Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

22 reviews

lizgriffinwords's review against another edition

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

4.75

For fans of Addie Larue or All the Crooked Saints, Practical Magic or Encanto, a beautiful tale of legacy, tradition, family ties and what makes them real, stars and trees and rivers and soil that grows perfect coffee. Simultaneously lyrical and grounded  writing in this magical realism novel.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing

Minor: Sexual content, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment

foreverinastory's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-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

I loved this!

Rep: Mainly Ecuadorian and Ecuadorian-American cast of characters. Two cishet female MCs, one gay male MC.

CWs: Abandonment, alcohol consumption, blood, child death, death, death of parent, emotional abuse, fire, grief, infidelity, pregnancy, sexism, sexual content, toxic relationship, violence, murder. Moderate: injury/injury detail, misogyny, stalking, body horror, gaslighting, child abuse, racism/colorism. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Stalking, Body horror, Gaslighting, Child abuse, and Racism

bookiecharm's review against another edition

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity

mamaquiereleer's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Infidelity, Murder, Child death, Death, and Death of parent

faeriekit's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-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

4.5

I liked this book a lot more than I had thought I would. The single name and image on the front cover implied a very single character experience, but the description and story had much more of a holistic overview of a very complicated, deeply knitted family. I ended up enjoying this book quite a lot, both for its lush international experience, its slowly unfurled story, and the ease of the character's relationships to each other. Complex they may be, but everyone knows who they are. I normally do not prefer magical realism, but this book really hit it out of the park, and I really enjoyed this title! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Child death, and Child abuse

_forestofpages's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, Child abuse, Child death, Racism, and Death

Minor: Body horror

killerpancake's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Child abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, Colonisation, and Blood

bitterseason's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Death and Infidelity

Minor: Animal death and Child abuse

amandalorianxo's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

So it took me a while to finish mostly because I’m back teaching so I had to juggle a lot before I could sit down and read this. However, it’s more than just a magical realism story. It portrays the spirit and power of family in addition to how much we are willing to go through to make sure our loved ones are protected. I love that it takes place in Ecuador, a country we don’t always get to read about in literature. Marimar, Rey and the rest of the Montoya’s had their flaws but every family does. Some parts of the plot could have been explained in a different way or just clearer but it’s worth picking up 100%

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Death, Death of parent, and Child abuse

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.

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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