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supermando's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I think I came into this expecting more horror elements, but by the end it felt like an intro to horror. What I stayed for was the gothic tone. The atmosphere was dripping with gothic details. Add to the setting being in Mexico with themes of colonialism and I was sold.
Graphic: Gore, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
justagir1's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Incest, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Misogyny, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Confinement, Racism, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, Child death, Sexism, and Infidelity
mathenam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Sexual violence, Confinement, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Murder, and Suicide
kat_c_h's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I did struggle with some of the more graphic scenes near the end which is why it's not 5/5. I'm
Moderate: Kidnapping, Cursing, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, and Medical content
thede5tiny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5
Graphic: Incest
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Cannibalism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Child death, and Death
Minor: Suicide, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy
beachyv's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Such a great introduction to Gothic Horror (with a small amount of Gothic Romance) for me. I will definitely be reading more Gothic fiction and more of Silvia Moreno-Garcia immediately!
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Child death, Child abuse, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Incest
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
chocolatewings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Racism, Cannibalism, Death, and Incest
Moderate: Blood, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Body horror, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Cursing, Classism, and Colonisation
kateinsurreallife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Incest, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Colonisation
ebp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Rape, Misogyny, Child death, Racism, Classism, Violence, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexism, Colonisation, Confinement, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, and Body horror
Moderate: Terminal illness, Gun violence, Drug use, Blood, Suicide, Incest, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Cannibalism, Bullying, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Miscarriage
sonaea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I really liked the first half (4+ stars) though there are a lot of problematic things in there (esp. in the later half) that aren't handled very well/believably (~2 stars).
At the start there's not a lot of plot but rather a lot of just the vibes of dark, creepy houses, though the plot picks up at about the middle. I was surprised by the solution to the puzzle as I did not expect
I really liked that Noemí is headstrong, intelligent and doesn't let people run her over. That made an interesting protagonist and the setting was quite nice too as I haven't read many books set in historic Mexico (though that wasn't really in the focus of the story).
What could have used a bit more work is the pacing (at the first half of the book next to nothing happens, it's just all vibes and setting and only the slightest hints, while in the second half it's reveal after reveal). I would have liked that to be more stretched out in the book.
Also the action scenes at the end were not written like action scenes but rather just the same as the scenes about the setting (short descriptions, all the sentences about the same length, no focus on anything. There was next to no suspense in the writing. The only bit of suspense came from the plot though that wasn't a lot because
!!! Also there are a LOT of pretty heavy topics in this book, some CNs would have been appreciated!!!
CN r*pe:
That's a part where I think some character work would have been necessary. Her reacting shocked and then continuing as if normal really doesn't fit the situation.
CN c*n*balism:
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gore, Misogyny, Incest, Sexual assault, Murder, Classism, and Racism
Moderate: Terminal illness, Suicide, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual violence, Stalking, Gore, Gun violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Vomit and Miscarriage
There are A LOT of problematic things happening. Most are mentioned, the description style of the book isn't one that goes into detail much. I tried to find most things that should have a CN, but I certainly didn't get every single one. So do be careful when reading this book! (Also I added 'toxic relationship' by which 'toxic family-relationship' is meant)