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Five Midnights #2
Category Five
Category Five is a new supernatural YA thriller from Ann Dávila Cardinal, set against the backdrop of a post-hurricane Puerto Rico.
After the hurricane, some see destruction and some smell blood.
The tiny island of Vieques, located just off the northeastern coast of the main island of Puerto Rico, is trying to recover after hurricane Maria, but the already battered island is now half empty. To make matters worse, as on the main island, developers have come in to buy up the land at a fraction of its worth, taking advantage of the island when it is down.
Lupe, Javier, and Marisol are back to investigate a series of murders that follow in the wake of a hurricane and in the shadow of a new supernatural threat.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
After the hurricane, some see destruction and some smell blood.
The tiny island of Vieques, located just off the northeastern coast of the main island of Puerto Rico, is trying to recover after hurricane Maria, but the already battered island is now half empty. To make matters worse, as on the main island, developers have come in to buy up the land at a fraction of its worth, taking advantage of the island when it is down.
Lupe, Javier, and Marisol are back to investigate a series of murders that follow in the wake of a hurricane and in the shadow of a new supernatural threat.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
240 pages, ebook
First published June 2, 2020
About the author
Ann Dávila Cardinal
10 books249 followersAnn is a Nuyorican, Vermont-based novelist with an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA). She comes from a long line of Puerto Rican writers, including father and son poets Virgilio and José Antonio Dávila, and her cousin, award-winning fiction writer Tere Dávila.
Ann’s first solo novel, a young adult horror novel titled Five Midnights, was released by Tor Teen on June 4, 2019. Five Midnights won the 2020 International Latino Book Award in the category of Best Young Adult Fantasy & Adventure, an AudioFile’s Earphones Award for the audiobook, and was finalist for the Bram Stoker Award. The story continues in Category Five, also from Tor Teen, released on June 2, 2020. Category Five is a 2021 nominee for the same International Latino Book Award category. Her latest young adult horror novel, Breakup From Hell, was released by HarperCollins on January 3, 2023.
Her first adult novel, the Puerto Rican magical realist mystery The Storyteller’s Death, was released from Sourcebooks Landmark on October 4, 2022. Her second adult novel, We Need No Wings, is scheduled for release in October 2024.
Her stories have appeared in numerous anthologies, including Other Terrors: An Inclusive Anthology from HarperCollins (2022), Lockdown: Stories of Crime, Terror, and Hope During a Pandemic from Polis Books (2020) and the Latine young adult collection Our Shadows Have Claws from Workman Publishing (9/6/22),
Ann lives in Vermont with her husband in a lovely little house with a massively creepy basement.
Ann’s first solo novel, a young adult horror novel titled Five Midnights, was released by Tor Teen on June 4, 2019. Five Midnights won the 2020 International Latino Book Award in the category of Best Young Adult Fantasy & Adventure, an AudioFile’s Earphones Award for the audiobook, and was finalist for the Bram Stoker Award. The story continues in Category Five, also from Tor Teen, released on June 2, 2020. Category Five is a 2021 nominee for the same International Latino Book Award category. Her latest young adult horror novel, Breakup From Hell, was released by HarperCollins on January 3, 2023.
Her first adult novel, the Puerto Rican magical realist mystery The Storyteller’s Death, was released from Sourcebooks Landmark on October 4, 2022. Her second adult novel, We Need No Wings, is scheduled for release in October 2024.
Her stories have appeared in numerous anthologies, including Other Terrors: An Inclusive Anthology from HarperCollins (2022), Lockdown: Stories of Crime, Terror, and Hope During a Pandemic from Polis Books (2020) and the Latine young adult collection Our Shadows Have Claws from Workman Publishing (9/6/22),
Ann lives in Vermont with her husband in a lovely little house with a massively creepy basement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 7, 2020
I'm from Puerto Rico and I lived like many Puerto Ricans the disasters that Hurricane Maria left on the island. Many of us suffer months with no power, no running water, no communication, or food. At that time getting gasoline or ice was an odyssey, we had to get up very early and make a line for hours until late at night just to fill the tank of the car.
In Category Five Ann Dàvila created a tremendous atmosphere that anyone who reads this book feels what we Puerto Ricans suffered during those horrible months.
This book not only shows the ravages that the island of Puerto Rico and Vieques suffered, but also mentions historical elements such as the Marina on vieques and the San Felipe Segundo hurricane in 1928.
Ann Dàvila creates this beautiful, supernatural story full of intrigue and suspense that everyone in my opinion should read.
4 stars for me
Thanks to netgalley and Tor teen for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
In Category Five Ann Dàvila created a tremendous atmosphere that anyone who reads this book feels what we Puerto Ricans suffered during those horrible months.
This book not only shows the ravages that the island of Puerto Rico and Vieques suffered, but also mentions historical elements such as the Marina on vieques and the San Felipe Segundo hurricane in 1928.
Ann Dàvila creates this beautiful, supernatural story full of intrigue and suspense that everyone in my opinion should read.
4 stars for me
Thanks to netgalley and Tor teen for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Shelved as 'dnf'
January 23, 2021DNF 13%
Nope.
Nope.
June 28, 2023
4.5 stars
First and foremost I wanted this to be longer because I had an amazing time on this ride.
