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micaelamariem's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was a great read, inspired by Mayan mythology which I got to learn more about as I parsed my way through this. I love the themes of narrative and myths and accepting and/or changing destiny. I love the slow burn. I love the bittersweet ending. I love the descriptions of everywhere in 1920s Mexico contrasted with Xibalba. I love the healing journey the characters go through to end the cycle of trauma. There’s just so much here to love. It took me a while to get into it but that was just a me thing because I was so busy. Once I forced myself to be still, I really loved this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Bullying, Racism, Sexism, Animal death, Body horror, Colonisation, Confinement, and Suicide
town_scar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a beautifully written myth and tale. It's use of prose was outstanding and it painted beautiful (and delightfully horrifying) images in my mind.
My main struggle was that some of the time transitions were jarring enough that I fell out of the story and got confused as to what was going on. This was largely in the first third of the book.
Nonetheless, it was a riveting story and a fantastic tale. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it has given me a far deeper appreciation of Mexico and it's many indigenous cultures.
My main struggle was that some of the time transitions were jarring enough that I fell out of the story and got confused as to what was going on. This was largely in the first third of the book.
Nonetheless, it was a riveting story and a fantastic tale. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it has given me a far deeper appreciation of Mexico and it's many indigenous cultures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Blood, Child abuse, Colonisation, Sexism, Death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Classism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
scarroll178's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
I like the main character. Life has forced her to be very practical-minded. I enjoy how matter-of-fact she is when faced with challenges along her journey. She and the other main character have great chemistry.
I have mixed feelings about the ending, but overall a great book if you're in the mood for something adventurous/romantic.
I have mixed feelings about the ending, but overall a great book if you're in the mood for something adventurous/romantic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Gore
lady_valhella's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Colonisation, Blood, Classism, Death, Violence, Animal death, and Gaslighting
There is a rivalry between twin brothers and something like a rivalry between a female and male cousin. There is business partnership that is maybe a little toxic. Ok a lot toxic.fruitbatflora's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Sexism, Death, Animal death, Emotional abuse, and Violence
cassielaj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Silvia Moreno-Garcia crafts this story with magnificent prose. The settings, both of 1920s Mexico and the dark underworld of Xibalba, really come to life, and the characters are so vibrant and interesting. This book has a great sense of mythology; it reads like a classic epic. I loved learning more about the Mayan myths that this book draws from.
It took me a long time to finish it (because of my personal life, not because of the book), so I want to go back to it when I’m in a better place to really dive into the story. Casiopeia is a heroine for the ages, and her escape and adventure with Hun-Kamé makes for some incredible storytelling.
It took me a long time to finish it (because of my personal life, not because of the book), so I want to go back to it when I’m in a better place to really dive into the story. Casiopeia is a heroine for the ages, and her escape and adventure with Hun-Kamé makes for some incredible storytelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Murder, Torture, and Death
rachelle_reads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
A young woman defiantly opens her grandfather’s mysterious trunk and finds herself on an epic journey with a god of death. There’s a little romance, a lot of adventure, and a ton of beautifully described scenery from Mexico of the 1920s.
Note for future readers: There’s a helpful glossary in the back! I wish I’d discovered that before finishing the book.
Note for future readers: There’s a helpful glossary in the back! I wish I’d discovered that before finishing the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
criticalmiss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
I really enjoyed this, took my time reading this physically between audio books.
The relationship that blossoms between Casipea and Hun Kamé is charming, heartbreaking and sweet.
Morena-Garcia’s writing style is so beautiful, she takes you on the journey and paints these pictures that are so clear.
Forced proximity and forbidden love in here. I enjoyed this a lot more than Mexican Gothic by her.
TW: abuse, death, suicide, blood
The relationship that blossoms between Casipea and Hun Kamé is charming, heartbreaking and sweet.
Morena-Garcia’s writing style is so beautiful, she takes you on the journey and paints these pictures that are so clear.
Forced proximity and forbidden love in here. I enjoyed this a lot more than Mexican Gothic by her.
TW: abuse, death, suicide, blood
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
just_jenxi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
jj_tj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Blood, Gore, and Suicide