Review
The story is pretty boring, much as a lot of today’s fantasy standards; I like the idea of exploring non-european fantasy worlds, but lately there has been a lot of mediocre books that are justified and published because they appeal to the need for other worlds that don’t resemble France of England in the 1400, even if they are terrible books. In this book the story is pretty standard, without much novelty. Worse, the story begins so-so but it crumbles more and more through the book (e.g., Amalia’s story, the battles with Jerónimo, all the “go to Dagoba, Luke” arc., etc.), and at the end it doesn’t make any sense; they just need to end with the good guys winning and the bad guys losing.
The use of first-person present tense narration (e.g., “I go to the palace and speak with the guard”) adds an unusual reading experience. Additionally, Leonora’s he inner monologues are a bit cringe-y (e.g., is it really one of the Four Nagual Truths® the phrase “Never let it become personal”? Doesn’t sound super truth-y to me). Finally, while I understand the book must explain lots of Mexican mythology, the way it is done feels awkward, like a lesson on a kids show.
I think a way more interesting book in a similar vein is Black Sun, by Rebecca Roanhorse; the story is more compelling, the characters are better developed, etc.
Quotes
Location 1,347
Whoever angers you controls you. When you let someone make you angry, you’re giving them absolute power over you.
Location 2,125
Glancing over my shoulder, I see the bodies of the slain. I almost envy them; the dead don’t have to suffer the weight of doom.
Location 3,667
Some animals go on a killing spree for no real reason at all—not for food, not for territorial purposes—but more than that, they prolong the death just for enjoyment.
Location 3,856
Never let it become personal. One of the four Nagual Truths.