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szuum's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
The first part was interesting, all the rest was a narrative, structural and stylistic mess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
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, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Child death
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, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, Colonisation, and Blood
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: Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
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
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
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
lyonsdenprojects's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
This book is so wonderfully magical. It has a beautiful take on magical realism and mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. I adored it so much, I need to get more of this author's books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death and Confinement