Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

21 reviews

helenferg's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-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? No

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Infertility, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Rape, Miscarriage, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Violence

iamnotyourally's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense 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

4.5

Pacing and tension were excellent. The further into the book you read the more questions you have. 
Ending could have been stronger, but still satisfying. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Sexual assault, and Sexism

Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, and Incest

thereadingwells's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This gothic horror novel starts out slow - which initially I disliked, but slowly realized was intentional to build tension, suspense, and atmosphere. When this book picks up, it PICKS UP. I couldn't put it down about 3/4 of the way through, and without saying too much I really appreciated the twist on the horror genre with something other than magical creatures or ghosts. I will say, however, that if you're whatsoever intrigued by mycelium, you might love this book.

Noemí Taboada is our 1950's socialite protaganist. She's sent on what seems like a simple, albeit inconvenient errand by her father (with the promise of a reward) to go check in on her cousin, Catalina, who sends a wild, troubling letter from the home of her new husband in a distant misty, mountainous town.

I don't read horror often, but this was our October 2021 book club pick, and it was perfectly unsettling, gothic, and dark for the occasion without being too gory. The ending felt a little bit abrupt, and I was left with lots of questions. Maybe Silvia Moreno-Garcia will fill us in some other time?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Violence

bastieboi's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Cannibalism, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

boba_n_books's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What a novel! The amount of horror, intrigue, and mystery filled in these 300 pages is a wonder. Never in my life have I read something so creepy and even disgusting at times while being so enthralled and unable to put it down. I loved every word. Moreno-Garcia really gives us her all - her incredible voice moves the story along and brings life to every character. Highly recommend this book, especially during spooky season. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Torture, and Vomit

nav26's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This started slow for me but WOW. This was the perfect October book. Creepy, mysterious, scary. I had ideas about what was behind everything but I never guessed what actually conspired. Really truly enjoyed this a lot! I think it would make a great horror film if done right.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Violence

Moderate: Vomit, Torture, Suicide, Self harm, Racism, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Murder, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Incest, Gun violence, and Death

shannoncbumstead's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

what the fuck

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cannibalism, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Incest, Gun violence, Grief, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Colonisation, and Body horror

albusmumblecore's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Child death, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Drug use, Incest, Mental illness, Self harm, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Confinement and Medical content

readingwithkelso's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

REVIEW: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia

So this book has been all over #bookstagram since it’s release in July and has received a lot of mixed reviews. I personally loved it and finished in less than a day. Personally, I didn’t find this book to be outright scary, more haunting and suspenseful. In some ways it reminded me of Rebecca. It contains otherworldly elements and is very atmospheric and richly detailed. 

I would generally agree that this is a slow burn. Most of the action takes place in the last 50-100 pages of the book. That being said, I found the authors writing intriguing and suspenseful. All in all, I thought Mexican gothic was the perfect October read. I can’t wait to see what they do with the Hulu series

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Incest

theintrovertedintrovert's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

If you like slow build thrillers, Mexican Gothic is for you. I saw the twist coming, but wasn't at all disappointed by the ending. I would have given it 5 stars except for the following spoiler content: 

attempted sexual assault, sacrifing and cannibalization of children/babies in a flashback style scene --that's a big go-to for me

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Gun violence, Body horror, Racism, and Sexual assault

Minor: Cannibalism, Suicide, Self harm, Rape, Incest, Child abuse, and Blood