Witchy, spooky, a perfect autumnal read! This was a long graphic novel, containing a rich, full story with more detail than graphic novels often do, that was also exciting and readable at a very fast pace. There was a lot going on, a lot of characters and information, but it was all really well done and easy to follow. Atmospheric, exciting and action packed, but with a simultaneous rich exploration of relationships. ( )

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss.)

When Mari's abuela passes away, her mother reluctantly brings her and her younger sister Ana to the family's estate in Estrella Roja for the funeral. Mari was born in this small Texas town, as was her mother, Yolanda, and generations of Castillo women before them. But when Mari was just seven, her mother moved them to Loredo, and mostly cut off contact with that side of the family. Until now.

Along with her bestie, Clem Guibeaux, Kat Fields hosts a podcast called Paranormal Texas. On the cusp of spring break, she receives a mysterious email, entreating her to investigate the red lights that shine over the hills of Estrella Roja. With nothing but her trusty car and a whole lot of moxie, Kat drives the five hours to Estrella Roja to investigate. Solo. (Cue ominous slasher music.)

That is, until her path collides with Mari's. Bored and feeling iced out by her extended family, Mari is eager to help the cute new girl - and fellow outsider - track down cryptids and aliens. Neither of which are real. Right?

THE HILLS OF ESTRELLA ROJA is equal parts cute and creepy. The story takes a little while to get rolling, but the second half is well worth the wait. The delightfully macabre mystery unravels at a leisurely pace, as we're treated to a hundred-year-old mass murder spree (and the women who were supposedly behind it); Lechuzas, shapeshifting, child-eating witches who can take the form of an owl; a mysterious cave decorated with human skeletons; and monsters straight out of Mari's nightmares. The artwork is amazing, and Franklin especially excels at giving form to the Big Bads (and not-so-Bads) of the story. The Lechuzas and pit creatures are *chef's kiss*.

ESTRELLA ROJA is also queer - and diverse - AF and I am so here for it. The representation is great, and Mari and Kat are so adorable together. I hope this isn't the last we see of them - not to mention Clem, Isabel, Liliana, Yolanda, Alma, Ana, and the rest of the Castillo clan. ( )

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This is such a good graphic novel! The first thing I noticed was that this novel is much longer than the standard graphic novel, and I am so glad for it. The length really gives the story space to breathe, in both fleshing out its characters and keeping up the suspense and mystery. Kat is the co-host of a podcast called Paranormal Texas, and after receiving an email tip about a mysterious small town out in the middle of nowhere called Estrella Roja, she goes to investigate. While Kat is on her way to Estrella Roja, the other main character, Mari, is headed there too. She is going back to Estrella Roja, the town she was born in, to attend the funeral of her Abuela. Both girls discover that the townsfolk aren't too keen on outsiders, and the Castillo family is downright hostile. I really enjoyed both main characters and how they were written! Kat is bubbly and loud, whilst Mari is calmer and quieter, but they work together in an excellent way. I do like that they're both opposite but similar at the same time. Watching them unravel the mystery of Estrella Roja was a treat. I also liked that while they both wanted the truth, they were for different reasons. Mari, to know the truth of her past and her family's past, and for Kat to know why Estrella Roja is how it is today. The ending was so good! I really loved the twists and reveals, and how it made everything that happened in prior chapters click into place. I also adore that a vast majority of the cast is queer! Being able to read a spooky paranormal story whilst also having a diverse and queer cast is so nice. ( )