I love a generational mystery. Queenie's journey to uncover her grandmother's past brought up a lot of surprises, some a little scandalous, and some very tragic. I loved how the author connected the universal feelings and problems that connected the two women although they lived very different lives. The characters were complex and the twists and turns keep the reader engaged. I think the ending could be a little divisive but in general it was a good read.

This book follows queenie as she tries to uncover secrets about her grandmothers past, with twists and turns that will keep you hooked until the last minute.

This book did not end up where I thought we were going. The twists and turns as Queenie continues to uncover her grandmother's secrets were juicy (and heartbreaking).

Admittedly I may not have picked this up off of the description alone but the length and eerie (?) cover vibes make it a good beach read with a dense subject matter.

Queenie sets out to uncover the truth about her grandmother Anke’s life—and death—only to stumble upon shocking revelations about her family’s past.

I love how Márquez crafts Queenie’s journey. As she pieces together Anke’s past, she also wrestles with her own personal struggles. The story beautifully explores themes of legacy, self-discovery, and the untold stories that define us. It left me reflecting on how people are complex—living layered lives, carrying secrets we may never fully uncover.

Although the suspense isn’t particularly intense for a murder mystery, the steady pace and intricate storytelling kept me engaged, making this an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This was okay. The writing didn't captivate me, but I enjoyed seeing how the story played out. I liked the cast of characters a lot. Sometimes things felt like they happened all at once, and there are a few things that never get explained. Overall, a good experience, though.

At first, I wasn’t sure where this book was going, but by the time I got deeper into the story, I found myself drawn in. Queenie’s relationship with her grandmother, Anke, is at the heart of the narrative, and it’s such a fascinating and complex portrayal. The way Queenie uncovers layers of Anke’s life—full of mystery and surprises—was both enchanting and thought-provoking. It made me think about how we often don’t truly know our family members until we start digging into their pasts.

Anke’s past, as revealed through Queenie’s search, feels almost mythical in its depth. The revelations show just how multifaceted people are and how we only get glimpses of their true selves over time. Queenie’s journey of uncovering these secrets is a powerful exploration of family history, identity, and the way legacies shape us. The balance of discovering Anke’s past while dealing with her own personal struggles gives the book emotional weight.

While it didn’t completely captivate me from start to finish, I still found the book to be a thoughtful and compelling read. It wasn’t an overwhelming favorite, but it’s one that sticks with you. I’d give it a solid 3 ⭐—it was good, but not quite as memorable as I expected.

3.5 rounded up

At first, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to finish this book, but once I reached the 20% mark, I was completely hooked. Queenie’s grandmother, Anke Rivers, is a beautifully complex character. And the way Queenie uncovers the story of Anke’s life, although mystical and fantastical somehow mirrors how many of us come to understand our grandparents. The person they are in the present often feels worlds apart from the person we find out that they once were. People are layered, living multiple lives, holding secrets that we—especially as grandchildren—may never fully comprehend. Malia Márquez does a brilliant job of portraying Queenie’s journey as she unravels Anke’s past while also grappling with her own struggles. It’s a poignant exploration of identity, legacy, and the hidden histories that shape us.

This was my first encounter with Malia Márquez, and I’m eager to dive into “This Fierce Blood” very soon.

Such a fun read, with so many unexpected twists and turns!

I did feel as though there were a lot of continuity errors that confused the story, especially towards the end, however overall I really enjoyed reading this. The way secrets were revealed slowly throughout kept me guessing right until the end.

3.5 stars out of 5 ⭐️

This was such a good book! I love the twist of the story how our main character is now a murder suspect. This story had a lot of twists and turns, it had really good pacing of its timeline, and it was just entertaining overall.


Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!