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beldaran1224's review
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is Encanto for grown-ups. I mean that in the best possible way. Like Encanto, it centers around a multi-generational family, an enchanted house and the way the powerful matriarch's past has shaped the lives of everyone else. Yeah, it is for grown folk. There's some rather explicit sex in the novel.
The story is told in two timelines. The past is told through Oriquídea's perspective, beginning in her early years and progressing closer to the present. The present is told through 3 different perspectives, all Orquídea's grandchildren.
The plot is essentially a mystery. Who is Orquídea? How did the home and her power come to be? Who or what is haunting her? The present timeline uncovers this as the grandchildren finally get to know their grandmother, in ways they never could when she was alive. The timeline from the past grounds their discoveries, adds context, makes her real.
It is an altogether excellent book, with a lot to say about family and about trauma.
The story is told in two timelines. The past is told through Oriquídea's perspective, beginning in her early years and progressing closer to the present. The present is told through 3 different perspectives, all Orquídea's grandchildren.
The plot is essentially a mystery. Who is Orquídea? How did the home and her power come to be? Who or what is haunting her? The present timeline uncovers this as the grandchildren finally get to know their grandmother, in ways they never could when she was alive. The timeline from the past grounds their discoveries, adds context, makes her real.
It is an altogether excellent book, with a lot to say about family and about trauma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Classism, and Colonisation
killerpancake's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, Colonisation, and Blood
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a piece of beautiful, winding storytelling, picking up elements from the past and the present, looping in the experiences of many Montoya family members across multiple generations. It's a fantasy with a haunting tone, the unraveling of a bargain struck and the family built on it. The book moves at a thoughtful pace, more about family and reflection, history and introspection than action or drama. It has the feel of one of protagonist Rey's paintings, a surreal filter blurring magic with mundane, leaving much in question.
The story begins with matriarch Orquídea Divina's letter to her far-flung descendants; her death is imminent, and all are summoned to come collect their inheritance. Stubborn and proud, bound by secrets and pacts, she hosts a final family gathering that promises to be tempestuous at best. Her family cannot fathom Orquídea's mysterious past, and she refuses to enlighten them. In the years after her spectacular exit, that very past catches up with the Montoyas, sowing tragedy and revelation in its wake.
I found this to be a work of beautiful writing. I think its strength lies in the exploration of deeper themes, the rushing undercurrent of the story. However, I think the focus on what each action means over how it was experienced left me more detached than I prefer. If you enjoy fantasy with a literary edge, and if you love stories about family bonds both complex and profound, this might be a perfect read for you.
The story begins with matriarch Orquídea Divina's letter to her far-flung descendants; her death is imminent, and all are summoned to come collect their inheritance. Stubborn and proud, bound by secrets and pacts, she hosts a final family gathering that promises to be tempestuous at best. Her family cannot fathom Orquídea's mysterious past, and she refuses to enlighten them. In the years after her spectacular exit, that very past catches up with the Montoyas, sowing tragedy and revelation in its wake.
I found this to be a work of beautiful writing. I think its strength lies in the exploration of deeper themes, the rushing undercurrent of the story. However, I think the focus on what each action means over how it was experienced left me more detached than I prefer. If you enjoy fantasy with a literary edge, and if you love stories about family bonds both complex and profound, this might be a perfect read for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Infidelity
Minor: Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Death of parent, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Stalking
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