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zw_r1's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Violence, and Murder
lanna2000's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
3/5 stars: woooweee this one took me all month to read haha! Chose this cuz it’s October but it wasn’t even giving spooky like that. It’s not even a long book but I was trying to absorb every story the narrators were describing. There is a lot of repetition in the narration especially Feliciana’s POV but I know that’s a writing choice and also it’s translated from Spanish to English (would love the read the original of I could read Spanish). I loved the way these two women told their stories and how even tho they didn’t grow up around each other, their experiences are quite similar. Sisterhood, family, misogyny, transphobia are some reoccurring themes from both women. The novel jumps straight into narration and the timeline skips around a lot so you just gotta read what they are saying at face value and then remember that contexts throughout the entire novel. I learned about Muxe’s and their experiences as well which align with how trans folks are seen in the US as well. Paloma is prob my fave character, she just seemed so full of light and love to share. I loved the tradition and medicine that are explained and how these two women who have experienced so much come together in ceremony to heal and face their past. Had more heavier themes including SA so I would keep that in mind before reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Violence
mari1532's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
I listened to this audiobook on Everand.
Brief Summary: Zoe is a journalist investigating the murder of Paloma, a transwoman from a family of Indigenous healers. To learn more of the story Zoe travels to meet Paloma's cousin Feliciana. However, as Zoe interviews Feliciana she begins to reevaluate her relationships with her sister and mother. As Zoe and Feliciana's stories weave together Zoe begins to realize the power of her voice.
Thoughts: This book was captivating and I binged it in an entire sitting. I particularly like the dual perspectives, where Zoe's was told in a direct and edited fashion and Feliciana's was a more free-flowing stream of consciousness indicative of its interview formatting. It highlighted how Zoe is constricted by the expectations of society, while Feliciana is not. It also made Feliciana's story and by extension, Paloma's story more intense emotionally, while Zoe's was more reflective and therapeutic.
Brief Summary: Zoe is a journalist investigating the murder of Paloma, a transwoman from a family of Indigenous healers. To learn more of the story Zoe travels to meet Paloma's cousin Feliciana. However, as Zoe interviews Feliciana she begins to reevaluate her relationships with her sister and mother. As Zoe and Feliciana's stories weave together Zoe begins to realize the power of her voice.
Thoughts: This book was captivating and I binged it in an entire sitting. I particularly like the dual perspectives, where Zoe's was told in a direct and edited fashion and Feliciana's was a more free-flowing stream of consciousness indicative of its interview formatting. It highlighted how Zoe is constricted by the expectations of society, while Feliciana is not. It also made Feliciana's story and by extension, Paloma's story more intense emotionally, while Zoe's was more reflective and therapeutic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Infertility, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Pregnancy
atiek's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Waited so long to read this book and it didn't disappoint. It speaks to feminity, masculinity, patriarchy, and letting go. Some heavy topics are discussed in a lyrical and subtle way. Might take some time to find the flow but just let go and immerse yourself in the Language.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Sexism, and Murder
Moderate: Hate crime, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
2treads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A journalist's mission to write about the murder of a trans woman becomes a journey to facing her trauma and the violence that many women face whether passive or aggressive. Paloma is a curandera, a healer who uses nature and her ancestral connection to heal those who come to her. When she is murdered, Zoe, an investigative journalist travels to San Felipe to record her story.
Through Feliciana, Zoe not only learns of the power of the curanderos/as, Paloma's support, love, and ultimate choice but also shares her family history and the stories of her mother and sister.
What Lozano has done here is to show the parallels between women's lives and the shared experiences across time and place, whether it be facing discrimination and violence for being trans or queer, being assaulted in safe spaces, or choosing one's identity over one's purpose, women are equally vulnerable and powerful. And sharing our stories only helps in amplifying that power.
Through Feliciana, Zoe not only learns of the power of the curanderos/as, Paloma's support, love, and ultimate choice but also shares her family history and the stories of her mother and sister.
What Lozano has done here is to show the parallels between women's lives and the shared experiences across time and place, whether it be facing discrimination and violence for being trans or queer, being assaulted in safe spaces, or choosing one's identity over one's purpose, women are equally vulnerable and powerful. And sharing our stories only helps in amplifying that power.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Murder