A review by ara
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes

Once again we learned never trust rich white people in the middle of nowhere

When I tell you I legit screamed “get out” a good three times while reading this book.

I don’t know if it’s maturity, a need for adventure, or the current state of the world but recently I’ve been very dedicated to overcoming my aversion to the horror genre. So when I heard [author: Silvia Moreno Garcia] was writing a horror story set in 1950s Mexico, I was sold. All year I’ve indulged in classic horror stories. And without hesitance, I’ll say that this was the best.

Glamor Be Thy Name

We all know the stereotype that is women in the horror genre, they’re either the damsel or the dimwit who makes all the dumbest decisions. Her being this supposed spoiled preppy debutante, I fully expected Noemí to be the latter. I was so prepared to shake my head as she made all the most obvious mistakes. But let me tell you, my girl broke the mold. Noemi Taboada is the gorgeous no-nonsense take-no-shit witty slick-talking manicured heroine we all deserve. I have never seen a main character so level-headed in a horror before. She made all the right decisions, granted she didn’t get all the best results. But as we all know mindset is key.
If there was ever someone to knowingly run into danger with, it is her.

The House on the Hill

Majority of the story takes place in the very obviously haunted mansion known as the High Place. I can’t explain it, but Moreno-Garcia has this fantastic way of transporting you into her world, even when you don’t want to be. The few times I put the book down I still found myself trapped in Noemí’s world. So, in the two days it took me to devour this book, there I was breathing the stale, frigid air. Walking the accursed, gloomy halls. I felt it on my skin and I hated every minute of it.

The Weird White Family Also on the Hill

If there was anything I hated more than the High Place it was the family that lived there. The Doyles (minus Francis) are by far the most vile twisted bunch of people I have ever had the displeasure of encountering. The grandfather was the devil himself. Virgil was a sadistic creep. And Florence, I don’t know what she was but she was all wrong.

While there is a crucial supernatural element to this story, it didn’t terrify me nearly as much as the Doyles did. The toxic environment that they created was so intense and so unpredictable. I was at the edge of my seat from the moment Noemí arrived at the High Place to the last chapter.

The Two Taboadas

At one point all I wanted was for Noemí to leave Katalina and save herself. I’m horrible I know I know. But there are times when ya gotta look out for numero uno. If I was Noemí I would outy 5000 after a week or so. But that circles back to why Noemí is someone I would knowingly run into danger with. And even though her future was technically on the line, she wasn’t self-motivated. She stayed true to her mission, she wasn’t leaving until she knew her cousin was okay.

Speaking of Katalina. I fully expected her to be this erratic damsel in distress. Quite the contrary, my girl got the finesse game on lock. I was very impressed with her character and backstory.

The Plot

So many trippy twists and insane turns. Dios mío, I can’t express how much I enjoyed this book. Evert time I thought I had figured it all out, something else would happen and throw me completely off-trail. Magnifique in every way.
I could not be more excited for the adaptation. I hope Hulu stays true to the story.