The Temptation of Demetrio Vigil

The Ghosts of Golden #1

by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez

Book One in the Ghosts of Golden Series. Coronado Prep student Maria Ochoa, 16, is near death after crashing her car on an isolated stretch of New Mexico Highway 14 during a blizzard. When the only person to show up to help her is a teen gangbanger named Demetrio Vigil, Maria fears she’s doomed, until the young man manages, miraculously, to heal her nearly fatal wounds with nothing but the warm energy radiating from his hands. Maria is grateful for the help, and seeks to thank Demetrio by returning to the tiny ghost town of Golden, where he said he lives, to find him and give him a gift. What she discovers out about Demetrio along the way, however, not only defies logic and belief, but puts Maria’s very life in terrible danger.

Genres: Young Adult

306 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2013

About the author

Hello! I'm Alisa. I'm a writer and musician from New Mexico. I got my start writing in newspapers for nearly a decade, and then made the move to novels. I write in a variety of genres, though all of my work tends to have something to do with the things that interest me. Whether I'm writing young adult novels or historical fiction for adults, my stories are alike in that they seek to un-erase erased people, cultures and events, and there's usually something supernatural involved, as well as a general awe and reverence for the natural world. Fairness is important to me. Kindness is important to me. Holding monsters accountable is important to me. I try to write about all of that but also to keep things funny. Lots of labels have been placed on me over the years by a staggering variety of sleepwalking souls, but I don't tend to consider myself within such confines. I had a Near Death Experience in 2015 that changed everything for me. Now I know I'm a spirit living temporarily in a body, like everyone else. So I'm sort of existing, listening to the stories that exist all around us, allowing them to come through me to you. That's all. Sometimes my books sell. Mostly, they don't. Writing's a crap way to make a living, especially in this new era of fascism and billionaires. Ah, well. Keep loving those closest to you.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went searching for my first Alisa Valdes book after reading her account of her experience with Junot Diaz. I was--am--hungry for Latinx voices, and the way she wrote about herself as an author made me feel like she was a writer who deserved my precious reading time. She wrote, "I was also pissed off that the Pulitzer committee rewarded Diaz with a prize for a book that, in many ways, wasn’t that different from my own debut novel...I was pissed because I knew the same committee would never even consider a 'chica lit' book for the prize, no matter how well written, because my writing did not adhere enough to the 'downtrodden immigrant' paradigm so beloved by white liberals." I liked the way she challenged tastes, I liked her style, and I loved that she is from New Mexico.

This book, as she explains in a note in the beginning, is sort of self-published, and is the original version of a YA book that she sold to the highest bidder and was completely reworked, maybe ruined, in the editing process. I haven't read the reworked version and I probably won't. I bought this book as a special treat to myself, and I made it a few pages in at first, but just felt like it was missing an editor; the details meant to reveal character were too hackneyed; the style was a bit canned. I put it aside for a few weeks, but once I picked it up again, I barely put it down.

Yes, the beginning is a little rough. Yes, it's outside my normal genre, even for YA. I still thought it was super cool and really fun. It made me hungry for Dion's pizza (even though I never really got what the fuss was about when I lived in Albuquerque).

I felt it captured New Mexico in a fundamental sort of way. There were the normal, social references, like the characteristics of neighborhoods, the aforementioned Dion's after a dance competition, but also deeper characteristics that wove themselves deeply into the story, like how much more fun it is to drive along Route 14 than to take I-25 up to Santa Fe. The Mexican-influenced folklore is the main backbone of the story, making The Temptation of Demetrio Vigil a story that couldn't take place anywhere else. It's one of the most place-specific books I have ever read. Most of what I love about being in New Mexico is that feeling of its ancientness, feeling connected to all the spiritual people who have been there before you, and this book captures that within a plot-focused, fast-moving story.

I liked how there never seemed to be a wasted character or a wasted plot element. Most everything mentioned has its place in the story somehow, and part of the fun as a reader was wondering how some detail would fit in later. It's a romance story and a ghost story, but also hinges a lot on the struggles between good and evil and the path to truth, which is definitely cool for a YA book.

Even though this book would not be something I would ordinarily seek out, I felt like I was in some way its perfect reader. I appreciated the spirituality tied into science and folklore, the gorgeous homage to New Mexico, the strong Latina lead. I'm glad I had the chance to read this.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a number of books by Alisa. Her style is simple. Not fussy. Free of complicated words which would quickly distract the reader from the flow of the book. A must when in a stress filled time like we have, a simple freeing escape is just what I need. This story was beyond my expectations in many ways. For one I never thought of Alisa as an author of spirit-fantasy genre books. Yes, I'm creating a new genre because this book defies any of the conventional labels. It's a love story. It's a spirit-fantasy. It's a book of faith. It's a must read. Cliche perhaps. But this book wouldn't let me put it down. I do not say that often. But it's true in this case. The characters were relatable. The evil was palpable. The good was irresistible. The love was apparent throughout. I cannot wait to digest the sequel.

