"We thought monsters and ghosts were found in books, but they’re real, you know?"

Mexican Gothic is equal parts horrific and bewitching, featuring a truly captivating plotline, strong female characters, and a sense of unease that heightens the reading experience making it the perfect Gothic horror!

Reading Mexican Gothic was unlike any other book I've read as it begins innocently enough as a mystery ghost novel- very spooky- very mysterious. This book should be savored like a fine wine- as there is a very slow and intricate build, each scene exposing a new element that is delicately written to lure unsuspecting readers in until you are hit with pure unadulterated horror so intense it starts crippling your chest with fear.

I appreciated the research and details that went into this book, specifically the portrayal of Mexican Culture, Mayan civilizations, and even the dreaded fungi! The author also delved into the obsession of creating the ultimate species by combining two "superior" races which were captivatingly horrendous.

Do you believe as Mr. Vasconcelos does that it is the obligation, no, the destiny, of the people of Mexico to forge a new race that encompasses all races? A ‘cosmic’ race? A bronze race?

I loved the juxtaposition between the two main characters- Cathalina who is a free-spirited dreamer and wonderer and Noemi who is a 100% realist. Noemi is the kind of female lead I aspire to be with her fiercely independent thoughts and devil-may-care behavior.

Noemí’s father said she cared too much about her looks and parties to take school seriously as if a woman could not do two things at once.

While the story builds on a simplistic ideal- planting a belief that can sway your thoughts and dreams it morphs into something truly despicable that lovers of Stephen King would applaud. I would highly recommend this to anyone even if horror isn't their favorite genre as the writing is spectacular and the plotline was simply sublime.