CECE RIOS AND THE DESERT OF SOULS

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls is Kaela Rivera's debut #ownvoices MG fantasy novel. Inspired by her grandfather's stories of growing up in early 1900s Mexico, Kaela draws on Mexican folklore and ancient legend to create a world both distinctive and familiar.

Cecelia “Cece” Rios has always lived in her sister's shadow. Juana is perfect – she's a skilled dancer, a good student, and – unlike Cece – she never sympathizes with the powerful spirits who live in the desert outside town. So when Juana is kidnapped by the legendary criatura El Sombrerón, Cece knows she has to bring her back. But that means finding a way into Devil's Alley, where the demon king El Cucuy reigns supreme. Only brujas – humans who capture and control criaturas – are allowed in, so Cece decides to become one. That means entering the Bruja Fights, where brujas-in-training compete for the honor. Thankfully, the legendary criatura Coyote has agreed to help her on her quest. With him on her side, Cece sets out to bring her sister back and reunite her family – and maybe just change what it means to be a bruja along the way.

About the Author
When she's not crafting stories, Kaela Rivera is using her English degree as an editor for a marketing company (or secretly doodling her characters in the margins of her notebook). Her biggest hope is to highlight and explore the beauty of cultural differences—and how sharing those differences can bring us all closer.