Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Gótico

Mexican Gothic is, well, gothic! However there is a serious turn towards dark magic and the supernatural. Jane Eyre on fire! I'm not sure I loved the cooperation of nature and humans for the most sinister end game. Why does every novel, even the ones with seriously strong female characters, have to turn towards the trope of sexual violence and overpowering white patriarch? Why can't the magic be for the good, nature cooperating for healing? Like Weyward. Fabulous book. I was hoping for something like Weyward. Don't tell me that's boring and, by the way, we're in serious need of both good and healing.

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jessy4550's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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? No

5.0

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lostinthelibrary's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

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

I always love the concept of transplanting a gothic novel to a new setting and time period and I thought this book did a great job of creating the creepy gothic atmosphere while maintaining a sense of place and time that still felt very 50s. Noemi was a fantastic lead, I loved her stubbornness, drive and fashion sense!

This book was genuinely scary! The imagery was very vivid and the plot unfolded in a very satisfying way leading up to a nail biting finale.

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enyltiak's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Truly a perfectly gothic novel. The atmosphere is intense and vivid, the characters (well, Noemí and Francis, anyway) are delightful and you can't help but root for and admire them. Every element of the mystery unravels in a disgusting and fascinating way. I think I'll be thinking about the girls of this novel for a long time.

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ghost_story's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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rhiannon814r's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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ravenpuff's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I was really looking forward to an immersive gothic atmosphere but I never really got that. The main character was so smart throughout the book but made some frustrating choices towards the end.

There wasn't a ton of character development but I understand why. Most of the characters feel empty, but I feel like they're supposed to given the plot development in the second half of the book.

The book did a good job of reflecting the time period, especially the racism, sexism, misogyny, and the really gross way Howard views "purity".

The mushrooms themselves felt like a metaphor for colonization and toxic family hierarchy. To support the patriarchal figure of the family, women, children, and indigenous people are literally sacrificed so an old man from the UK can preserve himself and his gross views that only benefit him. Historic events have shown that colonization is a selfish and horrific thing, Mexican Gothic depicts it as such.

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eliscout's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I read the back half of this book in one sitting. Beautifully written, excellent foreshadowing throughout, stunning imagery. The last chapter could have been a little more drawn out, but that's my only complaint

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