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brancrisp's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
youraveragedave's review
dark
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
A fascinating exercise in writing. Loteria is a Mexican card game, kind of like a cross between Tarot and bingo or the lottery. Each card is presented as a short story or poem. Some work better than others. I found myself drawn more to the longer short stories. Especially the werewolf and missing women working in the boarder town one.
I really liked the final act of the book, a game of Loteria played with a young couple who lost their child. As she does the reading we read so many hints and allusions to all the cards in the deck. The woman doing the reading brings this mathematical aspect to Loteria that I enjoyed as well.
I really liked the final act of the book, a game of Loteria played with a young couple who lost their child. As she does the reading we read so many hints and allusions to all the cards in the deck. The woman doing the reading brings this mathematical aspect to Loteria that I enjoyed as well.
oriana095's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
jazsc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
melodyseestrees's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
5.0
Each of these chapters can be treated as separate short stories. Some of which really felt like they could have been a much longer story. Some had characters that were not at all loveable, while others had characters you could bond with. Quite a few of these stories are very very violent. The culture weaved into these tales is apparent, even though I was not fully aware of several of them.
I highly recommend the audiobook edition as the narrators did a fantastic job and several of the stories are reportedly longer than in the physical edition.
I highly recommend the audiobook edition as the narrators did a fantastic job and several of the stories are reportedly longer than in the physical edition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, Trafficking, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Slavery, Confinement, and Sexual violence
There is a story where a much older woman is dating a 19 year old man. It gave me the ick but both characters are technically considered adults.lwebb91's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
sarbus's review against another edition
I love short story compilations, but i couldn't get into this one. It might have just been the wrong book at the wrong time.
jcordon6's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5