dryden_mills's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
jaackieo's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. This one made my skin crawl. The writing was so good in this. A very slow burn story, but a definite page turner. I loved the setting, the writing, the MC, and the time period (set in Mexico in the 1950s). It made for a very spooky, creepy, gothic vibe.
Highly highly recommend this one for spooky season!
Highly highly recommend this one for spooky season!
webberinr's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
dreadthemad's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
ms_sarah621's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? No
3.5
I’m undecided how I feel on this one. The start was very intriguing, distant secluded house and odd family. The build up of tension and the feeling that something was wrong was phenomenal in the beginning. I was constantly worried and wondering what was going to happen. But, the build up ended up fizzing out and becoming a bit slow in the middle. The house and family were so weird and there was some amazing imagery, yet some descriptions lasted too long. The ending picked back up, like the second to last chapter. However, the plot twists and end of the story felt rushed and just didn’t hold my interest as much. Too much triggering content as well and the oddest romance set-up/plot. This book has great tension and build up, but where it leads…. Not my taste exactly. I’m happy I finally gave this a go, and I would recommend it to some people, but I’m not sure this is my taste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Sexual assault
bianca_rodriguez's review against another edition
2.0
horror novels where the shit *finally* hits the fan during the last 50 pages will indeed be the death of me, so yeah, I'm currently writing this review from the grave if you couldn't tell
aanna's review against another edition
3.0
I like a gothic house book, and this was a good one, but nothing outstanding. Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing style is straightforward, taking the reader directly through the action without leaving much room for ambiguity or interpretation, which is usually one of my favorite things about a gothic mystery (eg Shirley Jackson). But sometimes it is nice to just read for the story -- and it is very readable. Though it was somewhat slow to get going, I read Mexican Gothic quickly and always wanted to know what would happen next. The '50s Mexico setting was cool but not utilized enough. I did love the haunting element, and I'll leave it a mystery for anyone planning to read this. If you were interested in Mexican Gothic by the description, I'd say go for it! If you wouldn't normally go for the genre, maybe skip this one.
bookishthings22's review against another edition
5.0
‘Our bodies hide so many mysteries and they tell so many stories without a single world’
Audible - the narrator was amazing!
Finally, a five star read. Feels century ago since I gave one. I’m not usually into horror but subhanallah, that had me hooked. It is definitely a slow burn but the build is worth it with the twist in the story that I never expected. Eugenics - an ideology of poison (literally poison).
Audible - the narrator was amazing!
Finally, a five star read. Feels century ago since I gave one. I’m not usually into horror but subhanallah, that had me hooked. It is definitely a slow burn but the build is worth it with the twist in the story that I never expected. Eugenics - an ideology of poison (literally poison).
kylanatale's review against another edition
4.0
This was everything I was hoping for! The atmosphere was beyond perfect. The descriptions of the house and the family were creepy and made my skin crawl. The anxiety of Noemi trying to figure out how to save her cousin was palpable. And that reveal and ending?! SO UNIQUE! I loved it!