Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls

February 15, 2021
Grades 4-8 *Starred Review* Twelve-year-old Cece Rios has long known that she's different from the other residents of Tierra del Sol, and that difference couldn't be made more clear than it is in the contrast between herself and her beloved older sister, Juana. Juana is fierce and courageous, happily taking part in the town's rituals to protect itself from the terrifying criaturas that have haunted the residents for centuries. On the other hand, Cece is gentle and merciful, and the other residents have looked upon her with suspicion ever since she helped a misunderstood criatura escape their wrath. After a reckless moment leads to Juana's capture by El Sombrer�n, one of the most feared criaturas, Cece becomes determined to bring her home, gathering all her courage to navigate a desert of supernatural wonders--with the help of some surprising new allies who all have secrets of their own. Rivera's spellbinding debut feels incredibly fresh, offering a thrilling introduction to the world of Mexican American legends while easily weaving Spanish phrases and vocabulary into the vibrant text. Cece immediately feels like a friend, and it's gratifying to watch her grow in grit while proving again and again that kindness is an enormous asset, not a liability. Enchanted readers will hope for more from Cece and her extraordinary, magical world.

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March 1, 2021

Gr 5 Up-Cecelia Rios does the unthinkable by freeing a dark criatura from the grips of her village. Criaturas have long plagued the residents of the Tierra del Sol desert. Forewarned by her Mama, Cece knows that criaturas were creatures born from the dust and the words of the Great Namer, which aim to harm humans. Shadowed by betrayal and shame, Cece deems herself weak, believing the town whispers that water smothered her inner fire. But when her sister Juana is kidnapped by the criatura, El Sombreron, Cece grapples with a decision that rivals her Mama's beliefs. Her powerful choice unearths secrets of her family's past and leads Cece down a forbidden path. Confronted with her fears, Cece forms unexpected alliances while battling a foe unlike any criatura: herself. Set against the Tierra del Sol backdrop, intertwined with rich Mexican folklore and culturally infused language, this is a brilliantly unveiled coming-of-age story not for the faint of heart. Rivera cultivates a valiant heroine unafraid to follow her heart and stand against the norm. With a captivating story line and adversaries lurking between the pages, readers will remain engrossed as fantasy mingles with the real world. The engaging plot unravels with twists and turns, keeping readers on edge even after Cece's revelation. VERDICT Courage, determination, and unwavering love are the foundation of this debut; a much-needed addition to public and school libraries.-Suraya Jairam, Queens P.L., Hollis, NY

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2021
A tween dabbles in dark magic, hoping to do one good deed. In Tierra del Sol, criaturas are feared and reviled. Some are dark spirits while others, relatively harmless, shape-shift into animals. At 7, Cece wanders too far into the desert and encounters the Criatura of Stars and Devouring, Tzizimitl, who turns out to be more kindly old woman than scary beast. She walks Cece home only to be met with angry, murderous townsfolk. Before Tzizimitl flees, freed by Cece, she observes that Cece has a soul like water--perhaps not what you want as Sun god descendants. Now 12, Cece encounters the Bride Stealer El Sombrer�n, another criatura, whose magic guitar bewitches young women. Before Cece can stop him from playing, her sister, Juana, is entranced by his song and kidnapped. Her family mourns, but Cece is determined to get Juana back--but she'll have to enter the Bruja Fights for aspiring dark witches to get into Devil's Alley, where El Sombrer�n lives. There's the small problem of her not wanting to actually be a dark witch, but she'll just fake it and no one will be the wiser, right? Set in a fantasy world filled with figures from Aztec mythology, this culturally rich adventure weaves Spanish and Nahuatl throughout the text. With strong ties to Mesoamerican lore and culture, the story hits the sweet spot between dark and light. Lively, endearing, and full of character. (glossary) (Fantasy. 8-14)

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Starred review from March 22, 2021
Pretending to be an apprentice bruja, an unassuming preteen enters a dangerous competition to rescue her 15-year-old sister from monstrous forces in this mesmerizing middle grade fantasy. In Tierra del Sol, an isolated town plagued by magical criaturas that roam the surrounding desert, 12-year-old Cece Rios lives as “a shadow cast from the light of other people’s fires.” While her older sister Juana wields fire opal in rituals to protect the town and burns “bright like the Sun,” everyone believes a childhood encounter with a criatura cursed Cece with a soul like water—and left her “the weakest person in the village.” But when a “powerful dark criatura” known as “El Sombrerón, the Bride Stealer” snatches Juana right before her eyes, Cece must tap into her inner strength and enter a world of battles and brujas to get her sister back. With excellent pacing and rich world-building, debut author Rivera flawlessly immerses readers in the landscape of Tierra del Sol and Cece’s journey (“The town lights grew brighter, each building like a lantern warming the edges of the desert”). An enthralling, finely crafted read. Includes a glossary of Spanish words with limited pronunciations. Ages 8–12. Agent: Serene Hakim, Ayesha Pande Literary.

September 1, 2021
Twelve-year-old Cece Rios is considered weak by her whole community because she once freed Tzitzimitl, one of the dark criaturas, from capture by her fellow townspeople. But when, thanks to Cece's carelessness on Noche de Muerte, her older sister Juana is taken by El Sombreron, the Bride Stealer, Cece vows to rescue her even though it means becoming an outlaw bruja. To get to where her sister is being held, Cece needs to win the Bruja Fights, which entails controlling an animal criatura to fight on her behalf, but Cece prefers a partnership with her criatura -- legendary Coyote, the Great Namer, who appears in the form of a thirteen-year-old boy and agrees to help her. Cece's "weakness" and soft heart become strengths as she breaks the mold of brujas and draws on water, rather than fire, to fight the dark criaturas. Legends of Central and South America are prominent in this magical desert landscape, filled with details of Latinx culture and Rivera's own take on Nahuatl cosmology. Coyote exudes an appealing vulnerability that lends poignancy to his friendship with Cece. When Cece gains the courage to stand up to her alcoholic father, it's a good sign for her eventual climactic confrontation with El Sombreron. Rich world-building and enticing characterization strike hope for a sequel about the dauntless Cece Rios. Anita L. Burkam

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