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Omega Morales #1
Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza
Fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon , Paola Santiago and the River of Tears , and Disney's Encanto will be captivated by this fantastical novel about a girl who must learn to trust her ancestral powers when she comes face-to-face with the Mexican legend La Lechuza.
Omega Morales’s family has been practicing magic for centuries in Noche Buena. But over the years, the town's reputation for the supernatural is no longer one the people carry with pride. So Omega’s family keeps to themselves, and in private, they’re diviners who can read and manipulate the emotions of people and objects around them. But Omega’s powers don’t quite work, and it leaves her feeling like an outsider in her own family.
When a witch with the power to transform herself into an owl—known in Mexican folklore as La Lechuza—shows up unannounced, Omega, her best friend Clau (who happens to be a ghost), and her cousin Carlitos must conduct a séance under a full moon in order to unravel the mystery of the legend.
Suddenly Omega’s magic begins to change, and the key to understanding her powers is more complicated than she thought. Omega will have to decide what’s more important—trusting the instincts of others or learning to trust in herself.
This spooky middle-grade debut is full of magic, adventure, friendship, and a captivating heroine who isn’t afraid of the monsters lurking around every corner—even the dangerous La Lechuza!
Omega Morales’s family has been practicing magic for centuries in Noche Buena. But over the years, the town's reputation for the supernatural is no longer one the people carry with pride. So Omega’s family keeps to themselves, and in private, they’re diviners who can read and manipulate the emotions of people and objects around them. But Omega’s powers don’t quite work, and it leaves her feeling like an outsider in her own family.
When a witch with the power to transform herself into an owl—known in Mexican folklore as La Lechuza—shows up unannounced, Omega, her best friend Clau (who happens to be a ghost), and her cousin Carlitos must conduct a séance under a full moon in order to unravel the mystery of the legend.
Suddenly Omega’s magic begins to change, and the key to understanding her powers is more complicated than she thought. Omega will have to decide what’s more important—trusting the instincts of others or learning to trust in herself.
This spooky middle-grade debut is full of magic, adventure, friendship, and a captivating heroine who isn’t afraid of the monsters lurking around every corner—even the dangerous La Lechuza!
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2022
12 people are currently reading
2101 people want to read
About the author
Laekan Zea Kemp
27 books597 followersLaekan Zea Kemp is a writer living in Austin, Texas. Her debut novel, Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet was a 2022 Pura Belpré Honor Recipient. She has three objectives when it comes to storytelling: to make people laugh, cry, and crave Mexican food. Her work celebrates Chicane grit, resilience, creativity, and joy while exploring themes of identity and mental health.
Find her on social media @LaekanZeaKemp
http://www.laekanzeakemp.com/
Find her on social media @LaekanZeaKemp
http://www.laekanzeakemp.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 7, 2022
WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW THAT WAS SO GOOD
Middle grade horror really slaps in general but this offering from Laekan Zea Kemp is DEFINITELY one of the genre's greats.
One hundred percent would recommend and full review to follow!
Middle grade horror really slaps in general but this offering from Laekan Zea Kemp is DEFINITELY one of the genre's greats.
One hundred percent would recommend and full review to follow!
April 26, 2022
I had the pleasure of reading an advance reader copy for Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza. At first, I was drawn to this book because it's about the Mexican legend of La Lechuza, which I thought would be interesting (and it was!); and also because it includes Spanish words. However, I was happy to discover that this story has a lot more going on. It's a supernatural novel about intergenerational family relationships, friendship, mystery solving and dealing with loss/grief; but it's also about discovering who you are, accepting and trusting yourself and finding your role within your family.
This book is exciting, easy to read, and it grabs your attention fast. I particularly enjoyed all the magic and fantastic elements included in the story, from ghosts, Empaths and talking objects to La Lechuza itself.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I love that the last chapters appear to leave the story open for more adventures for Omega and her friends. I'm definitely hooked.
This book is exciting, easy to read, and it grabs your attention fast. I particularly enjoyed all the magic and fantastic elements included in the story, from ghosts, Empaths and talking objects to La Lechuza itself.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I love that the last chapters appear to leave the story open for more adventures for Omega and her friends. I'm definitely hooked.
October 1, 2022
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 5 stars!
TL;DR: It's been a minute since I've read a MG fantasy but when I saw Laekan Zea Kemp wrote this one, I knew I wanted to read it immediately. There's honestly so much to love about Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza. From the myth/lore to the intergenerational magical family you want to be part of, the spooky Halloween vibes, the themes of grief and loss, and love and hate, and the fantastic characters who you can't help but to root for, once I had the chance to sit down with it, I didn't want to stop reading. There's a lot for all readers to take away from this magical adventure-filled story and I'm hoping that the author will create a series with Omega, Carlitos and Clau because I loved this terrific trio so much!
The story is set in the town of Noche Buena and the small town's spooky autumn vibes were in full swing! I'm not much of a spooky reader and I know this is MG so I wasn't sure how spooky it would get but the imagery that the author brings to life definitely resulted in some spine-tingling goosebumps. I can still picture some of the scarier moments with gleaming smiles full of sharp teeth in the dark and the twisted bitter faces emerging at the window! As I knew I would, I really enjoyed Zea Kemp's writing—it's engaging, well-paced and such a joy to read, plus I love the way she infuses the richness of Mexican/Chicane/Latinx culture so seamlessly in the story and the characters' lives.
My favourite aspect of this story was the mystery and myth of La Lechuza! It was creepy and horrific but the truth of it was also heartbreaking. I appreciated the way the author tackled themes of coping with grief and loss, as well as love and hate and the extremes of emotions, in general, but this was also a story about finding your place in the family and finding acceptance in yourself. All of this was woven so well into the heart of the La Lechuza myth and it made me love the story even more. The empath magic of the Morales family was also really cool! I don't think I've read a story before with this type of magic but I found it fascinating. It was so easy to picture each scene and bonus points because this story has several illustrations that only serve to bring the story more to life!
Omega was a fantastic character! She's part of a family who is entirely made of magic while she's only half-magical because her Papi is a non-magical human. She struggles with accepting that her grip on magic is so weak compared to the rest of the Morales and that she has so little control over what she can and can't do with her empathic powers. While she doesn't feel like a good enough bruja in comparison to the rest of her family, she also has to deal with bullying from her former best friend, Abby and the rest of her mean girl gang. I loved how the author showed the different ways that people can cope with grief and loss through Abby, whose loss took the form of hatred towards others, and her brother Aiden, who continued to honour their mum's memory through kindness and love. It was so satisfying to see Omega learn how to utilise her magic and learn to accept that despite maybe not having that innate talent for magic, she's still powerful and special.
