I’ve joined up with the IT’S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING? kid-lit edition, hosted by Unleashing Readers and MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY hosted by Always in the Middle…
Today I’m featuring AN ENCANTADORA’S GUIDE TO MONSTROS AND MAGIC by Sarah J. Mendonca, an exciting fantasy heist!
Read on for my review of the book, and then make sure you also check out Sarah’s list of top ten addictions to find out more about her!
An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic by Sarah J. Mendonca Series: Encantadora #1
Published by Quill Tree Books on July 8, 2025
Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Pages: 368
Source: NetGalley, Purchased
Cover Artist: Giovanna Moreira
My rating:
Encanto meets Oceans 8 in this middle-grade fantasy-adventure, set in a Portuguese-inspired world, following a tween girl who joins a notorious band of thieves to steal a priceless jewel and discovers corruption that must be stopped.
Rosa Coelho has spent her whole life hunting monstros, wandering the city streets with her best friend Tiago, and dreaming of a better life for herself and her grandmother. And in a society that favors the rich and educated, every piece of knowledge comes with a hefty price, even the most basic books Rosa’s family needs to trap monstros.
So when the powerful Ministério dos Monstros threatens her family’s struggling Encantadora shop, Rosa only has two weeks to scrape together the money for their debts. It seems like an impossible task… until Rosa tricks her way onto an infamous thief crew as their magical safecracker.
Thrust into the world of high class luxury and betrayal, Rosa is pulled into a scheme with the highest possible stakes: stealing from the Ministry itself. She must learn to trust her magical abilities and her crew—for if the heist goes wrong, everything she loves is forfeit.
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This middle grade fantasy heist is full of danger and excitement kids will love, with a found-family element that hits emotionally. When Rosa’s family is put in a desperate situation, she resorts to “trying out” for a band of thieves. The only problem is, she has to lie about her credentials as a magical safecracker to get into the group. Rosa’s character arc is one many kids will relate to–Rosa has so much going on in her own life that she winds up being inadvertently selfish. She has to come to terms with this in order to be a true team player. The dynamics between Rosa and her fellow heist-mates is compelling, and the plot itself is fast-paced and exciting. But where Mendonca truly shines is in her worldbuilding–it’s incredibly elaborate (with an intricate magical society and system, monstros, Portuguese influences, and more) but it somehow never feels overwhelming or confusing. In addition, thanks to the fantasy setting, the book tackles the topic of wealth disparity without feeling the least bit preachy. The book also gives us a satisfying finale while still building excitement for the next book in the series!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley (but I also purchased a copy of my own!).***
About the Author
Sarah J. Mendonca is the Portuguese-American author of inventive and twisty (Anne Ursu, author of Not Quite a Ghost), endlessly imaginative (Tracy Badua, award-winning author of Freddie vs. the Family Curse), sparkling adventures (Diane Magras, the Mad Wolf’s Daughter series).
Raised on her father’s bedtime stories, Sarah started writing about monsters at age eight and hasn’t stopped. You can find her haunting dark forests, lurking in bookshops, or buried underneath her enormous tea collection.
Sarah is a 2021 Pitch Wars alum, and winner of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ A. Orr Fantasy Grant. In 2018 she was a finalist for the PNW Association Middle Grade literary contest. She lives in the Midwest.
Sarah J. Mendonca’s Top Ten Addictions
- Tamora Pierce books
I’ve been a huge fan since I was a child, and recently completed collecting all her books including the omnibus and special editions. I can’t wait to add the new graphic novels as they come out!- Local adventures
There’s nothing more fun than discovering a new cool secret for where you live. I’m always searching for fun little adventures around my area whether it’s a new park to hike at or a cool new tea shop.- Cat cafes
Ever since I discovered that you can get tea and watch/ pet/ play with cats at the same time, I’ve made it my mission to visit every cat cafe that I pass by.- Strange documentaries
The world is such a wonderfully bizarre place full of interesting people. I love watching videos on everything from french butter making to dangerous deep sea exploration. Inspiration is everywhere if you are willing to look for it.- Art prints
I may or may not have an art print problem. I love supporting small artists, and affordable art prints are an easy way to celebrate your favorite creators. Casey Landerkin, Stephanie Marie, and Vicki Rawlins are the big three decorating my space right now.- Tea
Besides writing a tea themed heist, I’m an avid tea drinker with an enormous tea collection. At one point, due to being a bit too enthusiastic at a tea shop’s estate sale, I had over a hundred kinds of tea and I’ve slowly been drinking my way through it.eight training is the only exercise I don’t find painfully boring, plus it helps with my wrist pain. Being strong makes me feel unstoppable.- Bird watching
When we got a bird feeder for my cat to watch, I had no idea I’d fall in love watching the birds too.- My cat
I taught my cat Fennec how to play fetch (or he taught me), and we start each day by throwing his favorite toy around.- Board games
There is no better way to get to know someone than over a fun board game. I have a whole collection of silly games like Sushi Go all the way to more complex ones like Wingspan.- Books!
For the last decade I’ve managed to read 100 books a year. I’m always finding something new.
Thanks, Sarah, for these fun facts! As a fantasy reader (and writer), I feel a little ashamed to say I’ve never read Tamora Pierce’s books. I just added Alanna to my Libby audiobook saved list so that I can correct this shortcoming. 🙂 And I’m also a big fan of bird watching – or just animal watching in general!!
What Nicole is currently reading:
Currently, I’m listening to The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin. Loving the Chinese folklore!
Also check out:
Head over to the Middle Grade Escapades blog for a Q&A with Sara F. Shacter, author of the upcoming middle grade contemporary, GEORGIA WATSON AND THE 99 PERCENT CAMPAIGN.
What are some of your favorite heist books? I want to know!
I loved this book, too! I’m right there with the author on loving cats, tea, indie artists, and weird documentaries. All worthwhile interests in my estimation! 🙂
I’m excited to read Sarah’s book too and have it on reserve at my library. I also want to read Grace Lin’s new book too.
I have this one high on my list of future reads and your review reinforced my decision to give this one a go. The list of addictions was fun to read. Thanks for your thoughts on this book.
This sounds a super story, and I will have to add it to my TBR. Love the top 10 addictions feature, and very impressed with this author’s list! 🙂 I’m also really looking forward to reading your review of The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon! Thanks so much for the recommendation!
There’s something about a heist that’s super exciting! Adds some good tension.