eARC Review – Reclaim the Stars by Zoraida Cordova

Title: Reclaim the Stars

Editor: Zoraida Cordova

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Publication date: February 15th, 2022

352 pages

3.5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Reclaim the Stars is a collection of bestselling and acclaimed YA authors that take the Latin American diaspora to places fantastical and out of this world. From princesses warring in space, to the all too-near devastation of climate change, to haunting ghost stories in Argentina, and mermaids off the coast of the Caribbean. This is science fiction and fantasy that breaks borders and realms, and proves that stories are truly universal.

Authors include Vita Ayala, David Bowles, Daniel José Older, J.C. Cervantes, Sara Faring, Romina Garber, Isabel Ibañez, Anna-Marie McLemore, Yamile Saied Méndez, Nina Moreno, Circe Moskowitz, Maya Motayne, Linda Raquel Nieves Pérez, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Lilliam Rivera and Zoraida Córdova.

Review

I’ve been enjoying the increase of anthologies recently, but was somewhat disappointed by this one. It felt like there was very little flow to the stories and the pacing seemed very choppy. It wasn’t an easy book to continuously read and feel invested in, it just felt like a collection of unrelated stories where I’ve read anthologies that have more continuity.

I respect that the idea behind this was Latinx diaspora, magical tales, and diverse stories, and I won’t comment on specific plotlines as I’m not Latinx nor have a good background to their culture and legends. However, several authors who are included in this anthology have been called out for problematic behaviors or stories on social media by natives of the country they would write about. I think it’s just important to keep this in mind and do your research.

Something I noticed across many stories included here was the whimsical nature of the writing and descriptors for the story – and I loved it. Those stories were a joy to read, including the science fiction stories specifically, those spoke to me the most. My favorite story was likely the poly romance in space, which was towards the beginning of the works.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!