Zoraida Córdova

I’m not even quite sure what to say about this book. This was part of my read around the world challenge. There was a lot to like about it-family, some fairytale elements, and a quirky grandmother with a mysterious past-yet somehow it never quite pulled it off or hit the spot. Written by Ecuadorian author Zoraida Córdova, this is a dual timeline fantasy, set both in Ecuador and a magical valley in the US called Four Rivers. The contemporary timeline features cousins Marimer and Rey Montoya who return to the family home in Four Rivers as their grandmother Orquídea is dying. Along with pregnant cousin Tatiyana and a host of other largely unnecessary relatives, they congregate to hear her will and last wishes, only to be plunged into the mystery of Orquídea’s past and now the present threat pursuing them. The story shifts back to Orquídea’s childhood, which has very much a Cinderella feel to it with river monster folktales entwined through it, along with an escape to the circus. I enjoyed Orquídea’s life which had a lyrical fairytale quality to it. The banter between Marimer and Rey was also entertaining but I found the rest of the modern storyline disjointed, odd and overly dramatic. Maybe it just tried to combine too many things; with fairytales, legends, unexplained magic and elements of magical realism. 3.5 stars for me.… (meer)

I did want to like this one but honestly I just didn't care enough about the characters and what was happening to them and I also felt like I was reading the second book in the story and I was missing huge chunks of background and story. There's also a lot of backstabbing, no-one trusts anyone else and they have grounds. Everyone is out to get each other.
The narrator is also unreliable, but that's partially because she can absorb the memories of others and sometimes has issues distinguishing between her own memories and those of others.
In a world where people have magic, those without want to control it or kill those with, the king of her country in particular wants to do both and is willing to do anything to keep power in his hands.
If there's a sequel, honestly I'm not looking for it.… (meer)