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Lobizona
(Wolves of No World #1)
by
Some people ARE illegal.
Lobizonas do NOT exist.
Both of these statements are false.
Manuela Azul has been crammed into an existence that feels too small for her. As an undocumented immigrant who's on the run from her father's Argentine crime-family, Manu is confined to a small apartment and a small life in Miami, Florida.
Until Manu's protective bubble is shattered.
Her surrog ...more
Lobizonas do NOT exist.
Both of these statements are false.
Manuela Azul has been crammed into an existence that feels too small for her. As an undocumented immigrant who's on the run from her father's Argentine crime-family, Manu is confined to a small apartment and a small life in Miami, Florida.
Until Manu's protective bubble is shattered.
Her surrog ...more
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Hardcover, 400 pages
Published
August 4th 2020
by Wednesday Books
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Romina Garber
CAZADORA comes out in August 2021!
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Lobizona (Wolves of No World, #1)

Mar 16, 2020
chai ♡
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
young-adult,
lgbtq-ff-side,
lgbtq-rep-side,
poc-rep,
read-in-2020,
ya-sff,
2020-releases,
fiction
✧
find this review & others on my blog
✧
The beginning of “Lobizona” is nightmarish.
Manuela Azul’s life is laden with eggshells, and she walked on tremulously, fraying a little more every time she had to put on her mirrored sunglasses to hide the unnatural bright yellow engulfing her eyes from the whites to the irises, the dread and fear rising through the cracks. The possibility of being snapped up by ICE, or of her father’s past catching up to her first, is always there, hovering in the air ...more
The beginning of “Lobizona” is nightmarish.
Manuela Azul’s life is laden with eggshells, and she walked on tremulously, fraying a little more every time she had to put on her mirrored sunglasses to hide the unnatural bright yellow engulfing her eyes from the whites to the irises, the dread and fear rising through the cracks. The possibility of being snapped up by ICE, or of her father’s past catching up to her first, is always there, hovering in the air ...more

Oct 16, 2019
Chelsea Humphrey
rated it
really liked it
Recommended to Chelsea by:
St. Martin's Press
"The horrors Perla left behind when she came to this country darken her glassy gaze, and I realize she never got away. No matter how many borders we cross, we can't seem to outrun the fear of not feeling safe in our own house."
I think it's fair to note that, while this is definitely YA fantasy, it reads more like contemporary fiction sprinkled with magical realism. Those looking for high fantasy involving werewolf folklore might be disappointed in this slow burning tale, because it feels as if ...more
I think it's fair to note that, while this is definitely YA fantasy, it reads more like contemporary fiction sprinkled with magical realism. Those looking for high fantasy involving werewolf folklore might be disappointed in this slow burning tale, because it feels as if ...more

Lobizona was a mixed bag for me, however, it did give me a lot to think about which I always appreciate in a novel.

Manuela Azul, our protagonist, is an undocumented immigrant, living in Miami with her mother and a surrogate grandmother.
She has learned to hide in plain sight not just because of her immigration status, but also because of her odd eyes. She has pupils like no other.
When her grandmother has an accident that forces Manu to call emergency services, a series of events begins that will ...more

Manuela Azul, our protagonist, is an undocumented immigrant, living in Miami with her mother and a surrogate grandmother.
She has learned to hide in plain sight not just because of her immigration status, but also because of her odd eyes. She has pupils like no other.
When her grandmother has an accident that forces Manu to call emergency services, a series of events begins that will ...more

This released today, August 4th 2020!
4 1/2 stars and I keep waffling back between four and five, but please do know I'm absolutely obsessed.
Lobizona follows Manu, an undocumented immigrant confined to her home both by ICE and by her starry eyes. When her life at home falls apart, she escapes to the magical world of Kerana, where she is still, regardless of appearances, wrong.
Manu lives at first with her mother and family friend Perla. In Garber’s Argentinian mythology, seventh sons become were ...more
4 1/2 stars and I keep waffling back between four and five, but please do know I'm absolutely obsessed.
Lobizona follows Manu, an undocumented immigrant confined to her home both by ICE and by her starry eyes. When her life at home falls apart, she escapes to the magical world of Kerana, where she is still, regardless of appearances, wrong.
Manu lives at first with her mother and family friend Perla. In Garber’s Argentinian mythology, seventh sons become were ...more

