Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Gótico by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

1021 reviews

gabydoesgrowth's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'm not 100% sure what to think about this book. I feel like ultimately it feels hollow. Like none of the characters felt really fleshed out, except for maybe Noemi but even she felt like she could be replaced easily. I agree with one of the comments I saw about the setting being in Mexico and how it didn't feel like a significant part of the story. I understand it was meant to comment on colonialism, but it fell flat for me. I will say the fungi aspect of it thoroughly creeped me out. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

b4phom3t's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

mushrooms



Expand filter menu Content Warnings

shinykurisu's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

It was creepy and kind of a psychological thriller. At times it was a bit gross. The way the
mushrooms
were involved the plot is unique. The ending was so sweet which made it feel gentle at the end after all the crazy happenings the main character went through.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bookstor's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.75

One of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read. Beware reading this at night. I started off expecting more of a Woman in Black or Carmilla vibe and then I got to the second half and I’m still recovering. 

The book should be something creepier like Howl of the Gloom. The gloom will follow my thoughts as I sleep tonight - buzzing in the dark and peering with yellow eyes.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

well_read_unicorn's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readingsofaslinky's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

A super lush and haunting story. A bit slow to start up but filled with everything dark and gruesome and enchanting.
This book engages with conversations on race, mestizaje, gentrification, and gendered roles. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ggcd1981's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

cygneflowers's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kanj1's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

thissagreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

This book is a SLOW horror novel, with a lot of dreams and allegories. I liked that the main character Noemí, is incredibly determined to save and rescue her cousins Catalina, from her horrendous in-laws.

Pros:
-Familia protecting familia!
-Noemí was a well written superhero of sorts, and a true rebel of her time.

Cons:
-Noemí needed more backstory! And more settings besides the weird house and the tiny town, would've been a nice break.
-Francis is so weak willed that I wanted him to be removed from the story.
-Catalina is nearly just as frustrating, but she's dealing with a lot more, so she gets a pass.
-The amount of SA in this book was unsettling, and I'm aware of the time period of this story, but it was still a lot to stomach.
-Colonialism and the lack of respect women had, and all the BS they had to endure from these gross men, had me on edge and irritable during the ENTIRE read.
-Virgil and Howard's egos and actions were atrocious!

While I tried to stretch outside of my comfort zone with period literature, this wasn't my cup of tea. I think the concept was different, and I appreciate the
toxic fungus that was embedded in the house, thus leeching power to Howard and his descendants...Even though they did not deserve it.
But reading about women who were constantly subjected to men's BS, sexism, and the racism, was super aggravating. For the concept, I give this story a 2.0, but everything else, stops the rating from increasing.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings