| Title | : | House of Bone and Rain |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0316427012 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780316427012 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 352 |
| Publication | : | First published August 6, 2024 |
For childhood friends Gabe, Xavier, Tavo, Paul, and Bimbo, death has always been close. Hurricanes. Car accidents. Gang violence. Suicide. Estamos rodeados de fantasmas was Gabe’s grandmother’s refrain. We are surrounded by ghosts. But this time is different. Bimbo's mom has been shot dead. We’re gonna kill the guys who killed her Bimbo swears. And they all agree.
Feral with grief, Bimbo has become unrecognizable, taking no prisoners in his search for names. Soon, they learn Maria was gunned down by guys working for the drug kingpin of Puerto Rico. No one has ever gone up against him and survived. As the boys strategize, a storm gathers far from the coast. Hurricanes are known to carry evil spirits in their currents and bring them ashore, spirits which impose their own order.
Blurring the boundaries between myth, mysticism, and the grim realities of our world, House of Bone and Rain is a harrowing coming of age story; a doomed tale of devotion, the afterlife of violence, and what rolls in on the tide.
House of Bone and Rain Reviews
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As I sit here writing this, yet another hurricane is about to hit the Carribean. In the capital of San Juan, on the island of Puerto Rico, the citizens are all too knowledgeable of what often happens during storms like these. In spite of the years passing by, nothing ever seems to get any better there.
In House of Bone and Rain, Hurricane Maria is bearing down on the island and its people are getting ready. A group of best friends is mourning the death of one of their mothers, whose name is also Maria. She was shot while working the door of a local club. The group decides to figure out who was behind it, and are bent on getting revenge. As Maria sweeps in, these young men go about their vengeful action-plan. Will they be able to get justice for Maria, the person? Will they survive Maria, the hurricane? Will they survive at all? You'll have to read this to find out!
"Every story is a ghost story." One of the young men's grandmother's told him this. He didn't believe it at first, but he did by the end of the story. As I mull this over in my mind, I too, think she might be right.
As with every tale I've read from Gabino, this is written in a type of Spang-lish. (Unless you are a Spanish speaker, I recommend reading on Kindle because it takes only a swipe to get the translation.) For whatever reason, this doesn't bother me at all, I only mention it so you know what you're getting into before you start.
I am trying to find something new to say about Gabino's work. Everything I love about him as a writer is in this story. He has a way of creating characters that is...sublime. None of them are perfectly good or perfectly bad. They seem like real people, making decisions that real people would likely make. In this way, we get to know each character, what makes them tick, and what motivates them. Some of the things that happen here seem batsh*t crazy, yet because we know what's behind those occurrences, we as readers, accept it. Because that's what we would do-at least most of the time. Maybe.
I felt for each of these young men. Not only for what they had to deal with in this narrative, (and that's a LOT), but because their lives are already hard. Living in a place that constantly gets spanked with tropical storms and hurricanes, yet nothing ever changes. No new power grids. No new way to get clean water. No way to dispose of the inevitable bodies that result from each storm. Yet, NOTHING ever changes. If you think about what kind of strength that must take day after day, year after year, then you know some of these characters already.
Once again, here I sit trying to describe how Gabino made me feel. Once again, I am left with a broken heart and a small smidge of hope. Why do I keep subjecting myself to this kind of torture? It's that hope: it's because Gabino somehow infuses all this drab dreariness with a bit of hope. It's because his writing is often flat out beautiful, without being tedious or overwritten. It's the writing of a person you know has GONE THROUGH IT, the writing itself, drips with truth, and because it's Gabino, you believe it. I BELIEVE IT, GABINO and I believe in you.
House of Rain and Bone contains what I feel is the best of Gabino's writing thus far, and I'm already itching to read his next book.
My highest recommendation!
*ARC from publisher.* -
I will start by saying this author has a beautiful way with words. He takes us through a tale so poignant that it truly makes your heart ache.
This story follows five teenage boys in Puerto Rico. Gabe, Bimbo, Xavier, Paul and Tavo. Bimbo’s mother has just been brutally murdered in the streets, she is a low level drug dealer. The boys show up to Maria’s funeral to support their best friend Bimbo. Bimbo is absolutely crushed and stricken by grief, he decides to seek vengeance on the ones who shot her. Was it a rival drug dealer? A gang? He feels the only way to heal is to seek revenge. However, his friends are a little hesitant.
When his best friend Gabe stands by his side, the others decide to join him. From there it becomes about life or death. At the same time we have a horrible hurricane that is blowing through with a fury. Trying to stay alive and fight, this becomes a gritty bloodbath. Bimbo will stop at nothing and kill whoever is in his way. I will tell you that there are some violent scenes here. Brutal and unsparing. Death is inevitable.
This story is about grief, coming of age, family, friends and the things that tie them together. There are even some supernatural elements. This would not be my normal read, however, there has been much praise for Gabino Iglesias’s work that I had to get my feet wet. All in all, the constant murder spree and violence just isn’t my thing. I will give credit for writing that is spellbinding, story so gritty and I think he will continue to write great books.
This book is not for everybody. TW galore — extreme violence, death of a family member, drug use, and I’m probably missing some.
Thank you Mulholland Books, NetGalley and Gabino Iglesias for the opportunity. Publication date August 6, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ and honestly torn between 3-4 ⭐️ -
A pulpy, blood-soaked, and rain-drenched tale of brotherhood and revenge.
This was a fun, fast-paced thrill. I enjoyed the blend of revenge and supernatural horror in a locale (Puerto Rico) that doesn’t get the limelight in contemporary fiction too often. That said, the tone and writing style didn’t always land with me, and some of the violence is so cartoonishly over the top that it distracted me from the narrative. I still think it's a worthwhile read, as it's stuffed to the gills with exciting action set pieces.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blog:
The Speculative Shelf | X:
@specshelf | IG:
@thespeculativeshelf -
After reading two of his novels, I feel like Gabino Iglesias has really seen some shit. This story is extremely visceral and violent. One bad situation snowballs into many more. It is a stressful and harrowing novel in which terrible things happen to people. And once again, this author has a way with words.
One of my favorite things about this book was that it portrayed how terrifying storms are. I hate them so much. These storms specifically are hurricanes and not tornadoes, like the ones I have to worry about, (plus there are supernatural elements mixed in), but my feelings are still valid! This story takes place in Puerto Rico and I felt like I was there. Iglesias vividly describes the post-hurricane destruction and suffering in ways that evoke all of the senses. (The buzzing of the generators, the heat, etc.) And that's just the grounded layer of the plot, because there is also horrific revenge and something monstrous and otherwordly happening on top of all of this.
The main characters are four men who love each other like brothers. One of them is gay, and they accept and protect him without question. That was nice to see. But once the primary narrator, Gabe, gets caught up in a bad situation, it all spirals out of control and their loyalty to each other will be tested with blood. This book is brutally violent and bleak. Heed the trigger warnings.
I would also caution that at the start of every chapter, there are five words or phrases in bold. They’re sort of like a preview of what the chapter will be about, but they’re also like little mini-spoilers, so I would recommend ignoring these lists. I'm not sure why they're included.
I didn't mind the supernatural element, and just like with "The Devil Takes You Home," I think Iglesias blended it in well with the very real and very ugly core story. There were cool and creepy scenes throughout that added a chilling veil of darkness to the atmosphere. My only complaint was that some of it did get a bit silly near the end, even if it also touched me emotionally. (Very complicated!) I really like this author and will continue to read anything he releases. His writing is not for the faint of heart.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
TW: Hate speech, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, child harm/death, suicide, animal death, drug use, extreme violence -
This was an addictive story about the power of friendship, growing up, love, death, vengeance and everything inbetween, Gabino is a powerful storyteller, writing with finesse he weaves a tale of grief with the most beautiful narration, punchy prose that hits hard, like emotional jabs, but amongst this is almost poetic descriptions, some sentences border on being philosophical, I have highlighted so many throughout this, incredibly thought provoking and evocative, themes of toxic masculinity and friendship group dynamics are explored, well crafted characters whos pain and rage are palpable, expect some gut wrenching moments (duh..its Gabino, have you read The Devil Takes You Home?)The descriptions of the island are lush and transport you entirely, I enjoyed the history and lore of Puerto Rico, I found it utterly fascinating and felt homesick for a place I've never been, Gabino is a master at what he does and what he does is break hearts with his stories, there are not enough stars I could give!
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“We’re surrounded by ghosts, and all stories are ghost stories.”
