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bethlynch's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Medical content, and Racism
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, and Animal death
erynlasbelin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- 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 just kept assuming this was going to be a prequel to The Island, up until that became impossible. I wonder how my impression of the book would differ if I hadn't been working off that frame work for 90% of it.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
amandalorianxo's review
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-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
I binged this in a handful of hours. Roughly 300 hundred something pages but it’s a quick, easy read. I loved the interpretation and the play on hybrids - animals & humans mixed together. I wasn’t 100% all in when it came to Carlota and Montgomery, since she was fourteen and he was my age when they first met. Individually, I liked them on their own. The slight twist that happens at the end was a little surprising but it made sense. This is not a horror or scary book but well written and more historical based, showcasing a lot of Mexican history during the 1870’s. The racism towards the Indigenous and other poc was apparent via the characters and it showed that those who thought they were better (the white Mexicans) looked down on the lesser. Humanization is explored and right back wrong, inhumane vs humane. A great story and showcases how broad Silvia Moreno Garcia’s writing talents are when it comes to her wide collection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse and Grief
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