Review by theglossreview - Wilde Minze

theglossreview 's review for:

Wilde Minze by Nina LaCour

2.25

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Yerba Buena tells the stories of Sara and Emilie. Please know that it is not “the story of Sara AND Emilie”. It is most definitely not a love story. In fact, there is an overwhelming absence of love. The author addresses heavy subject matter but lacks sensitivity. The absence of trigger warnings or content notices is shocking.

The shift between the two points of view is confusing and jarring.

There is a huge schism between the backgrounds of the two characters (having experienced poverty VS. upper middle class). This could have been handled with self-awareness and sensitivity. Instead, Emilie is terribly oblivious and indulgent. She is either unaware of her privileges or unwilling to be honest about them. Emilie starts off as annoying, but she grows EVER MORE ANNOYING and arrogant as the story progresses.

For example, when someone gives her a compliment: “Your house is beautiful”, she says: “I know.” Wow.

It is shocking how bad “Yerba Buena” is, especially when considering the skilful writing and promising cover.

As for the love story, the characters do not even get to know each other until half of the book is over. There are a few short encounters and then, 70% or 80% in, they are suddenly in a relationship. The relationship feels insubstantial. There is barely any dialogue or reason for them to be together. The relationship is neither tender nor healing. Sadly, it seems rather harmful than helpful. Sara is reminded of her tragic origins by Emilie’s sister. Emilie does not seem to grow as a person at all through her relationship with Sara, despite having been set up to do so by the author. She is on a quest, looking to feel whole, loved and self-confident… which she never accomplishes. Like the book, it just peters out.

Content Warnings