leonalikesliterature's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I feel very conflicted about this book because there was a lot I loved about it but there was a lot that I hated about it.
The first thing I loved was the world building and fantasy elements in this book. The fantasy is so beautiful and greatly represents Latine Indigenous mythology and culture. I loved the cadejos! Their powers and communities were so interesting and unlike anything I’ve read before, it was like a twist on werewolves but also so much better!
Next, the writing was beautiful. Although I started to get frustrated with the pacing as it was really, really slow, the descriptive imagery was very poetic.
Onto the things I hated.
The relationship between Xochi and Sal was painful to read. Although I liked Sal at the start of the book, the more I read, the more I disliked him. I feel like a big problem was that Xochi was described as a sassy, plus sized mc, but she really isn’t sassy until the end of the book. She is easily manipulated by both her mother and Sal and it’s kind of just sad. Only later does Xochi gain any independence. Although it’s framed that life in the compound is freeing for Xochi, in the beginning, her life in the compound really isn’t any different than her living with her abusive and controlling mother.
The sex stuff was getting WAY out of hand for me. Xochi and Sal were sooooo cringe sometimes. They would be arguing with some literal random person and share the most graphic, pornographic details about their sex life as a flex? and I was so confused why. 😭 It was so painful to read. Not even to mention that they literally I never thought I would read a book where I would think that there’s too much sex, but this book made me a prude lol.
There’s too much going on in this book that just gets dropped, which was disappointing and frustrating, especially for how damn long this book is. There are multiple subplots that literally just gets dropped and forgotten about and I’m not reading the next book to figure that shit out.
I was frustrated that this was called a Dark Fantasy Romance because I think that led to confusion for me. I would have preferred this to be a romance with dark fantasy elements, rather than a dark romance with fantasy elements. I think the dark romance was what I hated the most about this book. Anyways, I am just glad this book is over. I feel like 3 stars is generous, but there was a lot I really liked, despite what I hated. I think I would’ve really loved this book if like 4-5 scenes were just taken out of it.
The first thing I loved was the world building and fantasy elements in this book. The fantasy is so beautiful and greatly represents Latine Indigenous mythology and culture. I loved the cadejos! Their powers and communities were so interesting and unlike anything I’ve read before, it was like a twist on werewolves but also so much better!
Next, the writing was beautiful. Although I started to get frustrated with the pacing as it was really, really slow, the descriptive imagery was very poetic.
Onto the things I hated.
The relationship between Xochi and Sal was painful to read. Although I liked Sal at the start of the book, the more I read, the more I disliked him.
Spoiler
He was possessive, controlling, and sexually aggressive. Aside from the fact that he threw out her birth control and ADHD meds, treats her like a prisoner, and basically assaults her multiple times, Xochi was also genuinely terrified of him in multiple chapters. Her fear of him is never even addressed, it’s just forgotten about, and then they just reach a lovey dovey stage which solves all their problems.The sex stuff was getting WAY out of hand for me. Xochi and Sal were sooooo cringe sometimes. They would be arguing with some literal random person and share the most graphic, pornographic details about their sex life as a flex? and I was so confused why. 😭 It was so painful to read. Not even to mention that they literally
Spoiler
fuck on a dead body as revenge. That was so weird and nasty. Hated it.There’s too much going on in this book that just gets dropped, which was disappointing and frustrating, especially for how damn long this book is. There are multiple subplots
Spoiler
with Xochi’s family, this medical cadejo torture slave ring, and this broken goddessI was frustrated that this was called a Dark Fantasy Romance because I think that led to confusion for me. I would have preferred this to be a romance with dark fantasy elements, rather than a dark romance with fantasy elements. I think the dark romance was what I hated the most about this book. Anyways, I am just glad this book is over. I feel like 3 stars is generous, but there was a lot I really liked, despite what I hated. I think I would’ve really loved this book if like 4-5 scenes were just taken out of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexual violence
ninabest's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Bullying, Cannibalism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Child death, Kidnapping, Violence, Body horror, Death of parent, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, and Deportation
shaniamarie21's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
mia_thomthom's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
deanawright's review
dark
slow-paced
2.75
“You smell like a promise I’ve been waiting my whole life to fulfill.”
