9 Books to Continue the Magical Realism of Encanto

A story of magic and family secrets. No, we are not talking about Encanto. This is a spellbinding tale about the Montoya family who search for the truth behind their inheritance from their mystical matriarch after acquiring powers that come with burdens (heavier than Luisa could even carry) taking them to Ecuador and to the past. Imagine a mash-up (in the best way) of Mexican Gothic and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue with a touch of The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin.

Taking place after the Mexican War of Independence, Isabel Cañas’ supernatural debut is an atmospheric and spine tingling story of witchcraft and a house with dark powers that’s perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova. Our recommendation: Keep the lights on. We can’t wait for the next book from Cañas! 

This newest winner of the Newbery Medal follows Petra Peña, who wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller like her abuelita, much like how Mirabel wants to make her Abuela Alma proud. But the earth gets destroyed by a comet and so starts this story, sprinkled with Mexican folklore, through space and time.

Drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history, this vibrant book follows Ximena who, like the Madrigals, has a magical ability of spinning thread from moonlight. Using her ability and her thirst for revenge, Ximena works to carry out her mission of overthrowing those who hold power over her.

Encanto has heavy themes of acceptance within oneself and within family and so does this groundbreaking (or housebreaking) book. When Yadriel’s traditional Latinx family is unwilling to accept his gender, he takes it upon himself to prove he is a real brujo, performing a ritual that summons Julian, setting off a romantic string of events.

Set in a world straight out of Argentine folklore, Manuela is an undocumented immigrant on the run from her father’s crime-family. Until she uncovers her own story and traces her real heritage to a cursed city in Argentina. A tale of identity and adventure, this book has all the aspects that made us fall in love with Encanto.

A romance that is sure to rival that of Delores and Mariano. Nina is a young debutante looking to elevate her social status but struggles to hide her psychic abilities. Then, she meets Hector. Hector is a dashing telekinetic performer who helps her fight against the conformity that prevails in the regency-era society.

Casiopea Tun, a heroine with enough grit to rival Mirabel, accidentally frees the spirit of the Mayan god of death, spurring a life-changing journey to help the god in exchange for a life she can call her own. From the jungles of Yucatán to the bright lights of Mexico City, even the Mayan underworld, this one-of-a-kind fairy-tale takes on tradition and change.

Set in Argentina, this is the story of a young woman who starts eating earth — a compulsion that gives her visions of broken and lost lives. Disturbed by what she sees, the woman keeps her visions to herself. This may sound a lot like Bruno, but this is a much more darker tale, told from a feminist perspective that brilliantly explore the stories of those left behind.