Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill's Reviews > Mexican Gothic
Mexican Gothic
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by
2.5 stars...Yeah I know...this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. As soon as I found out this would be a BOTM, I grabbed it, I dropped everything I was doing to read it....and well that didn't work out so well.
The premise was amazing. The cover was even more amazing. SO I dug into this book and I waited for it to pick up. I waited, and turned another page and waited....and waited...... Finally I turned to my fellow reviewers at page 200 to see..umm does this pick up? They said yeah wait for it...Okay so it did pick up- at page 250. So the last 50 pages of the book was crammed full of weirdness.
Noemi is living the good life. She is living off daddy's dime and a socialite in Mexico City. Her father makes it clear that she needs to do him a favor and head out to a remote estate that her cousin Catalina is living with her recently acquired husband Virgil. He wants her to check in on her because- well it appears she has lost her mind. She is sending letters home of people living in the walls, claims her husband is poisoning her among other bizarre statements. Sounds intriguing right??? Well I thought so too. I was all in...
Yet when Noemi gets to the estate she is hardly allowed to spend any time with her cousin. She is not allowed to freely roam around or do anything she wants. So why doesn't she just leave? Or take her cousin? Instead the first 250 pages was spent with her mulling around the house and having vivid nightmares. Sure it was creepy but there was no plot. I failed to connect to ANY of the characters because, there just wasn't enough information put forth about them. Trust me, I can take weird. I LOVED Ninth House! I would have given that book 10 stars if Goodreads would let me. That was dark, creepy, weirdness and I loved it.
Personally for me, this book took just too long to take off. When it finally did, it felt like a ton of stuff was jammed into the last 50 pages. It was so bizarre and out there- it just wasn't for me. Don't let my review sway you because there are alot of fantastic reviews out there about this one.
The premise was amazing. The cover was even more amazing. SO I dug into this book and I waited for it to pick up. I waited, and turned another page and waited....and waited...... Finally I turned to my fellow reviewers at page 200 to see..umm does this pick up? They said yeah wait for it...Okay so it did pick up- at page 250. So the last 50 pages of the book was crammed full of weirdness.
Noemi is living the good life. She is living off daddy's dime and a socialite in Mexico City. Her father makes it clear that she needs to do him a favor and head out to a remote estate that her cousin Catalina is living with her recently acquired husband Virgil. He wants her to check in on her because- well it appears she has lost her mind. She is sending letters home of people living in the walls, claims her husband is poisoning her among other bizarre statements. Sounds intriguing right??? Well I thought so too. I was all in...
Yet when Noemi gets to the estate she is hardly allowed to spend any time with her cousin. She is not allowed to freely roam around or do anything she wants. So why doesn't she just leave? Or take her cousin? Instead the first 250 pages was spent with her mulling around the house and having vivid nightmares. Sure it was creepy but there was no plot. I failed to connect to ANY of the characters because, there just wasn't enough information put forth about them. Trust me, I can take weird. I LOVED Ninth House! I would have given that book 10 stars if Goodreads would let me. That was dark, creepy, weirdness and I loved it.
Personally for me, this book took just too long to take off. When it finally did, it felt like a ton of stuff was jammed into the last 50 pages. It was so bizarre and out there- it just wasn't for me. Don't let my review sway you because there are alot of fantastic reviews out there about this one.
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 125 (125 new)
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Debra
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rated it 3 stars
Jul 14, 2020 08:12AM
I look forward to your thoughts!
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From all the reviews I've seen people either give it 5 stars or 2 stars. There doesn't seem to be much in the middle.
Looking forward to your thoughts...in some ways it sound interesting but I think the gross out factor could be too high for me.
JanB wrote: "Ugh, I chose it as my BOTM :("
Ohhh Jan I seriously can't wait to get your opinion on this book! It was my BOTM pick too. I do hope you love it though!
Ohhh Jan I seriously can't wait to get your opinion on this book! It was my BOTM pick too. I do hope you love it though!
Lindsay - Traveling Sisters Book Reviews wrote: "Sorry this didn’t work out better for you Kim"
Thanks so much Lindsay! I really, really wanted to love this.
Thanks so much Lindsay! I really, really wanted to love this.
marilyn wrote: "Looking forward to your thoughts...in some ways it sound interesting but I think the gross out factor could be too high for me."
So Marilyn - I think you could handle it. It just got gross at the end. Nothing too outrageous. If you are like me, even if someone doesn't care for it, I have to see for myself because often I will end up liking it...or not!
