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The Exquisite and Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza
Carmen Espinoza is finally leaving her mother today, but before she goes, she needs one more thing—the “before” photo. The photo is the only evidence that her family was once normal, happy, and together. Before her brother died. Beginning her senior year as a foreign exchange student in Oaxaca, Mexico, Carmen believes her normal life is about to begin, but when she sees her dead brother during the Day of the Dead festivities, she soon discovers that leaving your past behind is not as simple as packing a bag.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2014
5 people are currently reading
1471 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Taylor
10 books515 followersRebecca Taylor is a licensed psychologist and author of bestselling women's psychological fiction. Her book The Secret Next Door was a bestselling title in Target stores throughout the USA, a #1 bestselling book on Amazon, and a Book of the Month selection on Apple Books. Her book Her Perfect Life was the winner of the Women's Fiction Writer's STAR award. Her previous titles have won the Colorado Book Award and been nominated for the RWA RITA award. She lives in Colorado but currently spends most of her time on airplanes, writing and traveling all over the world.
Learn more at:
www.rebeccataylorbooks.com
@RebeccaTaylorPage (Facebook)
@RebeccaTaylorBooks (Instagram)
Learn more at:
www.rebeccataylorbooks.com
@RebeccaTaylorPage (Facebook)
@RebeccaTaylorBooks (Instagram)
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 10, 2014
I read this book for free on Wattpad and decided to do an official book club buddy read of it for my reading for pleasure book club on goodreads. I enjoyed checking it out.
Here's what the story is about in my own words: When Carmen Espinoza leaves her alcoholic mother to go abroad in Mexico, she knows that she can never come back there. Arriving to her foster family, they make her participate in the Day of the Dead festivities. It is only when she sees her dead brother Daniel that her adventure into another world begins and she must make an account to save her brother's life or stay in the world of the between forever. Will she succeed? Read this book and find out.
I enjoyed this book. It was crazy how the offenses that were the obstacles in the world were based on the seven deadly sins which made it interesting too. I rooted and cried as Carmen went on her journey which tested her ability to resist the offenses of life. If you enjoy stories about love, forgiveness, a wonderland type story about day of the dead and more then you'll enjoy the Exquisite and Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza. The book is available to read for free on wattpad here at this link: http://www.wattpad.com/story/11485309... and you can get it on Amazon too. Def check it out.
Here's what the story is about in my own words: When Carmen Espinoza leaves her alcoholic mother to go abroad in Mexico, she knows that she can never come back there. Arriving to her foster family, they make her participate in the Day of the Dead festivities. It is only when she sees her dead brother Daniel that her adventure into another world begins and she must make an account to save her brother's life or stay in the world of the between forever. Will she succeed? Read this book and find out.
I enjoyed this book. It was crazy how the offenses that were the obstacles in the world were based on the seven deadly sins which made it interesting too. I rooted and cried as Carmen went on her journey which tested her ability to resist the offenses of life. If you enjoy stories about love, forgiveness, a wonderland type story about day of the dead and more then you'll enjoy the Exquisite and Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza. The book is available to read for free on wattpad here at this link: http://www.wattpad.com/story/11485309... and you can get it on Amazon too. Def check it out.
June 20, 2014
The Exquisite & Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza
Rebecca Taylor
The Exquisite & Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza is a refreshing departure from much of the YA fiction so popular today. Although Taylor's target audience remains within the YA realm, it reads more as a late teens to early twenties novel.
Carmen Espinoza is, as we meet her, the seventeen-year-old only child of a fanatically Catholic woman. Carmen's first-person narrative tells us that her father left when she was only four years old. We meet her thirteen years later, on the cusp of her departure from her mother's restrictive and emotionally abusive household for a study abroad opportunity in Oaxaca, Mexico. The first chapter of the novel dives headlong into the plot's essential backstory, its narrative choppy and uncomfortable—much as the narrator, Carmen, is lost and without identity. Lonely and alone, Carmen seeks both escape and identity for herself in Mexico, instead finding only deep depression and self-imposed isolation as she dwells on what her family might have been like before her baby brother, Daniel, died and her father left. Finally forced by her host mother to participate in a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tradition, Carmen is drawn into an altogether unworldly quest to save the soul of her brother.
