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freddybingsu's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Body shaming, War, and Bullying
elliereadsthings's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
As many before have said, having read the English translated version, I can only imagine the amount of magic in the original Spanish. It was translated so well - including the Spanish titles (e.g. Nana, Sra., Sr.) and the occasional Spanish word helped keep me immersed in the location.
I will say, the one dislike I have - or rather had - was the first (and maybe second) POV change at the beginning of the book (the ones in first person). Once you go through a couple of them and you start to learn who this narrator is, they’re much less abrupt and much more welcomed. The first one definitely unimmersed me but because it’s so early in the book it didn’t divert me from continuing. And, as you can probably guess, I’m glad I did.
I will say, the one dislike I have - or rather had - was the first (and maybe second) POV change at the beginning of the book (the ones in first person). Once you go through a couple of them and you start to learn who this narrator is, they’re much less abrupt and much more welcomed. The first one definitely unimmersed me but because it’s so early in the book it didn’t divert me from continuing. And, as you can probably guess, I’m glad I did.
If you are reading this book, stuck in the first couple chapters, I URGE you to keep reading.
“-and the house left its own echos in me. I carry them inside me still. I’m certain I carry my mama and papa in my cells, but also the lavender, the orange blossoms, my mother’s sheets, my grandmother’s calculated footsteps, the toasted pecans, the clunk of the treacherous tile, the sugar caramelizing, the cajeta, the mad cicadas, the smells of old wood, and the polished clay floors. I’m also made of oranges—green, sweet, or rotten; of orange-blossom honey and royal jelly. I’m made of everything that touched my senses during that time and entered the part of my brain where I keep my memories.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Death of parent, Murder, Ableism, Abandonment, and Bullying
evvarmoth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming
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