Reviews

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

emmarose111's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

spinstah's review against another edition

4.0

This was really compelling, but really hard to read at times. Especially when I remembered that the protagonist, Ana, was only 15, and she was married to a man in his 30s. This was essentially a business relationship for their families - a daughter to marry in exchange for land - and you can feel it throughout the novel. Ana manages to persevere, and there's a lot to like about this story, including the writing. But it's a tough one because I knew that, while it's fiction, it's based in a reality that many women endure.

januaryghosts's review against another edition

challenging emotional tense 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

4.5

Very well-written narrative, though it’s often difficult to read about a 15 year-old marrying a 32 year-old man she barely knows just for the chance to leave the Dominican Republic for New York City in the 1960s. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pregnancy

Moderate: Rape, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, and Sexual violence

Minor: War and Gun violence

mollyss's review against another edition

4.0

Liked this way more than the other angie Cruz book I’ve read.

Quite sad at points but really felt like I knew and understood and connected with the main character.

switt713's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.0

uvahoogirl's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

manderzreadz's review against another edition

5.0

This was a raw, emotional, and real story about the struggles this Dominican Republican woman experienced as an immigrant and the sacrifices she made for her family. I love how the author modeled this story after her own mother’s journey. You can feel the emotion in the words and story. Great read!

canton24's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.5

Loved the writing style- the mini chapters divided into parts. 

tashaseegmiller's review against another edition

5.0

Oh, what a book! We get to see Ana’s coming of age when, at just 15, she’s married to a man twice her age and whisked to America. But she rises to become her own person, showing determination and resilience. Read it in a day.

storeytale's review against another edition

5.0

 Multiple layers such as the immigrant experience and child marriage. Loved it!