In addition to Omega, we have her cousin, Carlitos and her ghost bestie, Clau who form the main trio solving the mystery of La Lechuza. Although the story is told solely from Omega's perspective, Carlitos and Clau were well-formed multi-dimensional characters. I loved Carlitos so much! On the outside, he's the brilliant but carefree joker of the family, especially when it comes to interacting with others in their town but there's so much more depth to his character and my heart went out to him. I wanted to give him and Omega huge hugs because they both deserve so much more! The same goes for Clau, who we don't know much about but more is revealed as the story progresses and I loved the slight mystery aspect of her arc. While this MG doesn't suffer from the typical trope of missing/absent/dead parents or familial relations, I do feel like the adult characters were a little less well developed in comparison to the kids but I still enjoyed the roles that the adults, especially Soona (who is wickedly cool) and Omega's mum and Abuelita, played in the story. It definitely shows that adults aren't infallible but that it's okay, as long as we strive to learn from them and grow to do better and be kinder to others and ourselves.
Overall, this was a superb read that I would recommend to all readers who love mischievous magical (spooky) adventures, learning about different cultures' legends and lore, and stories about the power of love, acceptance and family. The empath magic is fantastic and the comp to Encanto is absolutely spot on!
TL;DR: It's been a minute since I've read a MG fantasy but when I saw Laekan Zea Kemp wrote this one, I knew I wanted to read it immediately. There's honestly so much to love about Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza. From the myth/lore to the intergenerational magical family you want to be part of, the spooky Halloween vibes, the themes of grief and loss, and love and hate, and the fantastic characters who you can't help but to root for, once I had the chance to sit down with it, I didn't want to stop reading. There's a lot for all readers to take away from this magical adventure-filled story and I'm hoping that the author will create a series with Omega, Carlitos and Clau because I loved this terrific trio so much!
The story is set in the town of Noche Buena and the small town's spooky autumn vibes were in full swing! I'm not much of a spooky reader and I know this is MG so I wasn't sure how spooky it would get but the imagery that the author brings to life definitely resulted in some spine-tingling goosebumps. I can still picture some of the scarier moments with gleaming smiles full of sharp teeth in the dark and the twisted bitter faces emerging at the window! As I knew I would, I really enjoyed Zea Kemp's writing—it's engaging, well-paced and such a joy to read, plus I love the way she infuses the richness of Mexican/Chicane/Latinx culture so seamlessly in the story and the characters' lives.
My favourite aspect of this story was the mystery and myth of La Lechuza! It was creepy and horrific but the truth of it was also heartbreaking. I appreciated the way the author tackled themes of coping with grief and loss, as well as love and hate and the extremes of emotions, in general, but this was also a story about finding your place in the family and finding acceptance in yourself. All of this was woven so well into the heart of the La Lechuza myth and it made me love the story even more. The empath magic of the Morales family was also really cool! I don't think I've read a story before with this type of magic but I found it fascinating. It was so easy to picture each scene and bonus points because this story has several illustrations that only serve to bring the story more to life!
Omega was a fantastic character! She's part of a family who is entirely made of magic while she's only half-magical because her Papi is a non-magical human. She struggles with accepting that her grip on magic is so weak compared to the rest of the Morales and that she has so little control over what she can and can't do with her empathic powers. While she doesn't feel like a good enough bruja in comparison to the rest of her family, she also has to deal with bullying from her former best friend, Abby and the rest of her mean girl gang. I loved how the author showed the different ways that people can cope with grief and loss through Abby, whose loss took the form of hatred towards others, and her brother Aiden, who continued to honour their mum's memory through kindness and love. It was so satisfying to see Omega learn how to utilise her magic and learn to accept that despite maybe not having that innate talent for magic, she's still powerful and special.
In addition to Omega, we have her cousin, Carlitos and her ghost bestie, Clau who form the main trio solving the mystery of La Lechuza. Although the story is told solely from Omega's perspective, Carlitos and Clau were well-formed multi-dimensional characters. I loved Carlitos so much! On the outside, he's the brilliant but carefree joker of the family, especially when it comes to interacting with others in their town but there's so much more depth to his character and my heart went out to him. I wanted to give him and Omega huge hugs because they both deserve so much more! The same goes for Clau, who we don't know much about but more is revealed as the story progresses and I loved the slight mystery aspect of her arc. While this MG doesn't suffer from the typical trope of missing/absent/dead parents or familial relations, I do feel like the adult characters were a little less well developed in comparison to the kids but I still enjoyed the roles that the adults, especially Soona (who is wickedly cool) and Omega's mum and Abuelita, played in the story. It definitely shows that adults aren't infallible but that it's okay, as long as we strive to learn from them and grow to do better and be kinder to others and ourselves.
Overall, this was a superb read that I would recommend to all readers who love mischievous magical (spooky) adventures, learning about different cultures' legends and lore, and stories about the power of love, acceptance and family. The empath magic is fantastic and the comp to Encanto is absolutely spot on!
September 28, 2022
Exciting and pulse-pounding, this spooky tale set in a loving and lively Hispanic family setting would be a fun choice for those that enjoyed Encanto.
Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza is a middle-grade novel that will stir the imagination of young readers, get their pulses racing, and entertain even more mature readers. There are a lot of Spanish words and phrases sprinkled throughout the story, the meaning of which can usually be determined by context. The story is an updated version of the Mexican folktale of La Lechuza, an old woman who could shapeshift into the form of a giant owl to take revenge on those who wronged her during her lifetime. This rendition makes La Lechuza very personal to the Morales family.
Omega and her cousin, Carlitos, are constant companions; their mothers are sisters. But as members of the same magical family, they understand the struggles that each one is going through dealing with their unique gifts. Carlitos gained his abilities before Omega and is a great support to her in dealing with understanding and controlling hers. The two are fun characters with an innocent mischievousness that boys and girls will love.Omega and her former best friend, Abby, had a falling out the previous year, soon after the death of Abby’s mother. Abby now leads her new squad of mean girl pals in making life miserable for Omega. Middle-grade students will easily relate to this change in loyalty and alliances. Abby’s grief over the loss of her mother manifests itself in her bullying and hatred, and students should be able to see this cause and effect. In fact, grief and how different people handle it is the root cause of much of what is happening in the story.
There are genuine moments of horror in the story. Mainly this occurs as the appearance of spooky things outside windows or in the night sky. But inanimate objects also talk to Omega and her family, which lightens up the creepiness. While La Lechuza is a thing of nightmares, the story builds up to a hopeful ending.I recommend OMEGA MORALES AND THE LEGEND OF LA LECHUZA to readers of middle-grade fiction who like spooky tales, stories set in a loving and lively Hispanic family setting, or enjoyed Encanto. This book would make an excellent choice for reading aloud.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through NetGalley and TBR and Beyond Book Tours.
September 26, 2022
Laekan Zea Kemp’s middle grade debut novel Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza is the perfect book for fans of Tehlor Kay Mejia’s Paola Santiago and the River of Tears and Kaela Rivera’s Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls. Filled with magic, adventure, figures out of folklore and legend, and a very lovable trio at the heart of the story, readers of all ages will connect with this book.
On first look, Omega Morales seems like your average middle school girl. But the citizens of Noche Buena know that her family is different; specifically, that all of them have psychic talents to some degree. Things are rough for Omega though, because she’s still an anomaly in her family. She’s the only half-human, and as such her powers are weak (and unstable at best). When strange things start happening in town, she and her friends Clau and Carlitos must work together to unravel the mystery and save everyone.
One of my favorite parts of reading books based on folklore and legend is the opportunity to learn more about different cultures and their history. La Lechuza was a relatively unknown figure to me, especially when compared to La Llorona and El Cucuy. It was fun to learn more about them, their background, and their shapeshifting powers (they are well known for appearing as an owl). Other figures like alebrijes and ghosts make an appearance in the book, and on a mundane level Omega’s family plays heavily into the story.
The characters are the heart of the story. Omega’s always felt like the odd one out, and that plays heavily into the story. Clau’s ‘ghostliness’ also plays a role in the book, and Carlitos was a great addition to round out the trio. La Lechuza is, at first glance, the villain of the book and a ‘monster’ but she’s actually a very misunderstood figure. The same applies to Abby, Omega’s former friend who has turned to tormenting her in the wake of her grief (following the death of her mother a couple of months ago).
Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza is an amazing debut, and I’m so excited to read more in this series. I loved the artwork interspersed throughout the book (courtesy of Vanessa Morales) that helped add depth to the story. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy fantasy tales inspired by myth and folklore, complete with ghostly sidekicks, magic, and a bit of adventure.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Little Brown Books for Young Readers, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.
CW: Bullying, Grief
On first look, Omega Morales seems like your average middle school girl. But the citizens of Noche Buena know that her family is different; specifically, that all of them have psychic talents to some degree. Things are rough for Omega though, because she’s still an anomaly in her family. She’s the only half-human, and as such her powers are weak (and unstable at best). When strange things start happening in town, she and her friends Clau and Carlitos must work together to unravel the mystery and save everyone.
One of my favorite parts of reading books based on folklore and legend is the opportunity to learn more about different cultures and their history. La Lechuza was a relatively unknown figure to me, especially when compared to La Llorona and El Cucuy. It was fun to learn more about them, their background, and their shapeshifting powers (they are well known for appearing as an owl). Other figures like alebrijes and ghosts make an appearance in the book, and on a mundane level Omega’s family plays heavily into the story.
The characters are the heart of the story. Omega’s always felt like the odd one out, and that plays heavily into the story. Clau’s ‘ghostliness’ also plays a role in the book, and Carlitos was a great addition to round out the trio. La Lechuza is, at first glance, the villain of the book and a ‘monster’ but she’s actually a very misunderstood figure. The same applies to Abby, Omega’s former friend who has turned to tormenting her in the wake of her grief (following the death of her mother a couple of months ago).
Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza is an amazing debut, and I’m so excited to read more in this series. I loved the artwork interspersed throughout the book (courtesy of Vanessa Morales) that helped add depth to the story. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy fantasy tales inspired by myth and folklore, complete with ghostly sidekicks, magic, and a bit of adventure.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Little Brown Books for Young Readers, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.
CW: Bullying, Grief
March 2, 2024
A very cute middle grade story about a girl from a magical family who's apparently being stalked by a monster called La Lechuza, which can turn into a huge birdlike creature and is, honestly, pretty scary.
This was a very cute story, fast paced, with good family drama and a lot of love and genuine affection. I really enjoyed it.
This was a very cute story, fast paced, with good family drama and a lot of love and genuine affection. I really enjoyed it.
February 18, 2022
You may know Laekan Zea Kemp for her YA - Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet came out last year, and Heartbreak Symphony comes out in two months. But did you know she's making her MG debut in September??
I was lucky enough to get to read an advanced copy of OMEGA MORALES and let me tell you - this book is FUN. It's got :
- empathic generational magic
- ghosts (human and animal)
- talking objects & plants
- adults who always think they know best
- kid crushes
- cousins who are best friends
- a library akin to the avatar desert one
- good talks around grief & emotions
- interior art
- the LECHUZA
While it's a little scary in parts, and the characters are 12, this would still be a great one for kids on the younger end of the MG spectrum (8-9) who want to feel like they're reading a big kid book. Highly recommend for fans of The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez & Paola Santiago and the River of Tears.
I was lucky enough to get to read an advanced copy of OMEGA MORALES and let me tell you - this book is FUN. It's got :
- empathic generational magic
- ghosts (human and animal)
- talking objects & plants
- adults who always think they know best
- kid crushes
- cousins who are best friends
- a library akin to the avatar desert one
- good talks around grief & emotions
- interior art
- the LECHUZA
While it's a little scary in parts, and the characters are 12, this would still be a great one for kids on the younger end of the MG spectrum (8-9) who want to feel like they're reading a big kid book. Highly recommend for fans of The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez & Paola Santiago and the River of Tears.
March 18, 2022
I loved this adventure! Omega, her cousin Carlitos, and their BFF Clau (a ghost that haunts her house) have to get their act together when outside forces of evil descend upon them. Is Omega being hunted? Is the Legend of La Lechuza where all this mayhem in the town of Noche Buena coming from? It took me two chapters to get hooked, but once I was, I couldn't put it down. Seems like the final chapters/epilogue are readying for a book 2 and there better be one because I need to know some origin stories that were not completely revealed in this book! I hope we get to read more about Omega, Carlitos, and Clau in the future.
Overall themes/notes:
English text with some Spanish.
Family themes: intergenerational family, grief, loss.
Mysticism, magic, folklore, religion.
Domestic violence, animal abuse, a tiny bit of gore, death.
(I was given an uncorrected proof for review)
Overall themes/notes:
English text with some Spanish.
Family themes: intergenerational family, grief, loss.
Mysticism, magic, folklore, religion.
Domestic violence, animal abuse, a tiny bit of gore, death.
(I was given an uncorrected proof for review)
April 8, 2023
Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza is a delightful middlegrades story centered around the Mexican Legend of La Lechuza. This is a legend I knew nothing about, so I was interested in the story as well as how this family lived in a small Mexican Town. However, as I read this story I saw that it has a lot of great themes as well. Omega Morales’s family has been practicing magic for centuries in Noche Buena, but the town's reputation is now tarnished, so they hide their powers and keep to themselves. They are Empaths, diviners who can read and manipulate people's feelings. Omega is having issues with her problems and it makes her feel like she doesn't fit, and things seem to be getting worse. With cats disappearing and leaving their spirits behind, Omega absorbing too many feelings that she makes herself seriously ill and a witch with the power to transform herself into an owl (La Lechuza) shows herself to Omega, things get worse. So Omega, her best friend Clau (who happens to be a ghost), and her cousin Carlitos must conduct a séance under a full moon in order to unravel the mystery of the legend. Will this sort out the problem or make things worse?
I really enjoyed this story and think middle grade readers will as well. Omega is a delight. She is easy to relate to with the same kind of problems any child might deal with. It was a story that moved quickly, had action, and a lot of magic and supernatural events (empaths, talking objects, ghosts, La Lechuza) that kept me reading. Omega has a lot to deal with in this story and needs to find herself and where she belongs. Her family is wonderful and work hard to guide her, not tell her what she needs to do. This is a supernatural novel with themes of intergenerational family relationships, friendship, mystery solving and grief. It also deals with discovering who you are, accepting and trusting yourself and finding your role within your family. I definitely recommend this story not only to middle grades students, but to anyone who enjoys a multi-cultural story dealing with legends, magic and wonderful characters.
I really enjoyed this story and think middle grade readers will as well. Omega is a delight. She is easy to relate to with the same kind of problems any child might deal with. It was a story that moved quickly, had action, and a lot of magic and supernatural events (empaths, talking objects, ghosts, La Lechuza) that kept me reading. Omega has a lot to deal with in this story and needs to find herself and where she belongs. Her family is wonderful and work hard to guide her, not tell her what she needs to do. This is a supernatural novel with themes of intergenerational family relationships, friendship, mystery solving and grief. It also deals with discovering who you are, accepting and trusting yourself and finding your role within your family. I definitely recommend this story not only to middle grades students, but to anyone who enjoys a multi-cultural story dealing with legends, magic and wonderful characters.
September 19, 2022
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley for an honest review.
CWs: death of animals (cats), bullying, car accident, death
This was a really intriguing middle grade fantasy. The writing style was easy to get into, and Omega had a really authentic voice. Being in her head while reading, I really felt that the character was young, and it didn’t feel like an adult trying to write as a middle schooler.
Omega’s family isn’t really normal, and Omega feels like a bit of an outsider. She’s the only one who’s half-human, and it means that her empathic abilities aren’t the same as everyone else’s. This created friction between her and her family at times, and I liked seeing Omega learn about her powers and how to control them. The different empathic abilities were interesting, and I would have loved to learn more about them.
I thought the pacing was good. The story moved along well, and there were some really exciting and action-packed scenes. It was a bit repetitive at times with Omega searching for answers and then finding out her family was lying to her, but I liked the fantasy elements. I had hoped that the legend of La Lechuza would provide a creepy and spooky element to the story, and there were hints of it, but it wasn’t as much as I had thought there would be.
One thing that I didn’t love was how Omega’s mom handled her being bullied. After a scene where Abby draws on Omega’s face with permanent marker after Omega has passed out in the bathroom, Omega’s mom tells her to forgive her and get over it because the bullying will make her stronger. This just bothered me because her mom knew that she was being bullied and yet she didn’t bother doing anything to help Omega out.
Overall, I thought this was a successful middle grade fantasy with good characters and interesting magic.
CWs: death of animals (cats), bullying, car accident, death
This was a really intriguing middle grade fantasy. The writing style was easy to get into, and Omega had a really authentic voice. Being in her head while reading, I really felt that the character was young, and it didn’t feel like an adult trying to write as a middle schooler.
Omega’s family isn’t really normal, and Omega feels like a bit of an outsider. She’s the only one who’s half-human, and it means that her empathic abilities aren’t the same as everyone else’s. This created friction between her and her family at times, and I liked seeing Omega learn about her powers and how to control them. The different empathic abilities were interesting, and I would have loved to learn more about them.
I thought the pacing was good. The story moved along well, and there were some really exciting and action-packed scenes. It was a bit repetitive at times with Omega searching for answers and then finding out her family was lying to her, but I liked the fantasy elements. I had hoped that the legend of La Lechuza would provide a creepy and spooky element to the story, and there were hints of it, but it wasn’t as much as I had thought there would be.
One thing that I didn’t love was how Omega’s mom handled her being bullied. After a scene where Abby draws on Omega’s face with permanent marker after Omega has passed out in the bathroom, Omega’s mom tells her to forgive her and get over it because the bullying will make her stronger. This just bothered me because her mom knew that she was being bullied and yet she didn’t bother doing anything to help Omega out.
Overall, I thought this was a successful middle grade fantasy with good characters and interesting magic.
May 21, 2024
I'm not sure how to start this review, with a okay review or a great review.
Let's start with the okay review.
I felt the book was to long. There were parts of book that the author just dragged on and on, even though it's 19 chapters long and one of the Biggest Highlights for me was in Chapter 19, I feel she could a written the book in less chapters. I would have given this book 3 stars, but as you can see I gave it 5 stars.
One of the many reasons why I Enjoyed and Loved the book was because the author writes about Mexican traditions and Mexican food and for me they go hand and hand, you can't have one with out the other.
She also writes about family and how important family is, whether it's blood family or the family you choose and that is why in the end I gave this book 5 stars.
Oh there is one more reason a LOVE LIST, everyone should have a LOVE LIST.
If you're not sure what a LOVE LIST is. I guess you'll have to read or listen to the book......lol
Let's start with the okay review.
I felt the book was to long. There were parts of book that the author just dragged on and on, even though it's 19 chapters long and one of the Biggest Highlights for me was in Chapter 19, I feel she could a written the book in less chapters. I would have given this book 3 stars, but as you can see I gave it 5 stars.
One of the many reasons why I Enjoyed and Loved the book was because the author writes about Mexican traditions and Mexican food and for me they go hand and hand, you can't have one with out the other.
She also writes about family and how important family is, whether it's blood family or the family you choose and that is why in the end I gave this book 5 stars.
Oh there is one more reason a LOVE LIST, everyone should have a LOVE LIST.
If you're not sure what a LOVE LIST is. I guess you'll have to read or listen to the book......lol
December 31, 2022
I may just be easily scared but this middle-grade horror was scarier than it had any right to be. This is a story about the Legend of La Lechuza while being grounded by the bonds of friendship and family. This is also a story where grief is at the forefront of the mystery. It is all creepy and heartbreaking. The characters are so compelling. It is an easy read and something that should be in middle school classrooms everywhere.
Omega is going to be the newest beloved character in the classroom. Her journey to realizing she is special is something that so many people can relate to, not just children. Absolutely stunning work!
Thank You to Netgalley for the ARC! Excited to read more from Kemp!
Omega is going to be the newest beloved character in the classroom. Her journey to realizing she is special is something that so many people can relate to, not just children. Absolutely stunning work!
Thank You to Netgalley for the ARC! Excited to read more from Kemp!
August 26, 2023
**3.5 ⭐️
A solid middle grade horror book for middle school. Family, friends, a ghost or three, a sworn enemy and a protagonist who is half human/half witch/empath, along with a whole family of witches…oh yes and a supernatural entity that’s been haunting her town for centuries? What could possibly go wrong? Ss will enjoy this, however, I felt that it was a bit drawn out. I’m grateful I listened to it because I wouldn’t have been able to really dive into the story because of all the Spanish language sprinkled throughout. (My fault for taking six years of german language!) I know I can definitely put this book into a fan of horror and supernatural legends!
A solid middle grade horror book for middle school. Family, friends, a ghost or three, a sworn enemy and a protagonist who is half human/half witch/empath, along with a whole family of witches…oh yes and a supernatural entity that’s been haunting her town for centuries? What could possibly go wrong? Ss will enjoy this, however, I felt that it was a bit drawn out. I’m grateful I listened to it because I wouldn’t have been able to really dive into the story because of all the Spanish language sprinkled throughout. (My fault for taking six years of german language!) I know I can definitely put this book into a fan of horror and supernatural legends!
June 29, 2022
Sheer and utter amazingness!
October 3, 2022
"Mira, Mega, you make your own way, you make your own rules. Don't let anyone stufle the power inside you, ¿entiendes?"
