Scan barcode
pobi's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
A little bit tell-y rather than show-y which was a shame, but the characterisation and pacing was great! Engaging and fun
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Suicide
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
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.freyacat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Blood
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
libraryofmoss's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is quickly winning a position among my favorite contemporary authors. I love how she writes strong, curious, and caring women leads and how I feel immersed in the environment she creates. I went in not knowing much about Mayan culture or stories and enjoyed going along for the ride. Adventurous and emotional but manages to stay light and hopeful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Suicide
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Frustrated by her life as the "poor relation" that the family only took in out of guilt and obligation, Casiopea cannot wait to leave her grandfather's house when she comes of age. When she's left behind as a punishment and discovers the chest in her grandfather's bedroom contains the bones of the, now reformed, rightful King of Xibalba Hun-Kamé, Casiopea is thrust into a cross-country journey at his side to recover his lost body parts, regain his full godhood, and retake his obsidian throne in Xibalba.
I don't know if I've ever been go glad to have listened to an audiobook of a book than read it. I would never have been able to do justice to the Mexican and Mayan names within the book, and would have lost so much depth of the character that those played in the novel. Xibalba herself felt as important a character as Casiopea, Hun-Kamé, and Vucub-Kamé. I also appreciated the narrator infusing more humanity into Hun-Kamé as the story progressed. It was subtle, but by the end quite a noticeable change from where he started.
And I know it's not a romance, but NGL I'm a little disappointed that Casiopea doesn't get to do the deed with Hun-Kamé. I mean this God was DTF by the end because of the "humanity" in him by that point, but I spent most of my drive home today yelling at the steering wheel "FUCK THAT GOD!"
I don't know if I've ever been go glad to have listened to an audiobook of a book than read it. I would never have been able to do justice to the Mexican and Mayan names within the book, and would have lost so much depth of the character that those played in the novel. Xibalba herself felt as important a character as Casiopea, Hun-Kamé, and Vucub-Kamé. I also appreciated the narrator infusing more humanity into Hun-Kamé as the story progressed. It was subtle, but by the end quite a noticeable change from where he started.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
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