Reviews

I am literally kicking myself for not reading this sooner. This is now a favorite horror book of ALL TIME. Truly a genre defying masterpiece that I know I will want to reread, and I don't even reread things often! I listened to this on audiobook, and that was a truly stunning and visceral experience. The narrator was absolutely phenomenal, and I highly recommend this format, although now I also need a physical copy.

We are immediately hit with all the feels right from the start. Mario's daughter is diagnosed with cancer which leads him to make some desperate decisions. He becomes a hitman in attempt to pay of an experimental treatment. Despite his efforts, the daughter dies, and he is left with a ton of medical debts and a wife who abandons him shortly after. With nothing to lose, he ends up getting convinced by his junky friend, Brian, to rob the Mexican cartel. Little does he know, the cartel has strong ties to the paranormal and the things he witnesses on this journey haunt both him, and the reader.

I loved how this book did so many things with such nuance. This is a gripping crime thriller, brutally gruesome, supernatural and terrifying, with a searing social commentary throughout. Iglesias tackles issues like grief, poverty, racism, religion, and the unforgiving healthcare system in a way that feels searingly honest and relatable. This was an emotionally charged read and by the end I felt I was utterly changed and quite disturbed. Wuther I was reading violent depictions of heinous acts or a tense conversation I was blown away by the beautifully engaging writing style. And while I don't speak Spanish, I loved the use of Spanglish throughout the book! I cannot wait to go read all this authors' other works. Also, this could be an excellent film adaptation! The only thing like a critique I could even say is that it was a slow start, but I think it was simply because he was laying the groundwork and character insight to fully immerse the reader in all that would follow. If you can't tell by now, I absolutely adore this book and it is absolutely worth your time and money!