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
Content Warnings
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Child death, and Sexual assault
Minor: Xenophobia and Sexual content
thatwhichmeowsalsohisses's review
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
this book was rly sad tbh because it described the life of valentina, who marries a coffee farmer and we see how their livelihoods are affected by the imperialism of spain and america. it’s sad watching how little control they had over their own lives because of the unjust rule of other countries, and the poverty is drove them to. the subject matter of the book was really interesting and unique, and the only reason i gave it a 3.75 is because it a little slow and boring sometimes and the author also incorporates lots of spanish words which is really cool but hard to understand because it’s so many. really helps to practice ur vocab tho lol. i think this book wouldve been really hard to read at first if i hasn’t taken high school spanish.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
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
Content Warnings
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
readitandeat's review
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
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