Book Review Corner: Introduction and "The Last Cuentista"

As a library clerk, I read a lot of books every year so that I am able to recommend books to the students. (My Storygraph app tells me that I read some 90-100 books a year on average.) With so many books being read per year, I am bound to find some that just make me happy and excited as both a reader and a writer.

Some books that I read, I simply want to gush over, and so, I think it's time for me to make a little book review corner in order to share some of these thoughts I have.

Just so you know, I will not post negative reviews on here. There is too much negativity in the world, and when it comes to books that I don't like, those thoughts I reserve to share only with my closest friends over coffee and laughs, not the internet, where trolls refuse to reside under bridges.

So, without further ado, here is my spoiler-free review of The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera.

A few years back, my mom recommended this book to me, and it seemed interesting, but I just never got around to reading for one reason or another (other books had a higher priority on the TBR list for some reason). Then, I watched an interview with the author (I believe it was the ALA Children's Book Awards, but don't quote me on that). The author mentioned that she grew up watching The Twilight Zone and Star Trek and that the middle grade book was inspired by those. Me, being the nerd that I am, was instantly intrigued and immediately decided to pick up the book without further hesitation.

And it hooked me instantly.

So, what's it about?

Earth is about to be destroyed by a comet, only a select few are chosen to leave to start life anew on a habitable planet far, far away. With her parents being scientists, Petra Peña and her younger brother accompany their parents to set off to this new planet. With the journey set to take hundreds of years, Petra Peña and her family and put in suspension hibernation tanks where they will sleep and intake knowledge as they sleep. However, things do not go as planned... a sinister group known as the Collective take over the ship, hoping to eradicate all traces of Earth's ways, stories, and customs. Petra comes to find she is the only one who remembers Earth's stories...

(We'll leave the rest for you to discover.)

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I couldn't put this book down! Higuera is a storyteller in her own right, and this book held me captive with her beautiful storytelling---the main character was interesting, the story intriguing, the world-building riveting.

It got to the point that I bought the audiobook so I would not have to stop reading. I could listen to it in the car, at the gym, at the store while running errands, and while I worked on chores around the house . It was perfect! I devoured the book in no time at all.

Also, I have to take a moment to praise the audiobook. The narration was lovely! I highly recommend it! The narrator's voice was perfect! I enjoyed hearing the Spanish words and phrases read in such a beautiful way.

The sci-fi nerd in me was satisfied by the book as a whole. I cannot say that the "twists" surprised me, but then again, I am notorious in my family for always guessing the twists and reveals. (Therefore, I am not a good judge for whether twists and reveals are surprising or not). It was an interesting and fun story, and something about the end reminded me of The Giver--- that sort of ending that completes the story, yet leaves the reader craving for more.

All in all, it was a great read, and I highly recommend it.

(Note: I am posting this review on Goodreads as well.)