Y'all this book made me almost cry at 35% in. That's when you know a book is gonna be good.

I think what made me immediately invested in this story is Córdova's writing—it is so warm and magical. It makes you feel wrapped up in a hug from a loved one, and instantly part of whatever story she is crafting on the page. Each character, setting, star, gust of wind is imbued with life.

It was heartening to see how the Orquídea's family came together around her, to support her and each other in their greatest time of need. When everyone reunited in the end, it was even more touching and beautiful to see how everyone had changed and grown, and their love for each other was stronger than ever. This book is just a beautiful (and magical!) tribute to family, and I've not read a book that warmed me in this way in a long time. Even at its saddest moments, this book is just so full of love.

I can't forget the MAGIC in this story. It's everywhere! And we also get a magical river guardian, a historical, mysterious circus, and otherworldly beings. I was delighted by the mix of folklore, family history, luck, and wishes gone wrong. Combined with Córdova's writing, it makes for an unputdownable read!

I have heard so much about this book. It was featured as a BOTM selection in August of 2021. I have had it in my Netgalley backlog for so long. I was a little confused by the world building at first. The story jumps from one time line to the other. However, by the end I was sold. It was a decent story.

This one was a bit slow for me. The cast of characters was huge and it was hard to feel connected to all of them.

The fantasy elements were cool but there wasn’t enough world building which left me feeling bewildered.

I expect the author’s next try at fantasy will be more explanatory.

The writing was gorgeous and lyrical but the book itself fell a little flat for me.

I received an advance reading copy (arc) of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.com (well after the publication date) in return for a fair review. While I found that this book was beautifully written by a talented author, I did not care for the story or the characters in it. I am not a fan of fantasy and I believe that this book falls into that genre. It started out well with a dying grandmother (Orquidea Divina) who sent notes across the country (via birds) to her children and grandchildren summoning them home. It seems she was dying. Or was she? I was intrigued until the Montoyas began arriving in Four Rivers--a small town where Orquida lived and raised her family. Their grandmother was turning into a tree and the story only got worse from there. Several of the grandchildren traveled to Ecuador where Orquida was from and they summoned Orquidea's mother from the dead to clear up a few things. The woman sat up--or at least her bones did--, she smoked a cigarette, ate a humita, and downed some whisky. Really? Onthe other hand, Orquidea's story was a good one. She had a hard childhood and ran off to the circus where she met a charming, handsome man who had secrets. This part of the book was intriguing and if the author had concentrated on Orquidea's story and left out all of the relatives, it may have kept my interest. As is, I am just not into this type of book no matter how well it is written. If you like a good fantasy story, this one might be for you. It definitely wasn't for me.

I loved this book so much. A little bit Encanto (but family saga style) and a little bit of that Night Circus/Something Wicked This Way Comes feels to the circus part of it. This is a book I enjoyed being patient with and felt rewarded heavily for reading slowly. The writing is enchanting, the characters are so full of life and folly and redemption and I very much love this family in spite of its imperfections.

This was a very interesting read, beginning to end. I originally came in with the thought this would be somewhat witchy in theme; that this would be a story of family struggle and Latinx culture. I find these characters relatable and also otherworldly, such as Orquidea herself. It had so many elements in storytelling, and the story is very wild, but I very much enjoyed it. The book keeps you either on edge or enthralled in a way that is very interesting but that adds t the suspense of readers staying curious, wanting to continue until we know Orquidea's secrets.

I violently loved this book so much that it just makes me want to smash things, like the patriarchy!

Did you know that the author is Salt Bae ?! Zoraida Córdova brewed up a perfectly bubbling pot of family dynamics. Every family member is unique. The women, in particular, represent a spectrum of fierceness and independence, from a gentle resolve to an unrelenting resilience. The matriarch herself, Orquídea is enigmatic and cheeky. As for the heirs, Marimar is guarded and vigilant, Tatinelly’s inner strength is underestimated, and Rhiannon is wise beyond her years.

