Reviews

Corazón is an amazing main character who is extremely relatable. However at time the world building is a bit shaky and rushed, Aru shaw worked these issues out by the second book so I'm sure it's fine. I wish we got to spend more time reallt getting to know characters like Leo but overall I loved everything about this.

patyche's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

chamomiledaydreams's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I read this book in a single day and bawled my eyes out. At first, I thought, "I know where this story is going. It can't hurt me." But boy, was I wrong.

Roshani Chokshi does a brilliant job making every character interaction count. Since her protagonist Corazon goes on a quest for the majority of the novel, the items that she receives in the first few chapters come back to have significant plot relevance, and it's satisfying when details from the beginning are remembered and utilized by the end.

My biggest reservation with this novel is the characterization of Corazon's Aunt Tina. (WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD) It was heartbreaking to learn that she has always cared for Corazon in her own way and that the love the house shows for her is actually coming from Tina herself. But when we were introduced to a touch-averse parental figure in the beginning, I was delighted. Tina inverts the idea of how a parent should act, especially a maternal one, and I was looking forward to exploring the unconventional ways in which she cares for Corazon.

The revelation that she magically removed her heart is definitely emotional and a fascinating story beat. But it made me sad that Tina's touch aversion can be explained away by something supernatural that she's meant to overcome. It seems to say, "Of course no adult woman would ever be uncomfortable hugging her child! This one only struggles to show affection because of a magic curse!" I think this could have been resolved if touch hadn't come into the equation. Of course, there's still the issue of linking a lack of affection with something terribly wrong in a person. But I understand the story that Chokshi was trying to tell, about a person who seals their heart away after a significant loss, afraid of loving because it leads to hurting. I just don't want it to explain away the one (1) touch averse character in the story.

Besides that, though, I had a wonderful time with this story and its characters. Saso is my favorite; I often have a weak spot for animal companions, but his comedic blood lust really goes above and beyond to make him unique and lighten the story. I also loved Corazon's father, Emilio. What a guy!

Additionally, the overarching themes of grief and moving forward punched me right in the gut, but in a good way. The final walk that Corazon takes with her parents was the most emotional scene in the entire story for me. I also like the twist that Corazon is so powerful that she's been keeping her parents suspended between life and death for years. That she has to release them in order to access her powers is a great way to demonstrate how people must learn to live without the people they love. I'm grateful that this novel doesn't say, "Corazon must forget her parents completely and move on," but instead emphasizes the ways in which she will always carry them with her. It's a very powerful message and one that is beautifully executed, in my opinion.