Accompanied by her guide, Ray, Carmen embarks on a fight against time to make a "full" account of Daniel's death before the Day of the Dead ends, and Daniel's soul is lost forever, stuck in the "Between" (a fantastic reinvisionment of Purgatory). Reminiscent of Dante's journey through Purgatory and Hell, Ray—like Virgil—guides Carmen across a landscape interrupted by various "Offenses." Without Ray's aid, Carmen must navigate escape from the sins (as in, the Seven Deadly ones) within which other souls in the Between are trapped. Along the way, Carmen must face her own rage, always seething just below her skin. She will discover a truth both awful and pitiable, reminiscent of a Greek tragic hero, and find a grace that is truly immaculate and exquisite.
The Exquisite Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza is not a new story, but neither have we read it before. Taylor creates a unique landscape blending Dante, scripture, reincarnation, and the Day of the Dead into a rich spiritual world. The novel is a bildungsroman, as Carmen undeniably comes of age and, as we say, 'finds herself' through each page. And, although Carmen does fall in love along the way to self-actualization, hers is a love story any adult can both envy and support. But, the ultimate theme of self-sacrifice—on an almost messianic level—lifts this YA novel from among its peers. Readers should be warned that although the ending is not tragic in a Greek or Shakespearean sense, neither is it altogether happy (as per the seeming YA criteria of late). Adults and mature teens alike cannot help but to be drawn into the story of Carmen Espinoza's redemption and grace.
Rebecca Taylor
The Exquisite & Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza is a refreshing departure from much of the YA fiction so popular today. Although Taylor's target audience remains within the YA realm, it reads more as a late teens to early twenties novel.
Carmen Espinoza is, as we meet her, the seventeen-year-old only child of a fanatically Catholic woman. Carmen's first-person narrative tells us that her father left when she was only four years old. We meet her thirteen years later, on the cusp of her departure from her mother's restrictive and emotionally abusive household for a study abroad opportunity in Oaxaca, Mexico. The first chapter of the novel dives headlong into the plot's essential backstory, its narrative choppy and uncomfortable—much as the narrator, Carmen, is lost and without identity. Lonely and alone, Carmen seeks both escape and identity for herself in Mexico, instead finding only deep depression and self-imposed isolation as she dwells on what her family might have been like before her baby brother, Daniel, died and her father left. Finally forced by her host mother to participate in a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tradition, Carmen is drawn into an altogether unworldly quest to save the soul of her brother.
Accompanied by her guide, Ray, Carmen embarks on a fight against time to make a "full" account of Daniel's death before the Day of the Dead ends, and Daniel's soul is lost forever, stuck in the "Between" (a fantastic reinvisionment of Purgatory). Reminiscent of Dante's journey through Purgatory and Hell, Ray—like Virgil—guides Carmen across a landscape interrupted by various "Offenses." Without Ray's aid, Carmen must navigate escape from the sins (as in, the Seven Deadly ones) within which other souls in the Between are trapped. Along the way, Carmen must face her own rage, always seething just below her skin. She will discover a truth both awful and pitiable, reminiscent of a Greek tragic hero, and find a grace that is truly immaculate and exquisite.
The Exquisite Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza is not a new story, but neither have we read it before. Taylor creates a unique landscape blending Dante, scripture, reincarnation, and the Day of the Dead into a rich spiritual world. The novel is a bildungsroman, as Carmen undeniably comes of age and, as we say, 'finds herself' through each page. And, although Carmen does fall in love along the way to self-actualization, hers is a love story any adult can both envy and support. But, the ultimate theme of self-sacrifice—on an almost messianic level—lifts this YA novel from among its peers. Readers should be warned that although the ending is not tragic in a Greek or Shakespearean sense, neither is it altogether happy (as per the seeming YA criteria of late). Adults and mature teens alike cannot help but to be drawn into the story of Carmen Espinoza's redemption and grace.
April 17, 2017
"The veil between the world you know and The Between is open for one day."
"The Day of the Dead."
"Yes, it has been called that. But the important thing is that one day is over, you chance to leave The Between goes with it."
"I would be stuck here for a whole year."
"Oh, no. You would be stuck here forever."
