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phantasmaboo'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? No
4.0
I thought this book was another solid novel from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. The characters were diverse and represented and fit in well with the time period of the book. I thought both main characters were developed well, although Carlota seemed to receive more care and attention than Montgomery did. I also thought that Moreno-Garcia did a good job setting up the time period of the book and basing it in actual conflict in Mexico. Obviously, not all aspects are true, but there was just enough to make the story believable.
The Lovecraftian elements were similarly easy to follow and understand, even if you’re not a fan of the genre. I had very little experience with Lovecraftian plot lines, but I followed along easily enough.
Overall, I thought the book was good and if you’re a fan of Moreno-Garcia’s other works, you’ll probably like this one too.
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Classism, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Colonisation, Violence, Slavery, Sexual content, and Death
lovetlr'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Xenophobia
goatsrsexy'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
3.75
This book had absolutely beautiful prose especially the descriptions of scenery and emotions. It was set in the Yucatan Peninsula in the 1800s and adding true Mexican and Mayan history added a lot to the story. I think it worked well. Carlota and Montgomery were both beautiful and deep characters. This book really makes you think about a lot of different types of morality.
Graphic: Xenophobia and Racism
Moderate: Violence, War, and Child abuse
cozyteareads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Body horror, Colonisation, Death, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Cursing, Racism, Blood, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Infertility, Mental illness, War, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Medical content
mooshake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
i've forgotten most of the plot 2 days after reading this lmao
will i ever like a silvia moreno-garcia book as much as mexican gothic? stay tuned to find out!
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Colonisation
oliviantoinette's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Body horror, Chronic illness, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment
sarah984's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Racism, Alcoholism, Ableism, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Chronic illness, Classism, Confinement, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: War, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Pregnancy, and Racial slurs
hannahlee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, Medical trauma, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Racism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Blood, and Death of parent
erynlasbelin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I really enjoyed this overall, though perhaps a bit less than Mexican Gothic. It's hard to elaborate on why - the characters and their conflicts were all very believable, but I think there were simply too many of them, and some of the story seemed to drag out a bit too long.
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Gun violence, Gore, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Cursing, Drug use, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Slavery, and War
Minor: Infertility and Pregnancy
chelsaat's review
- 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
4.0
Here she takes on what I’d label “gothic sci-fi” in this reimagining of HG Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau. Here, Dr. Moreau works on the Yucatan peninsula and has a daughter named Carlota. Montgomery is still around as the trusty but troubled majordomo, and the hybrids - Moreau’s half-human, half-animal creations, evoke more pity than horror.
I loved how SMG twisted this tale into one of the perils of colonialism and playing god, something the original tale barely scratches the surface of. Setting this partly in Carlota’s POV also turns this into a tale of a woman discovering her own power, which I always love to see!!
My only quibble is that the writing is slightly detached, I think to mimic Wells and other gothic tales of yore. It took me a minute to get into the minds of these characters, but it did happen. Just stick with it, I promise. Part 3 in particular is nonstop…I’m still reeling from how the events played out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Colonisation, Animal cruelty, and Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, and Xenophobia