Category five picks up a full year after the events of Five Midnights and really shows us a different island living through all the same problems and then some. While our cast of characters are trying to cope with the aftermath of insurmountable loss they are also fighting on the build anew and that’s the backdrop we start with for better or worse. The face of colonialism in the book is front and center and I appreciate it was never taken for granted as a very real threat to the island.
And while all of that is going on, someone messes around and locked up a hornets nest of ghosts.... fun times right? But it was fun for me to see the kids trying to find out The Who what when where and why of the mystery of the ghosts and some murders, all while also trying to find a new normal for them in a post Maria world.
I so dearly hope the author continues writing in this world and with these characters. Because I love them and I’d really like to dip back into these warm waters for more adventures with them.
First and foremost I wanted this to be longer because I had an amazing time on this ride.
Category five picks up a full year after the events of Five Midnights and really shows us a different island living through all the same problems and then some. While our cast of characters are trying to cope with the aftermath of insurmountable loss they are also fighting on the build anew and that’s the backdrop we start with for better or worse. The face of colonialism in the book is front and center and I appreciate it was never taken for granted as a very real threat to the island.
And while all of that is going on, someone messes around and locked up a hornets nest of ghosts.... fun times right? But it was fun for me to see the kids trying to find out The Who what when where and why of the mystery of the ghosts and some murders, all while also trying to find a new normal for them in a post Maria world.
I so dearly hope the author continues writing in this world and with these characters. Because I love them and I’d really like to dip back into these warm waters for more adventures with them.
June 24, 2020
Category Five by Ann Dávila Cardinal is a follow-up to her YA novel, Five Midnights, and continues the supernatural sleuthing adventures of Lupe, Javier, and Marisol during Lupe’s first time back to the island after Hurricane Maria. Lupe finds not only the island ravaged by the storm, but soon discovers that people are being gruesomely murdered by (possibly) supernatural beings. She also faces a shift in the dynamics in her relationship with long-distance boyfriend Javier, which suffers both from Javier’s hurricane-related trauma and the arrival of Sam, the handsome son of the gringo developer who is taking advantage of the island’s economic upheaval to buy up precious land in order to build a vacation resort.
Dávila Cardinal has crafted an engaging mix of young adult mystery, supernatural horror, and a modest amount of romance. More than that, it is a study on the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico and her inhabitants, and the fine line between economic recovery and exploitation of the desperation experienced by Puerto Ricans in the wake of the storm. The book also covers the geography of the island, as well as important historical facts, including its frankly disturbing status as a disenfranchised territory of the United States. Beyond being the setting for this engaging story, Puerto Rico, specifically the small island of Vieques, is a character in and of itself.
As for the story itself, it’s important to remember the ages of the protagonists. The characters’ actions, particularly Lupe’s, would not be at all believable were they older. Lupe is very impulsive and often acts before she thinks. This helps move the story along, but was a bit frustrating for me; mainly, because I know enough teenagers well enough to know that if they did see a potentially deadly parade of fantasmas, they would absolutely choose to get a closer look rather than run.
There’s a lot to pay attention to in this book: the mystery that Dávila Cardinal practically dares her readers to solve; Puerto Rican folklore and history; teen relationships; social commentary about the reality of living in Puerto Rico. All those elements balance out into a fun, chilling, multi-faceted book that this middle-aged reader enjoyed as much as she would have as a young adult. Although, “young” is just a frame of mind, right?
Dávila Cardinal has crafted an engaging mix of young adult mystery, supernatural horror, and a modest amount of romance. More than that, it is a study on the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico and her inhabitants, and the fine line between economic recovery and exploitation of the desperation experienced by Puerto Ricans in the wake of the storm. The book also covers the geography of the island, as well as important historical facts, including its frankly disturbing status as a disenfranchised territory of the United States. Beyond being the setting for this engaging story, Puerto Rico, specifically the small island of Vieques, is a character in and of itself.
As for the story itself, it’s important to remember the ages of the protagonists. The characters’ actions, particularly Lupe’s, would not be at all believable were they older. Lupe is very impulsive and often acts before she thinks. This helps move the story along, but was a bit frustrating for me; mainly, because I know enough teenagers well enough to know that if they did see a potentially deadly parade of fantasmas, they would absolutely choose to get a closer look rather than run.
There’s a lot to pay attention to in this book: the mystery that Dávila Cardinal practically dares her readers to solve; Puerto Rican folklore and history; teen relationships; social commentary about the reality of living in Puerto Rico. All those elements balance out into a fun, chilling, multi-faceted book that this middle-aged reader enjoyed as much as she would have as a young adult. Although, “young” is just a frame of mind, right?
August 19, 2020
I haven't read the author's previous book which is supposed to be like a companion novel to this, and I definitely agree that it wasn't necessary. While there were references to the previous book, they told me enough that I didn't feel lost or like I was missing anything.
I listen to the audiobook of this and it took me only 3 hours to finish it, so it felt like a very quick and entertaining read. I felt like the characters were very complex and layered, which I really enjoyed, and the different relationships between them were compelling.
The mystery was intriguing enough and while some very convenient things did happen, overall it was an engaging story. And I really liked the way the author integrated what has happened in Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria, especially the abandonment of Puerto Rico by the U.S. government. The ending was very much wish-fulfillment, but I didn't mind it.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
July 5, 2020DNF @ 25%
Okay, so, I didn’t realize that Five Midnights was actually book one of this series, so that’s partly me bad and partly the author/publisher, because it’s not marked on Goodreads as being part of a series. This book does a pretty good job of summing up what happened in Five Midnights, but it definitely feels like a sequel, where the reader is expected to have some amount of cursory knowledge going in.