La vida de Carmen cambió para siempre el día que su hermanito menor, Daniel, murió: su papá la abandonó y su mamá se escudó tras la religión hasta el punto del fanatismo (a la Carrie style).
"She protected herself from me with crucifixes and bible verse and, worst of all, distance."
A sus 17 años, trece años después de ese fatídico día, desesperada por tener una vida normal, Carmen decide embarcarse a México para un programa de intercambio. Allí, en medio de las festividades del Día de los Muertos, ve el fantasma de Daniel, quien la conducirá hasta The Between: "el espacio entre la vida y la muerte. La pausa, el aliento, el no aquí ni allá. No vivo y no totalmente muerto sino el viaje que conecta ambos".
Es así como comienza la aventura de Carmen, quien con ayuda de su -siempre descarado e ingenioso- guía de inframundo, Ray, deberá pasar una serie de pruebas: atravesando los círculos de los pecados capitales. Descubriendo en el camino, poco a poco, la oscura verdad tras la muerte de su hermano, la cual deberá explicar ante la La Gran Equilibradora para lograr que Daniel finalmente pueda cruzar al más allá. Para realizar esa tarea Carmen sólo tiene un día, el Día de los Muertos, ya que cuando este acabe se cerrará el portal y tanto su alma como la de Daniel quedarían atrapadas para siempre.
El comienzo de la historia es un poco lento y resulta difícil empatizar con Carmen quien es un personaje bastante arisco. Sin embargo, una vez que comienza "el viaje" es imposible parar de leer.Cargada de emociones y sorpresas -y con uno de los mejores finales que haya leído-, The Exquisite and Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza es una hermosa y conmovedora historia de autodescubrimiento, redención, amor y sacrificio, que no puedes pasar por alto.
“My whole living life, everyday, I was shown the image of sacrifice. I never understood it, never comprehended the power of it, until we were approaching The Beyond. That’s where my eyes saw, my ears heard... my heart felt. That’s when I knew.”
“Knew what?” he breathed.
“Knew that I was forgiven... and there might still be a way to make everything right.”
PD: No me juzguen, pero no puedo dejar de pensar en esto como Inferno meets El Viaje de Chihiro.
***
La relectura fue aún mejor que la primera vez. Lo que me hace preguntarme: ¿POR QUÉ NO HAY MÁS GENTE LEYENDO ESTE LIBRO? C'mon people, ¿solo 40 ratings? Pero si está gratis en Wattpad.
June 6, 2014
Wow, this story left me speechless. The ending was completely unexpected in such a beautiful way. This is a unique coming-of-age story that follows Carmen as she seeks to understand her brother's death from a decade before. I loved the setting of Oaxaca, Mexico and the way the magic of Day of the Dead was woven in. The writing was so visceral I felt like I could see the trials (or Offenses) Carmen must face to uncover the truth. Overall, a really entertaining read, although *warning* the revelation at the end is very sad.
April 15, 2015
*Received an advance copy from the Author; In return, I should give an honest review.
“Sacrifices are part of our lives. It may be unknown for others, but in every little thing we do, we lose a part of us. And that’s sacrifice.”
The Exquisite and Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza has some similarity with Stephen King’s Carrie. (Carmen’s mother; her life; and how Carmen acted. Except the telekinetic power).
Honestly, I got bored when I was reading the first three chapters; but after three chapters, I can’t basically stop reading. I was so hooked. The introduction of Ray was perfectly beautiful. Unique character.
This book is so awesome. I love the title of each chapter (especially those chapters that depict The Seven(7) Deadly Sins).
What’s so interesting about “The Exquisite and Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza?”
There are tons of reasons why you should read this one. (Let me give you at least 5).
First, you will think that it’s just an ordinary story but it turned out that you were wrong. Second, you will learn how to indulge and to resist temptations in your life. Third, you will feel the pain and the memories of your past. (What’s the reason why someone did that to you or to other people). Fourth, forgiveness is the key to balance everything, and you will learn that it’s not hard to give. Lastly, you will gain knowledge that will help explain why sacrifices are the hardest to do, and why it’s an act of agape love.
Let me give a glimpse of each character:
Carmen – stubborn girl. Basically, a typical one until that day happened.
