Anyone who has read this book will be kicking themselves that they didn't get this kit first. This not only rounds out the story giving readers a chance to explore what it means but is actually a very entertaining, somewhat tactile way to fully immerse in the world this author has brought to life. I definitely recommend this to those who wish to discuss and explore the ideas with like-minded friends and very much look forward to reading more by this talented author.

I just finished reading the book Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia last week. I loved the book, but this is not a review of that book. Rather, it is a review of the Book Club Kit for the book itself. I have to say, I have never seen a separate book club kit like this, so this was unique for me. The author noted that she had based the location on several real places in Mexico, so that made the story more interesting for me. Then there were several book club questions which I will not answer here, as they may be spoilers for anyone who has not read the book. I would love to weigh in on those questions though! Finally, the back of the book contains a paper doll of Noemi, the main character, and several of her outfits mentioned in the book. I loved this aspect! I was a huge paper doll fan as a child and seeing that took me back to then. Mexican Gothic is in no way a children's book, and that is another reason the paper doll cutouts were my favorite part of this guide. I recommend it for any book club who is reading and discussing Mexican Gothic. I can see a group of members laughing and discussing the book as they cut out and dress the paper doll. Such fun!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Library Resources for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

<b><i>"“Loyalty to the family is rewarded, and impertinence is punished. Remember that and you shall be very happy.”</i></b>

<b><u>Summary</u></b>
Noemí is a sparkling but smart socialite, partying it up in Mexican city. Her life changes, however, when a frantic letter from her Newlywed cousin spurs Noemí in to taking a visit to the Mexican countryside. There resides High Place, the Gothic manor of the looming Doyle family. Catalina has taken ill, and no one in the family - not her handsome husband, the ancient patriarch, or the gentle youngest son will say what exactly is causing her condition. As Noemí gets drawn deeper in to the world of High Place, her dreams become those of blood and murder as she discovers horrors that lurk behind every wall.

<b><u>Review</u></b>
WOW. I have never read a horror novel before and so I am absolutely floored at how much I loved this! I'm seriously a scaredy-cat when it comes to horror movies, so I guess I have to get my fill of creepy content from books from now on. As this book got creepier and creepier, I could not put it down.

The writing was immaculate and really transported you to the 1950's Mexican countryside. High Place was SO flippin' creepy, and the descriptive writing really made me able to picture it very clearly in my mind. I was completely enthralled and held in suspense as I read this book just because of how insane it was.

I loved Noemí. She is not willing to take what the Doyle family says about her cousin at face value, and fights for Catalina's well being. Francis, while harboring dark secrets, is very sweet and I loved the connection he had with Noemí. The rest of the characters were perfectly creepy - demanding Virgil, the ever-looming patriarch Howard, and strict Florence rounded out the cast and contributed to the harrowing atmosphere of High Place.

I will say that this book is definitely slow at the start, but the build up is so insanely worth it. Around the halfway mark I found that I could no longer put the book down as it got creepier and creepier, and the intensity escalated. It was a heart-pounding read, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more in the horror genre!

Serena’s Thoughts
I love Silvia Moreno-Garcia. She’s such a unique talent. I’ve now read three or four books by her, and they all spanned different time periods, genres, and themes. It’s truly incredible to find an author who can succeed in so many different lanes. We’ve got fairytale fantasy; we’ve got historical regency romance with a dash of fantasy; and now she comes with a new story mixing fantasy (of course) with gothic horror. And while horror isn’t typically my thing, I do like the creepy novel now and then, and this one seemed like just the thing for me.

The story definitely has some “Yellow Wallpaper” vibes, and I loved every bit of it. When Noemi arrives at the mysterious mansion, High Place, everything is just enough off to feel strange and eerie, but not too strange as to immediately raise alarm. Instead, it’s just the type of creepy dread that makes Noemi, and the reader, begin to question just where the line is drawn between reality and superimposed horror. Are their true mysteries here or is the setting, people, and house, all in their equal strangeness, just enough to spark a wild imagination?

