump out of the pages at you. The snippets from various books and guides from the universe that are shared at the beginning of each chapter are such a delightful touch, often leaving me wondering how they’ll fit into the events. You will feel like a part of their world, so much so that you wouldn't want to leave.But I especially appreciate the attention the author paid to character growth. Rosa especially is written in a manner very authentic to girls her age and she goes through a wonderful transformation. Topics such as true friendship, trust and found families are handled very tastefully and strategically.Overall the pacing was pretty good. There were a couple twists I didn't see coming and the epilogue clearly teases a sequel. If so, count me in! I cannot wait!!Finally, thank you to Netgalley and Quill Tree Books for the ARC. All opinions here are my own.P.S: I would love to see merch based on this universe! Coupled with the gorgeous art style used for the cover? Oh, it would be glorious.