This is a stunning magical realism novel about a family with a curse. I will think about it for years to come. I jokingly describe it to people as Encanto for grown-ups, but it’s so much more than that.

I freaking love this author, however at this time I don't see myself reading a young adult fantasy book in the near future. I am eternally grateful for receiving an ARC of the book, remembering how excited I was at the time.

Zoraida Cordova has been an autobuy author for me since Labyrinth Lost. I never get tired of her worlds or her characters and this was no exception!

This is a really immersive, lushly written story about family bonds and secrets. It is full of magic and mystery and will keep you turning pages until the very end.

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova is a captivating novel that will enchant readers who crave stories about family, magic, and the power of inherited secrets, perfect for fans of magical realism and those who appreciate the intricate exploration of multigenerational relationships and the mysteries that bind families together.

The story of Orquídea Montoya and her flight from Ecuador to make something of herself. And the story of all her children and grandchildren coming to terms with her legacy of secrets and trauma in an effort to save their lives from a mysterious stalker.

Wow! This completely blew me away.! Such interesting characters that were all very unique, all dealing with generational trauma in different ways against a beautiful and lush backdrop of magical realism. The parallel timelines gave us little bits of the mystery at a time, I’m also not usually a fan of very large time skips, but here I think it worked out in the story’s favor. And the resolution! Whew. It completely took all of my predictions and inverted them. I don’t think I’ve been so surprised by a book’s ending in years.

I am immediately buying my own copy and going to look for more works by Cordova. I think she’s going to become a favorite.

My thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for this arc.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

When you're trying to tell a story using multiple perspectives, each perspective needs to be interesting and important. Córdova spends so much time introducing each member of the Montoya family that the narrative sags under extraneous background often irrelevant to the main story. Combined with the dual timelines, the pacing is at once plodding or frenetic, and by the end of the story, I felt like there were more loose ends than anything else. The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is filled with narrative elements I expected to—and often did—enjoy, but at its core, the story sacrifices meaningful character development for an often rushed, convoluted plot.

This book features elements that I love: family drama, a bit of magical realism, secrets, myths, and more. The title character, Orquidea is dying, so she calls on her family and tells them to come back home. Home is Four Rivers and Orquidea's house appears from nowhere...we learn about her history and how she came to be. She's lead a complicated and layered life, and has made decisions that will haunt her.

Told in dual timeline, we also follow family members and get to know their lives and the generations that follow. Orquidea bestows magical gifts to her family members, and they have to come to terms with the legacy that Orquidea has left them.

While I loved the atmospheric and lyrical writing, the narrative and all the twists and turns were sometimes hard to follow. The ending, to me, was ambiguous, and while I usually love open-ended endings, this was left me a little confused.

Overall, the story was intriguing, magical, and dream-like. I recommend this book if you are fans of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Laura Esquivel, and multi-cultural stories with mythical elements.

Despite my enjoyment of the writing, the story left me wanting more. The pacing was uneven, and the introduction of too many characters proved distracting. I craved a deeper exploration of Orquídea's background and less reliance on time leaps. I believe this approach could have transformed the book into an epic, both in length and storytelling, and it would have been well worth it.

"The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina" is a book that holds a special place in my heart, weaving together the enchanting realm of magic with the down-to-earth realities of a vibrant family. Córdova's writing, with its beguiling beauty, drew me into the narrative, where Latinx storytelling and culture came alive in the most captivating way.

What truly touched my soul about this book is its profound exploration of love and family, all wrapped in a magical cloak that transported me to a world where the extraordinary and the everyday intermingle seamlessly. As I journeyed with Marimar, Rey, and Rhiannon, I couldn't help but be enchanted by the extraordinary gifts they inherit from Orquídea Divina. These gifts, both magnificent and burdened with complexity, blurred the lines between reality and mysticism, creating a narrative that felt deeply personal and enchanting.

From the very first pages, I sensed that "The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina" was a celebration of the cherished tradition of magical realism. But what truly sets it apart is the author's intricate depiction of Latinx culture, the finely crafted characters who felt like friends, and the intricate web of family relationships that resonated with me on a personal level. This fusion of magical realism and cultural richness made this book an intimate and unforgettable journey, one that left me spellbound and deeply connected to its mystical world.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC. This was a story that featured magical realism, a complex family drama and secrets. We follow the Montoyas, a family with a long history of magical powers and secrets. The descendants of the enigmatic matriarch Orquídea Divina, whose magical powers have shaped their lives for generations. When Orquídea falls into a mysterious sleep, the Montoyas must confront their past, face their individual demons, and uncover the truth about their family's magical legacy. Each of the characters are flawed and relatable, each grappling with their personal struggles and desires. The pacing was a bit slow in some parts but overall this was an enjoyable read.

The Montoyas seemed to have appeared out of nowhere in Four Rivers - transforming the vale into a lush area - as if by magic, headed by their mysterious matriarch, Orquídea Divina. After decades, Orquídea summons her far spread family for their inheritance now that she's dying.
Told with a alternating POVs from the present with Marimar and a past timeline outlining Orquídea's past, this book is pure magical realism. There were many passages I had to re-read or go back to. I was definitely more interested in Orquídea's backstory than the mystery of who was killing off members of the Montoya family and the various present-day plot points. There was a lot that was unexplained and it gave me Disney's Encanto vibes in the first half of the book, which I actually enjoyed the first half!
I remember distinct scenes from the book; however, if you were to ask me what happened, I'm not sure I could confidently tell you. Thinking back...maybe I didn't like this book. I enjoyed Zoraida Cordova's YA books...mostly, but that's also because they were set in magical realms.

I was instantly drawn to read The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina by Zoraida Cordova due to the premise and hype surrounding this book. However; I couldn’t keep up with the many different family members and lost interest halfway through. This book has potential and may be enjoyed by many others. However; this isn’t the book for me.

I loved this cover and the concept seemed great, but ultimately I felt nothing by a quarter of the way in and tapped out.

The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina is like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue mixed with a dash of The Night Circus and a helping of magical realism, complex family relationships, and mystery. I love the worlds Zoraida Cordova weaves and the feelings she evokes. She creates such unique characters and worlds and yet I feel such a connection to them. At first, I found myself drawn more to Orquidea's story than the others, but quickly I found myself invested in the entire Montoya family and their adventures and relationships with each other, Orquidea, the past, and their home. I can't wait to see what magic Zoraida Cordova comes up with next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for sending me a copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

This book was so unique and special, and I can't even decide how to talk about it! From the very start, it reels you in and hooks you to the point that you don't want to do anything other than figure out the rest of the story. It is such a unique story that it feels utterly new in a way that so few books these days do.

The way that this book focuses on legacy and family is very special, and it made the book that much more impactful. It was so easy to get caught up in the story and feel part of the family yourself. I loved the way that the story spanned so many years and the way that things were slowly revealed for maximum effect. It spoke so much to generational trauma and breaking the cycle, and I loved the depth of the story so much.

I think the one sticking point was how many POVs there were and how hard it was for me to get people straight at first. It felt a bit scattered and I had trouble keeping up. But once I finally got everyone established in my mind, I sped through it!

If you're looking for something like nothing you've read before, definitely pick this one up!

Beautiful and captivating story. I thoroughly enjoy family saga stories with secrets, multiple timelines and points of view. Pick it up!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

An interesting and intriguing book that features family trauma and secrets and a little bit of magic.

A lyrical, beautiful story about family secrets and the decay they cause. Just the right blend of magic and lore to fire the imagination while still gripping you in a very poignant and relatable family conflict. Lovely to read at twilight in the garden.
Full review on my YouTube channel.