Cover Reveal: Cece Rios and The Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! We made it through another week and I’m not above celebrating even the smallest victories right now so – Hooray! Another reason to celebrate? We have an absolutely gorgeous new cover to reveal on Pop! Goes The Reader today featuring the work of one of my favourite artists, Mirelle Ortega!

Coming to a bookstore and library near you in April 2021 from HarperCollins Children’s Books, Cece Rios and The Desert of Souls is a middle grade book written by debut author, Kaela Rivera. This #OwnVoices novel is inspired by stories told by Rivera’s grandfather about his experience growing up in early 1900’s Mexico. The author drew on both Mexican folklore and ancient legend to craft this exciting and heartfelt adventure that has been described as being perfect for fans of Zoraida Cordova’s Labyrinth Lost and S. Jae-Jones’ Wintersong.

Please read on to learn more about Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls, including an exclusive cover reveal and an opportunity for seven winners to win 1 of 7 beautiful and unique Cece Rios-themed handmade prizes created by the author!



About Kaela Rivera

Kaela Rivera was raised to believe in will-o’-the-wisps and el chupacabra, but even ghost stories couldn’t stop her from reading in the isolated treetops, caves, and creeks of Tennessee’s Appalachian forests.

She still believes in the folktales of her Mexican-American and British parents, but now she writes about them from the adventure-filled mountains of the Wild West. When she’s not crafting stories, she’s using her English degree from BYU–I as an editor for a marketing company (or secretly doodling her characters in the margins of her notebook).

Her biggest hope is to highlight and explore the beauty of cultural differences — and how sharing those differences can bring us all closer.

Author Links: WebsiteTwitterInstagramFacebookGoodreads



Cover design by Catherine Lee, Cover illustration by Mirelle Ortega


Title Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls
Author Kaela Rivera
Intended Target Audience Middle Grade
Publication Date April 2021
Find It On Goodreads

Living in the remote town of Tierra del Sol is dangerous — especially in the criatura months, when powerful spirits break free from their home in Devil’s Alley to threaten humankind. But Cecelia Rios has always believed there was more to the criaturas who roamed the desert, much to her family’s disapproval. After all, it’s common knowledge that only brujas — humans who capture and control criaturas – consort with the spirits, and brujeria is a terrible crime.

When her older sister, Juana, is kidnapped by El Sombrerón, a powerful dark criatura, everyone in town believes she’s lost forever. But Cece is determined to bring Juana back. To get into Devil’s Alley, though, she’ll have to become a bruja herself — while hiding her quest from her parents, her town, and the other brujas. Thankfully, the legendary criatura Coyote has a soft spot for humans, and agrees to help her on her journey. With him at her side, Cece sets out to reunite her family — and maybe even change what it means to be a bruja along the way.


As a special, added bonus, Kaela has been kind enough to offer seven lucky winners the opportunity to enter to win 1 of 7 beautiful and unique Cece Rios-themed handmade prizes created by Kaela herself! Prizes will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis and winners will select their choice of prize contingent on availability.

Prizes For U.S. Residents (Click for photos)
1. Size 3 Hand-Painted Shoes
2. Small Hand-Painted Terracotta Pot

Prizes For U.S. and Canadian Residents (Click for photos)
1. Necklace
2. Necklace
3. Necklace
4. Necklace
5. Coin Purse

a Rafflecopter giveaway


2 Responses

  1. What a sweet cover! Proud to say I knew Kaela and loved her writing long before her first book! I can’t wait to buy her book and read Cece’s story!

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Hi! I’m Jen! I’m a thirty-something introvert who loves nothing more than the cozy comfort of home and snuggling my two rescue cats, Pepper and Pancakes. I also enjoy running, jigsaw puzzles, baking and everything Disney. Few things bring me more joy than helping a reader find the right book for them!

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