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hocuscrocus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
lucija0's review
5.0
So great and gripping, it was a crescendo the whole way through. I really liked it. The atmosphere was so well done and really escalated nicely. The main character was developed so realistically. Just great. The only minor critique I have are the occasional infodumps which felt kind of out of place for such slowly descending into madness story. But it didn't bother me enough to change my opinion.
ipharra'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
4.0
mianb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
livres_de_bloss's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
Like many books released lately, I feel this is very over-hyped.
The MC is really grating and unsympathetic which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the book.
The pace was pretty slow until about the last fifty pages at which point everything just goes off the rails in the most chaotic and nonsensical way.
Another element that disappointed me was that this was not Mexican OR gothic. This could have taken place anywhere in the world, at virtually any time. Annoyingly, the language was way too modern to be believable fifties dialogue.
This just rather missed the mark for me. It wasn’t “thrilling”, more like a slow (and repetitive!) mystery but one that goes a bit loopy toward the end. I wasn’t invested in it enough to care by the end and it was so over the top that the effect was totally lost.
The writing is stilted and it reads like YA. Disappointed.
Like many books released lately, I feel this is very over-hyped.
The MC is really grating and unsympathetic which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the book.
The pace was pretty slow until about the last fifty pages at which point everything just goes off the rails in the most chaotic and nonsensical way.
Another element that disappointed me was that this was not Mexican OR gothic. This could have taken place anywhere in the world, at virtually any time. Annoyingly, the language was way too modern to be believable fifties dialogue.
This just rather missed the mark for me. It wasn’t “thrilling”, more like a slow (and repetitive!) mystery but one that goes a bit loopy toward the end. I wasn’t invested in it enough to care by the end and it was so over the top that the effect was totally lost.
The writing is stilted and it reads like YA. Disappointed.
ricardocouto92's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
liz_towery's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
lasayegh123's review
3.0
If I liked haunted house stories, I think I really would have enjoyed this novel. The writing was beautiful, the setting in 1950s Mexican country, and even the concept was really interesting. But I just thought this one was okay. Not something where I-have-to-know-what-happens-next vibe. And there were some pretty gross parts. But overall, didn't hate it - didn't love it.
celinemmarie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? No
2.5
kristianawithak's review
4.0
I can't say enough nice things about this novel! It is the Gothic tale I had been waiting for this summer! If you like the cover or the title, let that be enough to urge you to read the book. It delivers on both.
It has a remote, isolated location. A cousin visiting another cousin because of a peculiar letter she received. There's a family with a mysterious history. It's great. It checks all the boxes and envelopes you in the story.
It has a remote, isolated location. A cousin visiting another cousin because of a peculiar letter she received. There's a family with a mysterious history. It's great. It checks all the boxes and envelopes you in the story.