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Fantasy book review: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina

I haven't published a book review in months, although I've definitely been reading a lot. There's three big reasons for that: 1) I've been reading a lot more science fiction than fantasy, and it feels strange to call it a fantasy review; 2) I've been feeling a lot more apprehension about critiquing other author's work outside of a critique group format. I still believe there's a ton to be learned from published works, and from reading within your genre as possible, but I'm nervous about where the line is between learning (for myself) and sharing opinions that aren't needed (and... I read a few books in January that I just didn't like); and 3) since I've been using the library a lot more, books that I've finished reading aren't sitting on my shelf for nearly as long, waiting for me to write up what I thought about them! 

Nevertheless, in the effort of keeping a record of what I've read and what lesson's I've learned, I'll continue with this series for now. 

In early February I finally read The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina (2021) by Zoraida Córdova. This was a quick read--I settled in to the couch one rainy saturday and basically knocked the whole book back in a day. That's the beauty of Córdova's books--her settings feel like sinking into a comfortable, familiar couch, while still transporting you somewhere new. I've never been to Four Rivers, but from her descriptions I know what it's like, what the people who live there are like. She world-builds with an easy shorthand that tells you everything you need to know to know a place, while at the same time filling it with the fantastical. 

The worst part of this book were the characters--there were just so many, and I loved them all. There wasn't enough time spent with each one. I say this lovingly--the story moved along at a pace that says of course that's how it needed to be told--but still, I want to spend more time with everyone. I just want more Marimar, more Rey, more Tatinelly. 

Despite this book being relatively short for an adult fantasy novel, and despite the large cast of characters, you really come to love everyone involved. When that death happened, I yelled so loud that my husband came running. I want to learn how to write characters that people love, and grieve when their stories are over. 

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