A review by lollitscristina
Taína by Ernesto Quiñonez

3.0

3/5.

Every time I see a Latinx fiction novel.... IT'S MINE!! And being it magical realism? With Latinx main characters and set in the Spanish Harlem? What more can I ask?

Well, actually a lot, but not the point! The point is: I read this book and that's what matters most out of anything. I had not heard anything about Taina, but the cover is simply beautiful, it looks like a graffiti work or just a simple art sketch and it has the bright yellow cover. It captured my attention and beautiful name also. I have not heard the name Taina hardly ever, it's a bit rare for myself. No one I follow or know has read this book before and I had no clue what it's about, which is a good thing in your reading life when not knowing ever book in the planet.

So, I had zero expectations and I just simply wanted to see what this book was about, and allow it to unfold in front of me. Which, in conclusion, I did like this book, but not entirely.

Quinonez's writing style is great, atmospheric, detailed, easy to read, and witty. Though it's the story line that did not follow and the whole center around the main story which is Taina's pregnancy. It's a simple fashion of Latinx magical realism mixed in with family, culture, love, loss, sadness, and life's ups and downs. It's all combined, but I felt it did not go accordingly. I did not really connect with the characters or some of the story plot lines that were demonstrated. I enjoyed few of the scenes and the stories that were introduced more about the adult characters that we are getting introduced and the main portion of the story, but not all of it.

Some of it felt slow, but there are symbolic touches that a reader can definitely go in depth about. But I felt some of the stories and character motives were lacking and did not really help the characters move forward. Only the adult characters, not Taina, Julio (a little), and other younger characters. However, it still was a ride with reading this story and interesting to see where the story will go.

Overall, Taina is a magical realism Latinx novel that is hardly talked about and I'm glad that I got the chance to find this book. Even though, I did not like all of the novel, I still enjoyed the reading experience and some of things that were in this novel. I think if you have not read this Latinx novel yet, give it a try, it may be different for some readers! Reading stories that are hardly talked about is an experience that is thrilling and risky all into one. I'm glad that I read it and I'm curious to read this author's others works.

Happy reading!