In this third volume of this series inspired by Mexican folklore, protagonist Paola Santiago knows she must save her friend Dante, imprisoned in a horrible void. But her prophetic dreams have stopped, and she may be experiencing PTSD. Her parents want her to stay home where they can care for her. With the help of her friend Emma, however, she discovers where Dante may be kept. To get there, she catches a ride with a group of Emma’s (sometimes annoying) social-justice-minded friends, the Rainbow Rogues, who are headed off on a volunteer opportunity.
Standing in the way of the rescue, however, is the Lord of Nightmares, El Cucuy. In order to defeat him, Paola must confront her own lingering trauma, both personal and generational, while also learning to ask for help from others. As all this is transpiring, Paola also begins to wonder if her friendship with Emma might be something more.
There’s lots of action and (age-appropriate) spookiness here that will keep readers turning the pages, but it’s blended with a thoughtful look at the protagonist’s evolving feelings about both herself and others. The book is part of the larger publishing enterprise spearheaded by author/editor Rick Riordan (of Percy Jackson fame); anyone who likes that style of myth- and folklore-inspired tale should enjoy this one.
