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asthepoetsays's review against another edition
4.0
4,5
vraiment pas mal même si un peu trop descriptif parfois à mon goût. intrigue très bien écrite et pensée même si c’était un peu incompréhensible à certains moments
francis mon bb coeur
vraiment pas mal même si un peu trop descriptif parfois à mon goût. intrigue très bien écrite et pensée même si c’était un peu incompréhensible à certains moments
francis mon bb coeur
aj_humphreys's review against another edition
4.0
I'm rounding up to 4, but really Mexican Gothic is a solid 3.*something above five* read. In the end, what I loved most about this book are the reveal and subsequent climax.
There's a lot of mystery and intrigue in the book, but it makes for genuinely slow PACING, and in a novel that hardly breaches the 300-page mark that can make for a longer read than it should.
Then you have the CHARACTERS, who are just a tad dull in my opinion. My main issue lies with the protagonist, Noemi, who I want to like, but find it difficult. She never really changes. We're led to believe she has, but there's nothing to truly show it. In the end, Noemi is still living in the Noemi-centric world of a 20-something who won't take no for an answer, wants what she can't have, and lives in a state of denial. The supporting characters are good enough, but highlight more than anything that this is Noemi's world, and they're all just living in it. It makes things seem predictable because she always appears to get what she wants, one way or another--never allowing for antagonistic characters to have a genuine shot at their personal HEA.
If there's one thing I would have really liked to see in this book, it would have been a bigger question mark at the end. I don't think this book needs a sequel, but it would be nice to have a discussion with people about a large hanging "?" at the end of Happily Ever After (For Now).
Let's end on some HIGH NOTES though. The PROSE is so genuine and well crafted. In a gothic novel with visions and sounds that need to create a sense of dread, paranoia, and questions of reality, Moreno-Garcia gets the reader there. The world she crafts is easy to see in the mind's eye and the five senses are well evoked.
After its all said and done, I'd have to say, I think A LOT of people will love this book, but I just needed more from it in regards to the character development, pacing, and post-climax resolution.
There's a lot of mystery and intrigue in the book, but it makes for genuinely slow PACING, and in a novel that hardly breaches the 300-page mark that can make for a longer read than it should.
Then you have the CHARACTERS, who are just a tad dull in my opinion. My main issue lies with the protagonist, Noemi, who I want to like, but find it difficult. She never really changes. We're led to believe she has, but there's nothing to truly show it. In the end, Noemi is still living in the Noemi-centric world of a 20-something who won't take no for an answer, wants what she can't have, and lives in a state of denial. The supporting characters are good enough, but highlight more than anything that this is Noemi's world, and they're all just living in it. It makes things seem predictable because she always appears to get what she wants, one way or another--never allowing for antagonistic characters to have a genuine shot at their personal HEA.
If there's one thing I would have really liked to see in this book, it would have been a bigger question mark at the end. I don't think this book needs a sequel, but it would be nice to have a discussion with people about a large hanging "?" at the end of Happily Ever After (For Now).
Let's end on some HIGH NOTES though. The PROSE is so genuine and well crafted. In a gothic novel with visions and sounds that need to create a sense of dread, paranoia, and questions of reality, Moreno-Garcia gets the reader there. The world she crafts is easy to see in the mind's eye and the five senses are well evoked.
Spoiler
When we begin getting the reveal of this entire world being poisoned by mushroom spores, mold, and fungi, it becomes so easy to experience it all. We're given enough information that we can picture the paranormal/supernatural occurrences without asking more questions. The scenes of Howard's kiss, the graveyard, and the crypt are all so visceral that it is easy to chill oneself thinking about all of the sounds, smells, colors (especially black and gold), physical sensations, and unfortunately enough . . . tastes. They all live with the reader through the climax, making it difficult to put the book down toward the end.After its all said and done, I'd have to say, I think A LOT of people will love this book, but I just needed more from it in regards to the character development, pacing, and post-climax resolution.
rachelfaye's review against another edition
4.0
The added sections in the back are SO worth reading! Gives tons of very intelligent context and meaning to the book.
bmpolito's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
momobb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
graff_fuller's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Even though this was MY pick for Jade's Bedtime Bookworm Discord Book Club, it was/is WAY out of my normal book to pick up.
There was just something about the cover and the title that spoke to me. Funny enough, I did learn from the club, that the Mexican language title is JUST Gothic...and when you read it, you totally understand that. Then again, if they had titled it Gothic in the US or Europe, it might've led to people being frustrated, or being duped.
It is DEFINELTY a gothic tale, but with a Mexican twist.
Noemi, the protagonist is a smart young lady, but she is frustrating at time (for her father, and for me, as the reader).
Like in most Horror films/books, I I'm SO frustrated that we have to talk about this/that, instead of moving AWAY from the problem/disaster. So many times I spoke to the book/air, to "stop talking and get out of there", to have them discuss/argue something inconsequential to their survival. Ugh.
There were a number of parallels with Jane Eyre, which I love, and there was a recent book that I read that had a similar plot in it, but for some reason I cannot find what book it was. I'll keep looking.
My fear, through the second half of the book, was that it would eventually turn out like the Edgar Allan Poe story, The Cask of Amontillado...in a way.
