LOS MONSTRUOS

In this trilogy closer, Ava, the daughter of La Lechuza, confronts her mother’s past and the prejudice surrounding their monstrous legacy in the magical town of Tres Leches, Tejas.

After a couple of boys snap a photo of La Lechuza carrying away a drunk man, Ava’s mother, Minerva, becomes a fugitive from Sheriff Hayashi. Ava, who longs to fly but hasn’t inherited her mother’s powers, flees with her and begins unraveling long-held family secrets. With help from several familiar faces—including Mayor Reynaldo; Paco, her loyal squirrel companion and familiar; Felice, the daughter of La Llorona; Rooster, who’s the son of a devil; and newcomer Micaela, a podcaster who’s researching los monstruos—Ava investigates her family history and the mysterious rift between her mother and aunts. Guided by her surviving tía, Delia, Ava trains to learn how to transform into an owl and discovers that while monsters aren’t what they seem, neither are the people who fear them. The strong pacing brings readers along on an exploration of Mexican American folklore told through a fresh lens that highlights sisterhood, justice, and the complexities of legacy. Returning fans will enjoy visiting this familiar world, while newcomers will be able to easily follow Ava’s story without prior knowledge of the series. The swift-moving plot manages to make space for emotional resonance, culminating in a moment of communal reckoning.

A thoughtful yet propulsive finale that finds strength in family and truth.