Book Review: Mexican Gothic, written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Hello everyone! Today I’m going to be reviewing Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, published by Quercus Books(UK) on June 30th. The first book I read and loved by Moreno-Garcia was The Gods of Jade And Shadow. Mexican Gothic proved to be even more of a captivating and stunning book.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Publication date: June 30th, 2020 
Publisher: Quercus Books
Pages: 352
Genre: Fiction, Adult, Horror
Buy: Blackwells| Goodreads | Book Depository

Synopsis:

An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets…

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 Noemi’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.

– My Thoughts –

“Loyalty to the family is rewarded, and impertinence is punished. Remember that and you shall be very happy.”

I would renew my Netflix subscription in a heartbeat if it adapted Mexican Gothic for a movie or mini-series right now.

Mexican Gothic slowly, seductively drags you in and in no time, you’re pulled so deep within the story that you will never want to leave. Noemí Taboada, our heroine, a socialite is summoned home by her father only to be told that her cousin is not well and Noemí has to be the one to check on her.

When Noemí’s train drops her in a sleepy town in the Mexican countryside, she had no idea that this trip would be far from ordinary. At High Place, her cousin’s house, she comes face-to-face with the creepiest of families(with an exception) and the house.. well, if houses have a personality then this one would fall under the creepy category as well. Then starts the nightmares that border on obscene, weird obsession with eugenics, scenes that will leave you staring the pages in bewildered shock, Francis’s love of mushrooms, and the vast array of fungi all over the High Place. Are you scared yet? or, intrigued?

If you’re answer is NO to the above questions then be prepared as the twist will change your opinion. I expected that one of the twists was coming by reading the previous scenes but my mind could not have comprehended the depravity, or perhaps the ingenuity of it.

Let’s talk about the characters, starting with Noemí. I loved Noemí. I related with the character quite a lot, especially her penchant for spouting comedic one-liners. Francis, a member of the High Place, was a soft boy whom I adore so much!

“She wanted to be liked. Perhaps this explained the parties, the crystalline laughter, the well-coiffed hair, the rehearsed smile. She thought that men such as her father could be stern and men could be cold like Virgil, but women needed to be liked or they’d be in trouble. A woman who is not liked is a bitch, and a bitch can hardly do anything: all avenues are closed to her.”

I always love Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing so it’s no surprise; I loved the gothic atmosphere, the Mexican culture, the inspiration from some gothic classics, and the biological context.

Overall, I would highly recommend this beautiful adult horror novel! Even if you are not a fan of the horror genre, I recommend you try reading Mexican Gothic.

Thanks to the publisher for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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– About the Author –

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of several novels, including Gods of Jade and Shadow. She has also edited a number of anthologies, including the World Fantasy Award-winning She Walks in Shadows (a.k.a. Cthulhu’s Daughters). Mexican by birth, Canadian by inclination

You can also find her on Goodreads!

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Thank you for reading! Have you read any of Silvia Moreno-Garcia books before? Do you want to read Mexican Gothic after reading this review? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! 

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