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Blood in the Cut
Iggy Guerra is out of prison, but his homecoming is anything but smooth. His beloved mother is gone, his grief-stricken father Armando is deep in debt, and they are about to lose the butcher shop that has been in their family for generations.
Iggy must earn his father’s lost trust in order to save La Carnicería Guerra from the threats imposed by a new rival business, a vigilante activist, and big-game hunter Orin, who has dragged Armando into his dangerous money-making schemes deep in the Everglades, where more than secrets are buried. Iggy will wrestle with the beauty and the danger of the place he calls home as he tries to save his family―without losing himself forever.
Sharp as a butcher knife gleaming in the Miami sun, Alejandro Nodarse's Blood in the Cut opens onto a deeply personal vision of the streets and swamps of Miami, where the roots are crooked but strong as mangroves.
Iggy must earn his father’s lost trust in order to save La Carnicería Guerra from the threats imposed by a new rival business, a vigilante activist, and big-game hunter Orin, who has dragged Armando into his dangerous money-making schemes deep in the Everglades, where more than secrets are buried. Iggy will wrestle with the beauty and the danger of the place he calls home as he tries to save his family―without losing himself forever.
Sharp as a butcher knife gleaming in the Miami sun, Alejandro Nodarse's Blood in the Cut opens onto a deeply personal vision of the streets and swamps of Miami, where the roots are crooked but strong as mangroves.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
43 people are currently reading
5681 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
June 20, 2024
I listened to the audiobook of this one and I thought the narrator did a good job bringing the main character to life. I think this story had a lot of potential but I felt like the pacing was off. This was an interesting story because it starts in the middle and ends still stuck in the middle. Maybe this was to encourage another book in the series, but it didn’t feel that way. The writing was ok, but the secondary characters felt stereotypical and they appeared to need some more depth to them. Iggy just got out of prison, a whole week early as “compassion” since his mother died. He’s determined to take this second chance but it’s clear that he also needs to focus on helping his family and saving their family business. His father has been making some shady decisions and the butchery is almost bankrupt. This was an interesting book, but while some scenes were a little graphic I was left with the feeling of very little happened. This may have been worse for me since I listened to the audiobook which is my slowest way of reading so this book seemed to last forever without a whole lot happening at all.
April 21, 2024
"Blood in the Cut" by Alejandro Nodarse presents an engaging mix of personal drama and tense suspense set against the gritty backdrop of Miami's streets and swamps. The protagonist, Iggy Guerra, is a compelling character, and his struggles to reclaim his family's honor and save their butcher shop make for a captivating story. Nodarse skillfully weaves the themes of loyalty, redemption, and the weight of familial obligations throughout the narrative, creating a rich atmosphere that is both visceral and atmospheric.
However, the plot's pacing feels uneven at times, with some scenes dragging on while others rush through critical developments. The antagonists, though colorful, can come across as stereotypical, which detracts from the authenticity of the setting. Additionally, the secondary characters sometimes lack depth, making it difficult to invest in their stories.
Overall, "Blood in the Cut" is a solid read with a unique setting and some powerful moments. While it doesn't always hit the mark, it's an interesting exploration of family, trust, and the lengths one will go to protect those they love. A three-star rating reflects its intriguing premise and engaging lead character, despite some shortcomings in execution.
However, the plot's pacing feels uneven at times, with some scenes dragging on while others rush through critical developments. The antagonists, though colorful, can come across as stereotypical, which detracts from the authenticity of the setting. Additionally, the secondary characters sometimes lack depth, making it difficult to invest in their stories.
Overall, "Blood in the Cut" is a solid read with a unique setting and some powerful moments. While it doesn't always hit the mark, it's an interesting exploration of family, trust, and the lengths one will go to protect those they love. A three-star rating reflects its intriguing premise and engaging lead character, despite some shortcomings in execution.
April 12, 2024
Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own.
Cover & Title
The colors of the cover fit so well with the Miami setting of Blood in the Cut, and the image works perfectly for this story! I’m unsure how I feel about the lettering taking over the whole page: I think it risks feeling a bit generic and obscuring the art under it, but clearly it worked on me since I was initially drawn in by the cover & title as I was scrolling through NetGalley.
Audiobook Format
I loved the music at the beginning of the audiobook. It’s a sound design detail that I always notice and appreciate, and it definitely sets the tone for the reader going in.
Danny Pino, the narrator, did an amazing job!!! His performance capitalizes on the immersive language, believable dialogue, and realistic characters to elevate this layered story. The way he switches voices and accents is incredible!!! They felt so real and fitting to the characters we meet along the way.
He seamlessly incorporates the Spanish phrases throughout. I loved this aspect of the writing; it’s so true to how multilingual people think and speak to each other—it adds both dimension and believability. I think it translated extremely well to the audiobook.
I absolutely recommend choosing this format for this story!!
What I Loved! Writing, Themes, Setting, Premise
I read this book in a DAY lmao I kept telling myself “one more chapter!” and then it was 1am & I had finished the entire thing😅. Well. I’m not mad about it!!
I absolutely recommend this book (especially as an audiobook). The writing throughout is memorable, immersive, authentic, humorous, poignant, believable, and absolutely worth experiencing. It flows effectively and morphs to fit the energy of each moment—blunt, violent, gory, tense, desperate, ominous, emotional, delicate, hopeful. I was IMMERSED in this story—I could feel it allll.
The recurring imagery of meat, rain, café, and stars somewhat encapsulate the vibes. There are some very detailed descriptions throughout—namely with respect to meat & butchering, the everglades, and cars—and I devoured every word. I’ve seen some reviews that didn’t appreciate this as much, but our lived experiences are highly detailed and the way these scenes are written added to the realism for me. I loved reading such complete moments, and I think they worked very interestingly within the pacing of the story.
Alejandro Nodarse does Miami and the Everglades justice; the setting is vibrant, complex, and fascinating. I LOVED the rich infusion of Miami-Cuban identity and culture through details—for instance, the emphasis on café and mention of stud earrings, Hialeah-red hair, local art and graffiti, etc—as well as explicit character thoughts & conversations.
The characters are compelling and well-fleshed-out (see next section for exceptions tho😅). I loved following Iggy through this story, reading about the people around him and his neighborhood in the face of gentrification and spaces lost. The moral/ethical questions he faces as he decides how to navigate the world after prison are interesting and complicated.
Blood in the Cut skillfully explores themes of family, sacrifice, power & control, resentment, guilt, home, change, grief, anger & blame, community, pride, identity, faith & the loss thereof, nature, wilderness, revenge, justice, survival. What does it mean to be a “good son”? What are you willing to do to survive? to help your family survive? How do we preserve spaces and communities? What happens when you do the wrong thing for the right reason?
What Didn’t Work As Well for Me :/ Sophie, The Final Scenes
Toward the end of the book, there were a few things that didn’t work for me.
Not every excellent story (or story in general) needs to include or be about women, but I do think that if you include female characters (especially if you claim them to be important to the main characters/story), then they both deserve and require depth, complexity, and individuality. The women we see in this story by name are Iggy’s mother (through their memories of her), the wife of Iggy’s former boss, and Sophie.
I noticed this early on but didn’t have an issue with it; characters who only exist in the minds of other characters will necessarily be warped by nostalgia and memory, so it can make sense why they’re one-dimensional. Which is why Iggy never discussing specifics about Sophie in his thoughts was fine. By the end, though, I was bothered by Sophie’s character. She really never says anything with more substance than “I know” “What are you doing?” “I know you” “Cool party” “Sorry about your mom”, which to me are all very generic. I love the side of Iggy we see in the context of Sophie, but at the same time, it doesn’t make much sense to me because we don’t see anything to establish their previous relationship. If we had scenes—actions and dialogue in the past or present—establishing Sophie as an individual and Iggy’s connection to her, I don’t think I would be as frustrated about her character😅; if her physical presence had been eliminated from the narrative or kept to just the first couple of scenes with her, I think it would have strengthened the plot. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say that her presence in the end felt contrived and unnecessary to me, and I think the final chapters would have been stronger without it.
In terms of the plot itself, I will admit, I did actually see all of the final revelations and many of the last events coming, but I'm not really upset about that. I enjoyed this book for the journey, and I can absolutely see myself rereading it in the future.
That said, I think the ending felt a bit abrupt/not quite like a full conclusion. I think if it had been written slightly differently or if we had an extra scene, I may have felt more closure and deeper emotions about the end perhaps? But also keep in mind I read this whole book in a day, so this could absolutely be because of that 😅.
There are two other points (another character/event + a plotline resolution) with respect to which I’m unsure how I feel, but I think they are both too spoilery to add in here now.
Overall Thoughts! TLDR
Ultimately, I DEVOURED Blood in the Cut. The writing was evocative and versatile; the characters felt vivid and real. I absolutely loved the setting and the exploration of Cuban-American identity.
I did have issues with Sophie’s character and wish the ending was structured slightly differently/wish I felt more of a concluding vibe (again this could be just me). BUT these points in no way overshadow how much I enjoyed reading this story. Again — I inhaled it in a DAY 😩
I absolutely recommend this book, and I’m excited to talk about it with other readers!!
A Few Teaser Quotes <3
Please note that I listened to the audiobook, so all punctuation is a guesstimate.
"Because he's your son. Because we're not ruined."
“Good guys are a lie like Santa Claus and god. […] Your hands don’t get to be clean.”
“The city was haunted, and no matter where Iggy turned something was being taken from him or some specter was waiting to drag the past back into his path”
“It was the smell of earth exhaling, of the moon returning puddles to the clouds”
“The continuous contraction and expansion of the landscape felt like breathing, and Iggy wondered if this was what a clean conscience felt like.”
“Each man turned away to let the other weep silently into his hands.”
Cover & Title
The colors of the cover fit so well with the Miami setting of Blood in the Cut, and the image works perfectly for this story! I’m unsure how I feel about the lettering taking over the whole page: I think it risks feeling a bit generic and obscuring the art under it, but clearly it worked on me since I was initially drawn in by the cover & title as I was scrolling through NetGalley.
Audiobook Format
I loved the music at the beginning of the audiobook. It’s a sound design detail that I always notice and appreciate, and it definitely sets the tone for the reader going in.
