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gaysian'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, Incest, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
airguac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation
starrybooker's review against another edition
5.0
Mexican Gothic was everything I wanted in a horror novel. It draws on classic horror plots (the fall of the house of usher sprang to mind from the beginning), and uses them to expand on themes of colonialism, misogyny and sexual violence in a way that worked perfectly. The protagonist, Noemí, was an excellent mix of curious and stubborn, undeterred by any attempts at intimidation and absolutely determined to rescue her cousin and escape alive.
I’m not often frightened by horror novels, but Mexican Gothic had moments of genuine terror for me. The prose was beautiful without being overwrought, and, like all great horror writers, Moreno-Garcia was able to write descriptions that poetically turned your stomach.
My only criticism isn’t actually aimed at the book, but at some reviewers. It took me a while to getting around to read this because it was often described online as ‘YA adjacent’, and the only thing I have to say about that is - what the fuck kind of YA books were they reading.
One of my favourite reads of the year, a deliciously grotesque little novel.
Graphic: Body horror, Incest, Sexual assault, and Violence
crumpledpapersheep'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Incest, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child death, Medical content, Cannibalism, and Colonisation
Minor: Confinement and Miscarriage
janey_bones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Body horror, Incest, Violence, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
batwinggoth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
aksmith92's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Noemí isn't necessarily the closest with her cousin, but she is worried, and her father offers to pay for her anthropology school if she goes to investigate. Therefore, Noemí treks to High Place, where Catalina lives with Virgil, her husband, Virgil's father, Howard, and others in the family, including Florence, Virgil's cousin, and Francis, Florence's son. Noemí discovers that Catalina isn't well, but everything is not as it seems. We trek on a journey with Noemí as she discovers a house that brings about nightmares and a family's past that unravels long-time secrets.
What I liked: I'm going to preface my entire review with this fact: I knew going into this that this wasn't as scary as it may have been set out to be. I forget where I heard it, but I knew that this was not a jump scare horror novel. Regardless, this is an odd tale that intertwines a creepy family and some natural wonders (but not in the best way!). I honestly loved the "horror" aspect to this - an utterly unhinged family and their story and a captivating plot around a house of horrors. I found it unique and compelling. I'm being vague for a reason - I don't want to give any spoilers to the house of horrors, but I thought it was exciting and original. This story made me cringe at parts, so while it didn't scare me a lot, it psychologically spooked me in other ways. Additionally, I thought Noemí was a refreshing and lovely character. She somehow didn't annoy me, which is quite challenging in a thriller/mystery/horror novel like this one. The main character inevitably decides something to further the plot where you want to scream "NO!" That didn't happen to me here, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The slight romance plot was also refreshing as Noemí most certainly didn't act like a woman of the 1950s (at least by American standards). I liked this novel's plot, thriller aspect, and characters.
Lastly, I was struck by the novel's profound symbolism, particularly its exploration of colonialism and racism. The theme of eugenics, set in 1950s Mexico, was a powerful reminder of the country's history. The Spanish conquest, the Revolution, and the exploitation of the land and its people by colonizers all resonated strongly. This voice, so prevalent in the novel, was a necessary and thought-provoking element.
What could have been better: Like many reviews, I must acknowledge that the pacing was a bit uneven. The first half of the book was admittedly slow, but the last 20% picked up dramatically. However, even during the slower parts, I was still invested in Noemí's journey, and it kept me hooked. Some parts were slightly predictable and occasionally dull, and the horror element wasn't as pronounced as I expected (or, at least, in the way I expected). Also, the writing was not atmospheric or flowery for a gothic novel. Still, the gothic elements were at least described - particularly an old, outdated house with no electricity and plenty of bad weather, mist, and fog hovering on the mountain.
Lastly—and this didn't impact my review, but I think for expectation sake, I will share—this book did not necessarily explain the how behind the horror-like element of it; you were just expected to roll with it. Did it make a ton of sense? No. Nor was there a lot of time explaining it. However, was it interesting and a great take on something different in the genre? Absolutely.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel, even when the pacing prevented me from rating it higher. I particularly liked the natural elements that weaved into the overall premise, and it was generally well done.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing and Rape
Attempted rape, but it does not happen. However, there is a sexual assault. Suicide is on page, multiple places. Suicide attempt also on page.thepalaceofchallis's review
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child death and Misogyny
Minor: Incest and Cannibalism
adrienne_rennie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Racism, Rape, Cannibalism, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
jghood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
There are plenty of trigger warnings for this book! (Though I think that's expected with horror).
The plot is fun and mysterious. The writing and imagery are vivid.
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Blood, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment