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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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Infidelity
Minor: Animal death and Child abuse
kaseybereading's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child death, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
readwithde's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
3.0
This was such a unique story that blurred the lines between fantasy and magical realism. I really want to love this story, but the pacing caused a lot of issues, including wiping out the theme.
Even now, through all the evocative descriptions and miracle/magical events, it's hard to figure out the point, the theme, the central tie of the narrative. Family? Protecting your family? Finding your family or found family that happens to be your actual family?
The start of the book moves so slowly and covers details and stories that don't provide anything -- not character development or mood or tension or anything tying to the plot at all. By the time the story picks up, the book is half over, leaving only 25% for the twist, turn, climax, and denouement. The ending moves so quickly, it's hard to keep up, to even picture what is happening, and then things end so abruptly -- it's jarring and feel disjointed from the rest of the slow narrative.
While still an okay book, what hurts most is that it had the potential to be an amazing, one-of-a-kind story.
Even now, through all the evocative descriptions and miracle/magical events, it's hard to figure out the point, the theme, the central tie of the narrative. Family? Protecting your family? Finding your family or found family that happens to be your actual family?
The start of the book moves so slowly and covers details and stories that don't provide anything -- not character development or mood or tension or anything tying to the plot at all. By the time the story picks up, the book is half over, leaving only 25% for the twist, turn, climax, and denouement. The ending moves so quickly, it's hard to keep up, to even picture what is happening, and then things end so abruptly -- it's jarring and feel disjointed from the rest of the slow narrative.
While still an okay book, what hurts most is that it had the potential to be an amazing, one-of-a-kind story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Stalking, and Slavery
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Racism, and Sexual content
msradiosilence's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.25
I really enjoyed this book! The plot was easy to follow, even as it doubled back on itself. The one thing I didn’t enjoy as much as the rest of the book was the last 40 pages. A lot happened, and everything wrapped up sooooo quuuuickly. It felt a little rushed, and I wish a book that liked to play around and take it’s time would do that to the very last page. Now for spoilers!
I absolutely called the star being Mar’s dad as soon as she found the photo. And when Bolivar kept coming up, I also called him being the big bad. The book was still enjoyable, though, even when I was expecting the ending.
As for the last 40 pages, the deaths of Tatinelly and Mike were…super out of nowhere. And it all happened so quickly. Penny and Felix and the others at least got a few pages, and their funerals were talked about. Tati and Mike died in two pages and then got buried on a third and that was the end of it. Tati deserved better.
Also that last fight seen was a little confusing? It’s great that Mar came into her power and whatnot but the ending really was BOOM Tati’s death BOOM talking to the ghost great grandmother BOOM Mar’s father BOOM Bolivar revealed BOOM back at Four Rivers BOOM climatic battle scene THE END. For a book that made the characters wait SEVEN YEARS for anything to happen, it just felt very rushed. I wish Córdova would’ve slowed it down a bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Infidelity, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Child death, and Suicide
Minor: Animal death and Body horror
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%
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.
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
aromarrie's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, Death, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content
mandkips's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Child death
perpetualpages's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
CWs: references to racism/xenophobia; mentions of anxiety attacks; death and death of a grandparent; estranged parents; brief references to past child abuse; infidelity; descriptions of disease; and some graphic sexual content
Zoraida Córdova is one of those authors who I feel like gets better and better with every book of hers that I read, and this, I think, is undoubtedly one of her best. This inter-generational saga is ambitious, magical, whimsical, thoughtful, and it just hits all the right notes to make an utterly unforgettable story.
I've said before that it feels like this book could be our generation’s The House of the Spirits, and I stand by that, because it embraces all the traditional hallmarks of Latine magical realism, but also creates something fresh and new by filtering the story through the lens of modern-day millennials. There's such a beautiful and effortless blend of the historical and the contemporary, that honors and almost replicates multigenerational family structures—especially those found in Latine communities—in a way that I find extremely compelling.
In some ways, one might think that "magical realism in the twenty-first century" is an oxymoron, but it actually really works because that unremarked magic mimics the way that the world itself is so strange, unknowable, malleable, and mysterious. The implementation of that genre in a modern-day setting also really speaks to the evolution of tradition, and how ideas can change over time without negating the roots of where they've come from. One of the really special things about magical realism is that it positions magic itself as expected and commonplace, and this story is no different in that respect. The magic in this story is so deeply tied to culture, family, and history, that it just makes sense. It feels deeply personal, and like a natural extension of the inexplicable ways the world works, in a way that's very satisfying to read.
And above everything else, it’s such a powerful exploration of family curses—not only the importance of recognizing and naming family curses for what they are, but also the importance of coming together to break those curses. I love how the story plays with the idea of inheritance, because we don’t just inherit the good things we want. We inherit trauma, we inherit family history, we inherit burdens, we inherit pain and loss. The story really understands that there is power and there is joy to be found in family, and how we can gain strength and grow from our connection to family, but also how there’s an equal chance we can be destroyed by it.
This is a story that shows how there is literal power in knowing where you come from, remembering where you come from, embracing where you come from, and also understanding how that power can be a strength just as easily as it can be a weakness. I think it’s also a great reflection on just how much you’d be willing to sacrifice in order to be free, and also how the impact of one person’s choices can still be felt throughout generations.
Ultimately this story is a quest where these modern-day characters are trying to excavate their grandmother’s secrets, to uncover firsthand all the things no one ever told them, so that they can create their own relationship with their history, and with that understanding hopefully break their curse. It’s a stunning story where the historical and present-day counterparts shine equally, and it imparts a strong message about the power of family and protecting your magic. This is far and away one of the best and most memorable stories I've read all year, and I cannot recommend it enough!
Zoraida Córdova is one of those authors who I feel like gets better and better with every book of hers that I read, and this, I think, is undoubtedly one of her best. This inter-generational saga is ambitious, magical, whimsical, thoughtful, and it just hits all the right notes to make an utterly unforgettable story.
I've said before that it feels like this book could be our generation’s The House of the Spirits, and I stand by that, because it embraces all the traditional hallmarks of Latine magical realism, but also creates something fresh and new by filtering the story through the lens of modern-day millennials. There's such a beautiful and effortless blend of the historical and the contemporary, that honors and almost replicates multigenerational family structures—especially those found in Latine communities—in a way that I find extremely compelling.
In some ways, one might think that "magical realism in the twenty-first century" is an oxymoron, but it actually really works because that unremarked magic mimics the way that the world itself is so strange, unknowable, malleable, and mysterious. The implementation of that genre in a modern-day setting also really speaks to the evolution of tradition, and how ideas can change over time without negating the roots of where they've come from. One of the really special things about magical realism is that it positions magic itself as expected and commonplace, and this story is no different in that respect. The magic in this story is so deeply tied to culture, family, and history, that it just makes sense. It feels deeply personal, and like a natural extension of the inexplicable ways the world works, in a way that's very satisfying to read.
And above everything else, it’s such a powerful exploration of family curses—not only the importance of recognizing and naming family curses for what they are, but also the importance of coming together to break those curses. I love how the story plays with the idea of inheritance, because we don’t just inherit the good things we want. We inherit trauma, we inherit family history, we inherit burdens, we inherit pain and loss. The story really understands that there is power and there is joy to be found in family, and how we can gain strength and grow from our connection to family, but also how there’s an equal chance we can be destroyed by it.
This is a story that shows how there is literal power in knowing where you come from, remembering where you come from, embracing where you come from, and also understanding how that power can be a strength just as easily as it can be a weakness. I think it’s also a great reflection on just how much you’d be willing to sacrifice in order to be free, and also how the impact of one person’s choices can still be felt throughout generations.
Ultimately this story is a quest where these modern-day characters are trying to excavate their grandmother’s secrets, to uncover firsthand all the things no one ever told them, so that they can create their own relationship with their history, and with that understanding hopefully break their curse. It’s a stunning story where the historical and present-day counterparts shine equally, and it imparts a strong message about the power of family and protecting your magic. This is far and away one of the best and most memorable stories I've read all year, and I cannot recommend it enough!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual content
edie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Child death
Minor: Fire/Fire injury