indulgentreads's review against another edition
This was a fun one from a character voice point of view. It's also clear that Silvia Moreno Garcia did a ton of research on the history of Mexican film and it was fun and fascinating to be immersed in this story via that historical context. The engagement with real world Nazi occultism could've been more rigorous as it lightly touched on that real world connection between occultism and how it appealed to fascists via white supremacy, but didn't fully take it to task or use the story itself to explore the fuller consequences of this reality. For once, I think making the magic real detracted from the overall story and any insightful commentary the story was aiming to tell. But Montserrat and Tristan were fun characters and their dynamic was a satisfying trajectory.
erinholt's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
kendallreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
alinurursahar's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cookiecatherine's review against another edition
4.5
Pure horror and lots of fun. Plus with the anticolonial underpinnings of many of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's works. This was one of my faves from her, with the atmospheric qualities of Velvet Was the Night and a campier plotline.
madamewritelyso's review against another edition
4.0
I have been a fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's work since I first read Gods of Jade and Shadow. Moreno-Garcia's knows how to write in a such a mesmerizing way. She also writes a wide range of fiction that is astounding. I really loved this new novel by her and enchanted about the use of silver nitrate from old films being a medium for magic. Also, I'm always impressed by the research process and thought process behind each book she writes. I can't wait to read her next book!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
jcbrodie's review against another edition
Library book expired, now long wait. Night finish eventually…
abigailhall's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
honeynrxses's review against another edition
dark
fast-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? Yes
4.0
lucasgarner's review against another edition
1.0
This was my second attempt with this author, the first being Mexican Gothic that I stopped about 1/4 of the way through as I couldn’t get into it. And now giving her a second chance I was incredibly hopeful as Silver Nitrate has a wonderful premise, however, I made it 1/3 into this one before calling it quits. I just absolutely loathe this author’s writing style. It is nothing but overwritten info dumping. Nothing ever happens, there aren’t really scenes as much as two lines of dialogue drowning in information that no one is asking for, and the characters are so plain and boring you don’t really get to know them nor do you want to. Maybe she is a niche writer, but I am not into it and will refrain from picking up any of her novels in the future.