Reviews

The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias

narobertson's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

cmarie_787's review against another edition

1.0

This got real dark, and I was not expecting that.

TW - child torture; child death (not related to the child torture); animal abuse (cock fighting on page and discussion of dog fighting)
CW - lots of murder

whats_allie_reading's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.5

pagingdrmudkip's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Wow! What an absolute gut punch of a novel! Gambino doesn’t hold back with this haunting barrio noir, a blend of Breaking Bad and Sicario with a dash of Lovecraft. Not since Pet Sematary have I experienced a character so profoundly grief-stricken that the reader is left hollow by the end. Speaking of endings, I was also left devastated by such a profoundly bleak ending that will haunt me for a long time.

It was also a stroke of genius by Gambino to switch languages throughout the novel. I feel as if it helped portray a specific point of view with the main character, Mario, in a way that deeply resonates with another core theme of the novel.

This was my first work from Iglesias, but it certainly won’t be my last. I’m excited to pick up HOBAR as my TBR settles down by the beginning of the year. If you’re looking for some bleak, action-packed cosmic horror with a Hispanic twist, this is the perfect book for you!

fantasticquest's review against another edition

I didn't care enough for the story and characters.

I liked the beginning with his daughter and her cancer diagnosis. Also the supernatural elements, but I hoped these would come up more often - that was nit the case. The one scene (until 40% of the book) I had a feeling of horror were the child abuse scene, the rest is like a road trip thriller.

ladyinverse's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

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

4.0

this was a fantastic thriller and I wasn't expecting how violent some of the scenes were but they were executed well

bushraboblai's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

dreadpirate's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

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

4.75

This book was so good. It felt slow moving but not slow paced. It was tense and, like Mario, I never knew what was coming. 

It felt eerie, haunting, and nightmarish but also poignant and observant of our world. 

gabepants's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

thekhameleonreads's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0