Are you on the lookout for engaging YA reads with Hispanic and Latine characters? We’ve got you covered, and our rec list isn’t just like every other one — we’ve got dark fantasy, sweet romance, and thrilling mystery. At the center of each read are Hispanic MCs who take charge of their narratives and leave every page bursting with life. Read on to hear more!
FIRE READ
These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban
SYNOPSIS:
When artistic teen Ceci moves back to her mother’s small town, Santa Aguas, she finds herself living in a manor that once belonged to the Sevilla family. What happened to them? They were cursed by La Cegua, a vengeful witch who haunts the community and lures people to their deaths. As Ceci begins to untangle the Sevillas’ past, she finds herself drawn to La Cegua’s spirit, and she keeps painting the same image of a door in the woods. When Ceci and her friend, Jamie, stumble upon the door, they enter it to find La Cegua’s wish-granting well. But every wish comes at a price, and Ceci must be careful to avoid La Cegua’s wrath.
WHY:
In These Vengeful Wishes, author Vanessa Montalban cleverly uses a folk legend to explore female rage and the disenfranchisement of women. Ceci’s inherent connection to La Cegua speaks to the frustrations of many teen girls who feel that the world does not respect their desires.
TEA TIME READ
Get Real, Chloe Torres by Crystal Maldonado
SYNOPSIS:
Chloe’s end-of-summer birthday feels more symbolic this year than ever before, as she is about to turn 18 and leave adolescence behind forever. But before she can go off to college in the fall, Chloe feels that she can’t close this chapter without repairing her friend group that broke up after Ramona kissed Chloe. Even though Chloe planned the perfect trip for the three of them (front row seats to their favorite boy band in Vegas), healing old wounds proves difficult. As it turns out, Ramona still has feelings for Chloe, but now Chloe is drawn to Sienna. Will this summer road trip be a sizzling success or a red-hot disaster?
WHY:
Crystal Maldonado has built a reputation for crafting wildly entertaining YA romances full of fat positivity for Brown girls. Her latest offering, Get Real, Chloe Torres, has an exuberant lead, an exciting love triangle, and the sweetest sapphic love out there.
HEAR ME OUT
Very Dangerous Things by Lauren Muñoz
SYNOPSIS:
J. Everett High School has an annual tradition for its criminology students where it stages a fake murder and challenges them to solve it. And this time, Dulce Castillo is determined to come out on top. But this year’s victim, Xavier Torres, winds up dead in the greenhouse — like, for real. When all evidence points to his ex-girlfriend, Sierra Fox, she begs Dulce (who also happens to be her ex-best friend) to help clear her name. Dulce is definitely the smartest investigator out there, but now, it’s no longer just a game, and the killer could be any of her peers.
WHY:
Lawyer Lauren Muñoz brings her legal expertise to the world of YA murder mysteries. Very Dangerous Things is a classic detective story full of whip-smart banter, engaging characters, and a spine-tingling investigation that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
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