Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro

45 reviews

kayle39's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense 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

5.0

I loved this book from the first page. I was really excited when i saw that we would get to a glimpse into the lives of other family members. Idk if you call it body horror, but the author did a great job describing the gore. The book is a great balance between supernatural horror and the horrors of reality. 

initially i was a bit displeased with how they said they would get rid of the creature. Because often the fake suicide route is boring and doesnt make sense. I like how this book did it. It upped the stakes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Colonisation, and War

Minor: Dementia and Car accident

Be warned of graphic descriptions of body horror, injuries, and gore

cam_holmes's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Haunting of Alejandra was a fascinating exploration of depression, generational trauma, and finding oneself after years of being lost. However, I feel that the dialog was, at times, stiff, as if I was reading an informative website about therapy sessions. Also, without spoiling anything, I will say I did not like the final solution that the characters came up with. It felt antithetical to the themes of healing and self-love that the author had set up throughout the story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, and Pregnancy

lady_valhella's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, and Pregnancy

Trigger warnering: The first few paragraphs is of a mom in a shower wishing she was no longer a mom and considering ending her life to escape motherhood. The story eventually changes gears but I think then over all theme of this book is that women historically are forced into motherhood whether we want it or not. And should we decide one child is enough or motherhood is actually not for us after all we can’t simply change our minds and walk away. That when forced into motherhood or choosing motherhood it is never as simple as just being a parent to children but that your identity as a woman is no longer you being a woman who happens to be a mom. This book is a wonderful read and there are some deep dark themes but I think they are important if you can manage past the introduction of when we meet Alejandra.

kimberlyyyreads's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful tense 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? Yes

4.5

 Wow, I find myself at a loss of words.

The variety of personal subjects this book touched simply made me incredibly emotionally. As for someone, who feels and carries family generational trauma this book brought to light a view I didn't know I needed.

This book takes the Legenda de La Llorona and turns into a conversation about the struggles of motherhood and family. Alongside opening a field in which self-discovery is a possibility despite inner turmoil.

I am in awe as to how V. Castro wrote this story. Having Alejandra seek out help from a therapist
(who specializes in Curandera). Truly captures the importance of returning to your roots and healing intergenerational trauma.

I have much appreciation for the way this book, not only will it chill your bones but it is a tender book at its core.

I wholly recommend this book to all my latinx mutuals. Especially those, who struggle with intergenerational trauma. And even if you don't fit the description, READ IT! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Death, Miscarriage, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault

rubberrosebooks's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

ashleyluvsyellow's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful 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

This was such a great read about generational trauma and healing.

I would've given it 5 stars but I sometimes got pulled out of the book by the dialougue. 

I felt like the characters sometimes re-told something that just happened a few pages beforehand and didn't feel like it needed to be said again. 

It's still a great book and I would recommend for anyone who likes horror and demon stories. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt

_readerfromtheblacklagoon_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Colonisation

Moderate: Drug use, Infertility, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and War

archaicrobin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

3.0

Castro’s writing is very blunt and it’s always hard for me to get into at first which affects my overall enjoyment of her books, but it’s very much a personal taste. If you’re looking for flowery, descriptive prose or a complex horror novel I wouldn’t recommend this one, as it’s very point blank and you have to accept a lot and just move on.

If you can do that though, this novel tells and eerie tale of a woman stuck in her depression hating her life, her children, her husband, and herself, all while being haunted by an entity she assumes is La Llorona. Alejandra at first is insufferable because she is so miserable but once she starts seeing a therapist and valuing herself, she begins to find the power within her self to not only change her life but defeat the curse of La Llorona for good.

While Castro’s writing style isn’t my favorite I always love her strong female characters, her ability to create terrifying imagery, and the strong cultural elements she weaves into her story. If you’re looking for a well crafted supernatural tale about strong women, generational trauma, and identity this one is worth trying!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

zombiezami's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Genocide, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Colonisation, and War

Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, and Infertility

vexatiousbird's review against another edition

dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I expected gloomy gothic literature and this went all the way into horror territory, but I’m not mad about it. Very deep feminist themes. Good creepy moments. Mostly well-written, except I found the dialogue stilted and the plot was a little meandering. Interesting ancestral characters, but side characters were a little bland. Sometimes felt like it was trying too hard, but overall good.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Child death, Gore, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Colonisation