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Pilar Ramirez #1
Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa
Twelve-year-old Pilar Violeta “Purp” Ramirez’s world is changing, and she doesn’t care for it one bit. Her Chicago neighborhood is gentrifying and her chores have doubled since her sister, Lorena, left for college. The only constant is Abuela and Mami’s code of silence around her cousin Natasha—who vanished in the Dominican Republic fifty years ago during the Trujillo dictatorship.
When Pilar hears that Lorena’s professor studies such disappearances, she hops on the next train to take matters into her own hands. After snooping around the professor's empty office, she discovers a folder with her cousin’s name on it . . . and gets sucked into the blank page within.
She lands on Zafa, an island swarming with coconut-shaped demons, butterfly shapeshifters, and a sinister magical prison where her cousin is being held captive. Pilar will have to go toe-to-toe with the fearsome Dominican boogeyman, El Cuco, if she has any hope of freeing Natasha and getting back home.
When Pilar hears that Lorena’s professor studies such disappearances, she hops on the next train to take matters into her own hands. After snooping around the professor's empty office, she discovers a folder with her cousin’s name on it . . . and gets sucked into the blank page within.
She lands on Zafa, an island swarming with coconut-shaped demons, butterfly shapeshifters, and a sinister magical prison where her cousin is being held captive. Pilar will have to go toe-to-toe with the fearsome Dominican boogeyman, El Cuco, if she has any hope of freeing Natasha and getting back home.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2022
38 people are currently reading
5966 people want to read
About the author
Julian Randall
19 books50 followersJulian Randall is a Living Queer Black author from Chicago. He has received fellowships from Cave Canem, CantoMundo, Callaloo, and the Watering Hole. Julian is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize and the winner of the 2019 Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award from the Publishing Triangle.
His writing has been published in New York Times Magazine, Ploughshares, and POETRY, and anthologized in Black Boy Joy (which debuted at #1 on the NYT Best Seller list), Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed, and Furious Flower. Julian has essays in The Atlantic, Vibe Magazine, Los Angeles Review of Books and other venues. They hold an MFA in poetry from University of Mississippi.
Julian is the author of five books across three genres. For adults Refuse (Pitt, 2018), winner of the 2017 Cave Canem Poetry Prize and a finalist for a 2019 NAACP Image Award and the forthcoming The Dead Don’t Need Reminding: In Search of Fugitives, Mississippi and Black TV Nerd Shit (Bold Type Books, May 2024). For younger readers: the Pilar Ramirez duology and the forthcoming middle grade novel The Chainbreakers (all from Holt Books for Young Readers).
His writing has been published in New York Times Magazine, Ploughshares, and POETRY, and anthologized in Black Boy Joy (which debuted at #1 on the NYT Best Seller list), Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed, and Furious Flower. Julian has essays in The Atlantic, Vibe Magazine, Los Angeles Review of Books and other venues. They hold an MFA in poetry from University of Mississippi.
Julian is the author of five books across three genres. For adults Refuse (Pitt, 2018), winner of the 2017 Cave Canem Poetry Prize and a finalist for a 2019 NAACP Image Award and the forthcoming The Dead Don’t Need Reminding: In Search of Fugitives, Mississippi and Black TV Nerd Shit (Bold Type Books, May 2024). For younger readers: the Pilar Ramirez duology and the forthcoming middle grade novel The Chainbreakers (all from Holt Books for Young Readers).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 25, 2022
When I first stumbled across this at work, I was so excited because there was so much Spanish weaved into the prose. Plus, I haven't read a story featuring Dominican folklore so this was a really great find.
For the most part, this was a fun and quickly paced story. Pilar and I had a few things in common--specifically the frustration that comes with having to correct people about the pronunciation of our name, and even submitting to a new name (new pronunciation in my case) because it can be exhausting to correct someone, especially at such a young age.
I also really enjoyed learning about the mythology and history of the Dominican Republic. I had heard a bit about it when I visited a couple of times a few years ago, but it's always interesting to see how an author can present the admittedly dark history to a younger audience.
While the adventure was solid, I'll admit that the Spanish started to feel a little overwhelming. There were times where I heard "Entiendes" so many times (a lot of sentences ended with this word, which means "Understand", even when it wasn't Pilar speaking) that it started to feel like I was reading a book about Dora the Explorer. I did find joy in hearing her say come-mierda and nalga (I'm a child LOL) because, especially with the former word, the author found a way around censoring for kids.
Overall, this was fun and I would recommend it to the younger readers that come into our store. Especially those who want adventure and a dose of mythology from a different culture!
Happy reading!
For the most part, this was a fun and quickly paced story. Pilar and I had a few things in common--specifically the frustration that comes with having to correct people about the pronunciation of our name, and even submitting to a new name (new pronunciation in my case) because it can be exhausting to correct someone, especially at such a young age.
I also really enjoyed learning about the mythology and history of the Dominican Republic. I had heard a bit about it when I visited a couple of times a few years ago, but it's always interesting to see how an author can present the admittedly dark history to a younger audience.
While the adventure was solid, I'll admit that the Spanish started to feel a little overwhelming. There were times where I heard "Entiendes" so many times (a lot of sentences ended with this word, which means "Understand", even when it wasn't Pilar speaking) that it started to feel like I was reading a book about Dora the Explorer. I did find joy in hearing her say come-mierda and nalga (I'm a child LOL) because, especially with the former word, the author found a way around censoring for kids.
Overall, this was fun and I would recommend it to the younger readers that come into our store. Especially those who want adventure and a dose of mythology from a different culture!
Happy reading!
March 6, 2022
Thank you Mac Kids Books for my finished copy.
Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is the first book in a fantasy duology that I really enjoyed. Reading this book taught me about Dominican Republic leader Rafael Trujillo and his brutal regime. I had no idea about this and ended up doing some research on Google. The part of history was broken down easily for kids understand.
I love the way Pilar came into her own while in Zafa. She found her strength and used her voice. I do look forward to the next book in the series. I found the authors note touching as well and it’s so important for these stories to be told authentically!
Trigger: HP references, gentrification.
Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is the first book in a fantasy duology that I really enjoyed. Reading this book taught me about Dominican Republic leader Rafael Trujillo and his brutal regime. I had no idea about this and ended up doing some research on Google. The part of history was broken down easily for kids understand.
I love the way Pilar came into her own while in Zafa. She found her strength and used her voice. I do look forward to the next book in the series. I found the authors note touching as well and it’s so important for these stories to be told authentically!
Trigger: HP references, gentrification.
dnf
March 8, 2022This is a Middle Grade. I just could not get into this book. I did not like the writing style of this book, and the characters where just ok. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
September 27, 2021
The book description from the publisher was captivating, but the actual story was a let down. The biggest issue for me was the word choices. The constant usage of "pero" and "pues" as sentence starters was annoying by itself, but add to that the overuse of the word "like" as if Pilar was a valley girl had my teeth on edge. The final let down was the lack of action in this action/adventure. The book really dragged and seemed to go on forever. It was a huge disappointment since it had such good reviews. I don't think any of them actually read the story,
March 20, 2022
CWs:
Explorations of war crimes, genocide, massacre, abduction, and trauma; some references to death and police brutality; some thematic violence; and one HP reference
Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is a dynamic series opener that introduces us to a spunky, unforgettable heroine who is ready to kick some butt and take some names. Pilar is a determined, opinionated, whip-smart young Dominican-American girl, who is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with El Cuco himself if it means saving her family and defending the people she loves.
