heather667's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Car accident, Misogyny, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Violence, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Grief, Gore, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: War, Genocide, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
writingcaia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Nazis, sorcerers, a lot of old-school horror movies, a cursed film reel, and a friendship that drives the story forward as it intertwines with powers old and new.
It’s really all, the characters, their dialogues, the relationships, the historical and immersive context, the pointed descriptions. It connects, it sizzles, it feels real, and because of that, it wraps you in its darkness and fears.
The whole tale evolves beautifully and has a perfect ending.
Also, loved the bisexual main rep, in the midst of such prejudiced setting - misogyny, racism, eugenics.
Another great one, and I just want to say next, please! 💜🤌🏼
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Blood, and Racism
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Addiction
ncoletti's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Murder
ecn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The writing was spectacular and the fantasy elements kept me entertained. I just wish it was edited a bit better and a whole lot spookier (then maybe I could feel fine with not dive too deep into the characters?).
However I will say the biggest win is having two messy/annoying bisexuals obsessed with horror (kinda) as the MCs. Huge representation win lol
Graphic: Antisemitism, Drug abuse, Xenophobia, Violence, Sexism, Racism, Murder, Misogyny, Grief, Gore, Death, Body horror, Drug use, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Cancer, Colonisation, Animal death, Addiction, Ableism, Toxic friendship, and Blood
megan_harper's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Spoiler
Overall, I really liked the fact that the flaws in Monsterrat were used in the climactic scenes in ways that caused her to doubt herself. I also appreciate that while the tension between Monsterrat and Tristán was thrumming in the background, it wasn’t a central plot line and wasn’t overly romantic.Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Misogyny, Ableism, and Colonisation
Minor: Racism
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, Alcoholism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Alcohol and Cancer
sarah984's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Murder, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Blood, Car accident, Death, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Ableism, Animal death, Cancer, Suicide, and Vomit
cadence99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
felt like the character development was much improved from the books that I’ve read of hers in the past. I’d highly recommended it to anyone who can handle supernatural horror. A lot of if also felt very historical fiction heavy, with all the elements of old Mexican horror movies inserted throughout, and I really enjoyed that about it.
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Ableism, Bullying, Car accident, Colonisation, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Violence, Chronic illness, and Death
Moderate: Biphobia, Addiction, and Cancer
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, Stalking, Suicide, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Animal death, Genocide, Vomit, and War
savvylit's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The mysterious sorcery at the novel's center draws from classic film techniques and Nazi views of "purity." Moreno-Garcia blends these two elements both skillfully and chillingly.
Ultimately, though, I felt that this novel was too plot-focused and could have used more character development. Montserrat and Tristán were appealing main characters - but that's what made me want more from them. More about them. Both of their perspectives seemed oddly predictable and surface-level. It made it difficult for me to feel their fear, which thus made it difficult for me to really appreciate the horror that was central to this story.
Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the advanced copy of Silver Nitrate in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Racism, Misogyny, Addiction, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Cancer, and Murder
jamieleepilk's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Death, Blood, Car accident, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Addiction