Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

168 reviews

violentte's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"Mexican Gothic" presents a compelling narrative reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" (although I have not seen many make this connection) albeit set in Mexico and intertwined with underlying race issues. Throughout the story, the gripping plot held my attention, although it received a rating of 4 stars due to certain areas that left me wishing for further exploration.

Firstly, I longed for more depth into the character of Catalina, the cousin at the center of the tale. While glimpses of her backstory and personality were provided through flashbacks and Noemí's commentary, they proved insufficient. Strengthening the narrative could have been achieved through dual perspectives, offering insights from both Catalina and Noemí or by dedicating several chapters—perhaps 5 to 10— to Catalina's experiences post-marriage, leading up to her pivotal letter to Noemí.

Additionally, greater insight into Francis would have enhanced comprehension surrounding his motivations, particularly concerning his

betrayal of his mother

. While Noemí's burgeoning feelings for him were evident, his own sentiments remained unclear. Did he reciprocate her affection, or was there another driving force behind his actions?

Overall, "Mexican Gothic" delivers a captivating narrative with echoes of classic literature, but the potential for deeper character exploration leaves room for improvement. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Violence, Sexism, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, Racism, Death, Suicide, Sexual assault, Murder, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Physical abuse, Incest, Gore, Gaslighting, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Body horror

slavic_bookworm's review against another edition

challenging 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? It's complicated

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Miscarriage, Violence, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Gun violence, Body horror, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Sexism, Mental illness, Gore, Torture, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Stalking, Death, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Incest, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Cannibalism and Rape

taylortome's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful 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? No

4.5

I wonderful gothic horror novel. The writing is incredible and the imagery that is developed through this is beautifully bone-chilling. The ending was very fast but appropriate for the events that occurred leading up to it. There are some unanswered questions but I am not upset that they all weren’t answered. A mystery still exists and the reader can determine for themselves what they think. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Incest

Minor: Rape, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Misogyny, Blood, Cannibalism, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

sophieamreacher's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Dark and disturbing fantasy that grossed me out. Interesting setting, plot and characters but a little slow at times. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Torture, Suicide, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Chronic illness, Rape, Violence, Incest, Confinement, Classism, Child death, Vomit, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Alcohol, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Domestic abuse, Body horror, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Gun violence, Death, Cannibalism, Blood, Medical content, Infertility, Gore, Emotional abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent

jaydeecepticon's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Incest, Child death, Gun violence, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Confinement

Minor: Suicide, Vomit, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, War, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, and Pandemic/Epidemic

rachelly's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Body horror, and Rape

fkshg8465's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. I'm starting to understand the appeal of the horror genre. When it's done well, it has a way of creeping into the tiniest recesses of my mind and poke around in each one. That's what it felt like to read this one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Racism, Confinement, Kidnapping, Slavery, Pandemic/Epidemic, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Incest, and Sexual assault

lorie266's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Incest, Violence, Body horror, Classism, Death, Gore, and Blood

Moderate: Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment

betwixtbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

What a fantastic book.  I was hooked from page one.  I loved the flavour of this story and the mystery.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Child death

Moderate: Rape, Incest, Pregnancy, Racism, Physical abuse, and Mass/school shootings

cielosiluminado's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

4.0

this is the first non-romance book i've read in a while. and it's the first horror book i've ever read. truly not what i was expecting, and i didn't expect to like it so much.

what made me want to read it in the first place was the setting: 1950s mexico. it's unique, one i haven't really read about.

The world might indeed be a cursed circle; the snake swallowed its tail and there could be no end, only an eternal ruination and endless devouring.

the story itself is bizarre, fascinating, bone-chilling, and dark. reading this gave me the heebie-jeebies. and made me really dislike mushrooms more than i already do.

although a good story, not rated higher because of its predictability.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual assault