Danny Pino, the narrator, did an amazing job!!! His performance capitalizes on the immersive language, believable dialogue, and realistic characters to elevate this layered story. The way he switches voices and accents is incredible!!! They felt so real and fitting to the characters we meet along the way.
He seamlessly incorporates the Spanish phrases throughout. I loved this aspect of the writing; it’s so true to how multilingual people think and speak to each other—it adds both dimension and believability. I think it translated extremely well to the audiobook.
I absolutely recommend choosing this format for this story!!
What I Loved! Writing, Themes, Setting, Premise
I read this book in a DAY lmao I kept telling myself “one more chapter!” and then it was 1am & I had finished the entire thing😅. Well. I’m not mad about it!!
I absolutely recommend this book (especially as an audiobook). The writing throughout is memorable, immersive, authentic, humorous, poignant, believable, and absolutely worth experiencing. It flows effectively and morphs to fit the energy of each moment—blunt, violent, gory, tense, desperate, ominous, emotional, delicate, hopeful. I was IMMERSED in this story—I could feel it allll.
The recurring imagery of meat, rain, café, and stars somewhat encapsulate the vibes. There are some very detailed descriptions throughout—namely with respect to meat & butchering, the everglades, and cars—and I devoured every word. I’ve seen some reviews that didn’t appreciate this as much, but our lived experiences are highly detailed and the way these scenes are written added to the realism for me. I loved reading such complete moments, and I think they worked very interestingly within the pacing of the story.
Alejandro Nodarse does Miami and the Everglades justice; the setting is vibrant, complex, and fascinating. I LOVED the rich infusion of Miami-Cuban identity and culture through details—for instance, the emphasis on café and mention of stud earrings, Hialeah-red hair, local art and graffiti, etc—as well as explicit character thoughts & conversations.
The characters are compelling and well-fleshed-out (see next section for exceptions tho😅). I loved following Iggy through this story, reading about the people around him and his neighborhood in the face of gentrification and spaces lost. The moral/ethical questions he faces as he decides how to navigate the world after prison are interesting and complicated.
Blood in the Cut skillfully explores themes of family, sacrifice, power & control, resentment, guilt, home, change, grief, anger & blame, community, pride, identity, faith & the loss thereof, nature, wilderness, revenge, justice, survival. What does it mean to be a “good son”? What are you willing to do to survive? to help your family survive? How do we preserve spaces and communities? What happens when you do the wrong thing for the right reason?
What Didn’t Work As Well for Me :/ Sophie, The Final Scenes
Toward the end of the book, there were a few things that didn’t work for me.
Not every excellent story (or story in general) needs to include or be about women, but I do think that if you include female characters (especially if you claim them to be important to the main characters/story), then they both deserve and require depth, complexity, and individuality. The women we see in this story by name are Iggy’s mother (through their memories of her), the wife of Iggy’s former boss, and Sophie.
I noticed this early on but didn’t have an issue with it; characters who only exist in the minds of other characters will necessarily be warped by nostalgia and memory, so it can make sense why they’re one-dimensional. Which is why Iggy never discussing specifics about Sophie in his thoughts was fine. By the end, though, I was bothered by Sophie’s character. She really never says anything with more substance than “I know” “What are you doing?” “I know you” “Cool party” “Sorry about your mom”, which to me are all very generic. I love the side of Iggy we see in the context of Sophie, but at the same time, it doesn’t make much sense to me because we don’t see anything to establish their previous relationship. If we had scenes—actions and dialogue in the past or present—establishing Sophie as an individual and Iggy’s connection to her, I don’t think I would be as frustrated about her character😅; if her physical presence had been eliminated from the narrative or kept to just the first couple of scenes with her, I think it would have strengthened the plot. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say that her presence in the end felt contrived and unnecessary to me, and I think the final chapters would have been stronger without it.
In terms of the plot itself, I will admit, I did actually see all of the final revelations and many of the last events coming, but I'm not really upset about that. I enjoyed this book for the journey, and I can absolutely see myself rereading it in the future.
That said, I think the ending felt a bit abrupt/not quite like a full conclusion. I think if it had been written slightly differently or if we had an extra scene, I may have felt more closure and deeper emotions about the end perhaps? But also keep in mind I read this whole book in a day, so this could absolutely be because of that 😅.
There are two other points (another character/event + a plotline resolution) with respect to which I’m unsure how I feel, but I think they are both too spoilery to add in here now.
Overall Thoughts! TLDR
Ultimately, I DEVOURED Blood in the Cut. The writing was evocative and versatile; the characters felt vivid and real. I absolutely loved the setting and the exploration of Cuban-American identity.
I did have issues with Sophie’s character and wish the ending was structured slightly differently/wish I felt more of a concluding vibe (again this could be just me). BUT these points in no way overshadow how much I enjoyed reading this story. Again — I inhaled it in a DAY 😩
I absolutely recommend this book, and I’m excited to talk about it with other readers!!
A Few Teaser Quotes <3
Please note that I listened to the audiobook, so all punctuation is a guesstimate.
"Because he's your son. Because we're not ruined."
“Good guys are a lie like Santa Claus and god. […] Your hands don’t get to be clean.”
“The city was haunted, and no matter where Iggy turned something was being taken from him or some specter was waiting to drag the past back into his path”
“It was the smell of earth exhaling, of the moon returning puddles to the clouds”
“The continuous contraction and expansion of the landscape felt like breathing, and Iggy wondered if this was what a clean conscience felt like.”
“Each man turned away to let the other weep silently into his hands.”
June 15, 2024
Set in Miami, Iggy is reeling after the news of his mother's unexpected tragedy and the sudden downfall of his father's butcher shop which has been in their family for generations.
I found this book to be an interesting concept as I don't think I've read one that centered around the livelihood of butcher shop owners. I did however find the pacing to be a little slow in areas. And when the book ended, I was a little shocked as I was expecting more. But with the open ending us a readers can hope Iggy and his family were able to have a happy ending.
This is a gritty, crime thriller detailing how far a son would go to protect his family. It also touches on gentrification, racism, and grief.
It was narrated by Danny Pino who did an amazing job with bringing to life all of the characters in a cinematic way. I can definitely see this one being adapted into a movie as it has all the elements of a gripping crime thriller!
Thank you MacMillan audio for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book to be an interesting concept as I don't think I've read one that centered around the livelihood of butcher shop owners. I did however find the pacing to be a little slow in areas. And when the book ended, I was a little shocked as I was expecting more. But with the open ending us a readers can hope Iggy and his family were able to have a happy ending.
This is a gritty, crime thriller detailing how far a son would go to protect his family. It also touches on gentrification, racism, and grief.
It was narrated by Danny Pino who did an amazing job with bringing to life all of the characters in a cinematic way. I can definitely see this one being adapted into a movie as it has all the elements of a gripping crime thriller!
Thank you MacMillan audio for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2024
3.25. Blood in the Cut was an intense story about family and secrets. It was such an interesting mix of drama, suspense, and a little bit of gore.
Iggy is just getting home after doing some time. He was selling drugs from his mother’s pharmacy before he went to prison and now that he’s out, she has passed away. He is trying to navigate his family’s failing business, a butcher shop, and his grief while dealing with some difficult issues. This book was such an interesting concept and although the butchering scenes were very graphic, I thought it added to the story. I felt the pacing to be off at certain times and when it ended, I was shocked that it was over. I did not think it was finished yet. Overall though, I thought this was a good read!
This audiobook was narrated by Danny Pino who did a phenomenal job. At times I felt like I was listening to a movie. He was so expressive and interactive-amazing.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Alejandro Nodarse, and Macmillan Audio for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This will be a suspenseful read for everyone on June 4th.
Iggy is just getting home after doing some time. He was selling drugs from his mother’s pharmacy before he went to prison and now that he’s out, she has passed away. He is trying to navigate his family’s failing business, a butcher shop, and his grief while dealing with some difficult issues. This book was such an interesting concept and although the butchering scenes were very graphic, I thought it added to the story. I felt the pacing to be off at certain times and when it ended, I was shocked that it was over. I did not think it was finished yet. Overall though, I thought this was a good read!
This audiobook was narrated by Danny Pino who did a phenomenal job. At times I felt like I was listening to a movie. He was so expressive and interactive-amazing.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Alejandro Nodarse, and Macmillan Audio for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This will be a suspenseful read for everyone on June 4th.
March 5, 2024
(3.5 rounded down) A bit gory for my taste but that was to be expected, seeing as the setting was predominantly in a butcher shop. I appreciated the character development, the cultural flavor of Miami residents, and the added sprinkle of intensity to the overall mystery.
June 17, 2024
Please tell me this is the first in a series because I need more. Iggy was a very likable, family focused, and business minded. I really enjoyed the family interactions well not with Armando but fuck him. I appreciated everyone but him. But I know men like him and I think my instant hate and unwillingness to see things from his side is a ME issue and not a BOOK issue.
I would love to see this adapted for TV. Not a movie, this would be a fantastic series to watch.
I would love to see this adapted for TV. Not a movie, this would be a fantastic series to watch.
December 29, 2024
Almost a 4-star. This reminded me a lot of SA Cosby books and vibes. Raw, gritty, detailed with the graphic and gruesome scenes.
I wanted more action and faster pacing. The storyline was great and so were the characters.
I can’t wait for more from this author!
I wanted more action and faster pacing. The storyline was great and so were the characters.
I can’t wait for more from this author!
May 28, 2024
Thank you Macmillan Audio for my gifted ALC. #MACAUDIO2024
Blood in the Cut
Alejandro Nodarse
🎙️ Danny Pino
Coming June 4th
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
LOVED THIS! Blood in the Cut follows a twenty-three-year-old ex-con named Iggy, who returns home following his incarceration to find his Cuban American family in turmoil, with their butcher shop facing closure. This is a dark, gritty, well-paced crime thriller that's being rightly compared to SA Cosby's work. It also touches on heavier themes like gentrification, racism, and grief. Danny Pino's narration is on point!
° ° ° ° ° °
Blood in the Cut
Alejandro Nodarse
🎙️ Danny Pino
Coming June 4th
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
LOVED THIS! Blood in the Cut follows a twenty-three-year-old ex-con named Iggy, who returns home following his incarceration to find his Cuban American family in turmoil, with their butcher shop facing closure. This is a dark, gritty, well-paced crime thriller that's being rightly compared to SA Cosby's work. It also touches on heavier themes like gentrification, racism, and grief. Danny Pino's narration is on point!
° ° ° ° ° °
September 11, 2024
Thank you to Flatiron Books for the #gifted copy to review.
I listened to this one and followed along with the physical copy of the book. It was slow to get started, and difficult overall given the gruesome discussions on cutting up of animals. Understood it was set in a butcher shop so some of that is to be expected, but it was extremely detailed and not entirely additive to the story. I was able to skip ahead at least and then it picked up, and I was interested. I wouldn’t say this was a great story but I was vested enough to know how it would end. This definitely won’t be for everyone given how gruesome it is.
I listened to this one and followed along with the physical copy of the book. It was slow to get started, and difficult overall given the gruesome discussions on cutting up of animals. Understood it was set in a butcher shop so some of that is to be expected, but it was extremely detailed and not entirely additive to the story. I was able to skip ahead at least and then it picked up, and I was interested. I wouldn’t say this was a great story but I was vested enough to know how it would end. This definitely won’t be for everyone given how gruesome it is.
June 21, 2024
It kept trying to be a good story and never accomplished the task. It just didn't raise the steaks. It wasn't a prime cut. Characters adequate and not really enjoyable, action and some suspense. Was not impressed upon completion.
June 2, 2024
I'm the type of reviewer that goes in blindly to books. I want to surprised from beginning to end. I chose Blood in the Cutprimarily because of the cover and the fact that it was a new to me author writing a thriller. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
Alejandro Nodarse sets the story with Iggy being released from prison only to find his family is more broken than he originally thought. His mother has passed away quite questionably and now they are about to lose the only income they have with their butcher shop. For a man just trying to get back on his feet, he feels the weight on his shoulders, without anyone to help him. There are questions surrounding everything and we are left to wonder if any of these things are connected. But there is so much more to his family and what they are willing to do in order to survive. And those are the parts that are intense and graphic. Almost too graphic in nature for me (simply because of the animals).
I listened to Blood in the Cut by audiobook and Danny Pino did a phenomenal job of portraying not only Iggy, but the various other characters that were featured in Iggy's journey to saving his family and finding answers to his father's dealings. Pino reads in a way that is very cinematic and brings the story to life and has the audience feeling the Miami nights. With the setting of Miami and the dark swamps of the everglades, the dramatic atmosphere was set and was perfect for what transpired. With a great setting, a diverse cast of characters and an intriguing yet unique plot, this had great potential but I felt it lacked strong execution. The pacing felt off, but it was the ending that left me with my mouth ajar. There had to be more, right?!
Overall, I did like the uniqueness of the story, but found some of the butchering of the the "exotic" animals to be more graphic than I would've cared for. I did like the fact that it dealt with relevant topics such as gentrification, socio-economic situations, racism and especially grief all in Miami. A solid debut that may not be for everyone, but has a distinctive voice. I look forward to checking out Nodarse's future books.
Alejandro Nodarse sets the story with Iggy being released from prison only to find his family is more broken than he originally thought. His mother has passed away quite questionably and now they are about to lose the only income they have with their butcher shop. For a man just trying to get back on his feet, he feels the weight on his shoulders, without anyone to help him. There are questions surrounding everything and we are left to wonder if any of these things are connected. But there is so much more to his family and what they are willing to do in order to survive. And those are the parts that are intense and graphic. Almost too graphic in nature for me (simply because of the animals).
I listened to Blood in the Cut by audiobook and Danny Pino did a phenomenal job of portraying not only Iggy, but the various other characters that were featured in Iggy's journey to saving his family and finding answers to his father's dealings. Pino reads in a way that is very cinematic and brings the story to life and has the audience feeling the Miami nights. With the setting of Miami and the dark swamps of the everglades, the dramatic atmosphere was set and was perfect for what transpired. With a great setting, a diverse cast of characters and an intriguing yet unique plot, this had great potential but I felt it lacked strong execution. The pacing felt off, but it was the ending that left me with my mouth ajar. There had to be more, right?!
Overall, I did like the uniqueness of the story, but found some of the butchering of the the "exotic" animals to be more graphic than I would've cared for. I did like the fact that it dealt with relevant topics such as gentrification, socio-economic situations, racism and especially grief all in Miami. A solid debut that may not be for everyone, but has a distinctive voice. I look forward to checking out Nodarse's future books.
May 18, 2024
Thank you to MacMilan Audio for the ALC! This story was a bit too gruesome for me; parts of it reminded me a Law & Order episode (ironically, given that Danny Pino narrates!) and ultimately I barely made it through til the end. I think I may just not be the right audience for this type of story.
January 17, 2025
Thank you to Booklist and Flatiron Books for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.
Iggy Guerra is out of prison and returning home to deal with the painful mistakes that put him there. Iggy’s mother has died, and his father, Armando, is deep in debt, their family butcher shop now on the cusp of closing. Iggy and his brother Carlos work together to save their family’s legacy while also dealing with intimidation from a rival business, the demands of a shady big-game hunter, and the meddling of a vigilante animal rights activist who seems determined to bring them down. Will Iggy be able to save his family without sacrificing himself? Set in the Everglades, Nodarse’s debut has a rich sense of place, with descriptions of the lush landscape, crocodile encounters, and tropical weather giving readers a vivid mind’s-eye viewpoint. The plot’s pacing is slow though, and the ending leaves room for reader interpretation. For readers who like their thrillers literary and atmospheric.
