Reviews

Where They Burn Books, They Also Burn People by Marcos Antonio Hernandez

maako's review against another edition

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? Yes

3.5

samsterleeee's review

5.0

An intense, heavy read that inspects the cost of religious intensity. This is a combination of two books, Where They Burn Books - which follows Friar Diego de Landa as he attempts to convert the Mayans in 16th-century Yucatan - and They Also Burn People - which follows a modern day Cortez as he attempts to save Christianity.

I found myself being more drawn to the 16th-century storyline, although both were incredibly intriguing and captivating. This took me a while to read, as I had to stop occasionally to get my bearings.

Overall, two beautiful reads that allow us to explore the Mayan society, and think about what atrocities people will do in the name of their god. Highly recommend everyone read this book.

coffeeoverapples's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

ledlightning's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

loveandpop's review

dark informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

lacactuscrazy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Slavery, Religious bigotry, and Colonisation

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

zmerritt's review

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The main characters are deeply unlikable and while at no point are you supposed to give them any sympathy the slow pace of the novel makes it all the tougher to try and slog through

custicm's review

challenging dark informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The back cover advertises this as a book for people who like indigenous revenge, but there was not a satisfying amount of revenge. But the book was beautifully written with enough to fuel great discussion.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Colonisation

mybookspedition's review

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I really enjoyed being forced into the minds of some truely sinister characters. 

krystalaz's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0