nukie19's review against another edition
3.0
Casiopea makes for a good heroine and I enjoyed learning about Mayan mythology. The descriptions of scenes, especially in the Black City, were vivid and darkly beautiful. Unfortunately, the dialog in particular seemed simple and at odds with the rest of the writing. It reminded me of a middle grade novel, and given that the story is rather predictable, this probably would be better served if it were aimed at a younger audience. I'm not sure if it was an issue of translation or just writing style, but my expectations were too high to rate more than 3 stars.
lunamond's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
jenuinereads's review against another edition
4.0
TL;DR: Take a chance and read this book because it may surprise you; it surprised me.
I was not sure how I was gonna feel about this book. However you want to look at it, the book cover has always called to me since the first time I saw it on the shelf and that is what kept pulling me back. The premise of course seemed interesting but the cover, that is what sold it for me.
I am so deeply happy I read this book. The ending stayed with me the rest of the night after I finished it. I felt it in my soul. Not many books can do that, or have done that, to me.
The author, as if she knows a parallel is going to be drawn immediately calls out the classic story that readers may think of. Moreno-Garcia does a good job of making her story distinct even though it starts very similar. She has a way of world building that is, at times, excessive but also helps the reader understand the environment and the going ons nearby. I adore how she could start the chapter with this world-building context and how she would alternate chapters occasionally (towards the end, paragraphs within the chapters) switching between viewpoints. Casiopea Tun is very aware her life isn't a fairytale or meant to be, from the first pages she makes it clear. But that doesn't stop the reader from hoping that she does get her happily ever after as the story progresses. Hun-Kame is written very well and his humanization progress is shown well. In actuality, all of the characters were developed and written well, though I did feel as though more background on some, like Casiopea's grandfather/family, could have gotten some more background so we had a better grasp of them and how this came about. But, in the end, the story wasn't about them.
The underworld/Xiabalba is written and detailed well. How these Mayan Gods are "alive" and the seeming absence of the other Gods (Christian/Greek Mythology etc.) is addressed. However, I felt as though this narrative relied on knowing some Mayam mythology and, although there was a Glossary at the end of the book, I almost wish there was more information in the narrative so I had a better grasp as I was reading (I didn't know there was a glossary until the book was over). I also went through like a hilly ride, not of emotions or that had anything to do with the plot, of portions of the writing that I just wasn't interested in, and then parts that had all of my dedication. Though I was always rooting for Casiopea and, in turn, Hun-Kame, I didn't always feel the urgency or importance of the events happening in the plot.
The way the book ended was worth it all. All stories don't have a happy ending, and the happy ending or good ending doesn't mean everything that you want or should happen will. Moreno-Garcia pushed this into my soul with the ending. It was beautiful and heartbreaking, and I felt both of those things.
I won't lie and say I didn't want Hun-Kame to become Francisco and him and Casiopea to get the time they deserved. But it wouldn't really be the him she originally had feelings for. And love is blinding, but he warned her beforehand that they had to win. Still, she deserved that happiness, though the first man she met who treated her like a decent person doesn't mean the world should change/be sacrificed to give her that.
Last question/ponderance, did the flowers that bloomed in Xiabalba stay there after she returned to the human world? As a symbol for him to remember her even though his heart was no more? I don't know and I doubt it, but since the citizens saw the reaction in Xiabalba to when his heart turned back to ash, I think it won't matter if it stayed or not.
I was not sure how I was gonna feel about this book. However you want to look at it, the book cover has always called to me since the first time I saw it on the shelf and that is what kept pulling me back. The premise of course seemed interesting but the cover, that is what sold it for me.
I am so deeply happy I read this book. The ending stayed with me the rest of the night after I finished it. I felt it in my soul. Not many books can do that, or have done that, to me.
The author, as if she knows a parallel is going to be drawn immediately calls out the classic story that readers may think of. Moreno-Garcia does a good job of making her story distinct even though it starts very similar. She has a way of world building that is, at times, excessive but also helps the reader understand the environment and the going ons nearby. I adore how she could start the chapter with this world-building context and how she would alternate chapters occasionally (towards the end, paragraphs within the chapters) switching between viewpoints. Casiopea Tun is very aware her life isn't a fairytale or meant to be, from the first pages she makes it clear. But that doesn't stop the reader from hoping that she does get her happily ever after as the story progresses. Hun-Kame is written very well and his humanization progress is shown well. In actuality, all of the characters were developed and written well, though I did feel as though more background on some, like Casiopea's grandfather/family, could have gotten some more background so we had a better grasp of them and how this came about. But, in the end, the story wasn't about them.
The underworld/Xiabalba is written and detailed well. How these Mayan Gods are "alive" and the seeming absence of the other Gods (Christian/Greek Mythology etc.) is addressed. However, I felt as though this narrative relied on knowing some Mayam mythology and, although there was a Glossary at the end of the book, I almost wish there was more information in the narrative so I had a better grasp as I was reading (I didn't know there was a glossary until the book was over). I also went through like a hilly ride, not of emotions or that had anything to do with the plot, of portions of the writing that I just wasn't interested in, and then parts that had all of my dedication. Though I was always rooting for Casiopea and, in turn, Hun-Kame, I didn't always feel the urgency or importance of the events happening in the plot.
The way the book ended was worth it all. All stories don't have a happy ending, and the happy ending or good ending doesn't mean everything that you want or should happen will. Moreno-Garcia pushed this into my soul with the ending. It was beautiful and heartbreaking, and I felt both of those things.
Spoiler
I do think Leroy and Casiopea will end up being friends, especially considering that was her "riding off into the sunset" moment even though that wasn't who she wanted to ride into the sunset with. Considering she didn't really have friends, and Hun-Kame was not a specific example of getting a friend (though it did happen over time), it'll be a good thing. But, do demons age? Do they die? Does Casiopea have any favor because of what she went through?I won't lie and say I didn't want Hun-Kame to become Francisco and him and Casiopea to get the time they deserved. But it wouldn't really be the him she originally had feelings for. And love is blinding, but he warned her beforehand that they had to win. Still, she deserved that happiness, though the first man she met who treated her like a decent person doesn't mean the world should change/be sacrificed to give her that.
Last question/ponderance, did the flowers that bloomed in Xiabalba stay there after she returned to the human world? As a symbol for him to remember her even though his heart was no more? I don't know and I doubt it, but since the citizens saw the reaction in Xiabalba to when his heart turned back to ash, I think it won't matter if it stayed or not.
tetedump's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Domestic abuse, Injury/injury detail, Murder, and Suicide
bookwyrmbby's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
miocenemama's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the integration of Mayan mythology with 20th-century society. I loved the references to Mexican history and the images created by the author's language. I tried guessing the ending several times, but it took a twist I did not expect. I loved that the story did not follow the traditional fairytale romance. Still, the ending was satisfying, the characters were appealing, and the writing was luscious.
lollipopkenny123's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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