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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Velvet Was the Night is the first book I have read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and it's also my first noir mystery. Overall, I really enjoyed it. I was enraptured with these characters, particularly Maite, a thirty year old depressed secretary and lover of romance comics and blues music. The prose in this novel is easy to read, but not simple - I enjoy this author's voice and am eager to read her other books. Also enjoyed the plot of this novel even though it was a bit predictable at times (I guessed the big twist within the first 15%). My only wish/hope was that there was a more satisfying romance. I know that this book is not classified as romance and there is a much bigger plot overall, but the blurb really pushes Elvis' and Maite's connection and I felt that there wasn't enough payoff, but honestly that is just me being greedy. I wasn't disappointed by the ending by any means. Just, as always, wanted more.
mysterious
tense
medium-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
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
*I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways*
I will honestly admit that I am not a big noir fan. I studied the genre in school but it has never been a particular favorite of mine. However, I truly believe that Moreno-Garcia is an author to follow through to whatever books she decides to write just for the fact that she always finds a new story to tell in a completely different way from the last one, and that is truly admirable.
This book will find fans, of that I have no doubt. It's just not a book I really connected with and that's perfectly fine. I kept putting it down because I was a little bored but that is entirely on me. I look forward to her next book, like always. I also promise I'm working on both collecting and finishing reading all her previous works. Certain Dark Things is calling my name as I speak, and is up next on my reading list.
I will honestly admit that I am not a big noir fan. I studied the genre in school but it has never been a particular favorite of mine. However, I truly believe that Moreno-Garcia is an author to follow through to whatever books she decides to write just for the fact that she always finds a new story to tell in a completely different way from the last one, and that is truly admirable.
This book will find fans, of that I have no doubt. It's just not a book I really connected with and that's perfectly fine. I kept putting it down because I was a little bored but that is entirely on me. I look forward to her next book, like always. I also promise I'm working on both collecting and finishing reading all her previous works. Certain Dark Things is calling my name as I speak, and is up next on my reading list.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the third book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia that I have read. I keep telling myself that I don't like her writing style that much--I find it wooden, clunky, and slow--but the characters and worlds she conjures are unlike anything I've ever read. Mexican Gothic ended up being super weird and creepy (in a good way), Silver Nitrate was compelling and spooky, and Velvet was definitely more grounded in the real world. I loved Maite's character, I've met very few women like her in my readings. I will probably read more Moreno-Garcia soon--The Daughter of Doctor Moreau next, perhaps.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you're really into noir/mystery/crime this might be better for you. It wasn't really my cup of tea. It took about half the book before I became invested in it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
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