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firedew's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
lunacurlypaws's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
mels_reading_log's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Child death, Confinement, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Grief, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
Minor: Racism and Sexual content
ailiscr32's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Child death, Pregnancy, Racism, Violence, Abandonment, Homophobia, Death, and Death of parent
elly29's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I mean, sure, it’s a generational “saga” where we learn that toxic masculinity is Bad, and toxic men with power is one of the most dangerous foes one can face. Anything else? Yeah… it felt like a halfway decent travelogue for Ecuador, and I know that there are 444 steps to the top of the hill in whatever city they were in.
This felt so much like that Erin Morgenstern sequel, “The Starless Sea.” Pretty writing, but boy did the story not make sense to me.
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Violence
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Terminal illness
Minor: Bullying, Racism, and Xenophobia
issamay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Child death, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Death of parent, Body horror, Pregnancy, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
kayelina's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, and Pregnancy
c_hope_b's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Violence and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident
bookmaddie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I think what made me immediately invested in this story is Córdova's writing—it is so warm and magical. It makes you feel wrapped up in a hug from a loved one, and instantly part of whatever story she is crafting on the page. Each character, setting, star, gust of wind is imbued with life.
It was heartening to see how the Orquídea's family came together around her, to support her and each other in their greatest time of need. When everyone reunited in the end, it was even more touching and beautiful to see how everyone had changed and grown, and their love for each other was stronger than ever. This book is just a beautiful (and magical!) tribute to family, and I've not read a book that warmed me in this way in a long time. Even at its saddest moments, this book is just so full of love.
I can't forget the MAGIC in this story. It's everywhere! And we also get a magical river guardian, a historical, mysterious circus, and otherworldly beings. I was delighted by the mix of folklore, family history, luck, and wishes gone wrong. Combined with Córdova's writing, it makes for an unputdownable read!
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for my advanced digital copy that I should have read months ago.. woopsies!
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Death