Omega Morales and the Legend of the Lechuza by Laeken Zea Kemp was the perfect read to start off of spooky season. Omega, Carlitos and Clau won my heart. They made a perfect team because they were patient, loving, kind and understanding with each other. Their bond was unbreakable and heartwarming. They each struggled with loneliness, sadness and depression but they never gave up on each other and their abilities. I really related to Omega because I also feel people's emotions and energies on a deep level and get overwhelmed with anxiety because of it.
I loved the storyline and enjoyed learning about empaths aka witches, the legend of the lechuza and other aspects of Mexican folklore. This one was oozing with Mexican culture and pride. It reinforced the belief that stories are truths and the importance of embracing life and not letting anxieties and fears stop you. Trusting your own instincts is a prevalent theme throughout the story and plays a role in the growth in several of the characters. I say this all the time but middle grade books are magic and Omega Morales proves my point. I highly recommend this one if you're looking for a spooky, magical read that deals with mental health, culture, identity and family. Thanks to @littlebrown for the gifted copy.
Read this one if you love:
🦉Casper the ghost and witchy vibes
🦉 Mexican folklore & magic
🦉 Dispelling the culture of fear & scapegoating
🦉 Mental health representation
🦉 Monsters: real vs. supernatural
🦉 Identity stories & trusting your instincts
🦉 Harnessing your own magic & growing your gifts
🦉 Ghost friends & animals, the healing power of crystals & communicating with the supernatural
🦉 Adults learning to be good listeners
🦉 Grief, pain & anger as a metaphor
🦉 Belief in the ability to change
#omegamoralesandthelegendofthelechuza #LaekenZeaKemp #reading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookcommunity #bookreview #latinxbooks #LatinxHeritageMonth #latinxbookstagram #middlegrade #bookphotograph #fantasy #books
#Mexican #lechuza #legends #tbr #mentalhealthbooks #supernatural
Omega Morales and the Legend of the Lechuza by Laeken Zea Kemp was the perfect read to start off of spooky season. Omega, Carlitos and Clau won my heart. They made a perfect team because they were patient, loving, kind and understanding with each other. Their bond was unbreakable and heartwarming. They each struggled with loneliness, sadness and depression but they never gave up on each other and their abilities. I really related to Omega because I also feel people's emotions and energies on a deep level and get overwhelmed with anxiety because of it.
I loved the storyline and enjoyed learning about empaths aka witches, the legend of the lechuza and other aspects of Mexican folklore. This one was oozing with Mexican culture and pride. It reinforced the belief that stories are truths and the importance of embracing life and not letting anxieties and fears stop you. Trusting your own instincts is a prevalent theme throughout the story and plays a role in the growth in several of the characters. I say this all the time but middle grade books are magic and Omega Morales proves my point. I highly recommend this one if you're looking for a spooky, magical read that deals with mental health, culture, identity and family. Thanks to @littlebrown for the gifted copy.
Read this one if you love:
🦉Casper the ghost and witchy vibes
🦉 Mexican folklore & magic
🦉 Dispelling the culture of fear & scapegoating
🦉 Mental health representation
🦉 Monsters: real vs. supernatural
🦉 Identity stories & trusting your instincts
🦉 Harnessing your own magic & growing your gifts
🦉 Ghost friends & animals, the healing power of crystals & communicating with the supernatural
🦉 Adults learning to be good listeners
🦉 Grief, pain & anger as a metaphor
🦉 Belief in the ability to change
#omegamoralesandthelegendofthelechuza #LaekenZeaKemp #reading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookcommunity #bookreview #latinxbooks #LatinxHeritageMonth #latinxbookstagram #middlegrade #bookphotograph #fantasy #books
#Mexican #lechuza #legends #tbr #mentalhealthbooks #supernatural
June 2, 2022
Self realization at its best!
Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza by Laekan Zea Kemp was fun and exciting. Omega is a typical middle school girl, except she comes from a magical family of empaths. Some are super strong while others are still developing their skills. Omega on the other hand, hasn’t quite come fully into her power yet. Due to her family’s gifts, the people of her town don’t really like them nor understand them, so they tend to bully them, one way or another. Although she doesn’t have the friends you’d expect, she has her favorite people surrounding her, Clau (a ghost), Carlitos (her cousin), and a cat (ghost cat). When Lechuza shows up out of nowhere, Omega and crew have to dive into the legend of La Lechuza and figure out what’s going on all while Omega tries to come into her own power.
Laekan created such a thought provoking yet fun, mysterious, exciting, and fantastical story! With a combination of supernatural powers, familial magic (generational), an odd trio (empath, cousin empath, & ghost), witches and transformational magic, there’s so much to explore and dive into. It was amazing to see Mexican folklore mixed in and being the main point of the story, I’m talking about you Lechuza!
There were many themes that came up throughout the story as well, such as family, friendship, frenemies/bullying, and even more so, coming to self. As an empathic girl, you’d think Omega would be able to get to her own self and power, but it’s a struggle for her. Her biggest struggle is the theme of trusting the instincts of others vs trusting in herself.
Vanessa Morales enhanced the novel with her illustrations. There were not a lot, but just enough. It makes this book a great transitional book for young readers. The illustrations were also added to the story to enhance it.
I’d highly recommend this for 9-11+ yr olds. This is fun for all ages and families! If you are into magic, adventure, an odd trio, and transformations, this is for you!
I’m excited for another adventure with Omega!
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza from Laekan Zea Kemp via NetGalley
Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza by Laekan Zea Kemp was fun and exciting. Omega is a typical middle school girl, except she comes from a magical family of empaths. Some are super strong while others are still developing their skills. Omega on the other hand, hasn’t quite come fully into her power yet. Due to her family’s gifts, the people of her town don’t really like them nor understand them, so they tend to bully them, one way or another. Although she doesn’t have the friends you’d expect, she has her favorite people surrounding her, Clau (a ghost), Carlitos (her cousin), and a cat (ghost cat). When Lechuza shows up out of nowhere, Omega and crew have to dive into the legend of La Lechuza and figure out what’s going on all while Omega tries to come into her own power.
Laekan created such a thought provoking yet fun, mysterious, exciting, and fantastical story! With a combination of supernatural powers, familial magic (generational), an odd trio (empath, cousin empath, & ghost), witches and transformational magic, there’s so much to explore and dive into. It was amazing to see Mexican folklore mixed in and being the main point of the story, I’m talking about you Lechuza!
There were many themes that came up throughout the story as well, such as family, friendship, frenemies/bullying, and even more so, coming to self. As an empathic girl, you’d think Omega would be able to get to her own self and power, but it’s a struggle for her. Her biggest struggle is the theme of trusting the instincts of others vs trusting in herself.
Vanessa Morales enhanced the novel with her illustrations. There were not a lot, but just enough. It makes this book a great transitional book for young readers. The illustrations were also added to the story to enhance it.
I’d highly recommend this for 9-11+ yr olds. This is fun for all ages and families! If you are into magic, adventure, an odd trio, and transformations, this is for you!
I’m excited for another adventure with Omega!
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza from Laekan Zea Kemp via NetGalley
April 24, 2023
This is definitely a middle grade book that I will be getting for my students. I loved the friend/cousin dynamics, the complex conversations about grief and anger, and the way that empathy was a central focus of the story. I think it was both a complex story, and one where middle schoolers would enjoy going along for the adventure.
September 30, 2023
I liked this a bit better upon reread.
I don't know if I noticed before how dickish Carlitos is and I'm hoping he'll be better in the next one.
I still don't think Omega will ever be grateful that her ex-best friend saw her pass out and instead of telling somebody and getting help, decided to draw on her face with a permanent marker and leave her on a bathroom floor.
----
3.5
Overall I really enjoyed this, but I do wish that the deaths of pet cats did not feature so heavily. I'm really sensitive to pet death.
I found some parts of this confusing, but that could be because I took much longer than normal to read this.
At one point, Omega's mom says that one day she'll be thankful she was bullied and I just think that is complete bullshit.
The end was setting up for a sequel and I'll definitely read it when it's out. I look forward to more middle grade from this author.
I don't know if I noticed before how dickish Carlitos is and I'm hoping he'll be better in the next one.
I still don't think Omega will ever be grateful that her ex-best friend saw her pass out and instead of telling somebody and getting help, decided to draw on her face with a permanent marker and leave her on a bathroom floor.
----
3.5
Overall I really enjoyed this, but I do wish that the deaths of pet cats did not feature so heavily. I'm really sensitive to pet death.
I found some parts of this confusing, but that could be because I took much longer than normal to read this.
At one point, Omega's mom says that one day she'll be thankful she was bullied and I just think that is complete bullshit.
The end was setting up for a sequel and I'll definitely read it when it's out. I look forward to more middle grade from this author.
June 16, 2022
Laekan's debut middle grade novel had me hooked from the first chapter! Generational magic? Talking trees? Empathic abilities? Cousins who are friends? A ghost best friend? YES, YES, and YES! As a kid whose grandmother was obsessed with owls (lechuza decor was everywhere around my Bela's house) I found myself really curious to know what the legend was all about in this particular story. It did not disappoint. It's fast paced, easy to read, and delivers a powerful message that kids and adults can all benefit from--that trusting oneself is perhaps the most magical and powerful thing one can do. I was fortunate enough to read an advanced copy of this book, but will certainly be picking up the final version so that my children (11 and 12) can enjoy this story as well as the final art sprinkled within!
August 14, 2022
Love wins! Being part of a family of witches isn't easy, especially if you're half witch. Add this to taunts by a former friend, intolerance from half the town, a sprawling family, and the arrival of a terrifying creature, and you can see that Omega and her two sidekicks have their work cut out for them. Omega's empathy might bring a town, a family, and the past and present into harmony, if Abuela and Mami will stop grounding her for sneaking around! In this scary, culturally rich, and fun mystery, Omega Morales learns that her deep-feeling heart and her ability to see people's inner layers are not only gifts but the best weapons against hate. A clever and vividly written page turner!
December 28, 2022
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
Let me tell you, this book has a killer first page. I was intrigued about the story when I first read the blurb, but when I checked out the first page? I knew for sure that I needed to read it. Kemp has a very engaging writing style, and I was immediately sucked into the story. Plus, I am all for Mexican folklore, especially since a lot of it tends to be kind of creepy, and fall is the perfect time to read those sorts of books!
Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza blends Mexican folklore with an interesting mystery in this spooky middle grade, filled with family bonds, paranormal creatures, and plenty of ghosts!
I had so much fun with this book! It was everything I hoped it would be and then some. Kemp creates a perfectly spooky atmosphere that’s not too scary and well-suited to the age group. The Latine culture and language in this book is *chef’s kiss*. Not to mention, there’s a super creepy rhyme/song, and y’all know how much I love those! If there’s a spooky song that fits the legend, I am 100% for it, and this book didn’t disappoint in that regard.
My Thoughts
- In a family full of magical people, Omega is half magical and half human, but entirely confused about how to use what little powers she does have. The magic in this world is utterly charming and everything that makes middle grade fantasy so appealing to me. For example, Omega is an empath, which means she can not only sense people’s emotions but also talk to certain things that are filled with energy, like trees and ghosts. And these things can have attitude. Not to mention that inanimate objects retain the personality of the people that owned them before, which makes for some interesting conversations.
As fun as this all sounds, Omega isn’t entirely impressed with her magical ability, especially when she compares herself to her family. The rest of her family are fully magical, and they have control over their powers. Omega, though? She’s just trying to get through the school day surrounded by angsty teens with big, fluctuating emotions, and that’s tough enough. Omega is wholly relatable in her struggle to find herself and be comfortable with her own abilities, rather than comparing herself to everyone else. It’s the sort of personal journey that we all go through, and it’s one that’s reflected in other characters, too, which I particularly enjoyed. Finding yourself was sort of a big theme in this book, and I think it’s one that’s likely to resonate with its middle grade audience (but, you know, adults too).
- Kemp weaves a perfectly spooky atmosphere that’s not too scary but still makes it the perfect fall read! If you’re in the mood for something a little creepy to get into the Halloween mood but you’re also a big chicken like me, this is the book for you. Kemp banks on the fear of the unknown and the way local legends can be passed on and twisted, invoking the name of La Lechuza but also mentioning things like El Cucuy and the way these legends have been used to scare children into behaving. But there’s a kernel of truth behind every legend, right? I really enjoyed the way Kemp brings this folklore to life! There’s a low buzz of tension through the story that absolutely grabbed my attention and made me keep reading!
- Omega has a little team around her in the form of her ghost friend Clau and her cousin Carlitos, who are a mini mystery squad. By which I mean they’re really good at getting themselves into trouble. Well, maybe a little less Clau, since it’s hard to punish a ghost (though, make no mistake, she has been grounded for misbehaving before because Omega’s abuela doesn’t mess around!). Trios are obviously very popular in middle grade books, so it’s maybe not a huge surprise that there’s a lead trio here. Clau provides some much-needed levity, but is also a mystery unto herself as far as her story and why she refuses to cross over. The bond between Carlitos and Omega is very sweet. They’re from a close-knit family, and they’ve always got each other’s backs. I grew up in a family like that and was very close to my cousins, so I absolutely loved this aspect of the story!
- Bucking some traditional middle grade tropes, Kemp writes about a loving, tight-knit family that’s there to support each other, no matter what. Don’t get me wrong, they still make mistakes, have their squabbles, and sometimes stretch the truth (especially when trying to protect each other). However, there’s a lot of love in the household, and the idea of family and community really comes through in this book! It’s such an important, powerful message, and one that isn’t as common in middle grade (or at least the middle grade I read), so it stood out all the more for that.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
Let me tell you, this book has a killer first page. I was intrigued about the story when I first read the blurb, but when I checked out the first page? I knew for sure that I needed to read it. Kemp has a very engaging writing style, and I was immediately sucked into the story. Plus, I am all for Mexican folklore, especially since a lot of it tends to be kind of creepy, and fall is the perfect time to read those sorts of books!
Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza blends Mexican folklore with an interesting mystery in this spooky middle grade, filled with family bonds, paranormal creatures, and plenty of ghosts!
