Silvia Moreno-Garcia is just a straight up good writer. She can cross genres with ease, writes flawed but enjoyable realistic characters and fills her work with a love of Mexican history and culture, and often with a thread of the surreal or magical running through.

Silver Nitrate is an homage to Mexican horror movies of the 60s and 70s, whilst creating its own original horror story set in the 90s. There's a skein of romance that doesn't feel forced or uncomfortable, two lead characters who are rude and cowardly and entirely human, and growing sense of something magical and malevolent.

As well as a good story, I always feel when I finish one of her books that I've learned something too.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing horror novel, with a haunted film, magic, and cults! It's a great read for those who love the author's other work! The writing was superb and I loved all the characters.

A plot that is tricky to synopsise - so I’ll give you the two main elements : Nazi Occultism and Mexican Horror Movies.
Sounds intriguing right?

Set in Mexico City in the 1990s, Silver Nitrate’s main characters are Montserrat - an audio engineer with an obsession for old horror movies; Montserrat’s childhood friend Tristan - handsome, has-been Soap Opera actor and Abel Urueta; Tristan’s neighbour and one-time film maker of Horror Movies.

The three get enmeshed into re-dubbing the only remaining film stock of Urueta’s lost cult masterpiece (shot on the highly flammable Silver Nitrate film stock) which will somehow reverse a curse that was placed during the original (it’s not quite as simple as that, but far too complicated to explain here!)

This is the first Silvia Moreno- Garcia book I’ve read (but I have a couple more on my TBR pile). This hasn’t made me want to push those up the ‘must read next’ list though. It wasn’t a terrible read, but I didn’t find myself over-eager to get back to reading it. A pretty convoluted plot (which veered towards the silly and ridiculous at points); Lots of information that I couldn’t keep track of, and a slow-burner were the main reasons for my reading reticence.
Just a bit disappointed as I was expecting to absolutely love

Unfortunately didn’t especially scare me, however it was very well written. I think I much prefer the author’s short stories!

I really enjoyed this suspenseful horror of the Mexican film scene. I loved the relationship between the main characters, it was so messy and complicated, but it was great to see them overcome to repair the cracks and start again. Turns out, it only takes a Nazi haunting you to fix your relationships. It does start out slow and took me a bit to get into, but once they start tracking down the Nazi cult it really picks up, and I was hooked. A must-read for any Moreno-Garcia fan.

“Silver Nitrate” – Silvia Moreno-Garcia

“Why? Because to imagine Indigenous intelligence and power would have been unthinkable. We are all taught to despise the whiff of darkness, of Indigenous blood and of Blackness. We speak about ‘bettering the race,’ and by that we mean injecting more European blood into our veins. What Wilhelm said wasn’t considered outrageous at the time. It’s not even outrageous now, sadly.”

My thanks to @netgalley and @quercusbooks for my #arc in return for an honest review.

Set in 90s Mexico City, “Silver Nitrate” follows the middle-aged lives of childhood friends Montserrat and Tristán. The former is a sound editor with a love of horror cinema, while the latter is a former soap star with charm, addiction issues, and an accident in his past that still haunts and scars him today.

Together they get drawn into a world of the occult and Nazis through Montserrat’s new neighbour, Abel Urueta, a cult director. Urueta has a tale of magic and silver nitrate, a curse that has lasted for decades, and an opportunity for the two friends to find success and happiness that seems to be alluding them.

This is the second book I’ve read from this author, the first being “Gods of Jade and Shadow”, and I find myself finding similar positives and negatives to that book. It was a fun, pacy read with a bit of local flavour, some good action sequences, and a sense of atmosphere throughout. The characters are fairly fleshed out and believable, even in a world of sorcery and black magic, and the book touches on aspects of race and colonialism that I always find interesting.

The negatives remain, however. The romance in this book is terrible, just like it was in Jade and Shadow, and there are long periods of dialogue where not much happens. Perhaps most damningly, it’s not scary at all, though that may just be me, as I had exactly the same problem with Our Share of Night as well.

All in all, this might be my definition of a three-star read. Fun, inoffensive, but nothing I’ll ever come back to.

Have you read this? What did you think?

Thank you to Quercus Books for allowing me to read an e-arc of Silver Nitrate in exchange for an honest review·

Over the years, Silvia Moreno-Garcia has become one of my few auto buy authors; when I see that she has a book coming out, I automatically make plans to make time for her new release on my never-ending to-read list. When I think of the type of books Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes, they tend to be in the gothic, mystery and thriller genres, with the stories often set in a historical Mexican setting. I am also always fascinated by her ability to combine a number of narratives in a single story.

"Silver Nitrate" is essentially about two friends who do everything they can to break a curse set in motion by the unearthing of a film and all the secrets that go with it. There is a theme of the occult throughout the novel, and the film has the potential for deadly and sinister consequences. One of the narratives in "Silver Nitrate" was that of a slow-burning romance, despite the serious challenges the two main characters face in their separate and shared lives. For example, Silvia-Moreno Garcia is quick to present the blossoming relationship between Montserrat's childhood best friend, Tristan, and Montserrat.

