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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
apworden's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Body horror, Pregnancy, Stalking, and Death
laurareads87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
“You have to focus all of your energy on that connection every family has. It’s in our bones, our blood. More than that, it’s in the questions we need answered. The secrets, traumas, and legacies that we don’t know we’ve inherited, even if we don’t want them.”
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, set alternately between the United States and Equador, follows five generations of Montoyas and centres on the figure of Orquídea, a woman with many secrets. The novel jumps between Orquídea’s past as a child and young woman and her grandchildren’s present as they work to uncover the mysteries surrounding their family.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel! It’s well written, the story is compelling, the characters are well developed, and the magical realism is perfect. I particularly appreciate that the story focuses on so many generations of multi-faceted and complex girls and women. The pace is a little slow at the outset, particularly as each member of the family is introduced in turn, but it picks up quickly enough and held my interest throughout – by the halfway point I had to know what was going to happen. Something about the third-person voice didn’t quite work for me consistently, but the beautiful writing, strong character development, and compelling narrative definitely add up to something special and I absolutely recommend this novel especially to those who enjoy magical realism and/or multi-generational family stories.
<i>Thank you to Netgalley + the publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for a review.</i>
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, set alternately between the United States and Equador, follows five generations of Montoyas and centres on the figure of Orquídea, a woman with many secrets. The novel jumps between Orquídea’s past as a child and young woman and her grandchildren’s present as they work to uncover the mysteries surrounding their family.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel! It’s well written, the story is compelling, the characters are well developed, and the magical realism is perfect. I particularly appreciate that the story focuses on so many generations of multi-faceted and complex girls and women. The pace is a little slow at the outset, particularly as each member of the family is introduced in turn, but it picks up quickly enough and held my interest throughout – by the halfway point I had to know what was going to happen. Something about the third-person voice didn’t quite work for me consistently, but the beautiful writing, strong character development, and compelling narrative definitely add up to something special and I absolutely recommend this novel especially to those who enjoy magical realism and/or multi-generational family stories.
<i>Thank you to Netgalley + the publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for a review.</i>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment, Child death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death
brittshaw_p's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
Evocatively beautiful story. Comprising of a nonlinear timeline, family drama, a quest, and magic, this book will haunt me for days - months - years. 100% recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Infidelity
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: Alcohol, Abandonment, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment and Grief
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