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siobhanward's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was hovering around a 3* review of the book but then things changed so quickly that my rating jumped. I often am skeptical of 500+ page fiction books, since that often means that authors are trying to stretch things out, adding unnecessary detail and moving the plot in circles, but that was not the case here. Enriquez used her time well and created a plot that was so off-putting that at times it was hard to read. She has a gift for creating a sense of uneasiness that works even in translation and I'm excited to read more from her.
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
holliscsmith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence and Suicide attempt
jhbandcats's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I haven’t read a book in ages - even fabulous books - where I lose track of time, but I was completely absorbed in the story. The characters are compelling, especially Juan - he seems sympathetic in the section told from his perspective but he’s a monstrous father to Gaspar. The vile grandmother and her sister are the most frightening of all.
The author conjures a world where magic and the horrors of Argentina’s dirty war are intertwined. By using the supernatural, she’s able to describe the terror of that period so it’s easy to imagine how awful it was for those targeted by the military junta.
This book is definitely not for everyone. It’s violent and vivid and visceral. It’s extraordinary.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
talysbacktobooks's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Chronic illness and Sexual content
petr1chors's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, and Murder
e_asw_97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Police brutality, and Alcohol
school_for_scandal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
simp_librarian's review against another edition
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, and Injury/Injury detail
rachelloyer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Terminal illness, Torture, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Homophobia and Suicide
tamtaro's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Excrement, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism