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Regina's Reviews > Velvet Was the Night
Velvet Was the Night
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Pro tip: Read the last few pages of Velvet Was the Night first. Go on… open the book up, flip to the back, and read the Afterword and Author’s Spotify Playlist. If you’re then compelled to turn back to page one and dive in, this will likely be a solid atmospheric historical fiction reading experience for you.
As author Silvia Moreno-Garcia explains in the Afterword, her latest novel “is noir, pulp fiction, but it’s based on a real horror story.” The story of focus is that of the Dirty War, when the Mexican government abducted, tortured, incarcerated, and murdered citizen activists in the 1970s through a group known as the Brigada Blanca. Rock music was also a casualty, as backlash against it was a symbolic way for the government to tighten its grip on the nation. Moreno-Garcia’s curated mood-setting playlist includes songs like Jailhouse Rock, Eleanor Rigby, and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.
Her fictional story is set in Mexico City and focuses on a romance comic-obsessed secretary named Maite who gets caught up in the disappearance of her beautiful neighbor and meets a reluctant thug named Elvis who’s also trying to find her. There’s violence, a little sex, loads of naughty words, and a lot of intrigue.
There’s also beautiful writing, which makes me eager to read more of the author’s books. I just didn’t connect at all to the characters or the content of this one. Had I read the end of the book before starting the beginning, I would have known this particular story wasn’t a great fit for me.
My thanks to Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Random House Publishing / Ballantine Books for providing an advance copy to review via NetGalley. Velvet Was the Night is now available.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
As author Silvia Moreno-Garcia explains in the Afterword, her latest novel “is noir, pulp fiction, but it’s based on a real horror story.” The story of focus is that of the Dirty War, when the Mexican government abducted, tortured, incarcerated, and murdered citizen activists in the 1970s through a group known as the Brigada Blanca. Rock music was also a casualty, as backlash against it was a symbolic way for the government to tighten its grip on the nation. Moreno-Garcia’s curated mood-setting playlist includes songs like Jailhouse Rock, Eleanor Rigby, and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.
Her fictional story is set in Mexico City and focuses on a romance comic-obsessed secretary named Maite who gets caught up in the disappearance of her beautiful neighbor and meets a reluctant thug named Elvis who’s also trying to find her. There’s violence, a little sex, loads of naughty words, and a lot of intrigue.
There’s also beautiful writing, which makes me eager to read more of the author’s books. I just didn’t connect at all to the characters or the content of this one. Had I read the end of the book before starting the beginning, I would have known this particular story wasn’t a great fit for me.
My thanks to Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Random House Publishing / Ballantine Books for providing an advance copy to review via NetGalley. Velvet Was the Night is now available.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
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Reading Progress
May 19, 2021
– Shelved
May 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
September 19, 2021
–
Started Reading
September 20, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 77 (77 new)
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Lori (on hiatus, life is crazy busy))
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Sep 21, 2021 07:23AM
Terrific review Regina! Thanks for the tip!
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Lori wrote: "Terrific review Regina! Thanks for the tip!"Thanks Lori, and my pleasure! ;)
Sorry you didn't connect with this Regina! Know the feeling lately 😭
Sorry this wasn't a great pic for you, Regina, but as usual, your review is fabulous and very informative!
Wow, ok start at the back. Sounds intriguing. Excellent review Regina. A pity it did not hit the mark
Sorry you didn't connect Regina, I do understand sometimes it happens. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Fab review as always!
It's too bad "Velvet" and you weren't a good match, Regina. I thought it was terrific, but I can see how the combo of noir and the Mexican Dirty War may not appeal to a lot of readers. :)
Probably not for me either! Great review!
I don't think this one is for me either! Fantastic review, Regina! 💙
Great review and tip! 🤗 This one isn't for me.
Love the pro tip :) My pro tip is to dnf it before I begin 😂 Very mediocre reviews for this one, and I’m sure it’s not for me either. Great review Regina!
I'm waffling so hard on this one, especially after your review. I could see getting intrigued by it but I am just so finnicky about historical fiction. Decisions, decisions...if I do grab it, I'm following your sage advice. ;) Fab review Regina! xo
I had already decided to skip this so I'm glad your review reinforces my decision 😁
Regina, a helpful review. I have been thinking I'll pass on this one, even though I liked her last novel.
preoccupiedbybooks wrote: "Sorry you didn't connect with this Regina! Know the feeling lately 😭"Sorry you know the feeling, Fran! :(
Terrie wrote: "Sorry this wasn't a great pic for you, Regina, but as usual, your review is fabulous and very informative!"Thank you so much, Terrie!
Margaret wrote: "Wow, ok start at the back. Sounds intriguing. Excellent review Regina. A pity it did not hit the mark"Thanks Margaret! It didn't quite hit the mark for me but has for other readers. Such is life. :)
Holly wrote: "Sorry you didn't connect Regina, I do understand sometimes it happens. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Fab review as always!"I'm glad you found it to be a pleasant surprise, Holly! xo
Melissa wrote: "It's too bad "Velvet" and you weren't a good match, Regina. I thought it was terrific, but I can see how the combo of noir and the Mexican Dirty War may not appeal to a lot of readers. :)"Thanks Melissa! Maybe if I had read it at a different time... although I'm not sure when that would be...
Jayme wrote: "Probably not for me either! Great review!"I get it Jayme, thanks!
Michelle wrote: "I don't think this one is for me either! Fantastic review, Regina! 💙"Thanks Michelle! Just doing my part to keep your TBR in check. ;)
Michael wrote: "Great review and tip! 🤗 This one isn't for me."Probably not, though I would have been curious to get your take on the story since you do enjoy gritty stories from time to time.
