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juffnstuff's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Car accident
sol_journal's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
*Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!*
Posted to: NetGalley, Goodreads, and The StoryGraph
Posted on: 28 July 2023
4.4 (rounded down to 4) out of 5 stars.
‘Silver Nitrate’ was a book that when I first saw the summary, I was a little iffy on if it was one I’d like. Now, I *loved* a few of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s previous books- ‘Gods of Jade and Shadow’, ‘The Beautiful Ones’, and ‘Velvet Was The Night’. I knew her writing style well to know that I’d most likely *enjoy* her books regardless. I just figured that this new read would be a mood-read kind of book where I’d pick it up when I found myself *craving* a cursed movie title centering Nazi occultism, rough main characters, and stuff of fiction bleeding into two normal people’s reality. When I got approved for this eARC after all, I decided to just jump right in and, man, was it a *phenomenal* read at the end.
‘Silver Nitrate’ shows the ugly of characters as well as it shows their ability to work together in the face of other’s ugly. Monserrat and Tristán were a duo that I found myself in love with from the start. They had a dynamic that grew and burned into what was the ending scene and I *loved* it SO much. There was just something about their flaws- one’s cowardice and the other’s unhealthy dive into what she finds interesting- being highlighted and then *actually* working through them at some point that grabbed me.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the magic system. I know the premise was in-story built by not so good people, but Silvia Moreno-Garcia creates this interesting system that almost had me like Monserrat in that I wanted to know more! I don’t know how much of real world occultism was used to help base the magic in ‘Silver Nitrate’ though, but the entwining of it *and* the idea of movies being more magic than what meets the eye was enthralling.
I think I’ve got a major book hangover with ‘Silver Nitrate’ though because I want more reads *just* like it. I want to know what happens after the ending and I honestly just need more Monserrat and Tristán! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can read it all over again (and annotate it this time!)
Posted to: NetGalley, Goodreads, and The StoryGraph
Posted on: 28 July 2023
4.4 (rounded down to 4) out of 5 stars.
‘Silver Nitrate’ was a book that when I first saw the summary, I was a little iffy on if it was one I’d like. Now, I *loved* a few of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s previous books- ‘Gods of Jade and Shadow’, ‘The Beautiful Ones’, and ‘Velvet Was The Night’. I knew her writing style well to know that I’d most likely *enjoy* her books regardless. I just figured that this new read would be a mood-read kind of book where I’d pick it up when I found myself *craving* a cursed movie title centering Nazi occultism, rough main characters, and stuff of fiction bleeding into two normal people’s reality. When I got approved for this eARC after all, I decided to just jump right in and, man, was it a *phenomenal* read at the end.
‘Silver Nitrate’ shows the ugly of characters as well as it shows their ability to work together in the face of other’s ugly. Monserrat and Tristán were a duo that I found myself in love with from the start. They had a dynamic that grew and burned into what was the ending scene and I *loved* it SO much. There was just something about their flaws- one’s cowardice and the other’s unhealthy dive into what she finds interesting- being highlighted and then *actually* working through them at some point that grabbed me.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the magic system. I know the premise was in-story built by not so good people, but Silvia Moreno-Garcia creates this interesting system that almost had me like Monserrat in that I wanted to know more! I don’t know how much of real world occultism was used to help base the magic in ‘Silver Nitrate’ though, but the entwining of it *and* the idea of movies being more magic than what meets the eye was enthralling.
I think I’ve got a major book hangover with ‘Silver Nitrate’ though because I want more reads *just* like it. I want to know what happens after the ending and I honestly just need more Monserrat and Tristán! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can read it all over again (and annotate it this time!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Death, Antisemitism, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Most of the minor content warnings are brief mentions that are a bit pertinent to the story, but aren’t too in depth. The antisemitism is in the form of nazi talk/mentions of nazi occultism and racism in that aspect- eugenics included.saintmaud's review against another edition
4.0
my most anticipated read of the year because horror set around film is one of my favourite niches and combined with cults, the glamour of old hollywood, and crazy bisexual friends meant that it delivered. I love that this is set in mexico, I love how tired but persistent montserrat is, I loved her dynamic with tristan, I loves how exactly smg captured the allure of fictional films.
my only complaint–the same I had with mexican gothic–is that smg doesn't dial up the craziness I really really want to see her go over the top with the horror and gore one day. also I feel the characterisation of the older actresses was sacrificed for the sake of momo & tristan and the general plot when it could've made the whole story more alluring.
but overall... so good I desperately want to watch a silver nitrate film now.
my only complaint–the same I had with mexican gothic–is that smg doesn't dial up the craziness I really really want to see her go over the top with the horror and gore one day. also I feel the characterisation of the older actresses was sacrificed for the sake of momo & tristan and the general plot when it could've made the whole story more alluring.
but overall... so good I desperately want to watch a silver nitrate film now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Gore and Racism
Minor: Ableism and Vomit
savvylit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Silver Nitrate is an intriguing tale of occultism, cinematic drama, and lingering Nazi sentiment. Moreno-Garcia immerses readers in Mexico City during the early 90's. U.S. influence is spreading - Mexican cinema is drying up and American products are taking over the shelves. Montserrat is a brusque, cold - yet immensely likable - main character. Tristán is her perfect foil; he's charming and suave.