2.75⭐️ I really wanted to love this book more than I do. I feel like it had a promising plot and I appreciated the world building to an extent. I feel like there was just way too much info dumping that didn’t add anything to the story for me. Along with over exaggerated details on a lot of things that didn’t need to be described. And I feel the chapters were entirely too long and that’s personal preference. I enjoyed the diversity of the characters and that the FMC was curvy. I love that representation. I think my favorite “fun time” scene was the knotting part 🫠🫠😅😅 the other scenes weren’t bad imo. I’m interested to read The Salt Road and I think that’ll honestly determine if I continue the series or not.
2.75⭐️ I really wanted to love this book more than I do. I feel like it had a promising plot and I appreciated the world building to an extent. I feel like there was just way too much info dumping that didn’t add anything to the story for me. Along with over exaggerated details on a lot of things that didn’t need to be described. And I feel the chapters were entirely too long and that’s personal preference. I enjoyed the diversity of the characters and that the FMC was curvy. I love that representation. I think my favorite “fun time” scene was the knotting part 🫠🫠😅😅 the other scenes weren’t bad imo. I’m interested to read The Salt Road and I think that’ll honestly determine if I continue the series or not.
valerie_amanda09's review
4.0
The only thing I didn’t enjoy was that I had to keep flipping back to the translation page, which is just a me thing. Once I got halfway through the book, I made myself a cheat sheet for the translations. Ok since I said that for the “gatekeepers of the reviews.” Now I can get into the real review
snellreader100's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
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
4.25
kassielovestoread's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-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
3.5
I liked this book a lot! It was definitely not perfect, but I think if you were looking to read more Latine books then this one would be a great start (Look up trigger warnings beforehand, of course). This is a standalone, dark fantasy romance that features a lyrical writing style and an emotional character arc.
I think what I took issue with this book the most was that some of the things the characters (specifically Xochi and Sal) would say was absolutely absurd and cringe. Completely out of left field too, LOL! Like whyyyyy are we publicly proclaiming to the enemies how you guys fuck each other?? I understand it's basically like bragging, but I don't know, I really didn't care for it and I often found myself needing to put the book down for a few minutes. I also do not think this book needs to be nearly six hundred pages long! A lot of the extra detail and unnecessary plot points could've been left out in favor of answering the questions that went largely unanswered:
I think what I took issue with this book the most was that some of the things the characters (specifically Xochi and Sal) would say was absolutely absurd and cringe. Completely out of left field too, LOL! Like whyyyyy are we publicly proclaiming to the enemies how you guys fuck each other?? I understand it's basically like bragging, but I don't know, I really didn't care for it and I often found myself needing to put the book down for a few minutes. I also do not think this book needs to be nearly six hundred pages long! A lot of the extra detail and unnecessary plot points could've been left out in favor of answering the questions that went largely unanswered:
Spoiler
What about Xochi's dad, her siblings, and her grandparents? Will she attempt to find them and learn more about her lost heritage?chelyely's review
5.0
Beyond beautiful
This story is so well written and delicately crafted. It's woven with tendrils of dark romance, native american mythology, and folklore, and so much heart and power poured into it..
This had me crying because it's so omnipotent and magnificent. It's beautiful beyond description. It embraces and details the part of native american culture that is misunderstood and vilified.
These are the stories I wish we had more of. Stories that explore and showcase the beauty of our culture. Stories that don't shy away from the darkness, but embrace it for the power it holds.
Traditions that still survive, traditions that have morphed and survived the passing of time.
A story like no other and one I hope carves the path for many to come.
This story is so well written and delicately crafted. It's woven with tendrils of dark romance, native american mythology, and folklore, and so much heart and power poured into it..
This had me crying because it's so omnipotent and magnificent. It's beautiful beyond description. It embraces and details the part of native american culture that is misunderstood and vilified.
These are the stories I wish we had more of. Stories that explore and showcase the beauty of our culture. Stories that don't shy away from the darkness, but embrace it for the power it holds.
Traditions that still survive, traditions that have morphed and survived the passing of time.
A story like no other and one I hope carves the path for many to come.