I had so much fun with this book! It was everything I hoped it would be and then some. Kemp creates a perfectly spooky atmosphere that’s not too scary and well-suited to the age group. The Latine culture and language in this book is *chef’s kiss*. Not to mention, there’s a super creepy rhyme/song, and y’all know how much I love those! If there’s a spooky song that fits the legend, I am 100% for it, and this book didn’t disappoint in that regard.
My Thoughts
- In a family full of magical people, Omega is half magical and half human, but entirely confused about how to use what little powers she does have. The magic in this world is utterly charming and everything that makes middle grade fantasy so appealing to me. For example, Omega is an empath, which means she can not only sense people’s emotions but also talk to certain things that are filled with energy, like trees and ghosts. And these things can have attitude. Not to mention that inanimate objects retain the personality of the people that owned them before, which makes for some interesting conversations.
As fun as this all sounds, Omega isn’t entirely impressed with her magical ability, especially when she compares herself to her family. The rest of her family are fully magical, and they have control over their powers. Omega, though? She’s just trying to get through the school day surrounded by angsty teens with big, fluctuating emotions, and that’s tough enough. Omega is wholly relatable in her struggle to find herself and be comfortable with her own abilities, rather than comparing herself to everyone else. It’s the sort of personal journey that we all go through, and it’s one that’s reflected in other characters, too, which I particularly enjoyed. Finding yourself was sort of a big theme in this book, and I think it’s one that’s likely to resonate with its middle grade audience (but, you know, adults too).
- Kemp weaves a perfectly spooky atmosphere that’s not too scary but still makes it the perfect fall read! If you’re in the mood for something a little creepy to get into the Halloween mood but you’re also a big chicken like me, this is the book for you. Kemp banks on the fear of the unknown and the way local legends can be passed on and twisted, invoking the name of La Lechuza but also mentioning things like El Cucuy and the way these legends have been used to scare children into behaving. But there’s a kernel of truth behind every legend, right? I really enjoyed the way Kemp brings this folklore to life! There’s a low buzz of tension through the story that absolutely grabbed my attention and made me keep reading!
- Omega has a little team around her in the form of her ghost friend Clau and her cousin Carlitos, who are a mini mystery squad. By which I mean they’re really good at getting themselves into trouble. Well, maybe a little less Clau, since it’s hard to punish a ghost (though, make no mistake, she has been grounded for misbehaving before because Omega’s abuela doesn’t mess around!). Trios are obviously very popular in middle grade books, so it’s maybe not a huge surprise that there’s a lead trio here. Clau provides some much-needed levity, but is also a mystery unto herself as far as her story and why she refuses to cross over. The bond between Carlitos and Omega is very sweet. They’re from a close-knit family, and they’ve always got each other’s backs. I grew up in a family like that and was very close to my cousins, so I absolutely loved this aspect of the story!
- Bucking some traditional middle grade tropes, Kemp writes about a loving, tight-knit family that’s there to support each other, no matter what. Don’t get me wrong, they still make mistakes, have their squabbles, and sometimes stretch the truth (especially when trying to protect each other). However, there’s a lot of love in the household, and the idea of family and community really comes through in this book! It’s such an important, powerful message, and one that isn’t as common in middle grade (or at least the middle grade I read), so it stood out all the more for that.
October 2, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza
Author: Laekan Zea Kemp
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Mexican/Hispanic MC and characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, Mexican Mythology and Lore, fantasy, ghosts
Publication Date: September 27, 2022
Genre: MG Mythology Fantasy
Age Relevance: 12+ (death, missing pets, prayer, grief, animal harm)
Explanation of Above: Death is all around this book. It includes several ghosts and ghost pets. There are mentions of some of the ghost pets being murdered. There are missing animals that are mentioned. There is some grief shown in the book. There is some prayer shown in the book.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Omega Morales’s family has been practicing magic for centuries in Noche Buena. But over the years, the town's reputation for the supernatural is no longer one the people carry with pride. So Omega’s family keeps to themselves, and in private, they’re Empaths—diviners who can read and manipulate the emotions of people and objects around them. But Omega’s powers don’t quite work, and it leaves her feeling like an outsider in her own family.
When a witch with the power to transform herself into an owl—known in Mexican folklore as La Lechuza—shows up unannounced, Omega, her best friend Clau (who happens to be a ghost), and her cousin Carlitos must conduct a séance under a full moon in order to unravel the mystery of the legend.
Suddenly Omega’s magic begins to change, and the key to understanding her powers is more complicated than she thought. Omega will have to decide what’s more important—trusting the instincts of others or learning to trust in herself.
Review: I thought this was such a cute book! I loved the magic system and the mystery in this book. I loved that the book was very open about death, which can be a scary topic for a lot of kids and adults, and it incorporated it into the story. The book had fantastic illustrations in it and the story was beautifully told. The characters were well developed as was the world building.
The only issue I had with the book is that some of the pacing was a bit off in places.
Verdict: It was so good! Highly recommend!
Book: Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza
Author: Laekan Zea Kemp
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Mexican/Hispanic MC and characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, Mexican Mythology and Lore, fantasy, ghosts
Publication Date: September 27, 2022
Genre: MG Mythology Fantasy
Age Relevance: 12+ (death, missing pets, prayer, grief, animal harm)
Explanation of Above: Death is all around this book. It includes several ghosts and ghost pets. There are mentions of some of the ghost pets being murdered. There are missing animals that are mentioned. There is some grief shown in the book. There is some prayer shown in the book.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Omega Morales’s family has been practicing magic for centuries in Noche Buena. But over the years, the town's reputation for the supernatural is no longer one the people carry with pride. So Omega’s family keeps to themselves, and in private, they’re Empaths—diviners who can read and manipulate the emotions of people and objects around them. But Omega’s powers don’t quite work, and it leaves her feeling like an outsider in her own family.
When a witch with the power to transform herself into an owl—known in Mexican folklore as La Lechuza—shows up unannounced, Omega, her best friend Clau (who happens to be a ghost), and her cousin Carlitos must conduct a séance under a full moon in order to unravel the mystery of the legend.
Suddenly Omega’s magic begins to change, and the key to understanding her powers is more complicated than she thought. Omega will have to decide what’s more important—trusting the instincts of others or learning to trust in herself.
Review: I thought this was such a cute book! I loved the magic system and the mystery in this book. I loved that the book was very open about death, which can be a scary topic for a lot of kids and adults, and it incorporated it into the story. The book had fantastic illustrations in it and the story was beautifully told. The characters were well developed as was the world building.
The only issue I had with the book is that some of the pacing was a bit off in places.
Verdict: It was so good! Highly recommend!
October 4, 2022
Thoughts and Themes: My first thought is that I keep reading Lechuza as Lechuga and was really confused about there being a legend regarding lettuce that I hadn’t heard about. I am glad to tell you all that this story is not about lettuce at all but that would have been funny. But also prior to this thought, I was so happy to see that the author had now written a middle grade book since I loved her two young adult books so much.
I am happy to say that I loved this book as much as the young adult books if not more. This is a perfect read for second graders and up especially during this spooky season. I love that this book is spooky but not too scary to frighten the younger audience. I loved the references to Mexican folklore that this book includes because so much of these tales were things that I grew up hearing about.
