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missjeann's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Murder, Rape, Homophobia, Sexism, Lesbophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Cannibalism, and Transphobia
Minor: Terminal illness, Adult/minor relationship, and Mental illness
qqjj's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Drug use, Transphobia, Toxic relationship, Murder, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Body horror, Bullying, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Torture, Sexual assault, Racism, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Violence, Toxic friendship, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
anne_shouseofdreams's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cursing, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Infidelity
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Child abuse, Confinement, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Trafficking
Minor: Sexual content and Incest
2treads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Gala uses his intimate knowledge of Cuba to render a character-centred story with location settings used to indicate changing fortunes.
-One day the pigeons will take over the unfinished cathedral, they'll smother it with their wings, and when that day comes, I'm going to be in Cienfuegos to see it- Berta.
Within five(less) pages I could tell I was going to enjoy this book. The alternating viewpoints highlighted not only the diversity of characteristics of the narratives, it also alerted the reader to the difference in identities and experiences of the characters themselves.
The twisted and dark characters who use religion to lend credence to their actions or the ones who turn to Christianity in order to satisfy certain desires were a definite draw when it came to my enjoyment of this book. I mean there were some less than morally upright people in this book.
The injection of the spirit world and the influences of Palo also served to keep me engrossed. Gala also highlights the poverty, social status, toxicity, casual transphobia, and misogynistic tendencies, without allowing it to become a focal point in the story.
The Black Cathedral that was to be a beacon of hope and light in the community and to the people, slowly morphed into a symbol for overgrown and darkened ambitions, becoming a character in it's own right, as the different influences and ramifications of its building are seen reflected in our characters lives.
The changing perspectives, introduction of new characters with different viewpoints and versions of what they saw happening in Cienfuegos broadened the scope of the narrative and kept me engrossed from start to finish.
This is a very character-centred story, even the Cathedral takes on a life of its own, with what it was meant to represent and in the end what it really stood for; the neighbourhood exists on the periphery, though the shadier aspects of it do not. READ THIS BOOK!
Minor: Transphobia and Misogyny
joceraptor's review
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Violence, Transphobia, Sexism, Racism, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Cursing, Chronic illness, and Child abuse
Not sure how to word the content warning, but towards the end there is a character who purposefully injects theirself with blood from an HIV+ person in order to contract the disease.