The narrative took me back to the days when I devoured Allende and Esquivel (with some Big Fish vibes). Yet, the additional representation of non-Spanish speaking Latines and a gay Latino major character, bring much needed elements to the genre. Ecuadorian pride and feminism combine, indicating that individuality can still be maintained while honoring one’s roots. Orquídea is the kind of standalone that makes you want a series even though it’s not necessary.

I’m utterly enchanted by this lyrical, immersive, and transportive adult fantasy. There is so much to discuss. For now, I just want to relish in the afterglow this book has left with me.

The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina is a beautiful story about a family unraveling the secrets of their matriarch. This multi-generational tale interweaves fantasy, magical realism, and mystery. The story is a bit complex, with many moving parts and characters to follow, but it did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying this novel. Perhaps there are some gaps in the story that I wish we could have learned about, but that is my only qualm. I enjoyed this book, and I would highly recommend it. Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the ARC.

A beautiful, magical book about family, tradition and the history that binds us.

I have a real soft spot for magical books, especially books about brujas, curanderas, or witches. There is something fascinating about the idea of the natural world being tied to us in a very real way. Using herbs, and practical magic to affect our lives really appeals to me. As a young girl, our elementary school had classes (a kind of club) for kids with Native American heritage that was supposed to help us connect with our past and culture. It fostered in me an appreciation for the natural world and how we can live in harmony with it. So this book really appealed to me. I also loved that it focuses on latinx culture. I wish we could have more books from Native and Latinx authors. I am planning on reading more of this authors work in future, I have another series from her on my never ending TBR.

I also really enjoy books that focus on the uncovering of family secrets. I live for that stuff honestly. So it hits all the right notes for me on three different fronts. I can’t recommend this more highly. I wish that it had gotten more attention when it first was released. Also, if you loved Encanto … this also is based on Ecuadorian culture and history. You’ll love this book.

There is something so incredibly mesmerizing about this story.

"The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina" checks off most of the boxes for me: multigenerational, first/second-generation American experience, Latinx, magical realism, and it even has to maneuver professional spaces as a person of color. This book had me from the first page and was great at pulling me into a fictional world on the train.

This is a great book for those trying to heal generational trauma.

3/5 Stars


I'm just gonna say this book wasn't for me. I like the writing and the overall story was great. My main issue is that I just didn't connect with anything here. That has nothing to do with the author or the actual book, it's completely a me issue. As I said everything was pretty decent as far as the way the book was written, and I liked the magical elements that were used. It just wasn't for me, However I have no doubt that people would actually adore this book.

This book was very beautifully written. The characters were wonderful and well-rounded and the premise was so interesting. But holy crap, was it sloooowww. I liked the dual timeline, I found Orquídea's story and that of her relatives to be equally interesting. I truly loved the characters, the good and bad and in between. The magic that permeated the atmosphere of the book was the perfect tone for the story. But the pacing unfortunately killed it for me. The beginning was an info-dump of an ambitious cast of characters, and then nothing really happened until about 40% into the book. Then after that thing happened, the story continued to dally until something else was revealed maybe 20% later. I love character-based books and generally prefer them over books that are all plot but this was too slow even for me. I still liked it, but but by halfway point I just wanted it to be over. I liked it enough to finish but I will never read it again.

I really enjoyed this story. Well developed characters and the story unfolded at a good pace. It left you wanting to keep reading.

The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina gave me so many Alice Hoffman vibes. I’m also excited to read books about witchy or witch-ish vibes so I was exited to read this one.

There is so much potential with the novel but with all of the characters and the dual timelines I was left confused as to what was going on a few times. The ending makes it worth the confusion but I am still not sure I have a full grasp on the book as a whole.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

As the end of Orquídea Divina’s life draws near, she summons her descendants to collect their secretive inheritance. Years later, her strange gifts have affected her family in unique ways. But when someone tries to destroy Orquídea’s line by picking them off one by one, the family travels to Ecuador to discover their matriarch’s secrets before it’s too late.

