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mnmooonchild's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Incest and Murder
Moderate: Cannibalism, Death, Rape, Child death, and Classism
blue_guitar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Given the pedigree this book had, I was really looking forward to reading it. I have to same I'm disappointed with it. I certainly didn't hate it but it was a let down for me overall.
The story follows Noemí Taboada, a young socialite in 1950's Mexico City who is sent to investigate her cousin Catalina after a mysterious letter arrived which seemed full of strange tidings. Noemi then ventures to a rural town and a lonely mansion on a hill where her cousin lives with her husband's old English family.
It's a good set up for a classic gothic horror story. Unfortunately, for about half the book, Neomi (and the plot) just kind of putters along. Long sequences of Neomi wandering around. Noticing the fog, the coldness of the family, the ouroborus symbol (a snake that eats it's tail) this is pointed out many, many times.
It wasn't until about the halfway point that the many divergent elements start to come together and pace pick up but honestly, it was near DNF for me. The picking up part felt like a major ramp up, a zero to one hundred and that didn't feel great. For a gothic horror, I wish more clues were given to what was actually happening before the big reveal.
I also wish there was more of Mexico in the book. Initially it seemed like the themes of colonialism was going to play a bigger role, the family in the book are Social Darwinists, but overall and by the end, it seemed to hardly matter that it was set in Mexico.
Finally, the biggest issue is I think with Noemi herself. She's not the most dynamic or interesting character. She always tells us exactly what she thinks and she never really undergoes any change or growth.
Over all, I think Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a good writer - but this book just didn't hit the mark for me.
Graphic: Child death, Body horror, and Sexual assault
mypoormeatball's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
While some of the symbolism is a bit on the nose, I think that’s in the legacy of great haunted house novels!
Graphic: Child abuse, Body horror, Cannibalism, and Child death
Moderate: Mental illness, Violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Murder, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Incest
Minor: Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Miscarriage, Slavery, Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Colonisation, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
emsavors's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual violence, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility, Sexual assault, Murder, Vomit, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Incest, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Classism, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Cannibalism, Genocide, Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Self harm
a_bow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gore, Classism, Xenophobia, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Incest, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Misogyny, Mental illness, Infertility, Fire/Fire injury, Chronic illness, Blood, Racism, Death, Child death, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
airguac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Incest, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Body horror, Child death, Colonisation, Gun violence, and Pregnancy
crumpledpapersheep's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Gore, Body horror, Sexual assault, Incest, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Misogyny
Moderate: Medical content, Cannibalism, Colonisation, and Child death
Minor: Miscarriage and Confinement
batwinggoth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Classism, Colonisation, Blood, Body horror, Incest, Death, Misogyny, Confinement, Cannibalism, Sexism, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Chronic illness, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Emotional abuse
aksmith92's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Noemí isn't necessarily the closest with her cousin, but she is worried, and her father offers to pay for her anthropology school if she goes to investigate. Therefore, Noemí treks to High Place, where Catalina lives with Virgil, her husband, Virgil's father, Howard, and others in the family, including Florence, Virgil's cousin, and Francis, Florence's son. Noemí discovers that Catalina isn't well, but everything is not as it seems. We trek on a journey with Noemí as she discovers a house that brings about nightmares and a family's past that unravels long-time secrets.
What I liked: I'm going to preface my entire review with this fact: I knew going into this that this wasn't as scary as it may have been set out to be. I forget where I heard it, but I knew that this was not a jump scare horror novel. Regardless, this is an odd tale that intertwines a creepy family and some natural wonders (but not in the best way!). I honestly loved the "horror" aspect to this - an utterly unhinged family and their story and a captivating plot around a house of horrors. I found it unique and compelling. I'm being vague for a reason - I don't want to give any spoilers to the house of horrors, but I thought it was exciting and original. This story made me cringe at parts, so while it didn't scare me a lot, it psychologically spooked me in other ways. Additionally, I thought Noemí was a refreshing and lovely character. She somehow didn't annoy me, which is quite challenging in a thriller/mystery/horror novel like this one. The main character inevitably decides something to further the plot where you want to scream "NO!" That didn't happen to me here, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The slight romance plot was also refreshing as Noemí most certainly didn't act like a woman of the 1950s (at least by American standards). I liked this novel's plot, thriller aspect, and characters.
Lastly, I was struck by the novel's profound symbolism, particularly its exploration of colonialism and racism. The theme of eugenics, set in 1950s Mexico, was a powerful reminder of the country's history. The Spanish conquest, the Revolution, and the exploitation of the land and its people by colonizers all resonated strongly. This voice, so prevalent in the novel, was a necessary and thought-provoking element.
What could have been better: Like many reviews, I must acknowledge that the pacing was a bit uneven. The first half of the book was admittedly slow, but the last 20% picked up dramatically. However, even during the slower parts, I was still invested in Noemí's journey, and it kept me hooked. Some parts were slightly predictable and occasionally dull, and the horror element wasn't as pronounced as I expected (or, at least, in the way I expected). Also, the writing was not atmospheric or flowery for a gothic novel. Still, the gothic elements were at least described - particularly an old, outdated house with no electricity and plenty of bad weather, mist, and fog hovering on the mountain.
Lastly—and this didn't impact my review, but I think for expectation sake, I will share—this book did not necessarily explain the how behind the horror-like element of it; you were just expected to roll with it. Did it make a ton of sense? No. Nor was there a lot of time explaining it. However, was it interesting and a great take on something different in the genre? Absolutely.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel, even when the pacing prevented me from rating it higher. I particularly liked the natural elements that weaved into the overall premise, and it was generally well done.
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Gore, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Cursing
Attempted rape, but it does not happen. However, there is a sexual assault. Suicide is on page, multiple places. Suicide attempt also on page.thepalaceofchallis's review against another edition
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Gore
Moderate: Misogyny and Child death
Minor: Cannibalism and Incest