It all started when I stumbled upon an old wooden box at a local flea market. Its faded paint and worn-out look intrigued me, and I couldn't resist purchasing it, even though I didn't know what was inside. Little did I know that this box would bring unforeseen consequences into my life. When I brought the box home and opened it, I discovered an intricately crafted voodoo doll. Intrigued and slightly unnerved, I began to question the origins and purpose of this mysterious object. Without hesitating, I decided to keep it, as I found its craftsmanship fascinating.
This is a fantasy novel for readers who enjoy contemporary or realistic stories – the magical elements are frequently vague and the driving force of the story is the suspense over how long Minnie can keep her sisters together and what happened to their mom. However, like any young girl, Minnie’s own desire is not to care for her siblings and keep the family afloat – that’s just what she has to do to survive.
On the one side, there are some schools that still put on very stereotypical performances of Peter Pan, and the pushback Minnie gives could be helpful for young readers who want to discuss alternatives with their own teachers. But as the days pass and Minerva grows ever more worried about her mother, something magical seems to be watching out for them leaving them cupcakes, helping her find money, even steering them to friends and distant family who can help.
Without hesitating, I decided to keep it, as I found its craftsmanship fascinating. Days turned into weeks, and I couldn't help but notice that unusual occurrences were happening around me. Objects would mysteriously fall off shelves, lights would flicker without reason, and strange noises echoed throughout my house in the dead of night.
ON THESE MAGIC SHORES
A redoubtable protagonist in a good storyline that doesn’t quite deliver.
When Mamá fails to return home after her evening job, it is up to 12-year-old Minerva Soledad Miranda to take care of her younger sisters and hold the family together.
The family lives in a moldy basement apartment, and Mamá works two jobs and dresses the girls in hand-me-downs. In spite of the obstacles, Minerva has her life all figured out. The Argentine American seventh grader will be “the first Latina president of the United States.” And the first step to that goal is to get the lead role in Peter Pan, the school play. But nothing is working out. First, and most importantly, Mamá has gone missing. Then, brown-skinned Minerva gets the role of Tiger Lily, a character with only one line—“how”—and one that Minerva finds offensive to Native Americans, prompting her to take action. As the book progresses, Méndez tackles problems of racism, discrimination, income inequality, immigration, and ethnic and cultural stereotypes. All are real, true, and valid points, but they are laid out with such a heavy hand as to grow preachy, causing the book’s balance to tip from story to lesson. Mamá’s absence works well as a device to allow Minerva to come to the fore, but her reappearance and the explanation for her disappearance feel contrived. Nevertheless, there is still much to like, and readers will find a strong and resilient character they can root for in this story.
A redoubtable protagonist in a good storyline that doesn’t quite deliver. (Fiction. 8-12)
Pub Date: June 9, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-64379-031-2
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Tu Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
YAMILE (sha-MEE-lay) SAIED MÉNDEZ is a fútbol-obsessed Argentine American author who loves meteor showers, summer, astrology, and pizza. She lives in Utah with her Puerto Rican husband and their five kids, two adorable dogs, and one majestic cat. An inaugural Walter Dean Myers Grant and a New Visions Award Honor recipient, she’s also a graduate of Voices of Our Nations (VONA) and the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adult program. She’s a founding member of Las Musas, a marketing collective of women and non-binary Latinx children’s authors. Find her online at yamilesmendez.com.
I couldn't shake off the feeling that someone was watching me, lurking somewhere in the shadows. One gloomy evening, as I was starting to question my own sanity, I noticed a note hidden underneath the voodoo doll. The handwriting was barely legible but it read, "Whoever has my voodoo doll, prepare for the consequences." My heart raced as I realized the truth - I had unknowingly become the possessor of someone's powerful and potentially dangerous voodoo doll. Fear gripped me, but I couldn't simply get rid of the doll. I felt connected to its twisted history, both intrigued and terrified by its potential. Determined to uncover the truth, I embarked on a quest to learn about the voodoo doll's origins and its previous owner. Through my research, I discovered that voodoo dolls are powerful tools used in various rituals and ceremonies. They can be used for both positive and negative purposes, depending on the desire of the person manipulating them. It became evident that whoever had created this doll held deep resentment towards someone, and I had become entangled in their feud. As days turned into nights filled with uncertainty, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something ominous was approaching. Strange dreams and unexplained encounters haunted my every thought. The voodoo doll had become a symbol of both dread and fascination in my life. However, I couldn't let fear consume me. I had to confront the darkness head-on, find the original owner, and discover a way to end this haunting curse. With every passing day, my determination and courage grew stronger. Whether through sheer coincidence or divine intervention, I stumbled upon a voodoo priestess who possessed the knowledge I sought. She revealed that the voodoo doll's previous owner had sought revenge upon a rival, using the doll as a vessel to inflict pain and suffering. Now that I had it, the curse had been unintentionally transferred to me. Under the guidance of the voodoo priestess, we performed a complex ritual to remove the curse from my life. As the flickering candlelight danced upon the doll's face, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, and the sense of foreboding lifted from my home. With the curse lifted, I reclaimed my life and sought solace in knowing that the voodoo doll would no longer harm others. I decided to keep it safe, locked away in a hidden corner of my attic, as a reminder of the power that lies within objects and the importance of understanding the consequences they can bring. In the end, this haunting experience taught me the value of respect for the unknown and the significance of delving into the mysteries of our world. And so, the voodoo doll remains a silent reminder of a tale that weaves its way through the tapestry of my life, forever altered by the discovery of its existence..
Reviews for "Unveiling the Dark Side: The Truth about Voodoo Doll Curses"
1. Emily - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Whoeber has my voodoo doll". The story was confusing and lacked any kind of coherence. The characters were poorly developed and I found it hard to connect with any of them. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to follow the storyline. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging read.
2. John - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Whoeber has my voodoo doll" as I had heard good things about the author. However, I found the plot to be predictable and unoriginal. The writing style was average, lacking any real depth or creativity. Additionally, the pacing of the story was off, with certain parts dragging on while others felt rushed. I was left feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed by the end of the book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I struggled to finish "Whoeber has my voodoo doll" as it failed to capture my interest. The characters lacked depth and the storyline felt disjointed. The author attempted to incorporate humor, but it fell flat and felt forced. The overall execution of the book was underwhelming and did not live up to my expectations. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a captivating and well-crafted novel.