To start off, I think Pilar Ramirez is perfect for fans of the Tristan Strong series. Both stories are set in fantasy worlds that are inspired by distinctive cultural myths, and they're also both driven by inquisitive young narrators who aren't afraid to tell you how they really feel about encountering magic for the first time. Much like Tristan, Pilar isn't afraid to openly interrogate aspects of this new-to-her fantasy world as she discovers them, and hearing her recount the story has the same feeling of sitting across from a close friend as they tell you what they've been up to lately. Her voice is personable, entertaining, and distinctive, and I think it perfectly captures that very specific flavor and rhythm of Dominican Spanglish.
This is a fast-paced, captivating fantasy-adventure story, and I think it has a lot to offer young readers. First and foremost, I appreciate how Julian Randall has created a fantastical middle grade story to help young people process the horrors and trauma of the Trujllo dictatorship. There's a traumatic legacy that comes with that, one that many people are unable to talk about, and so it's powerful to have a young heroine like Pilar being able to confront her culture's history and grapple with it in way that's tangible and immediate. In a way, she's discovering her family's culture and history directly for the first time, and figuring out how to navigate it in a very literal sense as she takes on this epic journey to free her long-lost cousin.
With Pilar discovering this world of magic, there's also an interesting narrative thread exploring the reclamation of power. Even though her ancestors and her family were victims of a horrendous dictatorship that essentially rendered them powerless, Pilar is still able to dig deep and find magic within herself that she can use to fight against the literal evils of this fantasy world.
There's also a line that gets repeated in this story about "becoming a threat," and I think that can be a powerful mantra for young marginalized folks who are battling against oppressive systems that don't want them to exist. The idea is that if someone out there is going to invest resources into your destruction, it's because they fear your power and they see you (and potentially your community) as a threat. So if someone believes you to be threat, why not become one and bring about the very destruction they fear? That is an incredibly powerful call to action.
As you would expect, this story is also a rumination on the power of stories. Stories and myths passed down from her family are what has prepared Pilar to face and understand this fantasy world she finds herself in, and in listening to the stories of people currently living in Zafa and suffering through this war, she's able to better arm herself for the battle ahead. The magic that moves through Zafa is also powered by memory itself, and it draws on the collective power of Zafa's people as well as the humans who were abducted there during the war. That is another worthwhile message: that forgetting or erasing tragedies of the past does not lessen their impact, but remembering what your community has endured can make you a stronger person going forward.
If I'm being honest, I wanted a little bit more from the world-building. In terms of the actual portal that transports Pilar to Zafa, it's never made clear whether her sister's professor had anything to do with it or whether it was just pure coincidence. There also doesn't seem to be any long-lasting consequences to Pilar's fantastical adventure, especially because everything wraps up just a little bit too neatly. In fairness, maybe that's something that will be further explored in the second book, but only time will tell. I also wish we could've seen even more of Zafa itself, because the story is primarily focused on a few key locations, and we don't get a strong sense of how big this fantasy world truly is by the end.
Even with that said, I still really enjoyed this. I love that this story is so voice-y, I appreciate the blend of the historical and the fantastical, I enjoyed the humor and the adventure, and the stakes also feel incredibly real for the characters. The author's poetic background also comes through in the thematic resonances of the story, which makes it stand out. What's more, there's *possibly* a sapphic dynamic being set up between Pilar and Carmen as well, and I'm super interested to see how (and if) that unfolds in the final installment. Overall, I think this is a great addition to the shelves of any middle grade fantasy reader, and I cannot wait to see what else Julian writes in the future.
Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is a dynamic series opener that introduces us to a spunky, unforgettable heroine who is ready to kick some butt and take some names. Pilar is a determined, opinionated, whip-smart young Dominican-American girl, who is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with El Cuco himself if it means saving her family and defending the people she loves.
To start off, I think Pilar Ramirez is perfect for fans of the Tristan Strong series. Both stories are set in fantasy worlds that are inspired by distinctive cultural myths, and they're also both driven by inquisitive young narrators who aren't afraid to tell you how they really feel about encountering magic for the first time. Much like Tristan, Pilar isn't afraid to openly interrogate aspects of this new-to-her fantasy world as she discovers them, and hearing her recount the story has the same feeling of sitting across from a close friend as they tell you what they've been up to lately. Her voice is personable, entertaining, and distinctive, and I think it perfectly captures that very specific flavor and rhythm of Dominican Spanglish.
This is a fast-paced, captivating fantasy-adventure story, and I think it has a lot to offer young readers. First and foremost, I appreciate how Julian Randall has created a fantastical middle grade story to help young people process the horrors and trauma of the Trujllo dictatorship. There's a traumatic legacy that comes with that, one that many people are unable to talk about, and so it's powerful to have a young heroine like Pilar being able to confront her culture's history and grapple with it in way that's tangible and immediate. In a way, she's discovering her family's culture and history directly for the first time, and figuring out how to navigate it in a very literal sense as she takes on this epic journey to free her long-lost cousin.
With Pilar discovering this world of magic, there's also an interesting narrative thread exploring the reclamation of power. Even though her ancestors and her family were victims of a horrendous dictatorship that essentially rendered them powerless, Pilar is still able to dig deep and find magic within herself that she can use to fight against the literal evils of this fantasy world.
There's also a line that gets repeated in this story about "becoming a threat," and I think that can be a powerful mantra for young marginalized folks who are battling against oppressive systems that don't want them to exist. The idea is that if someone out there is going to invest resources into your destruction, it's because they fear your power and they see you (and potentially your community) as a threat. So if someone believes you to be threat, why not become one and bring about the very destruction they fear? That is an incredibly powerful call to action.
As you would expect, this story is also a rumination on the power of stories. Stories and myths passed down from her family are what has prepared Pilar to face and understand this fantasy world she finds herself in, and in listening to the stories of people currently living in Zafa and suffering through this war, she's able to better arm herself for the battle ahead. The magic that moves through Zafa is also powered by memory itself, and it draws on the collective power of Zafa's people as well as the humans who were abducted there during the war. That is another worthwhile message: that forgetting or erasing tragedies of the past does not lessen their impact, but remembering what your community has endured can make you a stronger person going forward.
If I'm being honest, I wanted a little bit more from the world-building. In terms of the actual portal that transports Pilar to Zafa, it's never made clear whether her sister's professor had anything to do with it or whether it was just pure coincidence. There also doesn't seem to be any long-lasting consequences to Pilar's fantastical adventure, especially because everything wraps up just a little bit too neatly. In fairness, maybe that's something that will be further explored in the second book, but only time will tell. I also wish we could've seen even more of Zafa itself, because the story is primarily focused on a few key locations, and we don't get a strong sense of how big this fantasy world truly is by the end.
Even with that said, I still really enjoyed this. I love that this story is so voice-y, I appreciate the blend of the historical and the fantastical, I enjoyed the humor and the adventure, and the stakes also feel incredibly real for the characters. The author's poetic background also comes through in the thematic resonances of the story, which makes it stand out. What's more, there's *possibly* a sapphic dynamic being set up between Pilar and Carmen as well, and I'm super interested to see how (and if) that unfolds in the final installment. Overall, I think this is a great addition to the shelves of any middle grade fantasy reader, and I cannot wait to see what else Julian writes in the future.
January 20, 2022
Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa was such a great read. Pilar is a twelve year old girl learning about her world as it is changing by the minute. Past meets present for her when she finds herself in Zafa.
One of the interesting things about this book was the authenticity of languages (Spanish and English) as Pilar narrates this story. I love how Julian Randall gave voice to bilingual children who will pick up this book and see themselves and their families in this book. As an English speaker I was able to follow along and learn some Spanish along the way as well.
