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kamreadsandrecs's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book wasn’t half-bad a ride to be honest. For the most part, it’s about exactly what it says on the tin: a mystery involving a serial killer who’s going around killing young girls. Following that mystery to its conclusion is definitely part of what makes this book an enjoyable read, and there were enough twists that it was hard to predict until the novel’s climax who the serial killer actually was. I’m not going to lie: I didn’t see it coming until just before the reveal, which is a good sign for a mystery, in my opinion. I will say that the killings are quite disturbing, as is the motive behind them - not in the gory sense (though they can get pretty gory too), but in the sense that it makes pretty clear how evil this criminal is, and how twisted their path to perdition. The novel also goes pretty in-depth in describing the crime scenes, as well as the investigative methods used, so those are likely to disturb certain readers.
Alongside the investigation of the killings, the novel tells the story of Amaia’s family and her surprisingly dark past. Those two storylines - Amaia’s past and the investigation - running in parallel to each other is interesting, mirroring each other in themes of trauma and victimhood, but there were times when the telling of the former would bog down the flow of the latter, or vice-versa. It’s a small gripe for me, personally, but I suspect readers who prefer their mysteries to be more tightly plotted might find these changes in pace annoying.
The incorporation of the supernatural elements in this story was another thing I enjoyed, but which I think other readers might not. I admit that the way they’re used has a bit of a deus ex machina feel to it, but I tend to see the supernatural elements as more a reflection of Amaia’s worldview, since she did grow up in the Baztan Valley and the myths and legends of the locale would have been deeply ingrained in her subconscious no matter how much distance she tried to put between herself and her past. They also add color to the setting, helping to bring the town of Elizondo and the rest of the Baztan Valley to life.
Despite all that, a part of me wonders if the rough edges I encountered in the reading are related to the translation, rather than the author’s actual craftsmanship. Would this novel come off as more polished in its original language? Possibly, but I can’t say for certain because I don’t understand Spanish.
Overall, I found this book enjoyable to read, with an absorbing mystery and interesting characters. The supernatural touches seemed out of place at times, and are likely to rub some readers the wrong way, but other readers will probably find them interesting, lending insight into the setting and the characters. I do wonder, though, if the novel’s rough spots are due to the translation as opposed to the author’s craft, but only readers of the original Spanish will be able to comment on that aspect with any authority.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Rape
doramag's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
echaniz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nonsensemind's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
scoutfinch75's review against another edition
4.0
A killer is at large in a remote Basque Country valley, enter Inspector Amaia Salazar.
Young teenage girls are being brutally murdered, and this evil brings Amaia back to Elizondo, back to the place of her childhood, determined to find the killer and exorcise a few demons of her own. Reality and myth intertwine as Inspector Salazar searches for the truth.
I really enjoyed this story, I found the character of Inspector Salazar fascinating. She's intelligent, insightful, courageous and confident yet at times vulnerable and haunted. She's a very strong leading lady. well supported by a cast of beautifully written characters, from the almost too perfect to be true James, to the controlling, bitter and malicious Flora.
As the search for the killer progresses, we find ourselves learning more and more about Amaia, her family, her past and the history of Elizondo and it's surrounding areas. Legends of the community tangle with the facts, as we are taken on a pilgrimage through darkness, horror and evil, with light coming from places least expected.
The only issue I had with this book, is that it creeps forwards a little too slowly, with so much detailed description, I sometimes felt a little bogged down. It could be possible that something got lost in the translation, or that I was simply too anxious to find out what was going to happen next.
To conclude, a fascinating thriller, part of a trilogy and I for one will definitely be looking out for the next book in the series.
( I received this book in a goodreads giveaway. )
Young teenage girls are being brutally murdered, and this evil brings Amaia back to Elizondo, back to the place of her childhood, determined to find the killer and exorcise a few demons of her own. Reality and myth intertwine as Inspector Salazar searches for the truth.
I really enjoyed this story, I found the character of Inspector Salazar fascinating. She's intelligent, insightful, courageous and confident yet at times vulnerable and haunted. She's a very strong leading lady. well supported by a cast of beautifully written characters, from the almost too perfect to be true James, to the controlling, bitter and malicious Flora.
As the search for the killer progresses, we find ourselves learning more and more about Amaia, her family, her past and the history of Elizondo and it's surrounding areas. Legends of the community tangle with the facts, as we are taken on a pilgrimage through darkness, horror and evil, with light coming from places least expected.
The only issue I had with this book, is that it creeps forwards a little too slowly, with so much detailed description, I sometimes felt a little bogged down. It could be possible that something got lost in the translation, or that I was simply too anxious to find out what was going to happen next.
To conclude, a fascinating thriller, part of a trilogy and I for one will definitely be looking out for the next book in the series.
( I received this book in a goodreads giveaway. )
tudorache_a21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
gabipoderosa's review against another edition
4.0
Un libro de misterio, algo surrealista y con elementos de ¿realismo mágico? si, puede ser.
Tengo que decir que no podía soltar el libro, leí la mitad de una sentada. Pero ya más acercada al final, empecé a leerlo más lento porque se puso denso y el razonamiento empezó a cambiar.
La historia la encontré bien desarrollada, el asesino está bien construido, y la protagonista me gusta mucho. Siento que es necesario que la conozcamos (ella como persona y su historia) para entender su labor como investigadora, por lo que las partes que no eran exclusivas del caso, también me gustaron.
No le doy 5 estrellas porque, sentí que el asesino fue una sorpresa no bien fundada, cuando todo parecia inidicar otra cosa, aparece el caso resuelto y se da por sentado que siempre todo indicó a ese personaje, cuando no fue así. En ningún momento se da un indicio o vinculo, ya sé que obvio deberia ser una sorpresa y todo eso, pero no creo que haya funcionado tan bien, de hecho, releí esa parte para ver si me salté algo, pero no, fue así: de pronto.
Leeré la segunda parte sin dudas, pero no se si pronto.
Tengo que decir que no podía soltar el libro, leí la mitad de una sentada. Pero ya más acercada al final, empecé a leerlo más lento porque se puso denso y el razonamiento empezó a cambiar.
La historia la encontré bien desarrollada, el asesino está bien construido, y la protagonista me gusta mucho. Siento que es necesario que la conozcamos (ella como persona y su historia) para entender su labor como investigadora, por lo que las partes que no eran exclusivas del caso, también me gustaron.
No le doy 5 estrellas porque, sentí que el asesino fue una sorpresa no bien fundada, cuando todo parecia inidicar otra cosa, aparece el caso resuelto y se da por sentado que siempre todo indicó a ese personaje, cuando no fue así. En ningún momento se da un indicio o vinculo, ya sé que obvio deberia ser una sorpresa y todo eso, pero no creo que haya funcionado tan bien, de hecho, releí esa parte para ver si me salté algo, pero no, fue así: de pronto.
Leeré la segunda parte sin dudas, pero no se si pronto.
maialenb's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25