Throughout the story, I found myself routinely falling into the classic horror-bystander role where you scream “just get out of there” at your heroes as they creep into a dark basement or linger in a mysterious place. But the author does a great job creating a situation where the threats are of the sort that if I had been in Noemi’s place, I, too, may have questioned my own reactions. This ties nicely into some fairly well-covered themes about women and how they are almost trained to question their perception of things and doubt their own observations. The question of whether one will be believed or not, or simply dismissed as hysterical, is very real today as it was in the past. And, of course, in the past and the time period during which this is set, women’s choices were that much more limited, especially when married.

I did find elements of the fantastical elements involved in the story to be a bit confusing and hard to track. A long history begins to unfold, and I wasn’t quite sure how exactly it all tied together. But most of the time, this didn’t matter as I was so caught up in the tension that it was enough to accept that it just was. I really loved the Gothic vibes that were brought into the story, and they were blended seamlessly into a location and culture where you don’t typically find this type of story. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, creepiness and all!

Kate’s Thoughts
I love the horror genre as a whole, but it’s hard to deny that a lot of the powerhouses and more popular works are very white dominated. That isn’t to say that progress isn’t being made; on the contrary, as pushes for diversity ramp up in publishing we are seeing more horror tales written by BIPOC. But we still have a long way to go. When I heard about “Mexican Gothic”, I was thrilled to see that we had a take on the Gothic genre from a perspective that wasn’t a white woman, as is the usual suspect within this kind of tale. I will admit that I was a little nervous going in, as Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s other work I’m familiar with is fantasy. Would she be able to make such a huge switch in genre tone? Turns out I was a dope to worry about it, because she nailed the scare factor and creepiness in “Mexican Gothic”.

Noemí is the perfect Gothic protagonist, as she comes from a gregarious and effervescent lifestyle in Mexico City and being thrust into the isolation of the Mexican countryside. It is the exact kind of scenario you see in the genre, and her personality of wanting to figure out what is going on, and then questioning if she is just overreacting when those around her dismiss her, feels so right for the Gothic vibes. But Moreno-Garcia takes it a couple steps further, not only taking on the themes of sexism and misogyny that are prevalent in Gothic lit, but also that of racism and prejudice. Noemí and her cousin are two Latina women who are now living in an English family’s estate, and their history of colonization in the area is what built up their wealth… and also may have something to do with the secrets they are hiding. For Noemí and Catalina, not only are they vulnerable because they are women, but also because they are brown women, and that fact is a really great way to make this story feel all the more fresh and relevant.

And the horror elements were definitely unsettling and outright scary. Not only the fantastical and supernatural ones, but also the real life horrors that Noemí discovers during her time at High Place. As Serena mentioned above, there are the questions as to whether or not Noemí is slowly losing her grip on reality, or if the things she’s experiencing, unsettling imagery and sounds and feelings, are actually happening. There were some really well described moments that made me squirm, which is exactly what I want from a Gothic horror novel.

“Mexican Gothic” is a great spooky read, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia continues to delight and show off her talents! Fans of Gothic novels absolutely need to check it out.

Serena’s Rating 9: Tension-filled and scary, this book makes it easy to feel as if you, too, are being sucked into the mysteries of High Place.

Kate’s Rating 9: A creepy and refreshing take on the genre, “Mexican Gothic” will fill all you may need from a good Gothic tale!

"Mexican Gothic" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a chilling and atmospheric novel that masterfully blends elements of horror, mystery, and historical fiction. Set in 1950s Mexico, this book offers a fresh and unique take on the gothic genre, immersing readers in a world of dark secrets, eerie landscapes, and a family with a haunting history.

The story follows Noemí Taboada, a headstrong and independent young socialite, who is called to the remote and decaying High Place estate after receiving a troubling letter from her cousin Catalina. Upon her arrival, Noemí is met with a foreboding atmosphere, filled with unsettling visions, cryptic warnings, and a family that seems trapped in the past.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia excels at crafting a sense of unease and dread throughout the narrative. The High Place itself, with its deteriorating grandeur, overgrown gardens, and oppressive architecture, becomes a character in its own right. The author's vivid descriptions transport readers to this eerie world, creating a palpable sense of isolation and impending doom.

One of the strengths of "Mexican Gothic" is its exploration of cultural and societal themes within the context of a horror story. The novel delves into issues of race, class, colonialism, and gender, providing a thought-provoking backdrop to the supernatural elements. Noemí's character serves as a lens through which these themes are examined, as she grapples with the patriarchal constraints of her society while confronting the sinister forces at play in the High Place.

The pacing of the story is expertly executed, with each chapter building upon the suspense and intrigue. As Noemí unravels the mysteries of the estate, readers are drawn deeper into a web of family secrets, forbidden rituals, and a malevolent presence that lurks in the shadows.

"Mexican Gothic" is a captivating and spine-tingling read that pays homage to classic gothic literature while infusing it with fresh cultural perspectives. Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing is evocative and immersive, making it a must-read for fans of atmospheric horror and those who appreciate a richly layered narrative. This novel is a testament to the author's talent for crafting a story that is both haunting and thought-provoking, leaving readers with lingering chills and a deep sense of unease long after the final page is turned.

This made reading the book so much more fun! Loved using this in my book group! Would recommend to others!

Rather helpful guide for book clubs.

Interesting aspects to discuss and definitely will create for interesting fodder.

This was a very interesting and helpful kit. The questions were deep and created fun conversation. And I loved the playlist recommendation. I would definitely reccomend for your book club!

A great guide for others creating book club materials. ( a review for the Book Club Kit and not the actual book Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia)

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for a copy of this book kit in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first experience using a book kit and I absolutely loved it. Having the questions from the kit to think about as I read made me really analyze what I was reading and think about the plot more in depth. The addition of the Spotify playlist was awesome! I wish every book came with a playlist as it definitely added to vibe when reading.

The paper dolls being included was a cute idea but not every reader will have access to a printer so I don’t think it was necessary. But I did like it because it helps create a visual of Noemi.

I didn't realize this wasn't the actual book, but nonetheless I enjoyed it. It containes some interesting additional materials from the author and a great playlist recommendation.

This is a useful resource to help prepare for and direct a discussion for book groups and in the classroom. We have a couple of senior students who have selected this novel for their dissertation and I think that this will be useful to help them create a good bank of notes/prepare for a discussion of the text to help with that. Many thanks!

I thought this was the actual book itself but that’s my bad. I loved hearing about the authors inspiration for the book and the thematic choices although I felt the piece as a whole was directed towards a younger audience, unlike the book itself maybe. I also thought the questions were good starters for more in in-depth conversations that may not have been thought about otherwise

Like others, I didn’t realize that this was a Book Club kit when I requested it; however, I did review the materials and found them to be wonderful for a book club! They could be a great guide for others creating book club materials. I loved the inclusion of the background information, the playlist, and even paper dolls!! The paper dolls made me feel super nostalgic.

Great resource! I hadn't realised this was a book club kit instead of the book, but it was a nice surprise!

Very helpful resource! Great discussion questions as well as a book-inspired playlist Thank you to the author and publisher for this book club kit :-)

A great resource for a book club to discuss and enjoy together. I thought it was the book at first but realized that it was a guide instead.

I didn’t know this type of kit could be found, I would definitely used it when I read this book in the next book club pick, totally recommend specially for events with spooky books were the radar want to know a more in deep analysis of the book.
The playlist is also and amazing resource, I love to collect does.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. It didn't disappoint! Must read!!

EXCELLENT! Super helpful for our book club, which featured this book for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.