Chasing words across the page

Be But Mine 🌹🗡️

We are thrilled to reveal the final cover of One for My Enemy by New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six, Olivie Blake! Check out the full story via Tor.com. 

Artwork for FairyLoot’s Under the Sea box. 

This illustration is inspired by To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo and it went on a beautiful mug!

Something witchy 🌙

S.P.E.L.L. Presents:

MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

This month’s discussion is a bit different from the others because I’m collaborating with @angelagualtieri, a frequent contributor to our discussions and a writer/book reviewer in her own right. (Find her on Instagram as well!) She’d read this month’s book before I did, so I thought it might be a good opportunity to collaborate on the various themes and motifs in MEXICAN GOTHIC. Woven throughout will also be mention of last October’s reads, JANE EYRE by Charlotte Brontë and REBECCA by Daphne du Maurier, which made for an extremely lively conversation last year.

Below you’ll find our discussion broken up by subject in what is essentially a pseudo-live conversation about the books. Please feel free to respond to any points or contribute your own!

Gothic Elements

A.G.: The gothic elements in the novel were PHENOMENAL! An isolated manor? Check. Spooky conflict for the female lead? Check. An atmosphere ripe with suspense? Check. A monster? Definite check (because really, humans are the worst kinds of monsters). A creepy dream realm? Check.

O.B.: Atmospherically SO ideal. I never regret my October choices.

A.G.: The gothic elements (as well as the Mexican cultural aspects) were so well done. Moreno-Garcia merged the classical gothic literary novel with modern concepts, especially in the use of her protagonist, Noemí. High Place was so vividly real in my imagination from her descriptions. I don’t think I could have asked for anything more in this regard.

O.B.: I was initially surprised by the use of British elements in terms of the house/its occupants, having expected that all the characters would be Mexican, but it definitely makes sense in terms of who is the antagonist (colonialism, white supremacy, plus the patriarchy is a pretty solid answer—we’ll get into that later). It also makes sense that it’s a classic Gothic plot with an intimate setting and that bourgeois “old money” stratification, with the outside view making it seem especially absurd. There’s no fascination for Noemí, only a sense of being creeped out, which really establishes that lens of how ridiculous it is that the Doyles would see themselves as superior. Versus, say, Mrs. de Winter or Jane being awed by the Rochfords and de Winters of the world. You can see how the Doyles expect her to revere them and then take it badly when she doesn’t.

(**spoilers incoming for Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s MEXICAN GOTHIC**) 

I came into MEXICAN GOTHIC with very little information other than it was promoted as a great read for the October season (it was an entire ~mood~) and that it was one of the most highly anticipated books this year. I listened to MEXICAN GOTHIC on audio on my Libby app because it was talking forever to get a physical copy from the library (not mad about this, I expected this b/c I work in library land & everyone wants to read this book). Anyway, I’m glad I went that route because the narrator did a great job in keeping me engaged. 

I did find the story a tad slow in the first half but I was desperate to find out what was keeping Noemí from busting Catalina out of High Place. I distinctly remember texting my friends and writing in all caps “WHERE IS THE MURDER.” And within the second half, boom, the narrative took a fast and violent turn. I was here for it, lol. 

One thing that really stuck out to me was the fact that colorism constantly came up in the narrative. Noemí and Catalina’s looks were constantly mentioned/compared to by the Doyles, especially Howard. The very first time Noemí meets the Doyle patriarch, he compliments her for her intellect and pretty much states that she is a credit “to her people.” Howard embodies all the grossness of racism and eugenics so I was *especially* delighted when Catalina murdered him.

Next up, the way the author utilized nature in the narrative. I didn’t expect fungi to be an antagonist in the story but what an unexpected and clever twist it was. Not directly related but the mushrooms made me think of the forest found in Naomi Novak’s UPROOTED. Nature is beautiful but it isn’t immune to disease or being the harbinger of destruction. I also found it interesting that the tincture made with natural herbs was one of the few solutions offered to Catalina and Noemí that was able to break the hold the Gloom had over them. It makes me think of how in Latino culture, herbalism and botánicas are still sought after resources when modern medicine doesn’t always work. I loved that the author weaved that into the story. 

And finally, I appreciated how the author included use of Spanish in this story as a vehicle of communication between Francis and Noemí. Although the audiobook didn’t have Francis and Noemí speaking in Spanish*, it was one of the few ways that they could ensure that they could speak freely to each other while they were stuck at High Place. I loved that Francis’ father took the time to teach him an additional language and that Francis kept practicing it. He found value in it, and it also further cemented the bond that he and Noemí have. It also reads to me that he appreciates knowledge for the sake of it and already had an interest/hope of seeking things outside of his family. Noemí just happened to be the perfect catalyst for him to wake up and reach forward to something outside of his comfort zone. 

Bunny Mocha ☕️🐰

WHEN SHALL WE THREE MEET AGAIN? IN THUNDER, LIGHTNING OR IN RAIN?