This is such a lovely story of learning who you are and where you came in. It's fully steeped in magical realism, plus just plain magic. The intergenerational story unfolds along two timelines, with parts of the story being revealed in each. Orquidea Divina is the grandmother in one, and the other is her early life's story.

It's beautifully written and fully of imagery that's sure to stick with you. Many parts of the story are disturbing, but I'm left with a peaceful feeling after reading it. And also a desire to go and read more from this author.

I moved slowly through the first half of the book, where the seeds are planted, but more quickly through the second half, where they come to fruition, so to speak. I just wanted to find out where this all was going.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This is my new favorite book of Zoraida Córdova’s, it’s everything I feel like she has been waiting to share with the world!

The magical realism elements here were fantastic, it’s such a gift when magical realism is added and the author did such a phenomenal job! This book is the kind of book that I think should be required reading because it’s just that good. It should be studied and taught in classrooms, a true classic masterpiece for years to come!

The drama of it all had me sitting down to read this and not stopping until it was over! I could easily see this being adapted for

Wonderful book! From the magical realism to the cozy atmosphere and unique characters, this book truly is one of the most original on my shelf. Loved it. I purchased a physical copy.

THE INHERITANCE OF ORQUIDEA DIVINA is an incredible accomplishment that Zoraida Cordova should absolutely be proud of. A story about the relationships between family and the sometimes complicated legacy that are left behind when a loved one passes on. I really enjoyed seeing Orquidea's family together on the page and their interactions and their complex dynamics with one another as they travel to Four Rivers to receive an inheritance, but they get a lot more than they bargain for as Orquidea's secrets from her past catch up with them. I loved so much about this book. Cordova's writing style is absolutely gorgeous in this one, one that utilizes magical realism to create a story that feels like a dream. It's truly enchanting. This book is not one of those fast-movers, but I thought the slower pacing felt more natural as we alternate between Marimar's present and Orquidea's past, and I thought that that choice paid off, but not all will agree. What makes this book special is the magic in its pages, and the literary importance of Cordova's voice. This book is weird, quirky, dreamy and romantic and is one of the most unique stories I have ever read. A story of complex family secrets, THE INHERITANCE OF ORQUIDEA DIVINA is a story about how far one would go to protect the future, even if that means digging into the past.

This novel is incredible. It alternates between telling the story of Orquidea's past: how she got her magical gifts and made it to her home if Four Rivers, and the story of her three descendants who inherit her magic. It's sometimes hard to keep up with changing timelines in a novel, but I couldn't put this down. I was always excited to see where the story was going and what Orquidea's secrets were.

4.5 stars *may change

I love this book.

I don’t really know how to put it into words, but something about it is so magical and raw and lovely. I love stories that follow a dual time line of a characters past before switching back to them being gone in the present. Watching their actions and how they affected them and the people around them later. Not to mention the very casual magic in the world, where it’s not quite fantastical but also not quite very real? Like some weird divine power.

I was originally going to read it because, hey, it was an overdue arc and I needed to waste some time before going on. But I genuinely didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. It’s so delightful.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed learning about South American magic lore. The author had a unique plot with a strong sense of connectedness among all her characters. I highly recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC.

I wasn't even halfway through reading The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Cordova when I knew I'd be adding it to our teen reading list. I'd call it Practical Magic for older teens if I needed an elevator pitch. That and the word-unforgettable. I loved it.

I’ve been missing works like The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova. Such a pleasure to read a richly woven story entrenched in magical realism. Córdova takes her time interlacing the threads of the characters in the novel while transporting the reader to a place that is simultaneously otherworldly and plebeian.

Absolutely profound. Definitely more adult in terms of language used but I LOVE that. This book quickly became my top magic realism of all time. There are not enough good things to say about it. Please, read!?

Story is fascinating and has a lot of magical realism, so you definitely have to suspend disbelief. The characters have a lot of depth and are very well done.

I’ve enjoyed Zoraida Córdova’s YA novels for a few years now. I love her style of storytelling, particularly her lush worldbuilding and unforgettable characters, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her adult debut, The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina. This book was everything I hoped it would be and more.

It’s a multi-generational family saga that centers on Orquidea Montoya. Orquidea is the matriarch of the family and she has always been a bit of an enigma to her children and grandchildren, especially the fact that she has refused to leave her home for any reason and thus has missed out on weddings, graduations, baptisms, etc. When Orquidea realizes she is near the end of her life, she unexpectedly invites her entire family to her home for her funeral. She promises to give them each their inheritance and to finally shed some light on why she has lived her life the way she has. The family obeys her wishes, but instead of getting the answers they seek, Orquidea transforms right before their eyes, her life ending in a most unexpected and magical way, and they are left with even more questions than they had before.

This is a hard story to review because I think it really does make the reading experience more special to go in blindly, but I do want to mention a few elements that I really enjoyed that I can talk about without spoiling anything. The first thing I loved was the use of the dual timeline. In one timeline, we follow Orquidea’s descendants through several years and see how the gifts she bestowed upon them have improved their lives. That is, until they all start to sense danger and realize they are being targeted and travel to Ecuador where Orquidea once lived, looking for answers. The second timeline, which alternates with the first, follows Orquidea through her life and slowly reveals the secrets she was hiding for most of her life. I loved how the author intricately wove the details of these two timelines together and it was most satisfying, although heartbreaking, when the two timelines meet and everything is revealed.

I loved the focus on family, the vivid descriptions of Ecuador, the use of South American folklore, and I also really enjoyed the way the author used magical realism in the story. Magical realism seems to be one of those storytelling elements that people either love or hate, but Córdova uses it effectively and beautifully here to add to the sense of mystery surrounding Orquidea, very reminiscent of the way Alice Hoffman, one of my favorite authors, weaves it into some of her stories.

If you enjoy intricately-plotted stories that feature family, love, magic, danger, long-held secrets and curses, The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina is sure to captivate you.

What can you say about a book that rips into your soul and then puts it back together?

I knew months ago that The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Cordova would be good and great and beautiful, and I was excited beyond belief to read it. What I didn’t expect was the way from page one that it would sink into the secret parts of me and reflect them back. I cried and laughed and saw thoughts and dynamics so familiar in their comfort as well as cruelty. I saw people that loved too much and not enough, fairy tales with equal parts magic and tragedy and with a question mark after happily ever after. Because nothing is ever truly over or gone but continues in waxes and wanes like the moon so all we can do is take them as they come.

Orquídea, Miramar, Rey, Tatinelly, Rhiannon, and the rest of the Montoyas show us how difficult it can be to be an individual in a family, to believe in each other as much as ourselves, and the strength and beauty you’ll find when you do.

I am not the person I was before reading this book, it’s one I’ll carry in my heart forever.

This is a magical multi-generational story that deserves its comparison to Alice Hoffman. I have previously enjoyed Zoraida Cordova's YA works, and this is her adult debut. The story tracks the many scions of Orquidea Divina, an enigmatic matriach who has carefully guarded her secrets for many years. As her death approaches, Orquidea summons her children and grandchildren back to Four Rivers, where her farm sits on fertile land in the middle of a dry valley. She plans to bestow her inheritance and reveal some of her secrets at long last...

I really enjoyed the multigenerational aspect of the story. The writing is lyrical and mythic in quality, reminding me a bit of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's "Gods of Jade and Shadows." I enjoyed the flashbacks to Orquidea's youth and found her to be a compelling character. She is a survivor, but she is not entirely ruthless. It was interesting to compare young Orquidea to her older self and understand why certain members of her family think she is cruel or standoffish, even though we, the reader, understand more about her interior life and past hardships.

At times, the narrative was a little choppy. Sometimes I wanted to spend more time with a character, only to have their chapter end, and the next chapter may not be as interesting. Overall, I think this is an excellent read and I look forward to more books from Cordova!

Orquidea Divina is a woman with secrets, a very large family and the power of universal magic. When she feels her time is coming to a close, she calls her family members home to give them protective gifts and to warn them about a dark force that will be coming for them. For fans of Alice Hoffman and Isabel Allende, this novel is a wonderful combination of family drama and magical realism.

4 stars

A fun & creative fantasy novel, centering on an Ecuadorean American family matriarch & two of her grandchildren who set out to break a family curse & uncover family secrets. I like the writing, the development of the characters, & the fantasy elements.

[What I liked:]

•The plot is complex & well constructed, building up to the big reveals with hints that made me want to keep reading to find out answers.

•The writing really delves into the complexity of emotions, messy family relationships, identity, & facing up to mistakes. It’s nuanced & touching without getting sappy or clichéd.

•We have strong women characters with depth, POC characters, a queer character, & immigrant characters. Yay for representation. Plus you can tell the author knows Guayaquil, the Ecuadorean city of Orquidea’s origin, personally & intimately.

