largeater's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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
3.5
sorayacorcoran's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
ink_and_pennington's review
3.0
First of all, I was absolutely drawn in by this novel’s beautiful cover. Secondly, the premise of Mexican folklore meeting contemporary women’s struggles? Sign me up!
The novel touches on many important subjects, especially woman’s rights, racism, and generational trauma. The horror parts of this book are truly terrifying, gory, and upsetting. It was an interesting exploration of the story of La Llorona combined with contemporary and generational issues.
Unfortunately, I found the dialogue within the novel very bland, emotionless, and unnatural. The characters seemed very one dimensional while speaking with one another. While some parts (especially those regarding Alejandra’s thoughts) seemed to drag on forever, other parts (mainly those discussing her ancestors/family) could have benefitted from more depth. The ending also wrapped up very quickly, and anticlimactically.
This book is really promising, and I hope some of its issues are fixed before launch.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
The novel touches on many important subjects, especially woman’s rights, racism, and generational trauma. The horror parts of this book are truly terrifying, gory, and upsetting. It was an interesting exploration of the story of La Llorona combined with contemporary and generational issues.
Unfortunately, I found the dialogue within the novel very bland, emotionless, and unnatural. The characters seemed very one dimensional while speaking with one another. While some parts (especially those regarding Alejandra’s thoughts) seemed to drag on forever, other parts (mainly those discussing her ancestors/family) could have benefitted from more depth. The ending also wrapped up very quickly, and anticlimactically.
This book is really promising, and I hope some of its issues are fixed before launch.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
raenbow's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
moonlit_shelves's review
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
la_libreria_chula's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
abookarmoire's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is a horror exploration of the haunting by the Mexican folk demon La Llorona or another darkness that threatens to devour Alejandra, or both.
Alejandra is struggling for self preservation with little help from her husband, while caring for her demanding young three kids - and being visited by a ghostly apparition.
“Water, crying women. Sounds like La Llorona. We are both very aware of her story.”
“Yes! In fact, I told my daughter her story not long ago. Didn’t want to say anything to seem… I don’t know… like I was manifesting my shit with a tale. I was told she was a woman who drowned her children for the love of a man, and now she wanders the Earth looking to take the children of others.”
While it is helpful to know about La Llorona before reading this book, it is explained within the story. I felt like this was more about the mystery rather than the plot and I never quite connected with any of the characters.
Alejandra is struggling for self preservation with little help from her husband, while caring for her demanding young three kids - and being visited by a ghostly apparition.
“Water, crying women. Sounds like La Llorona. We are both very aware of her story.”
“Yes! In fact, I told my daughter her story not long ago. Didn’t want to say anything to seem… I don’t know… like I was manifesting my shit with a tale. I was told she was a woman who drowned her children for the love of a man, and now she wanders the Earth looking to take the children of others.”
While it is helpful to know about La Llorona before reading this book, it is explained within the story. I felt like this was more about the mystery rather than the plot and I never quite connected with any of the characters.
agporterauthor's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0