Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina

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 surrogate grandmother is attacked, lifelong lies are exposed, and her mother is arrested by ICE. Without a home, without answers, and finally without shackles, Manu investigates the only clue she has about her past--a mysterious "Z" emblem—which leads her to a secret world buried within our own. A world connected to her dead father and his criminal past. A world straight out of Argentine folklore, where the seventh consecutive daughter is born a bruja and the seventh consecutive son is a lobizón, a werewolf. A world where her unusual eyes allow her to belong.

As Manu uncovers her own story and traces her real heritage all the way back to a cursed city in Argentina, she learns it's not just her U.S. residency that's illegal. . . .it's her entire existence.

This book really dove into some of the issues of today's world, all while painting a wonderful paranormal picture. 

Wow, just wow. This book jumps right into the action. I felt the terror of being chased by ICE in the begging of the story. The author really painted the picture of what the character was going through and it made me understand more of what its like to live in this constant fear. There was a nice use of Spanish phrases, that were explained in a way that didn't make me feel like I was being lectured.  

As the book progressed into the paranormal side, the character finds herself in a similar situation in the paranormal world, where she has to hid who she is to fit in. It was incredible to see how the two stories overlaid each other, different, but similar.  

The world was interesting and unique. Bringing to life the witches and werewolves we all know and love, but in a new way that I haven't heard it told. 

This was a great read. I can't wait for the sequel.