RaveThe Book Slut... [a] stunning novel that grapples with such complex subjects as grief, depression, mental health, suicide, and biculturalism. The content, voice, and tone of the book demonstrate Sánchez’s skillful writing while at the same time keeping the story authentic ... Sánchez is very shrewd about the way grief sets in, particularly for an unexpected death, as she deftly crafts Julia’s innermost thoughts ... a nuanced story ... don’t tend to read young adult books very often; however, what I appreciate about this one is the universal message it sends about Latina mental health and also in experiencing grief. Sánchez’s protagonist possesses deep intellect and sharp wit even in the face of her struggles with mental health. At a moment when white authors continue to culturally appropriate the stories of Mexican immigrants, if you are looking for an authentic story don’t hesitate to pick up this astonishing debut novel [first] published in 2017.
Mariana Enriquez, tr. Megan McDowell
RaveThe Latino Book Review... riveting ... Propulsive dark themes of mental illness, suicide, PTSD, sexual violence, fanaticism, and childhood disappearances are unspooled in these stories. Simply put, they are stories of women (and girls) in crisis. In the hands of a skillful writer like Enriquez, the behavior and actions endured by the girls and women in the story appear mundane. However, that abuse, violence, and mistreatment suffered by the characters have consequences on mental health. While a reader may be able to turn away from these fictional horror stories, in real life, Latin American women continue to be victimized by the crimes of misogyny, sexism, and violence ... In the end, Enriquez does not disappoint—like the lingering muck coating the protagonists in \'Meat,\' these are stories that seep beneath your skin. Hallmarks of finely crafted horror.
Natalie Diaz
RaveLatino Book Review... captures a sense of desire and centers the ugly legacies of colonialism. Many of the luminous poems express sensuality through visceral imagery, but they also create a new context for love poems—postcolonialism. In other words, Diaz has created a context uniquely her own by centering queer Indigenous / Latinx experiences ... The ability to capture the legacy of colonialism in stark, beautiful poems is a testament to the author’s brilliance.