This book started out with a bang, and I thought I was going to love it because I was immediately hooked. But then things started slowing down with the paranormal, and what really did it for me, though, was I just hated the characters.
There’s a romance, and maybe it was established in the first book, but I’m not buying it here. I mean, Javier tells Lupe to stay away from one of the guys at the hotel, but she doesn’t ask the totally normal (and somewhat expected) thing you would from your partner, “Oh, why? What’d he do?” No, she instead flips out about Javier controlling her and not trusting her and immediately questions their relationship. It was just downhill from there, over and over again, where I was just left wondering if these kids really had a relationship at all?
The book deals with post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico, which is an important topic, but in the part I read, there was some brief mention of what Javier went through, but mostly, the conclusion is just that the hurricane made him angry. It changed him. This is always said in a negative way, almost in a, “Why’s he so angry all the time?” kind of tone.
What really made me set it down, though, was because Lupe is just … awful. I’m sorry, she’s horrible. They’re talking about Hurricane Maria, and Lupe says she knows what he went through because her uncle was there and they were worried about him, and Javier (who is clearly suffering PTSD) snaps and says she has no idea, because sitting safe in the US and worrying about family isn’t the same as living it. All of this culminating in Lupe crying, because somehow she’s the victim here because he hurt her feelings and so she questions their relationship, and I just … I can’t. There were so many instances where Lupe was clearly out of touch and elitist, and this was just the final straw for me.
Okay, so, I didn’t realize that Five Midnights was actually book one of this series, so that’s partly me bad and partly the author/publisher, because it’s not marked on Goodreads as being part of a series. This book does a pretty good job of summing up what happened in Five Midnights, but it definitely feels like a sequel, where the reader is expected to have some amount of cursory knowledge going in.
This book started out with a bang, and I thought I was going to love it because I was immediately hooked. But then things started slowing down with the paranormal, and what really did it for me, though, was I just hated the characters.
There’s a romance, and maybe it was established in the first book, but I’m not buying it here. I mean, Javier tells Lupe to stay away from one of the guys at the hotel, but she doesn’t ask the totally normal (and somewhat expected) thing you would from your partner, “Oh, why? What’d he do?” No, she instead flips out about Javier controlling her and not trusting her and immediately questions their relationship. It was just downhill from there, over and over again, where I was just left wondering if these kids really had a relationship at all?
The book deals with post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico, which is an important topic, but in the part I read, there was some brief mention of what Javier went through, but mostly, the conclusion is just that the hurricane made him angry. It changed him. This is always said in a negative way, almost in a, “Why’s he so angry all the time?” kind of tone.
What really made me set it down, though, was because Lupe is just … awful. I’m sorry, she’s horrible. They’re talking about Hurricane Maria, and Lupe says she knows what he went through because her uncle was there and they were worried about him, and Javier (who is clearly suffering PTSD) snaps and says she has no idea, because sitting safe in the US and worrying about family isn’t the same as living it. All of this culminating in Lupe crying, because somehow she’s the victim here because he hurt her feelings and so she questions their relationship, and I just … I can’t. There were so many instances where Lupe was clearly out of touch and elitist, and this was just the final straw for me.
October 7, 2020
Set in post-Maria Puerto Rico, this supernatural YA thriller explores a community that is rebuilding after the category five hurricane and grappling with investors sweeping in to take advantage of the natural disaster that has left destruction across their land.
What I loved:
Category Five kept me on the edge of my seat. It has a great eerie atmosphere with lots of ghosts. I usually hate split perspectives, but it works really well here since the story is linear and each character is handed off where the last left off in a very natural way.
I really liked the ghost element and felt the mystery solving was believable, which doesn’t happen often in YA mysteries for me. Lupe made decisions like I’d expect a 17 year old to, and didn’t seem too old or too young in how she was written. Her clue finding also felt realistic.
I realized partway through this is a second book in a series and this cast of characters has solved a mystery together before, but you don’t need the context of that book to enjoy this one. I now want to check out the previous book though!
What didn’t work for me:
I do think the characters could have had more distinct voices and been a little rounder, but you get to know them well enough for a mystery this fast paced. The dialogue was good and I loved the friendship portrayed here. This book is super fast-paced and at times I wished it was a little slower so the mystery could unfold a bit more - especially at the end. But again, given the genre of YA, it works.
I would absolutely recommend this to fans of YA mysteries and ghost stories. This is a unique and quick mystery read that was perfect for October.
What I loved:
Category Five kept me on the edge of my seat. It has a great eerie atmosphere with lots of ghosts. I usually hate split perspectives, but it works really well here since the story is linear and each character is handed off where the last left off in a very natural way.
I really liked the ghost element and felt the mystery solving was believable, which doesn’t happen often in YA mysteries for me. Lupe made decisions like I’d expect a 17 year old to, and didn’t seem too old or too young in how she was written. Her clue finding also felt realistic.
I realized partway through this is a second book in a series and this cast of characters has solved a mystery together before, but you don’t need the context of that book to enjoy this one. I now want to check out the previous book though!