•I love Orquidea’s tree! Such an integral part of the book (connection to nature & nurturing growing things is a central theme), & also creative & pulled off well.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•Some of the dialogue is a bit flowery. It’s not all the time, but every few lines something would feel on the nose or a too elevated & it would pull me out of the scene.

•Part of the ending really bothered me. A certain choice Orqidea makes sends the message that leaving an abusive husband & protecting your children & yourself from him is impossible; that the only way to help your children is to return to your abuser & submit to his tyranny & violence. Really, really a bad message. Fortunately, someone else steps in to defeat a villain so it doesn’t end *too* badly, but that doesn’t erase the narrative framing Orqidea’s willingness to return to abuse as the ultimate noble sacrifice. Just yuck.

CW: child abuse, infidelity, murder, slavery, racism, sexism, alcohol abuse, homophobia, abusive relationships

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

I don't love fantasy, but something about this story made me want to read it, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance! This was actually genre bending, and I loved every page. I did struggle keeping track of characters, but it was so worth the read!

This book has captured me in a way that is so beautiful and special, I just want to hug it real tight. It has a little of everything, funny banter, magical realism, mystery, intrigue, darkness, soul. I loooved this book so much. It is very plot driven but I still enjoyed each character and their quirks, there are some slow moments but you could still find magic and beauty within those chapters. It kept me reading because I just couldn't predict what was going to happen, I mean things could go a lot of different ways and I was so hooked I read it in 2 days and that's a big thing for me because I usually take 4-7 days to read one. There are 2 timelines, one with Orquidea Divina´s life course and the other in the present with their grandchildren in search of that past. At times, it felt like short stories with open endings that had a clue or two of where this was all going, but it was all weaved together in magnificently, with delightful prose. I also loved the family bond, their protectiveness and warmth toward each other even when a lot of them were not that close and that is so familiar to the Latin culture that is not easy to put into words like our author has done here. I only wished I could've gotten to know the rest of the family more but I understand that the main focus was on the grandchildren. I cannot stress enough on how much I loved this book, 100% recommended to anyone that likes plot driven books, with magic, spice and everything nice.

Full review review will be posted on Instagram and Goodreads by 09/21

This is beautiful book full of magic and family in the same vein as Alice Hoffman with a distinct Ecuadoran voice. The family dynamics were just as complicated as any real family, the food sounded amazing, the magical threat real. The descriptions made me feel like I was there experiencing everything as well . It would be a perfect book to read on a cloudy, windy autumn day, curled up under a blanket with a four legged furry friend, drinking a hot beverage of your choice.

The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina was so much fun to read. A magically-tinged creepy story that includes family secrets, a curse, a circus, AND some portal magic? SOLD.

The story is told is a dual narrative approach with both a past and present POV. The past is from Orquidea's own perspective and the future focuses primarily on her granddaughter, Marimar. These two pieces of the story were woven together really well and gave small glimpses into the past that slowly, but mysteriously unraveled the story.

The magical realism component is fun and intriguing. It pulls in some South American folklore and mythology, adding some regional color to the story and adding to the atmosphere (which by the way, is awesome). I loved the descriptions of Orquidea's house and the magic of the valley as well as the Orquidea's own fabulous bruja character.

The characters in this book were a really good time. The primary characters are super vibrant with strong personalities that shine through the pages. There were a lot of family members to keep track of and there are a few who really only act like red shirt characters, but for the most part it was easy to remember who was who thanks to some individualized traits. Orquidea herself has a wonderful character arc that takes her from meek to strong with some bumps along the way. This is somewhat paralleled by the future journey of her granddaughter, Marimar, and I enjoyed watching both of these characters work through issues with their pasts and who they are. There is a great message of family and love woven throughout the narrative.

Beyond the family and the magic, there is a LOT going on in the plot and it can sometimes get to be a little confusing, but it mostly straightens itself out as it goes along. It's one of those somewhat complicated reads that begs for a second perusal, but gives you a good time regardless. Don't stress too much about the details or uncovering the story on your own. Just enjoy the ride.

The ending felt a little bit rushed and I definitely could have used a little bit more to the conclusion, but most of the details get wrapped up well and in a way that both makes sense for the remainder of the story and is satisfying for the reader. I really enjoyed this from start to finish. In fact, I wanted (and would eagerly read) more.

* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *