The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina by Zoraida Cordova -> Starting January 17th, 2022

[Aly]

The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low or empty, or why their matriarch won’t ever leave their home in Four Rivers—even for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held onto so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Seven years later, her gifts have manifested in different ways for Marimar, Rey, and Tatinelly’s daughter, Rhiannon, granting them unexpected blessings. But soon, a hidden figure begins to tear through their family tree, picking them off one by one as it seeks to destroy Orquídea’s line. Determined to save what’s left of their family and uncover the truth behind their inheritance, the four descendants travel to Ecuador—to the place where Orquídea buried her secrets and broken promises and never looked backed.

Alternating between Orquídea’s past and her descendants’ present, The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is an enchanting novel about what we knowingly and unknowingly inherit from our ancestors, the ties that bind, and reclaiming your power.

[Alaina]

Going to dive into this after I finish You Don't Know My Name

[Aly]

I'll be starting this today!

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Alaina]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[So far it's okay but I have questions. I also love how badass that bourbon and smashing the glass scene was. She definitely mic dropped to the dead. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

I'm almost done with part 1

[Alaina]

Yay!

[Alaina]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[I would like some answers too please! So lets go find some secrets people! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[Each twist is definitely making this a page turner. I can't wait to see how this is going to end. I'm loving the magical parts and the hidden danger too. I still have a lot of unanswered questions though. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 4 / Finished: (view spoiler)[Wow this book really flew by for me. I did, kind of, want more magic in it but still I really enjoyed it. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Part 1: [spoilers removed]"

Haha total mic drop

[Aly]

Part 1 (view spoiler)[ I'm definitely interested in Orquidea's life and how she got her magic. I also like that Marimar and Rey are buddies.

It's a bit slow but I think the other parts will be shorter (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Part 1: [spoilers removed]"

Haha total mic drop"

Or Thor smashing a glass and saying ANOTHER!

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Part 1 "

Yes, I feel like we were getting so much information in part 1 that things were moving a bit more slower than I thought it would. The other parts go by very quickly.

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Part 2: [spoilers removed]"

Yes get on it!

[Aly]

Part 2 (view spoiler)[ I didn't think we'd skip 7 years so that was a surprise. I wonder if the person they feel watching them is the man Orquidea stole magic from? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Part 2 [spoilers removed]"

Dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnn!

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

Yes, I like that we're getting answers and some action

[Aly]

Part 3 (view spoiler)[ So many of Marimar's family has died! Poor Tatinelly. Now her daughter is an orphan :(

Orquidea's husband is a complete douche and I'm glad she's going to steal the star from him (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Part 3 "

I honestly wasn't expecting so much death but I also agree with the husband being a total douche canoe.

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Part 4 / Finished: [spoilers removed]"

I agree, more magic would have been nice. But it was also incorporated in a cool way

[Aly]

Part 4 (view spoiler)[ I liked seeing the family reunited at the end and that Marimar got to meet her dad. One thing I really like about Cordova's writing is her entwining magic into the real world so it feels possible.

The first part was too long and made it a bit hard to get into the story but it was an interesting book (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Part 4 / Finished: [spoilers removed]"

I agree, more magic would have been nice. But it was also incorporated in a cool way"

Yes, that's true!

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Part 4 .."

I also like the writing and definitely agree about the first part.

[Emma]

I’m starting this right now!

[Emma]

Up to end of ch 8 (view spoiler)[ I’m finding this a bit slow.. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

Ch 16
(view spoiler)[ very interested to find out what connection the dark shadow stranger has to the family curse. I think Book 3 will give us the answers! (hide spoiler)]

[Emma]

Ch 19
(view spoiler)[ I’m not liking Martin’s chances of making it back to the States… (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Emma wrote: "Ch 16
[spoilers removed]"

Ooh yes book 3 is great!

[Aly]

Emma wrote: "Ch 19
[spoilers removed]"

Oh no!

[Emma]

Ch 26
(view spoiler)[ pretty close to finishing and I’m a bit disappointed with it. I do t know quite what I was expecting, but more something. Maybe the last few chapters will redeem it for me? Maybe… (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Emma wrote: "Ch 26
[spoilers removed]"

Awh I'm sorry. Were you hoping for more action or magic maybe?

[Emma]

Aly wrote: "Emma wrote: "Ch 26
[spoilers removed]"

Awh I'm sorry. Were you hoping for more action or magic maybe?"

Aly wrote: "Emma wrote: "Ch 26
[spoilers removed]"

Awh I'm sorry. Were you hoping for more action or magic maybe?"

More drama and Witchery I think. Maybe the last few chapters will be an all out Hocus Pocus Spectacular- I can live in hope!

[Emma]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ the ending did redeem this for me somewhat but not with a fanfare! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Emma wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

I also thought there would be more magic for sure. For me, I was happy because it felt well integrated with reality, like most of the magic was small things which I liked

[Emma]

Ah you see I’m a seasoned fantasy fan and I like my world setting magically saturated!

[Dr. Andy]

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RESTARTING JANUARY 17TH, 2022

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[Dr. Andy]

I'm starting today!

[Dr. Andy]

ch 6 (view spoiler)[ I like how the simplest solution unlocked the house! Looks like Orquidea is turning into a tree, I am very curious. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

part 1 (view spoiler)[ this is interesting, I feel like I keep getting distracted tho. No fault of the book, just my brain being annoying. I wonder what will happen now that Orquidea was turned into a tree. Like is that just the end. Or is this gonna be a cat 9 lives type situation? (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

part 2 (view spoiler)[ Huh these glowers they have are interesting. I enjoyed seeing Marimar come into her own while she rebuilt the house. The garden stuff reminded me of Briseis in This Poison Heart though I guess she has more plant magic than Marimar. I wonder what will happen now that the rest of the Montoyas have gathered at four rivers. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

part 3 (view spoiler)[ Oh damn. Now things are starting to make sense. I'm really enjoying the two time lines. Maybe the living star is Marimar's father? I think it's definitely possible. I'm glad they went to Ecuador and got to meet the extended family. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I loved the ending! This was so good. All my confusion of where things took place was cleared up with those last two parts and finally having the timelines converge. I enjoyed this book so much. I love that Marimar adopted Rhiannon. (hide spoiler)]