This is a phenomenal story about family, grief, secrets, and legacy, with plenty of magical twists! It's got a fantastic ensemble cast and lush, unique settings. I was completely drawn in from the very beginning and wished it would never end!

A family that doesn’t question where things come from , or how they arrived. The Montoya s gather to claim an inheritance from an unconventional relative. Orquidea Divina has left her family with more questions than answers. As the family travel to Equador for answers they will find an evil that has waited as patient as a snake to strike.

I'd describe this book as Charmed meets Encanto for adults. Wow, Zoraida knocked it out of the park with this one. The scenes are lush and vibrant, making readers feel as if they have entered the world. The back and forth timeline moves seamlessly, connecting the mysteries of the present with the drama of the past. This is a wonderful reading choice for folks interested in medium-paced matriarchal family sagas.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy of The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina.

This novel was pure magic and a unique look into what it means to be family and learn about one's past. Three cousins, after tragic and mysterious loss, go in search of their grandmother's truth about the magic that has been bestowed upon them. Marimar, Rey, and Rhiannon aren't thrilled about visiting their grandmother, Orquidea Divina who weirdly announced her one death, calling the family together to claim their inheritance.

This book was amazing, real and dripped with depth on how strong family bonds can break. It reminds me of the recent Disney film Encanto----both families have generational pressure to do more, be more than their parents or grandparents, and expected to carry the weight and consequences magical gifts brings.

I did feel like Marimar and Rey's characters are more developed than the rest of the characters, even Orquidea Divina at times. There was also a slight frustration that all the troubles and conflicts they met could have been dealt with if they talked more about their personal feelings (not the magic or the promise). Regardless the novel was one of my favorite reads of 2021.

5/5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the honor of reading this book!

It took me longer than usual to read this book as each page was rich with twists and turns, and in the beginning, it took me a while to figure out the connections with the characters. When I saw I was nearing the conclusion of the book, I did not want the story to end, I was so connected to the characters I felt I knew through the eyes of the author who brought them to life so vividly.

“The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina” is a fantastical story with many multi-faceted characters, a beautifully woven, masterful plot, and a large intergenerational family that draws us into a range of cultural and rich experiences. I was totally captivated by this book. The vivid magical world put a spin on realism, where characters felt raw emotions, tugging at my heart.

The threads that hold this family together, from generation to generation, were truly spun of gold - precious links that were strong as the finest silk.

Wow wow wow. What a journey. When I picked this book up, I didn’t expect to find a compelling story written in such a poetic way. This story is told in told different time periods. We see the past, in which we learn about Orquidea Divina, who she was and what she endured in order to become the Orquidea that her family knew, loved and resented. We also flip to the present, where Orquidea has bequeathed her children and grandchildren a dark inheritance.

Where most grandparents leave the family home, money and fond memories, Orquidea leaves hers with a home that’s burned down, turmoil and the past she’s tried to run away from for so long. Someone is searching for her and now that she is dying, that person is coming for her family to take the magic that she left them. It’s up to two of her grandchildren and one of her great grands to figure out who is after them, what their magic means and how to save the family. Along the way they uncover Orquidea’s secrets and learn more about her than they could’ve ever fathomed. Each new story and lesson sheds light on the heartbreak she endured and why the woman they couldn’t help but love seemed so hardened to the world.

The look into generation trauma is just…WHEW. So many parents put their issues, burdens and hurt onto their children without even realizing it. Even though Orquidea loved her family, she didn’t always know how to show it and that’s what drove them away. The irony is, that very same overbearing attitude and protective nature is what drove her away from her own mother. And so the cycle continued. I loved that by the end, the entire family was working hard to break that cycle. It wasn’t easy and it certainly didn’t mean they forgot everything that happened. No one made excuses what the behavior, but they did finally understand what got them to this place.

I don’t want to give too much away, but all in all, this was such a beautiful read.