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bookdragon217's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"...—because to children, adults were not always the protectors. Adults were the ones who brought about wickedness and regret."
Children of Chicago by Cynthia Pelayo was October's book club pick and I am still thinking about it. Pelayo's writing was atmospheric, full of depth, and seeped with so much dark Chicago history. Her storytelling is superb. She made me rethink fairytales, and their influences in society. I'm definitely seeing the Pied Piper fairytale through a new lens. Chicago was brought to life and I can't wait to uncover more of the city's layers in her other works. Pelayo really set the tone for this one with the clever nods to Candyman, Nightmare on Elm Street and Bloody Mary. There were definite moments when I was scared and could feel the hairs on my arm stand up.
Pelayo explores the complexities of so many themes including:
👤 unresolved childhood trauma and anger
👤 dark side and history of fairytales
👤 the ways adults can be monsters and fail to protect children
👤 the violent, bloody foundations of major big cities
👤 effects of gentrification on inner city populations
👤 how the past can degrade the individual & collective spirit
👤 the ways in which children for the sins of adults
👤 how the genre of horror provides a mirror to society
👤 how violence steals dreams and changes future outcomes
👤 how children will sometimes go to any lengths to secure their own happiness
👤 how Catholic schools don't save you from the violence of the hood
👤 how secrets fester and resurface when not brought to the light and confronted
If you have never read horror before, then this one is a great place to start. The story is gripping with a setting that comes to life. You'll be wrapped up in the mystery and emotion. You'll love the nostalgia of the classic horror movie vibes. Last but not least, the latinx and boricua representation give it even more extra flavor. Children of Chicago will leave a lasting mark on you & leave you craving for more of Pelayo's stories. I highly recommend you pick this one up, read Pelayo's backlist and pre-order whatever Pelayo has coming next. There's a reason she's the first Puerto woman to win a Stroker award.
Children of Chicago by Cynthia Pelayo was October's book club pick and I am still thinking about it. Pelayo's writing was atmospheric, full of depth, and seeped with so much dark Chicago history. Her storytelling is superb. She made me rethink fairytales, and their influences in society. I'm definitely seeing the Pied Piper fairytale through a new lens. Chicago was brought to life and I can't wait to uncover more of the city's layers in her other works. Pelayo really set the tone for this one with the clever nods to Candyman, Nightmare on Elm Street and Bloody Mary. There were definite moments when I was scared and could feel the hairs on my arm stand up.
Pelayo explores the complexities of so many themes including:
👤 unresolved childhood trauma and anger
👤 dark side and history of fairytales
👤 the ways adults can be monsters and fail to protect children
👤 the violent, bloody foundations of major big cities
👤 effects of gentrification on inner city populations
👤 how the past can degrade the individual & collective spirit
👤 the ways in which children for the sins of adults
👤 how the genre of horror provides a mirror to society
👤 how violence steals dreams and changes future outcomes
👤 how children will sometimes go to any lengths to secure their own happiness
👤 how Catholic schools don't save you from the violence of the hood
👤 how secrets fester and resurface when not brought to the light and confronted
If you have never read horror before, then this one is a great place to start. The story is gripping with a setting that comes to life. You'll be wrapped up in the mystery and emotion. You'll love the nostalgia of the classic horror movie vibes. Last but not least, the latinx and boricua representation give it even more extra flavor. Children of Chicago will leave a lasting mark on you & leave you craving for more of Pelayo's stories. I highly recommend you pick this one up, read Pelayo's backlist and pre-order whatever Pelayo has coming next. There's a reason she's the first Puerto woman to win a Stroker award.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Child death
mzynda's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
doomluz's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The main character is unlikable and feels like a stereotypical cop. She prioritizes her work to the detriment of her health and other relationships. She drinks coffee every moment and eats almost no food, which bothered me more than it probably should have. The main issue with her is how problematic she is as a police officer. The end tries to explain why she's considered a trigger happy cop, but it still doesn't explain the fact that she says she beat an inmate just because she was angry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Police brutality, Mental illness, Child death, Violence, Gun violence, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Grief
poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, and Cancer
Moderate: Police brutality
redbirdwings's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Violence
vale_reading's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Police brutality, Violence, and Child death
jrharris's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Child death
sdsmith80's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
<strong>A modern fairy tale!</strong>
I'm originally from the Midwest, so the thought of a fairy tale set in Chicago piqued my interest. Also, with the second book coming out, I wanted to get caught up. I'm so glad I did.
First off, I'm a sucker for stories based in mythology, and I love how Cynthia Pelayo gives the history of the Brothers Grimm, and the tales they collected, then set one of those tales, The Pied Piper, in modern day Chicago. The blending of other mythologies (specifically Greek) was a great touch as well.
My heart broke for Lauren as her story unraveled and the truth came to light. The struggles she had through her whole life, and what she did to survive, made for an excellent, if heart-wrenching, tale. My only gripe, minus one very minor blip (a harmonica described as laser engraved about a century before laser engraving existed), is that the ending leaves so many unanswered questions.
I really hope that the next books in this saga will revisit Det. Medina's story, and not just completely ignore it in favor of the new tales. My public library already has a copy of The Shoemaker's Magician, so hopefully my wait won't be too long to continue this series!
I'm originally from the Midwest, so the thought of a fairy tale set in Chicago piqued my interest. Also, with the second book coming out, I wanted to get caught up. I'm so glad I did.
First off, I'm a sucker for stories based in mythology, and I love how Cynthia Pelayo gives the history of the Brothers Grimm, and the tales they collected, then set one of those tales, The Pied Piper, in modern day Chicago. The blending of other mythologies (specifically Greek) was a great touch as well.
My heart broke for Lauren as her story unraveled and the truth came to light. The struggles she had through her whole life, and what she did to survive, made for an excellent, if heart-wrenching, tale. My only gripe, minus one very minor blip (a harmonica described as laser engraved about a century before laser engraving existed), is that the ending leaves so many unanswered questions.
I really hope that the next books in this saga will revisit Det. Medina's story, and not just completely ignore it in favor of the new tales. My public library already has a copy of The Shoemaker's Magician, so hopefully my wait won't be too long to continue this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Mental illness, Murder, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Violence, Alcohol, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Gun violence and Police brutality
catwhisperer's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Grief, Child death, Death of parent, Abandonment, Blood, Gun violence, Mental illness, Police brutality, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gore, Murder, Self harm, Suicide, and Violence
raynestorm's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.25
Grimdark and jarringly body-horror filled, not for the faint of heart. For a YA book, this goes to some pretty frightening places. Fascinating, and a very loving ode to the darker tales humanity has conjured.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Child death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Violence
Some scenes that could be read as, and feel like, psychosis or hallucinating, but are intended to be taken as reality.