Juan Pablo and the Butterflies

by J.J. Flowers

After facing problems with a local drug cartel in Mexico, a man and his best friend must flee to California for their freedom and a chance for survival.

In the small town of El Rosario, Mexico’s butterfly sanctuary, drug traffickers begin to take over and disrupt the life of the community. As Juan Pablo’s grandmother, the medicine woman of the town, lies on her deathbed, she tells her grandson that he must follow the migration of butterflies to Pacific Grove, California—to another butterfly sanctuary—where someone will be waiting for him. When Juan Pablo uses one of his grandmother’s poisons on members of the cartel, he and his best friend Rocio must leave for California as soon as they can and follow the butterflies. But is he following the wings of freedom? Or death?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

224 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2017

About the author

Most of JJ Flowers' published books are historical romance novels (Avon Books, Zebra Books,) many of whichactually won awards and one of these awards was almost considered prestigious. She finally stopped being able to write these novels when she began having fantasies of killing off her heroines—in really dreadful ways. Her screenplays have been optioned at Warner Bros., Julian Krainin Productions, Bright Light Pictures among others; She suspects she holds the record for most amount of options! Two of her screenplays have received excellent coverage: The Good Fight, Clarence Darrow’s most compelling case where he successfully defended an African American physician who was falsely accused of murder and a two part miniseries Harriet Tubman: Let My People Go. As the world confronts the refugee and immigration crisis, Juan Pablo showed up to share his story, one that she thinks can offer hope for everyone.

Reviews

[Megan ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This novel was really nicely written, and told a very raw story. I adored the characters, and the plot, and the descriptions were just perfect. However, I'd say that it didn't always hold my interest fully. All in all, I would recommend reading this beautifully written book.

[Nina Rossing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and brutal.

[Kelly (Diva Booknerd)]

It isn't holding my interest unfortunately. May come back to it.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a hard copy of this book in a contest.The story was good and told about the trouble with drug cartels in Mexico. Juan Pablo and his best friend Rocio were trapped in their village, as members of a drug cartel tried to overtake the village. Juan Pablo's grandmother was on her deathbed and as the story opens she dies, because there is no way to get her to a hospital for help. The cartel members are in Rocio's grandfathers cafe demanding food and beverage. They take Rocio and tie her up with the intent to torture and rape her after their meal. In order to save Rocio, Juan Pablo uses some of his grandmother's poisons and kills all of them. When the drug cartel realizes all their man are dead they want to capture, torture and kill those responsible. Juan Pablo and Rocio must flee their butterfly sanctuary village and get to America where the butterflies go.The book tells of their adventures and interactions with the cartel member they call the Hunter. They become separated and at times it seems that their mission to survive is impossible. Good book and good story. I highly recommend it.

[Teenreadsdotcom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juan Pablo’s life is comfortable. He lives in a small town in Mexico with his abuela, his best friend Rocio and her abuelo. Thanks to Khan Academy, he’s ahead of the game academically, but his abuela also provides him with a unique education. Through her, he learns about the different healing powers that the earth provides and how the Sky People help us in difficult times. Within a day, everything changes. His town is raided by a drug cartel and his abuela and Rocio’s abuelo both suddenly die. He’s in a “do or die” situation. He and Rocio are forced to go on the run with the leader of the drug cartel right behind them. Their leader? The butterflies.

First of all, let’s take a moment to appreciate the beautiful cover of JUAN PABLO AND THE BUTTERFLIES. It’s so simple, yet so intriguing and honestly the main reason I was so interested in reading this book. This is J.J. Flowers’ first novel and, unfortunately, you can tell. While it has a promising plot, JUAN PABLO AND THE BUTTERFLIES failed to deliver.

Characters are a big deal in any plot. Without trusted characters, the whole story falls through. Juan Pablo had a lot of great characteristics to him. He’s creative, passionate about art and questions common ideas of philosophy. With Rocio, there was almost no depth. I know nothing about her except that she’s Juan Pablo’s supposed love interest. However, while it was obvious that Juan Pablo and Rocio liked each other as more than just friends, there was no real development that would have indicated that they also loved each other romantically.

Also, I don’t remember Juan Pablo or Rocio’s age. If it was mentioned, I don’t remember it and at times when their age could’ve been mentioned, it wasn’t. I found it really hard to imagine them because of it. Sometimes they were acting like mature 17-year-olds and other times they could’ve been 10.

One of the biggest problems that I had was the story seemed so unrealistic, but not in the way you think. Unfortunately, that are countless situations like Juan Pablo’s happening right now in Mexico. Of course, this is not a reflection of the citizens of Mexico but rather how poverty affects communities. Still, Juan Pablo and Rocio’s journey seemed ridiculous. To name a few events, they hiked across a desert, sailed part of the ocean and went on a cruise.

Still, JUAN PABLO AND THE BUTTERFLIES did a fantastic job at showing circumstances that can lead to undocumented immigrants coming to the United States. Juan Pablo and Rocio were escaping life threatening circumstances and were simply looking for a safe place. The foster system for undocumented children was also highlighted, something that I wasn’t even aware of.

All in all, JUAN PABLO AND THE BUTTERFLIES has its flaws but also shows promises for J.J. Flower’s future work.

Reviewed by Reanna H., Teen Board Member

[Dulce · Rating 2 out of 5]

You cannot write something when you know absolutely nothing about it. It is not okay to pretend to know about a situation and deliver something that is badly put together that it even seems offensive. I dont even know if what I'm saying makes sense but this book is exactly why we need own voices novels, we need these stories to be written by people that have actually lived them or have presenced them. It is not okay to write a novel about events that obviously you didnt care to fully research because most of the details were off!! If you are going to write about a culture that you have never been part of take the time to study their language and to have someone that knows it properly look through your work! Do NOT deliver us a book with non-native spanish.
The language in this story was devastating, the spanish was not even proper and you would think that the main characters would speak proper spanish since they were born and raised in Mexico but hey turns out they know english better than spanish and even ask others to speak to them in english because they cannot understand spanish. Then, the way in which the characters got to America; you cannot give false representation of what crossing illegally to America really is. Most of the details in the story were so wrong that it just made me cringe. The education system, you cant just ditch public school for lessons of Khan Academy in a laptop. Everything was just so constructed conveniently, most of the events did not make any sense. The plot kept taking so many twists and turns that it was impossible to follow.
I was truly let down, there are almost no stories out there that talk about what it means to live in a country consumed by violence and what it means to cross to another country illegally and then we get this one that takes on important topics just to blantly mop them across the floor. Everything was off!! Next time do your research on everything before you decide to write about such important topics!!!!!

[Katherine DeLandri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, striking, and profoundly timely tale of Juan Pablo seeking safety from the cartel and truth about his family in America. Captivating read that was tragic yet heartwarming. Great read, would recommend.

[Shama · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book follows a young boy who is being hunted by a cartel. He is on the run with his childhood best friend. The story arc and the plot are simple. Get to safety. There is a constant hum of adrenaline in the back of your mind as you read this.

However, within that plot, the story lacks complexity. It feels very face value. The parallels and symbolism are spoon fed to you. Instead of creating the mystery that allows a reader to connect points and ideas on their own, they are listed. Instead of allowing the reader to realize that Juan Pablo's intuition may be coming from his grandmother, Flowers tells us that immediately. It makes the book feel bland and choppy. There was also not a lot of setting built up. I found that I had no idea what the setting looked like until a particular element served a purpose. Oh there are cliffs here? I thought we were in open desert. Open desert? When did we leave the woods?

I think this might have worked better as a short story. The book lacks complexity and depth for a full novel, but if edited and constructed a bit differently, the same messages and story could have been delivered more smoothly.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juan Pablo's quiet town, a butterfly sanctuary, has been threatened by Mexican drug dealers. All but a few townsfolk have fled. Juan Pablo has stayed to care for his ill grandmother. His best friend, Rocio, is also still in town with her grandfather who runs a restaurant. At first, all but Rocio's grandfather are hiding as he is forced to prepare the gangsters food and drink, but then Rocio is discovered and her life threatened. Juan Pablo thinks of an idea. His grandmother is a doctor and a healer and has many types of herbs. He has heard of one that makes you sick. He thinks if he can make the men too sick to chase them, they could get away. He puts the drug in their food. Soon, all of the men have died. His grandmother has also died and as the other three prepare her grave and gather to flee, Rocio's grandfather has a heart attack and also dies. Now Juan Pablo and Rocio must run for their lives. Where will they go and can they survive?

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Juan Pablo’s small Mexican town is taken over by violent drug traffickers, he devises a way to escape with his friend Rocio. His journey to America is treacherous, going from one butterfly sanctuary to another, with lots of danger along the way for the two friends. They are being followed by The Hunter, who is the most notorious hit man in two countries. There are a lot of spiritual references to monarch butterflies & the Sky People, who guide Juan Pablo along the way. While it’s an interesting novel, the plot seems to skip around in parts without a smooth transition. This isn’t an easy, or light, read.

