Silver Nitrate

I enjoyed it, but it was slower than I expected. There were more flashbacks than seemed necessary, so there were parts where I was bored or confused. It was good, but not great.

“Silver Nitrate” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia once again showcases her ability to weave a captivating tale, steeped in lost films, clandestine cults, and a thoroughly researched dive into the heart of Mexican cinema. If you're familiar with “Mexican Gothic,” you'll appreciate the measured pace of this novel. However, while “Mexican Gothic” was a slow burn leading to a satisfyingly explosive climax, “Silver Nitrate” can feel like a long fuse, keeping you eagerly anticipating a grand finale that seems always on the horizon.

Moreno-Garcia's knack for world-building is the shining star of this book. She breathes life into the '90s setting with her precise and evocative details, and her characters are well-rounded enough to carry the story. At times, the narrative might feel as though you're peering through a foggy window - the critical events are relayed secondhand or even thirdhand. Yet, it's worth noting that these accounts are brimming with rich details and painted with a beautiful prose that add depth to the narrative.

As “Silver Nitrate” moves towards its conclusion, it quickens its stride, bringing you closer to the long-awaited climax. The book may feel like it's been holding back, but when it finally lets go, the narrative gains a potent momentum. The indirect engagement and measured pacing might have stolen some of the narrative's potential vibrancy, but they don't undermine the book's strengths - it's still a masterfully written and painstakingly researched work. For readers who appreciate patient storytelling and are intrigued by the curious intersection of cinema and cults, this book will indeed hold a unique appeal.

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and the author for the advance copy.

Set in 1990's Mexico City, Silivia Moreno Garcia's new book Silver Nitrate brings me retro/vintage vibes perfect for those who love the mysteries behind “cursed films” and occultism. Silvia Moreno Garcia blends together Nazis, film culture, tragedy, secrets and mysticism. It's so hard to put into words how ‘atmospheric” this book is. Her writing literally pulls you into the story. I found myself invested in the characters, and even more invested in the layers of mystery surrounding the cursed film.

From unique, intriguing characters to mysterious plot twists, this book had me hooked for days, recalling all the details before bed, almost as if I was part of the story. I love when writing is able to pull my attention in this way, blocking out the world fully immersed in an alternate life. There's something eerie about old films that gives me the spooks and I live for it. Easily one of my top reads. of the year.

There's always that sense of excitement when Silvia Moreno-Garcia has a new book coming out. In part, it's because you know you're in for something that has her signature style, but will not be retreading on territory covered in previous books. For the most part.

Silver Nitrate is a marvelous supernatural book set in Mexico in the 80s, focusing on their film and television industry. We follow Montserrat, an audio editor for a local film house, and Tristan, a disgraced telenovela star who's scarred up face has him doing voiceover work instead of being the leading man he was. Their shared love of campy horror flicks and a chance encounter with a retired local horror director, Abel, leads them down a dark path of helping him complete one of his lost films that's kept on rare (and volatile) silver nitrate stock.

Of course, Abel was working on the film with a former Nazi occultist who'd embedded spells in the film, and his untimely death left the spell chain broken, which Abel felt led to the end of his career and a string of bad luck. When Montserrat and Tristan promise to help finish by providing voiceover for the film and help complete the spells, their luck changes for a brief period before, well... as one of Abel's former friends Jose puts it, they set off a magical nuclear bomb and played right into that Nazi's hands of looking for immortality.

There's a lot of love put into this novel, with a focus on old horror flicks and Mexico's film scene and tons of occult stuff. Lots of research went into making sure everything felt right, and it shows. Much like Velvet Was the Night, this book is dripping with style, tension and is a joy to read. I found myself not reading too much at a time for the explicit purpose of not wanting to finish it too quickly, which is always a good sign.

Moreno-Garcia has a rare talent for making immensely readable books that still pack deep thematic elements for those willing to look beyond the well-crafted plots.

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.