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adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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
What a wonderfully complex story about family, history, place, and belonging; one of my favourite reads this year!
I don't think that I could write a summary that would do it justice without spoiling anything, so I won't. What really made this stand out for me is the narration and plotting. Jimenez builds a delightful frame story that twists in on and intersects with itself in unexpected ways. In addition, he uses first, second, and third-person points of view to create narrative layers that happen as simultaneously as one can in a written narrative, creating extraordinary depth. This is the kind of depth to characters and world-building for which many fantasy authors use multiple POVs (as in, multiple characters, not multiple types) and interludes and I had no idea how static that style of narration could feel until reading this.
It's definitely a more challenging read, between the narrative choices and the fact that while there are breaks, there aren't chapters. It is definitely violent at times, though I think the cruelest moments are ones that happen "off-screen" that we hear about later. None of it feels gratuitous and the world itself is one of extremes, so it is not misplaced.
I don't think that I could write a summary that would do it justice without spoiling anything, so I won't. What really made this stand out for me is the narration and plotting. Jimenez builds a delightful frame story that twists in on and intersects with itself in unexpected ways. In addition, he uses first, second, and third-person points of view to create narrative layers that happen as simultaneously as one can in a written narrative, creating extraordinary depth. This is the kind of depth to characters and world-building for which many fantasy authors use multiple POVs (as in, multiple characters, not multiple types) and interludes and I had no idea how static that style of narration could feel until reading this.
It's definitely a more challenging read, between the narrative choices and the fact that while there are breaks, there aren't chapters. It is definitely violent at times, though I think the cruelest moments are ones that happen "off-screen" that we hear about later. None of it feels gratuitous and the world itself is one of extremes, so it is not misplaced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cannibalism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Vomit, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Cannibalism, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Rape, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
No
I am at a loss of words to describe this book. I haven't read a book this good since...I don't even know.
I feel something moved inside me.
I will absolutely check out the author's other book(s)
Wow.
Just wow.
I feel something moved inside me.
I will absolutely check out the author's other book(s)
Wow.
Just wow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was intense. I’m not sure that it landed on any particular argument for a lot of its themes, but it definitely explores different perspectives in them — and several days after finishing it, I’m still thinking about it and chewing over some parts. I found the exploration of diaspora and what’s lost in the scattering of descendents really powerful; as a generic “generally Western European” white person, it was really interesting to think about my disconnection from my ancestors and stories and what that does to me as a person versus the narrator’s experience. Warning: It is VERY violent and grotesque. I’m still thinking about the ways Jimenez ties sex, violence, and power together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, War
Minor: Suicide
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Absolutely stunning and lyrical, I loved every moment of this. I read this like I was in a trance. I had to slow down and enjoy it, chew on it. I want to read this again when my heart needs something beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Sexual violence, Excrement, Cannibalism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Honestly, it did drag at some points, but overall I really enjoyed it. The writing is very meandering and poetic, I wouldn't call it purple exactly but it is a lot if you like more straightforward prose. I really really liked what the author does with the first, second and third person POV in the narrative, it was very interesting and cool and I personally haven't seen anything exactly like this before.
Parts of the book reminded me of One Hundred Years of Solitude, which I love, but more full-on fantasy epic than magical realism, although it does give that vibe. It's a bit more fairytale like, or rather folk-tale like, in a way. The world building was very unique and interesting, too, based on filipino folklore which is not something I'm very familiar with. The characters were well-built (though I wished we delved more into their interiority and their thoughts), and the ending was satisfying and I love that it's a standalone. Full conclusion in one book babey!!
Now the things I didn't like so much, yeah, it got a bit draggy at some points, especially the "final battle". The action was fine but at some points I was like. Let's get on with the story, please T_T. Also, there are long, vivid descriptions of gore and body horror that felt a bit. Much. Not in the sense that it squicked me, but more so that it got boring after a while, like, sure, yeah, piss and shit and flesh okay, now what. A bit too much like the author was trying too hard to write something shocking or gross. Idk. I just wish we spent more time with the characters instead of this.
Also the whole plot is just a lot of bad stuff happening and I felt there were not enough moments that let me breathe during the narrative. There were some, but they were few and far between and always tainted because you knew there was some shit coming, so at some point the emotional impact of things going wrong got lessened, ngl.
I'd say it's still definitely worth reading at least for what it does well and for the writing, but I understand it might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Parts of the book reminded me of One Hundred Years of Solitude, which I love, but more full-on fantasy epic than magical realism, although it does give that vibe. It's a bit more fairytale like, or rather folk-tale like, in a way. The world building was very unique and interesting, too, based on filipino folklore which is not something I'm very familiar with. The characters were well-built (though I wished we delved more into their interiority and their thoughts), and the ending was satisfying and I love that it's a standalone. Full conclusion in one book babey!!
Now the things I didn't like so much, yeah, it got a bit draggy at some points, especially the "final battle". The action was fine but at some points I was like. Let's get on with the story, please T_T. Also, there are long, vivid descriptions of gore and body horror that felt a bit. Much. Not in the sense that it squicked me, but more so that it got boring after a while, like, sure, yeah, piss and shit and flesh okay, now what. A bit too much like the author was trying too hard to write something shocking or gross. Idk. I just wish we spent more time with the characters instead of this.
Also the whole plot is just a lot of bad stuff happening and I felt there were not enough moments that let me breathe during the narrative. There were some, but they were few and far between and always tainted because you knew there was some shit coming, so at some point the emotional impact of things going wrong got lessened, ngl.
I'd say it's still definitely worth reading at least for what it does well and for the writing, but I understand it might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence
adventurous
emotional
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
WOW. Just Wow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Cannibalism, Murder, War
Minor: Sexual violence
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
Such a beautiful story, and unique storytelling. I felt like I was at a campfire being told stories and legends. I would never have expected a written story to manage such an homage to the oral tradition. This book will stay with me for a long time, and I know I will revisit it often.
Highly recommend the audiobook, as it adds to this oral tradition and this feeling of being told a story. Joel de la Fuente does a beautiful job portraying all the emotions of the characters, and makes all the little testimonies from everyone feel so real.
Highly recommend the audiobook, as it adds to this oral tradition and this feeling of being told a story. Joel de la Fuente does a beautiful job portraying all the emotions of the characters, and makes all the little testimonies from everyone feel so real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Torture, Excrement, Cannibalism, Murder, War
Minor: Child death, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Vomit
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
amazing fantasy world. the perspective shifts take getting used to. sometimes it changes within the sentence/paragraph which makes it both delightfully creative and sometimes slightly annoying. graphic content warning. sometimes the crudeness of it all feels is overdone
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder, War
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Sexual violence
Minor: Colonisation