The mysterious sorcery at the novel's center draws from classic film techniques and Nazi views of "purity." Moreno-Garcia blends these two elements both skillfully and chillingly.
Ultimately, though, I felt that this novel was too plot-focused and could have used more character development. Montserrat and Tristán were appealing main characters - but that's what made me want more from them. More about them. Both of their perspectives seemed oddly predictable and surface-level. It made it difficult for me to feel their fear, which thus made it difficult for me to really appreciate the horror that was central to this story.
Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the advanced copy of Silver Nitrate in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The mysterious sorcery at the novel's center draws from classic film techniques and Nazi views of "purity." Moreno-Garcia blends these two elements both skillfully and chillingly.
Ultimately, though, I felt that this novel was too plot-focused and could have used more character development. Montserrat and Tristán were appealing main characters - but that's what made me want more from them. More about them. Both of their perspectives seemed oddly predictable and surface-level. It made it difficult for me to feel their fear, which thus made it difficult for me to really appreciate the horror that was central to this story.
Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the advanced copy of Silver Nitrate in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Racism, Misogyny, Addiction, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Cancer, and Murder
dananana's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Xenophobia, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Racism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexism
Minor: Biphobia
sarahweyand's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.25
Thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
I feel right in the middle of the road on this book. I thought the premise was super interesting and I really enjoyed the inclusion of real historical figures in addition to our characters, but this book took me FOREVER to get through. Normally I love a good slow burn, but I think there were too many information dumps that grinded the plot to a halt. I also didn't buy in to a lot of the plot: I wasn't overly attached to any characters, and the magic system was a little too soft and vague for me to latch on to.
Some positives! The best part of this book was certainly the relationship dynamic between Montserrat and Tristán; even though I didn't feel connected to either of them individually, I loved their relationship. I thought the setting was unique and well-described, and I greatly enjoyed the history woven into the plot even if I thought the execution was a little heavy-handed.
I don't know how many people I would recommend this one to, but I would definitely pick up something else by this author in the future (Mexican Gothic is still on my shelf)!
I feel right in the middle of the road on this book. I thought the premise was super interesting and I really enjoyed the inclusion of real historical figures in addition to our characters, but this book took me FOREVER to get through. Normally I love a good slow burn, but I think there were too many information dumps that grinded the plot to a halt. I also didn't buy in to a lot of the plot: I wasn't overly attached to any characters, and the magic system was a little too soft and vague for me to latch on to.
Some positives! The best part of this book was certainly the relationship dynamic between Montserrat and Tristán; even though I didn't feel connected to either of them individually, I loved their relationship. I thought the setting was unique and well-described, and I greatly enjoyed the history woven into the plot even if I thought the execution was a little heavy-handed.
I don't know how many people I would recommend this one to, but I would definitely pick up something else by this author in the future (Mexican Gothic is still on my shelf)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Car accident, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse and Alcohol
scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Silvia Moreno-Garcia coming out with yet another banger! I don't think I have ever read a single book of hers that I didn't enjoy.
There was so much to love about this and so much I learned. First off, both MCs are bisexual disasters. I absolutely love that. Second, there is so much info about cinema without it feeling like a massive info dump. SM-G is able to weave it all into dialogue without any of it sounding like one long PSA. Third, occultism?? Horror cinema?? Runes and spirits and magic?? Need I say more??
The start was pretty slow... I feel like it didn't pick up until 30% through when you get to the meat of the plot, when the retired director who had dabbled in occultism with some Nazis tells the truth of the magic of film to the two MCs and recruits them to finish a film which would subsequently release him from a curse put on him for NOT completing it from the start. Not much of a spoiler but... they finish it. And then they suffer some consequences. The story after that had me absolutely gripped. What I always appreciate about SM-G's novels is that she puts in so much research into the subject based on real life issues as well as weaving in fantasy and magical realism that just hooks you and pulls you through all the pages. Her characters are always pictures as flawed but real and relatable and this applies to Monserrat and Tristan in this book too. This is an absolute instant-recommend for anyone!
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!
