Playing for the Devil's Fire
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2016
232
Novel • Fiction
Mexico • Contemporary
2016
YA
14-18 years
HL540L
In Playing for the Devil's Fire by Phillippe Diederich, thirteen-year-old Boli from the small Mexican town of Izayoc, notices unsettling changes in his community while his parents vanish on a trip. As local violence escalates, Boli befriends a washed-up luchador, El Hijo del Santo, hoping they can find his parents and combat the threats engulfing their town. Violence and severed human body parts are included in the story.
Dark
Unnerving
Suspenseful
Emotional
Challenging
194 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Phillippe Diederich's Playing for the Devil's Fire is lauded for its gripping portrayal of a young boy's life in a cartel-dominated Mexican town. Reviewers commend its authenticity, poignant storytelling, and emotional depth. However, some feel the narrative pace can occasionally lag. Overall, it's praised for its raw, compelling depiction of societal struggles and resilience.
A reader who appreciates Playing for the Devil's Fire by Phillippe Diederich enjoys compelling narratives set in Mexico with themes of social justice and resilience. Fans of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros or Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario will find this book engaging and poignant.
194 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
232
Novel • Fiction
Mexico • Contemporary
2016
YA
14-18 years
HL540L
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