Montserrat is described early on as a quirky and unique character, who enjoys nerdy things but is unfortunately easy to forget despite being talented at her job as a sound editor. However, the circumstances of Mexico City in the 1990's affected Montserrat's working life in a male-dominated industry. There were other narratives mixed in with the film. The sinister elements were so exciting and I kept turning the pages, hoping to find out what kind of danger was coming for Montserrat, Tristan and the other characters. Was it a curse from the living, or a curse from the dead on the living? What is the relationship between film and the uncanny? These are all questions I asked myself right up until the revelations.

For anyone who has any interest in the history of the film industry or the occult, or simply likes to read a mystery thriller set in a rich historical setting, then this book is for you! 4.5 stars

i thought this was a gripping noir that definitely succeeds in evoking a specific place and time as well as giving readers an inside into mexico's 80s filming industry. the fl initially may seem like the typical moreno-garcia mousey-not-like-other-girls type of lead but she actually is a well developed character with a strong sense of who she is. the ml is a bit of a looser in comparison, and while i did like their dynamic i thought the fl deserved better given how much of an asshole the guy is,

Another unusual, supernatural and highly entertaining tale from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Cults and curses in Mexico City. Can't wait for the next novel.

Exploring cults and curses in early nineties Mexico City, Silver Nitrate has Moreno-Garcia’s trademark atmospheric writing. Though slow to start, I really enjoyed this tale of taking on decades old nazi sorcery through the power of film and friendship.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's latest offering, set in 1990s Mexico, explores a blend of historic Mexican cinema, occultism and Nazism. This unique premise drew me in, but sadly it fell a little short for me in terms of execution. I really want to love this author, but personally my reaction to her books has mainly been lukewarm - I know that I'm in the minority here.

One thing this book does have going for it is the characters - Tristan and Montserrat are both well-drawn, complex and flawed protagonists, and I appreciated the dual point of view. Some readers may enjoy this as more of a character-driven slow burn, but for me it was a little too slow with a heavy emphasis on dialogue to fill any gaps in the plot and a lot of detail on the art of cinema. It's unique and clearly well-researched, but it fell down on the horror elements for me. I'm sure lots of readers will enjoy it though.

The concept is cool as all hell, and the characters feel very real. The climax is effective and pays off well. An enjoyable read with a kickass gothic horror premise.
It takes a while to get into. Quite a bit in the first 100 pages could be cut to make for a more propulsive read. There’s a fair amount of treading water in the beginning and we hear about specific things that are repeated more than they need to be. After the 50% mark it became super exciting and I couldn't stop!
Overall, the book successfully blended mystery and fantasy, providing an entertaining and engaging read.

This had 2 amazing concepts
1. Cursed film - along with a nod to every vintage horror film from all over the world
2. The Nazi's obsession with the occult (alla Hellboy and Indiana Jones)
I was very excited to read this....however although most of the book did meet my anticipation it did go the long way round!
Yep, it was definitely spread too thick for my liking. It only just scraped a 4 star IMO and like most "horror" books that have come out in 22/23 it couldn't possibly have been shelved in the horror section (also, my opinion) but as always Silvia has written a brilliant book that is rich in drama and tension and that gothic kind of way she has that I can't say I didn't enjoy it but it didn't dazzle me

I love Silvia Moreno-Garcia and so far I've adored every book they have written, this one? It was enjoyable but not on the same level. Its a supernatural thriller with a very different spin to what I have come to expect from this author so whilst refreshing I wasn't quite ready. Its very well written and I loved the references to pop culture throughout. I did feel like the concept was more complex than I quite understood when I went in though, so all in all a good read!

I've said it before online and I'm sure I'll say it again - Silvia Moreno-Garcia gets better with every book.

The writing of Silver Nitrate reflects the tone of the plot perfectly. As the characters are hypnotised and caught up in the mystery of magic and movies. so the reader is unable to step away from the pages. Likeable characters, a fascinating quest and the atmosphere of Mexico, its history and society made this compelling for me.

A beautiful Latina tale that I heartily recommend.

Set around the film industry in 90’s Mexico, this follows Montserrat and her friend Tristan as they become involved with a lost, cursed movie.

This was a fast paced ride, with magic, Nazi’s, occultism and horror movies. I loved all of the movie knowledge and trivia within this book and Montserrat’s love of films shone through.

The characters were great, well formed and fully fleshed and I loved the dynamic between Montserrat and Tristan.

This wasn’t overtly horror, but had a suspenseful tone that built throughout the novel. I loved this, but always struggle a little with supernatural elements in books.

This was my first Silvia Moreno-Garcia novel and it won’t be my last!

AD - this copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has been on my radar ever since Mexican Gothic which surprised me in many different ways. I also adored her book The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, so when I saw the chance to read Silver Nitrate I jumped at it. This novel brings together so many things I adore, from witchy cults to cinema to colonial critiques of racists. Thanks to Jo Fletcher Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Apologies for the delay.

