Synopsis
It was supposed to be the perfect summer.
Carmen Sanchez is back in Mexico, supervising the renovation of an ancient abbey. Her daughters Izel and Luna, too young to be left alone in New York, join her in what Carmen hopes is a chance for them to connect with their roots.
Then, an accident at the worksite unearths a stash of rare, centuries-old artifacts. The disaster costs Carmen her job, cutting the family trip short.
But something malevolent and unexplainable follows them home to New York, stalking the Sanchez family and heralding a coming catastrophe. And it may already be too late to escape what’s been awakened…
Likes
- I liked the prologue of this book. I will mention that more than once in this review. It was so impactful and set up the scene for a great story. Based on the prologue alone, I was convinced that the story would build around it and be more fleshed out.
Dislikes
- The writing felt more cinematic than the storytelling that I usually expect when reading a novel. With that being said, I didn’t particularly like the writing style, but I can see how it would work in another media outlet.
- The multiple points of view in which this story was told may have been too many. My reading experience would have been better if this book had been written from a third-person omniscient narration. Time spent with each character was not enough to build a strong relationship or care for them, so when characters were killed off I rarely felt any strong emotions.
- One caveat to this is when some stink butt characters got what came to them and Piñata justice was served.
- There are some instances in the book that we never revisit or aren’t handled in a way that implies a sense of danger or urgency. Mind you, I hybrid-read this book. The ebook is what I read for the first 60-70 percent and then I switched over to the audiobook. My memory may be off, but I do recall the sense of urgency not kicking in until the last 15-20 percent.
What I Wanted More Of
- I wanted more of the writing that was present in the prologue, which was creepy. What a prologue! I cannot express this enough. Unfortunately, the remainder of the book didn’t have the same effect on me.
- I wanted more moments with Luna. She was the one to watch and I felt that I didn’t get much time with her and when I did, it was behind a literal closed door. In this aspect, the book reminds me of A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul G. Tremblay.
Questions That Need Answers
- What happened with the items that were discovered in the abbey?
- How did they get through customs without anyone discovering what was in the backpack?
Who I Would Recommend This To
- I’m not sure who I would recommend this book to. I rarely feel this way, but if I am to suggest to a specific reader, it would be someone who enjoys a quiet possession…or not? Tricky, tricky. That’s where the comparison to A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul G. Tremblay fits in. This book will leave you with more questions than answers. If that’s your cup of tea, give Piñata a try.
