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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Just wasn't in the mood for this I guess
Lovely take on the classic cursed family/haunted house novel, with the addition (and main motivator to read this, for me at least) of a truly feisty heroine. Thoroughly enjoyed this, particularly the ending. The perfect bittersweet moment to top the whole thing off.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Ohhhh this one is very good! The beginning was a little slow for my liking but once it got going it was a fantastic story. Also the writing style is very beautiful and almost poetic.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absoltuely a gothic treasure.
When her family receives a cryptic letter from her recently married cousin, begging for rescue, Noemi is sent to the remote mountain mansion of Catalina’s mysterious in laws. Upon arrival, she is struck by their strict customs, the odd behavior of the staff, the fervent reverence for their ailing patriarch, and the decrepit, decaying condition of the house. Her attempts to help Catalina and uncover the family’s secrets are met with resistance at every turn and soon Noemi finds herself afflicted with strange dreams and disorientation. Will she be able to decipher the source of Catalina’s affliction before she, herself is consumed by it?
.
Set in 1950s Mexico, this tale is driven by a headstrong, independent heroine, who is still no match for the malice permeating from the house and the family within. Haunting prose aptly describes the festering building and the oppressive atmosphere. It’s evokes the Yellow Wallpaper, expanded into novel form in a less metaphorical manner, and Guillermo de toro gothic horror, like Crimson peaks. I appreciated the use of a natural “hive mind” as the malicious force.
.
Though unfortunately, I was not as enraptured by the plot as expected. I felt like the “big reveal” came too soon, without clear build up, and then the remainder of the book was filled with grotesque scenes that had the bile rising in my throat. It felt like a book that was intended to be made into a film and maybe it would be more enjoyable to watch on screen, but overall on the page, it is beautifully written with a mediocre execution of plot.
dark
mysterious
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
Gorgeous writing and atmosphere; I love it but found the ending just a touch rushed.
