Affiliate Disclosure:
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share books I’ve personally read and genuinely want to talk about.
I picked up Mexican Gothic after seeing it repeatedly on TikTok. It felt like one of those books everyone seemed to have an opinion on, and I was curious whether it would work for me—especially since I’m not usually a fantasy reader.
I ended up reading it while on vacation in Puerto Rico, which turned out to be the perfect setting. It wasn’t just a book I brought along—it became part of the trip. I found myself reaching for it easily, reading longer stretches than I expected, and moving through it quickly without feeling rushed.
What I Expected vs. What I Actually Got
Going in, I expected something heavier on fantasy and atmosphere—maybe slower, maybe denser. I was a little worried it might push me toward a reading slump, which tends to happen when books lean too far into world-building for me.
What I actually got was a story that felt balanced. There are fantasy elements, but they’re woven into a thriller-like structure that kept me engaged instead of overwhelmed. The book felt more like a slow-unfolding mystery with unsettling moments rather than a fully immersive fantasy world I had to constantly keep track of.
That balance is something I’ve since noticed in other books by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and it’s why I’ve continued reading her work.
How It Felt to Read
Emotionally, this book kept me curious rather than tense. It has moments that feel eerie and uncomfortable, but it never crossed into something I found exhausting or stressful to read. The pacing worked well for me—it built gradually and then moved quickly once things were in motion.
I didn’t feel like I had to push myself to keep going. I wanted to keep reading, and I finished it faster than I usually do, especially for a book outside my usual genre comfort zone.
Who This Book Is (and Isn’t) For
This book is a great fit if you:
- Like thrillers with a speculative or fantasy edge
- Want something atmospheric without being buried in lore
- Enjoy stories that feel tense but still readable and accessible
It might not be the right choice if you:
- Prefer very straightforward realism
- Want fast-paced action from the very first chapter
- Don’t enjoy unsettling or strange elements at all
Final Thoughts
Mexican Gothic worked for me because it didn’t ask me to fully commit to a fantasy world I’d struggle to stay invested in. Instead, it gave me just enough of that element, paired with a story that moved and held my attention. It’s the kind of book that reminded me why stepping slightly outside my usual reading habits can be worth it—and it’s the reason I’ve kept reading this author’s work since.
