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jazzlibrariansbookcase'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? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Death
Minor: Blood, Terminal illness, and Injury/Injury detail
bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
“Montserrat had three loves. One was horror movies. The other was her car. The third was Tristán.”
➽ This book sounded so compelling, but it was a huge letdown for me. The story follows Montserrat, a talented sound editor who struggles in a male-dominated field. I loved the setting of 90s Mexico and the premise was interesting. Montserrat and Tristán find Abel Urueta, a cult horror director and occultist who knows about a legendary, lost film that's steeped in legend. I found this Thriller painfully boring despite the obscure topic. The author had Montserrat do a ton of infodumps about her love for movies and Horror. They were a chore to get through and didn't make me any more interested to find out more about the topic. Nothing much happens in the book until the very end, so it becomes very repetitive quickly. The occultism and Montserrat's emerging powers weren't explained at all and a lot of the 'worldbuilding' made no sense at all. So many things flew over my head as they came out of nowhere. There wasn't really much to keep my interest, so maybe this author isn't for me!
Graphic: Sexism, Car accident, Death, Grief, Racism, Suicide, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
chelsearm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
WOW, this was a great read to start just as the weather turns. From page 1 I was in love with Montserrat, and fell into her world. Between her and Tristán, I loved that you never felt like they just “bought it” with no hesitations - a true friendship, one of them is always calling bullshit!
If you’re a fan of horror movies, old cinema, or are aware of Nazi Occultism, this is a great thriller to sink your teeth into.
Graphic: Cursing, Colonisation, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Car accident and Misogyny
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Addiction, Drug abuse, and Grief
crownoflaurel'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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Colonisation, Sexism, Death, and Racism
Minor: Drug abuse, Ableism, and Cancer
writingcaia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Nazis, sorcerers, a lot of old-school horror movies, a cursed film reel, and a friendship that drives the story forward as it intertwines with powers old and new.
It’s really all, the characters, their dialogues, the relationships, the historical and immersive context, the pointed descriptions. It connects, it sizzles, it feels real, and because of that, it wraps you in its darkness and fears.
The whole tale evolves beautifully and has a perfect ending.
Also, loved the bisexual main rep, in the midst of such prejudiced setting - misogyny, racism, eugenics.
Another great one, and I just want to say next, please! 💜🤌🏼
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Blood, and Racism
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Addiction
iamamyyyyy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Murder, Racism, Misogyny, and Suicide
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Cancer and Addiction
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, Alcoholism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Alcohol and Cancer
sarah984'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? No
3.0
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Murder, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Blood, Car accident, Death, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Ableism, Animal death, Cancer, Suicide, and Vomit
cadence99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
felt like the character development was much improved from the books that I’ve read of hers in the past. I’d highly recommended it to anyone who can handle supernatural horror. A lot of if also felt very historical fiction heavy, with all the elements of old Mexican horror movies inserted throughout, and I really enjoyed that about it.
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Ableism, Bullying, Car accident, Colonisation, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Violence, Chronic illness, and Death
Moderate: Biphobia, Addiction, and Cancer
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, Stalking, Suicide, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Animal death, Genocide, Vomit, and War
val_so_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Murder, Grief, Misogyny, Car accident, Racism, Alcohol, Religious bigotry, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Xenophobia
Minor: Medical content, Ableism, and Biphobia