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Twelve-year-old Pilar Violeta “Purp” Ramirez’s world is changing, and she doesn’t care for it one bit. Her Chicago neighborhood is gentrifying and her chores have doubled since her sister, Lorena, left for college. The only constant is Abuela and Mami’s code of silence around her cousin Natasha—who vanished in the Dominican Republic fifty years ago during the Trujillo dictatorship.
When Pilar hears that Lorena’s professor studies such disappearances, she hops on the next train to take matters into her own hands. After snooping around the professor's empty office, she discovers a folder with her cousin’s name on it . . . and gets sucked into the blank page within.
She lands on Zafa, an island swarming with coconut-shaped demons, butterfly shapeshifters, and a sinister magical prison where her cousin is being held captive. Pilar will have to go toe-to-toe with the fearsome Dominican boogeyman, El Cuco, if she has any hope of freeing Natasha and getting back home
One of the interesting things about this book was the authenticity of languages (Spanish and English) as Pilar narrates this story. I love how Julian Randall gave voice to bilingual children who will pick up this book and see themselves and their families in this book. As an English speaker I was able to follow along and learn some Spanish along the way as well.
------
Twelve-year-old Pilar Violeta “Purp” Ramirez’s world is changing, and she doesn’t care for it one bit. Her Chicago neighborhood is gentrifying and her chores have doubled since her sister, Lorena, left for college. The only constant is Abuela and Mami’s code of silence around her cousin Natasha—who vanished in the Dominican Republic fifty years ago during the Trujillo dictatorship.
When Pilar hears that Lorena’s professor studies such disappearances, she hops on the next train to take matters into her own hands. After snooping around the professor's empty office, she discovers a folder with her cousin’s name on it . . . and gets sucked into the blank page within.
She lands on Zafa, an island swarming with coconut-shaped demons, butterfly shapeshifters, and a sinister magical prison where her cousin is being held captive. Pilar will have to go toe-to-toe with the fearsome Dominican boogeyman, El Cuco, if she has any hope of freeing Natasha and getting back home
March 11, 2022
Meh - it was fine. Nothing crazy.
I started off really liking Pilar and her personality, but overtime I got annoyed. I also feel like her strong personality didn’t really sustain overtime and she fell kind of flat.
I did really like the DR setting with the Dominican myths / legends. That part was very interesting with some really cool monsters / creatures.
The spanish parts I felt mixed on. I looooved a good bilingual story, but I felt like I was reading the same 3 Spanish words over and over and over, which really lost the a bilingual opportunity. It seemed really forced at that point which took away some authenticity.
There was also some attempt at world building, but not very strong and nothing really special outside of a “jungle”. If you’re gonna do, do it.
I also felt like this wrapped things up a little too perfectly and nicely. When it ends too convenient like this, there really wasn’t any point in the adventure. Pilar would’ve been just fine without the adventure than with.
Overall, I would recommend it to kids 6th+ mainly because of some vocab / concepts that might be above kids’ heads. You definitely need some strong background knowledge or inferencing skills to understand this story. I’d also recommend to kids who like adventure and good vs evil.
I started off really liking Pilar and her personality, but overtime I got annoyed. I also feel like her strong personality didn’t really sustain overtime and she fell kind of flat.
I did really like the DR setting with the Dominican myths / legends. That part was very interesting with some really cool monsters / creatures.
The spanish parts I felt mixed on. I looooved a good bilingual story, but I felt like I was reading the same 3 Spanish words over and over and over, which really lost the a bilingual opportunity. It seemed really forced at that point which took away some authenticity.
There was also some attempt at world building, but not very strong and nothing really special outside of a “jungle”. If you’re gonna do, do it.
I also felt like this wrapped things up a little too perfectly and nicely. When it ends too convenient like this, there really wasn’t any point in the adventure. Pilar would’ve been just fine without the adventure than with.
Overall, I would recommend it to kids 6th+ mainly because of some vocab / concepts that might be above kids’ heads. You definitely need some strong background knowledge or inferencing skills to understand this story. I’d also recommend to kids who like adventure and good vs evil.
March 1, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Children’s for the ARC of this!
This was an action packed middle grade portal fantasy that gave me some Jumanji vibes! Pilar was such a fun character, and I loved the history and mystery woven into the exciting, fantastical plot. Recommend for fans of Aru Shah, Percy Jackson and anyone who is excited for Dominican characters in middle grade stories!
This was an action packed middle grade portal fantasy that gave me some Jumanji vibes! Pilar was such a fun character, and I loved the history and mystery woven into the exciting, fantastical plot. Recommend for fans of Aru Shah, Percy Jackson and anyone who is excited for Dominican characters in middle grade stories!
July 9, 2022
I really tried getting into this one, but it was just very hard trying to fall in love with the plot. I really wanted to like it, but I couldn't even finish it.
November 17, 2021
I love seeing mythologies from other cultures!!
Like other reviewers, I found Pilar’s word choice jarring. I speak Spanish as a second language so I understood all her vocabulary, but it was odd which words she flipped languages for. Most bilingual folks I know flip when there is a specific vocabulary word they don’t remember the translation of, or if they are having a conversation in one language and need a moment to recalibrate to the other. Random “peros/buts” and “porques/becauses” just didn’t flow right.
I think integration of bilingualism is a valuable addition to the story, and disagree with reviewers who don’t like feeling “left out” by it— native speakers feel left out in mainstream literature all the time — and if this was a book firmly aimed at Latinx readers that would be fine. But Pilar spends so much time educating the reader on Latinx and Dominican culture that it feels like a disconnect in the intended audience.
All that said, I am a white girl who hasn’t had any long-term immersion in Spanish culture, so I would be interested in the opinions of truly bilingual/bicultural reviewers.
Like other reviewers, I found Pilar’s word choice jarring. I speak Spanish as a second language so I understood all her vocabulary, but it was odd which words she flipped languages for. Most bilingual folks I know flip when there is a specific vocabulary word they don’t remember the translation of, or if they are having a conversation in one language and need a moment to recalibrate to the other. Random “peros/buts” and “porques/becauses” just didn’t flow right.
I think integration of bilingualism is a valuable addition to the story, and disagree with reviewers who don’t like feeling “left out” by it— native speakers feel left out in mainstream literature all the time — and if this was a book firmly aimed at Latinx readers that would be fine. But Pilar spends so much time educating the reader on Latinx and Dominican culture that it feels like a disconnect in the intended audience.
All that said, I am a white girl who hasn’t had any long-term immersion in Spanish culture, so I would be interested in the opinions of truly bilingual/bicultural reviewers.
March 1, 2022
Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
Pilar Ramirez is a young Dominican photographer growing up in Chicago. Things in the neighborhood are changing (gentrifying) and since her sister Lorena has gone off to college Pilar is feeling off. Pilar’s family moved to Chicago after fleeing the Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic and after her cousin Natasha went in Miami. After finding herself in the magical world of Zafa, Pilar works to defeat the villains of Zafa (El jefe and El Cuco) but also solve the mystery of why her cousin went missing.
Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is a fun adventure story that intertwines magic with Dominican culture. Pilar herself is relatable Latinx protagonist who is rightfully suspicious of what her eyes are showing her and is always looking to investigate more. Pilar has confidence in her own abilities as an adventurer and her decision to join in the campaign against the villains in Zafa makes sense. The world building is deep in this novel as Zafa is a colorful place with coconut shaped predators and shape shifting butterflies.
The author Julian Randall does use some Spanish slang in Pilar’s vocabulary but that just makes her personality and culture shine. Anyone who grew up in a Spanish speaking home will appreciate the relatability of some of the things that Pilar’s family experiences especially those who have relatives that have had to flee their homes due to violent dictators. The sprinkling of Spanish words only strengthens Pilar’s connection to her community and culture. Perfect for young fans of adventure, I hope that Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is the first in many adventures for this character.
