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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
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
Over all this book was really disappointing. The “twist” was predictable, the characters mostly frustrating, and the refusal to actually bring up what happened was sooo over done. The book builds and builds to a conclusion that is clearly seen, which is often my issue with Moreno’s books.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ahoy there mateys! There is something about Moreno-Garcia's writing that always works for me. This historical fiction novel was no exception. It takes place in 1950s Hollywood where a big budget film about the life of Salome is preparing for production. Everyone is surprised when the director casts Vera Larios, a Mexican woman with no experience as the lead. Another American actress named Nancy is appalled and wants revenge for "her" part being stolen. The novel focuses on how the film changes their lives forever.
The two elements I loved best about the novel were the atmosphere and the characterizations. The Hollywood of the 1950s was not always as glamorous as the films themselves would suggest. There was rampant racism, misogyny, and studio control over the talent. In addition the Red Scare caused actors to be blackballed. Studios also could influence who actors dated and, in the case of gay men, encourage them to marry to hide their sexual preferences. Vera Larios, as a Mexican, is treated with disdain. She is not considered white. Getting the part of Salome is a big deal but Hollywood treats the young actress more as a possession of the studio than a real person. I thought the undercurrent of Hollywood politics was extremely well done because the overt and subtle impacts to the talents' lives were woven throughout the novel.
I also loved the characterization. Vera is controlled by her mother and familial obligation of the Mexican culture. She is a bit naive but also resourceful in her own way. She lives in the shadow of her sister being the family favorite. I was rooting for every gain she made towards personal freedom. I also had a lot of sympathy for how poorly Hollywood treated her. Nancy, on the other hand, was someone I loved to dislike. She has a lot of freedom but also has family pressure in trying to obtain her father's approval. Nancy has truly horrible taste in men. She is manipulative, abusive, and cunning. Her focus on blaming Vera for all her woes was ridiculous yet realistic and the conflict this entailed was excellently done. I felt that both women's endings were so sorrowful in their own ways. The other interesting character in this novel was Salome herself. We learn about her life in the palace, her uncle's desire for her, her marriage prospects, and her fascination with John the Baptist. This storyline was my least favorite but it did add for some interesting parallels with the 1950s.
Overall, I loved this novel even if I will likely not reread it. I love the author's work and am looking forward to The Bewitching coming out later this year. Arrrr!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The two elements I loved best about the novel were the atmosphere and the characterizations. The Hollywood of the 1950s was not always as glamorous as the films themselves would suggest. There was rampant racism, misogyny, and studio control over the talent. In addition the Red Scare caused actors to be blackballed. Studios also could influence who actors dated and, in the case of gay men, encourage them to marry to hide their sexual preferences. Vera Larios, as a Mexican, is treated with disdain. She is not considered white. Getting the part of Salome is a big deal but Hollywood treats the young actress more as a possession of the studio than a real person. I thought the undercurrent of Hollywood politics was extremely well done because the overt and subtle impacts to the talents' lives were woven throughout the novel.
I also loved the characterization. Vera is controlled by her mother and familial obligation of the Mexican culture. She is a bit naive but also resourceful in her own way. She lives in the shadow of her sister being the family favorite. I was rooting for every gain she made towards personal freedom. I also had a lot of sympathy for how poorly Hollywood treated her. Nancy, on the other hand, was someone I loved to dislike. She has a lot of freedom but also has family pressure in trying to obtain her father's approval. Nancy has truly horrible taste in men. She is manipulative, abusive, and cunning. Her focus on blaming Vera for all her woes was ridiculous yet realistic and the conflict this entailed was excellently done. I felt that both women's endings were so sorrowful in their own ways. The other interesting character in this novel was Salome herself. We learn about her life in the palace, her uncle's desire for her, her marriage prospects, and her fascination with John the Baptist. This storyline was my least favorite but it did add for some interesting parallels with the 1950s.
Overall, I loved this novel even if I will likely not reread it. I love the author's work and am looking forward to The Bewitching coming out later this year. Arrrr!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
slow-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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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:
No
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes