Moreno-Garcia of course did not disappoint with this novel. The world she creates in her
stories makes you feel like you are there and can see everything going on with crystal
clarity. Set in late nineteenth century Yucatan, Mexico, the story explores colonialism’s
after effects, racial issues, and what it means to be family.
Carlota has grown up in her perfect home that she adores almost as much as she does
her father. Her father, Dr. Moreau is conducting experiments to build the perfect human
body by any means necessary. Montgomery is an alcoholic that needs to pay off the
vast amount of debts he has accumulated from trying to be the perfect human. When he
arrives he learns the secrets of Yaxaktun and those who reside there. For years the
three alongside others reside on the property with little issue. When the man financing
Dr. Moreau’s research shows up to rescind the funding, more secrets are uncovered
and Carlota’s whole world comes into question.
I adored this story and could not put it down from the start, as with all of
Moreno-Garcia’s works. She paints such vivid pictures of what is going on you feel like
you are there with the characters. The relationships she creates are deep and
meaningful showing that family is deeper than just blood. Her work doesn’t have the
clean ending of happily ever after and reminds me that life continues on. That living and
being is an everyday thing and finding joy in the little things are essential. Her
immersion into the culture is one of the best parts of the writing. Understanding the
historical context of the book is easy, she explains things beautifully without loading
down with too many details that can drag a story. She seamlessly blends sci-fi with
historical fiction giving away to a new genre that is exclusive to her writing.