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Pilar Ramirez is a young Dominican photographer growing up in Chicago. Things in the neighborhood are changing (gentrifying) and since her sister Lorena has gone off to college Pilar is feeling off. Pilar’s family moved to Chicago after fleeing the Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic and after her cousin Natasha went in Miami. After finding herself in the magical world of Zafa, Pilar works to defeat the villains of Zafa (El jefe and El Cuco) but also solve the mystery of why her cousin went missing.
Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is a fun adventure story that intertwines magic with Dominican culture. Pilar herself is relatable Latinx protagonist who is rightfully suspicious of what her eyes are showing her and is always looking to investigate more. Pilar has confidence in her own abilities as an adventurer and her decision to join in the campaign against the villains in Zafa makes sense. The world building is deep in this novel as Zafa is a colorful place with coconut shaped predators and shape shifting butterflies.
The author Julian Randall does use some Spanish slang in Pilar’s vocabulary but that just makes her personality and culture shine. Anyone who grew up in a Spanish speaking home will appreciate the relatability of some of the things that Pilar’s family experiences especially those who have relatives that have had to flee their homes due to violent dictators. The sprinkling of Spanish words only strengthens Pilar’s connection to her community and culture. Perfect for young fans of adventure, I hope that Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is the first in many adventures for this character.
Join the Books + Bliss Book community for reviews and GIVEAWAYS here: https://www.facebook.com/Bliss-Books-...
February 16, 2022
I enjoyed this ride with aspiring cinematographer/documentarian Pilar. Randall decided to use a dark period in Dominican Republic history to frame a story that encircles a young girl searching for a way to bring a little more healing to the lives of her mother and grandmother who have first hand experience of living under dictator Trujillo. He ensures to that it is represented in a way that will not only be digestible to young readers, but that they may also start speaking up and asking for the truth and for more stories to be told, as so much silence surrounds the island and that darkest of times.
It was however very jarring the extent to which 'pues' and 'pero' were used. I know Pilar is not fluent in Spanish, yet I felt that her trying to connect with that part of her heritage could have been shown in other ways. The use of Story and how important it is, is what kept me in this tale and the creative way Randall chose to utilize Dominican folktale and creatures to bring this adventure to life.
It was however very jarring the extent to which 'pues' and 'pero' were used. I know Pilar is not fluent in Spanish, yet I felt that her trying to connect with that part of her heritage could have been shown in other ways. The use of Story and how important it is, is what kept me in this tale and the creative way Randall chose to utilize Dominican folktale and creatures to bring this adventure to life.
August 14, 2023
Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa, Julian Randall’s middle grade debut, is a rich and riveting fantasy steeped in Dominican mythology. Pilar is a precocious twelve year old who always has her eye on her next film project. When this young director’s curiosity lands her in a land full of legends and monsters, she must find a way to navigate this new world and reunite her mother with a long lost family member. Pilar is a fierce protagonist who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself, but this also gets her into a little trouble sometimes. I loved that Pilar has a bit of a counterpart in this new world. The young and talented Carmen is a step above her peers, but also needs to learn to slow down and trust others. Both Pilar and Carmen challenge and learn from each other throughout their journey. I loved how Pilar helps Carmen realize how much better she can be as part of a team and Carmen helps Pilar find the beauty in her heritage and encourages her not to compromise who she is for anyone. Julian Randall blends Dominican mythology and history to create a unique world with Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa, which is sure to stay with young readers; a wonderful start to an exciting series.
February 19, 2022
*Note I have received a free copy of this book and it will not affect my thoughts or feelings towards this*
This book was such a fun adventure to go on and watch Pilar grow as a character. I thought the world building was interesting and had me wanting to know more about the world. I felt like the small (but important) commentary that is made is done really well for and easy to understand for younger readers. I loved the plot very much because it felt like a fun adventure that never slows down to much. Pilar as a character was fun because we get to watch her grow as a person and come into herself and not be scared to be who she is which is different from everybody else. Overall this was a fun quick story that is defiantly worth the read. Overall rating 4/5 stars
This book was such a fun adventure to go on and watch Pilar grow as a character. I thought the world building was interesting and had me wanting to know more about the world. I felt like the small (but important) commentary that is made is done really well for and easy to understand for younger readers. I loved the plot very much because it felt like a fun adventure that never slows down to much. Pilar as a character was fun because we get to watch her grow as a person and come into herself and not be scared to be who she is which is different from everybody else. Overall this was a fun quick story that is defiantly worth the read. Overall rating 4/5 stars
November 6, 2024
An enjoyable middle grade fantasy, recommended for kids in 4th grade+ who love Percy Jackson-like stories.
Because this book dealt with with a real-life evil (Trujillo) and the people who suffered under him, I felt like this story had more weight to it than other middle grade fantasy, although there was also plenty of humor.
Because this book dealt with with a real-life evil (Trujillo) and the people who suffered under him, I felt like this story had more weight to it than other middle grade fantasy, although there was also plenty of humor.
February 5, 2022
Thank you to Henry Holt and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Pilar Ramirez, age 12, lives in Chicago in a rapidly changing neighborhood. Her family left the Dominican Republic during the Trujillo regime, when people, including Mami’s cousin Natasha, would go missing. Pilar is making her own documentary about her family history. Her sister tells her that there is a professor at her school who has information and arranges for Pilar to meet him. But when Pilar arrives at his office, she is sucked into a blank sheet of paper and finds herself in the land of Zafa. There she meets Carmen, a ciguapa, who rescues Pilar from coconut demons and worse. Pilar discovers that the evils of the Trujillo regime are alive on Zafa and that her cousin, Natasha, is in the infamous prison La Blanca. Pilar and Carmen have to fight the demons for any chance of rescuing Natasha and getting Pilar home.
I enjoyed reading about Dominican mythos against the backdrop of an extremely dark period that isn’t really taught in school. In Pilar’s thoughts and dialog, there is a mix of English and Spanish words. Some of the Spanish words I knew from my high school classes, others I needed to Google – the digital version that I had did not have a glossary. But readers can also just gloss over them and not lose track of what’s going on. I would recommend for grades 4 and up.
#PilarRamirezAndTheEscapeFromZafa #NetGalley
Pilar Ramirez, age 12, lives in Chicago in a rapidly changing neighborhood. Her family left the Dominican Republic during the Trujillo regime, when people, including Mami’s cousin Natasha, would go missing. Pilar is making her own documentary about her family history. Her sister tells her that there is a professor at her school who has information and arranges for Pilar to meet him. But when Pilar arrives at his office, she is sucked into a blank sheet of paper and finds herself in the land of Zafa. There she meets Carmen, a ciguapa, who rescues Pilar from coconut demons and worse. Pilar discovers that the evils of the Trujillo regime are alive on Zafa and that her cousin, Natasha, is in the infamous prison La Blanca. Pilar and Carmen have to fight the demons for any chance of rescuing Natasha and getting Pilar home.
I enjoyed reading about Dominican mythos against the backdrop of an extremely dark period that isn’t really taught in school. In Pilar’s thoughts and dialog, there is a mix of English and Spanish words. Some of the Spanish words I knew from my high school classes, others I needed to Google – the digital version that I had did not have a glossary. But readers can also just gloss over them and not lose track of what’s going on. I would recommend for grades 4 and up.