This might just be my new favorite from Gabino Iglesias! A gritty, violent, coming-of-age crime thriller merging with horror and filled with heart! If you love books about strong bonds, obsession, retribution, and vengeance, this felt similar to author S.A. Cosby's Razorblade Tears but set in Puerto Rico and dripping with Caribbean folklore. Absolutely LOVED it. -
With hurricane Maria looming off the coast of Puerto Rico, five friends are determined to avenge the devastating murder of one of their mothers. What will the cost be for that vengeance?
This novel is part coming of age, part supernatural thriller and part horror. After reading and loving The Devil Takes You Home, I was excited to see the author has a new book coming out. I took my time with House of Bone and Rain and reread sections. It’s a lot. A lot in a good way. In fact, genius is the word I’d use to describe it. I have never felt more present in a story than I did here. I don’t speak Spanish and I’ve never been to Puerto Rico. This talented author took me right there. The plight of the people and the ridiculous politics that bar them from their rights as citizens of the United States is appalling.
These boys are flawed and have lived difficult lives. Their friendship and love for each other was strong and so was their need for their own survival. The precarious situations throughout the story put those things at odds with one another. The writing is outstanding in this original and very dark coming of age story. I was so invested in the lives of these boys, that it was difficult for me to get anything else done until I finished the book. The atmosphere is eerie and I felt such a range of emotions throughout the novel. There’s so much danger that surrounds these friends. From natural disasters to drug cartels. The constant feeling of impending doom is intense, but I just couldn’t look away.
I’m honestly exhausted after reading this book and I will think of these characters and their stories for a long time. I’ll be adding an audio copy and a hardcover to my library as soon as I’m able. Thank you so much to @gabinoIglesias @netgalley @mulhollandbooks for an advanced digital copy of this brilliant novel. -
I need 7-10 business days to process this announcement.
Thank you for your understanding.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8mo3Yng/ -
Another incredible book from Gabino Iglesias.
This was very visual and very scary - I’m going to go down a rabbit hole of Puerto Rican lore and culture because - well, spoilers. Just know that I’m going to.
I can’t wait to see Gambino in September! (Ha, seems a little creepy written like that) -
Right out of the gate I want to say that this is one of the best horror novels of the year and you definitely need to read it.
This is set in Puerto Rico with all it's beauty and ugliness on display. It's a story of revenge with the added terrors of eldritch creatures from the ocean.
A group of friends, more like brothers, come together to kill those responsible for the drive by shooting death of one of their mothers. They are in way over their heads when they discover who ordered the hit and they might not survive very long.
There's also a category five hurricane which will devaste the country at the time they plan their revenge. Within that storm, something lurks. Hungry things from the waters which will unsettle and disturb you.
Violent, bloody, and beautiful, this novel explores friendship, betrayal, and local legends.
While this is an often overused cliché, it's true: Puerto Rico is like another character in this book. The way the author describes the country and it's issues stay with you as the narrative unfolds. It's always there playing it's part in the story and you'll sense it's presence on every page.
I seriously couldn't put this book down. I stayed up until three o'clock in the morning (my time) because it's that damn good. I would have gladly stayed longer in this world and this just shows why Gabino Iglesias is a powerhouse in horror.
Yes, I highly HIGHLY recommend it. -
What a wild ride!! I thought it couldn't get better than The Devil Takes You Home. But it clearly can.
Dripping with dread and darkness from the occult, House of Bone and Rain takes you to the dark underbelly of a post hurricane Puerto Rico where the only light to be found is from your brothers and family. Set out on a quest for vengeance, a group of close friends test their resolve, their friendship and their sanity.
When Bimbo's mother is brutally gunned down, him and his friends decide to avenge her death. They discover a dark and mystical side of La Perla that existed right underneath their noses and have to kill their way up to the head boss who ordered the kill.
This novel is amazing. I couldn't tear my eyes from the page. The mix of English and Spanish was perfect and it was so nice to see conversational Spanish accurately being used in a text. I also loved how this novel depicted the dark underbelly of Puerto Rico, but also highlighting the joys and family that can be found even in the darkest of times on the island. This author is somebody who I will always trust and buy and read their books. Because as of right now, not one miss to be found. -
I'll write more later. I don't want to share too much for spoiler reasons. But, yeah, it's good. Just so, so good. Loved it.
