Name: The Wicked Bargain
ISBN: 9780593378014

Gabe Cole Novoa

Sixteen-year-old Mar, a transmasculine Latinx pirate hiding magical abilities, must learn to use their magia to save their papá and newfound pirate familia from losing their souls to el Diablo.

The Wicked Bargain

Danny Werhane

4.25/5 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. 

“Man may not be quiet right, but it’s not entirely wrong, and certainly nowhere near as wrong a woman. Boy feels better, good even, though it’s not completely right, either.” 

The Wicked Bargain is the first book that I’ve felt has represented my relationship with gender. It’s like the author read my mind. I’ve described by gender in the exact way the quote above does many times! While I’ve read many amazing books with non-binary main characters, this is the first one that has anything beyond an androgynous presenting character. There was also a genderfluid character in this book, meaning it’s hits two of the vast, diverse identities under the non-binary umbrella. 

The aspect I enjoyed, and wasn’t expecting (to be honest I didn’t read beyond trans masculine non-binary before hitting and to tbr) was the setting. This takes place in the 1800’s in the Caribbean. The main characters are fighting against Spanish colonialists while also fighting the devil! The prose in this book absolutely paints a picture of the setting as well, and I felt like I was there the whole time. The way the main character uses their magic is also explained really visually and thoughtfully. Another thing it handled perfectly was the process of grief, and shows how it comes and goes in waves. Along with a wholesome romance, there is something for everyone. 

My main criticism was the pacing. There was a part where very little plot movement was happening. It started fast, and then immediately slows down for a large portion. However, the second half was action packed.

The Wicked Bargain

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