Ever since Mexican Gothic, and in her short stories before then, Silvia Moreno-Garcia has used her writing as a chance to impact of Mexico's colonial legacy. She has explored it through the haunted house in Mexican Gothic and through the exploits of science in The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. In Silver Nitrate she engages with this theme through the history of the occult. By engaging with how German occultists of the 20th century based their ideas of magic and power in the insidious web of race theory and Arian superiority, Moreno-Garcia is able to explore the impact of such thinking on the receiving culture. The way in which some of her characters are seduced by the idea of power, even if it comes with accepting racist ideology, is fascinating to observe. Her research on this for the novel seems to be quite detailed but it is woven in without damaging the main plot or the main focus on Montserrat and Tristán. The way in which she also explores the allure of this power, in contrast to the position both Montserrat and Tristán find themselves in, with a focus on both classism and colourism, was really interesting to read. Through reading Moreno-Garcia's fiction, I've gained a whole new understanding of these themes and this history and how both play a role nowadays as well.

Montserrat works as a sound editor, except that she is getting fewer shifts every month and the Mexican film industry seems to be dying a slow and painful death. Tristán, her best friend since childhood, is suffering from an equal drought of work ever since an accident 10 years ago which left him slightly scarred and his reputation in tatters. But things may be turning around for both of them when Tristán meets his new neighbour, Abel Urueta, who directed a mysterious horror film in the '60s. Working with him on his film sees both Montserrat and Tristán drawn into a web of cult beliefs, old school racism, and magic. Is there a curse to be broken? And if yes, will breaking it bring them fame and fortune or just see them saddled with bad luck? Silver Nitrate is told largely through Montserrat's perspective, although Tristán's perspective also comes forward in some chapters. Montserrat's character is a delightful mix between angry, fearlessness, fascination, and desire. I had a real sense of who she was and it was really fun to witness her journey throughout the novel. Tristán is also a very interesting character but his flaws are a little closer to the surface which means I found myself wavering on him every few chapters. I was also very intrigued by the novel's ideas around the magic of film, of sharing an experience, of the power of signs. I definitely enjoyed how the tensions ramped up towards the final third of the book.

I have already praised Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing in my other reviews, but it is worth saying again that her writing is at once very evocative and yet also incredibly readable. Moreno-Garcia has a real knack for creating imagery which feels at once symbolic and is yet also something you can immediately grasp. The way she works with film and sound in Silver Nitrate grabbed me straightaway and had me thinking about some experiences I have had watching films which left me changed. I also continue to enjoy the characters she crafts and how she takes certain Gothic genre staples and plays with them. The dual perspectives of the novel also really give the reader to chance to witness the relationship between her two main characters, how they see each other, how well they know each other. While romance is not at the heart of the novel, it is a constant motif thrumming in the back. One thing which kind of irked me about Silver Nitrate was that I felt like a lot of information would get unneccesarily repeated. So if, for example, Montserrat had heard something, this would get repeated almost verbatim at a later date when she relayed it to another character. While I fully appreciate the need for making certain connections etcetera clear, it happened a little too often for my liking which made me think that maybe an editor should have questioned whether it was necessary in every instance. But this is really a minor complaint which did nothing to lessen my enjoyment of the book.

Silver Nitrate is a love letter to Mexican cinema and to all that is gothically delightful. Silvia Moreno-Garcia continues to bewitch me with the stories she weaves and I can't wait to read more.

I enjoyed Silver Nitrate immensely. The author is amazing at pacing and building tension, creating characters that feel human and flawed, and putting a twist on classic horror themes. The writing was really neat, and it was definitely a quick read that still felt profound.

The book follows Montserrat and Tristan who are living in Mexico City in the 90s. They meet Tristan’s new neighbour who is a cult horror director Abel. From there we learn about his unfinished film with a Nazi occultist. After agreeing to help Abel finish filming missing scenes Montserrat and Tristan realise they are in danger from someone or something.

This took me over a month to read. I found myself wanting to DNF it many times and never wanted to pick it up. The story was such a slow up for nothing to happen. I believe this book was extremely mismarketed as it is under genres of horror, thriller however it is 100% a magical realism/fantasy story. The boom just wasn’t for me.

My first time reading a Silvia Moreno-Garcia book and I wasnt disappointed.
The author has a distinct authorial voice and transports you to 90s Mexico City with her atmopheric and almost mundane in style, quiet horror of Nazi Occultism and Magic. We follow flawed. realistic characters whoi have known each other since childhood and have somewhat of an on-off relationship. A trope I find enyoyable is famous people who arent at the height of their fame being the main character, it brings some0what of a deserparte quality to the story and in this case; a washed up actor and a sound engiuneer who is getting overlooked because she is a woman. This desperation, for money, for notability drives our charcters to complete a dubbing of an p;d movie and this a 'spell' starting a chain reactiopn of events

This is not a campy. high octane horror. its slow and detailed. I can see this not working for evreyopne, but it qorked for me.