this book had me going through all the emotions one could really feel at multiple points in time. i was giddy, ecstatic, and proud at so many points reading yadriel's story, but also i was devastated, heartbroken, and ruined at other points. there was such a fantastic balance between what was going on that i felt like i was going through these events and emotions with the main characters.

this is a book that deserves the whole world; these are characters who deserve the whole world. it wasn't incredibly predictable in what was going to happen, i felt like i was always realizing something new when i turned to the next page. i felt like these characters were hashing out their troubles right in front of me.

yadriel as a main character was amazing. i don't tend to like the mc very much in stories, but yadriel showed new light to the underdog trope that was a breath of fresh air. he had his own struggles, and moments where his decisions were probably not the most productive or really, the best at all. he went through the ringer, but he came out with his pride and his surety every time that made him all the more appealing.

maritza was a breath of fresh air, a queen! she was so incredibly supportive of yadriel, and she worked through every single situation they were faced with with her head held high and her beliefs strong. she really showed me that having a friend who really cares for you, and will stick up for you, no strings attached. maritza was strong-willed and sassy, i loved her banter with julian so damn much!

and by far my favourite character, julian is a true king. that boy... is like, the polar opposite of what i'd say a "bad boy" was. i was told this was a story about a brujo bringing back the spirit of the resident bad boy of their school, yet here i am, reading julian being giddy about BREAD! bread, and going to the beach, and he was so damn excited whenever yadriel woke up or came back to him, he was practically bouncing off the fucking walls. this boy was a ball of sunshine wrapped up in a dark and brooding body, and i've never been more happy in my life. his backstory was rich and hurt me in all the tender places, and i just want more of him and his friends running around and causing havoc.

(aiden, if you wanna, like.. write a book about luca... or the whole gang... i'd so over the MOON)

all in all, this is by far one of my favourite books of the year, and i have the inkling that i'll be rereading it very soon! read this for clear skin and an escape from 2020.