[BOOK REVIEW] THE QUEEN OF THE CICADAS BY V. CASTRO

15/9/2021

If you're not excited about what V. Castro might write next after you finish this book, check your pulse.

There are three things you can reliably expect from a V. Castro story, in my experience – sex, death, and vivid mythology. And I'm happy to report that Queen of the Cicadas, a.k.a. La Reina de las Chicharras, has plenty of each element, with its time-hopping plot involving interdimensional goddesses, tragedy, vengeance, and no small amount of blood.

Bridging two time periods, the plot follows Belinda in the modern day and Milagros in the past. We start with Belinda, a woman in the process of pulling herself out of a deep depression as she attends a wedding. There, she hears murmurs about the history of the venue, which has links to a Candyman-style urban legend involving the titular Queen. This sets her on a path to find out the truth behind that story. In the past, we follow Milagros as she falls victim to a horrendous bunch of murderous racists, and is given power by an Aztec goddess to seek her revenge. Both stories gradually intertwine as we discover the fates of both women, and perhaps the world...

Just to get it out of the way, my one criticism is that the back and forth between modern day and past events is sometimes hard to follow; the book doesn't always tell you what time period you're reading about. It sometimes feels like you're having to play catch-up as the story hops back & forth between past and present, often several times in a chapter. It's a small quibble though, as there's such a richness of language and deep lore to explore that it's never distracting enough to throw you completely off track.

For me, Castro's writing shines brightest when the monsters – or those who others see as monsters at least – get to speak to the reader. In one chapter the Goddess of Death steps in to do just that, which is both a brilliant break in the main narrative and a way of fleshing out what could otherwise have been a one-sided story, with only the humans' viewpoints to rely on. The real monsters here are the ones who took Milagros' life, the only true evil on display coming from them. Any interventions from the Goddess of Death or the Queen of Cicadas have more to do with restoring the balance, as well as some long-awaited justice for Milagros. This leads to some satisfyingly gory moments as the murderers get what's coming to them.

Not that the human characters don't have a strong voice too. Belinda's truth-seeking arc steadily gives both her and you answers about Milagros' murder and how the Queen of Death became involved. Without giving too much away, the story goes much further than this, gradually veering away from its cicada-filled version of Bloody Mary, turning into something far more ambitious and ultimately satisfying. There are some otherworldly scenes and encounters which dive deep into Mexican folklore and mythological imagery, reminding me of the glimpses behind the cosmic curtain you got in Skull: The Mask, or the mood that some of Clive Barker's work has, with forces far beyond comprehension. You can either align with, or be destroyed by them, and this leads some of the characters down some very interesting paths.

Also like Barker's work, there's a welcome amount of non-stereotypical queer representation, both in the past and present, giving you a small glimpse of how attitudes have shifted over the decades. The book has far more to say about racial injustice and inequality though, the horror blending nicely with the social commentary, sometimes giving you a glimmer of hope but also making it plain that nothing good ever comes without sacrifice.

All told, this is a story to savour in small parts, not something to be rushed, or else you might miss the care that's gone into the world created on the pages. It's a world that mirrors our own but also dares to go to some fantastical places and present a few what ifs to the reader. If you're not excited about what V. Castro might write next after you finish this book, check your pulse.

The Queen of the Cicadas
by V. Castro

"In the age of phony fiction, V. Castro is the voice of authenticity; una voz que lucha por la igualdad. Dark, atmospheric, sexy, and dangerous, her fiction brings readers her unfiltered Latinx essence and a unique pulpy flavor. Her work matters. Read it." ―Gabino Iglesias, author of Coyote Songs

2018 - Belinda Alvarez has returned to Texas for the wedding of her best friend Veronica. The farm is the site of the urban legend, La Reina de Las Chicharras - The Queen of The Cicadas.

In 1950s south Texas a farmworke r- Milagros from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, is murdered. Her death is ignored by the town, but not the Aztec goddess of death, Mictecacíhuatl. The goddess hears the dying cries of Milagros and creates a plan for both to be physically reborn by feeding on vengeance and worship.

Belinda and the new owner of the farmhouse - Hector, find themselves immersed in the legend and realize it is part of their fate as well.

FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.