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bigbuttandabook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.0
When I wasn’t mumbling over and mentally butchering the names in this book I was throughly enjoying the dark and wicked things Sal was doing to Xochi. But to say I was frustrated with both mains would be a massive understatement. Sal spent so much time talking at her and not to her, that I wanted to scream. Which effected the pacing a little for me personally. This was a good example that love doesn’t conquer all, you can’t love someone into mental health, pass pain and abuse. Loving someone who doesn’t love themselves starts with showing them their value not just telling them. The culture and magic was so fun and new to me and one of the main reasons I want to read more Latino authors. I also found it very interesting his Xochi did and didn’t suffer from self esteem issues she was a complicated. And my word her mother was a piece of work, I think her reasoning was probably the most disappointing thing in this whole story, I felt like it had to be deeper than what was given and certain things about how Xochi got her spirit and how her mother know both wasn’t well addressed and didn’t add up. I loved and didn’t Iove this in equal measure in some ways. Overall I’ll be back for more from this author for sure.
nonbinarylibrarianwitch's review against another edition
dark
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
akafrecks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
“Were I a better man, I would woo you, as you deserve. But I am not. And I am ravenous for you.”
"To call it the best kiss of my life would diminish it. It was the only kiss that ever counted."
“You smell like a promise I’ve been waiting my whole life to fulfill.”
This was the right kind of dark romantacy for me! The writing is beautiful and the story is full of cultural nuances that make it unique. Cadejos are not werewolves but if werewolves are not your jam, this may or may not be the book for you. The spice is **chef's kiss** I can't wait to read the next book!
"To call it the best kiss of my life would diminish it. It was the only kiss that ever counted."
“You smell like a promise I’ve been waiting my whole life to fulfill.”
This was the right kind of dark romantacy for me! The writing is beautiful and the story is full of cultural nuances that make it unique. Cadejos are not werewolves but if werewolves are not your jam, this may or may not be the book for you. The spice is **chef's kiss** I can't wait to read the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug abuse, Genocide, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child death, Gun violence, Rape, Self harm, and Deportation
wy_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
3.75
While the world building was fantastic, I was often left with a sense of confusion on where the two main characters stood with each other. And while I'm usually all in on a 500+ page romance book, I found myself struggling to get invested into the plot until after the halfway point.
Overall not bad, but a little slow in the beginning
Overall not bad, but a little slow in the beginning
sarahholt's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
There was so much to love about this book but the short version is: this book was everything I was hoping for and more, it is my new favorite book and I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out.
The long version is this:
You can feel how much the author cares about this story in every line. The way I felt after reading this book is the same way I feel after hearing my grandparents tell stories, I just want more. Every character is fully fleshed out whether they are a main character or a side character, leaving the reader wanting to know everything about everyone. The world building and way folklore was interwoven at every turn made the story so rich and did a great job establishing the history of a culture, not just a person. The pacing was great for me, I didn't even notice that it was over 500 pages because I was so engaged throughout the whole thing.
I LOVED the combination of cadejos and werewolves, it was such a fun way to introduce spirits and shifters, I can't wait to learn more about other characters and their cadejos.
I could write a whole essay on the sex and how much I loved the care and reverence they have for each other, but long story short, it was hot and affirming and got even more so when the cadejos came out to play.
The body representation and ADHD representation made me feel seen and emotional and it was handled with such care.
I feel like I'm missing things, I might edit this in a few days when I've had more time to articulate my thoughts but I absolutely loved this.
The long version is this:
You can feel how much the author cares about this story in every line. The way I felt after reading this book is the same way I feel after hearing my grandparents tell stories, I just want more. Every character is fully fleshed out whether they are a main character or a side character, leaving the reader wanting to know everything about everyone. The world building and way folklore was interwoven at every turn made the story so rich and did a great job establishing the history of a culture, not just a person. The pacing was great for me, I didn't even notice that it was over 500 pages because I was so engaged throughout the whole thing.
I LOVED the combination of cadejos and werewolves, it was such a fun way to introduce spirits and shifters, I can't wait to learn more about other characters and their cadejos.
I could write a whole essay on the sex and how much I loved the care and reverence they have for each other, but long story short, it was hot and affirming and got even more so when the cadejos came out to play.
The body representation and ADHD representation made me feel seen and emotional and it was handled with such care.
I feel like I'm missing things, I might edit this in a few days when I've had more time to articulate my thoughts but I absolutely loved this.
readwithmoniqua's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
5.0
Rating: 10/10 would recommend
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance
Spice: obscenely 🥵🥵🥵🌶🌶🌶🍆🍆🍆
Review: you know it’s good when you threaten to call the Feds because miss ma’am, the white substance with which this book was penned??? Chile!!! My favorite characters where Julia, Ixchel, and Cesar. My least favorite characters were all unalived in the most heinous of manners, but I didn’t flinch. They deserved that and more, ESPECIALLY ANNETTE!!! Sal don’t play about Xochitl, so why she kept running knowing damn well he was going to chase, find, and punisher her, is beyond me. But lemme tell you, the scene between these two over someone who must not be named body, I was shook because I have never read anything like that…but I was into it, a little too much. Please, please, please take heed to trigger warnings. Nothing triggered me in this book but I can see how some would feel triggered. Now, when is book two going to grace my hands and eyes?
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance
Spice: obscenely 🥵🥵🥵🌶🌶🌶🍆🍆🍆
Review: you know it’s good when you threaten to call the Feds because miss ma’am, the white substance with which this book was penned??? Chile!!! My favorite characters where Julia, Ixchel, and Cesar. My least favorite characters were all unalived in the most heinous of manners, but I didn’t flinch. They deserved that and more, ESPECIALLY ANNETTE!!! Sal don’t play about Xochitl, so why she kept running knowing damn well he was going to chase, find, and punisher her, is beyond me. But lemme tell you, the scene between these two over someone who must not be named body, I was shook because I have never read anything like that…but I was into it, a little too much. Please, please, please take heed to trigger warnings. Nothing triggered me in this book but I can see how some would feel triggered. Now, when is book two going to grace my hands and eyes?
parliamentofrooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
pgechic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.75
after_i_finish_this_chapter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0