JanB wrote: "Love the pro tip :) My pro tip is to dnf it before I begin 😂 Very mediocre reviews for this one, and I’m sure it’s not for me either. Great review Regina!"LOL! Thanks for the chuckle, Jan. :)
Catherine wrote: "I'm waffling so hard on this one, especially after your review. I could see getting intrigued by it but I am just so finnicky about historical fiction. Decisions, decisions...if I do grab it, I'm f..."Thanks Catherine! Snag a library copy and give it a try then. You can always DNF and return it early if it doesn't suit you. xo
Farrah wrote: "I had already decided to skip this so I'm glad your review reinforces my decision 😁"Happy to help reinforce your life choices, Farrah. ;)
Lisa wrote: "Regina, a helpful review. I have been thinking I'll pass on this one, even though I liked her last novel."I haven't read Mexican Gothic, but from what I've heard it's best not to compare the two or go in with any related expectations.
Hmmmm.... you had me until you mentioned romance comic - that kind of begged the question mark? I love mexico settings and cartel kidnappings. and good music. not sure if this is one for me either but appreciate your thoughts, Regina!
Jen wrote: "Hmmmm.... you had me until you mentioned romance comic - that kind of begged the question mark? I love mexico settings and cartel kidnappings. and good music. not sure if this is one for me either ..."I actually think you'd enjoy it then, so give it a go, Jen! You could be the exact right reader for this book.
Wonderful review, Regina! I'm curious about the playlist, but not so much about this particular book. I am curious if I'd like her other books though! She sounds very talented. 💕
Kat wrote: "Wonderful review, Regina! I'm curious about the playlist, but not so much about this particular book. I am curious if I'd like her other books though! She sounds very talented. 💕"Thanks Kat! It's an actual Spotify playlist, so you can check it out without having to get the book. :)
I'm digging the songs you mentioned but the slow burn, noir 1970's Mexican wars give me pause. The fact that it seems loosely based on true events is intriguing. As slow as I read, this might fall through the cracks. Love the title and cover tho! Great review and tips!
Derek wrote: "I'm digging the songs you mentioned but the slow burn, noir 1970's Mexican wars give me pause. The fact that it seems loosely based on true events is intriguing. As slow as I read, this might fall ..."Thanks Derek! Maybe another pro tip just for you then: Skip the book but frame the cover and hang it on your wall while listening to the Spotify playlist. ;)
Regina wrote: "Thanks Derek! Maybe another pro tip just for you then: Skip the book but frame the cover and hang it on your wall while listening to the Spotify playlist. ;)"🤣🤣🤣
Interesting...I will read the afterward first LOL. Good to know that she's a wonderful author.
Barbara wrote: "Interesting...I will read the afterward first LOL. Good to know that she's a wonderful author."Thank you, Barbara! I'm prioritizing adding Mexican Gothic to my October spooky reading binge list.
Regina wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Interesting...I will read the afterward first LOL. Good to know that she's a wonderful author."Thank you, Barbara! I'm prioritizing adding Mexican Gothic to my October spooky read..."Fun!
Great review, Regina! We again saw eye-to-eye on this one lol! Her books are so different from each other, I'm glad to hear this didn't dissuade you from reading her other ones. I particularly enjoyed Mexican Gothic and Gods of Jade and Shadow. :)
Yun wrote: "Great review, Regina! We again saw eye-to-eye on this one lol! Her books are so different from each other, I'm glad to hear this didn't dissuade you from reading her other ones. I particularly enjo..."Thanks Yun! I know, we do seem to be pretty aligned with our reading perspectives lately. I think Mexican Gothic is in my wheelhouse but not sure about Gods of Jade and Shadow. We'll see!
Interesting - I disliked Mexican Gothic - so you did not convince me to try her again. Thanks for an honest review. peace, janz
Peacejanz wrote: "Interesting - I disliked Mexican Gothic - so you did not convince me to try her again. Thanks for an honest review. peace, janz"Fair enough, Janz! I wouldn't have been convinced to read this book by my review either. ;)
I didn't care for this one and was not a fan of Mexican Gothic, so this author is not for me. Nice review, Regina!
Marialyce (absltmom, yaya) wrote: "I didn't care for this one and was not a fan of Mexican Gothic, so this author is not for me. Nice review, Regina!"Thanks Marialyce! Seems fair that if you tried her twice and didn't enjoy either book there's no sense in reading a third. ;)
I don’t think it’s a great fit for me either! Fantastic review and honest too! 💖
Ceecee wrote: "I don’t think it’s a great fit for me either! Fantastic review and honest too! 💖"Thank you Ceecee, I appreciate that. xx
Cool review. Read the back first. Could apply to several books I have read. Thanks. peace, janz
Peacejanz wrote: "Cool review. Read the back first. Could apply to several books I have read. Thanks. peace, janz"Thanks Janz. It's not often I've thought that, but I do believe it certainly applies to this one.
Fab review Regina! Still contemplating whether to read her books 📚 it's a dilemma 😅
Sue wrote: "Fab review Regina! Still contemplating whether to read her books 📚 it's a dilemma 😅"I say join me in trying Mexican Gothic next month for the Halloween reading season!
I’ve seen this around a lot lately, it sounds so good! I think I need to try and grab a copy! Wonderful review Regina 🥰
Ellie, the cover is so stunning it’s definitely easy to remember seeing it! Hope you love it if you do grab a copy. 🤗