Update: This book is full of love and friendship and loyalty. It has layers of grief that speak to one's soul. The hurricane chapter may be one of the best chapters of writing I've ever read. Can't wait to read it again. -
Holy hurricane horror!
HOUSE OF BONE AND RAIN is not for the faint of heart.
We start out with a group of friends scraping by in one of Puerto Rico’s rough neighborhoods. They’re each working toward their dream for a better future. Then something happens that triggers a hellish snowball effect of revenge and vengeance.
And if this wasn’t bad enough, a major hurricane brings destruction while unleashing an evil that no one can control.
This story is violent, brutal, and haunting. Yet the love these guys have for one another binds them, giving them a reason to keep fighting.
The writing has a lyrical quality that’s beautiful, even as all hell is breaking loose. So, literary supernatural horror? Whatever we’re calling this genre, Gabino Iglesias totally nails it.
*I received an eARC from Mulholland Books, via NetGalley.* -
I'm really going to advocate that Gabino Iglesias is the master marrying despair and grief with the occult. There is not enough praise for such a skill. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for this ARC. Give this a read when it publishes August 06, 2024!
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Gabe, Xavier, Tavo, Paul, and Bimbo are close childhood friends who have experienced the worst of Puerto Rico via hurricanes and life in gang infested area of town. When Bimbo's mother is shot, he is enraged and leads the friends into a dogged search. When the search takes them to a drug king, the young men create a plan, knowing all the while that no one has ever defeated the kingpin and another strong hurricane is bearing down on the island.
Bringing elements of myths and horror, grit and hope, Iglesias bring Puerto Rico to life. The 5 young men are life friends by the end of the story and the beauty of the writing will carry you through the heart wrenching moments. If you like a gritty thriller, elements of horror and myth, this is perfect novel for you!
#mullhollandbooks #houseofboneandrain #gabinoiglesias -
House of Bone and Rain was not what I expected at all. I went into this book blindly and was NOT disappointed. Blending fast-pace action with fantastical lore, this book is difficult to put down.
The story centers around a group of 4 men who get more than they bargained for when they agree to help one of the four seek revenge for the murder of his mother. Immediately, things get out of hand and it just snowballs to a point that you are gripping your seat as you read, waiting for what will happen next. The book reads like a mafia novel - there is blood and violence throughout much of it. House of Bone and Rain touches upon folk tales, santería, and friendship. How far would you be willing to go for your friends? It is fitting that the book has continual references to Elegguá, who stands at the crossroads, as for the much of the book, the main character, Gabe is also at a crossroads.
I would recommend this book to people who want a quick read and aren't afraid of a little gore in their fiction (I had to table it a few times due to other deadlines, but once I began, I finished it in 3 days).
I received a free electronic copy of the Advanced Reader's version of this book from Mulholland Books and NetGalley. -
3.5 rounded up. Overall, I liked this, I think I would have liked it more as an audiobook. I struggled with the pacing and repetitive movement of the plot (go see a guy, get a name, go see another guy, get a name...) I also think the mystery/magical elements were too slow burn for me, they were so interesting that once we got to them I wanted more, but we were already at the end and then the end felt too rushed. That being said, I still liked a lot of things about this. Taking place in Puerto Rico before/during/after hurricane Maria was very interesting and the political commentary woven throughout was well done. I really enjoy the author's writing style and his ability to create an atmosphere that feels like you're there. I loved the magical elements in this, the reveal was very unexpected. If gore is not your thing, I personally found this one easier to stomach then Devil which had me literally trying to cover my eyes like I was watching a scary movie, but this is still pretty gorey and violent :)
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This was a tale of brotherhood, found family and coming of age. I loved the lush descriptions of the Puerto Rican landscape and the island. Iglesias is really a poet and a master with words. Even though this is a brutal and, at times, scary story it is also filled with folklore and beauty. The way the hurricane looms over everything and adds to the dreadful claustrophobia of the story was such a great added touch. Natural disasters are always terrifying and every area has their own but I cannot imagine.
Gabe’s inner dialogue and struggle between the loves for his found family, blood family and the “right” thing to do felt so realistic. It’s really hard not to root for the boys and their quest for vengeance. I loved the sprinkling of Spanish throughout the novel. It added to the culture and the richness of the novel. I haven’t read The Devil Takes You yet, but has definitely been bumped up my TBR. -
Eh. It was alright, but to me a 3 would mean I’d recommend reading this book. And nah, it’s very missable. Read his other one. There are simply too many books in the world and you can do better.
