AN ENCANTADORA'S GUIDE TO MONSTROS AND MAGIC

A desperate monster hunter gambles on a magical heist.

Twelve-year-old apprentice trapper Rosa, whose “not-quite-black hair” goes in “at least seventy-three different directions,” removes deadly monstros under the direction of avó Leonor, her grandmother, but she wishes she could be a keeper and use charms on locks. Unfortunately, the bureaucratic Ministério dos Monstros’ heavy fees squash social mobility, limiting opportunities for people like Rosa and her pickpocket best friend, Tiago, an aspiring tailor, whose hair has “tight coils” and skin is “cork bark–colored.” Right before the Festival of Lights, an unfair Ministry financial demand threatens to destroy Rosa’s family business. Luckily, her keeper abilities have caught the eye of the mysterious band of thieves the Tea Leaves. All she has to do is pass her audition, pull off the greatest heist of all time, and bond with her teammates—trust is essential for their work. But Rosa struggles with the ways she hasn’t always been a good friend and the lie she told about her keeper status. A late twist adds additional urgency for her success. Rosa’s interpersonal struggles balance perfectly with daring heist sequences, where sudden obstacles strain the Tea Leaves’ abilities and cool. Mendonca’s worldbuilding is exquisite and meticulous—the Portuguese-flavored fantasy world’s history and society (which is grounded in corruption and conspiracy) is as well developed as the fresh magical system. The epilogue teases an exciting sequel.

A phenomenal debut with smooth execution, exciting capers, and heaps of originality.