Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares

Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares (Paola Santiago #2) by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Release: August 3, 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents the sequel to Tehlor Kay Mejia’s critically acclaimed own-voices novel about science-obsessed Paola Santiago.

Six months after Paola Santiago confronted the legendary La Llorona, life is nothing like she’d expected it to be. She is barely speaking to her best friends, Dante and Emma, and what’s worse, her mom has a totally annoying boyfriend. Even with her chupacabra puppy, Bruto, around, Pao can’t escape the feeling that she’s all alone in the world.

Pao has no one to tell that she’s having nightmares again, this time set in a terrifying forest. Even more troubling? At their center is her estranged father, an enigma of a man she barely remembers. And when Dante’s abuela falls mysteriously ill, it seems that the dad Pao never knew just might be the key to healing the eccentric old woman.

Pao’s search for her father will send her far from home, where she will encounter new monsters and ghosts, a devastating betrayal, and finally, the forest of her nightmares. Will the truths her father has been hiding save the people Pao loves, or destroy them?

Once again Tehlor Kay Mejia draws on her Mexican heritage to tell a wild and wondrous story that combines creatures from folklore with modern-day challenges.

About the Author:

Tehlor Kay Mejia is an Oregon native in love with the alpine meadows and evergreen forests of her home state, where she lives with her daughter. When she’s not writing, you can find her plucking at her guitar, stealing rosemary sprigs from overgrown gardens, or trying to make the perfect vegan tamale. She is the author of Paola Santiago and the River of Tears and the YA fantasy novels We Set the Dark on Fire and We Unleash the Merciless Storm. Follow her on Twitter @tehlorkay.

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Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares Review:

“Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares” is a book that I was highly anticipating reading because I loved the first book, and it did not disappoint!

While I devoured the first book in one sitting, I loved this story more than “River of Tears.” The author makes sure to stay true to the theme of the first story yet, making it distinctive from it at the same time. I felt the story picked up full speed when Pao goes to see Señora Mata at the hospital. Hospitals tend to creep me out in general, and this book had scenes with creepy supernatural stuff taking place that gave me shivers. The story brilliantly continues as we have mysterious creatures like the Fantasma and beasts, a crazy road trip, and many other twists and turns.

Paola is again fantastic, and I feel she is one of my top favorite characters in the RRP series world. She goes through a lot in the story, and I could not turn my eyes away when she meets her father. Moreover, I was surprised by Paola’s friendship with Naomi in the tale, as it was not something I anticipated. The two of them form a very dynamic duo as they go on their adventure. Similarly, the author shocks us with incidents surrounding Dante, Emma, and even Pao’s mom. On a side note, I also liked the LGBTQ nod around Emma and that we got to know more about her in this book.

Overall, “Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares” is an excellent continuation of the “Paola Santiago” series and exceeded my expectations. I wonder how the third book can top it off.

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE FOREST OF NIGHTMARES, US Only.

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I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on thePaola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares (Paola Santiago #2) by Tehlor Kay Mejia Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!