The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina: A Novel
(Libby/OverDrive eAudiobook)

The latest from Córdova (author of the Brooklyn Brujas series) is a spellbinding immigrant story that follows an Ecuadorian American family as they delve into their ancestry and roots. After members of the Montoya family receive a mysterious funeral invitation from their secretive matriarch, Orquídea Divina, they have few options but to head over to the mythical Four Rivers in search of answers and a potential inheritance. Their lives have always been surrounded by magic and the unexplained, but when grandma transforms into a tree, they're left even more baffled than before. Things take a dark turn as death rears its ugly head and Orquídea's surviving children and grandchildren start to die. Thus begins a quest to find answers about Orquídea and the powerful legacy she left behind between her homeland in Ecuador and her present home in the United States. Told in the past and present from multiple perspectives, this beautifully written generational novel full of magical realism will enchant fans of Isabel Allende, Gabriel García Márquez, and Alice Hoffman.

This radiant adult debut from Córdova (the Brooklyn Brujas YA series) follows the troubled Montoya family in the magical Midwestern town of Four Rivers. As the book opens, matriarch Orquídea Divina has just sent out wax-sealed, bird-delivered notices for her own funeral, inviting her children and grandchildren to "come and collect your inheritance." Cousins Rey and Marimar set off from New York City; their cousin, the heavily pregnant Tatinelly, heeds the call from Olympia, Ore. With her family gathered around her, Orquídea enters a kind of magical earthly limbo and exhorts her progeny to "protect your magic." Her warning remains mysterious until seven years later, when the Montoyas are pursued by a malevolent man who visits death and destruction on their extended family. To save themselves, Rey, Marimar, Tatinelly, and Tatinelly's magically gifted seven-year-old, Rhiannon, trace Orquídea's roots to Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she was born. While there's not much momentum in the first act, this family saga acquires a thrillerlike tempo as the Montoyas draw closer to the mystery at the heart of Orquídea's curse. The magic is vivid and yet familiar, and adds to the urgency of the plot. It adds up to an inspired and entertaining blend of magical realism and fantasy. (Sept.)

One day a house occupied by Orquídea Divina suddenly appears near the town of Four Rivers. Her arrival leads the townspeople to believe she is a witch. Orquídea survives multiple husbands, raises nine children, helps care for some of her grandchildren, but never leaves town. One day, she sends invitations summoning her offspring home for her death. Only Orquíeda doesn't die but instead transforms to the shock of her family, and leaves her granddaughter Marimar the property in Four Rivers. The narrative moves back and forth between Orquídea's childhood in Ecuador, her travels, and the bargain she made for magic, with that of her granddaughter Marirmar as she works to create a new life for herself restoring the family home. A mysterious figure stalks family members and a series of sudden deaths has Marimar, with her cousins Rey and Tatinelly, traveling to Ecuador to unravel Orquídea's past in a race to save the rest of the family. A tale of love, magic, adventure, and the general messiness of families with secrets written with descriptive prose evoking places and emotions vividly. VERDICT An absorbing read, full of lush writing and magical realism, this book will appeal to fans of Alice Hoffman and Isabella Allende. A great first purchase.--Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Lib., WA

The latest from Córdova (author of the Brooklyn Brujas series) is a spellbinding immigrant story that follows an Ecuadorian American family as they delve into their ancestry and roots. After members of the Montoya family receive a mysterious funeral invitation from their secretive matriarch, Orquídea Divina, they have few options but to head over to the mythical Four Rivers in search of answers and a potential inheritance. Their lives have always been surrounded by magic and the unexplained, but when grandma transforms into a tree, they're left even more baffled than before. Things take a dark turn as death rears its ugly head and Orquídea's surviving children and grandchildren start to die. Thus begins a quest to find answers about Orquídea and the powerful legacy she left behind between her homeland in Ecuador and her present home in the United States. Told in the past and present from multiple perspectives, this beautifully written generational novel full of magical realism will enchant fans of Isabel Allende, Gabriel García Márquez, and Alice Hoffman. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Life is surprisingly blessed for the Montoyas—why, for instance, does the pantry never runs out of food?—but what remains especially puzzling is matriarch Orquídea Divina's refusal to leave their Four Rivers home. When she invites them to her funeral to receive their inheritance, then is mysteriously transformed, the blessings continue—at first. Soon, though, some dark force seems to be ripping through the family, knocking them off one by one. From the author of the "Brooklyn Brujas" series; with a 100,000-copy first printing.

This radiant adult debut from Córdova (the Brooklyn Brujas YA series) follows the troubled Montoya family in the magical Midwestern town of Four Rivers. As the book opens, matriarch Orquídea Divina has just sent out wax-sealed, bird-delivered notices for her own funeral, inviting her children and grandchildren to "come and collect your inheritance." Cousins Rey and Marimar set off from New York City; their cousin, the heavily pregnant Tatinelly, heeds the call from Olympia, Ore. With her family gathered around her, Orquídea enters a kind of magical earthly limbo and exhorts her progeny to "protect your magic." Her warning remains mysterious until seven years later, when the Montoyas are pursued by a malevolent man who visits death and destruction on their extended family. To save themselves, Rey, Marimar, Tatinelly, and Tatinelly's magically gifted seven-year-old, Rhiannon, trace Orquídea's roots to Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she was born. While there's not much momentum in the first act, this family saga acquires a thrillerlike tempo as the Montoyas draw closer to the mystery at the heart of Orquídea's curse. The magic is vivid and yet familiar, and adds to the urgency of the plot. It adds up to an inspired and entertaining blend of magical realism and fantasy. (Sept.)

One day a house occupied by Orquídea Divina suddenly appears near the town of Four Rivers. Her arrival leads the townspeople to believe she is a witch. Orquídea survives multiple husbands, raises nine children, helps care for some of her grandchildren, but never leaves town. One day, she sends invitations summoning her offspring home for her death. Only Orquíeda doesn't die but instead transforms to the shock of her family, and leaves her granddaughter Marimar the property in Four Rivers. The narrative moves back and forth between Orquídea's childhood in Ecuador, her travels, and the bargain she made for magic, with that of her granddaughter Marirmar as she works to create a new life for herself restoring the family home. A mysterious figure stalks family members and a series of sudden deaths has Marimar, with her cousins Rey and Tatinelly, traveling to Ecuador to unravel Orquídea's past in a race to save the rest of the family. A tale of love, magic, adventure, and the general messiness of families with secrets written with descriptive prose evoking places and emotions vividly. VERDICT An absorbing read, full of lush writing and magical realism, this book will appeal to fans of Alice Hoffman and Isabella Allende. A great first purchase.—Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Lib., WA