4.5 stars

This was so stinkin' cute. Ortega's middle grades always impress me for being so smooth. They make it look effortless. WITCHLINGS is age-appropriate and smart-- it's a middle grade book that is thoughtful in its approach without talking down to its audience, making it also a pleasant experience for any adults reading it as well.

I love how Ortega incorporates adults and parents into their story that also needs them to sometimes be missing. I also liked where this went, thematically, and the Latine influences on the magic. I laughed out loud a number of times at the names of the spells.

Sweet, well-written, fun-- highly recommend for lovers of middle grade fantasy or anyone looking for a good gateway book into middle grade fantasy.