Reviews

Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

apple0loving0shinigami's review against another edition

4.0

Well, this was fun.

A strangely charming, yet frightening coming of age story.

And wait... why do Meche and Sebastian resemble Montserrat and Tristan (from the author's latest novel, Silver Nitrate) so so much? I wonder who's the real life inspiration behind Montserrat/Meche and Tristan/Sebastian?

sara_marie4815's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

5.0

satunrus's review against another edition

5.0

"she scared him, the way her eyes gleamed. there was something ugly and much too cold in her, and it made him want to run off. but, as usual, when he took two steps back with meche he wanted to take three forward. that was her most distressing form of sorcery, the hold she had on them. on him."

oh my god. i mean oh. my. god. the yearning is so real my heart broke thousand times. this book has surpassed my expectations like hello??? best friends to lovers that had a VERY messy relationship??? they met again after 20 fucking years of no contact???? i'm SO in. silvia moreno-garcia you had me at this one i'm in love with it it's so heartbreaking and beautiful and i can't stop thinking about mechesebos i'm already missing them now. also the songs that were mentioned in the book??? they fit the story so well oh god i thanked the spotify playlist for blessing my ear.

teragram04's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

sydneypf's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars. It's a good and entertaining read, but not great.

whitlindeman's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

year23's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I have read almost everything Silvia has written and consider her one of my favorite authors. And by everything, I mean I am now going through every short story she's ever written because I've read all the novellas, books, etc. This was my last full length novel to catch up on. 

But this is clearly written early in her career - and it shows the promise of her writing, but the plotting, character development, story - all of it needs a lot of work. It's almost like reading the pieces that were edited out of a book as so much happens off the page. I don't have the same issues as others in terms of Meche being "unlikeable" - she seems like a realistic teenager. But her growth/arc doesn't really make sense - the ending is completely unearned, and all the other characters get such short sections that they have no arc really either, making their choices (namely Sebastion) seem sort of baffling by the end. 

It's like a YA novel in terms of tone, setting, and the focus on coming-of-age and themes around fitting in, identity, status, while balancing unstable home lives. That sounds like a lot but without enough of the depth of emotion and character development to keep you invested, it falls flat and you have to fill in a lot. There are glimpses for sure - and again, that speaks to how good Silvia's writing is, as well as her ability to articulate the feeling of this era itself, but I think it's not enough to make a cohesive story.

If you told me the main character here is the music itself, is teenage angst and how those swirl together and create magic - then it's actually somewhat successful. And I do think that is that main point here. But I need more and I know this author can deliver more as well (as she goes on to do in many a story!). I genuinely feel like she could do a rewrite of this and it would be incredible as it has so many interesting/compelling elements. 

But in this current state, I would not recommend - even for those who are fans of the craft - go watch that and it's sequels and remakes. This was difficult to get through and I don't think brings enough of the nostalgia to make it worth it even for the vibes. I am glad to have read it though as I work my way through Silvia's catalogue. 

moon_peach's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It's very well written however Meche is a horrible person

nearly leading to Sebastian's death?? I get she was a teenager but i can't believe they end up together

I guess she was always going to end up a little messed up given how her parents are but jeez.

I kinda wish Daniela had been the main character I resonated with her having a chronic illness and having to navigate that but instead we have the wannabe Mean Girl Mercedes.

Again very well written but I was definitely not on Meche's side

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

karis_lit's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

doreneemi's review

dark emotional 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

4.5