A review by savvylit
The Queen of the Cicadas by V. Castro

dark inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

The Queen of the Cicadas is a thrilling horror fantasy of wide-ranging scope. The novel's timeline jumps between a 1950s hate crime and present day. The heinous hate crime central to the book serves as the origin story for the titular Queen of the Cicadas. Any and all descriptions around La Reina's becoming are incredibly difficult to stomach. Let's just say that, throughout the whole novel, Castro certainly doesn't shy away from cruelty and gore. And it works so well.

As the book progresses, La Reina de Las Chicharras reveals itself to be a misunderstood urban legend, rooted in racial hatred. Castro effortlessly incorporates Aztec mythology into what is honestly the perfect revenge tale.

This book would be a solid 5 Stars for me if I hadn't found the timeline jumps to be a bit disjointed. Sometimes the story didn't flow as easily as I'd hoped, with segments feeling incredibly rushed - especially at the book's end. Ultimately, though, this was a very memorable exploration of mythology and the lasting effects of racial hatred.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings