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danihope's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I’m a sucker for anything by Reyna Grande but I have to admit I didn’t love this one. I seem to be the odd one out as this is a Bookstagram favorite!! The story is fantastic, based on the true story of the San Patricios Unit during the Mexican American war. I did really enjoy this one overall but I struggled with a few spots.
I loved Grande’s writing as usual. Poetic, moving, and all around beautiful this book is a fantastic read with her writing alone. I also enjoyed how she made mention at the end of the border crossing Ximena. It is a feeling many of us can relate to.
The main thing I didn’t like was the assertion of the Irishmen as overall better than the Mexicans and Indians. It felt very odd to me in a book meant to tell the Mexican side of the story. At one point, a Mexican soldier attempts to wave the white flag and the Irishmen shoots him IN THE HAND instead of just shooting the flag or ripping it from his hands. Why would you shoot your own comrade? I just don’t understand that and it has stuck with me through this whole book.
I also never felt interested in their love story. It seemed just…off to me. I must say that the audito narrators killed it!!! Their accents were on point, I loved the audio!
I loved this for the historical aspects but the other parts fell flat for me. Overall, I still love Reyna Grande, this one just isn’t my favorite. This book would be a great read for anyone interested in historical fiction set in Mexico or fans of Outlander!
thank you to @atriabooks for the gifted copy
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
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