Scan barcode
A review by greyemk
The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias
dark
tense
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
I’m not really sure how to rate this?
I’ve never read a book like this, but I also don’t really read this genre.
Parts of this book were disgusting, dark, horrible scenes that I hope I will forget. But I didn’t find them excessive for the book. I found the world and the plot gripping and once I got started I wanted to finish.
I think my biggest gripe is that the character, plot, and worldbuilding didn’t feel cohesive. There wasn’t an emotional arc here to connect to. Mario starts off sad and angry and gets sadder and angrier, but his reflections on his situation stay in his head and don’t really connect to the broader story except in obvious ways. I wanted some more synergy in theme, or some progress towards an understanding, or something. Even a bleak book like this can build nuanced layers of bleakness.
I appreciated the commentary on border life and the political situation, though at times it was heavy handed.
I’ve never read a book like this, but I also don’t really read this genre.
Parts of this book were disgusting, dark, horrible scenes that I hope I will forget. But I didn’t find them excessive for the book. I found the world and the plot gripping and once I got started I wanted to finish.
I think my biggest gripe is that the character, plot, and worldbuilding didn’t feel cohesive. There wasn’t an emotional arc here to connect to. Mario starts off sad and angry and gets sadder and angrier, but his reflections on his situation stay in his head and don’t really connect to the broader story except in obvious ways. I wanted some more synergy in theme, or some progress towards an understanding, or something. Even a bleak book like this can build nuanced layers of bleakness.
I appreciated the commentary on border life and the political situation, though at times it was heavy handed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Xenophobia, and Injury/Injury detail