Itzá by Rios de la Luz

Itzá is another read for Hispanic Heritage / Latinx Heritage Month!

Edition:

E-book – I believe it came from a Latinx-focused dark fiction Humble Bundle.

Synopsis:

In her debut novella, Rios de la Luz examines the lives a small family of water witches living near the US-Mexico border. Exploring issues of race and trauma along with beauty and magic, Itzá is a powerful reclamation of body and identity.

My Thoughts:

This is a truly beautiful little book. The language is absolutely gorgeous. Rios de la Luz has managed to, in just over 100 pages, build an incredibly rich world. Her characters seem shockingly deep and fleshed out, and she clearly has a vast talent for evocative writing.

“Mija, look at me glow. The sun kisses our skin, mija. Look at the veins in my arms and my hands, they pop out with electricity because I am so full of history and chisme.”

This story has so many powerful messages – about the inherent power of women, about grief, racism, colonialism, and oppression; about generational trauma, but also about connection, and re-connection with one’s roots, ancestors, and the earth itself. It’s a reminder that we are not defined by our traumas.

I don’t want to say much as I risk spoiling things. The story is just too short to say much. I’m trying to stay really high-level here. Just read the book, huh?

About the Author:

Rios de la Luz  is a queer xicana/chapina sci-fi loving writer living in El Paso. Her first book, The Pulse between Dimensions and the Desert, is out now via Ladybox Books.  Her debut novella, ITZÁ is out now via Broken River Books. If you would like to purchase books from her directly: you can do that HERE. Her work has been featured in Vol. 1 Brooklyn, Entropy, Luna Luna Magazine, Broadly, The Fem Lit Magazine, St. Sucia and Corporeal Clamor.

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Rating:

Rating: 5 out of 5.
Itzá
By: Rios de la Luz
Broken River Books
ISBN: 9781940885
Published: September 16, 2017
Paperback, E-book
143 Pages
Author's Website
Author: Angie
Stranger Sights is a genre entertainment blog. It is run by me, Angie, and all opinions you'll find here are my own.

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