What didn’t work for me:
I do think the characters could have had more distinct voices and been a little rounder, but you get to know them well enough for a mystery this fast paced. The dialogue was good and I loved the friendship portrayed here. This book is super fast-paced and at times I wished it was a little slower so the mystery could unfold a bit more - especially at the end. But again, given the genre of YA, it works.
I would absolutely recommend this to fans of YA mysteries and ghost stories. This is a unique and quick mystery read that was perfect for October.
April 29, 2020
The most succinct way to summarize this is Scooby Doo on zombie island x PR, where the ghosts are there to get rid of colonizers. A fun romp with an intriguing mystery. Though I will say the protagonist Lupe was especially frustrating with her reckless behavior lol. But that's teenagers I guess. I did appreciate the history lessons I learned about my mother's home island weaved throughout the narrative. I also liked that the relationships between the characters were treated with care in regards to trauma and how that changes a person. Full review will be on my blog soon
February 14, 2020
I got an arc at ALA Midwinter and was absolutely thrilled. I loved this one just as much as the first! The whole thing made my heart happy and I love how cleverly the supernatural elements are used in this one. Such a great sequel and it was great to catch back up with the characters again. I loved the way everyone developed from the first book and the things they learned throughout this one. They really are the heart of the story (heh) and I'm so happy with this book!
May 19, 2020
Review coming soon! Spoiler alert; I really liked this one. Dávila made a great job 💜
June 19, 2020
Review coming soon
April 8, 2022
book went by so slow and the ending felt rushed,, the plot was good tho 😅😅
June 10, 2020
Category Five is a YA supernatural thriller and a story on love, devotion and protection. It starts the summer after Five Midnights; after the devastating category five hurricane Maria with Esteban, Lupe, Javier and Marisol (as well as Carlos and a new character Sam) recovering from El Cuco and helping to rebuild the island. The characters relationships have changed since last summer and they are all trying to find their way in this new reality. However, these characters cannot seem to have a "normal" summer and soon they find themselves involved in another the police investigation this time with multiple murders, what seem be ghosts all while battling for profit companies trying to make money off of the islands devastation.
In this story the author does an amazing job of describing Puerto Rico and the island of Vieques, the culture, the people, the history, the beauty along with the emotional impact, the heartache, and the shift in the characters worlds. She also adds a supernatural twist that both thrills the reader and the characters, but also helps lift up the people within the story (i.e brilliant ending).
If you want to look deeper into this story there are some really important cultural and social issues that are addressed and rightfully so; but this can also be read "simply" as an amazing YA thirller.
This was my most anticipated story of the 2020 and did not disappoint in the least. I loved every word and I will be waiting for what is next. If you are new to this author or this series you can read this story as a standalone but I highly encourage you to read Five Midnights as well as it is one of my favorites stories ever. The author is magic in her story telling. These are stories that I will read time and time again. 4.25 stars.
In this story the author does an amazing job of describing Puerto Rico and the island of Vieques, the culture, the people, the history, the beauty along with the emotional impact, the heartache, and the shift in the characters worlds. She also adds a supernatural twist that both thrills the reader and the characters, but also helps lift up the people within the story (i.e brilliant ending).
If you want to look deeper into this story there are some really important cultural and social issues that are addressed and rightfully so; but this can also be read "simply" as an amazing YA thirller.
This was my most anticipated story of the 2020 and did not disappoint in the least. I loved every word and I will be waiting for what is next. If you are new to this author or this series you can read this story as a standalone but I highly encourage you to read Five Midnights as well as it is one of my favorites stories ever. The author is magic in her story telling. These are stories that I will read time and time again. 4.25 stars.
August 11, 2020
diverse teen fiction - supernatural monsters/angry spirits/mystery/suspense in a Puerto Rico recovering from a devastating storm
This can be read as a stand-alone, but it does continue the adventures of the characters from Five Midnights and I think it might help to have read the first book first (which according to the bookjacket garnered some terrific reviews from the likes of Book Riot, Bustle, and Kirkus), so that the reader is more invested in the characters and their stories.
I stopped reading around page 95 (between 2/5 and 1/2 of the story); the action/suspense was fine but I didn't really care much about the characters, which clearly had backstories but seemed a bit flat to me--Javier and his jealousies and insecurities when his girlfriend (Lupe) talks to the rich gringo (Sam), Lupe's always wanting to be in the middle of the action/mystery and having a dad who is a recovering alcoholic, Sam not necessarily being an a_hole like his profiteering developer dad, but who clearly has a secret (possibly queer). Marisol, with her social anxiety, felt the most interesting to me, but I got to spend the least amount of time with her. The characters had potential but their conversations and personalities lacked spark.
I do hope the author keeps writing though because there is definite potential and I think a lot of teens would really enjoy reading a book like this with characters like these.
This can be read as a stand-alone, but it does continue the adventures of the characters from Five Midnights and I think it might help to have read the first book first (which according to the bookjacket garnered some terrific reviews from the likes of Book Riot, Bustle, and Kirkus), so that the reader is more invested in the characters and their stories.
