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beccaand'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: Gun violence, Blood, Violence, War, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Classism, Abandonment, Animal death, Colonisation, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual content
tea_at_mole_end's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
Graphic: Gore, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: War
elskede's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Gore, War, Violence, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Alcohol, Vomit, and Gun violence
monicaa_d's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Minor: Body horror, Colonisation, Grief, War, and Gore
skitch41'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? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Gore and War
acrosstheskyinstars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really liked the premise of the book, but the plot was a lot different than the story I wanted. The Mexican-American war truly is only a backdrop. It barely matters to the plot in my opinion, which I found a bit disappointing. I liked the two main characters, but the Nena’s parents in particular were hard to understand frequently. Despite the wartime setting, the pacing also felt slow to me. Pick this one up if you really only want a light dose of the historical setting and don’t mind a slow-paced read.
Graphic: War, Grief, Misogyny, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Abandonment, Classism, Gore, Blood, Animal death, and Violence
ktv'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Death, Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Physical abuse, and Colonisation
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
triple_m's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Both of the main characters are so three-dimensional and I genuinely understand both of their perspectives, decisions, and actions.
My heart really ached for these characters but it made the emotional pay off so worth it.
Graphic: War, Misogyny, and Colonisation
Moderate: Gore, Blood, and Gun violence
salemander's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Colonisation, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, War, Body horror, and Violence
bkwrm1317'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
A unique take on the vampire as beast/creature, rather than human beings turned to vampires as the more common take. The vampires of this novel are used and abused by the Texas Rangers in their pursuit of what is today South Texas/Northern Mexico.
Some minor/general novel arc spoilers below, so read with that in mind:
Nena and Néstor's struggles to overcome their own fear and shame in order to let their love flourish felt extremely real and well-executed by the author. I loved reading their story, as well as Nena's arc of finding her voice, getting out from under the thumb of her emotionally abusive father and manipulative mother, who are more about appearances and keeping up with the Joneses than their eldest daughter's needs or happiness.
Néstor realizing Nena is stronger when he supports her/that with his support she can face down literal monsters and can match him for bravery in that way is such a powerful moment in their character arcs.
I just really loved this one - it's another of those novels that felt like it was written just for me.
Graphic: Violence, Classism, and War
Moderate: Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, and Emotional abuse