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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I love old Hollywood, I love historical fiction with shifting perspectives, so this book seemed made for me. And yet a few chapters in I just couldn’t commit to it. I think sometimes I’m just in the mood for nonfiction, may revisit later. The one mention of Rita Moreno in it did make me want to read her memoir tho.
DNF @ 26%
I tried! But it didn't hold my attention, and then when I spoiled myself (on purpose) I realized this wasn't even a story that I wanted to be reading. Not rating.
I tried! But it didn't hold my attention, and then when I spoiled myself (on purpose) I realized this wasn't even a story that I wanted to be reading. Not rating.
medium-paced
emotional
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
This was my first Silvia Moreno-Garcia book and I had high expectations! Unfortunately I didn't love this one, but I know she writes across many genres so I will be trying her again. The three perspectives in this book didn't work for me, mainly because I only cared about Vera's experience and wasn't very interested in Nancy or Salome. I did like how Moreno-Garcia tied all of the POVs together in the final parts of the book; that section was well-crafted and engaging. She is clearly a talented writer and researcher!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gun violence
I thought this was really excellent. It's so immersive, and it cleverly ramps up the tension throughout the book. All 3 main female characters were fleshed out, and I loved how their stories reflected and contrasted with each other.
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
sad
tense
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:
No
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Loved the old Hollywood feel and the format with "documentary" style additions between chapters. I thought that was a very successful way of getting some outside perspectives into the characters and happenings without unnecessary additional POVs. The villain was perfectly spiteful but still had enough background to explain why she was the way that she was. The hero was similarly well fleshed out but just a bit too naive for my liking. To the point of not being believable in a few places. Jay <s>Gatsby</s> Rutland was likeable but not perfect and made for a great tragic lover.
My one nitpick was the age of John the Baptist. He would have been AT LEAST 30, certainly not 21 and was the son of a priest not a merchant. I realize this was more about the character in the fake movie but it still bothered me. Otherwise I loved how the character of Salome tied all three storylines together so well.
My one nitpick was the age of John the Baptist. He would have been AT LEAST 30, certainly not 21 and was the son of a priest not a merchant. I realize this was more about the character in the fake movie but it still bothered me. Otherwise I loved how the character of Salome tied all three storylines together so well.