A review by wasabiapple
Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • 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? Yes

3.5

I couldn't connect with this book until more than halfway. I prefer my "grief horror" accompanied with an emotional, visceral reaction, sadly (ironic, no?) "Monstrilio" did not do that for me largely because I felt detached from the first two narrators (there's 4 narrating perspectives), particularly from Magos, the mother. However, once the voice shifted to the father and M/Monstrilio, this book successfully explored themes of loneliness, acceptance, and identity on an emotional level that lacked in its first half. It's hard to not compare it to Dolki Min's "Walking Practice," with the similarities in themes and protagonists (MuMu and M/Monstrilio), but Cordova's writing evoked empathy for M that I lacked for MuMu.
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