Book Resume
for Cece Rios and the Queen of Brujas by Kaela Rivera
Professional book information and credentials for Cece Rios and the Queen of Brujas.
1 Professional Review
2 Book Awards
Selected for 3 State/Province Lists
- Kirkus:
- Ages 8 - 14
- TeachingBooks:*
- Grades 5-8
- Word Count:
- 75,091
- ATOS Reading Level:
- 4.9
- Cultural Experience:
- Latino (Latin America)
- Genre:
- Adventure
- Science Fiction / Fantasy
- Year Published:
- 2024
9 Subject Headings
The following 9 subject headings were determined by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Book Industry Study Group (BISAC) to reveal themes from the content of this book (Cece Rios and the Queen of Brujas).
1 Full Professional Review
The following unabridged reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers. Reviews may be used for educational purposes consistent with the fair use doctrine in your jurisdiction, and may not be reproduced or repurposed without permission from the rights holders.
Note: This section may include reviews for related titles (e.g., same author, series, or related edition).
From Kirkus
February 1, 2024
A 13-year-old girl leads her family, friends, and townspeople into the ultimate supernatural showdown to save the world from her cruel, powerful aunt. In a fast-paced closer to this trilogy, which incorporates Mexican and Aztec influences, Cece Rios is ambushed by evil forces. She's physically threatened by the bruja army, which descends upon Tierra del Sol to steal the Sun god's soul stone for the queen of Devil's Alley, Cece's T�a Catrina. But extraordinarily kind Cece must also fight back emotionally: "How could I trust my heart, when, for the first time, it so badly wanted to hate evil more than it wanted to love what was good?" All she wants is to help everyone be happy, but she's frustrated by community members who shun her for wielding her ocean curandera powers to try to save them. And she's deeply resentful of T�a Catrina, who created this mess by hurting anyone who got in the way of her selfish, vicious quest for power. Cece's frustration grows as her aunt sends brujas and criaturas as her deadly proxies to wound and kill those Cece loves while relentlessly pursuing the three remaining gods' souls. But, as Cece learns, only light can drive out darkness. Aside from her ability to control water, Cece's greatest power is her empathetic, probing heart, which enables her to spread her light in even the worst situations. An epilogue rounds out the narrative, offering a charming peek into the characters' grown-up lives. A sweet, beautifully written adventure. (glossary) (Fantasy. 8-14)
COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
2 Book Awards & Distinctions
Cece Rios and the Queen of Brujas was recognized by committees of professional librarians and educators for the following book awards and distinctions.
3 Selections for State & Provincial Recommended Reading Lists
Cece Rios and the Queen of Brujas was selected by educational and library professionals to be included on the following state/provincial reading lists.
United States Lists (3)
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This Book Resume for Cece Rios and the Queen of Brujas is compiled from TeachingBooks, a library of professional resources about children's and young adult books. This page may be shared for educational purposes and must include copyright information. Reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers.
*Grade levels are determined by certified librarians utilizing editorial reviews and additional materials. Relevant age ranges vary depending on the learner, the setting, and the intended purpose of a book.
Retrieved from TeachingBooks on April 01, 2026. © 2001-2026 TeachingBooks.net, LLC. All rights reserved by rights holders.



Mythopoeic Fantasy Award, 1971-2025, Children's Finalist, 2025
Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2026, Fantasy/Science Fiction Selection, 2024