Reclaim the Stars

Starred review from January 3, 2022
In the introduction to this magnetic and artfully curated SFF anthology, editor Córdova (The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, for adults) asks, “Do you remember the first time you believed in the impossible?” Featuring 17 short stories from “a collective of science fiction and fantasy authors who spanned the Latin American diaspora”—including Romina Garber, Anna-Marie McLemore, Daniel José Older, and Mark Oshiro—the anthology invites readers to expand the bounds of their belief with each impossible creation. Organized into three broad thematic categories, the wide-ranging offerings span galaxies, realms, and subgenres, tackling everything from Shakespearean blood feuds and star-crossed lovers to seeking a more just world and dismantling oppressive power structures. Though the anthology has a slight bent toward fantasy, each story leaves a distinct impression, and no voice or subject matter feels stale. Additionally, newcomers Circe Moskowitz (“Creatures of Kings”) and Linda Raquel Nieves Pérez (“White Water, Blue Ocean”)—with rousing prose and premises that immediately entrance—not only feel at home among more seasoned creators’ work but shine diamond-bright in this visionary anthology. Ages 12–up. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary.

April 1, 2022

Gr 10 Up-Justice, prison reform, polyamorous love, feminism, toppling dictators, and other timely topics populate the pages of this collection of short stories set in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, magical realms, and distant planets. While the characters in each of these stories are children coming of age, the apocalyptic and magical settings force them to become wise before their time. "The Tin Man" puts Alida in the desperate position of either remaining on Earth where she has memories of her family or getting into an ark destined for unknown parts and beginning again. In "Killing El Chivo," Yesenia, Zaria, and Milagros are left to fend for themselves under a dictatorship that kidnapped and killed their parents. The teens becoming adults in this short story have to grapple with the difference between justice and revenge, and how both still twist the survivors into something they don't want to be. Yesenia learns that to destroy a monster, one must become a monster as well. "Leyenda" by Romina Garber revisits the domain of werewolves and witches, and in it, the main character, Zaybet, tackles patriarchal systems of oppression. In each of these entries a sacrifice is negotiated in order for the protagonist to evolve into a hero and a survivor. VERDICT This collection is recommended for older teens due to the intimate nature of the various characters within the stories. A solid choice for YA shelves.-Stephanie Creamer

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Starred review from December 15, 2021
An anthology that collects 17 speculative fiction tales written by both new and well-established authors representing the Latin American diaspora. Editor C�rdova presents a hearty collection--including a story of her own that closes the book--that celebrates different perspectives and voices from a diverse, wide-ranging community. The anthology follows a recipe for resounding success: The stories feature Latinx characters and include fantasy and science fiction peppered with plenty of romance, a dash of horror, and a pinch of magical realism--but, above all, a copious amount of warmth. This volume hits the ground running with the beautiful prose and even more beautiful queer love story of Anna-Marie McLemore's "Reign of Diamonds," set in space with magic added. Readers' hearts will be broken by Daniel Jos� Older's "Flecha," a futuristic tale of family and diaspora, and "Eterno," J.C. Cervantes' story of an impossible love between a human girl and a not-so-human boy--only to be put back together by David Bowles' "The First Day of Us," a fun and heartwarming take on polyamory set on a space station. There is a lot more here about finding oneself in tales of empowerment and growth, of letting go, punching up, and celebrating love in all its incarnations and colors of the rainbow. There is a little something for everyone in this powerful, essential anthology. (contributor bios) (Speculative fiction. 13-adult)

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Starred review from January 1, 2022
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* This stellar anthology of 17 science fiction and fantasy tales of magic, outer space, and other worlds features contributors from the Latinx diaspora who write about love, friendship, adventure, and everything beyond and in between. From Anna-Marie McLemore's spaceship princess nemeses to Daniel Jos� Older's characters learning how to approach grief in space to Lilliam Rivera's robot tale, the tones and writing styles vary greatly, providing something fresh and exciting for every reader. The collection also features the voices of storytellers familiar to anthologies, including Mark Oshiro, Claribel A. Ortega, and J. C. Cervantes. The book's three sections--"To the Stars," "The Magical Now," and "Other Times, Other Realms"--organize the broad spectrum of original science fiction and fantasy stories for readers. Intertwining Spanish and English and weaving cultural elements and traditions of Latinx culture throughout, these stories offer a much-needed reflection of representation to the Latinx diaspora community in genres that have not traditionally welcomed these writers. And those reading outside this perspective will be overjoyed to venture to distant lands and times with these distinct, imaginative tales.

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