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Beasts of Carnaval
NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2025 BY LIBRARY JOURNAL
“From the lush setting to the evocative prose to the can't-look-away characters, this is one of my most anticipated novels of the year.” — NPR
"Come for the fantasy; stay for the vengeance, and enjoy the beauty of both.” —Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Strange the Dreamer and Daughter of Smoke & Bone
For fans of The Night Circus, this sweeping historical fantasy set in a lush, Puerto Rico-inspired world, uses magical realism to combine Caribbean carnaval culture and the mythology of the Taíno—the Indigenous people of the region—in a gripping exploration of community, reclamation, and healing in defiance of a violent past.
When night descends, el Carnaval de Bestias rises.
Within the shores of Isla Bestia, guests from around the world discover a utopia of ever-changing performances, sumptuous feasts and beautiful monsters. Many enter, but few ever leave—the wine is simply too sweet, the music too fine and the revelry endless.
Sofía, a freedwoman from a nearby colonized island, cares little for this revelry. Born an enslaved mestiza on a tobacco plantation, she has neither wealth nor title, only a scholarly pragmatism and a hunger for answers. She travels to el Carnaval de Bestias in search of her twin brother, who disappeared five years ago.
There’s a world of wonder waiting for her on the shores of this legendary island, one wherein conquerors profit from Sofia’s ancestral lands and her people’s labor. But surrounded by her former enslavers, she finds something familiar in the performances—whispers of the island’s native tongue, music and stories from her Taike’ri ancestors…a culture long hidden in the shadows, thrust into the light.
As the nights pass, her mind begins unraveling, drowning in the unnatural, almost sentient thrall of Carnaval. And the sense that someone is watching her grows. To find her brother and break free, Sofia must peel back the glamorous curtain and face those behind Carnaval, before she too loses herself to the island…
What you can expect in BEASTS OF Indigenous Taíno Mythology Themes of Decolonization + Reclamation Atmospheric Island Setting Carnival Culture & Vejigantes Caribbean + Latine Adult Fantasy Historical Fantasy with Magical Realism The Revelry Never Ends
“From the lush setting to the evocative prose to the can't-look-away characters, this is one of my most anticipated novels of the year.” — NPR
"Come for the fantasy; stay for the vengeance, and enjoy the beauty of both.” —Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Strange the Dreamer and Daughter of Smoke & Bone
For fans of The Night Circus, this sweeping historical fantasy set in a lush, Puerto Rico-inspired world, uses magical realism to combine Caribbean carnaval culture and the mythology of the Taíno—the Indigenous people of the region—in a gripping exploration of community, reclamation, and healing in defiance of a violent past.
When night descends, el Carnaval de Bestias rises.
Within the shores of Isla Bestia, guests from around the world discover a utopia of ever-changing performances, sumptuous feasts and beautiful monsters. Many enter, but few ever leave—the wine is simply too sweet, the music too fine and the revelry endless.
Sofía, a freedwoman from a nearby colonized island, cares little for this revelry. Born an enslaved mestiza on a tobacco plantation, she has neither wealth nor title, only a scholarly pragmatism and a hunger for answers. She travels to el Carnaval de Bestias in search of her twin brother, who disappeared five years ago.
There’s a world of wonder waiting for her on the shores of this legendary island, one wherein conquerors profit from Sofia’s ancestral lands and her people’s labor. But surrounded by her former enslavers, she finds something familiar in the performances—whispers of the island’s native tongue, music and stories from her Taike’ri ancestors…a culture long hidden in the shadows, thrust into the light.
As the nights pass, her mind begins unraveling, drowning in the unnatural, almost sentient thrall of Carnaval. And the sense that someone is watching her grows. To find her brother and break free, Sofia must peel back the glamorous curtain and face those behind Carnaval, before she too loses herself to the island…
What you can expect in BEASTS OF Indigenous Taíno Mythology Themes of Decolonization + Reclamation Atmospheric Island Setting Carnival Culture & Vejigantes Caribbean + Latine Adult Fantasy Historical Fantasy with Magical Realism The Revelry Never Ends
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2025
126 people are currently reading
18841 people want to read
About the author
Rosália Rodrigo
1 book102 followersRosália (she/her) has been in the “immersive story” space for over 8 years, producing visitor experiences for museums and theme parks internationally. She now champions diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility in this space as a DEIA consultant and educator, with the goal of creating work environments and visitor experiences that are inclusive to all—a passion she also extends to her writing. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Rosália now lives in Central Florida with her partner and mischievous cat, Moonbeam.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
February 20, 2025
Beasts of Carnaval is an atmospheric novel written in exquisite prose. The setting is fantastic and the premise unique, and it sounds like a novel that should be right up my alley. Unfortunately, though, I found the latter parts of this book to be less than enthralling. That's not necessarily the fault of the book – obviously others have enjoyed it much more than I did – but for whatever reason, I could not get into or bring myself to care about anything that happens in the second half of this story.
The beginning, though, is fabulous. Sofía is a freedwoman who travels to Isla Bestia (a hedonistic island where revelers party the night away with abandon) with her friend (and former owner) Adelina to search for her brother who disappeared there five years prior. But something dark is lurking under the glamor and glitz of Carnaval, and Sofía and Adelina begin to lose themselves to the thrall of the island. And, well … yes! This is the reason I picked up this book, and it was exactly what I hoped it would be – Sofía attempting to solve the mystery of her brother's disappearance while navigating the dark underbelly of paradise. But then the narrative shifts, things get fever dream-y for a while, and then there's no more Carnaval. The setting changes, the tone of the story changes, the supporting characters change, and most of the magic is lost. I probably would have been a lot more tolerant of the abrupt switch had this book been about 75 pages shorter (and provided most of the pages had been cut from the second half of the book), but unfortunately I mostly just found it tedious. Even the climax is just … meh. I came here for Carnaval, not to read about Sofía wandering through caves and writing letters.
But, again, this is probably mostly just a “me and my unrealistic expectations” thing. The prose really is lovely and it's obvious that the author put a lot of care into writing this novel. Lots of reviewers will probably love it, and I do look forward to seeing what Rosália Rodrigo will come up with next.
My overall rating: 3.35 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is July 29, 2025.
The beginning, though, is fabulous. Sofía is a freedwoman who travels to Isla Bestia (a hedonistic island where revelers party the night away with abandon) with her friend (and former owner) Adelina to search for her brother who disappeared there five years prior. But something dark is lurking under the glamor and glitz of Carnaval, and Sofía and Adelina begin to lose themselves to the thrall of the island. And, well … yes! This is the reason I picked up this book, and it was exactly what I hoped it would be – Sofía attempting to solve the mystery of her brother's disappearance while navigating the dark underbelly of paradise. But then the narrative shifts, things get fever dream-y for a while, and then there's no more Carnaval. The setting changes, the tone of the story changes, the supporting characters change, and most of the magic is lost. I probably would have been a lot more tolerant of the abrupt switch had this book been about 75 pages shorter (and provided most of the pages had been cut from the second half of the book), but unfortunately I mostly just found it tedious. Even the climax is just … meh. I came here for Carnaval, not to read about Sofía wandering through caves and writing letters.
But, again, this is probably mostly just a “me and my unrealistic expectations” thing. The prose really is lovely and it's obvious that the author put a lot of care into writing this novel. Lots of reviewers will probably love it, and I do look forward to seeing what Rosália Rodrigo will come up with next.
My overall rating: 3.35 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is July 29, 2025.
November 15, 2025
A fever dream built with immaculate prose and storytelling, rich with folklore and history and absolutely impossible to put down.
Rosália Rodrigo is officially an auto-buy author. I don’t usually say that after a single book, but this book is that good! It’s unique, expertly written, and the storytelling is unmatched. I need another book from her immediately!
What’s to love…
- lush prose and vivid imagery, lyrically written without being overdone
- perfect pacing, this was an impossible to put down story. Every time I started to get restless the story would hit me with intrigue, or a reveal, that kept me reading.
- rich world-building
- family forward story
- complex characters and relationships
- the MYSTERY was so good! I was intrigued the entire book
- the book left me wanting to learn more about Puerto Rican history and the Taino people! (and the author’s note provided detailed information on where to start)
What’s not to love…
- I have literally nothing negative to say about this book.
Audio Narration: 4.9/5 - The narration was absolutely phenomenal. Usually I read a fantasy book physically the first time, as I am not an auditory learner and sometimes fantasy can be hard for me to follow via audio. BUT this was SO FREAKING GOOD that I had to listen to the audiobook. I ended up doing a tandem read for the first time and it was an amazing experience. The only thing I will say about the audio is (mostly in the beginning of the recording) there were a few moments when the narrator sounded a bit nasally/congested. It wasn’t enough to detract from the overall experience but something I did notice. I’m eager to try out more audiobooks by this narrator!
5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you NetGalley and HTP for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Rosália Rodrigo is officially an auto-buy author. I don’t usually say that after a single book, but this book is that good! It’s unique, expertly written, and the storytelling is unmatched. I need another book from her immediately!
What’s to love…
- lush prose and vivid imagery, lyrically written without being overdone
- perfect pacing, this was an impossible to put down story. Every time I started to get restless the story would hit me with intrigue, or a reveal, that kept me reading.
- rich world-building
- family forward story
- complex characters and relationships
- the MYSTERY was so good! I was intrigued the entire book
- the book left me wanting to learn more about Puerto Rican history and the Taino people! (and the author’s note provided detailed information on where to start)
What’s not to love…
- I have literally nothing negative to say about this book.