I stopped reading around page 95 (between 2/5 and 1/2 of the story); the action/suspense was fine but I didn't really care much about the characters, which clearly had backstories but seemed a bit flat to me--Javier and his jealousies and insecurities when his girlfriend (Lupe) talks to the rich gringo (Sam), Lupe's always wanting to be in the middle of the action/mystery and having a dad who is a recovering alcoholic, Sam not necessarily being an a_hole like his profiteering developer dad, but who clearly has a secret (possibly queer). Marisol, with her social anxiety, felt the most interesting to me, but I got to spend the least amount of time with her. The characters had potential but their conversations and personalities lacked spark.
I do hope the author keeps writing though because there is definite potential and I think a lot of teens would really enjoy reading a book like this with characters like these.
July 1, 2022
I loved the first book in this series and, hope there's a third.
This one started off great. Creepy. Setting the tone.
Puerto Rico isn't just a beautiful island. It's a beautiful island rich in culture, history and home to many beautiful people. I also liked the timeliness of the subplot. The gentrification taking place.
But the creepiness factor is interrupted by Lupe and her annoying shenanigans.
I didn't care for Lupe too much in the first book. The feeling remains the same. Mainly in the way she deals with Javier and, the fact that she doesn't seem very self aware. I like the fact that she plays detective and that she likes anything horror. That's about where it ends.
So your boyfriend is angry at you hanging out with the Sam (son of one of the very people taking over the place he calls home). Instead of trying to put things in perspective? She gets angry. She is often angry. Not saying Javier is right. They both could have done a better job of communicating (even though they are in their teens). But she has no clue what it's like to live there. Much less after a category 5 storm. Then, just trying to survive while the wealthy take over. Plus she knew Sam for what? Two days? She's headstrong and that's not a bad thing. Her character tends to want to fight over every little thing without ever analyzing. Without ever apologizing.
Loved Mari this go around. I also knew Carlo's secret from the beginning.
The creepy parts were great but too few far between.
I would love a threequel with more scares and Lupe change/growth.
3.5 stars
This one started off great. Creepy. Setting the tone.
Puerto Rico isn't just a beautiful island. It's a beautiful island rich in culture, history and home to many beautiful people. I also liked the timeliness of the subplot. The gentrification taking place.
But the creepiness factor is interrupted by Lupe and her annoying shenanigans.
I didn't care for Lupe too much in the first book. The feeling remains the same. Mainly in the way she deals with Javier and, the fact that she doesn't seem very self aware. I like the fact that she plays detective and that she likes anything horror. That's about where it ends.
So your boyfriend is angry at you hanging out with the Sam (son of one of the very people taking over the place he calls home). Instead of trying to put things in perspective? She gets angry. She is often angry. Not saying Javier is right. They both could have done a better job of communicating (even though they are in their teens). But she has no clue what it's like to live there. Much less after a category 5 storm. Then, just trying to survive while the wealthy take over. Plus she knew Sam for what? Two days? She's headstrong and that's not a bad thing. Her character tends to want to fight over every little thing without ever analyzing. Without ever apologizing.
Loved Mari this go around. I also knew Carlo's secret from the beginning.
The creepy parts were great but too few far between.
I would love a threequel with more scares and Lupe change/growth.
3.5 stars
April 14, 2020
CATEGORY FIVE is an excellent YA mystery paranormal novel so engaging, I found myself lost in the prose, not a boring moment. The story’s twists took me by surprise. There’s so much to like, but the main aspect is mixing genres–paranormal and mystery. And the folklore!
The book is set in a luscious tiny island in Puerto Rico, one that has just suffered the wrath of category five hurricane María. Dead, unemployment, and a feeling of frustration reign the island. All of this is portrayed in such a way, that we, the reader, feel like we’re there, suffering with the protagonists.
Overall, CATEGORY FIVE’s engaging prose, crazy twists, and genre mix makes it a must read, and an excellent escape from everyday’s life, mainly in these incredible times we live right now.
More on my blog: https://gerardowrites.wordpress.com/2...
The book is set in a luscious tiny island in Puerto Rico, one that has just suffered the wrath of category five hurricane María. Dead, unemployment, and a feeling of frustration reign the island. All of this is portrayed in such a way, that we, the reader, feel like we’re there, suffering with the protagonists.
Overall, CATEGORY FIVE’s engaging prose, crazy twists, and genre mix makes it a must read, and an excellent escape from everyday’s life, mainly in these incredible times we live right now.
More on my blog: https://gerardowrites.wordpress.com/2...
May 23, 2020
¡Puertorro en la casa! este libro se enfoca en Vieques, en su historia, su gente, y en su relación con la Marina de los Estados Unidos. Ann conecta la narrativa con un Puerto Rico pos María, donde los personajes—unos más que otros—navegan ese trauma. a medida que leía, recordaba yo cosas...y cosas que no tengo que recordar, pues las vivo todos los días a mayor o menor escala. los capítulos son cortos y se leen rápido, lo cual a mí me gusta mucho en libros. me quedo pensando en cosas no dichas en el libro, momentos en que me hubiese gustado ver a los personajes en sus monólogos internos. hay una escena al final que yo dije o.m.g. pienso mucho en esa escena, en lo no dicho también. sé que este libro comenzará muchas conversaciónes, y que continuará muchas que ya hay. Por un Vieques de/para viequenses, por un Vieques con ecosistemas saludables. [leí un eARC]
October 25, 2020
YA supernatural, mystery/thriller - I didn’t realize this was the second in a series, but you don’t need to read the other one to enjoy this one.
A series or murders occurring in post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico are plaguing the small island of Vieques. The police chief and his niece set out to solve them. They stumble onto a supernatural haunting, zombies from the 1928 hurricane, sketchy land grabs from the 1940s US naval installation and a more recent hotel investment.
This one read a bit young for me, and it felt a bit Scooby-Dooish! (Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Scooby-Doo, but this is definitely more middle grades!)
This was an easy read and I had a long week, so it was perfect timing. There were several historical and current event references that would make this an interesting read for young folks to serve as conversation starters.
A series or murders occurring in post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico are plaguing the small island of Vieques. The police chief and his niece set out to solve them. They stumble onto a supernatural haunting, zombies from the 1928 hurricane, sketchy land grabs from the 1940s US naval installation and a more recent hotel investment.
This one read a bit young for me, and it felt a bit Scooby-Dooish! (Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Scooby-Doo, but this is definitely more middle grades!)
This was an easy read and I had a long week, so it was perfect timing. There were several historical and current event references that would make this an interesting read for young folks to serve as conversation starters.
February 15, 2021
A YA supernatural thriller set in post-hurricane Puerto Rico. Sign me up!
Let me start off by saying that the setting, is by far the best part of the book. There is something both heartfelt and fun about a story taking place In post-hurricane Puerto Rico, and It immediately sucked me in. I really loved it! Outside of that, It just needed… more. The supernatural aspect of the story was good, but it needed a bit more to push it over the top. The same could be said about the mystery being investigated, and the character relationships as well. It was all good, but just needed that little bit extra to push it over the top.
I do have to agree that this totally has a Scooby Do vibe to it. To the point that outside of a few details, this might be considered MG instead of YA. That being said, it was a good, easy read that I enjoyed, although I wanted more to let it really stand apart.
Let me start off by saying that the setting, is by far the best part of the book. There is something both heartfelt and fun about a story taking place In post-hurricane Puerto Rico, and It immediately sucked me in. I really loved it! Outside of that, It just needed… more. The supernatural aspect of the story was good, but it needed a bit more to push it over the top. The same could be said about the mystery being investigated, and the character relationships as well. It was all good, but just needed that little bit extra to push it over the top.
I do have to agree that this totally has a Scooby Do vibe to it. To the point that outside of a few details, this might be considered MG instead of YA. That being said, it was a good, easy read that I enjoyed, although I wanted more to let it really stand apart.
July 4, 2020
Interesting premise, but there were logical holes in the plot, coupled with a need for better copy editing that made me drop this to a three star rating. Here are two examples. You have a female protagonist who has spent some amount of time working with her uncle who is an experienced policeman. When she finds a heart in her backpack, instead of alerting him so he could check for fingerprints, she ditches it. Then there's the incident at the grand opening where he sends her to retrieve his backup radio from his vehicle. There's another heart in it. What policeman doesn't lock his vehicle, particularly in a place where there is a big crowd. I did find the ghosts and the history behind what drove them to be quite fascinating.
September 22, 2020
man, i wanted to like this. first of all, goodreads doesn't have this listed as the second book in a series. i didn't realize it was a sequel to five midnights and kept waiting for the author to explain all the references to the events of the previous summer, but the explanation never came. secondly, the switching of narratives was pretty unnecessary, especially because the characters were together a lot of the time. lastly, neither the serial killer plotline nor the supernatural plotline seemed especially strong to me, but it seemed that the supernatural plotline was in this book because of (what i gather were) the events of the previous book. anyway, blah.
May 23, 2020
That took some time to finish.
Thanks net galley for the arc read for a review.
Full review on my blog shortly.
I just could not sit and read this. It was nicely written for the most part. Lupe acting like she does, didn’t cut it for me. Her BF is even worse, that was an awful lot of controlling. I also had to look up some phrases that were in Spanish because I learned French in high school, not Spanish.
I really wanted to give this 4 stars. I will leave it at 3.5.
Www.honestlyhonestreviewsbysarah.blog...
Thanks net galley for the arc read for a review.
Full review on my blog shortly.
I just could not sit and read this. It was nicely written for the most part. Lupe acting like she does, didn’t cut it for me. Her BF is even worse, that was an awful lot of controlling. I also had to look up some phrases that were in Spanish because I learned French in high school, not Spanish.
I really wanted to give this 4 stars. I will leave it at 3.5.
Www.honestlyhonestreviewsbysarah.blog...
November 26, 2020
Here's what I liked - setting post Hurricane Maria, some celebration of Puerto Rican customs, exploration of family & friend relationships when people are full time on the island versus only part of the year. Here's what I didn't like - everything else. The story was convoluted, big leaps of plausibility, bizarrely casual reactions to paranormal activities, and (sorry) awful resolution. I loved the premise but the execution was lacking.
February 20, 2022
Can I give this zero stars? This book could have been a lot better if the author didn’t suffer from TDS. 🤷🏻♀️ Probably won’t buy another book by her. It took away from the story.
August 27, 2021
Category Five is a welcome sequel to the YA Bram Stoker Award nominated Five Midnights (2020) which Ginger Nuts of Horror gave 8/10 when it received its Stoker nod, noting that it was “A highly entertaining supernatural thriller with a convincing and enlightening culturally different setting.” It would have been a very deserved winner. Although this continuation of the story of teenager Lupe, who is half Puerto Rican and half American, is not as strong as the original, it is a very readable sequel, which has the same strong cultural feel of its predecessor. In Five Midnights, Lupe and her friends were stalked by the Puerto Rican version of the bogieman in a novel which had a neat sense of time and place which convincingly blended with the supernatural. Category Five does its best to repeat the same trick but lacks the freshness of the original and as another spooky mystery unfolds, Scooby Doo, Shaggy, and the gang sprang to mind in a story which although has its moments, lacked scares in the supernatural area of the story.