[MissMootles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful young adult book with interesting details from life in contemporary New Mexico. Some bits silly, but hey, these are teens!

[Laurel Starkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alisa Valdes is a wordsmith of the first order but the book which started out promising to draw me into a world of intrigue and excitement ended up dumping me into a well of ridiculous teenage angst and fantasy. When I finished I was left wishing the book had fulfilled its initial promise.

The ghost Demetrio and the bff Kelsey are well drawn, if annoying, characters. Every other character floats through the story on their one note personality: the genius, the fashionista, the controlling boyfriend, the ditzy new age teacher, the Barbie step-mom and princess step-sisters, the emotionally absent dad and the ambitious, narcissistic bitch mom. Then there is the main character Maria. She only reacts to her world. She is not a mover, she takes on the personality of those around her. She is supposed to be the moral center but all she is is a mirror.

For a girl described as bright and loving, Maria prefers to live in denial, about everything. As her world spins out control into the ridiculous, she just floats on the currents of the storm. As the characters shift from disagreeable to outright evil, I felt frustrated that Maria still could only wait to be rescued and whine whenever she felt she was not highly valued. I so wanted her to grow a backbone and take the initiative. Soul mates because you both love animals? Girlfriend, please!!!!! Your ghost boyfriend can't kiss you because he's a ghost so it obviously means that you are ugly? Are you freakin kiddin' me. Get a grip!

That aside,author Alisa Valdes paints a fascinating world in the tradition of magical realism that definitely makes an impact on the reader.

[Lisa Prieto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, great storytelling

[Sandra Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story sooo much! Alisa is one of my favorite authors. Hopefully one day the story will be continued as I believe this was to be the first in a trilogy.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a sea of characters from contemporary young adult novels predominantly come in one color, it's refreshing to read a YA novel that has a protagonist more reflective of what makes up America. I like that A.Valdes brings in all spectrum of life: rich, poor, well educated, poorly educated, privileged and underprivileged, and that these categories don't only come in white female/male form. Maria Luisa Ochoa isn't an immigrant, not a maid, not poor, not criminal and not pregnant, but a very real and believable antithesis to all of those stereotypes about Mexican Americans. She's a protagonist who matures and falls in love. (Yes, young people of color do those things too).

The image of the sacrificing hero is non-traditional as well. Who better than someone lost to transform himself and make a better man of himself? Temptation brings that character to the pages with a former gang member turned divine healer.

Lots of good stuff here in this novel. I want to know, however, how Kelsey is "marked" as Yazzie has identified. I feel like if this first text is part of a series of novels, this first piece should have addressed Kelsey's special nature, and explained with more depth how Yazzie is able to intuit so much from the energy around her.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am glad that I read this book - I had read Temptation and didn't like it very much - But loved this one. The first released book Temptation was forgettable. I didn't want to read this one I thought I would spend the whole time comparing it to the first released book- but gladly I did not. I found myself lost in the world where ghosts, history and New Mexican traditions were brought to life!! Very Well Done! I am a New Mexican and your words captivated our Land of Enchantment well! I can't wait for the next one to be released.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually adore anything written by Alisa Valdes but this story combined two of my all time favorite subjects...love and ghosts...so of course I was instantly intrigued. I'm glad I read this book. Definitely left me wondering what happens next!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book captured me on day one...I even liked the twists and turns...i even enjoyed the lessons about not judging a book by its cover,but the end seemed a little rushed and I'd really like to know what happened with Demetrio and his brother...it just felt a tad incomplete..

[Emily Layman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this version A LOT more than the first release by Harper Collins. the story line was more developed and there was more feeling of spirituality rather than SciFi

[Gloria Portillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely captivating story, I couldn't stop reading it! I want more, more, more! Please, tell me there is a sequel coming soon.

[Janie Jerez]

Just finished reading the book and I must say it was very good. It left me wanting more. Hopefully their will be a continuation. I read the book in two days couldn't put it down.

[Angel Garlinger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awesome ghost and love story by an awesome author!

[Patti Franyie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick, easy read

[Ayeisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! I couldn't put it down, I read it in a day. :)