Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia

e-ARC, 368 pages
Release Date: August 4, 2020
Published by: Rick Riordan Presents
Read from: August 10-17, 2020
Paola Santiago, #1
Source: Netgalley (I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.) 
TW: Racism (In the form of patronizing cops), Kidnapping
For fans of: Paranormal, Mythology, Own Voices, Middle Grade

   Space-obsessed 12-year-old Paola Santiago and her two best friends, Emma and Dante, know the rule: Stay away from the river. It’s all they’ve heard since a schoolmate of theirs drowned a year ago. Pao is embarrassed to admit that she has been told to stay away for even longer than that, because her mother is constantly warning her about La Llorona, the wailing ghost woman who wanders the banks of the Gila at night, looking for young people to drag into its murky depths.

     Hating her mother’s humiliating superstitions and knowing that she and her friends would never venture into the water, Pao organizes a meet-up to test out her new telescope near the Gila, since it’s the best stargazing spot. But when Emma never arrives and Pao sees a shadowy figure in the reeds, it seems like maybe her mom was right. . . .

     Pao has always relied on hard science to make sense of the world, but to find her friend she will have to enter the world of her nightmares, which includes unnatural mist, mind-bending monsters, and relentless spirits controlled by a terrifying force that defies both logic and legend.

*MY THOUGHTS*

Anytime I see a book that is coming out from the Rick Riordan Presents, I immediately add it to my TBR. And anytime I see a book from that publisher, along with being an author I’ve already loved and adored, I know that I am going to like it! And though this one had it’s faults, I still really liked it and can’t wait to read the next one!

“When Pao opened the door to apartment C, the smell of incense was overwhelming. That meant her mom was reading tarot.”

4%

Paola is all about science. She’s completely different from her mom who embarrasses her with all her superstitions. But when her friend goes missing after another girl has already been gone a year, her and her friend Dante do their best to try to save Emma. Along the way they run into so many things she thought were made up…..

“She’s till going on about La Llorona, huh?” […] Even my abuela stopped with that one when I turned ten. Now she just threatens me with the chancla. Much scarier. […] she privately agreed that La Llorona was child’s play in comparison.”

10%

Ok so I liked this because I like Mejia’s writing. I loved her world-building and writing style. But for some reason I wasn’t as into it as with her other books? Maybe because this was a MG? Whatever it is I just didn’t fall for it like her others.

“If you think my candles and cards are responsible for all the prejudice against Latinx people in this world, Paola Santiago, you have a lot more to learn about the people in it,” her mom said.”

14%

After writing it out there, I’m thinking it was the main character. Paola was just really mean. I’m thinking it’s going to be a reason she’s like that that hasn’t come up yet, but I just couldn’t take her throughout the book. She was mean and rude and I didn’t care for it.

“When the time comes don’t hesitate. It won’t save them.”

22%

As for the plot, I did think it was kind of slow. She didn’t run in to that many myths or ghosts, so it was basically just her going around being mean to every one? But the myths and hints of their culture (like the magical chancla? BRILLIANT) are definitely what made the rest of the book for me.

“People make mistakes,” he said, sticking out his hand for Naomi to shake. “They don’t define us.”

44%

This had it’s flaws, but it was also really good. I can’t wait to read more Paola, as a new and improved character. Rick Riordan’s imprint is definitely a favorite and will ALWAYS be my first pick for all middle grades!

Overall, I give this