Much of the action takes place on the island of Vieques, not far from the Puerto Rican coast, some months after a devastating category five hurricane. Around the same time, a new holiday resort is being built on the island when strange things begin to happen, weird lights are seen, and before long there are dead bodies, some missing their hearts. Ghostly figures are also sighted which are introduced in a superb prologue. Meanwhile, Lupe is back in Puerto Rica visiting her police chief uncle and the story picks up the developing romance with Javier from the end of the previous novel. Written in the third person, the story moves from Lupe to Javier and their friend Marisol, before long, it looks like Lupe is being targeted by something otherworldly. The supernatural mystery itself was slightly old hat and when revealed the concept will be very familiar to adult readers, however, it worked fine within a less demanding YA context and should hold the attention of teen readers. The strength of the novel was undoubtedly its setting, coupled with its vivid connection to local culture. Lupe was also a great character, unable to speak proper Spanish (and very pale skinned) her search for identity, as a ‘gringa’ with the locals was an enthralling read and was perhaps more engrossing than the supernatural story itself. AGE 13+
Much of the action takes place on the island of Vieques, not far from the Puerto Rican coast, some months after a devastating category five hurricane. Around the same time, a new holiday resort is being built on the island when strange things begin to happen, weird lights are seen, and before long there are dead bodies, some missing their hearts. Ghostly figures are also sighted which are introduced in a superb prologue. Meanwhile, Lupe is back in Puerto Rica visiting her police chief uncle and the story picks up the developing romance with Javier from the end of the previous novel. Written in the third person, the story moves from Lupe to Javier and their friend Marisol, before long, it looks like Lupe is being targeted by something otherworldly. The supernatural mystery itself was slightly old hat and when revealed the concept will be very familiar to adult readers, however, it worked fine within a less demanding YA context and should hold the attention of teen readers. The strength of the novel was undoubtedly its setting, coupled with its vivid connection to local culture. Lupe was also a great character, unable to speak proper Spanish (and very pale skinned) her search for identity, as a ‘gringa’ with the locals was an enthralling read and was perhaps more engrossing than the supernatural story itself. AGE 13+
July 1, 2022
Honestly, it has taken me an entire month to finish this book. For whatever reason, most things about the book felt quite ridiculous or overall uninteresting to me, it was so difficult to bring myself to read it. While I did enjoy learning more of Puerto Rican culture and I liked some aspects of their characters/relationship dynamics, here's what I didn't particularly like about this book:
1. Some of the relationships within this book feel so so forced. For example, there's very very little character building, or chemistry between characters, particularly between Javier & Lupe. I got quite tired of their constant upset and lack of communication over arrogance and ignorance, mostly on Lupe's part. Like many other reviewers, I share quite a distaste for Lupe, which isn't a good look what with her being the main character for the most part.
2. Nothing within the story seems serious. It actually, genuinely feels like a scooby doo episode, like they mentioned multiple times within the book. Every risk, every tragedy, is made out to be so so miniscule. There's quite literally bodies lying dead over the island with their hearts ripped out, and Lupe's referencing The Walking Dead because o-m-g Lupe adores zombies! Oh how she hopes the thing killing these human beings are zombies. It's oh so played out. Its makes all the stakes seem unimportant, therefore leaving no conflict left other than within their own relationship dynamics.
3. The writing felt so so juvenile. I'm 18, and I read young adult novels quite frequently. This book felt more for middle school age, maybe eleven or twelve years old. I understand the characters are meant to be teenage, but characters like Lupe & Javier seem so out of touch and immature, it's extremely frustrating and unengaging. You don't gain much from the writing style, and everything is pretty much said immediately, with very little left up to the imagination or even left implied. It's definitely the most juvenile writing I've read in a while despite the topic being mostly focused on real world issues.
That's what I have to say. Other than that, I'd like to add that I love the diversity in characters, as well as Marisol in particular. She's sick.
1. Some of the relationships within this book feel so so forced. For example, there's very very little character building, or chemistry between characters, particularly between Javier & Lupe. I got quite tired of their constant upset and lack of communication over arrogance and ignorance, mostly on Lupe's part. Like many other reviewers, I share quite a distaste for Lupe, which isn't a good look what with her being the main character for the most part.
2. Nothing within the story seems serious. It actually, genuinely feels like a scooby doo episode, like they mentioned multiple times within the book. Every risk, every tragedy, is made out to be so so miniscule. There's quite literally bodies lying dead over the island with their hearts ripped out, and Lupe's referencing The Walking Dead because o-m-g Lupe adores zombies! Oh how she hopes the thing killing these human beings are zombies. It's oh so played out. Its makes all the stakes seem unimportant, therefore leaving no conflict left other than within their own relationship dynamics.
