krystalaz's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
adriannethelibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
wifeslife's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Alcoholism, Cursing, Violence, Alcohol, Bullying, Murder, and Religious bigotry
dreavee's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book my freshman year in English class almost 15 years ago and it continues to hold a special place in my heart. A wonderful coming of age story that captures the Mexican-American experience and internal turmoil of our cultures traditions.
viva_pugnacio's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
leavingsealevel's review against another edition
3.0
Another "classic." Magic and the "pagan past." Lots of Spanish.
jennfgarcia's review against another edition
4.0
I'm rounding it up but I'm really giving it 3.5 stars.
I guess I'll start off by saying this book was interesting and kept my attention enough to finish it. I found myself enjoying the tales of these people and their folklore and a lot of it was very familiar to me. The author did a great job creating the characters and I liked them. I even hated one of them. I loved the main character Antonio. So sweet and innocent and earnest.
Things that I didn't like so much. Well, this was an audio book and the narrator dragged the story and did not really narrate correctly. Where pauses should have been made he rushed and where he should have kept going he paused. His voice was pleasant enough but I was annoyed by his timing.
Sometimes the writing felt/sounded juvenile. Not that I'm an expert or anything, but I noticed a lot of ... he said annoyingly, she said excitedly, etc. Too many of those LY adverbs. I usually don't critique the actual writing, but there were times the story dragged or maybe it was the narrator's fault but it allowed me to concentrate on the writing instead of the story itself. When the story sweeps me up and carries me along, I don't really pay attention to the mechanics of it all. That didn't happen so much here.
The last thing was the heavy religious theme that ran through was so odd to me at times because of the age of Antonio. He was so young and already coming up with such intense questions. I understand that religion was a main part of the story and Antonio's struggle with it, but I think at times it was too much. A lot of Catholic preaching during certain parts.
Otherwise, I think I would recommend it for those that do not mind my complaints above. The story itself was good and Antonio's love for Ultima was so grand that I like to think that was the whole story.
To see this and more reviews, please go to my blog: Italian Brat's Obsessions
I guess I'll start off by saying this book was interesting and kept my attention enough to finish it. I found myself enjoying the tales of these people and their folklore and a lot of it was very familiar to me. The author did a great job creating the characters and I liked them. I even hated one of them. I loved the main character Antonio. So sweet and innocent and earnest.
Things that I didn't like so much. Well, this was an audio book and the narrator dragged the story and did not really narrate correctly. Where pauses should have been made he rushed and where he should have kept going he paused. His voice was pleasant enough but I was annoyed by his timing.
Sometimes the writing felt/sounded juvenile. Not that I'm an expert or anything, but I noticed a lot of ... he said annoyingly, she said excitedly, etc. Too many of those LY adverbs. I usually don't critique the actual writing, but there were times the story dragged or maybe it was the narrator's fault but it allowed me to concentrate on the writing instead of the story itself. When the story sweeps me up and carries me along, I don't really pay attention to the mechanics of it all. That didn't happen so much here.
The last thing was the heavy religious theme that ran through was so odd to me at times because of the age of Antonio. He was so young and already coming up with such intense questions. I understand that religion was a main part of the story and Antonio's struggle with it, but I think at times it was too much. A lot of Catholic preaching during certain parts.
Otherwise, I think I would recommend it for those that do not mind my complaints above. The story itself was good and Antonio's love for Ultima was so grand that I like to think that was the whole story.
To see this and more reviews, please go to my blog: Italian Brat's Obsessions
zenithharpink's review against another edition
3.0
This book was like the date with the handsome, interesting, successful dream man...only to be generally bored as he eloquently tells me about his worldliness and then underwhelmed in general as his stories don't resonate.
The prose was pretty, but not all that compelling. The story itself was a bit meandering, feeling more like a collection of short stories involving a small group of people rather than one larger story. Even the villain, if you can call him that, was a bit hard to grasp.
I just didn't connect with this story, but oh how I wanted to! I will likely never read this again, but I will remember my read!
I recommend to any looking for a quick read with beautiful prose. You may or may not appreciate the story, but you won't regret reading it.
The prose was pretty, but not all that compelling. The story itself was a bit meandering, feeling more like a collection of short stories involving a small group of people rather than one larger story. Even the villain, if you can call him that, was a bit hard to grasp.
I just didn't connect with this story, but oh how I wanted to! I will likely never read this again, but I will remember my read!
I recommend to any looking for a quick read with beautiful prose. You may or may not appreciate the story, but you won't regret reading it.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
5.0
Remind yourself---some of the most important books are difficult to read on many levels. This is an important book, not to be missed.
jake_wont_shut_up's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5