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bbychowski's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racism and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Body horror
riikkaluuma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Incest and Sexual violence
liesthemoontells's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Overall I think this is an accomplished entry into the Gothic literary canon. It takes many of the tropes of the genre (e.g. young female protagonist who wonders if she's going mad, scary house, mean old lady who hates protagonist) and weaves them into a new story.
I was surprised at first at how much the setting is literally a transplanted English Gothic setting into the Mexican countryside, however as I kept reading I was very impressed at how this was used to explore themes of colonisation, misogyny, and the subjugation of poor and female bodies.
The atmosphere in the book begins with low level, constant dread which slowly ratchets up the tension into full panic, and the body horror is incredibly visceral and stomach-turning.
I did however find it dragged in some moments, and the plot became a bit convoluted towards the end. I felt like the book was trying to fence sit on whether or not the cause was supernatural, and having it end up being
I also found
Overall I think this is is a more polished book than Gods of Jade and Shadow, but I found that to be a more enjoyable and emotionally engaging read, hence it receiving a higher rating.
I also think this is a book that would benefit from a second reading once all of the plot twists are revealed.
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
fozzyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
forest_at_the_sea's review against another edition
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
ronniehoffman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexual violence and Violence
Moderate: Incest
rsb12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic
cmckayo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
rain02's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Incest, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Addiction, Confinement, Drug use, Miscarriage, Suicide, Blood, and Medical content
lila_online's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
as someone with an academic background in gothic studies, this book was extra fun to read! it is a dissection of british gothic compulsions, flipping tropes rooted in xenophobia and colonialism on their heads.
Graphic: Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Violence