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A review by hollowspine
Goddess of Filth by V. Castro
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? No
4.0
A group of girls, just graduated from HS, have one last summer together. For two of them it will be especially memorable. The group decide to have a little fun with a séance, but when Lourdes invites an ancient being to inhabit Fernanda, it actually works. Fernanda immediately writhes on the floor and speaking in a language the group doesn't understand, though Lourdes believes it might be Nahuatl, the ancient language spoken by indigenous peoples of Mexico and Central America.
The story is told in two central POVs of the two girls, but also a few chapters from other POVs, including a local Catholic Priest and Fernanda's mom. Lourdes is just trying to save her friend as well as navigate the adults in her life who treat her like she's worthless, when she has dreams just like any young woman - to take classes, pursue her interest in history and have a career, not work at the local Sonic. Fernanda has been kept close by her parents and has had little chance to have growth experiences like her peers. She wants to figure some things out before going to college, like how she feels about her sexuality, what makes her feel good and be sure in her own mind.
The central messages of body positivity and sex positivity and sexual freedom for girls came through, along with a good story of teenage friendship and the dangers of letting other people decide who you are.
The story is told in two central POVs of the two girls, but also a few chapters from other POVs, including a local Catholic Priest and Fernanda's mom. Lourdes is just trying to save her friend as well as navigate the adults in her life who treat her like she's worthless, when she has dreams just like any young woman - to take classes, pursue her interest in history and have a career, not work at the local Sonic. Fernanda has been kept close by her parents and has had little chance to have growth experiences like her peers. She wants to figure some things out before going to college, like how she feels about her sexuality, what makes her feel good and be sure in her own mind.
The central messages of body positivity and sex positivity and sexual freedom for girls came through, along with a good story of teenage friendship and the dangers of letting other people decide who you are.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Blood, Trafficking, and Kidnapping