Book: Bruja’s Nest by Latorre, Brenda
Reviewed by Weird | weird.reads.books
Rating: 4/5
This is a book for all the weird and body horror lovers. Picture this: as part of a ritual, a still-beating rooster’s heart is shoved up the main character’s body. If you’re not weirded/grossed out by that visual and instead stopped your scrolling because your curiosity is piqued, this book is for you.
In Bruja’s Nest, Brenda LaTorre masterfully weaves together themes of feminist, motherhood, and class-war horror. Her vivid descriptions paint pictures so visceral they'll have you squirming in your seat (because, you know, horror).
Yoli, the protagonist, is an unlikeable character. To cope with severe abuse from her mother and brother, she escapes into an obsession with telenovelas. She uses these melodramatic tropes as her guide through real life, and her resulting delusions constantly backfire. However, she’s such a fascinating, complex character that the story kept me completely hooked.
There’s another huge aspect I loved in Bruja’s Nest, which is the rich integration of Mexican culture. As a Mexican American, so many elements resonated deeply, from settings reminiscent of places I’ve visited in Mexico to traditions passed down through generations in the US. My notes were filled with thoughts on the cultura and the food. The food portions genuinely made me so hungry and wanting to cook some of these dishes. That may not be the case for everyone reading it, but it gave me so much connection and appreciation for my heritage.
Bruja’s Nest is a perfect read for October if you’re looking for witchcraft in a Mexican setting and would love to see so much feminine rage unfold. Yes, I recommend this book and can’t wait to see what Brenda LaTorre writes next
Thank you to NetGalley and Creature Publishing for the eARC. All opinions are my own.