So Marilyn - I think you could handle it. It just got gross at the end. Nothing too outrageous. If you are like me, even if someone doesn't care for it, I have to see for myself because often I will end up liking it...or not!
Erin wrote: "From all the reviews I've seen people either give it 5 stars or 2 stars. There doesn't seem to be much in the middle."
I know right?! I was not in the middle at all on this one......nope. If you decide to read it, I hope you end up loving it.
I know right?! I was not in the middle at all on this one......nope. If you decide to read it, I hope you end up loving it.
Jayme wrote: "How disappointing! Hope you your next read is a 5 ⭐️! Great review!"
Thanks so much Jayme! Well we have all been here...so yes hoping for a great big 5 stars next.
Thanks so much Jayme! Well we have all been here...so yes hoping for a great big 5 stars next.
Ceecee wrote: "Very honest Kim and thanks for the heads up, might pass. Great review 💞"
Thanks so much Ceecee! Who knows, you may like it. It got some fantastic reviews.
Thanks so much Ceecee! Who knows, you may like it. It got some fantastic reviews.
Yikes! I’m in a super long line at the library for this one. I don’t do well with books that take forever for anything to happen. Sorry this was a miss. Great review! 😊
Suzy wrote: "Yikes! I’m in a super long line at the library for this one. I don’t do well with books that take forever for anything to happen. Sorry this was a miss. Great review! 😊"
Thanks Suzy! Oh I bet there is a wait. There is alot of hype. I am sure I am the odd man out on this one.
Thanks Suzy! Oh I bet there is a wait. There is alot of hype. I am sure I am the odd man out on this one.
Brandice wrote: "Sorry this was a letdown, Kim! I haven’t felt drawn to it but agree, the cover is wonderful!"
Thanks so much Brandice! Yes, this cover is so gorgeous!
Thanks so much Brandice! Yes, this cover is so gorgeous!
I agree with you on this. The only reason I gave it 4 ⭐️ was because I thought the writing was so beautiful-eloquent-and I did like Noemi. But-the “cause” of everything-I don’t want to spoil it but the things that gave it life-I found to be so hokey and I was disappointed. I like crazy and weird too-I loved The Ninth House also-but this one-it just fell short.
You know I totally agree with you. The writing was in fact very good. I toyed with rating it higher simply because of that. But in the end my lack of love for the story won out. Yayyy love that you loved Ninth House.. now that in my opinion was an amazing piece of writing. Absolutely brilliant ❤️
DeAnn wrote: "Kim, so sorry this one didn't work for you. I think I'll pass!"
Thanks so much DeAnn! I was disappointed that I didn't love it. You may love it, there are some great reviews.
Thanks so much DeAnn! I was disappointed that I didn't love it. You may love it, there are some great reviews.
I’m on page 95 and was checking to see when this begins to pick up. Glad I got this from the library!!
Well that sounds like quite the letdown! Like you this was a must read and when I saw it as BOTM I jumped at it. I've seen so many unsavory reviews that I'm losing the motivation to bump it up my list. Here's to your next read being amazing.
Michelle wrote: "I’m on page 95 and was checking to see when this begins to pick up. Glad I got this from the library!!"
That is exactly what I did Michelle. I ran over to the BOTM spoiler page and asked some people. Fingers crossed that you actually end up liking it. It has some great reviews! I will look out for your review!
That is exactly what I did Michelle. I ran over to the BOTM spoiler page and asked some people. Fingers crossed that you actually end up liking it. It has some great reviews! I will look out for your review!
Maria wrote: "Well that sounds like quite the letdown! Like you this was a must read and when I saw it as BOTM I jumped at it. I've seen so many unsavory reviews that I'm losing the motivation to bump it up my l..."
Me too! I couldn't hit add to box fast enough. Well I hope you have better luck with it than I did. It certainly has some mixed reviews. Some people really, really loved it!
Me too! I couldn't hit add to box fast enough. Well I hope you have better luck with it than I did. It certainly has some mixed reviews. Some people really, really loved it!
I’m reading this now and am not impressed, Kim. I found it interesting that the announced first print was only 35K and yet the buzz has been tremendous.
Michael wrote: "Excellent review, Kim! I appreciate the honesty! I think I'm on the fence now. 🤔"
Thanks so much Michael! Well apparently it has gotten alot of good reviews. Just not for me. I don't want to sway you! You might just have to go in and see for yourself. If you do, I can't wait to see what you think!
