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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.priamoon'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
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Violence, Slavery, Death, Genocide, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, Rape, Body horror, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Colonisation, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Incest
Minor: Pregnancy, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Cannibalism
zoe_archambault's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Murder, Confinement, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Infertility, Gun violence, Death, Classism, Sexism, Rape, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Incest
Moderate: Cannibalism, Racism, Mass/school shootings, Gore, and Grief
flamming_bluejeans's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Incest, Sexual harassment, Violence, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Rape, Suicide, Body horror, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, Toxic relationship, Racism, Misogyny, Death of parent, Death, Cannibalism, Miscarriage, Gore, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infertility, Miscarriage, Vomit, Cursing, Alcohol, and Medical content
angelfireeast24'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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Body horror, Cannibalism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexism, Classism, Colonisation, Drug use, Grief, Incest, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Bullying, Child death, Violence, Slavery, and Murder
Moderate: Terminal illness, Abandonment, Pedophilia, Vomit, Alcohol, and Miscarriage
Had me on the edge of my seat. I both wanted to throw the book across the room due to the unsettling nature of the subject matter and read another page to know what will happen.alannad396's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Colonisation, Classism, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Gun violence, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, and Pregnancy
acrosstheskyinstars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Cannibalism, Child abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Body horror, Incest, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Pandemic/Epidemic, Chronic illness, Grief, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Murder, Gaslighting, Child death, Racism, Genocide, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Classism, Colonisation, Gun violence, and Suicide
yungblonde's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.75
Graphic: Murder, Racial slurs, Rape, Grief, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Body horror, Classism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Incest, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Infertility, Cannibalism, Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcohol
jessy4550's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Death, Blood, Child death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Violence, Pregnancy, Suicide, Chronic illness, Genocide, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Gun violence, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Colonisation, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Vomit, Alcohol, Grief, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
kcarney86's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Gore, Violence, Blood, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Grief, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Confinement, Rape, Classism, Death, Incest, Murder, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Torture, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual content
Minor: Infertility, Suicide, Xenophobia, Miscarriage, and Cannibalism