Audio Narration: 4.9/5 - The narration was absolutely phenomenal. Usually I read a fantasy book physically the first time, as I am not an auditory learner and sometimes fantasy can be hard for me to follow via audio. BUT this was SO FREAKING GOOD that I had to listen to the audiobook. I ended up doing a tandem read for the first time and it was an amazing experience. The only thing I will say about the audio is (mostly in the beginning of the recording) there were a few moments when the narrator sounded a bit nasally/congested. It wasn’t enough to detract from the overall experience but something I did notice. I’m eager to try out more audiobooks by this narrator!
5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you NetGalley and HTP for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
July 6, 2025
Two stars for the actual story, plus one star because the descriptions were quite vivid and well-written.
This was a lot more vibes than an actual storyline, and the FMC, Sofía, was thrown in one bizarre situation after another in a way that felt like I was reading an Alice in Wonderland retelling. Around the 60% mark, it really did feel like a hallucination as hallucinogens and vengeful gods were thrown in.
It made for an interesting, yet unorganized, read.
While this novel wasn't my favorite, I did like the fantasy version of Spanish colonization that the author created. As the story progresses, Sofía learns more about her Indigenous roots, the effects of colonization on the Indigenous population, and including how the Indigenous fight back against these wealthy (and obnoxiously silly) colonizers.
It's a slow burn revenge story of sorts, and I'm all for it. I just wish the story was tighter and more coherent, and a lot less of a hallucinatory read.
Thank you to MIRA and NetGalley for this arc.
This was a lot more vibes than an actual storyline, and the FMC, Sofía, was thrown in one bizarre situation after another in a way that felt like I was reading an Alice in Wonderland retelling. Around the 60% mark, it really did feel like a hallucination as hallucinogens and vengeful gods were thrown in.
It made for an interesting, yet unorganized, read.
While this novel wasn't my favorite, I did like the fantasy version of Spanish colonization that the author created. As the story progresses, Sofía learns more about her Indigenous roots, the effects of colonization on the Indigenous population, and including how the Indigenous fight back against these wealthy (and obnoxiously silly) colonizers.
It's a slow burn revenge story of sorts, and I'm all for it. I just wish the story was tighter and more coherent, and a lot less of a hallucinatory read.
Thank you to MIRA and NetGalley for this arc.
July 11, 2025
Vibrant and rich world building set against a mysterious storyline makes for a compelling and binge-able experience.
Book Stats:
📖: 400 pages
Genre: historical fantasy
Publisher: Mira
Format: ebook/audio from NetGalley
Series: Standalone
Themes:
💫: Decolonization and Reclamation
Representation:
🪽: Indigenous Taíno mythology
🪽: Carnival Culture
Tropes:
💗: Lush island setting
💗: Atmospheric
💗: Non romantic relationships
🥵: Spice: 🚫
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.
Short Synopsis:
Free woman, Sofia, heads to a remote and mysterious island to search for her brother. When she gets there things definitely aren't as they seem and magic and revelry rule all. Will she find her brother and escape or will she become part of the island?
General Thoughts:
This book was absolutely amazing. Set in an alternate Caribbean with an alternate history, the imagery is lush and vibrant. The Way that the author describes what is happening is so immersive and cinematic.
The characters are so well done. I felt like I was there watching all of this happen to these characters. They were relatable and endearing. Sofia is almost logical to a fault, but is so easy to root for. All of the characters were very well flushed out and felt like real and whole people to me.
The mythology and culture surrounding the Taíno people was beautiful. The discussions and usage of Taíno language was so refreshing and interesting. I loved the mythology and culture that was woven into almost every aspect of this novel.
No part of this book felt rushed or poorly done. I was completely immersed from the first page to the last page. I did do this as a tandem read and the audiobook narrator was absolutely wonderful. You could tell a native speaker was used, and the inflection of all the words was so accurate.
I will not be giving spoilers in this review, but needless to say the ending was perfect and well done it did not feel rushed or unfinished. I cannot wait to read what this author comes out with next.
This is the absolute easiest five star I've given out all year.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a eARC via Mira and NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Book Stats:
📖: 400 pages
Genre: historical fantasy
Publisher: Mira
Format: ebook/audio from NetGalley
Series: Standalone
Themes:
💫: Decolonization and Reclamation
Representation:
🪽: Indigenous Taíno mythology
🪽: Carnival Culture
Tropes:
💗: Lush island setting
💗: Atmospheric
💗: Non romantic relationships
🥵: Spice: 🚫
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.
Short Synopsis:
Free woman, Sofia, heads to a remote and mysterious island to search for her brother. When she gets there things definitely aren't as they seem and magic and revelry rule all. Will she find her brother and escape or will she become part of the island?
General Thoughts:
This book was absolutely amazing. Set in an alternate Caribbean with an alternate history, the imagery is lush and vibrant. The Way that the author describes what is happening is so immersive and cinematic.
The characters are so well done. I felt like I was there watching all of this happen to these characters. They were relatable and endearing. Sofia is almost logical to a fault, but is so easy to root for. All of the characters were very well flushed out and felt like real and whole people to me.
The mythology and culture surrounding the Taíno people was beautiful. The discussions and usage of Taíno language was so refreshing and interesting. I loved the mythology and culture that was woven into almost every aspect of this novel.
No part of this book felt rushed or poorly done. I was completely immersed from the first page to the last page. I did do this as a tandem read and the audiobook narrator was absolutely wonderful. You could tell a native speaker was used, and the inflection of all the words was so accurate.
I will not be giving spoilers in this review, but needless to say the ending was perfect and well done it did not feel rushed or unfinished. I cannot wait to read what this author comes out with next.
This is the absolute easiest five star I've given out all year.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a eARC via Mira and NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
October 27, 2025
Beasts of Carnaval has such an interesting concept but unfortunately the execution left something to be desired. It never quite came together outside of the initial premise. Often as the characters slowly moved along I found myself asking, "What are they working towards?" The descriptions were beautiful and truly immersed the reader in the island atmosphere but the story itself was slow moving.
July 21, 2025
this was a beautiful, devastating fever dream. so gorgeous, intoxicating, but laced with something darker underneath. Beasts of Carnaval is one of those stories. it pulls you in with its lush world and dazzling spectacle, only to unravel into something much heavier: a tale of stolen history, lost identity, and the ghosts of a past that refuses to stay buried.
Sofía’s journey isn’t just about finding her brother, it’s about finding herself in a place that was never meant to hold space for her. Isla Bestia is breathtaking, a paradise of endless music, glittering feasts, and performers who seem almost otherworldly. but beneath the revelry is something sinister, something that tugs at the edges of her mind. The deeper she sinks into the island’s spell, the more the lines between past and present blur. the echoes of her Taike’ri ancestors hum through the performances, their language and culture twisted into entertainment for those who once took everything from them.
this book hurts. not because it’s tragic in the way you expect, but because it forces you to sit with the weight of history, with the knowledge that some things; some people are lost forever. Sofía fights, she searches, she unravels. and through it all, the island watches. there are no easy answers here. no simple victories. just the ache of remembering, of reclaiming, of realizing that some wounds never fully heal. this is stunning and cruel in equal measure, it's a story that lingers, that haunts, that refuses to let you go.
5 stars because this was amazing
Sofía’s journey isn’t just about finding her brother, it’s about finding herself in a place that was never meant to hold space for her. Isla Bestia is breathtaking, a paradise of endless music, glittering feasts, and performers who seem almost otherworldly. but beneath the revelry is something sinister, something that tugs at the edges of her mind. The deeper she sinks into the island’s spell, the more the lines between past and present blur. the echoes of her Taike’ri ancestors hum through the performances, their language and culture twisted into entertainment for those who once took everything from them.
this book hurts. not because it’s tragic in the way you expect, but because it forces you to sit with the weight of history, with the knowledge that some things; some people are lost forever. Sofía fights, she searches, she unravels. and through it all, the island watches. there are no easy answers here. no simple victories. just the ache of remembering, of reclaiming, of realizing that some wounds never fully heal. this is stunning and cruel in equal measure, it's a story that lingers, that haunts, that refuses to let you go.
5 stars because this was amazing
August 5, 2025
This definitely felt like a fever dream from start to finish. While the setting is fictional, I enjoyed the immersive world-building and the rich folklore inspired by Caribbean cultures. I also liked our two main characters, who each had their own distinct personality and background. They’re opposites but they balance each other out.
However, I struggled with the pacing and felt the story could have been condensed. The Carnaval added a strong sense of atmosphere, but there wasn’t much plot progression until the final third of the novel. The prose was quite lovely though, I can’t fault that. Overall, the glamorous Carnaval and island mythology stood out, but the slow pacing kept me from fully connecting with the story.
However, I struggled with the pacing and felt the story could have been condensed. The Carnaval added a strong sense of atmosphere, but there wasn’t much plot progression until the final third of the novel. The prose was quite lovely though, I can’t fault that. Overall, the glamorous Carnaval and island mythology stood out, but the slow pacing kept me from fully connecting with the story.
May 21, 2025
Beasts of Carnaval-Rosália Rodrigo
“A labyrinth stretched over acres of land. The complex latticework of hedges encased the venue like an enormous green spiderweb, drawing intricate spirals around the gardens below. Weaving through and around it all was a great river extending far beyond the grounds of the Flor de Lis, toward the chain of shadowy mountains in the distance.”
