friendlypoet's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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: Colonisation and Confinement
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, Rape, and Sexual assault
beebeewin's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
3.75
I enjoyed this book and loved all I learned about Puerto Rico. This historical fiction opened my eyes to a part of US colonial history that I have never learned about. While with all this history it could be dense, the characters and the strong relationship of Valentina and Vincent carried it all so well! I was pulled in by how deeply their relationship is fleshed out and how much of a team they are. Valentina's evolution felt believable and took her from a slightly insufferable young women to a mature, smart, and well-rounded adult. I think my only issue was that the ended, especially with Raulito, felt rushed and truncated. I don't think the ending has to follow them to the end of their lives but I do feel like there were some loose ends that could just be closed up a little more. Regardless, I would recommend this book to anyone as this multigeneration story was well written and interesting. My last is I was sad most of the time reading it and I had to have Google translate on hand most of the time. Good book!
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Child death, and Sexual assault
Minor: Xenophobia and Sexual content
mondovertigo's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Racism, Infidelity, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Classism, Sexual harassment, and Child death
Moderate: Death of parent, Torture, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Death, and Excrement
Minor: Animal death and War
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