“It’s not often that dystopian worlds collide with a murder mystery and a coming-of-age story for teens, but Estrella Chavez Goes to Mystery School Lesson 1: Water tackles some very adult subjects in a manner that lends to its appreciation by young adults.

Estrella’s father was assassinated when she was a baby. Now nearly fifteen, Estrella has been expelled from school for her violent temper. She is banished by her mother to an elite academy that holds only one attraction for Estrella—a seminar known as Mystery School. With an appealing name like that, how could attendance be questionable?

There’s only one problem. Her classmates and peers are descendents of the family that murdered her father. And what she doesn’t know about mysticism, prophecy, blackmail and murder could kill her, too.

L.C. Matherne evolves a compelling saga of Vision Quests, searches for truth, and struggles that move from young adult to adult concerns in a fluid, believable, compelling manner. She takes the time to build “you are there” descriptions into her story to bring Estrella’s discoveries to life:

Estrella watches Margeaux disappear into the oranges and reds of the autumn forest—a pink bird. The fallen leaves and pine needles crunch beneath Estrella’s feet as she picks juniper berries, edible mushrooms, nettles, wild geranium, and yarrow root. She stumbles into a chestnut tree laden with fruit.

She also includes a wry thread of humor in many observations:

Stiffly and silently, the students venture out into the forest. Estrella hoists her empty backpack onto her shoulder and studies her list. As Amaka passes her, she whispers, “All of this, I do for my people. I have already broken a nail, and there is not even a mirror in the bathroom. Now, I brave these woods. I will return victorious.” Her petite frame disappears into the woods.

With an exceptionally powerful sense of place and purpose, the story evolves in unexpected directions that young adults (and many an adult reader) won’t see coming as Estrella navigates uncertain territory physically, psychically, and emotionally to step into her strengths.

Libraries interested in teen reads that bust genres in satisfying ways to intersect mystery, mythology, dystopian futures, and coming-of-age quandaries will relish how deeply and provocatively Estrella Chavez Goes to Mystery School builds its characters and plot.

Replete with the unexpected and an appealing hero whose world teeters between family interactions and scenarios and the unexpected, Estrella Chavez Goes to Mystery School Lesson 1: Water is a powerful winner that proves hard to put down and easy to relish.”

-Midwest Book Review

“Estrella Chavez Goes To Mystery School: Lesson 1 - Water is a YA fantasy blending boarding school drama, teenage turmoil and environmental activism. There is a nice amount of world building and political complexities. The world created by the author is very easy to imagine in your mind, the elemental aspects definitely make it unique and interesting. Where it was a little harder for me was with the pacing, it felt off at times due to how densely packed the narrative is. There are so many layers to uncover that I felt like some parts dragged for me.

Estrella is a very explosive and fierce character. Her emotions are strong, she feels them entirely which makes her highly relatable. I did feel sometimes that Estrella spoke in a more mature way than her age so sometimes that felt a little off for me. I enjoyed following her journey and growth throughout the novel.

Overall, this was a decent YA fantasy read with a rich world and a unique premise. Fans of magic meets politics will definitely enjoy this one! A good start to the series which hopefully only improves from here on out.”

-@honeybee.reads

“I found Estrella Chavez Goes to Mystery School quite a mixed-genre book because of the multiple themes it crosses. I was honestly expecting an epic magic system or something in the vein of Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, but the ‘magic’ element is used rather thinly.

What I liked about the book is the sense of seriousness the author manages to create around the global water crisis, and how some capitalists aim to exploit it while others work tirelessly to make clean water accessible to all. Glouton is one such elite school, where the children of the world’s most influential leaders study with the goal of creating a better future and solving the water shortage crisis.

I have mixed feelings about the book, though, because it felt a bit all over the place. I went in expecting more magic, but the story significantly focuses on high school drama—hormonal teenagers, parties, and friendships. It definitely has a light setting and plot, and is most suitable for young readers who are new to fantasy fiction. One thing that certainly didn't work for me is that there are too many characters in this book that somehow result in taking the time or light from some main characters in their character development phase. I won't say overwhelming but it could have been much better if there were just a few handful of characters and more magic. But it makes sense if the author might be holding it back for the sequel.

I found the last 20% of the book the most interesting, when Dr. Mather dives deep into the existence of the Angelai and Dominai, and how crucial Estrella and her friends are to a greater purpose. It doesn’t end with a cliffhanger, but it certainly sets up a potential sequel where Estrella will explore her powers and fight Dominai alongside her friends.”

-@thelectoremandbooks

“YA fantasy isn’t typically my genre, but I went into this one with an open mind. There are a lot of characters thrown at you in the beginning and it did become a little confusing to keep track of who was who.

But the action and drama was definitely there! Once Estrella went to the magic mystery school, the story started to come together and twists were unraveled. This world was very immersive and kept me intrigued. I do think the book could have benefited from having less characters and more development on the key characters.

Overall a compelling book with a little bit of everything: murder, some romance, magic, coming of age and political drama.”

-@pageslovedbyali

“Estrella Chavez Goes to Mystery School is an ambitious YA fantasy that blends eco-political intrigue with mystical elements and coming-of-age drama. The premise is compelling—Estrella, the daughter of a slain revolutionary, is thrust into a boarding school filled with secrets, supernatural forces, and the very people tied to her father's death. There's a lot going on: kung fu, cryptic codes, cosmic battles, and a cast of diverse characters including a Jewish African princess and the daughter of a rock star.

While the world-building is imaginative and the themes are bold, the execution feels uneven. The story juggles murder, romance, prophecy, and blackmail, but sometimes at the expense of clarity and pacing. Estrella’s journey is emotionally charged, yet her character development can feel inconsistent, and some plot points are hard to follow or overly dramatic.

That said, the book has heart and a unique voice. Readers who enjoy layered fantasy with a strong social message may find it worth exploring, even if it doesn’t fully deliver on its potential.”

-@gracey_reads

“This book reads like... like an onion. With many layers to peel back. As you peel one layer away, there is more. And more. And more.

First, you will think this is a fantasy book for younger readers. But then, as you read, you see it might not really be the kids' book you initially thought it was going to be.

But then… The rise of capitalism and the scary consequences? Check! In this book!

Global climate issues? Check! In this book!

And then, school drama? Check, also in this book!

Some magic? Yep, also present, but nowhere near as much as I expected. Check!

A touch of romance? Also present, check!

Overall, I feel like this might be THE perfect read for teens and older teens who are looking for books with more substance than just action and cute magic. The book is filled to the brim with self-discovery, empowerment, and the blending of the mystical with everyday challenges. This is a story that feels cinematic in scope, complete with vibrant characters and immersive settings, and the best part - it's part one. There are more!”

-@this.human.reads

“Estrella Chavez’s family knew she was special from the moment she was born. But the violent loss of her father at a young age changed not only those around her, but who Estrella was to become as well. Now on the cusp of turning fifteen, a lot is about to change again in Estrella’s life, whether she’s ready or not.

A teen tomboy with a temper, Estrella’s family enrolls her in Glouton, an elite school for the rich and powerful. Estrella has no desire to go to Glouton, but is intrigued by one of its classes- Mystery School taught by Dr. Saul Mather. Although she knows this class will teach her a lot about who she is, it’s the relationships she forms that really give her insight to her past, present and future.

Estrella Chavez Goes to Mystery School: Lesson 1–Water is the first installment in a new fantasy franchise. The environmentally conscious subplot is also an interesting spin on the genre. Giving Harry Potter meets Gossip Girl vibes, it also sets the stage for more drama and intrigue to come. While there are a lot of characters and connections to keep track of, this is to be somewhat expected when getting in the swing of a new series. However, Estrella herself is a sassy yet strong female who will likely reel in the right reader.”

-@purrfectpages