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tris_calvert's review
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
I had to tell my husband about this book as I thought he would appreciate it, but I had to tell him that it made me mad. I’m usually pretty good at guessing plot twists, and maybe it would have been different if I was reading a copy instead of listening to the audiobook, but I didn’t for this book. Therein lies where I got mad. The promise this book made and the suspended disbelief that I went through because of how things were introduced felt like they got betrayed once the twist came to life. That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy the book, however, or how it wrapped in the end. I will recommend it to others without spoilers, but they will know my conflicted feelings over it (and wanting to discuss how it made you feel).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I read this book for a book club and will say that had it not been for the group, I would have DNFd this book.
The actual storyline was okay and the writing was interesting enough, and this would have probably been a 3 star read if not for the absolutely rampant anti-Indigenous sentiments in this book.
This book takes place in Argentina in the seventies, and the entire premise is that the land of a boarding school has been cursed by an Indigenous tribe. There are very detailed problems with this and the entire story follows through on this trope of savage Indigenous peoples cursing and sacrifices little girls.
I would not be able to give this book above a 1 star rating in good conscience because of this racism.
The actual storyline was okay and the writing was interesting enough, and this would have probably been a 3 star read if not for the absolutely rampant anti-Indigenous sentiments in this book.
This book takes place in Argentina in the seventies, and the entire premise is that the land of a boarding school has been cursed by an Indigenous tribe. There are very detailed problems with this and the entire story follows through on this trope of savage Indigenous peoples cursing and sacrifices little girls.
I would not be able to give this book above a 1 star rating in good conscience because of this racism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Antisemitism, and Religious bigotry