...and it MAY, very well happen off screen/page. Not 100% sure...and I'm okay with that.
I dispised Virgil. Ugh. Such a disgusting person. Obviously, you are supposed to dislike him.
Also, I was NEVER sure, that Francis was good (or even capable of being saved). That is still a question I STILL have.
Now, where do these people go from here? I have no idea, but the taint of the Gloom and the mushrooms will FOREVER effect their lives.
This was SO disgusting. There were SO many "ick" moments, where I wanted to vomit. Yuck.
Howard, for one...is just TOO much.
Now, the idea of this story was INCREDIBLE. The parts that I hated, were EXACTLY what I should've hated. The author did an amazing job with this story. It will NEVER be something I'd want to read, again...but then again, I'm glad that I did.
There was just something about the cover and the title that spoke to me. Funny enough, I did learn from the club, that the Mexican language title is JUST Gothic...and when you read it, you totally understand that. Then again, if they had titled it Gothic in the US or Europe, it might've led to people being frustrated, or being duped.
It is DEFINELTY a gothic tale, but with a Mexican twist.
Noemi, the protagonist is a smart young lady, but she is frustrating at time (for her father, and for me, as the reader).
Like in most Horror films/books, I I'm SO frustrated that we have to talk about this/that, instead of moving AWAY from the problem/disaster. So many times I spoke to the book/air, to "stop talking and get out of there", to have them discuss/argue something inconsequential to their survival. Ugh.
There were a number of parallels with Jane Eyre, which I love, and there was a recent book that I read that had a similar plot in it, but for some reason I cannot find what book it was. I'll keep looking.
My fear, through the second half of the book, was that it would eventually turn out like the Edgar Allan Poe story, The Cask of Amontillado...in a way.
...and it MAY, very well happen off screen/page. Not 100% sure...and I'm okay with that.
I dispised Virgil. Ugh. Such a disgusting person. Obviously, you are supposed to dislike him.
Also, I was NEVER sure, that Francis was good (or even capable of being saved). That is still a question I STILL have.
Now, where do these people go from here? I have no idea, but the taint of the Gloom and the mushrooms will FOREVER effect their lives.
This was SO disgusting. There were SO many "ick" moments, where I wanted to vomit. Yuck.
Howard, for one...is just TOO much.
Now, the idea of this story was INCREDIBLE. The parts that I hated, were EXACTLY what I should've hated. The author did an amazing job with this story. It will NEVER be something I'd want to read, again...but then again, I'm glad that I did.
melbrown1017's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
I liked it! Some parts had me like, are you kidding me?? But also I had to remember that it took place in the 1950s and men acted…different. Definitely didn’t see the big twist, which I love. Overall it was good, spooky, and twisted af. I defs recommend to horror fans.
colorfulpieces's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.5
I enjoyed the book! Overall the journey of solving the mystery was super intriguing, but I found the MFC getting on my nerves at times and the part with Howard.. made me kind of upset. I love the ending and how everything worked out.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment, Vomit, and Sexual assault
bohowitch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An interesting premise, intriguing plot, and a deplorable cast of characters.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It obviously held my interest, but it's rare to not positively engage with any character.
Catalina and Ruth get a pass, but the rest of the characters were either sick, twisted, and thoroughly evil, shallow, self-centered, and pompous, or just woefully pathetic.
Noemi, the FMC/protagonist, is nothing more than a wilful, spoiled, rich girl with delusions of grandeur. She's flaky as hell, uppity, shallow, manipulative, and pig-headed. Not to mention her naivety. She's quite obnoxious and annoying.
I honestly didn't care if any of them made it out alive, but the writing held my interest until the very end. I needed to see how this all resolved; good, bad, or ugly.
Now that's not to say I didn't enjoy the book, it just wasn't quite what I expected. The world building, lore, and horror was top-notch. The characters were well fleshed out and felt quite real; they were all just awful people.
If you're a sensitive reader I implore you to mind your squicks. There's a lot of abuse, gaslighting, and body horror within this book.
I enjoyed it, but YMMV of course.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It obviously held my interest, but it's rare to not positively engage with any character.
Catalina and Ruth get a pass, but the rest of the characters were either sick, twisted, and thoroughly evil, shallow, self-centered, and pompous, or just woefully pathetic.
Noemi, the FMC/protagonist, is nothing more than a wilful, spoiled, rich girl with delusions of grandeur. She's flaky as hell, uppity, shallow, manipulative, and pig-headed. Not to mention her naivety. She's quite obnoxious and annoying.
I honestly didn't care if any of them made it out alive, but the writing held my interest until the very end. I needed to see how this all resolved; good, bad, or ugly.
Now that's not to say I didn't enjoy the book, it just wasn't quite what I expected. The world building, lore, and horror was top-notch. The characters were well fleshed out and felt quite real; they were all just awful people.
If you're a sensitive reader I implore you to mind your squicks. There's a lot of abuse, gaslighting, and body horror within this book.
I enjoyed it, but YMMV of course.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Body horror, Classism, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gore, Incest, and Mental illness
pandoramedusa's review against another edition
5.0
One of the better horror stories I read this year. It had such a great atmosphere and premise. I really liked it