Iggy Guerra is out of prison and returning home to deal with the painful mistakes that put him there. Iggy’s mother has died, and his father, Armando, is deep in debt, their family butcher shop now on the cusp of closing. Iggy and his brother Carlos work together to save their family’s legacy while also dealing with intimidation from a rival business, the demands of a shady big-game hunter, and the meddling of a vigilante animal rights activist who seems determined to bring them down. Will Iggy be able to save his family without sacrificing himself? Set in the Everglades, Nodarse’s debut has a rich sense of place, with descriptions of the lush landscape, crocodile encounters, and tropical weather giving readers a vivid mind’s-eye viewpoint. The plot’s pacing is slow though, and the ending leaves room for reader interpretation. For readers who like their thrillers literary and atmospheric.
May 12, 2024
2.5 ⭐️ it was fine just not my cup of tea, the audiobook narrator was great
April 2, 2024
3.5 rounded up
I love that other cultures are writing now
Best line ever:
When they dress and act like one of us until that reality becomes inconvenient and then switch back to white when their done
if only that trick worked in reverse 👏 🙌🏾
Iggy has just been released from prison. His mother passed away just before his release. His father is still pissed at him for doing what he did to get locked up. His father doesn't even want him to live inside the house. Iggy is determined to make a mend to everyone and fix what he messed up. He gets a job at his father's butcher shop. Iggy starts seeing a lot of sketchy things taking place. Starting with a blogger speaking about the killing and selling of horse meat
Aside from his father being mean towards Iggy, he is also acting strange as well. The books don't line up with the money, and now Iggys dad has been arrested
Can Iggy save the family business and try to make everything right now that he is home from prison
I love that other cultures are writing now
Best line ever:
When they dress and act like one of us until that reality becomes inconvenient and then switch back to white when their done
if only that trick worked in reverse 👏 🙌🏾
Iggy has just been released from prison. His mother passed away just before his release. His father is still pissed at him for doing what he did to get locked up. His father doesn't even want him to live inside the house. Iggy is determined to make a mend to everyone and fix what he messed up. He gets a job at his father's butcher shop. Iggy starts seeing a lot of sketchy things taking place. Starting with a blogger speaking about the killing and selling of horse meat
Aside from his father being mean towards Iggy, he is also acting strange as well. The books don't line up with the money, and now Iggys dad has been arrested
Can Iggy save the family business and try to make everything right now that he is home from prison
June 4, 2024
Blood in the Cut by Alejandro Nodarse
Narrated by Danny Pino
Thank you so much Macmillan Audio, Flatiron Books, + NetGalley for the free audiobook. #MacAudio2024
Blurb:
Sharp as a butcher knife gleaming in the Miami sun, Alejandro Nodarse's Blood in the Cut opens onto a deeply personal vision of the streets and swamps of Miami, where the roots are crooked but strong as mangroves.
✨ My thoughts:
A solid read:listen that’ll have you engaged all the way through. I listened to this audiobook in one sitting, it was so good. Alejandro Nodarse has a skill for atmospheric writing and Danny Pino (audiobook narrator) did a phenomenal job executing this story. The characters, the setting, and the story are all compelling. I’m excited to see what Nodarse comes up with next! And I can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy of this! Blood in the Cut is out today 6/4/24, you’ll want to give this one a read… or a listen!
Happy reading 📖
Narrated by Danny Pino
Thank you so much Macmillan Audio, Flatiron Books, + NetGalley for the free audiobook. #MacAudio2024
Blurb:
Sharp as a butcher knife gleaming in the Miami sun, Alejandro Nodarse's Blood in the Cut opens onto a deeply personal vision of the streets and swamps of Miami, where the roots are crooked but strong as mangroves.
✨ My thoughts:
A solid read:listen that’ll have you engaged all the way through. I listened to this audiobook in one sitting, it was so good. Alejandro Nodarse has a skill for atmospheric writing and Danny Pino (audiobook narrator) did a phenomenal job executing this story. The characters, the setting, and the story are all compelling. I’m excited to see what Nodarse comes up with next! And I can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy of this! Blood in the Cut is out today 6/4/24, you’ll want to give this one a read… or a listen!
Happy reading 📖
May 22, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted ARC. Danny Pino did an incredible audio narration. Iggy is in prison and he’s about to be released. While incarcerated, his mother dies, and his father is losing the family butcher shop. In his quest to save the shop, he will discover his father‘s dealings in the exotic black meat market and more. I loved this unique story and the setting. This is available June 4th.
#bestestbookclubever #macaudio2024
https://www.instagram.com/bestestbook...
#bestestbookclubever #macaudio2024
https://www.instagram.com/bestestbook...
April 17, 2024
A riveting, atmospheric and dark family drama. I couldn’t put down.
As a vegetarian and animal lover, I found some of the butcher scenes a bit too graphic for my delicate sensibilities and had to skip a few paragraphs here and there because the writing is so evocative.
As a vegetarian and animal lover, I found some of the butcher scenes a bit too graphic for my delicate sensibilities and had to skip a few paragraphs here and there because the writing is so evocative.
June 14, 2024
Holy shit this was an incredible jaw dropper. The premise and execution of the story was flawless. I couldnt keep my eyes peeled from the novel once I started it. The ending was so satisfying because it is completely open for interpretation. Cannot read more of this author.
June 7, 2024
wow !!!!!
Amazing book, great character development and story telling. You feel the characters pain. Just amazing book. Loved it. Can’t wait to see what he creates next.
Amazing book, great character development and story telling. You feel the characters pain. Just amazing book. Loved it. Can’t wait to see what he creates next.
July 13, 2024
Vivid, raw and authentic crime thriller. Tough as nails.
June 4, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC!
Slow burner, but gritty and engaging
Very much enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook - Danny Pino, who I adored on Law & Order SVU as Detective Amaro
Set in Miami and the Everglades, there is a mix thrills, drama, character development... a little bit, lotta bit of gore. As someone with high tolerance, I did find myself wincing a wee bit at times.
Good fit for fans of S. A. Crosby and Victor Methos
Slow burner, but gritty and engaging
Very much enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook - Danny Pino, who I adored on Law & Order SVU as Detective Amaro
Set in Miami and the Everglades, there is a mix thrills, drama, character development... a little bit, lotta bit of gore. As someone with high tolerance, I did find myself wincing a wee bit at times.
Good fit for fans of S. A. Crosby and Victor Methos
February 12, 2025
Like a 90s action movie !
April 21, 2025
Puts the parts of Miami that the tourists don’t ever see on the page with an authenticity that couldn’t be found anywhere else on this planet. Mr. Nodarse is a sensation in the making, and it’s only fitting that his debut novel is one where the city in which he lives is as big of a character as Iggy himself.
February 10, 2024
I won this ARC via a Goodreads Giveaway. First of all, when I entered the giveaway I was really hoping to win this book because a) being a crime novel and b) of the Miami/Cuban vibe. Book arrived on the 9th and I finished it all in one day.
Overall I loved the entire book! The characters were real, the visuals described of location were on point, and the storyline(s) had me hooked. The storylines (with the characters/locations) were appropriately distributed and woven into the other story lines. There were also a few surprises along the way. I had my guesses about who was doing what and I was only half right — which means the book isn’t predictable and that makes for a great read.
The only complaint (and it’s not really that) is the ending. Without giving any spoilers, I was so invested in everything that I wanted to see things tied up more or some sort of “update” with the shop. In other words, you could say the ending was a good one because it kind of left a cliffhanger of “well, what happened with everything else?” I hope to see a book 2 continuation.
Trigger Warning: this is a book about a butcher shop so they do talk about slicing animals. Book is not for you if you are an animal lover/activist (unless you can look past the hunting/butchering).
Overall I loved the entire book! The characters were real, the visuals described of location were on point, and the storyline(s) had me hooked. The storylines (with the characters/locations) were appropriately distributed and woven into the other story lines. There were also a few surprises along the way. I had my guesses about who was doing what and I was only half right — which means the book isn’t predictable and that makes for a great read.
The only complaint (and it’s not really that) is the ending. Without giving any spoilers, I was so invested in everything that I wanted to see things tied up more or some sort of “update” with the shop. In other words, you could say the ending was a good one because it kind of left a cliffhanger of “well, what happened with everything else?” I hope to see a book 2 continuation.
Trigger Warning: this is a book about a butcher shop so they do talk about slicing animals. Book is not for you if you are an animal lover/activist (unless you can look past the hunting/butchering).
June 8, 2024
This book is so out of my comfort zone (I’m a romance reader), but the prose alone was well worth the switch up. The imagery, language, and immersion into Miami culture feels so vivid and well-crafted. I was also apprehensive after reading some of the reviews regarding the butchery scenes and overall gore, especially as someone who can’t read or watch anything with blood. However, surprisingly, and in my personal opinion, the “gore” wasn’t was intense as I expected it to be. It was easier to swallow than other books and the butchery was more technical/tactical in its descriptions than emotional, allowing me to separate the action enough that I didn’t grow squeamish over it at all. It did, however, give me a new insight into a job that I’ve never thought too deeply about.
Overall, I enjoyed Iggy’s arc, as well as the secondary characters. I loved the portrayal of a version of Miami that isn’t often explored, and the ending left me wanting more—a lot more. I’m looking forward to reading any future Nodarse books, whether it be a sequel to this one or a completely new story.
Overall, I enjoyed Iggy’s arc, as well as the secondary characters. I loved the portrayal of a version of Miami that isn’t often explored, and the ending left me wanting more—a lot more. I’m looking forward to reading any future Nodarse books, whether it be a sequel to this one or a completely new story.
June 7, 2024
3.5 stars
If you are a vegan or vegetarian, or if detailed descriptions of butchering might make you feel squeamish, you’ll probably want to skip this book. You could also skim those scenes as I did, but there are more than a few.
Iggy Guerra is released from a Florida prison and returns home to chaos. His mother has died, his father is healing his grief through alcohol and mysterious activities late at night, and the family butcher shop, La Carnicería Guerra, is in financial trouble. Iggy’s father doesn’t want him around, but he promised his mother he’d try to be patient with his father, so he’s doing the best he can.
It’s not long before Iggy discovers there are threats from all sides. There’s a new high-end restaurant/butcher shop scheduled to open just down the block, his father is in debt to a dangerous big-game hunter in the Everglades, and there’s an animal rights vigilante looking to make people pay for their wrongdoings.
The last thing Iggy wants is to go back to prison, but he keeps finding himself in situations that test his patience, his hunger for revenge, and his need to protect the family business. Orin, the big-game hunter, wants Iggy to take over the business deal he had with his father, a deal that is not only illegal and unethical, but immensely dangerous. But what will refusing Orin lead to?
This is a raw, tense, brooding book, with moments of surprising emotion among the violence and suspense. It definitely has glimpses of S.A. Cosby’s books in the ways it looks at how flawed people are forced into decisions they don’t want, but might be compelled to make.
Blood in the Cut is Alejandro Nodarse’s debut, and I definitely look forward to seeing what he does next. The pacing is a bit uneven, but I found Iggy to be a fascinating character I couldn’t help rooting for.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Check out my best reads of 2023 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2023.html.
If you are a vegan or vegetarian, or if detailed descriptions of butchering might make you feel squeamish, you’ll probably want to skip this book. You could also skim those scenes as I did, but there are more than a few.
Iggy Guerra is released from a Florida prison and returns home to chaos. His mother has died, his father is healing his grief through alcohol and mysterious activities late at night, and the family butcher shop, La Carnicería Guerra, is in financial trouble. Iggy’s father doesn’t want him around, but he promised his mother he’d try to be patient with his father, so he’s doing the best he can.
It’s not long before Iggy discovers there are threats from all sides. There’s a new high-end restaurant/butcher shop scheduled to open just down the block, his father is in debt to a dangerous big-game hunter in the Everglades, and there’s an animal rights vigilante looking to make people pay for their wrongdoings.
The last thing Iggy wants is to go back to prison, but he keeps finding himself in situations that test his patience, his hunger for revenge, and his need to protect the family business. Orin, the big-game hunter, wants Iggy to take over the business deal he had with his father, a deal that is not only illegal and unethical, but immensely dangerous. But what will refusing Orin lead to?
This is a raw, tense, brooding book, with moments of surprising emotion among the violence and suspense. It definitely has glimpses of S.A. Cosby’s books in the ways it looks at how flawed people are forced into decisions they don’t want, but might be compelled to make.
Blood in the Cut is Alejandro Nodarse’s debut, and I definitely look forward to seeing what he does next. The pacing is a bit uneven, but I found Iggy to be a fascinating character I couldn’t help rooting for.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Check out my best reads of 2023 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2023.html.
June 8, 2024
Blood in the Cut by Alejandro Nodarse AUDIO is a listen that is out of my wheelhouse but it turned out to be oddly informative and very entertaining, if one considers blood entertaining. Iggy is just out of prison. He had gone to prison for stealing drugs from his mother’s pharmacy, oddly enough, to keep his family’s butcher shop afloat. Now his mother was dead, having been hit by a car, and his father was in a rage. He gave Iggy one week to find a place to live. Iggy quizzed his brother, Carlos, to figure out what was going on. His father left in the night, only to return covered in blood. After looking at the books Iggy discovered two things: the butcher shop was failing and they were receiving relatively large payments on an irregular basis with no notations. Iggy set to work, along with his grandfather, his brother, and his two cousins to set everything aright. What he discovered was both shocking and criminal.
The story gave me insight into Cubans living in their own community in Miami. While we often think that everyone should be integrated into one large society, this insight makes me believe otherwise. One of the striking things was a rich “boy” seeking entry to the neighborhood, probably to its detriment. Having never understood the impact of such a move, I was shocked to see it from the other side. Not shocking was criminals who were willing to take advantage of anyone they deemed necessary to their cause, and to use any means to make it so. It was an enthralling listen, full of details of the culture and the back room of a butcher shop. I am enriched by having listened to this book. I highly recommend it. Thanks Alejandro Nodarse for such a fine piece of fiction.
The narrator was Danny Pino who did an excellent rendition of the entire situation. He didn’t gum up the works with a heavy accent, but was still able to communicate the ethnicity of the family. He did a superb job, giving the listener a perfect book to listen to.
I was invited to listen to Blood in the Cut by MacMillan Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #MacMillanAudio #AlejandroNodarse #DannyPino
The story gave me insight into Cubans living in their own community in Miami. While we often think that everyone should be integrated into one large society, this insight makes me believe otherwise. One of the striking things was a rich “boy” seeking entry to the neighborhood, probably to its detriment. Having never understood the impact of such a move, I was shocked to see it from the other side. Not shocking was criminals who were willing to take advantage of anyone they deemed necessary to their cause, and to use any means to make it so. It was an enthralling listen, full of details of the culture and the back room of a butcher shop. I am enriched by having listened to this book. I highly recommend it. Thanks Alejandro Nodarse for such a fine piece of fiction.
The narrator was Danny Pino who did an excellent rendition of the entire situation. He didn’t gum up the works with a heavy accent, but was still able to communicate the ethnicity of the family. He did a superb job, giving the listener a perfect book to listen to.
I was invited to listen to Blood in the Cut by MacMillan Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #MacMillanAudio #AlejandroNodarse #DannyPino
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