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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-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
Civil unrest in 1970s Mexico leads a well connected student activist, Leonora, to go into hiding over some photographs that show what the state doesn't want seen. This story follows Maite, her neighbor, as she tries to figure out what happened to Leonora, and Elvis, a private militia thug assigned to tail her.
Absolutely loved the characterization and character development. I could see where others would not find the plot very compelling but I enjoyed it. I especially liked how the interpersonal dynamics played out. Compelling prose.
Absolutely loved the characterization and character development. I could see where others would not find the plot very compelling but I enjoyed it. I especially liked how the interpersonal dynamics played out. Compelling prose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content, Police brutality
I don't like not liking books but this one really put me in a slump. I just didn't really care a whole lot about the mc or anything
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
I loved this book. Learning about the Mexico’s politics in 1970s (even if it was dramatized) was fascinating. I was endeared to the character Elvis and really enjoyed his character growth. And, while I didn’t love the character, Maite, I really loved her story line. A fascinating read that I would recommend to everyone because it has a bit of everything: romance, adventure, and murder!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail
What a dissapointment. I don't think I've ever read about a more annoying main character :/
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I listened to the audio book for velvet was the night and I was blown away by the way that, even with the same voice reading, I could hear the difference in the point of view just in the words that were used.
The story was fascinating and I was riveted by the possibilities that our two MCs represented.
The story was fascinating and I was riveted by the possibilities that our two MCs represented.
This book improved towards the end. I would have been happy to stick with the perspective of Maite for the whole book and make El Elvis a more minor character. Maite was almost a character I enjoyed. Her at times real and at times exaggerated worrying about problems she caused and problems that were out of her control was intensely relatable. On the other hand her obsession with evaluating her life as if it was one of the romance comics she reads made her seem like she was a caricature of a dumb inexperienced girl who cant grow up. Some twists were obvious, some should have been obvious, but overall I thought the plot was enjoyable and thrilling almost all the time. My final complaint is that I wish there was some more engagement with the political issues presented besides Hawks - bad, police - bad, political corruption - bad, communist students -good but ineffective. I feel a bit like Maite, I know a bit about the Dirty War, but not really about the specifics. Then again, not every book has to be a deep social commentary.