Look, this is a really good book. Moreno-Garcia can write, the atmosphere is thick and unsettling, and the cultural perspective brings something genuinely fresh to gothic horror. It's smart, it's creepy, and it earned its accolades.

But let's be crystal clear: this is not remotely appropriate for kids or teens. The attempted rape scenes, incest plotline, and body horror are not subtle or metaphorical—they're right there on the page. When Goodreads reviewers say 'definitely for adults,' they mean it.

For adult readers who love gothic horror, atmospheric slow burns, or just want to see the genre done from a non-Anglo perspective? This is excellent. It's the kind of book you read with all the lights on, then think about for weeks. Just keep it on the top shelf, far from curious teen eyes.