A group of young men in Puerto Rico set out to avenge the death of one of their moms while Hurricane Maria comes through, bringing supernatural shit with her. This premise sounds cool. It’s that same mix of street-level-violence and supernatural as his last book. But both elements are just meh. Repetitive, draggy, and if you really think too hard about it, laughable. -
I don't know if I completely missed the mark (honestly feel like I didn't read the same book all the high praises read). I didn't get out of this book what everyone else apparently did.
It just didn't flow for me, enjoyed all the dark bits, but I'm not sure what I just didn't vibe with. -
Propulsive crime/folk horror with a Lovecraftian twist, set in Puerto Rico in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Thematically similar to The Devil Takes You Home but a little more focused, a little more personal. I love Gabino’s storytelling style so much - it captures the humidity, the sounds and texture, the confusion and grief and rage, and the tiny graceful moments of showing up for each other.
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A hurricane is coming. The people of Puerto Rico know what to expect when Mother Nature lashes out. There will be no power, no help, no law. The darkness becomes a great place to hide.. an even better place to hide the bodies of your enemies.
Five friends come together to get revenge. They are not seasoned killers. They are young and impulsive, full of rage and vengeance. Violence solving violence. It’s heavy, action packed, and horrific. The boys are messing with the wrong people. The only way to survive is to pray to your gods and hope.
I absolutely loved the superstitious, folklore and religious aspects of this book. It becomes a supernatural mashup of beliefs, that guide the boys on their violent journey. I have to admit I Googled every god mentioned, to learn more about them. Gabino definitely knows his dark angels and gods, and uses them well within the story. I’m sure some of it was embellished for the story, and I definitely know some stuff is fiction. But it’s so good and definitely believable.
You won’t be able to put this one down. Every chapter is intense. Every character is important. These boys are your friends, and you will want to be there with them for the fight. I highly recommend you ask your gods to tag along as well, they’re going to need all the help they can get. -
A truly powerful and riveting story of poetic justice that needs to be read by all! This gritty, raw tale of grief and vengeance sank its teeth into my heart and completely devoured it. I fell in love with those boys and the brotherhood that they shared. Their unconditional loyalty to each other was moving and depicted beautifully by the author. I couldn't even begin to imagine the horrors that these boys faced in their community. It's sad that kids have to grow up way too fast in order to survive. It was interesting to learn more about Puerto Rico and its culture and spiritual folklore. The supernatural aspect to this story was really cool! I'm also glad that the author translated most of the Spanish dialogue for us readers. My Spanish is a little rusty, but I was able to follow along without a hitch. The book was compared to Stand by Me in the synopsis, but I feel like it's more a cross between a Latinx S.A. Cosby book and the movie Four Brothers. Yes, my fellow readers, this book is that good!! I loved every minute of it and I'm really going to miss these characters. I highly recommend that you read this as soon as you can! It's sure to be a strong favorite in 2024.
Thank you to the author, Mulholland Books, and NetGalley for granting me digital access in exchange for my honest review! -
All stories are ghost stories
Paul, Tavo, Xavier, Gabe, and Bimbo are the closest of friends, more like brothers. When Bimbo’s mother is gunned down outside of the club where she works, the boys—just out of high school—make a pledge to track down the men who killed her and deliver their own form of justice.
Murder is a monster that chews up whatever expectations you had regarding death and spits them in your face. Murder is an attack on someone’s life, yes, but also an attack on those left behind.
This is an evocative story set in Puerto Rico; I felt like I was right there which speaks to Iglesias’s remarkable writing and world-building abilities. I loved the supernatural elements as well as the Puerto Rican mythology. The characters in this story are incredibly flawed but Iglesias fills them with so much heart that it’s impossible not to love or, at the very least, empathize with them. Be warned that this story is real, real gritty, bloody, and incredibly violent which, for me, was over the top and not always necessary but man does it pack a punch (pun unintended). Overall, probably 3.5 stars from me, subject to wiggle.
Thank you Mulholland Books and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Available 08/06/2024!
*Quote from advanced readers copy and subject to change before publication* -
3.25 - Thank you so much to Mulholland Books for a copy of this book!
This book is out now.
