Pilar Ramirez and the Curse of San Zenon

by Julian Randall

Overview

The Land of Stories meets Dominican culture and mythology come to life in Julian Randall's Pilar Ramirez and the Curse of San Zenon, the action-packed fantasy duology finale—for fans of the Tristan Strong series and Amari and the Night Brothers.

After being magically transported to the mythical island of Zafa and rescuing her long captive cousin Natasha, Pilar is back in Chicago . . . and hiding the shocking truths about Zafa and Natasha being alive. So, when she and her family are invited on a trip to Santo Domingo, Pilar welcomes the distraction and the chance to see the Dominican Republic for the first time.

But when Ciguapa and close friend Carmen magically appears in the DR searching for help, Pilar is soon on the hunt for the escaped demon El Baca and his mysterious new ally. Now, with a cursed storm gathering over the island to resurrect an ancient enemy, Pilar will have to harness her newfound bruja powers if she has any hope of saving her own world, Zafa, and most importantly her family before the clock runs out and ushers in a new era of evil.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250909299
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	02/27/2024
Series:	Pilar Ramirez Duology , #2
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	246,187
Product dimensions:	5.19(w) x 7.69(h) x 0.75(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Julian Randall is a Living Queer Black poet from Chicago. His poetry and essays are published in New York Times Magazine, POETRY, and Vibe. He is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize. Julian holds an MFA in Poetry from Ole Miss. His first book, Refuse, won the Cave Canem Poetry Prize and was a finalist for an NAACP Image Award. Julian has previously worked as a youth mentor, teaching writing workshops to children on house arrest. Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is his debut children's novel.

Editorial Reviews

"Dominican lore brings a fresh perspective to a thrilling tale." —Kirkus

"Action-packed details on every page fully bring the conclusion of this duology to life." —School Library Journal

Praise for Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa

"A breathtaking journey through a world teeming with fantasy and history—readers better hold on tight as Pilar swings into her next adventure." —Kwame Mbalia, New York Times–bestselling author of the Tristan Strong series

“Randall takes history and myth and weaves a tight fantasy that is as funny as it is poignant. This novel is sure to delight and awe.” —Elizabeth Acevedo, National Book Award Winner

* "Magic awaits around every corner in Zafa. Nonstop action and plenty of heart create a story worth escaping into." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Fusing a vibrant, self-assured narrative voice; subtly wrought intergenerational concerns; and rich, Dominican-inspired worldbuilding, Randall creates an undeniable page-turner." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"I love this book so much. Julian Randall is a brilliant, refreshing new voice in young people's literature and he has imbued this story with a whole mountain of love, humor, honesty, and adventure. ¡Pa'lante!" —Daniel José Older, New York Times–bestselling author

"Incredible voice that jumps right off the page. Pilar is the hilarious hero we need right now. My Dominican heart BURST reading this story, but in the best way." —Claribel A. Ortega, New York Times–bestselling author of Ghost Squad

From the Publisher

03/01/2023

Gr 4–7—Now that Pilar has returned from Zafa, she has decided to keep her adventures a secret, including the truth about her long-lost cousin Natasha. On a family trip to the Dominican Republic, Pilar is pulled back into danger by friends who need help. The Curse of San Zenon is being recreated by Raiza, which brings on storms and great danger. Now Natasha and Pilar are in for the fight of their lives. Both must utilize their powers to defeat the evil that threatens both worlds. Action-packed details on every page fully bring the conclusion of this duology to life. VERDICT A satisfying conclusion that is highly recommended. Hand to fans of Rena Barron's Maya and the Rising Dark and B.B. Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers.

School Library Journal

2022-12-14
A gutsy tween faces mystical dangers to protect the ones she loves and bring peace to the island of Zafa for good in this duology closer.

It’s been almost a year since Pilar Ramirez, now 13, defeated demons and escaped from Zafa, the magical world inhabited by Dominican legends and influenced by the ruthless real-life dictator Rafael Trujillo. Unsure of how and when to break the news of the reappearance of her cousin Natasha, who had been missing for 50 years and presumed dead, Pilar is still grappling with the terror of what she experienced in Zafa while learning to hone her newly acquired bruja powers. Pilar is excited to tag along on a trip to the Dominican Republic with her family and her sister’s professor (who played an instrumental role in the previous volume), hoping to find more answers about her heritage and abilities there. It’s no relaxing vacation however, as Pilar immediately begins experiencing unsettling visions and is soon contacted by Carmen, her dear Zafan friend who happens to be a ciguapa, a mythological being from Dominican folklore. Up against terrifying new enemies, Pilar returns to Zafa to find the answers she’ll need to protect her family from sinister supernatural danger. Pilar celebrates her Afro-Latina heritage and is open about her desire to improve her Spanish; she uses Spanish words and phrases liberally throughout the story, adding to the text’s delightful rhythm and flavor.

Dominican lore brings a fresh perspective to a thrilling tale. (Adventure. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews