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aksmith92's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Noemí isn't necessarily the closest with her cousin, but she is worried, and her father offers to pay for her anthropology school if she goes to investigate. Therefore, Noemí treks to High Place, where Catalina lives with Virgil, her husband, Virgil's father, Howard, and others in the family, including Florence, Virgil's cousin, and Francis, Florence's son. Noemí discovers that Catalina isn't well, but everything is not as it seems. We trek on a journey with Noemí as she discovers a house that brings about nightmares and a family's past that unravels long-time secrets.
What I liked: I'm going to preface my entire review with this fact: I knew going into this that this wasn't as scary as it may have been set out to be. I forget where I heard it, but I knew that this was not a jump scare horror novel. Regardless, this is an odd tale that intertwines a creepy family and some natural wonders (but not in the best way!). I honestly loved the "horror" aspect to this - an utterly unhinged family and their story and a captivating plot around a house of horrors. I found it unique and compelling. I'm being vague for a reason - I don't want to give any spoilers to the house of horrors, but I thought it was exciting and original. This story made me cringe at parts, so while it didn't scare me a lot, it psychologically spooked me in other ways. Additionally, I thought Noemí was a refreshing and lovely character. She somehow didn't annoy me, which is quite challenging in a thriller/mystery/horror novel like this one. The main character inevitably decides something to further the plot where you want to scream "NO!" That didn't happen to me here, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The slight romance plot was also refreshing as Noemí most certainly didn't act like a woman of the 1950s (at least by American standards). I liked this novel's plot, thriller aspect, and characters.
Lastly, I was struck by the novel's profound symbolism, particularly its exploration of colonialism and racism. The theme of eugenics, set in 1950s Mexico, was a powerful reminder of the country's history. The Spanish conquest, the Revolution, and the exploitation of the land and its people by colonizers all resonated strongly. This voice, so prevalent in the novel, was a necessary and thought-provoking element.
What could have been better: Like many reviews, I must acknowledge that the pacing was a bit uneven. The first half of the book was admittedly slow, but the last 20% picked up dramatically. However, even during the slower parts, I was still invested in Noemí's journey, and it kept me hooked. Some parts were slightly predictable and occasionally dull, and the horror element wasn't as pronounced as I expected (or, at least, in the way I expected). Also, the writing was not atmospheric or flowery for a gothic novel. Still, the gothic elements were at least described - particularly an old, outdated house with no electricity and plenty of bad weather, mist, and fog hovering on the mountain.
Lastly—and this didn't impact my review, but I think for expectation sake, I will share—this book did not necessarily explain the how behind the horror-like element of it; you were just expected to roll with it. Did it make a ton of sense? No. Nor was there a lot of time explaining it. However, was it interesting and a great take on something different in the genre? Absolutely.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel, even when the pacing prevented me from rating it higher. I particularly liked the natural elements that weaved into the overall premise, and it was generally well done.
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Gore, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Cursing
Attempted rape, but it does not happen. However, there is a sexual assault. Suicide is on page, multiple places. Suicide attempt also on page.merrynthomas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Cannibalism, Gore, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Confinement, Death, and Physical abuse
elizas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Incest, Sexism, Kidnapping, Bullying, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, and Confinement
Minor: Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Abandonment, Colonisation, Confinement, Rape, and Child death
clairebartholomew549's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Cannibalism, Racism, Colonisation, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Incest, Kidnapping, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, and Sexual harassment
deetabz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, Death, Murder, Medical content, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Cannibalism, Excrement, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Death of parent, Sexual content, Sexism, Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Confinement, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Child death, Incest, Alcohol, and Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
kat_c_h's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I did struggle with some of the more graphic scenes near the end which is why it's not 5/5. I'm
Moderate: Kidnapping, Cursing, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, and Medical content
thede5tiny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5
Graphic: Incest
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Cannibalism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Child death, and Death
Minor: Suicide, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy
beachyv's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Such a great introduction to Gothic Horror (with a small amount of Gothic Romance) for me. I will definitely be reading more Gothic fiction and more of Silvia Moreno-Garcia immediately!
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Child death, Child abuse, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Incest
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
sonaea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I really liked the first half (4+ stars) though there are a lot of problematic things in there (esp. in the later half) that aren't handled very well/believably (~2 stars).
At the start there's not a lot of plot but rather a lot of just the vibes of dark, creepy houses, though the plot picks up at about the middle. I was surprised by the solution to the puzzle as I did not expect
I really liked that Noemí is headstrong, intelligent and doesn't let people run her over. That made an interesting protagonist and the setting was quite nice too as I haven't read many books set in historic Mexico (though that wasn't really in the focus of the story).
What could have used a bit more work is the pacing (at the first half of the book next to nothing happens, it's just all vibes and setting and only the slightest hints, while in the second half it's reveal after reveal). I would have liked that to be more stretched out in the book.
Also the action scenes at the end were not written like action scenes but rather just the same as the scenes about the setting (short descriptions, all the sentences about the same length, no focus on anything. There was next to no suspense in the writing. The only bit of suspense came from the plot though that wasn't a lot because
!!! Also there are a LOT of pretty heavy topics in this book, some CNs would have been appreciated!!!
CN r*pe:
That's a part where I think some character work would have been necessary. Her reacting shocked and then continuing as if normal really doesn't fit the situation.
CN c*n*balism:
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gore, Misogyny, Incest, Sexual assault, Murder, Classism, and Racism
Moderate: Terminal illness, Suicide, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual violence, Stalking, Gore, Gun violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Vomit and Miscarriage
There are A LOT of problematic things happening. Most are mentioned, the description style of the book isn't one that goes into detail much. I tried to find most things that should have a CN, but I certainly didn't get every single one. So do be careful when reading this book! (Also I added 'toxic relationship' by which 'toxic family-relationship' is meant)averagesparrow's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Incest, Kidnapping, Colonisation, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Violence, Emotional abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Confinement, Racism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Classism, and Genocide
Minor: Gun violence, Suicide, Alcohol, and Murder