This is a really tough story to rate. I adored the setting and world building. Only someone familiar with El Paso and that particular part of the world could understand the sense of place and personality that it has. At one point early in the story, there is a description of Christmas on the border that talks about sopapillas, tamales, the sisters of Loretto, and luminarias, all of which are so specific to that area that I have visceral sense memories of them from growing up there.

The story itself was interesting. I enjoyed the idea of magic appearing through generations of women honing their power. I liked the flashbacks to Nena's time in the past, learning to hone her magic and power. 

I wanted to enjoy Marta's portion of the story more than I did. I think my issue was how quickly the storyline seemed to resolve itself - or not. In some ways, it felt more like the story ended without any resolution to what was happening in Marta's case, despite the case and underlying issues being so paramount to who she was and why the development of her powers would be important.

Overall, I loved being transported back to an area so important to my life, and I enjoyed the beauty of the writing itself. I just wanted slightly more from the story.