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fkshg8465's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Great unfolding. He deserved every second of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Cancer, Torture, Infertility, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Infidelity
leer_libros_1111's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's a debut novel by author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Cancer, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Animal death, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Classism, Cursing, Death, and Vomit
ktdakotareads's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Classism, Death, Grief, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Medical content, and Medical trauma
directorpurry's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I received an eARC of this book for free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Some elements may have changed in final publication.
What if your exorcist didn't believe in demons, in the supernatural, or even in God?
Hugo's wife is dead and he is deeply in debt. He works in Miami as a babaláwo - loosely, a spiritual man in West African religions who performs ceremonies and gives spiritual advice. Despite his non-belief, he makes the job work. When Alexi Ramirez, the man to whom Hugo owns the bulk of his debts, calls him, in desperate need of someone to cure his haunted home, Hugo sees a chance. Will his actions free him from debt or leave him owing something more than money?
I really enjoy political horror and A Haunting in Hialeah Gardens was exactly what I was hoping for! It was strange, it was fantastical. and it was current. Through the lens of the paranormal, Palma tours us through the emotional struggles of immigration, debt, marriage and infidelity, and the class system of America.
I found the writing to be engaging throughout and I really found myself to be enjoying the way the narrative wove back and forth through time, which is not always something I look for in a book. I found Hugo to be a very real and very flawed man, evoking emotional reactions throughout the story. I enjoyed very much being able to both root for and feel disappointed by him.
This is a perfect read for October - the frights of the paranormal and real life while still easing the nostalgia for summer with its Miami setting - or December - everyone loves a good Christmas horror story, right? I would highly recommend and I look forward extremely to reading more by Palma!
What if your exorcist didn't believe in demons, in the supernatural, or even in God?
Hugo's wife is dead and he is deeply in debt. He works in Miami as a babaláwo - loosely, a spiritual man in West African religions who performs ceremonies and gives spiritual advice. Despite his non-belief, he makes the job work. When Alexi Ramirez, the man to whom Hugo owns the bulk of his debts, calls him, in desperate need of someone to cure his haunted home, Hugo sees a chance. Will his actions free him from debt or leave him owing something more than money?
I really enjoy political horror and A Haunting in Hialeah Gardens was exactly what I was hoping for! It was strange, it was fantastical. and it was current. Through the lens of the paranormal, Palma tours us through the emotional struggles of immigration, debt, marriage and infidelity, and the class system of America.
I found the writing to be engaging throughout and I really found myself to be enjoying the way the narrative wove back and forth through time, which is not always something I look for in a book. I found Hugo to be a very real and very flawed man, evoking emotional reactions throughout the story. I enjoyed very much being able to both root for and feel disappointed by him.
This is a perfect read for October - the frights of the paranormal and real life while still easing the nostalgia for summer with its Miami setting - or December - everyone loves a good Christmas horror story, right? I would highly recommend and I look forward extremely to reading more by Palma!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Medical content, Kidnapping, Child death, and Classism
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