Something that I really enjoy about this book is the added images within chapters. I like how these images bring the story to life and it works really well for me since I have a hard time picturing what I am reading.
Characters: In this story you are introduced to several characters through their interactions with our main character, Omega. You get to meet her family, her best friend Carlitos, and a ghost that lives alongside them, Clau. Right off the bat it is hard not to fall in love with each of the characters that you are introduced to in this story.
I really loved the relationship that each of the characters that are introduce have with our main character, Omega. I love how supportive each of the characters are of her and how they are supportive regardless of her differences. I love that you can feel the amount of love everyone has for each other seeping out of this book.
Writing Style: This story is told in first person through the perspective of our main character, Omega. I really enjoyed the story being told through her perspective as it makes you remember the age of our main character. The voice of our narrator really made it hard to put down this book because I just wanted to hear more about the magic and everything going on in her world.
I am happy to say that I loved this book as much as the young adult books if not more. This is a perfect read for second graders and up especially during this spooky season. I love that this book is spooky but not too scary to frighten the younger audience. I loved the references to Mexican folklore that this book includes because so much of these tales were things that I grew up hearing about.
Something that I really enjoy about this book is the added images within chapters. I like how these images bring the story to life and it works really well for me since I have a hard time picturing what I am reading.
Characters: In this story you are introduced to several characters through their interactions with our main character, Omega. You get to meet her family, her best friend Carlitos, and a ghost that lives alongside them, Clau. Right off the bat it is hard not to fall in love with each of the characters that you are introduced to in this story.
I really loved the relationship that each of the characters that are introduce have with our main character, Omega. I love how supportive each of the characters are of her and how they are supportive regardless of her differences. I love that you can feel the amount of love everyone has for each other seeping out of this book.
Writing Style: This story is told in first person through the perspective of our main character, Omega. I really enjoyed the story being told through her perspective as it makes you remember the age of our main character. The voice of our narrator really made it hard to put down this book because I just wanted to hear more about the magic and everything going on in her world.
September 29, 2022
Oh my days am I so glad i signed up for this tour as this book is SPECIAL in so many ways. First off the book title gives off a spooky feel to it and then you are drawn into researching what a La Lechuza is and then being drawn in. I know I googled and was captivated.
Our main Character is Omega who has a very close family and showed in their interactions. Then you had Clau the family ghost.
I am not going to say anymore about the book but I will say it is not just a fantasy other subjects of bullying and grief are beautifully covered.
If you want some spook in your life with a strong family and friends mixed with comic moments then this is 100% your book and you should read it immediately.
I am hoping for some more of the wonderful Omega Morales and when we do I will be auto buying it. For all these reasons I am giving Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza 5 big fat stars
Our main Character is Omega who has a very close family and showed in their interactions. Then you had Clau the family ghost.
I am not going to say anymore about the book but I will say it is not just a fantasy other subjects of bullying and grief are beautifully covered.
If you want some spook in your life with a strong family and friends mixed with comic moments then this is 100% your book and you should read it immediately.
I am hoping for some more of the wonderful Omega Morales and when we do I will be auto buying it. For all these reasons I am giving Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza 5 big fat stars
November 12, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Omega is an empath, and mos of her family have some supernatural abilities. For Omega, this means that she can communicate with trees, posters on her walls, and spirits like Clau, who lives with her family. Her cousin Claudito spends a lot of time with her. When neighborhood cats start to go missing, the two suspect La Lechuza, and investigate the legends surrounding the owl/witch spirit, and find unexpected connection to their family. Omega is at odds at school with former best friend Abby, whose mother died, although Abby's brother Aiden is still kind to Omega. When the issues becomes larger than just the cats, will Omega, with the help of her aunt Soona and her abuela, be able to put things right? This had a feel of Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls (setting, family history of magic), but without as much adventure.
Omega is an empath, and mos of her family have some supernatural abilities. For Omega, this means that she can communicate with trees, posters on her walls, and spirits like Clau, who lives with her family. Her cousin Claudito spends a lot of time with her. When neighborhood cats start to go missing, the two suspect La Lechuza, and investigate the legends surrounding the owl/witch spirit, and find unexpected connection to their family. Omega is at odds at school with former best friend Abby, whose mother died, although Abby's brother Aiden is still kind to Omega. When the issues becomes larger than just the cats, will Omega, with the help of her aunt Soona and her abuela, be able to put things right? This had a feel of Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls (setting, family history of magic), but without as much adventure.
November 21, 2023
my words cannot truly encapsulate the pure joy i felt from reading this novel. everything from the family dynamics, to the heists, to the relationship with ghosts, to the mythology...i could go on. the audiobook was such a treat. i could tell the narrator, dominique franceschi, had a lot of fun working on omega morales and the legend of la lechuza and it shows. i really hope she does the next entry because i'm excited to immerse myself into omega morales's world again! laekan zea kemp's writing truly shines in this incredible feat in storytelling that manages to weave rich mexican culture with a lot of heart and conversations of grief accessible to children and teens. this book deserves way more readers and i hope every library has it in their collection.
September 11, 2022
I was privileged enough to receive an advanced readers copy of this book, and wow - it did not disappoint! At once poignant and action packed, Laekan Zea Kemp takes readers on a supernatural adventure that will have hearts pumping and minds whirring. When empath Omega Morales and her ghostly best friend and cousin discover a mysterious and perhaps deadly supernatural presence in their small southwestern town, Omega must look to a secret family past and her own as of yet untapped abilities to mend old wounds and restore harmony to their community. Beautifully written and a sure hit amongst middle grade readers.
December 12, 2023
Love Omega and Carlitos and Clau. If ever there was a story that felt like a warm hug, this is the one!! Friendships, family, resilience, (did I mention found family too, a fav storyline of mine?!), and the affirmation that there’s amazingness and wonderfulness inside each of us. A quick read for us as a read aloud and SO fun, especially the way the Legend of La Lechuza and Luna played out—splendid. I had tears in my eyes esp on pages 37, 271, 284-290, 307-317. (We have the hardcover.) This book is one you can hand your kid as a gift or enjoy sharing together as we did as a read aloud, inviting much conversation. Will be looking for more from this author.
March 18, 2024
3.5 stars. This was an interesting mix of fantasy, paranormal, mythology and horror. Omega and her family are special and each person has their own kind of magic. Omega hasn’t figured out what hers is yet, but when something scary comes to their little town, she must dog deep and figure out how to save the people in danger. She has the help of her cousin Carlitos and a ghost Clau,and together they must solve the mystery of La Lechuza. Family love and friendships are major themes. No swears, animal and human death, elements of danger and some blood and violence related to a “monster”. 6th grade and up.
July 20, 2022
Omega Morales has two friends, her cousin Carlitos and a ghost girl who is a member of her household. That's it. She used to have a best friend, but not any more. And the community is not crazy about her and her family, either. The town is magical, but now many are not appreciating that magic and when the bad guy (gal) shows up in the form of an ancient legend come true, everything goes to pieces. Hate reigns. And Omega feels it in her bones, because she is an empath who hasn't quite been able to harness her powers. It's a very dark book, but in the end there's redemption. I was hooked.
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