Thanks so much Michael! Well apparently it has gotten alot of good reviews. Just not for me. I don't want to sway you! You might just have to go in and see for yourself. If you do, I can't wait to see what you think!
Tammy wrote: "I’m reading this now and am not impressed, Kim. I found it interesting that the announced first print was only 35K and yet the buzz has been tremendous."
Agreed! There is a ton of buzz about this one. I am looking forward to your review!
Agreed! There is a ton of buzz about this one. I am looking forward to your review!
So sorry this one didn't work for you! I have been desperate to read it, but was a NetGalley reject! What is BOTM? (I assume it means book of the month - but what is that?)
Janice wrote: "I loved Ninth House too :)"
Yayy! Seriously Ninth House is in my top two so far this year. I can't wait for the next one!!
Yayy! Seriously Ninth House is in my top two so far this year. I can't wait for the next one!!
Leslie wrote: "So sorry this one didn't work for you! I have been desperate to read it, but was a NetGalley reject! What is BOTM? (I assume it means book of the month - but what is that?)"
It is Book of the Month and it is amazing! It is a great deal. You can get up to three books a month. The first book is 14.99 I think and then the other two are 9.99 to add them on. You don't have to pick more than one and you can skip months. The best bang for your buck is getting the 9.99 add on's as they are all hardback books. Whew! I sounds like a commercial. I love them, can you tell?
www.bookofthemonth.com
It is Book of the Month and it is amazing! It is a great deal. You can get up to three books a month. The first book is 14.99 I think and then the other two are 9.99 to add them on. You don't have to pick more than one and you can skip months. The best bang for your buck is getting the 9.99 add on's as they are all hardback books. Whew! I sounds like a commercial. I love them, can you tell?
www.bookofthemonth.com
OH, man, I NEED to read Ninth House! I'm right there with you with this one on the slowness. At times I felt as if I were trapped in the house along with her. I hope you enjoy your next book more. Great review, Kim!
🤣🤣 Yes!!! I felt trapped too! 🙌 OMG seriously you need to read Ninth House! I loved it! Thanks Debra 💜
Books that crawl along like an emphysemic tortoise are always a trial.
I appreciate your candid review, Kim. : )
I appreciate your candid review, Kim. : )
Great review Kim, what a shame you didn’t like it more. That cover = gorgeous but that’s not enough for a top review all by itself. I’m not so sad I didn’t get this now though.
Kevin wrote: "Books that crawl along like an emphysemic tortoise are always a trial.
I appreciate your candid review, Kim. : )"
I LOVE this! HAHA...an emphysemic tortoise! That is the best! Thanks so much Kevin! It really did!
I appreciate your candid review, Kim. : )"
I LOVE this! HAHA...an emphysemic tortoise! That is the best! Thanks so much Kevin! It really did!
Pat wrote: "Great review Kim, what a shame you didn’t like it more. That cover = gorgeous but that’s not enough for a top review all by itself. I’m not so sad I didn’t get this now though."
Thanks so much Pat! Yes, unfortunately I ran out and bought it. Good news is...it looks great on the shelf. LOL
Thanks so much Pat! Yes, unfortunately I ran out and bought it. Good news is...it looks great on the shelf. LOL
Julie wrote: "Great, honest review, Kim! Hope your next book is a better fit. 💖"
Thank you Julie, oh it is a much better fit! I appreciate it!
Thank you Julie, oh it is a much better fit! I appreciate it!
The reviews definitely seem to be pretty mixed. I have a copy, but I've seen enough negative that I'm in no rush to dive in. Superb review, Kim!
Bridgett wrote: "The reviews definitely seem to be pretty mixed. I have a copy, but I've seen enough negative that I'm in no rush to dive in. Superb review, Kim!"
Thanks Bridgett...yeah it was a different book that is for sure. Looks like you either love it or not. I do hope you enjoy it though!
Thanks Bridgett...yeah it was a different book that is for sure. Looks like you either love it or not. I do hope you enjoy it though!
I think so many books let down readers when they've been too hyped. For me, Mexican Gothic lived up to my hype for it. I loved the slow build of the story but I can for sure see why other don't. It felt like Gothic horror to me. My friend that read it said it reminded her of Lovecraft (which I haven't read). It's been interesting reading everyone's thoughts on this one.