How to Read Desideria Mesa’s Books
If you want to experience the spellbinding magic and grit of 1920s Kansas City, the recommended starting point is simple. Desideria Mesa’s fiction is centered on her Bindle Punk series, a historical fantasy duology. Because the story follows a continuous character arc and escalating stakes, you should read them in order of release.
Recommended Reading Order: Bindle Punk Series
The primary reading path for the series follows the chronological publication sequence. Follow Luna Alvarado’s double life through these two novels:
- Bindle Punk Bruja (2022)
- Bindle Punk Jefe (2024)
Publication History & Series Breakdown
Bindle Punk Bruja (2022)
This debut novel introduces Luna Alvarado, a Mexican-American earth witch (bruja) living in Prohibition-era Kansas City. To survive and build her dream of owning an underground jazz club, she passes as a white woman named Rose Lane. Luna must navigate treacherous alliances with bootleggers, corrupt officials, and the KKK, all while keeping her magical heritage hidden.
Bindle Punk Jefe (2024)
The high-stakes sequel picks up after the events of the first book. Having protected her community from immediate threats, Luna/Rose faces new adversaries who target her business and family. To protect her reputation and her speakeasy, she maintains a marriage of convenience with her best friend Heck, while struggling to keep her magic secret and her personal relationships from collapsing.
Short Stories and Anthology Contributions
Beyond her main novels, Desideria Mesa is a poet and storyteller who has contributed to several collections. If you are looking for more of her writing, you can check out these works:
- Crow Calls: Volume Five (2023) - Mesa contributed poetry to this anthology collection published by Quill & Crow Publishing House. She has also contributed to other volumes in the series, such as Renascentem: Crow Calls Volume VI.
- Good Housekeeping (2022) - Mesa published a personal essay titled "In My Family, Home is Where the Magic Is," exploring the family lore and cultural history that inspire her fiction.
What to Know Before You Start
Mesa’s stories are deeply inspired by her grandparents' real-world stories and the Mexican boxcar communities of Kansas City. She masterfully weaves historical struggles—such as racism, sexism, and labor history—with Mexican folklore and earth magic. Reading the books in order is highly recommended, as Bindle Punk Jefe builds directly on the political conflicts and relationships established in Bindle Punk Bruja.