Sofía lives on a sugarcane plantation called Hacienda Esperanza in the town of Etérea. A former slave on the plantation, she now lives there with her former owner’s daughter/her now-friend, Adelina. Sofía makes the decision to leave Etérea to travel to Isla Bestia in the Gilded Island, where the infamous Carnaval de Bestias occurs. Her goal is to locate her twin brother Sol, who disappeared five years prior while visiting the Island with their former master, as his valet.
What I Liked:
-The atmosphere in this book was amazing. Any book with a carnival/circus atmosphere, I am here for it. This had vibes of the Jim Henson movie Labyrinth mixed with the Caraval series by Stephanie Garber (both of which I loved). Also throw in some Alice in Wonderland. This had a darker aspect to it vs Caraval, which makes sense, seeing as this is an adult novel. Things were extraordinary and magical, but they were also a bit scary and didn’t seem totally safe. What I really think made it stand out for me though was that there was an element of folklore and culture that I haven’t seen elsewhere, specifically regarding Hisperia, where Sofía was stolen and enslaved from. It built a deeper connection for me with Sofía’s character.
-Going along with that amazing atmosphere, the imagery and description was on point here. Carnaval was so vividly written that I could see it in my mind perfectly and almost feel the air of debauchery that surrounded the event.
-I think that the relationship between Sofía and Adelina was very well-written. Sofía goes through some major internal struggles throughout the book regarding that relationship. Adelina has basically been her best friend most of her life, especially since Sol vanished, and you can tell Sofía cares for her deeply. That doesn’t change the fact that Sofía was enslaved by Adelina’s family, or that she was “given” to Adelina, basically as a gift. Adelina didn’t make these choices herself, and always treated Sofía the best that she knew how, but she is very clueless about what Sofía struggled with, and how she was partially responsible for that.
What I Struggled With:
Things were disjointed. It was like everything was a happy party with maybe a tinge of something unsettling, and suddenly everything was super sinister. I kind of felt like I got whiplash. That wasn’t a MAJOR deal for me though. Coyabay really improved the atmosphere though, and I enjoyed the scenes in the book that are set there.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I think it will be a great addition to the booklist for our Gothic Fiction Book club!
**Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA for the ARC of this book!
“A labyrinth stretched over acres of land. The complex latticework of hedges encased the venue like an enormous green spiderweb, drawing intricate spirals around the gardens below. Weaving through and around it all was a great river extending far beyond the grounds of the Flor de Lis, toward the chain of shadowy mountains in the distance.”
Sofía lives on a sugarcane plantation called Hacienda Esperanza in the town of Etérea. A former slave on the plantation, she now lives there with her former owner’s daughter/her now-friend, Adelina. Sofía makes the decision to leave Etérea to travel to Isla Bestia in the Gilded Island, where the infamous Carnaval de Bestias occurs. Her goal is to locate her twin brother Sol, who disappeared five years prior while visiting the Island with their former master, as his valet.
What I Liked:
-The atmosphere in this book was amazing. Any book with a carnival/circus atmosphere, I am here for it. This had vibes of the Jim Henson movie Labyrinth mixed with the Caraval series by Stephanie Garber (both of which I loved). Also throw in some Alice in Wonderland. This had a darker aspect to it vs Caraval, which makes sense, seeing as this is an adult novel. Things were extraordinary and magical, but they were also a bit scary and didn’t seem totally safe. What I really think made it stand out for me though was that there was an element of folklore and culture that I haven’t seen elsewhere, specifically regarding Hisperia, where Sofía was stolen and enslaved from. It built a deeper connection for me with Sofía’s character.
-Going along with that amazing atmosphere, the imagery and description was on point here. Carnaval was so vividly written that I could see it in my mind perfectly and almost feel the air of debauchery that surrounded the event.
-I think that the relationship between Sofía and Adelina was very well-written. Sofía goes through some major internal struggles throughout the book regarding that relationship. Adelina has basically been her best friend most of her life, especially since Sol vanished, and you can tell Sofía cares for her deeply. That doesn’t change the fact that Sofía was enslaved by Adelina’s family, or that she was “given” to Adelina, basically as a gift. Adelina didn’t make these choices herself, and always treated Sofía the best that she knew how, but she is very clueless about what Sofía struggled with, and how she was partially responsible for that.
What I Struggled With:
Things were disjointed. It was like everything was a happy party with maybe a tinge of something unsettling, and suddenly everything was super sinister. I kind of felt like I got whiplash. That wasn’t a MAJOR deal for me though. Coyabay really improved the atmosphere though, and I enjoyed the scenes in the book that are set there.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I think it will be a great addition to the booklist for our Gothic Fiction Book club!
**Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA for the ARC of this book!
July 6, 2025
Thank you to the publishers via NetGalley for an e-ARC of this story!
I wanted to enjoy this so badly, it is DRIPPING with potential. Sadly, in my opinion, this is -way- overwritten. I definitely think purple prose has its time and place (note my love for The Night Circus and The Atlas Six), but this book made me feel dyslexic trying to read it. It was a LOT of me rereading paragraphs like "yea technically that sentence is grammatically acceptable I guess, but /why/ choose to write it like that". The story underneath could've been so interesting but it was surrounded in word soup that was a real struggle to get through.
I considered DNF-ing this from about 30% through the rest of the book because it was truly difficult to read. It got to the point that I started keeping track, and in just Chapter 13 alone, there are 24 similes, across 24 pages!! That does not include metaphors, personification, or just pretentious word choices - JUST SIMILES. I only kept count because I noticed they were everywhere and severely got in the way of the actual story. This also impacted how the characters spoke to one another; in keeping the "tone" of the prose, the dialogue felt equally pretentious/flowery to the point that no real person would word a sentence like that out loud, and everyone spoke in riddles.
This book definitely has its audience - I feel like if you loved Strange the Dreamer, for example, you'd really enjoy this!! I, sadly, was just not one of those people.
I wanted to enjoy this so badly, it is DRIPPING with potential. Sadly, in my opinion, this is -way- overwritten. I definitely think purple prose has its time and place (note my love for The Night Circus and The Atlas Six), but this book made me feel dyslexic trying to read it. It was a LOT of me rereading paragraphs like "yea technically that sentence is grammatically acceptable I guess, but /why/ choose to write it like that". The story underneath could've been so interesting but it was surrounded in word soup that was a real struggle to get through.
I considered DNF-ing this from about 30% through the rest of the book because it was truly difficult to read. It got to the point that I started keeping track, and in just Chapter 13 alone, there are 24 similes, across 24 pages!! That does not include metaphors, personification, or just pretentious word choices - JUST SIMILES. I only kept count because I noticed they were everywhere and severely got in the way of the actual story. This also impacted how the characters spoke to one another; in keeping the "tone" of the prose, the dialogue felt equally pretentious/flowery to the point that no real person would word a sentence like that out loud, and everyone spoke in riddles.
This book definitely has its audience - I feel like if you loved Strange the Dreamer, for example, you'd really enjoy this!! I, sadly, was just not one of those people.
July 25, 2025
Sofia travels to Isla Bestia to look for her brother who went five years ago and never returned. She is determined to find out what happened to him but is not prepared for everything else she finds out in the process. The island seems to come to life during Carnaval and she’s in for a wild ride.
This book focuses on the mythology and culture of the Taíno people and the ALC was so fun to listen to along with reading the physical book to hear the pronunciations and beautiful language. The narrator was phenomenal! The author also gives some resources at the end to learn more which I’m really excited to do.
The atmospheric nature of this story painted such a beautiful and vivid picture in my mind while reading, the characters were charming, and the story itself was unique and such a refreshing read! It made me so emotional at certain parts and I was completely sucked into the story. I absolutely loved this book.
Thank you so much to The Hive, MIRA, and Harlequin Audio for providing this physical ARC and ALC. This is my honest review! This publishes on July 29th!
This book focuses on the mythology and culture of the Taíno people and the ALC was so fun to listen to along with reading the physical book to hear the pronunciations and beautiful language. The narrator was phenomenal! The author also gives some resources at the end to learn more which I’m really excited to do.
The atmospheric nature of this story painted such a beautiful and vivid picture in my mind while reading, the characters were charming, and the story itself was unique and such a refreshing read! It made me so emotional at certain parts and I was completely sucked into the story. I absolutely loved this book.
Thank you so much to The Hive, MIRA, and Harlequin Audio for providing this physical ARC and ALC. This is my honest review! This publishes on July 29th!
July 8, 2025
2.5 stars
Dang I really wanted to like this one. The summary was perfect for me since I really enjoyed the book Caraval and this sounded very similar to it, but I struggled staying engaged in this book. I kept finding myself just reading the words versus immersing myself into the story. I had to either keep rereading paragraphs or pages or else I would just move on. I think what my struggle with was this book is very wordy and overwritten for me. Every time the book started to speed up, the book would all of a sudden get bogged down with too much details. I like this once in a while, but this was a little too much for me since it made me zone out way too often.
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Dang I really wanted to like this one. The summary was perfect for me since I really enjoyed the book Caraval and this sounded very similar to it, but I struggled staying engaged in this book. I kept finding myself just reading the words versus immersing myself into the story. I had to either keep rereading paragraphs or pages or else I would just move on. I think what my struggle with was this book is very wordy and overwritten for me. Every time the book started to speed up, the book would all of a sudden get bogged down with too much details. I like this once in a while, but this was a little too much for me since it made me zone out way too often.
