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b10h4z4rd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
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
3.75
This book was really nice!
I loved the worldbuilding, as that was easily the strongest part of this work. The audience can tell that there was a lot of thought put into this world, to the point where there is a glossary of terms in the back with in-depth descriptions. However, I believe this worldbuilding was integrated well into this low fantasy world, especially since we are viewing the world through the lens of a character that knows nothing about vampires except pop culture (in one POV). While vampires are common and are heavily involved in most parts of the world, Domingo (aforementioned pop culture guy) lives in a city bereft of vampires due to strict laws and is a human himself. This allows the author to clue us into exposition rather naturally, especially since Domingo is much more than an audience stand-in.
This brings me to the characters. Moreno-Garcia did a wonderful job of characterization in terms of each person. Everyone had their own distinct personalities, goals, and deep arcs if they were a POV character, which is difficult considering how many there were. Like the world, the characters feel fully realized and each of their endings is good, even if not necessarily happy. The book has a way to make you root for nearly all of them and yet not feel too sad if they don't achieve their goal.
(I did deduct a quarter star because two of my three favorite characters died. Loved Ana and Rodrigo! ALSO THE FAKEOUT DOG DEATH WAS EVIL.)
This then brings me to the representation in the novel. I thought it was really cool that the history of Aztec culture persisting into modern day Mexico was a major theme throughout the novel, obviously embodied by Atl. I find that sometimes (key word: SOMETIMES) representation can be present just to tick off boxes or fill entire characters' personalities. Fortunately, the characters' identities (I'm mostly referring to Atl here) are integral to them, but not the only part of them we see. Yes, the world did feel like it was set in Mexico, but not because it was stereotypical or a footnote, but because I really felt the love for it overflowing throughout the novel and narration.
All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to see a reinvention of the vampire genre or more representation in paranormal works.
I loved the worldbuilding, as that was easily the strongest part of this work. The audience can tell that there was a lot of thought put into this world, to the point where there is a glossary of terms in the back with in-depth descriptions. However, I believe this worldbuilding was integrated well into this low fantasy world, especially since we are viewing the world through the lens of a character that knows nothing about vampires except pop culture (in one POV). While vampires are common and are heavily involved in most parts of the world, Domingo (aforementioned pop culture guy) lives in a city bereft of vampires due to strict laws and is a human himself. This allows the author to clue us into exposition rather naturally, especially since Domingo is much more than an audience stand-in.
This brings me to the characters. Moreno-Garcia did a wonderful job of characterization in terms of each person. Everyone had their own distinct personalities, goals, and deep arcs if they were a POV character, which is difficult considering how many there were. Like the world, the characters feel fully realized and each of their endings is good, even if not necessarily happy. The book has a way to make you root for nearly all of them and yet not feel too sad if they don't achieve their goal.
This then brings me to the representation in the novel. I thought it was really cool that the history of Aztec culture persisting into modern day Mexico was a major theme throughout the novel, obviously embodied by Atl. I find that sometimes (key word: SOMETIMES) representation can be present just to tick off boxes or fill entire characters' personalities. Fortunately, the characters' identities (I'm mostly referring to Atl here) are integral to them, but not the only part of them we see. Yes, the world did feel like it was set in Mexico, but not because it was stereotypical or a footnote, but because I really felt the love for it overflowing throughout the novel and narration.
All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to see a reinvention of the vampire genre or more representation in paranormal works.
darkskybooks's review against another edition
3.0
Silvia Moreno-Garcia seems to have made a career out of taking classic tropes and making them Mexican. This example is Mexican vampires. She has created an intriguing world of different vampire bloodlines with different powers with their conflict with both themselves and the human world. In this world the native Mexican (Aztec) vampires have largely been outcompeted by the imports from Europe (an interesting allegory to the cultural impact of european history), and we follow one of local vampires (Atl) on the run from a rival european gang, and a street sweeper (Domingo) who falls for her.
The worldbuilding is clever enough - I do like the allusions to the many myths of blood drinkers across the different cultures that exist in real life. The Mexican setting, as often seems the case with SMG, is somewhat incidental - it could in reality be set almost anywhere without impacting the story. This is one of her earlier works which has only just been rereleased and the prose is definitely weaker than in her more recent works. It is an interesting take on a genre which often feels done to death. This at least had some intriguingly original aspects!
The worldbuilding is clever enough - I do like the allusions to the many myths of blood drinkers across the different cultures that exist in real life. The Mexican setting, as often seems the case with SMG, is somewhat incidental - it could in reality be set almost anywhere without impacting the story. This is one of her earlier works which has only just been rereleased and the prose is definitely weaker than in her more recent works. It is an interesting take on a genre which often feels done to death. This at least had some intriguingly original aspects!
thebookcases's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
mastersal's review
April 11 2024
DNF at page 92 - Chapter 14
I am not sure what I was reading - never really got into the book and was kind of bored. Tried both the audio and reading physically. Neither seemed to work so I'm calling it. I kind of feel bad as this was a gift from a friend but I am sure she would not want me to continue a book which is boring me. Life is too short for that.
A shame - as I was hoping for a hit with this author. May try her later books to see if the problem was the writing or just the plotting. Ah well... onwards...
----
Oct 2021
Came in a mystery birthday book box from a good friend. Guess I have to read it now ...
DNF at page 92 - Chapter 14
I am not sure what I was reading - never really got into the book and was kind of bored. Tried both the audio and reading physically. Neither seemed to work so I'm calling it. I kind of feel bad as this was a gift from a friend but I am sure she would not want me to continue a book which is boring me. Life is too short for that.
A shame - as I was hoping for a hit with this author. May try her later books to see if the problem was the writing or just the plotting. Ah well... onwards...
----
Oct 2021
Came in a mystery birthday book box from a good friend. Guess I have to read it now ...
luminousluxyreads's review
1.0
₊˚ʚ **WHY I PICKED UP THIS READ**
The cover was pretty but I might have been deceived by the prettiness of the cover itself.
₊˚ʚ **THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT THIS READ**
The beginning of the book itself was confusing and there was a lot to digest on the go, and often times the chapters alternate between a bunch of characters, that I could not keep up with who is who is talking in the chapters half of the time as in who's person point of view is.
The Vampire aspect of the story is confusing because since when do Vampires can turn into other creatures?
72 Pages in and I still am not understanding what is happening in this read.
Still not enjoying the read itself, but I am determined to finish it all.
Ended up skimming the last few chapters becouse it really got boreing and I am not going to re read it ever, I might even consider giving it away to someone else.
The cover was pretty but I might have been deceived by the prettiness of the cover itself.
₊˚ʚ **THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT THIS READ**
The beginning of the book itself was confusing and there was a lot to digest on the go, and often times the chapters alternate between a bunch of characters, that I could not keep up with who is who is talking in the chapters half of the time as in who's person point of view is.
The Vampire aspect of the story is confusing because since when do Vampires can turn into other creatures?
72 Pages in and I still am not understanding what is happening in this read.
Still not enjoying the read itself, but I am determined to finish it all.
Ended up skimming the last few chapters becouse it really got boreing and I am not going to re read it ever, I might even consider giving it away to someone else.
bizzels's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
filipamaria82's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
misswinchester84's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.75