The hills of Estrella Roja

Kat is seeking a ghost adventure, and Mari's hometown of Estrella Roja, Texas, promises just that. Returning for her abuela's funeral, Mari is met with hostility from her extended family. However, when she encounters the zany and cute podcaster, Kat, things take a hopeful turn. Kat has been tipped off about a sinister occurrence in Estrella Roja. Can Mari and Kat unveil the supernatural secrets hidden by Mari's family? This captivating retelling of the Tejano legend, La Lechuza, showcases beautifully illustrated panels adorned with cacti and flowers against a backdrop of white space. The artistry, with its expert panel arrangements, hand-drawn illustrations, and captivating coloring by Nakata Whittle, evokes a delightful scrapbook-like ambiance. This campy and spine-tingling graphic novel is an excellent choice for teenagers seeking an a rom-com horror read, as well as fans ready to explore beyond the realms of the Lumberjanes series. From the acclaimed author of queer and eerie works like One Million Tiny Fires (2020), this book is sure to enchant with its fusion of folklore, horror, and romance.

Eighteen-year-old Marisol Castillo abruptly wakes from a haunting dream--involving desperate cries for help from disembodied voices--to discover that something is wrong with her abuela, prompting her, her younger sister, and their mother to return to their Estrella Roja, Tex., hometown, which they haven't visited in years. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Kat Fields, a paranormal podcaster, is also making her way to Estrella Roja after receiving an anonymous tip about the town's supernatural secrets. The citizens aren't thrilled about either of these events: Mari's relatives give her a suspiciously wide berth, while residents staunchly avoid Kat's prying questions. When the two teens meet, Kat persuades Mari to join her investigation, in the process uncovering strange secrets about Mari's family with dangerous implications. Psychedelic full-color pages burst with intricate detail and dynamic panel configurations. Equally careful attention is paid to the arid Texas backdrop, the characters' expressions and gestures, and the pulse-pounding horror elements. Franklin (Fruiting Bodies, for adults) expertly captures the spirit of campy paranormal mysteries in this queer supernatural graphic novel interpretation of Latinx folklore. Mari is Latinx and Kat is portrayed with tan skin. Ages 14--up. Agent: Maria Vicente, P.S. Literary. (Aug.)

Gr 8 Up--Eleven years after high school senior Marisol (Mari) Castillo moved away from her family's secluded hometown of Estrella Roja, TX, news of the death of her abuela sends her, her mother Yolanda, and her little sister Ana on a trip back. At the same time, Kat Fields, a college student and co-host of the obscure podcast Paranormal Texas, receives an anonymous tip about the so-called "devil's lights," possible paranormal activity, which appear above the hills in Estrella Roja every night. Much to the chagrin of the townsfolk, when Mari and Kat's paths cross, they begin to investigate what may be causing the lights and discover there's more to the small town than either could have predicted. A psychedelic color scheme in the early pages makes way for muted daytime scenes with sporadic pops of vivid, warm color, while nighttime renderings bring a collection of purples that set the stage for magical mysteries to be slowly revealed. The story has spooky but never terrifying moments, and the illustrations are both detailed and unpolished, giving an underlying sense of chaos and instability that runs parallel to Mari and Kat's growing unease. Moments of romance exist between Mari and Kat but are secondary to the main plotline. Nonbinary, bisexual, and lesbian representation are included, as well as a variety of body types. Secondary character Clem appears Black, while Mari and her family are assumed Latinx. VERDICT A winding paranormal mystery about loyalty, bravery, and familial trials. Recommended.--Alea Perez

A slowly building graphic novel full of creepy monsters and tense family dynamics. Eighteen-year-old Marisol Castillo's spring break involves traveling to the small Texas town of Estrella Roja to attend the funeral of the abuela she hasn't seen since childhood due to a family estrangement. Nineteen-year-old Kat Fields, who co-hosts the podcast Paranormal Texas, heads there too after receiving an email tip about strange "devil lights" and learning of the town's history of unusual events. Eager to pursue these leads for her podcast, Kat changes her spring break plans with friends and takes off alone to explore the mystery. Despite repeated warnings, Kat ventures into the hills but finds locals unwilling to talk about the town's past. Then she meets Mari. Mari finds her extended family's detachment and hostility palpable, and she senses they are keeping something from her. Increasingly suspicious about their secrets and eager to spend time with Kat, she joins her quest. As they make terrifying discoveries in the hills and face the townsfolks' hostility, Mari and Kat realize they can trust no one else, and their fast friendship blooms with an awkward first-crush cuteness that gently slows the plot's momentum. Franklin's energetic, full-color artwork pulses with emotion and movement. Kat reads White; in addition to Latine Mari, characters reflect the diversity of the Texas population. A queer graphic horror with an upbeat vibe. (concept art) (Graphic horror. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.