Hearing that Lobizona was an Argentinian werewolf story was enough to convince me I’d love this book. Sadly, it turned out to be a weak contemporary and an even weaker fantasy.
“Sometimes reality strays so far from what’s rational that we can only explain it through fantasy.”
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
Manu and her mother are undocumented immigrants. Running from their father’s life of crime in Argentina led them to the confinement of a cramped apartment in Miami, Florida. Manu is unable ...more
“Sometimes reality strays so far from what’s rational that we can only explain it through fantasy.”
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
Manu and her mother are undocumented immigrants. Running from their father’s life of crime in Argentina led them to the confinement of a cramped apartment in Miami, Florida. Manu is unable ...more

Argentinian lore, werewolves and witches, futbol, fighting gender roles, identity, belonging, Other, and the plight of the undocumented... this was wonderful.
Concept: ★★★★★
First 50 pages: ★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Manu is an undocumented Argentinian immigrant living in secret in Miami with her mother. Manu's life is a double-edged sword of secrets—on the one hand, Manu and her mother are in the USA and in hiding from the government, and on the other hand, Manu is also forced into hidin ...more
Concept: ★★★★★
First 50 pages: ★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Manu is an undocumented Argentinian immigrant living in secret in Miami with her mother. Manu's life is a double-edged sword of secrets—on the one hand, Manu and her mother are in the USA and in hiding from the government, and on the other hand, Manu is also forced into hidin ...more

“If you’re undocumented, you’re unwritten. Embrace that.”
“You’re saying if no one’s told my story before… I get to tell it the way I want?”
“Exactly.”
8/4/2020: If you're a fan of Argentinian werewolves, elemental witches, and alternate dimensions... you're in LUCK bc this book just dropped today!!! 🌙
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5 stars! Steeped in South American mythology, a defiant challenge of sexism and misogyny, exploring the struggles faced by undocumented immigrants... Lobizona is unlike ANY story I'v ...more

7/21/2020 update:
LOBIZONA IS ONLY 2 WEEKS AWAY!!!!
If you have yet to see the sheer gorgeousness that is the hardcover, I recommend visiting my Twitter or IG pages to check it out. Wednesday Books absolutely SLAYED IT.
If you'd like your copy PERSONALIZED, please place your PREORDER with my amazing local indie bookstore, Books & Books, & I will pick out a quote for you & make your copy extra special. <3
https://booksandbooks.com/event/virtu...
4/11/2020 update:
A bit of news: Lobizona’s pub date has ...more
LOBIZONA IS ONLY 2 WEEKS AWAY!!!!
If you have yet to see the sheer gorgeousness that is the hardcover, I recommend visiting my Twitter or IG pages to check it out. Wednesday Books absolutely SLAYED IT.
If you'd like your copy PERSONALIZED, please place your PREORDER with my amazing local indie bookstore, Books & Books, & I will pick out a quote for you & make your copy extra special. <3
https://booksandbooks.com/event/virtu...
4/11/2020 update:
A bit of news: Lobizona’s pub date has ...more

Aug 09, 2020
Melanie
marked it as to-read
Recommended to Melanie by:
Caro
Shelves:
young-adult,
own-voices

"Why settle for being a son of the system when you could mother a movement?"
The half of my heart that is all South Miami is still in pieces.
I need to own a physical copy of this book so I can hold it in my hands. ...more
The half of my heart that is all South Miami is still in pieces.
I need to own a physical copy of this book so I can hold it in my hands. ...more

um excuse me why aren't more people screaming about this??
also this is set in my home state so huzzah!! ...more
also this is set in my home state so huzzah!! ...more

