Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

23 reviews

thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition

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4.0

This story was really intriguing! I had no expectations going in and it really caught me up.

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madmantha's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

Absolutely loved this book. I highly recommend seeing if your local library has the audiobook as well. 

I’ve now reread it multiple times and enjoy it more and more each reading. It’s such a poetic and circular story. 

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javafenn's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad fast-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

5.0

I want to give this a score of infinite. I have never and will never read a book that delighted me as much as this one. It gave off a Silvia Moreno-Garcia vibe mixed with Encanto but only if Encanto didn’t have the jovial numbers by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The twist was stunning and sad and the final two chapters left me in tears because it was over but I immediately wanted to close the book and start it over again. I have spent my life running from my Montoya last name but, for the first time ever, I feel like embracing it. 

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archaicgambit's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

The people giving this book bellow 3 stars seem to largely not understand magical realism. I think if you are excited to start the genre and understand what you’re getting into you’ll have a great time. 

I loved the big cast and the interweaving stories, the vivid language and imagery.

There are a surprising amount of typos but this is a 2021 release so I think some books got the short end of the stick in all that chaos. 

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readsandsuch's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-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


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tajosima's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-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

3.75

I’m not a fan of magical realism, but even I enjoyed this so I guess it says something about how good it is!

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deedireads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.

TL;DR REVIEW:

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is a really lovely standalone low fantasy novel in homage to Latinx family ties, traditions, and heritage. It pulled me in and held me the whole way.

For you if: You like low fantasy (magical elements in a real-world setting) and/or want to read more fantasy by Latinx authors.

FULL REVIEW:

“When she'd met Orquídea Montoya, she saw a whisper of a girl who wanted to become a scream.”

What a fun, lovely, magical story that Zoraida Córdova has given us in The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina. It’s a standalone low fantasy novel (meaning the magical elements occur in a real-world setting) that almost feels like a modern-day fairytale, with great characters, a strong central mystery, and plenty of moments that tug on your heart.

Orquídea Montoya is the magical matriarch of a sprawling Ecuadorian-American family. One day, they all receive a letter inviting them home to claim their inheritance, as the time of her death has come. When they arrive, she’s begun a kind of transformation and leaves them with cryptic messages about staying safe. That sends a few of her grandchildren on a hunt for the truth — how Orquídea became Orquídea, what kind of deal she struck with whom, and who hunts them now.

This book is clearly a love letter to Ecuadorian family traditions, ties, and heritage; Córdova has written a story that sings with heart. I loved Marimar and Rey as characters, the magic sparkles, and I really enjoyed trying to solve the mystery as I read.

If you’re looking for a standalone novel that provides a quick, magical trip into an engaging story, pick this one up!


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foreverinastory's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-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

4.0

I loved this!

Rep: Mainly Ecuadorian and Ecuadorian-American cast of characters. Two cishet female MCs, one gay male MC.

CWs: Abandonment, alcohol consumption, blood, child death, death, death of parent, emotional abuse, fire, grief, infidelity, pregnancy, sexism, sexual content, toxic relationship, violence, murder. Moderate: injury/injury detail, misogyny, stalking, body horror, gaslighting, child abuse, racism/colorism.
 

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bookiecharm's review against another edition

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4.5


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stevie's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious 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

4.0


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