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hakimbriki's review
4.0
Zero Saints is the kind of book that bitch-slaps you across the face time and again. Intense and gritty from start to finish, it keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you wish it were way, way, way longer.
Gabino Iglesias is one innovative, funny and clever author who fleshes out his characters with brio. I for one cared a whole lot about them, and was very sad to leave the world that Gabino created.
Gabino Iglesias is one innovative, funny and clever author who fleshes out his characters with brio. I for one cared a whole lot about them, and was very sad to leave the world that Gabino created.
ncarter5069's review
5.0
Zero Saints is as if The Boondock Saints stepped into the barrio and proceeded to be stomped to death by los demonios para Santa Muerte... I probably just butchered Spanish there but this book was badass, a gritty read that still maintained introspective quality and wasn't stereotypical. great work.
srhhelm's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
breadandmushrooms's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ktindol's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nerdymamabooks's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
2kerrymehome's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Horror is what I was hoping for, noir is what I got. if you read it, know that a solid 1/3 of the book is in Spanish (I'm not fluent, and with context & a decent bank of familiar words, estaba bien).
Here are all the new words I learned:
culero- asshole
pinche- lousy/stupid (intensifier, often before an insult)
cabron- bastard
malador- evildoer
balas- bullets
matón- thug
asesino- murderer
maldita perra- fucking bitch
coño- cunt
As someone who has only learned Spanish from polite people, the vocab lesson alone was worth 3 stars. All my life I've been paranoid I sound like a doofus in Spanish and now I will sound like a doofus who will nod knowingly when someone insults her.
I am glad I read this book because Nando's mind is so different than mine.
The machismo and violence was really over the top (a fascinating vacation, but I wouldn't want to live there).
Nando was transparent and impulsive, and the writing style matched that. But I wish we got a more complex picture of the characters internally. Nobody seemed to have any contradictions or internal conflict to work through- they thought something and immediately did it, and had no regrets or second thoughts.
Read if you want a Tarantino movie in your brain in Spanish.
Here are all the new words I learned:
culero- asshole
pinche- lousy/stupid (intensifier, often before an insult)
cabron- bastard
malador- evildoer
balas- bullets
matón- thug
asesino- murderer
maldita perra- fucking bitch
coño- cunt
As someone who has only learned Spanish from polite people, the vocab lesson alone was worth 3 stars. All my life I've been paranoid I sound like a doofus in Spanish and now I will sound like a doofus who will nod knowingly when someone insults her.
I am glad I read this book because Nando's mind is so different than mine.
The machismo and violence was really over the top (a fascinating vacation, but I wouldn't want to live there).
Nando was transparent and impulsive, and the writing style matched that. But I wish we got a more complex picture of the characters internally. Nobody seemed to have any contradictions or internal conflict to work through- they thought something and immediately did it, and had no regrets or second thoughts.
Read if you want a Tarantino movie in your brain in Spanish.
venbear3's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25