ARC Review: The Return of the Sorceress by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

I really enjoyed this one. I wasn’t sure at first, because the main character is so hard and bent on revenge, but she changes as she spends more time with the nahual in her ring. This is a very short novella, but an awful lot happens. A lot of plotting and blood and magic and self-discovery.f

In a way it’s a study of Yaxli and how she evolves after being overthrown from her position as head of the sorcerers guild — and more importantly, having the diamond that had belonged to her master taken from her.

I found myself completely immersed in Yaxli’s story, rooting for her despite her initial standoffishness and seeming cruelty, and she definitely grew on me as the story progressed. I loved her bond with the nahual and the reminders of their shared past as she rediscovered it.

If you love Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s works, definitely give this one a try.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for providing an e-arc for review.

ARC Review: The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

I LOVED this book. I didn’t expect to at all, since the writing style is unexpected and at first turned me off, but the story kept dragging me back in.

The story itself is simple – the upper class, former lovers, rejection, new love, jealousy, destruction. It reminds me of something by Henry James or Edith Wharton, full of drama and passion and also restrained. At the same time, the writing style is reminiscent of Ernest Hemingway. It is clipped and to the point and dry, even emotionless. Yet still the story burns with passion and jealousy. I don’t understand how Silvia Moreno-Garcica wrought such magic, but I loved every moment I spent reading it.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus books for providing an e-arc for review.