Joy Castro

I owe my thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for gifting me the opportunity to read this, prior to the release date of 3 January 2023.

In the spirit of candidness, historical fiction is not typically a genre that I engage with. But something about this one drew me in. Perhaps the fact that, admittedly, I was fairly ignorant as to the history behind this tale - being born, raised and educated in the UK, our history classes focus on Europe, touching on on American history with regards to the civil rights movement, and the consumerism of the 20th century. I was so enthralled by the rich, vibrant history portrayed here that I was encouraged to research as I read, enveloping myself further into the culture.

But a backdrop can only do so much. Whilst the chosen setting and time period is, undoubtedly, a selling point for this book, it is Castro's affinity for weaving a story with beautiful prose and a poetic nature that truly does it justice. As a reader, I felt as though I was being transported there; I could feel the build up, this undercurrent through the whole story that feels like electricity; suspense escalating as you get closer and closer to the end. You know something colossal is going to happen; you simply don't know what.

Throughout, the descriptive writing inspires feelings of humor, sadness, shock and awe. It's a beautifully crafted story.

Told primarily through the switching POV's of Zenaida, Chaveta and Sofia (with a few cameos from the mens' POV too), the characters feel impossibly real. Each of them is brought to life upon the page, and there are no two-dimensional characters here. All complicated, with their own desires, agendas and thoughts. From Sofia, who seems little more than shallow and selfish at first, before the calculating, cunning nature of hers is bared for the reader; to Zenaida, quiet and dutiful, but burning with the revolutionary passion of her father within; and Chaveta, named for the knife with which she works, as sharp and fierce as any blade.

There were moments that truly shocked me, with twists and turns that I truly did not anticipate. I think that is rare for a book, these days. And there were moments that left me feeling raw, and desperate for what they were going through. But there was also a great deal of warmth; of optimism; of the belief in a better future.

I absolutely adored this in a way that I didn't expect to. Not least because of the genre, but also because of how little I knew about the history going in. But Joy Castro's writing is stirring, powerful and an absolute joy to read; her characters each relatable in some way or another, and the story itself cleverly and engagingly told.

An easy 5/5 stars; an an easy recommendation to anyone who even considers reading this one. Do it. You won't regret it.… (mehr)

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