3. The writing felt so so juvenile. I'm 18, and I read young adult novels quite frequently. This book felt more for middle school age, maybe eleven or twelve years old. I understand the characters are meant to be teenage, but characters like Lupe & Javier seem so out of touch and immature, it's extremely frustrating and unengaging. You don't gain much from the writing style, and everything is pretty much said immediately, with very little left up to the imagination or even left implied. It's definitely the most juvenile writing I've read in a while despite the topic being mostly focused on real world issues.
That's what I have to say. Other than that, I'd like to add that I love the diversity in characters, as well as Marisol in particular. She's sick.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2021
REVIEWED August 1, 2020
Rating: Recommended
Recommended Grade Levels: 9-12
The sequel to Dávila Cardinal's Five Midnights (Tor Teen 2019), this title finds Lupe back in Puerto Rico to spend another summer with her tío (Chief of Police Esteban Dávila) and friends Marisol and Javier. With a gripping, suspenseful opening told largely from the viewpoint of the three teenagers, readers will want to continue through this story with its many twists and turns all the way through its racing conclusion. Once again, Cardinal draws on Puerto Rican paranormal folklore, includes details of the continuing disaster recovery struggle of Puerto Ricans in the wake of Hurricane Maria, and makes excellent use of sprinkling the Spanish language throughout the story to support the setting. By making comparisons between Hurricane Maria and San Felipe II, the author solidifies a strong sense of time and place. The inclusion of strong language is appropriate given the ages of the characters. Adding tension to the story is Lupe's tendency to hold back key details that would help resolve this mystery-thriller that combines grisly murders and zombie-like ghosts that have been unleashed on the island. The story ends with an interesting twist that readers won't see coming. Though this book can stand on its own merits, it will be better appreciated if the series is read in chronological order as there are several references to action in the first book.
Rating: Recommended
Recommended Grade Levels: 9-12
The sequel to Dávila Cardinal's Five Midnights (Tor Teen 2019), this title finds Lupe back in Puerto Rico to spend another summer with her tío (Chief of Police Esteban Dávila) and friends Marisol and Javier. With a gripping, suspenseful opening told largely from the viewpoint of the three teenagers, readers will want to continue through this story with its many twists and turns all the way through its racing conclusion. Once again, Cardinal draws on Puerto Rican paranormal folklore, includes details of the continuing disaster recovery struggle of Puerto Ricans in the wake of Hurricane Maria, and makes excellent use of sprinkling the Spanish language throughout the story to support the setting. By making comparisons between Hurricane Maria and San Felipe II, the author solidifies a strong sense of time and place. The inclusion of strong language is appropriate given the ages of the characters. Adding tension to the story is Lupe's tendency to hold back key details that would help resolve this mystery-thriller that combines grisly murders and zombie-like ghosts that have been unleashed on the island. The story ends with an interesting twist that readers won't see coming. Though this book can stand on its own merits, it will be better appreciated if the series is read in chronological order as there are several references to action in the first book.
January 25, 2024
I HATED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I WISH IT WAS NEVER WRITTEN!
Everything that the characters went through the first book just completely IGNORE all that and make it the most boring and predictable story ever just to give us a lesson or something. I’m from Puerto Rico and was present during Hurricane Maria and this was such a cash grab. I hate everything about Marisol in this book (I don’t care for her).
I’ll never forgive the author for MASSACRING my boy, Javier’s entire arc from last book (he was the only reason the first book was good in the first place). Lupe didn’t deserve him AT ALL.
If I could give this book less this one star I would. idk if this was a blatant cash grab for the actual pain the people endured during Hurricane Maria. The villain was so predictable and the plot was so nonessential it made me laugh.
Save your money and forget this book exits. It’s a shame really because I really wanted to support a Puerto Rican author.
Everything that the characters went through the first book just completely IGNORE all that and make it the most boring and predictable story ever just to give us a lesson or something. I’m from Puerto Rico and was present during Hurricane Maria and this was such a cash grab. I hate everything about Marisol in this book (I don’t care for her).
I’ll never forgive the author for MASSACRING my boy, Javier’s entire arc from last book (he was the only reason the first book was good in the first place). Lupe didn’t deserve him AT ALL.
If I could give this book less this one star I would. idk if this was a blatant cash grab for the actual pain the people endured during Hurricane Maria. The villain was so predictable and the plot was so nonessential it made me laugh.
Save your money and forget this book exits. It’s a shame really because I really wanted to support a Puerto Rican author.
November 22, 2021
This was a very intriguing and a good book it starts of on a small island where murders are happening and a girl named lupe and a guy named javier, and they are in a weird relationship and they go around exploring and a lot of weird things have happened, Lupe and javier are around 16-17 and lupe is from the mainland and this is a very good book it has a lot of very intriguing. This book would probably be best for teens and young adults it is a more simple and easy book to read one thing i did not like is when they would cary on the same thing for 3 chapters and one thing i did like is how well it explained everything, but overall it was a good book and it is a good read if you like murder and crime and paranormal stuff then i would give it a try, it can be a bit boring at parts but is pretty good book overall.
July 8, 2022
This book is great! They should start a new genre called Puerto Rican horror. As someone who lived through Hurricane Maria and it’s aftermath I find the characters extremely relatable and the setting super comforting (besides the ghosts and murders). It’s a great read if you want to understand what happened during those first months post-Maria and even how that changed the island forever. As for the plot I love the horror, murder mystery vibes of this book. It keeps the plot twist waiting for you right until the end. Overall a great book that I highly recommend.
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