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literarypenguin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
2.0
I had read so many things about Silvia's other works so I was excited about one of her books being on my list. Sadly I was disappointed and maybe this book shouldn't have been my first dive into Silvia's works.
While I did love the noir setting and tone this story had, that was out shadowed by the annoying main character and boring story. The character of Maite was vain and rude to every person she encountered especially women. She had the habit of judging people before she even got a chance to know them and how she felt about her looks played a constant role into her thoughts which got repetitive after a while. The other character Elvis was the typical gangster who wants to leave the life behind him. Nothing really stood out about him besides his love for music. The two characters didnt even really interact until the last chapters.
The mystery of the missing women, to be honest I stopped caring about what happened to her about half way through. That isnt usually how a mystery is suppose to go and that was a real letdown for me. I hope Silvia's next works are a lot better and this book won't sour any of the other wonderful stories she has to offer.
While I did love the noir setting and tone this story had, that was out shadowed by the annoying main character and boring story. The character of Maite was vain and rude to every person she encountered especially women. She had the habit of judging people before she even got a chance to know them and how she felt about her looks played a constant role into her thoughts which got repetitive after a while. The other character Elvis was the typical gangster who wants to leave the life behind him. Nothing really stood out about him besides his love for music. The two characters didnt even really interact until the last chapters.
The mystery of the missing women, to be honest I stopped caring about what happened to her about half way through. That isnt usually how a mystery is suppose to go and that was a real letdown for me. I hope Silvia's next works are a lot better and this book won't sour any of the other wonderful stories she has to offer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Torture, Blood, and Sexual content
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I purchased a copy of this book at a library book sale.
"Velvet Was the Night" follows Maite and Elvis in Mexico during the 1970's. Maite is a secretary who is barely scrapping by, and she is completely oblivious to the protests happening right outside her door. Her new neighbor, Leonora, asks Maite to watch her cat for her for a few days. But, when a few days turns into longer, Maite is thrust into a world she had no idea existed. Elvis has a violent way of getting what he wants, and when he is tasked with finding Leonora, he will stop at nothing to prove himself worthy to his boss.
This was a fantastic historical fiction, and the first historical fiction I have read that is set in Mexico. I did not even realize this story was inspired by true events until the author's note at the end, because this novel reads like an exciting, fictitious story all on its own. The fact that it is inspired by real events makes it all the more interesting.
Maite as a character was insufferable, but that kind of made the story progress in an interesting way. Maite has the habit of fabricating her life because her real life is not at all interesting and is in actuality kind of sad. Her whole motivation for wanting to find Leonora is because she needs the money Leonora promised her to pay for her car to be fixed. Even when Maite discovers that Leonora might be in trouble and is mixed up in some dangerous things, Maite is still really only motivated by money.
Elvis was such a complex, morally gray character. We all know what he is doing is wrong, and he should not be harming people in pursuit of truth, but he is also just this loveable guy that got mixed up in the wrong crowd in an attempt to survive. I really enjoyed his story arch and reading from his perspective.
This story, in spite of being a historical fiction, has some twists and turns that I did not see coming, and that kept me wanting to read more. Once I started, I could not put this book down. I was pretty happy with the ultimate resolution and where the story ended up.
I definitely recommend this story if you are looking for a peak into Mexico's corruption in the 1970's.
"Velvet Was the Night" follows Maite and Elvis in Mexico during the 1970's. Maite is a secretary who is barely scrapping by, and she is completely oblivious to the protests happening right outside her door. Her new neighbor, Leonora, asks Maite to watch her cat for her for a few days. But, when a few days turns into longer, Maite is thrust into a world she had no idea existed. Elvis has a violent way of getting what he wants, and when he is tasked with finding Leonora, he will stop at nothing to prove himself worthy to his boss.
This was a fantastic historical fiction, and the first historical fiction I have read that is set in Mexico. I did not even realize this story was inspired by true events until the author's note at the end, because this novel reads like an exciting, fictitious story all on its own. The fact that it is inspired by real events makes it all the more interesting.
Maite as a character was insufferable, but that kind of made the story progress in an interesting way. Maite has the habit of fabricating her life because her real life is not at all interesting and is in actuality kind of sad. Her whole motivation for wanting to find Leonora is because she needs the money Leonora promised her to pay for her car to be fixed. Even when Maite discovers that Leonora might be in trouble and is mixed up in some dangerous things, Maite is still really only motivated by money.
Elvis was such a complex, morally gray character. We all know what he is doing is wrong, and he should not be harming people in pursuit of truth, but he is also just this loveable guy that got mixed up in the wrong crowd in an attempt to survive. I really enjoyed his story arch and reading from his perspective.