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
July 14, 2025
Beasts of Carnival is a beautifully written novel with vivid descriptions that bring the setting to life. The atmosphere is rich and immersive, you can truly picture every detail as you read.
The story follows Sofia, a very likable and determined main character, who travels to an island during Carnaval in search of her missing brother. While the celebration is full of color and indulgence, there’s an undercurrent of something much darker lurking beneath the surface.
What really stood out to me was how well the author explored themes of colonialism and cultural loss. The incorporation of Taíno mythology was both powerful and seamlessly woven into the story, adding depth and meaning. The historical setting was fascinating and gave the book even more weight.
I listened to the ALC from Harlequin audio while reading and the narrator really added to the story. I could experience the accents and I think that really helped make it feel like the islands. It was very well done.
I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Thank you to Mira Books for the gifted ARC and Harlequin audio for the ALC.
The story follows Sofia, a very likable and determined main character, who travels to an island during Carnaval in search of her missing brother. While the celebration is full of color and indulgence, there’s an undercurrent of something much darker lurking beneath the surface.
What really stood out to me was how well the author explored themes of colonialism and cultural loss. The incorporation of Taíno mythology was both powerful and seamlessly woven into the story, adding depth and meaning. The historical setting was fascinating and gave the book even more weight.
I listened to the ALC from Harlequin audio while reading and the narrator really added to the story. I could experience the accents and I think that really helped make it feel like the islands. It was very well done.
I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Thank you to Mira Books for the gifted ARC and Harlequin audio for the ALC.
Read
October 18, 2025Beasts of Carnaval is a fantasy novel with a bit of horror woven in. It promises a world steeped in Puerto Rican culture, including the culture of the native Taíno people. On this front, the book absolutely delivers. The food, costumes, and decorations of Isla Bestia are described in detail. The legends of the Taíno can be seen filtering through, and eventually their culture is on full display. Although this is a fantasy world, the author's note explains every place where she chose to deviate from history and describes the research and personal connections that brought this intricate setting to life.
Unfortunately, the execution is lacking. Truthfully, I had some difficulty even writing a plot description for this book because there are certain details that are never quite explained. It's mentioned that the plantation owner's wife is "oblivious to her daughter's flagrant philanthropy" in regards to the way Adelina been running things since her father's disappearance, but how can this be the case? Why is the daughter running things instead of the wife? Where even is the wife? Why did Sofia wait two years after gaining her freedom to go to the island in search of her missing brother, especially if Adelina is so willing and eager to accompany her that she likely would have footed the bill? For that matter, why is Adelina so willing to go along? Does she actually want to get her father back (because if you ask me she's clearly better off without him)? If so, why has she waited so long? All these questions and more came up as I was reading the first chapter because the setup is so brief and so rushed that we dive right into the journey without fully understanding why it's being undertaken.
To be fair, some of the questions I had were answered later on, but in the majority of cases those explanations came far too late. I suppose I'm partially at fault for not taking it at face value when the narration told me early on that Sofia loves Adelina "like a sister". But in a book where Sofia and Adelina are the two major characters, I should not have to wait until page 184 to hear Adelina say that she never thought of Sofia as her property or to hear Sofia finally addressing the fact that she's never forgotten the way Adelina's parents treated her while Adelina herself either didn't notice or pretended not to. It's weird for a former slave to be on good terms with the woman she was "gifted to" when they were young. It's natural for readers to feel weird about their relationship until the obvious questions about it have been answered. It's also weird for the woman happily running a plantation in her father's absence to leave at the drop of a hat because she's discovered that one of her former slaves was planning to go on a journey without her. Even supposing that Adelina doesn't intend to be gone for very long, that's the sort of seemingly irresponsible emotional decision making that made me wonder if the two were in a romantic relationship or so in love with each other that they would be by the end of the book. I don't want to be reading pages and pages of two people bantering and attending parties and watching each other's backs while they investigate a mystery without understanding how they even feel about each other and how much trust there reasonably should be in that relationship.
And again, these are only examples taken from the first two or three chapters of the book. I'd love to say that the author cut too much from the beginning because she was afraid of readers getting bored by backstory, but unfortunately the trend of not explaining things the reader really ought to know continues throughout. There were so many times when I couldn't even determine the motivations of major characters or how the main character felt about important plot developments.
On top of that, I was disappointed in the way the author chose to portray prejudice and characters working against it. For example, there are instances of the main character being treated badly by people who judge based on her skin color. For example, there's a scene in the second chapter where Sofia is barred entry to a portion of the ship because she's assumed to be there as a servant. She responds by proudly stating that she paid for her own ticket and therefore has every right to be there, then slips her way past. The narration clearly states that this is "foolhardy" and likely to land her in trouble. We're told she has gotten herself into trouble many times before. Yet nothing ever happens. Nor does anything happen when she says, "I do not fetch" to the woman who's asked her to fetch something. Nor any of the other times when I got the feeling that we the readers are meant to be smiling or laughing and cheering her on. And we're never given a reasonable explanation as to what might be preventing that "trouble" from happening.
Of course I enjoy watching marginalized characters stand up for themselves, but when none of the supposedly racist characters react in the way that actual racists would, I don't feel right about it. Now, I recognize that I'm not particularly qualified to speak on racism, so I'll shift to discussing how Adelina, the privileged white woman, faces sexism. For example, it's great to see her insist on sitting down to a card game in a world where women are generally assumed to not have the skills and intelligence to play well, but when she wins a substantial amount of money with ease, the most sexist men around neither accuse her of cheating nor let their tempers fly out of control nor hatch any kind of plan to "teach her a lesson". She doesn't even face the sort of verbal harassment modern women are bombarded with when they dare to play certain video games. So she doesn't have to struggle to maintain her composure and concentration, to continue believing in herself against an onslaught of voices trying to tear her down. Just a bit of annoyance from one of the men she sits down to play against, a brief complaint that's voiced before the loser walks away.
This is not only unbelievable but it actually detracts from Adelina's bravery and cheapens the struggles of all the women who have ever failed to accomplish such feats because of real obstacles. When this is how a book depicts sexism, it suggests to readers that overcoming sexism is easy. It suggests that it's the woman's fault if she fails to overcome, rather than the fault of a patriarchy that's designed to keep even the strongest and most capable women down while systematically robbing them of power. Did Rosa Parks respond with a witty quip when asked to give up her seat? Did Susan B. Anthony kick herself for not just walking into city hall and being extra determined until they gave her a voter registration form? Of course not. That wouldn't have worked. I'm of the opinion that both women had more strength in their pinky fingers than any "strong female character" in a fictional society like this one.
It's fair to say this book made me angry. But it made me angry because I was hoping for so much more from it. I loved the setting. I loved that the author was drawing upon her own partial Taíno heritage, that she did her research on belief systems and a language that's been mostly lost, that she cited her sources for those who want to read and learn more for themselves. I love the concept of a sister looking for the twin brother who's been the only person she can rely on since both were sold away from their mother. I love the fantastical version of Carnaval, the monstrous vejigantes who are believed by the characters to be people in costumes but never say a word and appear so realistic it's downright creepy. I like the big twist in the middle portion of the book and what comes with it. And I was thrilled to discover that Sofia reads as asexual (although the term is never used) and embraces her lifestyle with no regrets. But none of this is written the way it deserves to be written.
This is the author's debut novel, so I'm hopeful that many of my complaints are due to inexperience. Actually, I hope many of them are due to the author being forced to conform to unfair expectations enforced by a traditional publisher for a debut novel about a marginalized population. I hope she had a much longer manuscript that she was forced to hack away at until it fit the maximum word count the publisher was willing to take a chance on. I hope the novel wasn't given the editor who works on all the books that are expected to become bestsellers, that it was rushed to market to save costs, that there was pressure to add or change elements to make the book more marketable even though they detracted from the overall quality. And most of all I hope that me buying a copy of this book and leaving a review will be a signal to publishers and agents and anyone else involved that readers do want books like this one and that this author should be given a deal for her next book. Because I want to see what she can do next.
That being said, you may read this book and enjoy it thoroughly. Maybe the things that bother me aren't a big deal to you. Maybe the positives appeal to you so much that the negatives will only take "perfect" down to "great". I won't deny that there are great aspects to this book, so if you love the concept and want to spend some time in the fantasy world this author created, I hope you do go read it and make up your own mind.
Unfortunately, the execution is lacking. Truthfully, I had some difficulty even writing a plot description for this book because there are certain details that are never quite explained. It's mentioned that the plantation owner's wife is "oblivious to her daughter's flagrant philanthropy" in regards to the way Adelina been running things since her father's disappearance, but how can this be the case? Why is the daughter running things instead of the wife? Where even is the wife? Why did Sofia wait two years after gaining her freedom to go to the island in search of her missing brother, especially if Adelina is so willing and eager to accompany her that she likely would have footed the bill? For that matter, why is Adelina so willing to go along? Does she actually want to get her father back (because if you ask me she's clearly better off without him)? If so, why has she waited so long? All these questions and more came up as I was reading the first chapter because the setup is so brief and so rushed that we dive right into the journey without fully understanding why it's being undertaken.
