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messyread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Transphobia, Murder, and Dysphoria
Minor: Alcohol and Death of parent
troisha's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Transphobia
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Body horror, Car accident, Cultural appropriation, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, and Child abuse
emily_mh's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
While the initial conflict of the ending felt anticlimactic,
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Deadnaming, Racism, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Body shaming, Animal death, Cursing, Alcohol, Drug use, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Car accident, Body horror, Vomit, Ableism, and Medical content
mburnsides's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Blood and Death
Minor: Body horror, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Racism, and Kidnapping
hmatt's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
To start - THIS was what I wanted from Mexican Gothic in terms of incorporating the culture. Not just a wee sprinkle here and there, you're in it. Fantastic. To add to this, I loved that not every Spanish phrase was translated. It felt like it was written for Latinx readers first, and other readers after. Very cool.
I always enjoy when the narrator matches the perspective character, and in this case that was true, but I felt that this narrator sometimes put weird emphasis on the wrong words in a sentence. It was like they hadn't read the passage in advance of reading it aloud and were surprised by its pacing. Words hang off the edge of sentences where you can tell how it was written is not how it's being read. However, I respect that the author/publisher sought out a trans, Latinx narrator and I guess this might just be a first-time-narrating thing.
Remainder of the review contains BIG spoilers.
I was left a little peeved that some minor plot bits weren't resolved. In these instances, it felt as though the author bit off a bit more than they could chew. Example: we never learn how Yadriel's mother really died - a car accident is mentioned but it's heavily hinted that there is more to the story. But we never circle back around to it.
I also felt like Maritza was brushed to the side in the latter half of the book. I know she technically got her glory and all that, but I would have preferred a bit more fanfare.
I left the book feeling a bit disappointed that it was a romance. There was a moment, when Luca was introduced, that I thought he could have been Julian's love interest. I think it could have been just as strong and interesting if this had been the case, or if no one was paired, but I can see the significance of Yadriel getting a romance plot too.
Now. Okay. Biggest piss off.
Did we really need to play into the "loner evil uncle" trope? I really think this book could have done better. And then it's just BRUSHED OFF by the family, even though we've repeatedly been told how important family is to these people. It didn't fit. Catriz as the uncle who is also isolated from the family but supports and stands up for Yadriel? Winner. So much potential. I was SEETHING when I figured out this was how it was going to go down.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Deadnaming, Death, Grief, Kidnapping, Transphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content and Murder
totallyshelfaware's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Deadnaming, Blood, Body horror, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
icannotweave's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Death, Transphobia, and Child death
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Car accident and Police brutality
pastelkerstin's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
On the other hand I love these characters and they have all my uwus, so. 4 stars. A good time.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Transphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Deadnaming, Drug use, Gun violence, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Self harm
Fire, misgendering, gender dysphoria, mentions of deportation, mentions of gang violence, racist discrimination by policewritewithapendragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Body horror, Transphobia, Murder, Kidnapping, and Blood
Minor: Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death of parent, Gore, and Grief
oliverlang's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Transphobia, Murder, Grief, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Deadnaming