thatsoneforthebooks's review
4.0
✨ Review ✨The Return of the Sorceress by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This is one of the very first books I got on netgalley but it archived the day after I got it, before I could download it, and it's been haunting me ever since
This is one of the very first books I got on netgalley but it archived the day after I got it, before I could download it, and it's been haunting me ever since
alivaster's review
4.0
I received “The Return of the Sorceress” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia from the publisher as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All of my opinions in this post are my own.
It was really helpful to know that this was actually a novella because it helped me reframe my review and thoughts. I honestly really enjoyed this novella and I enjoyed the world that Morena-Garcia created. Yalxi was a good character along with her nahual because she was such a well developed gray character that really was strengthened when you looked at the growth and dynamic she shares with her companion. While I really loved this world and the idea, I really wanted it to include a little more of the story because it was really quite good. I also loved the nahual - which was actually my favorite. The nahual was amusing and cute, even though it did feed on blood.
Overall I'd give it 4 stars because it's a novella so I have to forgive some of the elements which could've been developed more. I also didn't love Yalxi, but I kind of thought that maybe that was kind of the point? I felt a little back and forth about it since I like to feel truly invested in characters I'm reading. Overall, I enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend to to others to read! It's definitely a quicker, but fun, read with fantasy magic elements and a quirky spirit companion.
It was really helpful to know that this was actually a novella because it helped me reframe my review and thoughts. I honestly really enjoyed this novella and I enjoyed the world that Morena-Garcia created. Yalxi was a good character along with her nahual because she was such a well developed gray character that really was strengthened when you looked at the growth and dynamic she shares with her companion. While I really loved this world and the idea, I really wanted it to include a little more of the story because it was really quite good. I also loved the nahual - which was actually my favorite. The nahual was amusing and cute, even though it did feed on blood.
Overall I'd give it 4 stars because it's a novella so I have to forgive some of the elements which could've been developed more. I also didn't love Yalxi, but I kind of thought that maybe that was kind of the point? I felt a little back and forth about it since I like to feel truly invested in characters I'm reading. Overall, I enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend to to others to read! It's definitely a quicker, but fun, read with fantasy magic elements and a quirky spirit companion.
paulineerika's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Certain Dark Things left me in a bit of a slump, because I wanted something a little lighter to read, only to realize a LOT of the Hispanic/Latine books I own are . . . not light.
Fortunately, I realized I own two Silvia Moreno-Garcia novellas and there's nothing like a good tight novella to break a reading slump. This is a simple, straightforward story, but Moreno-Garcia still manages to pack a ton into 100 or so pages. I was perfectly happy with how the story ended and also could have read more about Yalxi and her adventures--and I mean that as a great compliment. It was the perfect way to refresh my reading.
Fortunately, I realized I own two Silvia Moreno-Garcia novellas and there's nothing like a good tight novella to break a reading slump. This is a simple, straightforward story, but Moreno-Garcia still manages to pack a ton into 100 or so pages. I was perfectly happy with how the story ended and also could have read more about Yalxi and her adventures--and I mean that as a great compliment. It was the perfect way to refresh my reading.
vraagtekens's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dlsmall's review
4.0
3.5/5 Stars For me, Silvia never disappoints. This novella economically drops breadcrumbs of a lifetime of backstory almost throughout its length. It also has a fresh, robust magic system and a solid take on the sorcerer’s familiar/demon.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, and the opportunity for an early read of Silvia’s new work!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, and the opportunity for an early read of Silvia’s new work!
lassarina's review
4.0
A tight, well-constructed novella with a fascinatingly sharp-edged main character and a vivid world with delightful magic. There's grimness and horror (what do you expect, when magic is powered by blood and the vibe is very Aztec) but also genuine connections between people and not-people, and people making interesting choices, and it was a great way to spend an hour. Also the nahual is best.
year23's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A perfect novella, would love to read more adventures of Yalxi.
catterwaul's review
5.0
Keep your eyes peeled for my petition, “All Books by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Should Be Sold With Kleenex,” because she is 4 for 4 on books making me sob hysterically by the end. Short and sweet, a perfect novella for summer blood-magic-fantasy fixes.
gengray47's review
3.0
3.5⭐️
Never a huge fan of fantasy but I didn't mind this! Enjoyed the ancient Mexican influences
(Mainly wanna get through SMG's backlist)
Never a huge fan of fantasy but I didn't mind this! Enjoyed the ancient Mexican influences
(Mainly wanna get through SMG's backlist)