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kelseynakano's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Blood
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
rotfaced's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I agree with several other reviews here, which stated it more succinctly than I would: This book had a lot of potential, and is even enjoyable, but moves too quickly and with too little care and detail to really slip into. There were parts of the book that were very fun and even surprising, but the story is hindered by the very thing it seeks to emulate, which is fairy-tale formula. Many of the major events end up being:
- Main Characters have to confront a challenge.
- They are imperiled, briefly, by the challenge, but the peril does not feel overmuch.
- MC triumphs without any significant struggle.
- Later, the main characters talk.
- We check in on the villains.
- Rinse and repeat.
Just because this is an intentional and meaningful structure does not mean it is a good one.
The ending was stronger than the journey. It felt like we were rushing to get there. The writing can also be a bit too brief, and I feel we lose a lot of the momentum in this way. It is both a fast read and painfully slow at times. I was excited to read a story about Mexico in the 1920s, but the time period is merely a set dressing with very little actual impact on the characters. MC does become more compelling the further you get into the story.
The actual lore and magic is very cool, though. Also, some of the characters are QUITE good, but I think it says a lot that one character who shows up for all of two scenes was more exciting and lively than several characters who persist throughout the entire book.
Overall, I sit on the fence of giving it a 4* rating. With some reflection, I feel it falls a bit short for me, but it is worth the read and enjoyable nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
miamcmillan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
screams into the void silvia moreno-garcia i am in love with you this book is so evocative and powerful and beautifully written and every word in it feels so carefully considered and put together with such care i’m in awe
the mythology and the world building was so well done and the characters are gorgeous. i love it so much her writing is so quietly exquisite
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, and Blood
elizlizabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
This is my first book by SMG and I'm in love with the way she writes, this is exactly what I would've wanted to read as a teen obsessed with urban fantasy. It's obvious and appreciated that the author did her research before writing, plus the love story is woven so beautifully with the actual plot that it's compelling without taking over the action. The ending is bittersweet but so, so satisfactory and the characters and character growth is beyond anything I've read in a while. 5 stars!
----------------------
Revisiting after a recent re-read (2022): It is a brilliant story and I love the ending, although the timeline and flow of the story could've done with some editing to make it run seamlessly.
As for the romance, I still think there's something there but at times it can feel forced especially because it tends to fade to the background when not needed for plot purposes. I also think it tends to conflate love with lust but eh that's just me being nitpicky.
I would still recommend it and think it's great for people who like urban fantasy but would like to see other mythologies represented.
----------------------
Revisiting after a recent re-read (2022): It is a brilliant story and I love the ending, although the timeline and flow of the story could've done with some editing to make it run seamlessly.
As for the romance, I still think there's something there but at times it can feel forced especially because it tends to fade to the background when not needed for plot purposes. I also think it tends to conflate love with lust but eh that's just me being nitpicky.
I would still recommend it and think it's great for people who like urban fantasy but would like to see other mythologies represented.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
giulia___771's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Suicide, and Blood
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Death of parent
dariaklind's review
adventurous
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
3.25
I liked the premise but unfortunately did not enjoy the books as much as I was meaning to. I liked the main character but I wish we got more of the side characters because it felt like they didn't have enough depth to me. Also, wasn't the biggest fan of the romance. Usually I like "the Death and the Maiden" trope but here it felt underwhelming and developed too fast. Nonetheless, I liked the mythological aspect and it was a fun adventure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexism
keeganrb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, and Blood
angel_kiiss's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? No
2.75
It's a great concept but executed rather poorly. This American Gods but make it Mexican and Indigenous sounds like an interesting concept and it's enough to get you to pick up the book, but personally, I wasn't drawn in by the Cinderella lifestyle the main character was living and couldn't get behind the way the plot influenced her and not how she influenced the plot. Our protagonist, Casiopea, is pushed around by the plot and is only there as a prop to help in the god's adventure until the very end when she finally gets some agency of her own and makes a decision that actually affects the story. Up until that point, which is about 85% into the book, none of her actions actually have an effect on what is happening. In the end, her stubbornness and courage allow her to overcome, but up until then, this could literally have been any other girl with enough luck to get out of her oppression. Casiopeadoesn't run away and then find a god, she goes about daily life and is suddenly thrust into a god's path. "You have to come with me," he says. She has to bend so the plot can continue. Not the other way around.
I also was not a fan of the romance aspect. I think some authors forget that not all stories need romance, and this one definitely didn't. The romance between Casiopea and Hun'Kaman felt forced and as if the only reason they fell for each other was that their lives were now connected. Not once did I feel like there was anything actually there for her to fall in love with. We get told she's falling in love. In fact, we almost get told everything. This book is mostly telling not showing and the historical aspects felt shoved in rather than intertwined with the historical setting. We just happened to be in 1920s Mexico, but really it could have been any decade in some part of Southern Mexico. The time period only added to act as some filler in between plot events.
I also was not a fan of the romance aspect. I think some authors forget that not all stories need romance, and this one definitely didn't. The romance between Casiopea and Hun'Kaman felt forced and as if the only reason they fell for each other was that their lives were now connected. Not once did I feel like there was anything actually there for her to fall in love with. We get told she's falling in love. In fact, we almost get told everything. This book is mostly telling not showing and the historical aspects felt shoved in rather than intertwined with the historical setting. We just happened to be in 1920s Mexico, but really it could have been any decade in some part of Southern Mexico. The time period only added to act as some filler in between plot events.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, and Religious bigotry
adeliav's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I like this book... a lot. On the surface it is a fun story rooted in a desire to escape and follow your dreams framed around Mexican mythology. Deeper it has a frame work of perception versus reality, personal will versus external circumstances, the power of thought and words, and death as a savior/means of escape.
The pacing was great, the story was intriguing and captivating, the characters are the focus and you learn to care for them or at least empathize with them. The authors writing style is perfect for the type of narrative they were telling in this book.
The pacing was great, the story was intriguing and captivating, the characters are the focus and you learn to care for them or at least empathize with them. The authors writing style is perfect for the type of narrative they were telling in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Suicide
zombiezami's review
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It took me a long time to get through this. I tried with an ebook several times, and even though I purchased the audiobook, I still had a hard time. It's not so much that I disliked; I didn't I think this book would have done better for me in a visual medium, maybe as a graphic novel or even a tv show or movie. There was so much imagery that I wish I could just see instead of hearing it described. I was very interested in the mythology presented, and I liked Cassiopeia as a character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
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