Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays: MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays introduces readers who are unfamiliar with the Adult SF/F genre to books, authors, and discussions all about the vast expanse of the world of Adult SF/F!

More of a visual person? Check out Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays on Instagram!

MEXICAN GOTHIC

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Series: N/A

Source: Audiobook from Kobo

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: June 30, 2020

Summary:

After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.

Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemí’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.

And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind. 

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

Content Warnings: gore, body horror, illness, eugenics, colorism, racism, incest, manipulation, gaslighting, sexual assault, murder, visions and hallucinations, mention of suicide, cannibalism.

This is one of those books that took a turn I was not expecting. I wish I had read some reviews that had the trigger warnings before picking it up because I'm not sure I would have read it otherwise. And while I enjoyed it, it did trigger me quite a bit.

I enjoyed the story for the most part, I liked the conversations around race, eugenics, and colonialism. I also liked the main character and her drive to be independent - and protective. But while the reveals made sense within the story and there was a lot leading up to it, I just couldn't quite get there with them.

I wouldn't tell you not to read the book, but please read the trigger warnings and realize that I am not joking about them.

Have you read this book? What was your favourite part?