To be fair, some of the questions I had were answered later on, but in the majority of cases those explanations came far too late. I suppose I'm partially at fault for not taking it at face value when the narration told me early on that Sofia loves Adelina "like a sister". But in a book where Sofia and Adelina are the two major characters, I should not have to wait until page 184 to hear Adelina say that she never thought of Sofia as her property or to hear Sofia finally addressing the fact that she's never forgotten the way Adelina's parents treated her while Adelina herself either didn't notice or pretended not to. It's weird for a former slave to be on good terms with the woman she was "gifted to" when they were young. It's natural for readers to feel weird about their relationship until the obvious questions about it have been answered. It's also weird for the woman happily running a plantation in her father's absence to leave at the drop of a hat because she's discovered that one of her former slaves was planning to go on a journey without her. Even supposing that Adelina doesn't intend to be gone for very long, that's the sort of seemingly irresponsible emotional decision making that made me wonder if the two were in a romantic relationship or so in love with each other that they would be by the end of the book. I don't want to be reading pages and pages of two people bantering and attending parties and watching each other's backs while they investigate a mystery without understanding how they even feel about each other and how much trust there reasonably should be in that relationship.
And again, these are only examples taken from the first two or three chapters of the book. I'd love to say that the author cut too much from the beginning because she was afraid of readers getting bored by backstory, but unfortunately the trend of not explaining things the reader really ought to know continues throughout. There were so many times when I couldn't even determine the motivations of major characters or how the main character felt about important plot developments.
On top of that, I was disappointed in the way the author chose to portray prejudice and characters working against it. For example, there are instances of the main character being treated badly by people who judge based on her skin color. For example, there's a scene in the second chapter where Sofia is barred entry to a portion of the ship because she's assumed to be there as a servant. She responds by proudly stating that she paid for her own ticket and therefore has every right to be there, then slips her way past. The narration clearly states that this is "foolhardy" and likely to land her in trouble. We're told she has gotten herself into trouble many times before. Yet nothing ever happens. Nor does anything happen when she says, "I do not fetch" to the woman who's asked her to fetch something. Nor any of the other times when I got the feeling that we the readers are meant to be smiling or laughing and cheering her on. And we're never given a reasonable explanation as to what might be preventing that "trouble" from happening.
Of course I enjoy watching marginalized characters stand up for themselves, but when none of the supposedly racist characters react in the way that actual racists would, I don't feel right about it. Now, I recognize that I'm not particularly qualified to speak on racism, so I'll shift to discussing how Adelina, the privileged white woman, faces sexism. For example, it's great to see her insist on sitting down to a card game in a world where women are generally assumed to not have the skills and intelligence to play well, but when she wins a substantial amount of money with ease, the most sexist men around neither accuse her of cheating nor let their tempers fly out of control nor hatch any kind of plan to "teach her a lesson". She doesn't even face the sort of verbal harassment modern women are bombarded with when they dare to play certain video games. So she doesn't have to struggle to maintain her composure and concentration, to continue believing in herself against an onslaught of voices trying to tear her down. Just a bit of annoyance from one of the men she sits down to play against, a brief complaint that's voiced before the loser walks away.
This is not only unbelievable but it actually detracts from Adelina's bravery and cheapens the struggles of all the women who have ever failed to accomplish such feats because of real obstacles. When this is how a book depicts sexism, it suggests to readers that overcoming sexism is easy. It suggests that it's the woman's fault if she fails to overcome, rather than the fault of a patriarchy that's designed to keep even the strongest and most capable women down while systematically robbing them of power. Did Rosa Parks respond with a witty quip when asked to give up her seat? Did Susan B. Anthony kick herself for not just walking into city hall and being extra determined until they gave her a voter registration form? Of course not. That wouldn't have worked. I'm of the opinion that both women had more strength in their pinky fingers than any "strong female character" in a fictional society like this one.
It's fair to say this book made me angry. But it made me angry because I was hoping for so much more from it. I loved the setting. I loved that the author was drawing upon her own partial Taíno heritage, that she did her research on belief systems and a language that's been mostly lost, that she cited her sources for those who want to read and learn more for themselves. I love the concept of a sister looking for the twin brother who's been the only person she can rely on since both were sold away from their mother. I love the fantastical version of Carnaval, the monstrous vejigantes who are believed by the characters to be people in costumes but never say a word and appear so realistic it's downright creepy. I like the big twist in the middle portion of the book and what comes with it. And I was thrilled to discover that Sofia reads as asexual (although the term is never used) and embraces her lifestyle with no regrets. But none of this is written the way it deserves to be written.
This is the author's debut novel, so I'm hopeful that many of my complaints are due to inexperience. Actually, I hope many of them are due to the author being forced to conform to unfair expectations enforced by a traditional publisher for a debut novel about a marginalized population. I hope she had a much longer manuscript that she was forced to hack away at until it fit the maximum word count the publisher was willing to take a chance on. I hope the novel wasn't given the editor who works on all the books that are expected to become bestsellers, that it was rushed to market to save costs, that there was pressure to add or change elements to make the book more marketable even though they detracted from the overall quality. And most of all I hope that me buying a copy of this book and leaving a review will be a signal to publishers and agents and anyone else involved that readers do want books like this one and that this author should be given a deal for her next book. Because I want to see what she can do next.
That being said, you may read this book and enjoy it thoroughly. Maybe the things that bother me aren't a big deal to you. Maybe the positives appeal to you so much that the negatives will only take "perfect" down to "great". I won't deny that there are great aspects to this book, so if you love the concept and want to spend some time in the fantasy world this author created, I hope you do go read it and make up your own mind.
October 8, 2025
I absolutely adored the writing in this book and the story behind it but the actual plot had me a little lost. It just felt a little all over the place.
June 25, 2025
I was hooked from the beginning with the lush and enchanting writing, but the story itself was mid. It started strong, but the middle dragged and it easily could have been 100 pages shorter.
My main beef is that the ending felt a little too convenient in a way that undercut some of the earlier tension and thematic weight.
Still, I mostly had a good time. Rosália Rodrigo’s prose is stunning, and I’d be interested in reading more from her.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
My main beef is that the ending felt a little too convenient in a way that undercut some of the earlier tension and thematic weight.
Still, I mostly had a good time. Rosália Rodrigo’s prose is stunning, and I’d be interested in reading more from her.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
October 1, 2025
"To find what you seek, what will you sacrifice? What will you become?"
In Beasts of Carnaval, Rosália Rodrigo crafts a hypnotic tale set on the surreal shores of Isla Bestia, a place that promises endless wonder, indulgence, and escape, but at a haunting cost.
The island is home to el Carnaval de Bestias, a seemingly eternal celebration full of dazzling performances, mythical creatures, and intoxicating delights. For most who arrive, the temptation is too strong to resist. But Sofía isn’t there to revel, she’s there to uncover the truth.
Sofía arrives with one purpose: to find her twin brother who vanished there 5 years earlier.
With nothing but her sharp mind and fierce will, she begins her search. She must navigate a world where the line between performance and reality is blurred, where the echoes of her Taíno ancestry pulse beneath the spectacle. As she delves deeper, fragments of her suppressed culture begin to surface, music, language, stories twisted into entertainment by those who once profited from her people’s suffering.
The island's magic begins to seep into her, its power seductive and disorienting, threatening to pull her under like so many before.
Rodrigo’s writing is mystical & lyrical, soaked in cultural and folklore. It's written in a way that feel as though you're in a dream world reliving someone else's dazed experience.
The worldbuilding is exceptional, it's drenched in detail and history. The story shifts from fantastical and immersive to eerie and destabilizing as Sofía begins to lose her grip on reality.
The novel’s structure mirrors her unraveling mind, which some readers might not like, and I will admit it was a different experience for me, but ultimately it enhanced the immersive and feverish quality of the book.
The narrator, Ines Del Castillo delivers a strong and emotionally resonant narration that complements the story’s dreamlike quality. Her performance captures Sofía’s intelligence and internal struggle while also honoring the linguistic nuances of the setting. Her pronunciation of Taíno and Spanish words feels natural and adds to the overall brilliance of the narration. The pacing is steady and Del Castillo’s voice remains engaging throughout. Her narration enhanced the depth and mood of the story, making the listening experience deeply immersive, as is the book. It was such a great experience, but I did take off one star due to the hazy atmosphere that's created, it can get a bit confusing and here and there I would have to take a moment to figure out what was going on. But maybe that is what the author had intended? To make you feel as though you were in the maze of the main character's mind.
"Afterall, in the face of competing explanations, the one requiring the fewest extraneous assumptions, should be given precedence. Why let her mind run wild with speculation?"
"We sleep in the moments between, and we wake when they need us.- We welcome them into the dark"
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC.
In Beasts of Carnaval, Rosália Rodrigo crafts a hypnotic tale set on the surreal shores of Isla Bestia, a place that promises endless wonder, indulgence, and escape, but at a haunting cost.
The island is home to el Carnaval de Bestias, a seemingly eternal celebration full of dazzling performances, mythical creatures, and intoxicating delights. For most who arrive, the temptation is too strong to resist. But Sofía isn’t there to revel, she’s there to uncover the truth.
Sofía arrives with one purpose: to find her twin brother who vanished there 5 years earlier.
With nothing but her sharp mind and fierce will, she begins her search. She must navigate a world where the line between performance and reality is blurred, where the echoes of her Taíno ancestry pulse beneath the spectacle. As she delves deeper, fragments of her suppressed culture begin to surface, music, language, stories twisted into entertainment by those who once profited from her people’s suffering.
