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jovanh's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.5
- Moldering Victorian mansion
- An aristacratic family with secrets
- Gaslighting
- Creepy dreams
If you enjoy this genre, as I do, this book will fit the bill. That said, I felt like I knew what was going on pretty early. That could be because I've a bit too much Gothic horror. Or it could be due to the author's repeated description and motifs. Regardless it's was a fun read.
Graphic: Body horror, Murder, Gaslighting, Incest, Classism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual violence, Racism, Sexual assault, Rape, and Infertility
Minor: Mental illness, Child death, Abortion, Suicide, and Cannibalism
meesesmooses's review against another edition
- 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? No
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Body horror, Sexual harassment, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
karinreadsalot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Graphic: Classism, Sexual harassment, and Mental illness
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual assault, and Gore
profwrecks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Suicide and Sexual assault
ahollofcats's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
itsyourgalyazza's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Sexual assault
shellroch285's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Body horror, Medical content, Colonisation, and Murder
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
thegillbird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I wanted more mushrooms, more of the Mexican culture, and better writing. Ultimately, disappointing.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence
drpeeper's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Classism, Racism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Confinement, Gaslighting, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Body horror, and Incest
Minor: Vomit and Murder