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hannahhbic's review
5.0
The closest comparison I can make to the immersion from The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is how it felt to read [b:The Starless Sea|43575115|The Starless Sea|Erin Morgenstern|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617715077l/43575115._SY75_.jpg|66444785]. However, Orquídea Divina's stories of the past are clearly related to the rest of the novel, where in The Starless Sea it's not always apparent how or if the stories are connected. They're both kick@ss though. I can sincerely state that I adored all three of our main characters. Their family dynamic shines through on every page and this is one of the greatest strengths. I personally have a very small and distant extended family, so I relish the opportunity to experience closeness in stories. Frightening things happen here! The stakes are extremely high, actually! For the most part, the reader does get closure and that's always appreciated. Would love to read more about Marimar, Rey, & Rhiannon someday.
Thank you to NetGalley for a preview copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for a preview copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
moth_dance's review against another edition
5.0
Magic lives in every fiber of this story.
It is a genre-blending tale but deeply invested in magical realism and generational drama.
An instant favorite and one of the best books I've read this decade.
It is a genre-blending tale but deeply invested in magical realism and generational drama.
An instant favorite and one of the best books I've read this decade.
lexyhodge's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
lavdisy's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
This book, if you're not focused while reading it, the plot will just change like the characters have already spent a couple of years and you're going to be confused. I finished it in one sitting because it's just so predictable and none of the characters interested me at all, they felt so bland. Despite this book being about family, I didn't see any great stuff about them, they seemed so distant and uncaring towards each other. I think I liked the magical vibes though, they're not that vibrant but they're not boring either for me.
desireeslibrary's review
5.0
"Orquídea didn’t like it because she knew she wasn’t a flower, delicate and pretty and waiting to be plucked. For what? To be smelled? To sit in a glass of water until she withered? She was more than that. She wanted to be rooted so deep into the earth that nothing, no human, no force of nature, save an act of the heavens themselves, could rip her out.”
This book was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. It gave me major Allende vibes, which is something I do not come by often. The story was dream-like, and I was completely immersed, finishing in one sitting. I am a huge fan of multiple POVS/dual timelines. The plot had so many twists and turns and was extremely complex, touching on subjects such as: murder, parental neglect, abuse, racism, death of a loved one, adultery, etc. I think Cordova provides an absolutely breath-taking glimpse into South American tradition, legends and folklore, culture and perspectives. Such a beautiful story about a dysfunctional family led by a formidable matriarch. Going to be thinking about this one for a while.
book_concierge's review
3.0
Digital audiobook performed by Frankie Corzo
3.5***
From the book jacket:
The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low, or why their matriarch won’t ever leave their home – not for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held on to so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed in a tree, her limbs stretching into roots and branches, leaving them with more questions than answers.
My reactions:
This is unlike anything I’ve read before. Part family saga, part paranormal horror, part fantasy, part historical fiction, part quest, part love story. I’m so grateful that there is a family tree in the beginning, as I referred to it several times to clarify relationships of Orquídea’s many descendants. (She was married five times!)
The story ultimately focuses on three of her grandchildren – Reymundo, Marimar and Tatinelly – and her great-granddaughter Rhiannon (daughter of Tatinelly). It is they, recognizing that the family is at danger from an other-worldly presence, who travel to Ecuador to discover the truth of Orquídea’s past.
I was fascinated by the story and greatly enjoyed the audiobook rendition performed by Frankie Corzo, who is a talented voice artist. But I think I need to re-read it to fully absorb the magic of Córdova’s storytelling.
3.5***
From the book jacket:
The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low, or why their matriarch won’t ever leave their home – not for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held on to so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed in a tree, her limbs stretching into roots and branches, leaving them with more questions than answers.
My reactions:
This is unlike anything I’ve read before. Part family saga, part paranormal horror, part fantasy, part historical fiction, part quest, part love story. I’m so grateful that there is a family tree in the beginning, as I referred to it several times to clarify relationships of Orquídea’s many descendants. (She was married five times!)
The story ultimately focuses on three of her grandchildren – Reymundo, Marimar and Tatinelly – and her great-granddaughter Rhiannon (daughter of Tatinelly). It is they, recognizing that the family is at danger from an other-worldly presence, who travel to Ecuador to discover the truth of Orquídea’s past.