Ray – (I love him). His character let me understood something: “Not everyone who appears to be your enemy or ‘snake’ is really an antagonist. Sometimes, they are the ones who really care and love you unconditionally.” Remember: Looks can be deceiving.
Carmen’s Mother – always mad; crazy follower; and dwells in her past.
Daniel – lost soul that is searching for an answer. Basically, a happy kid.
The Balancer – mad; trapped to her current state; against her own will to surrender herself; and selfish.
What I learned?
First: Abusive/hurting actions caused by other people describes how dark are their past. We should not hurt them; instead, we should help them to heal and unveil what specific scenario is haunting them from their past. In that way, they can release and escape their traumatizing past or they can unload their burdens.
Second: Don’t think that you can’t love anyone. Because an act of sacrifice proves that you’re wrong.
Third: Temptations can be found everywhere and you can resist it by having a focus mind and a fighting heart.
Fourth: Not everyone that glows are light; some are lost souls.
Lastly: Peace and balance will only start when we allow ourselves to have it and give some to others. We can’t wish the whole world to have a perfect harmony we can’t try it first.
Basically, A Book-to-Read. Grab your copies now fellow bookworms.
Thanks for your time.
“Sacrifices are part of our lives. It may be unknown for others, but in every little thing we do, we lose a part of us. And that’s sacrifice.”
The Exquisite and Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza has some similarity with Stephen King’s Carrie. (Carmen’s mother; her life; and how Carmen acted. Except the telekinetic power).
Honestly, I got bored when I was reading the first three chapters; but after three chapters, I can’t basically stop reading. I was so hooked. The introduction of Ray was perfectly beautiful. Unique character.
This book is so awesome. I love the title of each chapter (especially those chapters that depict The Seven(7) Deadly Sins).
What’s so interesting about “The Exquisite and Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza?”
There are tons of reasons why you should read this one. (Let me give you at least 5).
First, you will think that it’s just an ordinary story but it turned out that you were wrong. Second, you will learn how to indulge and to resist temptations in your life. Third, you will feel the pain and the memories of your past. (What’s the reason why someone did that to you or to other people). Fourth, forgiveness is the key to balance everything, and you will learn that it’s not hard to give. Lastly, you will gain knowledge that will help explain why sacrifices are the hardest to do, and why it’s an act of agape love.
Let me give a glimpse of each character:
Carmen – stubborn girl. Basically, a typical one until that day happened.
Ray – (I love him). His character let me understood something: “Not everyone who appears to be your enemy or ‘snake’ is really an antagonist. Sometimes, they are the ones who really care and love you unconditionally.” Remember: Looks can be deceiving.
Carmen’s Mother – always mad; crazy follower; and dwells in her past.
Daniel – lost soul that is searching for an answer. Basically, a happy kid.
The Balancer – mad; trapped to her current state; against her own will to surrender herself; and selfish.
What I learned?
First: Abusive/hurting actions caused by other people describes how dark are their past. We should not hurt them; instead, we should help them to heal and unveil what specific scenario is haunting them from their past. In that way, they can release and escape their traumatizing past or they can unload their burdens.
Second: Don’t think that you can’t love anyone. Because an act of sacrifice proves that you’re wrong.
Third: Temptations can be found everywhere and you can resist it by having a focus mind and a fighting heart.
Fourth: Not everyone that glows are light; some are lost souls.
Lastly: Peace and balance will only start when we allow ourselves to have it and give some to others. We can’t wish the whole world to have a perfect harmony we can’t try it first.
Basically, A Book-to-Read. Grab your copies now fellow bookworms.
Thanks for your time.
August 9, 2014
Wow. I loved everything about this one.
Carmen is a very well-rounded, believable character. More than that, though, her successes and failures feel personal. While I've never been one to hide from the contact of others, I got a glimpse into what that feels like: the yearning for basic human contact mixed with fear of the unknown, sprinkled with a healthy dose of distrust.
At first, this ebook felt extraordinarily black and white. The reader knows the truth, knows who the 'good' people in Carmen's life are, versus the 'bad.' Everything makes perfect sense. Carmen's perspective was a bit skewed, but the reader completely understood why. The truth was obvious.
Maybe.
The farther you read into this, the more complex it becomes. You begin to see shades of gray that make you question what you think is correct. You begin to realize that there's something more to Carmen's life than you previously thought, and that discovery is exciting!
"Something's missing..." becomes the overall thought.
There's no frustration in this, though, because as you read you're completely dazzled by the richness of the Between. Images form in your mind that leave you spellbound. You're both awed and disgusted by the many events and spirits you come across.
Indeed, you find yourself questioning your own actions in life.
Carmen is a very well-rounded, believable character. More than that, though, her successes and failures feel personal. While I've never been one to hide from the contact of others, I got a glimpse into what that feels like: the yearning for basic human contact mixed with fear of the unknown, sprinkled with a healthy dose of distrust.
At first, this ebook felt extraordinarily black and white. The reader knows the truth, knows who the 'good' people in Carmen's life are, versus the 'bad.' Everything makes perfect sense. Carmen's perspective was a bit skewed, but the reader completely understood why. The truth was obvious.
Maybe.
The farther you read into this, the more complex it becomes. You begin to see shades of gray that make you question what you think is correct. You begin to realize that there's something more to Carmen's life than you previously thought, and that discovery is exciting!
"Something's missing..." becomes the overall thought.
There's no frustration in this, though, because as you read you're completely dazzled by the richness of the Between. Images form in your mind that leave you spellbound. You're both awed and disgusted by the many events and spirits you come across.
Indeed, you find yourself questioning your own actions in life.
March 2, 2016
As I was reading, this book kept making me think of other books. Catherine Valente's "Fairyland" books (which I really like), Dante's "Inferno" (which I really like), and a spattering of other books. By just the third or fourth chapter I was completely distracted by feeling like the plot mimicked other books. Long before I finished the book, I was tired of reading it while still hoping for some unexpected or interesting twist. Still, it was a fast read, so I'm not upset at having invested the time in it.
None of that is to say that Taylor is not a good writer. I think she has it in her (certainly more than I have it in me) to spin an interesting yarn. This tells sort of a classic good versus evil story, but the good versus evil is that within each of us, or more specifically that within the titled character teen-age Carmen Espinoza. I guess she wins in the end, though it is a little unclear. And I guess she learns some important moral, ethical, human things, though it is also a little unclear how that helped her (or helps the reader). Overall, I guess I felt the book was a little preach-y without any clear reason as to why.
*** I received my copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, but I promise that did not affect my thoughts on this book.
None of that is to say that Taylor is not a good writer. I think she has it in her (certainly more than I have it in me) to spin an interesting yarn. This tells sort of a classic good versus evil story, but the good versus evil is that within each of us, or more specifically that within the titled character teen-age Carmen Espinoza. I guess she wins in the end, though it is a little unclear. And I guess she learns some important moral, ethical, human things, though it is also a little unclear how that helped her (or helps the reader). Overall, I guess I felt the book was a little preach-y without any clear reason as to why.
*** I received my copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, but I promise that did not affect my thoughts on this book.
December 29, 2015
I wasn't sure that this was the right book for me, but I love Rebecca Taylor's Ascendant trilogy so I figured I would give this one a try. I was hooked quickly into the story of Carmen and the quest to get her brother back. The ending came as a complete surprise to me, and yet was completely fitting. I am so glad I read this book. It is now one of my favorites.
February 27, 2015
Go check out my review if you want to know what I thought about this book!
It is an awesome book.
No spoilers.
https://alwaysthatbookaddict.wordpres...
It is an awesome book.
No spoilers.
https://alwaysthatbookaddict.wordpres...
January 25, 2015
Enjoyable book. Definitely not what I was expecting, but I'm glad I picked it for today's read-a-thon. I figured it was a good time to read something different, albeit in the genre I like. Recommended!
December 29, 2014
A well-written story with an unexpected ending that will leave you speechless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
August 21, 2014Seems so amamzing.
October 18, 2016
If there ever was a book blurb that doesn't prepare you for what's coming.. There was something that annoyed me about this book, but I can't really say what it is.
Want to read
February 25, 2016kindle 200 (guatelatinamerica) YA
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews