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roguedaffodil's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
perusinghannah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Before picking up The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, I hadn't read magical realism in ages, and this book was a perfect reintroduction to the genre.
For some reason I thought this would be a softer story, but I was really happy to realize that this is a fairly gritty story both in plot and tone. I liked that most of our main characters had a bit of an edge, and that the author wasn't afraid to lean into the dark when it came to the magical elements of this novel - both really set an excellent mood that I vibed with incredibly well.
Unfortunately, there was one thing that didn't work for me, and that was the pacing. I feel like we lingered in some moments longer than we needed to, then skipped over years in others, and sometimes that left me wondering where in time we were and with who. I feel the time jumps also left me a little disconnected from characters in ways that I didn't need to be, and while I realize this is a family saga (a great one, too), I would've liked a little more in depth knowledge of our main characters.
However, even with the pacing the way it was, most of this novel was still absolutely excellent in all other aspects. Definitely an author I'll be keeping my eye on!
Before picking up The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, I hadn't read magical realism in ages, and this book was a perfect reintroduction to the genre.
For some reason I thought this would be a softer story, but I was really happy to realize that this is a fairly gritty story both in plot and tone. I liked that most of our main characters had a bit of an edge, and that the author wasn't afraid to lean into the dark when it came to the magical elements of this novel - both really set an excellent mood that I vibed with incredibly well.
Unfortunately, there was one thing that didn't work for me, and that was the pacing. I feel like we lingered in some moments longer than we needed to, then skipped over years in others, and sometimes that left me wondering where in time we were and with who. I feel the time jumps also left me a little disconnected from characters in ways that I didn't need to be, and while I realize this is a family saga (a great one, too), I would've liked a little more in depth knowledge of our main characters.
However, even with the pacing the way it was, most of this novel was still absolutely excellent in all other aspects. Definitely an author I'll be keeping my eye on!
logoddess's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookish_withsky's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I really, really liked the writing style. It felt whimsy and absolutely beautiful. It was very, very close to being four stars, I genuinely loved it. I just didn't connect the characters and didn't find myself caring about them. I realized I was mostly in it for the writing rather than the story, if that makes sense.
I really, really liked the writing style. It felt whimsy and absolutely beautiful. It was very, very close to being four stars, I genuinely loved it. I just didn't connect the characters and didn't find myself caring about them. I realized I was mostly in it for the writing rather than the story, if that makes sense.
mrstats93's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mtzbookworm64's review against another edition
5.0
Orquidea is cursed from birth. Upon her death she calls everyone home to leave them their inheritance and a mystery they must solve to end the Montoya family curse. Marimar leads the family curse.
A quick, fun, quirky read.
A quick, fun, quirky read.
dembury's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 but heartily and happily rounding up! "The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina" is a deeply unique story that very truly has no equal. Córdova tells a magical, multigenerational tale that just begs the reader to keep going deeper into the strangeness and wonder of the Montoya family. I read this over a couple weeks to savor it, but part of me just wanted to rush through the whole thing to find out what was happening!
The biggest weakness is that the climax/final explanations happen very very quickly and at the 11th hour, however that doesn't take away from the beauty of the rest of the book. Lastly, there is a HUGE sort of infodump near the beginning where the reader is introduced to the extended family very quickly and it's admittedly a bit overwhelming. I would say just check the family tree at the start of the book if you're not sure who is who at first, but honestly (like with any other large cast book) it gets easier as the book progresses.
If you're a fan of magic realism, multiple POVs, family stories, and a tad of otherworldliness, this should be your next read!
The biggest weakness is that the climax/final explanations happen very very quickly and at the 11th hour, however that doesn't take away from the beauty of the rest of the book. Lastly, there is a HUGE sort of infodump near the beginning where the reader is introduced to the extended family very quickly and it's admittedly a bit overwhelming. I would say just check the family tree at the start of the book if you're not sure who is who at first, but honestly (like with any other large cast book) it gets easier as the book progresses.
If you're a fan of magic realism, multiple POVs, family stories, and a tad of otherworldliness, this should be your next read!
xnnxjxrxi's review against another edition
it sounded interesting, but the audiobook was very confusing and i couldn't follow who the characters were anymore, there was so many
hannahhbic's review against another edition
5.0
The closest comparison I can make to the immersion from The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is how it felt to read [b:The Starless Sea|43575115|The Starless Sea|Erin Morgenstern|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617715077l/43575115._SY75_.jpg|66444785]. However, Orquídea Divina's stories of the past are clearly related to the rest of the novel, where in The Starless Sea it's not always apparent how or if the stories are connected. They're both kick@ss though. I can sincerely state that I adored all three of our main characters. Their family dynamic shines through on every page and this is one of the greatest strengths. I personally have a very small and distant extended family, so I relish the opportunity to experience closeness in stories. Frightening things happen here! The stakes are extremely high, actually! For the most part, the reader does get closure and that's always appreciated. Would love to read more about Marimar, Rey, & Rhiannon someday.
Thank you to NetGalley for a preview copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for a preview copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.