The island's magic begins to seep into her, its power seductive and disorienting, threatening to pull her under like so many before.
Rodrigo’s writing is mystical & lyrical, soaked in cultural and folklore. It's written in a way that feel as though you're in a dream world reliving someone else's dazed experience.
The worldbuilding is exceptional, it's drenched in detail and history. The story shifts from fantastical and immersive to eerie and destabilizing as Sofía begins to lose her grip on reality.
The novel’s structure mirrors her unraveling mind, which some readers might not like, and I will admit it was a different experience for me, but ultimately it enhanced the immersive and feverish quality of the book.
The narrator, Ines Del Castillo delivers a strong and emotionally resonant narration that complements the story’s dreamlike quality. Her performance captures Sofía’s intelligence and internal struggle while also honoring the linguistic nuances of the setting. Her pronunciation of Taíno and Spanish words feels natural and adds to the overall brilliance of the narration. The pacing is steady and Del Castillo’s voice remains engaging throughout. Her narration enhanced the depth and mood of the story, making the listening experience deeply immersive, as is the book. It was such a great experience, but I did take off one star due to the hazy atmosphere that's created, it can get a bit confusing and here and there I would have to take a moment to figure out what was going on. But maybe that is what the author had intended? To make you feel as though you were in the maze of the main character's mind.
"Afterall, in the face of competing explanations, the one requiring the fewest extraneous assumptions, should be given precedence. Why let her mind run wild with speculation?"
"We sleep in the moments between, and we wake when they need us.- We welcome them into the dark"
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC.
Read
July 22, 2025Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this will be a DNF for me at 59%. I really wanted to love this book as the premise is right up my alley, and it started off interesting. However, this book could have really benefited from cutting out some of the flowery prose as it took away from the story and disengaged me. The author did really try to paint a vivid world for us to immerse ourselves in, which I do appreciate. However, when the story starts to slow down so early on in the book, it doesn't bode well for continuation. I'm sure others will like this, especially if you like books like The Atlas Six, but unfortunately, this did not work for me.
Unfortunately, this will be a DNF for me at 59%. I really wanted to love this book as the premise is right up my alley, and it started off interesting. However, this book could have really benefited from cutting out some of the flowery prose as it took away from the story and disengaged me. The author did really try to paint a vivid world for us to immerse ourselves in, which I do appreciate. However, when the story starts to slow down so early on in the book, it doesn't bode well for continuation. I'm sure others will like this, especially if you like books like The Atlas Six, but unfortunately, this did not work for me.
dnf
May 28, 2025I’m deeply confused about this one, because the other early reviews I’ve seen have me wondering if I read the same book as everyone else. Lush? Intoxicating? Fever dream? What???
I was bored. I was so bored. The island doesn’t seem fantastical in the slightest – I was expecting magic, and instead, masks and hedge sculptures and (admittedly mysterious) mirror mazes? Seriously? I’ve encountered all those in the real world, and while I freely admit they’re all impressive in the sense that I couldn’t make any of them… I wanted impossible wonders, you know? Gymnasts and tightrope-walkers – don’t cut it. I guess if the prose had been jaw-droppingly stunning, it might have worked, but it’s not. It’s not completely plain or anything, but it’s not magic.
And in fairness, maybe I’d have gotten magic if I’d stuck with the book longer – I tapped out at 21% – but there was just no incentive to keep going. The characters are fine, pleasant but not very interesting, and I didn’t care about the quest for the missing brother – he was MIA from before the book started, so I didn’t know him, even with Sofía’s thoughts about him. I didn’t feel Sofía’s worry for him, or how she missed him: I felt like they were told to me, but I didn’t experience them. The prose isn’t bad at all, and there are moments when it’s great, but it’s not the lush, decadent writing I was really hoping for.
The colonialist themes are written really well: Sofía’s complicated position, as an ex-slave but priviliged compared to many of her people, was very clear, and seeing how she was cut off from her history and culture and language – because the colonials suppressed all those things – was heartbreaking. The gradual reveal that Carnaval is built out of stolen pieces of that culture – even at 21% that was already becoming clear – was awful.
But that’s not enough by itself to hold my attention. Reading this made me tired, each chapter was an effort, and I’m just not enjoying it.
I do think this is one of the better books, objectively, out of this month’s DNFs. Maybe the real issue is that it wasn’t what I wanted it to be? And maybe a bit mismarketed, unless it becomes extremely fantastical later on…
I was bored. I was so bored. The island doesn’t seem fantastical in the slightest – I was expecting magic, and instead, masks and hedge sculptures and (admittedly mysterious) mirror mazes? Seriously? I’ve encountered all those in the real world, and while I freely admit they’re all impressive in the sense that I couldn’t make any of them… I wanted impossible wonders, you know? Gymnasts and tightrope-walkers – don’t cut it. I guess if the prose had been jaw-droppingly stunning, it might have worked, but it’s not. It’s not completely plain or anything, but it’s not magic.
And in fairness, maybe I’d have gotten magic if I’d stuck with the book longer – I tapped out at 21% – but there was just no incentive to keep going. The characters are fine, pleasant but not very interesting, and I didn’t care about the quest for the missing brother – he was MIA from before the book started, so I didn’t know him, even with Sofía’s thoughts about him. I didn’t feel Sofía’s worry for him, or how she missed him: I felt like they were told to me, but I didn’t experience them. The prose isn’t bad at all, and there are moments when it’s great, but it’s not the lush, decadent writing I was really hoping for.
The colonialist themes are written really well: Sofía’s complicated position, as an ex-slave but priviliged compared to many of her people, was very clear, and seeing how she was cut off from her history and culture and language – because the colonials suppressed all those things – was heartbreaking. The gradual reveal that Carnaval is built out of stolen pieces of that culture – even at 21% that was already becoming clear – was awful.
But that’s not enough by itself to hold my attention. Reading this made me tired, each chapter was an effort, and I’m just not enjoying it.
I do think this is one of the better books, objectively, out of this month’s DNFs. Maybe the real issue is that it wasn’t what I wanted it to be? And maybe a bit mismarketed, unless it becomes extremely fantastical later on…
May 15, 2025
Quick thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an ARC so I could review this.
Vibes: Magical Realism, Cultural Reclamation, Family Bonds
Beasts of Carnaval is an absolute must read for fans of Caraval or The Night Circus. It has the same fanciful, mythical vibes of an unending party, but with a mysterious undertone. The story is set on the Caribbean-inspired island of Etérea. Under the rule of the Hisperian Empire, recent legal changes have ended plantation slavery on the island. Sofía, formerly enslaved, now finds herself unsure of her future. Like many other newly freed men and women, her cultural identity was taken and erased during the diaspora of slavery.
Five years before the events of the novel, the plantation owner Don Reynaldo de Esperanza left on holiday to the famed Carnaval de Bestias on Isla Bestia. With him, he took Sofía’s twin brother, Sol, as a valet. The plantation continues to operate as Don Reynaldo’s daughter, Adelina, takes over in secret. Adelina is happiest when tinkering with machinery. Her main efforts (besides keeping the sugarcane business afloat) are directed toward instituting work reforms and automation. She spent her formative years considering Sofía a companion, not a servant. As such, when Sofía attempts to leave to find her brother, Adelina joins her hoping to discover why her father never returned.
Sofía is a very easy FMC to root for; she’s grounded, methodical, and logical. She isn’t written without flaws, but her choices make sense based on the information she has. She’s not frustrating. You want her to find her brother. You want her to succeed and be happy. She carries a lot of pain and trauma, but she gets things done.
The novel is listed as Adult Fiction, but there is no content that would keep it off YA shelves. There is, in fact, no romantic subplot. It’s a breath of fresh air. Thematically, love is explored through sibling bonds and found family. We finally have a heroine who is not pining after a man in a masquerade mask. I was happy to see it.
I had concerns around the halfway mark that the novel might not stick the landing. But thankfully, the plot points I feared might be forgotten in the mid-novel shift were all resolved by the end.
Vibes: Magical Realism, Cultural Reclamation, Family Bonds
Beasts of Carnaval is an absolute must read for fans of Caraval or The Night Circus. It has the same fanciful, mythical vibes of an unending party, but with a mysterious undertone. The story is set on the Caribbean-inspired island of Etérea. Under the rule of the Hisperian Empire, recent legal changes have ended plantation slavery on the island. Sofía, formerly enslaved, now finds herself unsure of her future. Like many other newly freed men and women, her cultural identity was taken and erased during the diaspora of slavery.
Five years before the events of the novel, the plantation owner Don Reynaldo de Esperanza left on holiday to the famed Carnaval de Bestias on Isla Bestia. With him, he took Sofía’s twin brother, Sol, as a valet. The plantation continues to operate as Don Reynaldo’s daughter, Adelina, takes over in secret. Adelina is happiest when tinkering with machinery. Her main efforts (besides keeping the sugarcane business afloat) are directed toward instituting work reforms and automation. She spent her formative years considering Sofía a companion, not a servant. As such, when Sofía attempts to leave to find her brother, Adelina joins her hoping to discover why her father never returned.
Sofía is a very easy FMC to root for; she’s grounded, methodical, and logical. She isn’t written without flaws, but her choices make sense based on the information she has. She’s not frustrating. You want her to find her brother. You want her to succeed and be happy. She carries a lot of pain and trauma, but she gets things done.
The novel is listed as Adult Fiction, but there is no content that would keep it off YA shelves. There is, in fact, no romantic subplot. It’s a breath of fresh air. Thematically, love is explored through sibling bonds and found family. We finally have a heroine who is not pining after a man in a masquerade mask. I was happy to see it.
I had concerns around the halfway mark that the novel might not stick the landing. But thankfully, the plot points I feared might be forgotten in the mid-novel shift were all resolved by the end.
August 8, 2025
“The only language they have ever understood is violence.”
I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it was very slow paced and I had trouble connecting with the main characters. Every time I put this book down, it was a struggle to get myself to pick it back up again and finish it. The plot was intriguing but not executed as well as it could have been, in my opinion. Additionally, the fever-dream quality of this novel made the plot confusing and difficult to follow.
However, I would still encourage other readers to give this one a try if it sounds interesting. It’s definitely possible that the writing style just did not work for me and my personal reading tastes – this is such a unique and important story that I hope finds its readership! I loved that this novel was inspired by Indigenous Taino mythology and that it had thematic discussions of colonialism and colorism. I just ended up not being a fan of the way the story itself played out.
Thank you to Netgalley and MIRA for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it was very slow paced and I had trouble connecting with the main characters. Every time I put this book down, it was a struggle to get myself to pick it back up again and finish it. The plot was intriguing but not executed as well as it could have been, in my opinion. Additionally, the fever-dream quality of this novel made the plot confusing and difficult to follow.
However, I would still encourage other readers to give this one a try if it sounds interesting. It’s definitely possible that the writing style just did not work for me and my personal reading tastes – this is such a unique and important story that I hope finds its readership! I loved that this novel was inspired by Indigenous Taino mythology and that it had thematic discussions of colonialism and colorism. I just ended up not being a fan of the way the story itself played out.
Thank you to Netgalley and MIRA for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2025
A beautifully rich and compelling story. I loved the history here, the lovely island and all the magic and language layered through-out the story. The mystery pulled me in right from the start. The adventure across the island to find the brother felt compelling and I was drawn in. The conclusion was well done. This lovely cover goes well with the story, I loved it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
September 22, 2025
I couldn’t get into this. The premise interested me, anti-colonial themes, carnival culture, in an appealing setting with a splash of magic realism and a fantasy element, but character development was lacking in all but the two protagonists, and many episodes went on far too long. It seemed like a mission to finish it. I kept hoping it would get better.. but it didn’t.
July 22, 2025
the premise did more work than what eventually delivered
July 31, 2025
I received an advance listening copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
Surviving is an act of resistance.
As soon as I saw the cover for Beasts of Carnaval, I knew I wanted to read it, and the synopsis just cemented it for me. I love stories that are about resistance and revolution and proving that the colonizers and oppressors won’t be the last ones standing. And this delivers so beautifully!
Sofia’s twin brother, Sol, vanished to La Isla de La Bestia many years ago with the man who enslaved them, but now that Sofia is free and feels she can leave her friend-who-once-enslaved-her (and yes, this is explored!) she decides she will go to the island and find him at last. Averina instead of meekly staying behind follows Sofia and as a result Sofia’s station on the island, instead of being seen as mestiza and servant, she is part of the revelry of the Carnaval.
While on the island, the revelry makes it so that Sofia sometimes forgets that she is there to find Sol and not just to enjoy the glitz and glamor, and eventually she starts to realize that all it is is in fact a glamor, a dream that she needs to wake up from.
I really loved the ways complicated relationships with self and loved ones was dealt with in Beasts of Carnaval. Sofia frequently thinks on how she is perceived - too much Taine to be colonizer, too much colonizer to be Taine - and the ways her relationship with Ave is shaped by how Sofia was gifted to her as a child. I also loved the shifts in Sofia and Sol’s relationship when they reunite because they’d always been bound together as twins, but their years of separation forced them to become individuals, and relearning but also recognizing their twin was very good.
This is a great book and the audio was such a great experience. I really loved the various themes it explored and the execution of storytelling. There are many nuanced emotions and relationships delved into, and all the characters felt fleshed out and interesting. This definitely feels like a solid standalone, though I wouldn’t mind seeing more in this world, especially as the world changes outside the Island.
Surviving is an act of resistance.
As soon as I saw the cover for Beasts of Carnaval, I knew I wanted to read it, and the synopsis just cemented it for me. I love stories that are about resistance and revolution and proving that the colonizers and oppressors won’t be the last ones standing. And this delivers so beautifully!
Sofia’s twin brother, Sol, vanished to La Isla de La Bestia many years ago with the man who enslaved them, but now that Sofia is free and feels she can leave her friend-who-once-enslaved-her (and yes, this is explored!) she decides she will go to the island and find him at last. Averina instead of meekly staying behind follows Sofia and as a result Sofia’s station on the island, instead of being seen as mestiza and servant, she is part of the revelry of the Carnaval.
While on the island, the revelry makes it so that Sofia sometimes forgets that she is there to find Sol and not just to enjoy the glitz and glamor, and eventually she starts to realize that all it is is in fact a glamor, a dream that she needs to wake up from.
I really loved the ways complicated relationships with self and loved ones was dealt with in Beasts of Carnaval. Sofia frequently thinks on how she is perceived - too much Taine to be colonizer, too much colonizer to be Taine - and the ways her relationship with Ave is shaped by how Sofia was gifted to her as a child. I also loved the shifts in Sofia and Sol’s relationship when they reunite because they’d always been bound together as twins, but their years of separation forced them to become individuals, and relearning but also recognizing their twin was very good.
This is a great book and the audio was such a great experience. I really loved the various themes it explored and the execution of storytelling. There are many nuanced emotions and relationships delved into, and all the characters felt fleshed out and interesting. This definitely feels like a solid standalone, though I wouldn’t mind seeing more in this world, especially as the world changes outside the Island.
November 1, 2025
Review to come! 🏝️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was an interesting fantasy-horror inspired by the Taíno and their mythology. I loved getting into this culture and their tragic history of enslavement by a fictionalized Spain and how they have gone about rebelling against their oppressors through the concept of excessive celebration. While I loved parts of this novel, there were others that I felt fell a bit flat for me. 😕
As usual, I’m going to start off with my positives. Set in an alternate and fictional 1870’s Puerto Rico, it follows Sofía, a young mestiza woman trying to understand the disappearance of her twin brother. I really enjoyed the complexity that Sofía had as the main character. She is very pragmatic and reason focused, making me wonder if she could be considered an autistic coded character. Her friendship with Adelina I thought was very sweet since the former tries her best to make up for her role in the main character’s years spent as a slave. ⛓️💥
The other thing that I loved from this book is its wonderful focus on the fictional Taíno people. I can tell that Rodrigo did a fantastic look into the culture and history of these people as well as the mythology that they have passed down through the generations. It was a joy looking into this incredible culture and being in absolute awe that they have preserved as much as they had. 🥹
The only thing that made this book feel a bit off is that the plot did feel like it lagged here and there. I also think the book could’ve gone with even more horror in my opinion just because I agree with the Taike’ri that those who profit off the suffering of others should have to experience the horrors themselves. 👹
Overall, I think this was a great fantasy and would recommend it to those who are interested in this part of the world and the mythology and culture of an indigenous group. Thank you goes out to MIRA and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest (and very late 😅) review, and to Rodrigo for crafting such a fascinating tale inspired by the Taíno people. ❤️
Publication date: July 29!
Overall: 4/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was an interesting fantasy-horror inspired by the Taíno and their mythology. I loved getting into this culture and their tragic history of enslavement by a fictionalized Spain and how they have gone about rebelling against their oppressors through the concept of excessive celebration. While I loved parts of this novel, there were others that I felt fell a bit flat for me. 😕
As usual, I’m going to start off with my positives. Set in an alternate and fictional 1870’s Puerto Rico, it follows Sofía, a young mestiza woman trying to understand the disappearance of her twin brother. I really enjoyed the complexity that Sofía had as the main character. She is very pragmatic and reason focused, making me wonder if she could be considered an autistic coded character. Her friendship with Adelina I thought was very sweet since the former tries her best to make up for her role in the main character’s years spent as a slave. ⛓️💥
The other thing that I loved from this book is its wonderful focus on the fictional Taíno people. I can tell that Rodrigo did a fantastic look into the culture and history of these people as well as the mythology that they have passed down through the generations. It was a joy looking into this incredible culture and being in absolute awe that they have preserved as much as they had. 🥹
The only thing that made this book feel a bit off is that the plot did feel like it lagged here and there. I also think the book could’ve gone with even more horror in my opinion just because I agree with the Taike’ri that those who profit off the suffering of others should have to experience the horrors themselves. 👹
Overall, I think this was a great fantasy and would recommend it to those who are interested in this part of the world and the mythology and culture of an indigenous group. Thank you goes out to MIRA and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest (and very late 😅) review, and to Rodrigo for crafting such a fascinating tale inspired by the Taíno people. ❤️
Publication date: July 29!
Overall: 4/5 ⭐️
August 2, 2025
Before I started this book, I was hoping it would take some inspiration from Stephanie Garber’s Carnaval, and I was not disappointed. This was like that Carnaval, but kicked up a few Caribbean-spiced notches. There was magic, there was darkness (underneath layers of rich color), there were high stakes and vivid, descriptive prose. In fact parts of this story felt like a blurry dream, to the point where I wasn’t 100% if I lost the plot or if that was all part of it. I just decided to go with the flow and enjoyed myself until I figured out what was going on again!