#PilarRamirezAndTheEscapeFromZafa #NetGalley
November 25, 2021
In Pilar Ramirez, budding photojournalist Pilar is determined to solve the mystery of the disappearance of a relative during the height of dictator Trujillo’s control of the Dominican Republic but instead, finds herself in parallel world filled with extraordinary creatures and more mysteries to solve and adventures to complete. Pilar is determined and possibly a little too forthright in her opinions, but learns valuable lessons as she works to complete her documentary and return home. The text is sprinkled liberally with Spanish words and phrases and often is not rich enough in context to definitively determine meaning, but many will read past the unfamiliar words in order to see what exciting situation is right around the corner for PIlar and newfound compadre Carmen. Thanks for the digital ARC, NetGalley.
April 30, 2022
Falling into the magical, SantinDomingo-influenced world of Zafa from a piece of paper, twelve-year old Pilar Ramirez meets a series of powerful women and others who escaped the rule of the monstrous Trujillo. Pilar discovers that an aunt/grand aunt of hers had disappeared years earlier after
Getting snatched up by Trujillo’s men, and Pilar thinks Natasha could be in Zafa. With the help of Carmen and a bruja, Pilar discovers her own strengths and power, in addition to her already known skill as a storyteller and budding director.
Fighting numerous threats to help break a number of people, and potentially Natasha, out of a prison created by the literally monstrous Trujillo, who had been killed on Earth years earlier, Pilar begins coming into her own as a leader, and a bruja.
The practically nonstop action, humour, and threats made for a fun, fast read. Pilar was a fun protagonist, confident, determined and kind.
Getting snatched up by Trujillo’s men, and Pilar thinks Natasha could be in Zafa. With the help of Carmen and a bruja, Pilar discovers her own strengths and power, in addition to her already known skill as a storyteller and budding director.
Fighting numerous threats to help break a number of people, and potentially Natasha, out of a prison created by the literally monstrous Trujillo, who had been killed on Earth years earlier, Pilar begins coming into her own as a leader, and a bruja.
The practically nonstop action, humour, and threats made for a fun, fast read. Pilar was a fun protagonist, confident, determined and kind.
March 29, 2022
I love Pilar and I can't wait to see what other things she gets up too in the future. This was such a fun adventure, I literally laughed out loud at work a few times. I know there are a lot of reviewers saying there is "to much spanish" but there really isn't. It was easy for me a non spanish speaker to follow along and it does not take away from the story at all, and if you aren't sure what a word means maybe use google. Pilar goes on a journey not only learning more about her family, culture and heritage but also herself. It is rich in Dominican folklore and history, which for me is twice is fun since I have 0 knowledge of it and I get to learn some while reading too.
May 27, 2024
DNF bad book looked interesting from the cover but it was very bad
They is so much Spanish mixed in that every 3 sentences you have to look up a word so that you won’t get lost
The character uses way too much slang
The worst parts were that she hates white people and keeps referring to them as colonizers and she hates police
Bad book don’t read and parents especially beware pick something else
They is so much Spanish mixed in that every 3 sentences you have to look up a word so that you won’t get lost
The character uses way too much slang
The worst parts were that she hates white people and keeps referring to them as colonizers and she hates police
Bad book don’t read and parents especially beware pick something else
July 21, 2023
RATING:
3 STARS
I love reading about the mythologies and stories of other cultures from around the world, so the opportunity to learn a bit more about the Dominican Republic in Julian Randall’s Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa was an opportunity too great to pass up. Amanda Alcantara’s narration in the audiobook brings the story to life with the main character Pilar determined to solve the mystery surrounding her family member’s disappearance during the reign of dictator Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic.
As a fan of fantasy and mythology, worldbuilding is very important to me and Julian Randall did a good job with that. I enjoyed the Alice in Wonderland-type journey of Pilar falling into the parallel universe, and getting to see the different creatures straight out of folk stories. Zafa is a unique place, full of demons, witches, shapeshifters, and even a magical prison. The main villain, El Cuco, is essentially the boogeyman and it was interesting to see the differences between this version and other interpretations of the character (also known as ‘El Coco’ or ‘El Cucuy’).
While the author brings some of the most prominent Dominican folktales to life, he also provides a social commentary on the state of affairs in the Dominican Republic in a way that is very easily understandable and appropriate for younger readers. I really appreciated the way the author handled those more serious topics, and as an adult, I was inspired to do some additional research about the Trujillo era (spoiler alert: it’s a very bloody time in history, and young readers should most definitely not look for the exact details). Pilar’s heritage comes into play with the sporadic use of Spanish words throughout the book; for the most part, I think everything was explained well but there were definitely some instances where there wasn’t enough context to determine what was being said or why it was being said. For example, the overuse of ‘pues’ to start sentences seemed a bit weird; almost like the author was trying to force more of a preteen slang vibe, and I could have done without it.
Overall, this was an entertaining and fast-paced book. The ideal audience would be somewhere in the children to middle-grade age level. I enjoyed it as an adult, but I’m not sure every adult reader would be able to take something away from the read. If you’re the type of reader (or know a young reader) who enjoys books like J.C. Cervantes’ The Storm Runner, Kwame Mbalia’s Tristan Strong, or who wants an introduction to Dominican culture and myths, I think this would be a great choice.
I love reading about the mythologies and stories of other cultures from around the world, so the opportunity to learn a bit more about the Dominican Republic in Julian Randall’s Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa was an opportunity too great to pass up. Amanda Alcantara’s narration in the audiobook brings the story to life with the main character Pilar determined to solve the mystery surrounding her family member’s disappearance during the reign of dictator Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic.
As a fan of fantasy and mythology, worldbuilding is very important to me and Julian Randall did a good job with that. I enjoyed the Alice in Wonderland-type journey of Pilar falling into the parallel universe, and getting to see the different creatures straight out of folk stories. Zafa is a unique place, full of demons, witches, shapeshifters, and even a magical prison. The main villain, El Cuco, is essentially the boogeyman and it was interesting to see the differences between this version and other interpretations of the character (also known as ‘El Coco’ or ‘El Cucuy’).
While the author brings some of the most prominent Dominican folktales to life, he also provides a social commentary on the state of affairs in the Dominican Republic in a way that is very easily understandable and appropriate for younger readers. I really appreciated the way the author handled those more serious topics, and as an adult, I was inspired to do some additional research about the Trujillo era (spoiler alert: it’s a very bloody time in history, and young readers should most definitely not look for the exact details). Pilar’s heritage comes into play with the sporadic use of Spanish words throughout the book; for the most part, I think everything was explained well but there were definitely some instances where there wasn’t enough context to determine what was being said or why it was being said. For example, the overuse of ‘pues’ to start sentences seemed a bit weird; almost like the author was trying to force more of a preteen slang vibe, and I could have done without it.
Overall, this was an entertaining and fast-paced book. The ideal audience would be somewhere in the children to middle-grade age level. I enjoyed it as an adult, but I’m not sure every adult reader would be able to take something away from the read. If you’re the type of reader (or know a young reader) who enjoys books like J.C. Cervantes’ The Storm Runner, Kwame Mbalia’s Tristan Strong, or who wants an introduction to Dominican culture and myths, I think this would be a great choice.
February 27, 2023
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa
Author: Julian Randall
Book Series: Pilar Ramirez Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Dominican American MC, Dominican characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, mythology, Dominican Republic
Publication Date: March 1, 2022
Genre: MG Fantasy
Age Relevance: 10+ (parental death, violence, gore, 1 HP reference, war mentioned)
Explanation of Above: There is a parental death mentioned briefly. There is some violence and small blood gore. There are mentioned of war and there is 1 HP reference.
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 304
Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Pilar Violeta “Purp” Ramirez’s world is changing, and she doesn’t care for it one bit. Her Chicago neighborhood is gentrifying and her chores have doubled since her sister, Lorena, left for college. The only constant is Abuela and Mami’s code of silence around her cousin Natasha—who vanished in the Dominican Republic fifty years ago during the Trujillo dictatorship.
When Pilar hears that Lorena’s professor studies such disappearances, she hops on the next train to take matters into her own hands. After snooping around the professor's empty office, she discovers a folder with her cousin’s name on it . . . and gets sucked into the blank page within.
She lands on Zafa, an island swarming with coconut-shaped demons, butterfly shapeshifters, and a sinister magical prison where her cousin is being held captive. Pilar will have to go toe-to-toe with the fearsome Dominican boogeyman, El Cuco, if she has any hope of freeing Natasha and getting back home.
Review: This book revolves around a girl who, after wondering about her missing cousin Natasha, finds herself in Zafa after opening a file on her sister’s professor’s desk. It’s up to her to defeat El Cuco to free Natasha and get back home. For the most part I really loved this book! I loved the Percy Jackson feel to it and I loved the magic system. The book did good to show a lot of action scenes in quick secession and I loved how there wasn’t a down moment since picking up the read. The book did well with the historical aspect, teaching readers about DR leader Rafael Trujilo and his regime.
The only issue I had with the book is that it felt a little too choppy and it was a bit too fast paced for me.
Verdict: It was good! Highly recommend.
Book: Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa
Author: Julian Randall
Book Series: Pilar Ramirez Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Dominican American MC, Dominican characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, mythology, Dominican Republic
Publication Date: March 1, 2022
Genre: MG Fantasy
Age Relevance: 10+ (parental death, violence, gore, 1 HP reference, war mentioned)
Explanation of Above: There is a parental death mentioned briefly. There is some violence and small blood gore. There are mentioned of war and there is 1 HP reference.
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 304
Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Pilar Violeta “Purp” Ramirez’s world is changing, and she doesn’t care for it one bit. Her Chicago neighborhood is gentrifying and her chores have doubled since her sister, Lorena, left for college. The only constant is Abuela and Mami’s code of silence around her cousin Natasha—who vanished in the Dominican Republic fifty years ago during the Trujillo dictatorship.
When Pilar hears that Lorena’s professor studies such disappearances, she hops on the next train to take matters into her own hands. After snooping around the professor's empty office, she discovers a folder with her cousin’s name on it . . . and gets sucked into the blank page within.
She lands on Zafa, an island swarming with coconut-shaped demons, butterfly shapeshifters, and a sinister magical prison where her cousin is being held captive. Pilar will have to go toe-to-toe with the fearsome Dominican boogeyman, El Cuco, if she has any hope of freeing Natasha and getting back home.
Review: This book revolves around a girl who, after wondering about her missing cousin Natasha, finds herself in Zafa after opening a file on her sister’s professor’s desk. It’s up to her to defeat El Cuco to free Natasha and get back home. For the most part I really loved this book! I loved the Percy Jackson feel to it and I loved the magic system. The book did good to show a lot of action scenes in quick secession and I loved how there wasn’t a down moment since picking up the read. The book did well with the historical aspect, teaching readers about DR leader Rafael Trujilo and his regime.
The only issue I had with the book is that it felt a little too choppy and it was a bit too fast paced for me.
Verdict: It was good! Highly recommend.
January 16, 2022
Thank you to #NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital ARC of Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa by Julian Randall. This middle grade adventure novel is rooted in the history and mythology of the Dominican Republic and will be published March 1, 2022. All opinions are my own.
Twelve-year-old Pilar Ramirez is a budding documentarian. She is currently working on a piece about the dictatorship of Trujillo in the Dominican Republic and the people he made vanish. Specifically, she is hoping to find out what happened to her mother’s cousin, who was about the same age as Pilar when she went missing. Lorena, Pilar’s older sister, meets a professor at her college who is an expert in this area and sets up a meeting for Pilar. Pilar arrives at his office to find it empty and begins searching the room for information and filming some B-roll. Upon touching a blank paper in her cousin’s file, she finds herself sucked within it. She lands on the island of Zafa, home of demons, witches, shapeshifters, and a magical prison where her cousin has been held captive for years. Pilar must defeat El Cuco, the Dominican boogeyman, in order to free her cousin and escape Zafa.
This was an interesting book. I loved that it introduced young readers to the history and mythology of the DR. I think it broke the history down in an accessible way that emphasized the injustices the people faced. I wanted to love this book, but I never really got to that point. I found the beginning of the story to be slow moving. I also found Pilar’s dialogue and narration jolting at times, not because of her use of Spanish, but because of her constant use of interrupters. Mainly, how she starts the majority of her sentences with “pues”. It feels like someone trying to hard to create a preteen voice by throwing in slang. At a certain point, I started skimming over the pues at the beginning of a sentence, so I could get to the meat of the story. I felt the adventure and action really picked up in the last quarter of the book. Had some of that been present a little earlier in the book, it may have grabbed my attention sooner and gotten me to really love it. Overall, it’s a solid story and a great intro to the mythology of the DR.
Twelve-year-old Pilar Ramirez is a budding documentarian. She is currently working on a piece about the dictatorship of Trujillo in the Dominican Republic and the people he made vanish. Specifically, she is hoping to find out what happened to her mother’s cousin, who was about the same age as Pilar when she went missing. Lorena, Pilar’s older sister, meets a professor at her college who is an expert in this area and sets up a meeting for Pilar. Pilar arrives at his office to find it empty and begins searching the room for information and filming some B-roll. Upon touching a blank paper in her cousin’s file, she finds herself sucked within it. She lands on the island of Zafa, home of demons, witches, shapeshifters, and a magical prison where her cousin has been held captive for years. Pilar must defeat El Cuco, the Dominican boogeyman, in order to free her cousin and escape Zafa.
This was an interesting book. I loved that it introduced young readers to the history and mythology of the DR. I think it broke the history down in an accessible way that emphasized the injustices the people faced. I wanted to love this book, but I never really got to that point. I found the beginning of the story to be slow moving. I also found Pilar’s dialogue and narration jolting at times, not because of her use of Spanish, but because of her constant use of interrupters. Mainly, how she starts the majority of her sentences with “pues”. It feels like someone trying to hard to create a preteen voice by throwing in slang. At a certain point, I started skimming over the pues at the beginning of a sentence, so I could get to the meat of the story. I felt the adventure and action really picked up in the last quarter of the book. Had some of that been present a little earlier in the book, it may have grabbed my attention sooner and gotten me to really love it. Overall, it’s a solid story and a great intro to the mythology of the DR.
February 3, 2024
Pilar must find a way to come home and save a mythical island from the Dominican boogeyman, El Cuco.
Pilar Ramirez, known as Purp among her closest friends, is creating a documentary about her cousin Natasha, who disappeared mysteriously during Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic in the 1950s. Pilar's older sister, Lorena, who is studying in college, informs her about a professor who could assist her with her documentary. Pilar seizes the opportunity and goes to her sister's college to find the professor. Unfortunately, the professor is out of his office, but Pilar decides to explore his office out of curiosity. In the process, Pilar discovers a file about her cousin, which suddenly teleports Pilar to the island of Zafa. There, Pilar befriends Carmen, a Ciguapa, and learns that the island is at war with the wicked boogeyman, El Cuco. Pilar, Carmen, and other allies must unite their strengths to defeat El Cuco and rescue Natasha.
Are you ready to embark on a thrilling adventure that takes place in the bustling city of Chicago and the mysterious island of Zafa? In this gripping duology, you'll be transported to El Bosque of Zafa, a rain-drenched land infested with monstrous creatures who bow to the whims of El Cuco. But don't worry; you'll also visit the vibrant and kind city of Minerva, where you'll learn about some fascinating Latin American myths.
Throughout the journey, you'll meet some unforgettable characters like Pilar, a determined and loyal protagonist who always keeps you entertained with her witty humor. On the other hand, Carmen is full of spunk and adds refreshing energy to the story. And let's not forget about El Cuco, the evil and irredeemable villain who will keep you on the edge of your seat.
But this book is exceptional because it blends English and Spanish, adding a unique flavor to the story and making it even more entertaining. So, if you're looking for a book that will inspire and make you laugh, this is the perfect choice. Don't wait any longer; grab a copy today and let the adventure begin!
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Pilar Ramirez, known as Purp among her closest friends, is creating a documentary about her cousin Natasha, who disappeared mysteriously during Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic in the 1950s. Pilar's older sister, Lorena, who is studying in college, informs her about a professor who could assist her with her documentary. Pilar seizes the opportunity and goes to her sister's college to find the professor. Unfortunately, the professor is out of his office, but Pilar decides to explore his office out of curiosity. In the process, Pilar discovers a file about her cousin, which suddenly teleports Pilar to the island of Zafa. There, Pilar befriends Carmen, a Ciguapa, and learns that the island is at war with the wicked boogeyman, El Cuco. Pilar, Carmen, and other allies must unite their strengths to defeat El Cuco and rescue Natasha.
Are you ready to embark on a thrilling adventure that takes place in the bustling city of Chicago and the mysterious island of Zafa? In this gripping duology, you'll be transported to El Bosque of Zafa, a rain-drenched land infested with monstrous creatures who bow to the whims of El Cuco. But don't worry; you'll also visit the vibrant and kind city of Minerva, where you'll learn about some fascinating Latin American myths.
Throughout the journey, you'll meet some unforgettable characters like Pilar, a determined and loyal protagonist who always keeps you entertained with her witty humor. On the other hand, Carmen is full of spunk and adds refreshing energy to the story. And let's not forget about El Cuco, the evil and irredeemable villain who will keep you on the edge of your seat.
But this book is exceptional because it blends English and Spanish, adding a unique flavor to the story and making it even more entertaining. So, if you're looking for a book that will inspire and make you laugh, this is the perfect choice. Don't wait any longer; grab a copy today and let the adventure begin!
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Read
March 6, 2022“I was just trying to finish my movie, inform the masses, and maybe score some extra credit to start off eighth grade…but now? Everything is upside down.”
Twelve-year-old Pilar is an aspiring documentary filmmaker. She doesn’t need to look very hard to find the perfect subject for a film: her cousin Natasha who mysteriously disappeared during the Trujillo dictatorship. But finding answers takes an unexpected twist, when the file she finds with her cousin’s name on it pulls her into another world full of magic and fantastical creatures inspired by Dominican mythology that come to life on the island of Zafa. In a race against time, Pilar must figure out how to save her cousin from a magical prison before it destroys the land and neither of them can escape.
From history and mythology coming together to the blending of culture and language, this story does a great job of bringing important aspects of Pilar’s world to life and proves her to be an interesting multi-dimensional character. Though at first it may seem that Pilar isn’t interested in any world that can’t be made into a captivating film, she really steps into an extraordinary role to help her cousin when everything around her is turned upside down… literally. I really enjoyed the way Randall brought Dominican mythology to life! I was very unfamiliar with this form of mythology and culture, and I really enjoyed learning about it alongside Pilar as she navigated the odd but beautiful world of Zafa. For a magical adventure full of fantastical creatures, culture, laughs, and an empowering young female lead, check out Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa!
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. Publishing for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Twelve-year-old Pilar is an aspiring documentary filmmaker. She doesn’t need to look very hard to find the perfect subject for a film: her cousin Natasha who mysteriously disappeared during the Trujillo dictatorship. But finding answers takes an unexpected twist, when the file she finds with her cousin’s name on it pulls her into another world full of magic and fantastical creatures inspired by Dominican mythology that come to life on the island of Zafa. In a race against time, Pilar must figure out how to save her cousin from a magical prison before it destroys the land and neither of them can escape.
From history and mythology coming together to the blending of culture and language, this story does a great job of bringing important aspects of Pilar’s world to life and proves her to be an interesting multi-dimensional character. Though at first it may seem that Pilar isn’t interested in any world that can’t be made into a captivating film, she really steps into an extraordinary role to help her cousin when everything around her is turned upside down… literally. I really enjoyed the way Randall brought Dominican mythology to life! I was very unfamiliar with this form of mythology and culture, and I really enjoyed learning about it alongside Pilar as she navigated the odd but beautiful world of Zafa. For a magical adventure full of fantastical creatures, culture, laughs, and an empowering young female lead, check out Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa!
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. Publishing for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
May 26, 2022
I can't put my finger on why I feel kind of "meh" about this book. Maybe I just read it at the wrong time. Maybe it's because Pilar is a bit annoying at points, though she's annoying in the authentic way that a 12-year-old can be annoying in real life, so I don't think it's anything that would bother the target audience. I never felt super invested in the story, but I did enjoy it, and it still earns four stars, because there's a lot that is done well:
1. Voice - Pilar's voice feels authentic and well-developed. I could see how both her Dominican roots and her Chicago upbringing impact all of who she is, from how she talks to the things she worries about.
2. Strong protagonist - Pilar is a strong, confident female protagonist, but she still has moments of uncertainty that make her relatable. I especially appreciated her insistence on people pronouncing her name properly.
3. The story does a great job of weaving in solid examples/discussions of identity, grief, the strength of family bonds, dictatorship, and gentrification. With gentrification, specifically, I don't know of that many middle grade books that touch on it, and this one is a great way to begin to introduce the issue to readers who are unfamiliar with it.
Also, this book had some pretty awesome quotes. Here are a few of my favorites:
-"But now, all I have are Abuela's stories, all I have is a secondhand island."
-"You aren't 'just a girl.' Pues, disabuse yourself of that notion right now porque it's not going to do you any good as a bruja, and honestly wouldn't do you much good even if you were 'just a girl.'"
-"There is no weapon more deadly to a dictator than people who refuse to forget."
Okay, and one last quote that, though directed at Pilar, we all could stand to remember at times:
-"You are doing the best you can with the choices you have and there's honor in that."
1. Voice - Pilar's voice feels authentic and well-developed. I could see how both her Dominican roots and her Chicago upbringing impact all of who she is, from how she talks to the things she worries about.
2. Strong protagonist - Pilar is a strong, confident female protagonist, but she still has moments of uncertainty that make her relatable. I especially appreciated her insistence on people pronouncing her name properly.
3. The story does a great job of weaving in solid examples/discussions of identity, grief, the strength of family bonds, dictatorship, and gentrification. With gentrification, specifically, I don't know of that many middle grade books that touch on it, and this one is a great way to begin to introduce the issue to readers who are unfamiliar with it.
Also, this book had some pretty awesome quotes. Here are a few of my favorites:
-"But now, all I have are Abuela's stories, all I have is a secondhand island."
-"You aren't 'just a girl.' Pues, disabuse yourself of that notion right now porque it's not going to do you any good as a bruja, and honestly wouldn't do you much good even if you were 'just a girl.'"
-"There is no weapon more deadly to a dictator than people who refuse to forget."
Okay, and one last quote that, though directed at Pilar, we all could stand to remember at times:
-"You are doing the best you can with the choices you have and there's honor in that."
May 6, 2025
Normally I don’t read something this under the radar in this genre, but the author is actually visiting the school work at soon; and since each classroom was collecting. Their own copy of each of his middle grade books, I wanted to read his most popular one to have some knowledge and questions before he came. Enough about me though.