There was so much to love about this and so much I learned. First off, both MCs are bisexual disasters. I absolutely love that. Second, there is so much info about cinema without it feeling like a massive info dump. SM-G is able to weave it all into dialogue without any of it sounding like one long PSA. Third, occultism?? Horror cinema?? Runes and spirits and magic?? Need I say more??
The start was pretty slow... I feel like it didn't pick up until 30% through when you get to the meat of the plot, when the retired director who had dabbled in occultism with some Nazis tells the truth of the magic of film to the two MCs and recruits them to finish a film which would subsequently release him from a curse put on him for NOT completing it from the start. Not much of a spoiler but... they finish it. And then they suffer some consequences. The story after that had me absolutely gripped. What I always appreciate about SM-G's novels is that she puts in so much research into the subject based on real life issues as well as weaving in fantasy and magical realism that just hooks you and pulls you through all the pages. Her characters are always pictures as flawed but real and relatable and this applies to Monserrat and Tristan in this book too. This is an absolute instant-recommend for anyone!
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Car accident, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse and Blood
Minor: Medical content, Ableism, Biphobia, and Alcoholism
bookishparadox's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, Grief, Ableism, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Classism, Medical content, Violence, Racism, Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Animal death, War, Drug use, and Fire/Fire injury
val_so_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
taratearex's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
I really had to sit with this book for a while before I could review it, it really has so much packed into it and really made me sit and think!
As usual Silvia Moreno Garcia is a master at creating an atmospheric setting and incredible characters. I think this is billed as a horror and to me it feel more like a noir with horror elements, the creepy and the horror are both there, but it's within the long and winding mystery as it unfolds. (It had Velvet was the Night vibes which I loved). As with most of her novels, the slow burn is there which is honestly something I love about her style, but if you have a hard time with slow burn the beginning is very much taking it's time to set the scene and get to know the characters- again, I personally love this about her style because I just love entering the worlds that she creates and spending time with her characters.
I love how Silvia Moreno Garcia layers in history and education around topics. In this one we have a love and fascination for film that comes through Montserrat's character. And some history of Nazi occultism, racism, and cultural appropriation told through the mystery of the cursed film and filmmakers. My only real qualm was getting a bit lost in the information and mystery, I think if I'd had a physical copy I would have tabbed to keep track of some things because I had a number of moments where I just thought "this book is much smarter than me".
I know that right after I finish a new book of hers I feel like it's my new favorite, but I really loved these two characters so much. I love that they are both around my age and both bisexual. I love how Silvia Moreno Garcia creates complicated multi-dimensional characters that you root for and also make you a little mad, they always feel so real. Montserrat being drawn to power that she knows is wrong, but can't help but fall deep into was so well done. Tristan trying to grow and let go, but being afraid to. I love their complicated friendship/relationship, how much they need and lean on each other. I really never knew where this was going and the ending was a surprise that I loved.
I truly look forward to a reread, there was just so much in this book!
Thank you to the publisher, Del Rey, and Net Galley for the arc!
As usual Silvia Moreno Garcia is a master at creating an atmospheric setting and incredible characters. I think this is billed as a horror and to me it feel more like a noir with horror elements, the creepy and the horror are both there, but it's within the long and winding mystery as it unfolds. (It had Velvet was the Night vibes which I loved). As with most of her novels, the slow burn is there which is honestly something I love about her style, but if you have a hard time with slow burn the beginning is very much taking it's time to set the scene and get to know the characters- again, I personally love this about her style because I just love entering the worlds that she creates and spending time with her characters.
I love how Silvia Moreno Garcia layers in history and education around topics. In this one we have a love and fascination for film that comes through Montserrat's character. And some history of Nazi occultism, racism, and cultural appropriation told through the mystery of the cursed film and filmmakers. My only real qualm was getting a bit lost in the information and mystery, I think if I'd had a physical copy I would have tabbed to keep track of some things because I had a number of moments where I just thought "this book is much smarter than me".
I know that right after I finish a new book of hers I feel like it's my new favorite, but I really loved these two characters so much. I love that they are both around my age and both bisexual. I love how Silvia Moreno Garcia creates complicated multi-dimensional characters that you root for and also make you a little mad, they always feel so real. Montserrat being drawn to power that she knows is wrong, but can't help but fall deep into was so well done. Tristan trying to grow and let go, but being afraid to. I love their complicated friendship/relationship, how much they need and lean on each other. I really never knew where this was going and the ending was a surprise that I loved.
I truly look forward to a reread, there was just so much in this book!
Thank you to the publisher, Del Rey, and Net Galley for the arc!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gore, Grief, Murder, Xenophobia, Racism, Antisemitism, Car accident, Alcohol, and Addiction