Mar 22, 2020
Ash
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
teenage readers looking for diverse fantasy
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’ Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DNF ~30%.
My one-sentence review of this book would be: Lobizona is a four-star contemporary novel and a one-star fantasy novel. In other words, I have very mixed feelings about it. But let’s start with the positive.
Lobizona stars Manu, an undocumented immigrant whose mother brought her to the United States from Argentina when she was very young. She is bilingual, she loves to read, and she ...more
DNF ~30%.
My one-sentence review of this book would be: Lobizona is a four-star contemporary novel and a one-star fantasy novel. In other words, I have very mixed feelings about it. But let’s start with the positive.
Lobizona stars Manu, an undocumented immigrant whose mother brought her to the United States from Argentina when she was very young. She is bilingual, she loves to read, and she ...more

I went into this expecting very little but hoping for a whole lot. That cover! That synopsis! I couldn't help but be intrigued by it all.
And while I think this was a very well written story that deeply delves into life of an undocumented immigrant and all that entails, this sorely lacked in the fantasy department as a whole.
It dragged a little for me and overall, I found myself wanting to skim pages to get to the action of the story. To find out all the mystery and intrigue and it just never q ...more
And while I think this was a very well written story that deeply delves into life of an undocumented immigrant and all that entails, this sorely lacked in the fantasy department as a whole.
It dragged a little for me and overall, I found myself wanting to skim pages to get to the action of the story. To find out all the mystery and intrigue and it just never q ...more

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| Goodreads | Blog | Pinterest | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram ...more
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| Goodreads | Blog | Pinterest | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram ...more

“But why settle for being a son of the system, when you can be the mother of a movement?”
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Don’t mind me I’m just over here drooling over how good this was!
I have yet to see a bad review about Lobizona and honestly after reading it I completely understand why. This was so freaking good and I devoured pretty much the entire book in one sitting. If you love stories with magic, lovable characters, beautiful writing, hard-hitting but important topics, impeccable world building, and ...more
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Don’t mind me I’m just over here drooling over how good this was!
I have yet to see a bad review about Lobizona and honestly after reading it I completely understand why. This was so freaking good and I devoured pretty much the entire book in one sitting. If you love stories with magic, lovable characters, beautiful writing, hard-hitting but important topics, impeccable world building, and ...more

Feb 21, 2020
jocelyn
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
fans of We Set the Dark on Fire (Mejia), The Beautiful (Ahdieh)
4.5 stars
Lobizona is so damn satisfying. I read the last half of the book in a frenzy, taking turns between white-knuckling the book in my hand to having to set it down to squeal about it. It is both dramatic and poignant, seamlessly blending heavy topics with some serious entertainment. There is so much care, creativity, and uniqueness in here that I don't know that I'm able to unpack all of Garber's excellent excellent choices. The lush world of the Septimus is everything I could've hoped for ...more
Lobizona is so damn satisfying. I read the last half of the book in a frenzy, taking turns between white-knuckling the book in my hand to having to set it down to squeal about it. It is both dramatic and poignant, seamlessly blending heavy topics with some serious entertainment. There is so much care, creativity, and uniqueness in here that I don't know that I'm able to unpack all of Garber's excellent excellent choices. The lush world of the Septimus is everything I could've hoped for ...more

If Lobizona is not yet on your radar, it absolutely should be! One of the best YA fantasy novels I've read this year, it combines magical realism, portal fantasy, Latinx werewolf mythology, and a decidedly progressive vision of the world into a smart, engrossing tale that you won't want to put down. Vivid imagery, a cool magic system, fantastic world-building, important themes, interesting characters, and unexpected twists all contribute to making this something truly special.
I can't tell you t ...more
I can't tell you t ...more

Trigger Warnings: menstruation, ICE arrest, discussions about immigration and fear of deportation, homophobia (called out by the characters)
Lobizona is about Manuela Azul, an undocumented Argentinian immigrant living in Miami, whose discovery of a magical world turns her life upside down. When I saw this book, ownvoices Argentine rep, I was cautiously curious. I mean, internally, I was screaming with excitement, but I didn’t want to place my expectations too high. Oh, but friends, this book clim ...more
Lobizona is about Manuela Azul, an undocumented Argentinian immigrant living in Miami, whose discovery of a magical world turns her life upside down. When I saw this book, ownvoices Argentine rep, I was cautiously curious. I mean, internally, I was screaming with excitement, but I didn’t want to place my expectations too high. Oh, but friends, this book clim ...more

Lobizona is magical and engaging and so much fun. A dash of romance, a hefty dose of witches and werewolves, and a deep-set mystery and hidden secrets leads to a novel that speeds by and leaves you wondering, "How soon can I get book 2?"
Manu is such a relatable character--both in the sense that she wants to be able to see more of the world but is forced to be sheltered, and that she's determined and curious and resilient. She ends up going on this journey to a place akin to magic school (yes, I ...more
Manu is such a relatable character--both in the sense that she wants to be able to see more of the world but is forced to be sheltered, and that she's determined and curious and resilient. She ends up going on this journey to a place akin to magic school (yes, I ...more

September 02, 2020: Argentinian culture and folklore infused with contemporary and timely themes of immigration, family, and revolution—witches and werewolves in a magical school, finding the strength in oneself, and a constant challenge against sexist hierarchies or stereotypes, in the midst of a turbulent wave raging through a world that clearly mirrors today's society.
April 15, 2020: Super excited to be on a blog tour for this! It has definitely got my attention with the witches and wolves i ...more
April 15, 2020: Super excited to be on a blog tour for this! It has definitely got my attention with the witches and wolves i ...more

So good. Suspenseful but fast-paced. Wonderful characters My only complaint is that the next book in the series isn't already in my lap.
...more

4.5 S T A R S
Wow, Lobizona is such an important book. I've never before read the perspective of an undocumented immigrant and their voices need to be heard. They're stories need to be told. Through Manu's eyes we, a ...more
“When someone deviates from an accepted norm, they signal a gap in the system. A hole that hasn’t been plugged. The danger with exposing a foundation’s failings is it opens the door to the possibility that it’s a faulty structure altogether and should be torn down and built anew.”
Wow, Lobizona is such an important book. I've never before read the perspective of an undocumented immigrant and their voices need to be heard. They're stories need to be told. Through Manu's eyes we, a ...more

This is an eye-opening story about undocumented immigrants and everything they go through : the fear to be deported, how they only want a better life... Poor Manu is confined in a small apartment and can't really go outside, because she's "different".
The book combines magical realism, folklore, werewolves, witches with some teen normalcy that makes everything more plausible. This is one powerful book that I will buy a physical copy of without a doubt. Can't wait to read the second book!!
Many tha ...more
The book combines magical realism, folklore, werewolves, witches with some teen normalcy that makes everything more plausible. This is one powerful book that I will buy a physical copy of without a doubt. Can't wait to read the second book!!
Many tha ...more

If there’s no word in any known vocabulary to encapsulate me, that just means language can’t define me. A label can’t hold me. I’m beyond classification. I’m an original. I’m—
“Undocumented.”
wow, this is such an important book. i really appreciated the themes in lobizona and the issues that the author brought to life. the book heavily focuses on freedom, struggling to belong, prejudice, and misogyny, but also addresses a magical and brilliant exploration of identity, home and culture.
it's fille ...more
“Undocumented.”
wow, this is such an important book. i really appreciated the themes in lobizona and the issues that the author brought to life. the book heavily focuses on freedom, struggling to belong, prejudice, and misogyny, but also addresses a magical and brilliant exploration of identity, home and culture.
it's fille ...more

4.5 Stars
CWs: ICE raids, anti-immigration sentiments, descriptions of intense menstruation pain, incurred homophobia (side characters), incurred sexism and gender essentialism, descriptions of blood and violence
Lobizona is an exciting, beautiful, original Latinx paranormal fantasy about Manu, an Argentine immigrant living undocumented in the United States while trying to figure out the meaning behind her strange star-shaped pupils.
What I love about this story is how it challenges society's ...more
CWs: ICE raids, anti-immigration sentiments, descriptions of intense menstruation pain, incurred homophobia (side characters), incurred sexism and gender essentialism, descriptions of blood and violence
Lobizona is an exciting, beautiful, original Latinx paranormal fantasy about Manu, an Argentine immigrant living undocumented in the United States while trying to figure out the meaning behind her strange star-shaped pupils.
What I love about this story is how it challenges society's ...more

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Lobizona is a book about immigration and borders, secrets and powers, fear and trepidation, family and friendship. I loved how Garber wove immigration, existence, and revolution into the plot both in contemporary Miamia and this secret world Manu uncovers. Lobizona has everything I love - a timely discussion about immigration, a magical school setting, and a girl who tackles sexi ...more
Lobizona is a book about immigration and borders, secrets and powers, fear and trepidation, family and friendship. I loved how Garber wove immigration, existence, and revolution into the plot both in contemporary Miamia and this secret world Manu uncovers. Lobizona has everything I love - a timely discussion about immigration, a magical school setting, and a girl who tackles sexi ...more

I received an ARC both through Edelweiss and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
CW: racism, sexism, rigid gender boundaries, ICE raids and detainment, and unwanted sexual advances
3.5/5
Wow, what a book. I really enjoyed this one and the world that it's set in! Manu is an undocumented immigrant from Argentina who's father is a leader of a crime family. She and her mother are on the run. But, things aren't quite what they seem and Manu discovers that there's a whole lot more to her life tha ...more
CW: racism, sexism, rigid gender boundaries, ICE raids and detainment, and unwanted sexual advances
3.5/5
Wow, what a book. I really enjoyed this one and the world that it's set in! Manu is an undocumented immigrant from Argentina who's father is a leader of a crime family. She and her mother are on the run. But, things aren't quite what they seem and Manu discovers that there's a whole lot more to her life tha ...more

Oct 19, 2020
Charlie Marie
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
2020,
fantasy,
library,
favorites,
mcs-lgbtqia,
weres-and-shifters,
authors-bipoc,
mcs-bipoc,
contemporary,
found-family
Holy moly, this book had me crying (in a wonderful way) for the last half hour! This book is about an undocumented Argentinian girl living in Miami who finds out she is magic & comes from a magic world, and it is the best medicine for my heart in these scary, divided times we’re living through. This book is about belonging and exclusion, and resistance against unjust systems, and finding your family, the family of your heart, all wrapped in a beautiful layer of magic, werewolves, & brujx.
There’ ...more
There’ ...more

Lobizona by Romani Garber has me feeling all kinds of things. I honestly don't know how I feel. Part of me really liked it, especially after I hit the 48% mark but then the ending happened and I'm confused. Please don't come here to explain to me, I got it, I just don't know. I'm so conflicted. I think the best way to review this book is with a list of what I like and what I did not like.
Things I dislike:
Even though the ending took a big chunk of pages it all felt rushed. Also, what the hell hap ...more
Things I dislike:
Even though the ending took a big chunk of pages it all felt rushed. Also, what the hell hap ...more

It's clear from the previous ratings and reviews that I am the odd one out, so please take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
To begin with, I was really looking forward to this book. There are so few Argentinian-inspired fantasies, I'd have been a fool to not pick it up. And even though these kinds of #ownvoices stories were not written for me, I enjoy reading them because it's an opportunity to learn about a different culture from someone who regularly experiences it. So imagine my disappointme ...more
To begin with, I was really looking forward to this book. There are so few Argentinian-inspired fantasies, I'd have been a fool to not pick it up. And even though these kinds of #ownvoices stories were not written for me, I enjoy reading them because it's an opportunity to learn about a different culture from someone who regularly experiences it. So imagine my disappointme ...more
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Romina Garber is a NYT/International Bestselling YA author who also writes under pen name Romina Russell. Born in Buenos Aires and raised in Miami, Romina currently resides in Los Angeles but would much rather be at Hogwarts. As a teen, Romina landed her first writing gig—“College She Wrote,” a weekly Sunday column for the Miami Herald that was later picked up for national syndication—and she hasn
...more
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“Now go forth and shatter every convention.”
—
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“Sometimes reality strays so far from what’s rational that we can only explain it through fantasy.”
—
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