On the Wings of la Noche

By: Vanessa L. Torres

Narrated by: Frankie Corzo

Noche is a Lechuza by night, an ethereal jet-black owl who guides the dead to the after. Except now, Noche cannot bring herself to escort her dead girlfriend, whose soul is fading the harder Noche holds on—an aching romance about first and second loves and finding the strength to let go.

A New York Public Library Best Book of 2025
An International Latino Award Gold Medal Winner
A Pura Belpré Author Award Winner

“A spellbinding, hauntingly beautiful story that weaves together love, loss, and the supernatural.”
—AIDEN THOMAS, New York Times bestselling author of The Sunbearer Trials and The Cemetery Boys

Death waits for Estrella (Noche) Villanueva. In her human form, she is a lonely science girl grieving the tragic accidental drowning of her girlfriend, Dante Fuentes. At night, she is a Lechuza who visits her dead girlfriend at the lake, desperate for more time with her. The longer Dante’s soul roams the earth, the more likely it is that she will fade into the unknown, lost forever, but Noche cannot let go . . .

That’s when a new kid comes to town, Jax, another science nerd like Noche. They connect in a way she can’t ignore, seemingly pulled together by an invisible thread. For the first time, Noche begins to imagine a life without Dante. As Noche’s heart begins to beat for two people, her guilt flares. Then, she finds herself at risk of losing both Jax and Dante, and Noche is forced to question her purpose as a lechuza and everything she has ever believed in.

Critic reviews

"A spellbinding, hauntingly beautiful story that weaves together love, loss, and the supernatural."
—AIDEN THOMAS, New York Times bestselling author of The Sunbearer Trials and The Cemetery Boys


"A haunting and immersive masterpiece.”
—EMILY J. TAYLOR, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique and The Otherwhere Post


"An absolute master class in storytelling.”
—ANGELA MONTOYA, author of Sinner’s Isle and A Cruel Thirst


★ "This tearjerker by Torres is exceptional in its meditation on grief, healing, and the pain of moving on. Its poignant and in-depth portrayal of teenage love is sure to win readers’ hearts."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review


★ "This folklore-inspired story is sure to captivate anyone who has experienced loss and looked for hope."
—Booklist, starred review


"A lyrical, tender, and insightful exploration of death, love, and the Mexican American experience."
—Kirkus Reviews


"Readers who like some morbidity and body horror in their life-affirming grief books will find plenty to chew on here."
—The Bulletin


"This emotional tale....is a poignant and meaningful exploration of life, love, and what comes afterward.”
—Paste Magazine


"A haunting tale that mixes in supernatural and paranormal themes with what it means to love once more after losing a special someone."
—School Library Journal

Great original story!!

What a great original story! V. Torres tells a visual story of, " Noche" a shape shifting owl who delivers the dead to the afterlife. Love, death and friendship takes you on a journey of laughter, sadness and love. Reader did well through this book, agreat voice.

JP