This story, in spite of being a historical fiction, has some twists and turns that I did not see coming, and that kept me wanting to read more. Once I started, I could not put this book down. I was pretty happy with the ultimate resolution and where the story ended up.
I definitely recommend this story if you are looking for a peak into Mexico's corruption in the 1970's.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Police brutality, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Torture, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Grief, Death, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Sexual content
_likethefruit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Murder, War, Torture, Stalking, and Police brutality
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
flaminggecko's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Physical abuse, War, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Gun violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Classism
lolasherwin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Gun violence
matcha_pages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm generally a fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's books, but this noir pulp fictiontook some effort for me to get through. I had a hard time staying interested, there wasn't much of a hook to pull the story forward. The writing is solid and the backdrop of political unrest creates tension in most interatctions. I kept hoping for something to draw me into the story and it does...just at the end.
The characters really carried the book, especially Maite. At first I didn't like her because she was vapid and had odd quirks. But as I learned more about her and understood her insecurities, she started to make the events much more interesting.
I'm still a fan of SMG, but I'll probably stick with her fantasy books.
The characters really carried the book, especially Maite. At first I didn't like her because she was vapid and had odd quirks. But as I learned more about her and understood her insecurities, she started to make the events much more interesting.
I'm still a fan of SMG, but I'll probably stick with her fantasy books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Murder
unlikelyplaces's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not overly sure how to talk about this one. It’s really not my usual genre but I picked it up because I wanted to try this author’s work and I’ll read anything set in the 70s but I did really enjoy it.
This is a noir/mystery/thriller novel set in Mexico in the 70s during a time of extreme political control known as the “Dirty War”. The story itself follows a woman called Maite and a man called Elvis as they investigate the disappearance of a missing woman.
I loved the way the characters lives sort of circle around each other and interweave throughout the novel. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and am definitely interested in picking up more of their work.
My main issue with this was that I really couldn’t stand Maite. I don’t think she’s meant to be particularly likeable but I just found her a very irritating pov, especially early on in the novel. Once the story got going through I was hooked.
As I say, this is really not my usual genre so I don’t know how much I can say about how good it really is but I had a good time and learned about a period of history that I didn’t know about before so that’s a win for me.
This is a noir/mystery/thriller novel set in Mexico in the 70s during a time of extreme political control known as the “Dirty War”. The story itself follows a woman called Maite and a man called Elvis as they investigate the disappearance of a missing woman.
I loved the way the characters lives sort of circle around each other and interweave throughout the novel. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and am definitely interested in picking up more of their work.
My main issue with this was that I really couldn’t stand Maite. I don’t think she’s meant to be particularly likeable but I just found her a very irritating pov, especially early on in the novel. Once the story got going through I was hooked.
As I say, this is really not my usual genre so I don’t know how much I can say about how good it really is but I had a good time and learned about a period of history that I didn’t know about before so that’s a win for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gun violence
Moderate: Body shaming, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
bookmaddie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.5
Another dramatic, dark, but warm story from Moreno-Garcia! Great audiobook—my love for Gisela Chipe’s narration only grows.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, and Torture
kay_reads9's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, and Cursing
msradiosilence's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
TLDR; 4 rating, Maite is so funny, and I really liked this!
Content warnings at the bottom. :)
First and foremost: fuck El Mago. That bitch deserved it lol.
Listen, I like Maite and I like Elvis, but I am uncomfy with age gaps. That being said, I hope Maite and Elvis find happiness and if that’s with one another? Even better. After what Ruben pulled, Maite deserves happiness.
Speaking of Ruben, the fact that Maite opened up and told Ruben about Cristabol and he still left her for the artist bitch?? Are you kidding me? I hope she leaves his ass again.
I thought this book was a different one (Certain Dark Things) but I was pleasantly surprised. I had a great time.
Rating: 4
Would I recommend? Yes, especially if you enjoy noir and complicated romances.
Content warnings: Violence, Gun violence, Murder, Torture, Sexual content, Blood
Content warnings at the bottom. :)
First and foremost: fuck El Mago. That bitch deserved it lol.
Listen, I like Maite and I like Elvis, but I am uncomfy with age gaps. That being said, I hope Maite and Elvis find happiness and if that’s with one another? Even better. After what Ruben pulled, Maite deserves happiness.
Speaking of Ruben,
I thought this book was a different one (Certain Dark Things) but I was pleasantly surprised. I had a great time.
Rating: 4
Would I recommend? Yes, especially if you enjoy noir and complicated romances.
Content warnings: Violence, Gun violence, Murder, Torture, Sexual content, Blood
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, Blood, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder