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aksmith92'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? No
4.0
Noemí isn't necessarily the closest with her cousin, but she is worried, and her father offers to pay for her anthropology school if she goes to investigate. Therefore, Noemí treks to High Place, where Catalina lives with Virgil, her husband, Virgil's father, Howard, and others in the family, including Florence, Virgil's cousin, and Francis, Florence's son. Noemí discovers that Catalina isn't well, but everything is not as it seems. We trek on a journey with Noemí as she discovers a house that brings about nightmares and a family's past that unravels long-time secrets.
What I liked: I'm going to preface my entire review with this fact: I knew going into this that this wasn't as scary as it may have been set out to be. I forget where I heard it, but I knew that this was not a jump scare horror novel. Regardless, this is an odd tale that intertwines a creepy family and some natural wonders (but not in the best way!). I honestly loved the "horror" aspect to this - an utterly unhinged family and their story and a captivating plot around a house of horrors. I found it unique and compelling. I'm being vague for a reason - I don't want to give any spoilers to the house of horrors, but I thought it was exciting and original. This story made me cringe at parts, so while it didn't scare me a lot, it psychologically spooked me in other ways. Additionally, I thought Noemí was a refreshing and lovely character. She somehow didn't annoy me, which is quite challenging in a thriller/mystery/horror novel like this one. The main character inevitably decides something to further the plot where you want to scream "NO!" That didn't happen to me here, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The slight romance plot was also refreshing as Noemí most certainly didn't act like a woman of the 1950s (at least by American standards). I liked this novel's plot, thriller aspect, and characters.
Lastly, I was struck by the novel's profound symbolism, particularly its exploration of colonialism and racism. The theme of eugenics, set in 1950s Mexico, was a powerful reminder of the country's history. The Spanish conquest, the Revolution, and the exploitation of the land and its people by colonizers all resonated strongly. This voice, so prevalent in the novel, was a necessary and thought-provoking element.
What could have been better: Like many reviews, I must acknowledge that the pacing was a bit uneven. The first half of the book was admittedly slow, but the last 20% picked up dramatically. However, even during the slower parts, I was still invested in Noemí's journey, and it kept me hooked. Some parts were slightly predictable and occasionally dull, and the horror element wasn't as pronounced as I expected (or, at least, in the way I expected). Also, the writing was not atmospheric or flowery for a gothic novel. Still, the gothic elements were at least described - particularly an old, outdated house with no electricity and plenty of bad weather, mist, and fog hovering on the mountain.
Lastly—and this didn't impact my review, but I think for expectation sake, I will share—this book did not necessarily explain the how behind the horror-like element of it; you were just expected to roll with it. Did it make a ton of sense? No. Nor was there a lot of time explaining it. However, was it interesting and a great take on something different in the genre? Absolutely.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel, even when the pacing prevented me from rating it higher. I particularly liked the natural elements that weaved into the overall premise, and it was generally well done.
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Gore, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Cursing
Attempted rape, but it does not happen. However, there is a sexual assault. Suicide is on page, multiple places. Suicide attempt also on page.lorenag5's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Alcohol, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, Cannibalism, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Addiction, Blood, Child death, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Murder
theredheded_bibliomaniac's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.0
But
Implementation wasn't
Maybe coz I have watched a series based on the same concept that's why maybe I didn't like it much
.
But the three stars is coz she thought of it and implemented it
.
And
She was writing like she was explaining it to naive people
Like to someone who is new to thriller or horror
It was slow
Couldn't grab out attention
.
Just finished it coz we were curious
Graphic: Suicide, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Gore, Emotional abuse, Death, Racism, Child death, Miscarriage, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Chronic illness, Cannibalism, Blood, Torture, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Self harm
laurenbeetea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Infidelity, Infertility, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Torture, Rape, Murder, and Incest
errie's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Confinement, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Body horror, Cannibalism, Incest, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexism
ender24'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: Incest, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, Confinement, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Death, Xenophobia, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Miscarriage, Infertility, Misogyny, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, and Pedophilia
jlaz_13'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
3.75
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Drug use, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Self harm, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Body horror, Murder, and Suicide
Minor: Child death, Sexism, Trafficking, Infertility, Rape, Sexual violence, and Cursing
emmalouisereads'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
5.0
It’s a really strange story (that I enjoyed mostly for reasons that would be spoilers and I can’t mention). It certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
I’d love to see this made into a gothic film.
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, Sexual assault, Vomit, Rape, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Incest, Self harm, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Miscarriage
thoughtsontomes's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Self harm, Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Body horror, and Suicide
ria_aaa's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Racism, Vomit, Abortion, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Incest, Chronic illness, Medical content, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Child death, Rape, and Self harm