Review of Fate of La Niña

[Onyinyechi Obi]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Fate of La Niña" by Debra Ann Ristau.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

A gripping thriller with a delightful fiction element, "Fate of La Niña" carries readers on an immersive journey filled with drama, peril, and suspense. The narrative centers on Detective Chuck Reynolds, a former police officer with a keen sense of danger, as he makes his way through the perilous world of narcotics, gangs, and the extent to which people will go to protect those they love.

Characters come to life on the pages as Debra Ann Ristau skillfully crafts a complex web of motivations and interactions. A sympathetic lead character, Detective Chuck Reynolds, works hard to protect a specific Patsy and her daughter from the mischievous activities of the infamous Norteños gang. Although the first portion of the book implies that Monterey County was quite peaceful, Chuck was all too aware that trouble was developing elsewhere when things grew too calm.

To inquire on Patsy and her daughter, Chuck gives her a call. Patsy's kid brought her a letter that filled her with fear. It was a letter proving she had been discovered in the hiding area Chuck had set her up a few years prior. Chuck was alerted to this by Patsy, and being the danger-aware person that he is, Chuck asked Patsy to leave their house that evening. Chuck risked his life to help Patsy and her daughter through their difficult journey, escorting them from their previously concealed home to a safe place in Modesto and then on to Ibiza. Through the course of the book, readers will find themselves cheering for Chuck's achievement because of his steadfast loyalty and inventiveness.

The supporting cast is well-developed, with individual motivations and backstories. Patsy, a strong character that evokes empathy in the reader, is a woman fleeing her violent ex-boyfriend Sergio and his gang. The story gains a sense of innocence from her daughter Alicea, which increases the readers' empathy for their predicament. A supernatural element is added to the story by Blanca, the guardian angel who keeps an eye on Alicea and Patsy. She presents both hopeful and unsettling moments.

The book delves into a variety of intriguing subjects, such as sacrifice and defense. Detective Chuck Reynolds' incredible sense of duty to protect Patsy and her daughter Alicea from the incredibly dangerous Norteños gang is evident. Chuck puts his own life in danger and makes personal sacrifices out of a commitment to protect them. As a mother, Patsy also demonstrates her readiness to give up everything in order to protect her child. The theme emphasizes the extreme lengths people will go to in order to safeguard those they hold dear and those with whom they have a close bond. Sergio and the other characters in the novel serve as vehicles for exploring the concept of redemption. As a former member of the Norteños gang and Patsy's ex-boyfriend, Sergio is attempting to atone for his previous transgressions by helping Patsy and Alicea leave his own gang. In his post-death duty as a guardian angel, his atonement is further examined. The concept of good against evil is introduced by the existence of spiritual or supernatural entities such as demons and guardian angels. The guardian angel Blanca stands for kindness, safety, and composure in the face of adversity. The evil and perilous powers that threaten the book's protagonists are symbolized by the demons, among them Chax. The book's presentation of the good versus evil topic emphasizes the importance of making the right decision as well as the ongoing conflict between good and evil.

The majority of the story takes place in America, most especially in California. It then moves to Ibiza, Spain, where Patsy and her daughter established new identities and lives. The story takes place in or around 2022, a few years following the COVID-19 pandemic. For readers who appreciate fast-paced novels, paranormal fiction, and crime thrillers I will rate this book five out of five stars. The book was exceptionally edited.

******
Fate of La Niña
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon