Characters
This elderly healer comes to live with Antonio’s family at the beginning of the novel.
Ultima
This type of bird represents protection and is closely connected to Ultima.
Owl
Antonio feels powerless on his first day of school because he cannot speak the language of authority.
English
In a dream, Antonio witnesses this important moment from his own past.
His birth
The popular 2 number phrase
67 / six seven
Antonio’s parents’ names
Maria & Gabriel
This farming land represents patience, tradition, and the Luna bloodline.
The Luna farm / farmland
Antonio is laughed at for bringing this traditional food for lunch.
Green chili tortillas
Antonio feels responsible for conflict between these two family bloodlines.
Luna and Márez families
What Marvel superhero is known as the "friendly neighborhood" hero?
Spider man
The troubled war veteran who kills the sheriff.
Lupito
This vast grassland represents freedom, restlessness, and the Márez spirit.
The Llano
According to the legend, people were turned into this animal during a drought.
Carp
In one dream, his brothers appear as these large but dying figures.
Giants
In the Wicked movie, Ariana Grande plays this bubbly and popular character who becomes known as the Good Witch.
Glinda
The town drunk who tries to defend Lupito.
Narciso
This statue represents forgiveness and comfort for Antonio.
The Virgin of Guadalupe
This legend explains why eating carp is considered a sin.
The golden carp legend
Antonio worries about the fate of this man’s soul after witnessing his death.
Lupito
This collectible craze featuring ugly‑cute monsters exploded worldwide, leading to long lines and millions of unboxing videos on social media.
Labubu
The friend who tells Antonio the legend of the golden carp.
Samuel
These spinning forces on the llano represent mysterious spiritual power.
Whirlwinds
This promise Antonio makes shows his respect for the golden carp story.
Swearing by the cross never to harm a carp
Antonio struggles to understand why evil exists if this being is just and all-powerful.
God
This rapper’s 2008 song “Maui Wowie” went viral on TikTok in 2025, with users lip-syncing while hanging from street signs, bringing him back into pop culture conversations nearly 17 years later.
Kid Cudi