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sammieblu2's review against another edition
5.0
That was a wild ride, and I loved every min of it. It was not normally a book I would have picked up, but once I got started, I was sucked in, and it was worth it. If you're going read, please listen to the Spotify playlist created by the author it really helps get you into the book and vibe.
travel27's review against another edition
2.0
I think my expectations were too high since it was a Goodreads winner in 2020. The story dragged and if finally picked up page 200 out of 300.
alexandra_jewel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
lozbug's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
wallflowerbookshop's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating. I got sucked into the mystery, the supernatural elements, the confusion, the family tree. I was taking notes…and I enjoyed taking notes. I wanted to remember everything that was happening. It was like a grotesque dissection, I couldn’t look away.
Read it in a day. Loved it.
Read it in a day. Loved it.
lyssaczernek's review against another edition
5.0
The atmosphere created in Mexican Gothic is so lush I felt like I was on a misty mountainside, unable to leave. Doyle House becomes a character itself, creating a sense of foreboding and danger that keeps the reader invested. This is definitely the most gothic part of the book and makes it the perfect spooky read for the fall season. The entire time I was reading I felt slightly off-put and the book was eerie without being so scary I couldn't go to sleep.
I loved the themes of colonization, female hysteria, and generational trauma explored in this story. The plot was a bit slow-moving, but I think this is to let the heavier topics have space to breathe and give the reader space to reflect on the topics. I would recommend this book if you are interested in reading horror but don't want to jump into the deep end.
I loved the themes of colonization, female hysteria, and generational trauma explored in this story. The plot was a bit slow-moving, but I think this is to let the heavier topics have space to breathe and give the reader space to reflect on the topics. I would recommend this book if you are interested in reading horror but don't want to jump into the deep end.
khander84's review against another edition
4.0
spine-tingling, vivid, suspenseful, interesting historical details!
anotherbooklady's review against another edition
5.0
A perfectly haunting, perfectly creepy, and perfectly scary novel. Part Rebecca, part Jane Eyre, and part The Shining, this story is a horror tapestry woven together by Moreno-Garcia’s brilliant writing.
I loved the obviously gothic feel of the story. The writing is beautifully descriptive and unsettling. It’s not a book for the faint of heart-it’s scary and gory and takes a few unexpected turns. I’m a fan of the spooky genre and SMG fully delivered here.
Set in 1950’s Mexico in the mountains of Hidalgo, Noemí Taboada leaves her socialite life in Mexico City to check-in on her newlywed cousin, Catalina Doyle.
Catalina has sent a bizarre letter to her family asking them to rescue her from the remote estate known as High Place. Noemí doesn’t know what to expect, but is surprised by the decrepit mansion, the catatonic state of Catalina, and frustrated by her cousin’s mysterious new husband, Virgil-and the other Doyle family members who reside in High Place.
Strange dreams began to plague Noemí and she starts to feel the walls of the moldering home closing in on her. One thing becomes increasingly clear-Noemí needs to get Catalina away from High Place as quickly as possible before it’s too late for both women.
If you’re an audiobook reader, you will really enjoy Frankie Corzo’s narration; she reads in a clear, beautiful tone and her pronunciations made me wish the book used more Spanish phrasing. Definitely worth the credit!
I loved the obviously gothic feel of the story. The writing is beautifully descriptive and unsettling. It’s not a book for the faint of heart-it’s scary and gory and takes a few unexpected turns. I’m a fan of the spooky genre and SMG fully delivered here.
Set in 1950’s Mexico in the mountains of Hidalgo, Noemí Taboada leaves her socialite life in Mexico City to check-in on her newlywed cousin, Catalina Doyle.
Catalina has sent a bizarre letter to her family asking them to rescue her from the remote estate known as High Place. Noemí doesn’t know what to expect, but is surprised by the decrepit mansion, the catatonic state of Catalina, and frustrated by her cousin’s mysterious new husband, Virgil-and the other Doyle family members who reside in High Place.
Strange dreams began to plague Noemí and she starts to feel the walls of the moldering home closing in on her. One thing becomes increasingly clear-Noemí needs to get Catalina away from High Place as quickly as possible before it’s too late for both women.
If you’re an audiobook reader, you will really enjoy Frankie Corzo’s narration; she reads in a clear, beautiful tone and her pronunciations made me wish the book used more Spanish phrasing. Definitely worth the credit!
girlontheverge's review against another edition
5.0
Whew! What a read! From the start I was completely captivated and in some ways ensnared by this twisting, gothic tale.
Isolated location? Tick. Creepy house? Tick. Even creepier inhabitants? Tick. A likeable and plucky protagonist drawn into something which may or may not be supernatural? Tick. Tick. Tick.
The atmosphere created here is palpable, and, if you’ve read any of my other reviews you know I’m a huge fan of atmosphere. Even reading this, as I did on a warm and sunny May day; I could still feel the damp and gloomy mist that sits high on the mountain overlooking El Triunfo.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia doesn’t exactly hide what is causing the trouble at High Place but she takes the obvious answer and twists it in such a way that is so deliciously grotesque that’ll it’ll definitely have you thinking twice about reaching for the Hongos Saltados.
P.S Noemí stan for life!
aponthier's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
4.25