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fern_mollett's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
CW/TW: sexual content, death of a parent, death of a child, spousal abuse, murder, self harm.
If you liked Disney's Encanto or Coco, you'll like this book.
It's generational and there's magic! A magic house, a powerful matriarch who sacrificed to keep her magic and her family safe. The family tree included in the book was good, it was helpful to have my own, simplified version though.
Just like many of the magical realism books I have read, once the actions starts it doesn't stop until the books over. It's like a really succesful scavenger hunt, go to point A for the next clue at point B for the next clue at point C, etc etc.
Magical realism has its roots in Latin American literature, and this novel is a wonderful addition. I forget how much I love this genre! Can't wait to read more from this author!
If you liked Disney's Encanto or Coco, you'll like this book.
It's generational and there's magic! A magic house, a powerful matriarch who sacrificed to keep her magic and her family safe. The family tree included in the book was good, it was helpful to have my own, simplified version though.
Just like many of the magical realism books I have read, once the actions starts it doesn't stop until the books over. It's like a really succesful scavenger hunt, go to point A for the next clue at point B for the next clue at point C, etc etc.
Magical realism has its roots in Latin American literature, and this novel is a wonderful addition. I forget how much I love this genre! Can't wait to read more from this author!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
There's a family tree in the front of the book, but its hard to look at on an ereader that doesn't allow you to zoom. I found the fam tree online easily enough, and made my own simplified one to reference until I got to know the family a bit better.hanarama's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
3.0
CW: body horror, sexism, death, grief
The Good:
• Dreamy prose
• Back and forth between past and present
The Bad:
• Very slow
You Might Like this if You Like:
• Family curses and blessings
• Disney's Encanto
Orquídea Montoya is rumored to be a witch. She came seemingly out of nowhere and her home appeared in Four Rivers overnight. Over the years her family grew and scattered across the United States. When she's dying, she calls them home to get their inheritances.
Cousins Marimar, Rey, Rhiannon are gifted with blessings that manifest as flowers blooming from their flesh. For seven years, they prosper, until a mysterious entity sets them on the path to uncover Orquídea's past.
Córdova's prose is simply magical. They paint scenes that feel right out of a dream. As the narrative switches between the past with Orquídea and the present with the cousins, the reader is exposed to more and more magic.
Unfortunately, the story feels very slow, perhaps in part due to the dreaminess of the prose. I found it hard at times to keep reading because the narrative moves very slowly.
The Good:
• Dreamy prose
• Back and forth between past and present
The Bad:
• Very slow
You Might Like this if You Like:
• Family curses and blessings
• Disney's Encanto
Orquídea Montoya is rumored to be a witch. She came seemingly out of nowhere and her home appeared in Four Rivers overnight. Over the years her family grew and scattered across the United States. When she's dying, she calls them home to get their inheritances.
Cousins Marimar, Rey, Rhiannon are gifted with blessings that manifest as flowers blooming from their flesh. For seven years, they prosper, until a mysterious entity sets them on the path to uncover Orquídea's past.
Córdova's prose is simply magical. They paint scenes that feel right out of a dream. As the narrative switches between the past with Orquídea and the present with the cousins, the reader is exposed to more and more magic.
Unfortunately, the story feels very slow, perhaps in part due to the dreaminess of the prose. I found it hard at times to keep reading because the narrative moves very slowly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Sexism, and Grief
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
'The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina' by Zoraida Córdova is a magic dipped family saga about one family learning the true story of their matriarch's life.
Orquídea Divina swept into Four Rivers and erected a family home. The townspeople learned that there was a dash of magic surrounding the house in the valley and they learned to steer clear. Over the years, Orquídea has many husbands and many children but she never tells her family much about her past. But after her family has moved out and as she reaches the end of her life, she calls them back home to learn the truth about her life.
Córdova creates a lush family saga that explores how a single matriarch impacts the rest of her family and the magic that follows her. Córdova's writing is evocative and does a great job of bringing the reader into the world of the story. The reader is brought along with the family as they learn more about their grandmother and the magic that seems to follow her. Telling the story through the eyes of family members works really well in that they only know so much so we as the reader are discovering much right alongside the family.
Orquídea is an interesting heroine and her life unravels in intriguing ways. Ultimately, I did enjoy the portions of the story with her grandchildren more than the sections with her. I think this is in part because so much of her life is told over relatively few chapters and thus has to go quite quickly. The story with the family takes place over less time which allows Córdova to delve more fully into their emotions and dwell on the details of their world.
I have long been meaning to pick up books by Córdova and I think this was a great place to start. I will definitely be reading more of her works and I look forward to what she puts out next.
Orquídea Divina swept into Four Rivers and erected a family home. The townspeople learned that there was a dash of magic surrounding the house in the valley and they learned to steer clear. Over the years, Orquídea has many husbands and many children but she never tells her family much about her past. But after her family has moved out and as she reaches the end of her life, she calls them back home to learn the truth about her life.
Córdova creates a lush family saga that explores how a single matriarch impacts the rest of her family and the magic that follows her. Córdova's writing is evocative and does a great job of bringing the reader into the world of the story. The reader is brought along with the family as they learn more about their grandmother and the magic that seems to follow her. Telling the story through the eyes of family members works really well in that they only know so much so we as the reader are discovering much right alongside the family.
Orquídea is an interesting heroine and her life unravels in intriguing ways. Ultimately, I did enjoy the portions of the story with her grandchildren more than the sections with her. I think this is in part because so much of her life is told over relatively few chapters and thus has to go quite quickly. The story with the family takes place over less time which allows Córdova to delve more fully into their emotions and dwell on the details of their world.
I have long been meaning to pick up books by Córdova and I think this was a great place to start. I will definitely be reading more of her works and I look forward to what she puts out next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Blood, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Thanks to Libro FM for the free advance listening copy of this book.
- THE INHERITANCE OF ORQUÍDEA DIVINA is a wonderfully engrossing mystery wrapped in a family saga.
- Córdova's writing is gorgeous, and the descriptions of the magical elements just beautiful.
- I loved the alternating timelines. It was a joy to let Orquídea's story unfold before me, especially as I listened to the audiobook, which felt so immersive.
- THE INHERITANCE OF ORQUÍDEA DIVINA is a wonderfully engrossing mystery wrapped in a family saga.
- Córdova's writing is gorgeous, and the descriptions of the magical elements just beautiful.
- I loved the alternating timelines. It was a joy to let Orquídea's story unfold before me, especially as I listened to the audiobook, which felt so immersive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
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, Infidelity, Slavery, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Racism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
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, Death, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content
jen_sometimes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Family secrets! Magical realism! Journey to break a curse! Badass women! Easy 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death and Infidelity
wai's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Grief, Stalking, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicide and Blood
farransmith's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Grief and Abandonment
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