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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
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
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
I’m not going to lie, some of this didn’t work for me. The frequently meandering prose which sometimes felt as though it was going completely off the rails and often contradicted itself, with barely any narrative drive to it. The entirety of the opening Juan POV and the first Gaspar POV, which although necessary, felt drawn out and reflected the pacing issues. I both liked and hated the characterisation of Juan - recognising that that was the point. I didn’t particularly like the occasional reported dialogue in the text, I find it harder to follow (a me issue for sure). I wish we’d maybe had more of a resolution to Vicky and Pablo, especially when it seemed like they were going to be set up as the new trio (Juan/Rosario- or perhaps Tali/Stephen).
But saying that, when it worked, it worked. Rosario’s POV, the final scene with Gaspar. I even think the unsaid/unexplained nature of what happened to the cult, and some of the workings of (magic? Channelling the Darkness?) Gaspar’s father did, made sense. I like that there were no real answers in the end for Gaspar because it reflects the fact that there were no answers for many of the people who suffered under the actual dictatorial regime - the political history of Argentina permeates this novel and its plot in every aspect, heightening the more unreal, supernatural elements. I liked that the Darkness as a god/entity was uncaring and likely unaware of its followers as anything more than a source of food; highlighting the irony of the lengths to which the cult went to venerate it being utterly useless. Overall, I liked that the book kept up this oppressive atmosphere throughout, and as a whole it was genuinely compelling to read (and keep on reading).
But saying that, when it worked, it worked. Rosario’s POV, the final scene with Gaspar. I even think the unsaid/unexplained nature of what happened to the cult, and some of the workings of (magic? Channelling the Darkness?) Gaspar’s father did, made sense. I like that there were no real answers in the end for Gaspar because it reflects the fact that there were no answers for many of the people who suffered under the actual dictatorial regime - the political history of Argentina permeates this novel and its plot in every aspect, heightening the more unreal, supernatural elements. I liked that the Darkness as a god/entity was uncaring and likely unaware of its followers as anything more than a source of food; highlighting the irony of the lengths to which the cult went to venerate it being utterly useless. Overall, I liked that the book kept up this oppressive atmosphere throughout, and as a whole it was genuinely compelling to read (and keep on reading).
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gore, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Car accident, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
dark
mysterious
sad
Content Warnings
Content warning for everything. Good book though.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a very, very dense slow burn of a story with several incredible points of payoff towards the end of the book. It takes a while to get there, but it’s okay because the writing is engrossing and twisted enough that when the tension finally snaps, you are caught off guard by an aggressive, horrible, and devastating climax. Like, genuinely some of the most gruesome and awful body horror scenes I have ever encountered, frankly, paired with some incredibly sweet moments. Overall a very fascinating, very unique story that winds through different times and perspectives and spaces that keeps you anticipating its inevitable end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Colonisation
Moderate: Rape
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes