Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - The Storyteller's Death

Im gonna be honest this is not what I was expecting from this book and I'm slightly disappointed by that. It is a family story, and by that I mean it is the story of this family told through supernatural means. It wa solidly written and by all means a good story, its's just not my kinda a story. Also I know this is supposed to be an adult book, but I was fully convinced it was YA. I think that makes it new adult?

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nozycozy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

The Storytellers Death was an immersive read through beautiful descriptions of Isla’s environment in Puerto Rico, her successful/fruitless encounters and the eye opening relationship with her family. I loved the magical aspect of this mystery/family saga. I enjoyed Islas character and how she copes with learning about her families stance on many racial/class issues as well as how people in town view her and her family. The dialogue and interactions with her family reminded me a bit of my own. It was a very engaging, relatable read for me. The narrator Marisol Ramirez was amazing. I enjoyed every minute of it.

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antoniac's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

3.75

I wanted to like this more than I did. I really enjoyed the themes of memories and stories being important in families and healing generational trauma, the descriptions of Puerto Rico, and the nuanced almost tender portrayals of family life and the tension it can bring. The magical realism element of the visions was well done and woven nicely in. However the writing style just really didn't do it for me - some of the descriptions felt flat and simple when lyrical language would have just elevated it a little. Also the ending felt a little rushed and too nicely packaged, but maybe that's because I read the 2nd half of the novel in one sitting. Overally definitely worth a read, just not quite 4* worthy.

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rhi_'s review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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m_liz's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
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

2.5

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tamara_joy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious 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

5.0

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booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition

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emotional informative medium-paced

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

3.75

3.75 stars

This was a moving story about stories. About how a young girl Isla who lost her father at a young age and begins to literally see her families stories play out before her. Cardinal whole heartedly captures the experience of not being American enough to fit in in America , but not being Puerto Rican enough to fit in Puerto Rico. This book also looked at classism, and touched a bit on how tourism impacts the island of Puerto Rico and its citizens. This book was a very good listen.

Cw
Death
Guns
Alcohol
Emotional abuse
Terminal illness
Racism
Bullying
Classism

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