I was fascinated by the story and greatly enjoyed the audiobook rendition performed by Frankie Corzo, who is a talented voice artist. But I think I need to re-read it to fully absorb the magic of Córdova’s storytelling.
curlyc90's review
4.0
I enjoyed this one. I love generational stories. So this was interesting to see how expanded Orquidea’s family was but I actually didn’t mind how she flipped from past to present. I was itching to see what would happen throughout this book, the mystery drew me in. It was beautifully written.
4/5 ⚡️
4/5 ⚡️
currentlyreading_'s review
3.0
Magical. Haven't read anything like this in a while.
That being said, I can't give it 5 stars completely because of something the author does in her writing that I didn't like.
Here's one spoiler example...
Swear words are fine with me, but when inserted in a somewhat lyrical and beautiful paragraph, I get distracted and get pulled out of the magic.
But the story and characters are good. Just read this when you're in the mood to suspend your disbelief.
I liked Tatinelly's character a lot. Her calmness is relaxing. Marimar was a bit annoying at times for me. Rey was funny. Rhiannon was a sweetie pie. I enjoyed reading Orquidea's character a lot, her story is interesting. Just when I thought I've guessed a plot, I find out that I haven't!
Overall a good read. :-)
That being said, I can't give it 5 stars completely because of something the author does in her writing that I didn't like.
Here's one spoiler example...
"When the Londoño Spectacular Spectacular made its way across eastern Europe, Agustina wanted nothing more than to stop Orquidea from making a mistake that would alter the course of her life. The girl had already been born under a cosmic whirlpool of bad luck. She didn't need Bolivar Londoño III adding to it. Then again, she knew better than to try to alter destiny. The way she saw it, they were all fucked either way." (emphasis mine)
Swear words are fine with me, but when inserted in a somewhat lyrical and beautiful paragraph, I get distracted and get pulled out of the magic.
But the story and characters are good. Just read this when you're in the mood to suspend your disbelief.
I liked Tatinelly's character a lot. Her calmness is relaxing. Marimar was a bit annoying at times for me. Rey was funny. Rhiannon was a sweetie pie. I enjoyed reading Orquidea's character a lot, her story is interesting. Just when I thought I've guessed a plot, I find out that I haven't!
Overall a good read. :-)
ikramxlek's review
4.0
I feel very conflicted in my rating for this book. I picked it up knowing absolutely nothing about it and i was pretty sure i would put it back down after a few pages. But i really couldn't stop. The beginning was very strong and captivating. The writing in this is exquisite. The story is super strange but that's what every magical realism book is known for. If you're not into strange, confusing, farfetched stories, this really won't be for you. The middle of the book was slow and suspenseful. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't clear on where it was leading you. Near the end was an absolute fever dream. It was a compaction of weird events that you just kind of had to accept. Definetly my least favourite part of the book. The very end was satisfying and it gave a good closure for the characters. Overall, this is a book that feels like a very long metaphor that i didn't fully understand, but i still enjoyed the ride, i guess ? I think - unless i really didn't understand the story - that this is a form of commentary about generational trauma and how it can affect your children and their children after that when you don't confront your own issues before deciding to have a family. And I really enjoyed this theme of the story. As i said, the writing is chef's kiss and i will definetly pick up other books from Zoraida Córdova.
There are some quotes in this book that really hit hard :
"Your heart need not be metal to be strong"
"But where were they supposed to learn how to communicate having been raised in a house of secrets"
"We don't talk. None of us. Why don't we ever talk? Silence is a language of its own in this family. A curse of our own making"
"Some people change over time, water wearing stones smooth. Others require the violent clap of lighting that turns sand into glass"
And my absolute favorite:
"But that was the way of missing people. You wished for them, you longed for them, you forgot about them. Then you wished for them again"
There are some quotes in this book that really hit hard :
"Your heart need not be metal to be strong"
"But where were they supposed to learn how to communicate having been raised in a house of secrets"
"We don't talk. None of us. Why don't we ever talk? Silence is a language of its own in this family. A curse of our own making"
"Some people change over time, water wearing stones smooth. Others require the violent clap of lighting that turns sand into glass"
And my absolute favorite:
"But that was the way of missing people. You wished for them, you longed for them, you forgot about them. Then you wished for them again"
holdawayjen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5