Content Warnings from Storygraph:
"Murder is a monster that chews up whatever expectations you had regarding death and spits them in your face."
I have not read Gabino Iglesias before but I recognize the cover of his last book from seeing it on Book of the Month and within the book community, I did not have my eye on this book until I saw the cover and the green stood out to me but then in the mini description there was a mentioned of Stand by Me. If you know me, you know how important that movie is to me and just seeing that I knew I had to read it.
I am typically a romance reader but I venture out to other genres just to keep my reading fresh and give variety. So this was slightly out of my comfort zone. I had not expected it to be so violent which was on me. I felt that the first half of the book was much stronger than the second half of the book especially the last quarter of it. I am not one who enjoys when lore/supernatural is brought into stories and this one had it and that is where it lost me.
"Someone is always trying to eat you, you know? We're surrounded by sharks even when we're on land."
The friendship and loyalty in this book was so strong. Those boys would do anything for one another and boy if the series of events that happened in this book didn't test that then I don't know what would. I felt for Bimbo and his pain of losing his mother but I had to imagine in retrospect he would have done things a little differently after her death. Perhaps it's my non violent tendencies or because I did not grow up in the city where it is common to seek vengeance but I am not sure it was worth losing others in the quest to have found her killer.
I read a good chunk of this book with my eyes but then did it in tandem once the audio was out. Both narrators Jean-Marc Berne and Daya Mendez (who took on the female point of views) did a good job with their characters. Having the audio really helped push me through the reading.
I will say Iglesias has a way with words and had some zingers that really sticks with you. I was highlight phrases here and there.
This was not fully for me but perhaps it is for you! -
We re gonna become the sharks in that darkness."
I have a lot to say about this particular book. I’ve been thinking about writing this for almost 24 hours, and I believe I have my thoughts in order to write a review.
In House of Bone and Rain, Gabino Iglesias brings us an extremely dark story about a group of teenage boys in Puerto Rico who seek revenge when the mother of one of them is horribly murdered.
I must start by saying that this book kept me completely on edge from start to finish.
I live in Puerto Rico, and, like many Puerto Ricans, I suffered the disasters that Hurricane Maria left on the island. Many of us spend months without water, electricity, gasoline, and communication. Many people thought that, being a colony and part of the United States, we would receive aid to our island easily, when the shipments with water and supplies finally arrived, the bureaucracy and the emergency system was extremely trash and many of the aid that many countries gave us was lost. When Gabino Iglesias mentions, "No one was coming to save us," it was a hard blow because that's how we felt. Thousands of people lost their lives, and many disappeared. The government and the news kept secret the death and hopelessness that was happening around us. It was horrible.
Gabino with his extraordinary way of writing not only on teaches us what happened to Puerto Rico with hurricane María, but also covers the issue of criminality in the island, things that you experience and see every day when you turn on the tv. The majority of the victims are young boys losing their lives at the hands of the violence that exists.
The characters in the book are extremely well written, and I have to admit that many of the actions that Gabe and Bimbo did had me on the verge of crashing my Kindle against the wall.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the way he spoke and described places in Puerto Rico that I frequently visit, such as Isla Verde or San Juan. It made me feel like I was inside the story.
Overall, I really loved the book. The author immerses the reader in an extremely dark story with supernatural elements that will leave you unable to sleep.
I highly recommend it. -
I'm not really sure what I expected, but it definitely wasn't what I got. I loved every page. Any book that can keep my attention is 🤌🏼 and while the story and plot are hectic A F, I couldn't get enough.
So Gabe's friend's mom is killed, page 1 lessgo. Now, this friend, Bimbo, is like, we gotta get justice for mom, and the whole friend group is like, bet. But wait, there's more: a major hurricane is on its way to their island (Puerto Rico). Is Gabe's friend asking too much, or are they ride or die?
I really enjoyed how Iglesias incorporates Spanish and Spanglish into his writing—and don't freak out if you don't know Spanish. It's done in such a way that the context makes it clear, or he just adds in a translation. Also, there is a lot of Caribbean culture and spirituality woven in, which gives it a truly robust feeling like any of the crazy stuff getting thrown at us could be real. My absolute favorite thing about this book is that the author is unflinching—some wild things happen and we're not given time to think about it too much because we have other places to be in this plot.
Warning: maybe don't eat and read at about 30%.