[Candi Sary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Juan Pablo and the Butterflies knowing nothing about it. A friend just recommended it. It ended up being quite a special, magical novel! The story is unique and interesting, but it's the underlying spiritual elements that really had me hooked. There is such wisdom and hope in it even as it presents the ugly truth about Mexico's drug cartel. Juan Pablo is a great, memorable character, and I looked forward to every moment that his abuela spoke of the Sky People. This story will stay with me!

[Annie Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book by a friend and I found it magical. I loved Juan Pablo and Rocio's "love" story evolve from childhood and all the hardships of running from the drug lords of Mexico. The author's weaving the story from Juan Pablo's Grandmother, to the Monarch Butterflies and the Sky People, held my interest. Although I did like the book I felt the story a bit contrived and their escape almost unimaginable, as I didn't think the drug cartel would spend all that money and time on a young boy.
I would recommend J.J. Flowers book. She is a gifted author.
Enjoy the Moments

[Fajriy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Juan's hometown in Mexico is no longer safe. He and her neighbour Rocio has to flee to America, following the butterflies, Juan to find his father and Rocio to her mother. They face many obstacles along the way before they finally reach America.

This story has potential and great plot. The involvement of the butterflies to the course of the story makes it interesting. But, since the beginning, it felt like some parts are missing. With clearer characters' background, world building, and connection with Juan's father, this could be an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily read and review a free copy of this book provided via NetGalley.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have never DNFed a book in my life. But this was it. As a Hispanic person the summary of this book intrigued me. But the actual writing of it is so bad. No one who even speaks Spanish and English talks the way characters are written in this book. You immediately get the sense that Juan Pablo has zero Mexican cultural interests, he is written as if too sophisticated for Mexico because he loves classical music. Honestly, a horrible book written by someone who sounds like they've never met a Mexican or Mexican American person in their life.

[Dedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amidst a horrible situation where two Mexican young adults are struggling to make it to America and safety from the vicious drug lords that are trying to find and kill them, there is a bit of magical realism woven into the mix. The writing is beautiful. There are some very intense situations (murder, almost rape, drugs) and quite a few profanities (including the f-word multiple times). The sense of hope that pervades the pages though makes the rough spots bearable.

[Ruth Whitacre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written story, about a young man, Juan Pablo and his escape from a rampant drug cartel, the renowned monarch butterflies' migration to their sanctuary, El Rosario, and the mysterious wisdom of the 'Sky People'.

[Diane Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the untarnished way that Juan Pablo views the world contrasted with the brutal realities that grip society because of drugs & greed. Dealing with tragedy by focusing on the positive and learning to trust that there are people in your path who will help can be empowering.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle story even with some violence. Juan Pablo set the tone for the whole story.

[Crystal Plante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful and full of wisdom. I already want to read this again.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a pretty good book

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasantly cheesy

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the library as a "crossover" novel. Crossover meaning a young adult book that crosses over for an adult read audience. The novel provides page turning chase and escape scenes that keeps the plot going. There is extreme evil and at other moments extreme kindness.

[Samantha Gonzalez]

I think it was a horrible book. This book is set in Mexico. However the kid Juan Pablo, has a iPad in Mexico and can speak English perfectly well. I think that was cringy.

[Cristie Underwood]

This jewel of a novel was quite the surprise for me. I didn't know what to think before reading it and had put it aside a few times before starting to read it. The writing was amazing and raw. I felt for Juan Pablo and Rocio as they ran from the drug cartels. I am so glad that I finally got around to reading this!

[Iffet Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Europeans we forgot or have no idea of the lives of South Americans and why so many flee to the USA. This novel makes it very clear the human cost of lawlessness and gun culture and their impact on the most vulnerable in society.

It is notable that the only adults in the village are grandparents and the men are all in gangs. One explanation we are given is from a boy who tells how he was kept alive only to join the gang otherwise he would die. A horrid choice, luckily he escaped. It is reminiscent of Apartheid, which is the best documented for us to understand the life laid out for Juan Pablo.

Almost all in Juan Pablo's village have run away from the threat of a gang's arrival. Only he and his best friend, Rocio, remain with one grandparent each, who is to ill to leave.

In a bid to get away he accidentally poisons the gang members. Ensue a mad scramble to escape for the teenagers on thier own. Both. Grandparents having passed away. they are guided only by butterflies and JP's grandmother's teachings.

Follow them as they strive to find refuge with her mother and his father in America.

This is a must read for all to understand the plight of those who are still oppressed in this modern age of enlightenment.

I could not put it down but when I did I was reluctant to find out what the next crisis was. Well worthy of reading and debating the cost of conflict and instability around the world.

This was beautifully written and the beliefs conveyed in a very sensitive way. An understanding of Mexican life through JP's memories of his grandmother's teaching is enlightening for the reader.

I was given the novel free by netgalley.com for my fair and honest review.