Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexism, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Excrement, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Self harm, Terminal illness, and Vomit
More info on the SA tags: ****There are scenes where the Zarela assumes Arturo is resisting out of trying to make a decision for her, rather than because he just doesn’t want to kiss her or be close to her. In these cases, she does push him for more after hearing a clear “no,” and while the specific “women are owned by their male relatives” context should be taken into account (because that impacts cues in romantic situations, even though it should not), I wish those scenes had practiced the same respect for consent that we see Zarela herself offered by Arturo. On paper, she does assault him, even if the tensions and plot and everything don’t make it out like she did. (Tldr: it’s the surprise kiss/I know you like me tropes).
Even if he wanted more, she should have respected the “no.”
I don’t think the writer intended the scenes to carry that sort of negative meaning, but it’s important to mention.
This writer isn’t the first or thousandth author to use these tropes romantically, but I think it’s important to talk about when it comes up.
I loved so much about this story—the setting, the characters, the world—but I wish those moments had been done differently.