Scan barcode
A review by bkwrm1317
House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.5
First and foremost, thanks to Mulholland Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review of Gabino Iglesias' newest novel, published a little over a month ago (6 August 2024).
I've had Iglesias on my TBR for some time, and am thrilled that this was the novel to begin my deeper dive into Iglesias' currently published works.
A dark and moody atmospheric horror which combines elements of post hurricane Maria crises in Puerto Rico with cosmic horror elements, ghosts, and the demons a group of five friends fight in the process of avenging the death of one of their mothers.
Childhood friends Gabe (our main POV), Bimbo, Xavier, Tavo, and Paul band together to avenge the death of Bimbo's mother, María. As they learn who killed María (a drug kingpin from La Perla - San Juan's most infamous slum, and his goons), and hurricane María approaches the island, the friends form a plan for avenging her death. Interspersed with first person POV narration of Bimbo's descent into agony over the death of his mother, and dialogue amongst the five friends about having each others' backs no matter what are stories of an evil that comes with big hurricanes (as old at least as the Taínos who originally inhabited that part of the Caribbean), and an evil that lurks on the reef outside La Perla, and the kingpin's connection to it.
With tropes including what happens after extreme violence, what we lose of ourselves in the process of seeking vengeance, friendship against all odds and no matter what, and the realities of life in Puerto Rico as a long-time U.S. colony, House of Bone and Rain is riveting, disturbingly dark, and incredibly compelling.
I've had Iglesias on my TBR for some time, and am thrilled that this was the novel to begin my deeper dive into Iglesias' currently published works.
A dark and moody atmospheric horror which combines elements of post hurricane Maria crises in Puerto Rico with cosmic horror elements, ghosts, and the demons a group of five friends fight in the process of avenging the death of one of their mothers.
Childhood friends Gabe (our main POV), Bimbo, Xavier, Tavo, and Paul band together to avenge the death of Bimbo's mother, María. As they learn who killed María (a drug kingpin from La Perla - San Juan's most infamous slum, and his goons), and hurricane María approaches the island, the friends form a plan for avenging her death. Interspersed with first person POV narration of Bimbo's descent into agony over the death of his mother, and dialogue amongst the five friends about having each others' backs no matter what are stories of an evil that comes with big hurricanes (as old at least as the Taínos who originally inhabited that part of the Caribbean), and an evil that lurks on the reef outside La Perla, and the kingpin's connection to it.
With tropes including what happens after extreme violence, what we lose of ourselves in the process of seeking vengeance, friendship against all odds and no matter what, and the realities of life in Puerto Rico as a long-time U.S. colony, House of Bone and Rain is riveting, disturbingly dark, and incredibly compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia and Kidnapping
Minor: Fatphobia and Vomit