In the beginning our protagonist Sofía travels to the Puerto Rican-inspired Isla Bestia to search for her missing twin brother Sol. Her friend Adelina follows her there. Their relationship is complicated by the fact that Sofia was formerly enslaved on a plantation owned by Adelina’s family, and her main job was basically to be Adelina’s companion. The culture and folklore of the Carnaval festival on the island derives from Sofia’s Taino heritage, which was basically erased from her life while she was enslaved, but the revelers are colonial elites. As such, this book is a strong statement on colonialism and exploitation.
The audio narration was excellent and the narrator really brought the vibrant and magical island world to life.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the ALC.
In the beginning our protagonist Sofía travels to the Puerto Rican-inspired Isla Bestia to search for her missing twin brother Sol. Her friend Adelina follows her there. Their relationship is complicated by the fact that Sofia was formerly enslaved on a plantation owned by Adelina’s family, and her main job was basically to be Adelina’s companion. The culture and folklore of the Carnaval festival on the island derives from Sofia’s Taino heritage, which was basically erased from her life while she was enslaved, but the revelers are colonial elites. As such, this book is a strong statement on colonialism and exploitation.
The audio narration was excellent and the narrator really brought the vibrant and magical island world to life.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the ALC.
June 3, 2025
Five years ago, Sofia's brother went to Isla Bestia and was never heard from again. When Sofia visits the legendary island to search for him, she encounters more than she bargained for. The island seems to have a mind of its own, with danger and magic lurking in every corner, and those who visit can't help but be caught in its lure...
Where to BEGIN. Read this immediately if you like:
- Lush storytelling
- Well-researched historical fiction
- Gorgeous settings--Isla Bestia is described so beautifully, it truly leaps off the page
- Fantasy elements! There's so much magic, myth and lore throughout the entire story!
There is a LOT that happens in this book, and at times it was a bit disorienting, but eventually you find your footing again within the story. TRUST THE PROCESS--sometimes I wondered how it will all be pieced together but don't worry, it wraps up beautifully.
If you have any sort of ties to Caribbean heritage (or are just interested in Taino history/culture), this is a must read. This is truly a love letter to Taino history and culture. As a Puerto Rican whose earliest memories in school were learning about Tainos and the history of our island, this story was so special to me. I’m so grateful to Rodrigo for bringing so much of our history and culture to life through such an incredible story--I can't wait to shove this book into everyone's hands!
Where to BEGIN. Read this immediately if you like:
- Lush storytelling
- Well-researched historical fiction
- Gorgeous settings--Isla Bestia is described so beautifully, it truly leaps off the page
- Fantasy elements! There's so much magic, myth and lore throughout the entire story!
There is a LOT that happens in this book, and at times it was a bit disorienting, but eventually you find your footing again within the story. TRUST THE PROCESS--sometimes I wondered how it will all be pieced together but don't worry, it wraps up beautifully.
If you have any sort of ties to Caribbean heritage (or are just interested in Taino history/culture), this is a must read. This is truly a love letter to Taino history and culture. As a Puerto Rican whose earliest memories in school were learning about Tainos and the history of our island, this story was so special to me. I’m so grateful to Rodrigo for bringing so much of our history and culture to life through such an incredible story--I can't wait to shove this book into everyone's hands!
August 5, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review
"When night descends, el Carnaval de Bestias rises."
Sofia was born a twin and as a young girl she and her brother Sol were sold into slavery. They were able to stay together and ended up in the hands of a family who grew and sold sugar cane. Sol was an artist and the prize of their master. Sofia was both a friend and and maid to the daughter Adelina.
5 years ago Sol and their master set sail to the Island of Beasts and never returned. She has worried about Sol ever since. 2 years ago slaves were freed and were free to continue working but were to be paid. Sofia saved for 2 years and now she has bought a stay on the island and is determined to find her brother.
But the island of beasts is designed to entrance the guest with spectacles, indulgences, and mystery. very few who come to the island are able to find their way out. Sofia catches on to what is going on and will go through great lengths to escape the hypnotizing clutches of the carnaval.
This was the easiest 5 stars I have given a book in a long time. I was obsesses from page one and did not want to put it down. The writing, stunning, the atmosphere, beautiful, the plot, amazing. I was completely blown away by this debut, the themes of colonialism, slavery, and vengeance were so well woven into the story. The plot was so compelling but there was so much history, and lore interspersed but the reading experience never felt tedious. This felt like such a labour of love, research, and time and the product was perfection in my eyes. The world building felt so seamless, everything was described to the finest detail but it never felt like too much. It was honestly the biggest pleasure to read.
"When night descends, el Carnaval de Bestias rises."
Sofia was born a twin and as a young girl she and her brother Sol were sold into slavery. They were able to stay together and ended up in the hands of a family who grew and sold sugar cane. Sol was an artist and the prize of their master. Sofia was both a friend and and maid to the daughter Adelina.
5 years ago Sol and their master set sail to the Island of Beasts and never returned. She has worried about Sol ever since. 2 years ago slaves were freed and were free to continue working but were to be paid. Sofia saved for 2 years and now she has bought a stay on the island and is determined to find her brother.
But the island of beasts is designed to entrance the guest with spectacles, indulgences, and mystery. very few who come to the island are able to find their way out. Sofia catches on to what is going on and will go through great lengths to escape the hypnotizing clutches of the carnaval.
This was the easiest 5 stars I have given a book in a long time. I was obsesses from page one and did not want to put it down. The writing, stunning, the atmosphere, beautiful, the plot, amazing. I was completely blown away by this debut, the themes of colonialism, slavery, and vengeance were so well woven into the story. The plot was so compelling but there was so much history, and lore interspersed but the reading experience never felt tedious. This felt like such a labour of love, research, and time and the product was perfection in my eyes. The world building felt so seamless, everything was described to the finest detail but it never felt like too much. It was honestly the biggest pleasure to read.
July 30, 2025
Beasts of Carnaval is a fever dream of lush prose and a labyrinth of twists and turns blending fantasy, revenge, and overarching mystery.
I think this book was wonderful to consume as an audiobook. I had the opportunity to access both the early physical copy as well as the audiobook and I adored the audio narration. The narrator added so much to the voice of Sofia, her wittiness and snark really came through in the audio format.
While the opening of Beasts of Carnaval was strong, hooking me into a revenge driven mystery plot and a buddy "detective" friendship, as the story progressed it seemed to lose its stride - not to say it wasn't good - I think it just suffered from dragging on a little too long in the middle before rushing to wrap everything up in a bow for the ending.
The characters were interesting (love a well-read badass heroine who is unapologetically herself), the prose was flowery and dense, the blurb promised a fever dream and it provided.
I can't wait to see more from Rosália Rodrigo, because this was a magical debut.
I think this book was wonderful to consume as an audiobook. I had the opportunity to access both the early physical copy as well as the audiobook and I adored the audio narration. The narrator added so much to the voice of Sofia, her wittiness and snark really came through in the audio format.
While the opening of Beasts of Carnaval was strong, hooking me into a revenge driven mystery plot and a buddy "detective" friendship, as the story progressed it seemed to lose its stride - not to say it wasn't good - I think it just suffered from dragging on a little too long in the middle before rushing to wrap everything up in a bow for the ending.
The characters were interesting (love a well-read badass heroine who is unapologetically herself), the prose was flowery and dense, the blurb promised a fever dream and it provided.
I can't wait to see more from Rosália Rodrigo, because this was a magical debut.
July 30, 2025
3.5 rounded up for GR!
First and foremost, thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. I was extremely excited to get my hands on Beast of Carnaval, being puertorican myself, reading from a puertorican author a fantasy story that draws inspiration from the culture, beliefs, and history of the Taíno was enough of a selling point for me. And while I encourage people to read it, I do it mostly because Rodrigo's writing is simply outstanding. I felt like I was in Isla Bestia with Sofia, trying to uncover what was going on, and trying to see where the story was heading. This though, only happened until the 60%, because in my opinion, the book became a little too unorganized for me. I found myself going back to certain parts of the book because it was hard to keep track of what was going on. While I adored the atmospheric writing, and find it incredibly important to have books that draw inspiration from our history, I do believe the story needed more structure.
The narration and production on the other hand was incredible. It did help me get through some of the parts that I know would've been hard to read in physical/e-book.
Thanks again to Netgallery and MIRA for the ARC.
First and foremost, thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. I was extremely excited to get my hands on Beast of Carnaval, being puertorican myself, reading from a puertorican author a fantasy story that draws inspiration from the culture, beliefs, and history of the Taíno was enough of a selling point for me. And while I encourage people to read it, I do it mostly because Rodrigo's writing is simply outstanding. I felt like I was in Isla Bestia with Sofia, trying to uncover what was going on, and trying to see where the story was heading. This though, only happened until the 60%, because in my opinion, the book became a little too unorganized for me. I found myself going back to certain parts of the book because it was hard to keep track of what was going on. While I adored the atmospheric writing, and find it incredibly important to have books that draw inspiration from our history, I do believe the story needed more structure.
The narration and production on the other hand was incredible. It did help me get through some of the parts that I know would've been hard to read in physical/e-book.
Thanks again to Netgallery and MIRA for the ARC.
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