Mexican Gothic - Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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⭐ 9.5/10

(Originally written by Rebecca)

Really loved this first foray into gothic horror. I actually really like "spooky" media (more than "scary") and this fit the bill perfectly, telling the story of a young woman in 1950s Mexico going to check on her cousin who has been writing them strange letters from her new home after getting married recently. The house is secluded and old and dreary, and the family is strange and taciturn and secretive. The setting is just incredible, I loved the way the author described the old, mildewy house and the gloomy, foggy mountain it's on. So creepy! I also really loved the characters, and that the love interest isn't handsome or charming or charismatic, but that she really likes him for other reasons. Everything that happens in this story is so unnerving and you can never be sure who to trust and I loved that. Some of the visual horror and nightmares were pretty repulsive, but it really did add to the overall effect, and it didn't bother me much. I'm interested in reading more in this genre!

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