I’ll say first the premise is very interesting and immersive. A girl getting sucked into a world so unlike her own to find a lost family member is a creative way to blend tropes and traditional urban fantasy storytelling arcs. While I was actively engaged in the very beginning and the past third, I found myself wavering and skimming the middle part because it feels like there’s a lot of back and forth in conflict and side action that really leads to nothing if not to shape the character before her big finale moment.
Also, while bilingual readers may connect to the Spanglish spoken throughout the dialogue, most English speaking children might be lost when reading this unless they have a glossary or side bar with the translations in them; then again, maybe this books isn’t particularly aimed towards them. My school does have a big Dominican population and both the author as well as the characters share ancestry here, as far as I remember.
Some readers might have mixed feelings on how relatable emotional some parts are interwoven between the cartoonish moments. Personally I prefer one or the other, butt gen again, I’m reading middle grade.
I’m glad I’m in the know before the big visit and I would like to ask the author about his writing process and how he got into writing for kids, so when he comes, I’ll be ready and waiting with all my students. 3.25/5⭐️’s
I’ll say first the premise is very interesting and immersive. A girl getting sucked into a world so unlike her own to find a lost family member is a creative way to blend tropes and traditional urban fantasy storytelling arcs. While I was actively engaged in the very beginning and the past third, I found myself wavering and skimming the middle part because it feels like there’s a lot of back and forth in conflict and side action that really leads to nothing if not to shape the character before her big finale moment.
Also, while bilingual readers may connect to the Spanglish spoken throughout the dialogue, most English speaking children might be lost when reading this unless they have a glossary or side bar with the translations in them; then again, maybe this books isn’t particularly aimed towards them. My school does have a big Dominican population and both the author as well as the characters share ancestry here, as far as I remember.
Some readers might have mixed feelings on how relatable emotional some parts are interwoven between the cartoonish moments. Personally I prefer one or the other, butt gen again, I’m reading middle grade.
I’m glad I’m in the know before the big visit and I would like to ask the author about his writing process and how he got into writing for kids, so when he comes, I’ll be ready and waiting with all my students. 3.25/5⭐️’s
September 1, 2022
Really really liked this book! I thought, compared to a lot of YA books, there was a strong and meaningful emotional character arc for our lead.
My bookclub and I were surprised to find this book was written by a man because of the strong feminist themes, we also appreciated that fully formed female characters were being highlighted in a way where they weren’t constantly being compared to men. The few male characters (of note) in the book are the bad guys (but again, this is in no way a “men vs women” struggle rather an “evil vs good”). This detail is hardly something you would notice if you weren’t looking for it and that subtlety alone I think is worth applause.
The metaphors the author built to describe cultural memory, displacement, and erasure were really powerful. He managed to bring forward dark and difficult historical topics in a way that is appropriate and approachable to the targeted age group.
My only gripe with the book, and this is coming from someone far outside of the target audience, is that I felt the action and battle sequences distracted and, to a certain extent, detracted from the the really strong story of these characters finding themself, their power, and their worthiness within the worlds they reside. I felt like I got the plot climax the book was leading me to, but not the emotional one that would’ve left me thinking about this for months to come. The world building was ok, but again, this felt like a story more about the emotional arc than about the details of the world. Plus, I think enough was put in to be able to build something on if there are later books in the series.
Overall, I highly recommend!
My bookclub and I were surprised to find this book was written by a man because of the strong feminist themes, we also appreciated that fully formed female characters were being highlighted in a way where they weren’t constantly being compared to men. The few male characters (of note) in the book are the bad guys (but again, this is in no way a “men vs women” struggle rather an “evil vs good”). This detail is hardly something you would notice if you weren’t looking for it and that subtlety alone I think is worth applause.
The metaphors the author built to describe cultural memory, displacement, and erasure were really powerful. He managed to bring forward dark and difficult historical topics in a way that is appropriate and approachable to the targeted age group.
My only gripe with the book, and this is coming from someone far outside of the target audience, is that I felt the action and battle sequences distracted and, to a certain extent, detracted from the the really strong story of these characters finding themself, their power, and their worthiness within the worlds they reside. I felt like I got the plot climax the book was leading me to, but not the emotional one that would’ve left me thinking about this for months to come. The world building was ok, but again, this felt like a story more about the emotional arc than about the details of the world. Plus, I think enough was put in to be able to build something on if there are later books in the series.
Overall, I highly recommend!
February 14, 2022
I received an electronic ARC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Pilar is a 12-year old budding film maker who lives in a world where adults don't talk about the challenging side of their heritage and her current living area is changing around her. So, she is in a state of flux herself and has many questions she is trying to answer. She is filming a documentary on the Dominican Republic; in particular the dark time when people disappeared under a dictator. Her great aunt and cousin vanished with so many others. She wants to find out what happened to her cousin and hopes it will bring her mother and grandmother some peace. After this background is given, the story leaps to fantasy and mythology as Pilar is sucked into another realm with beings from the Dominican traditions. The learning curve is fast and steep as she joins the battle to defeat the evil beings who have taken over so much of the island and hold so many captive in a prison. Pilar learns that her cousin is one of those trapped there. The remainder of this book brings readers along as they battle and eventually overcome the evil to save everyone.
Randall pours her heart into this story and this shows. Though there are some slow portions, middle grade readers will appreciate how the characters are portrayed. I wish the traditions were explained more clearly but readers are given a taste of this culture. Two languages are woven in the story and at times, the context clues are difficult to decipher. Overall, a delightful story to introduce readers to these traditions and myths.
Pilar is a 12-year old budding film maker who lives in a world where adults don't talk about the challenging side of their heritage and her current living area is changing around her. So, she is in a state of flux herself and has many questions she is trying to answer. She is filming a documentary on the Dominican Republic; in particular the dark time when people disappeared under a dictator. Her great aunt and cousin vanished with so many others. She wants to find out what happened to her cousin and hopes it will bring her mother and grandmother some peace. After this background is given, the story leaps to fantasy and mythology as Pilar is sucked into another realm with beings from the Dominican traditions. The learning curve is fast and steep as she joins the battle to defeat the evil beings who have taken over so much of the island and hold so many captive in a prison. Pilar learns that her cousin is one of those trapped there. The remainder of this book brings readers along as they battle and eventually overcome the evil to save everyone.
Randall pours her heart into this story and this shows. Though there are some slow portions, middle grade readers will appreciate how the characters are portrayed. I wish the traditions were explained more clearly but readers are given a taste of this culture. Two languages are woven in the story and at times, the context clues are difficult to decipher. Overall, a delightful story to introduce readers to these traditions and myths.
January 29, 2022
I wanted to like this book. The description was very intriguing. I love books that show other cultures and their mythology. This book fell short and I stopped reading at 20% in. The story is told from the perspective of twelve-year-old Pilar, who is working on a documentary about her cousin's disappearance. In the process, she gets transported to a mysterious island, where she encounters a variety of creatures based on Dominican mythology. I just couldn't get into Pilar's character. She was sucked into a piece of paper that dropped her onto an island with mythical creatures. Yet she just accepted it and didn't really think it was at all odd. There is a lot of Spanish sprinkled into the writing. I do speak Spanish, so I understood the majority of the phrases, but there was no context provided to help readers who do not understand Spanish. I have read books written in a similar style in languages I do not understand, and I think this is a literary tool that can work when done well, but I don't think it was done well in this book.
That being said, I realize that I am not the target demographic for this book. A middle-grade reader might enjoy it and find Pilar more relatable due to the way her perspective was written.
I received a digital ARC of this book thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.
That being said, I realize that I am not the target demographic for this book. A middle-grade reader might enjoy it and find Pilar more relatable due to the way her perspective was written.
I received a digital ARC of this book thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.
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