Rating: 3.5 / 5 ⭐️
Silver Nitrate
Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Published: 2023 (Del Rey)
Pages: 315 (Hardcover)
Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Supernatural, Mystery, Historical Fiction
CW: Occult Supernatural, Horror, Mentions of Nazi Propaganda, Mentions of White Supremacism, Strong Language, Grief, Mentions of Violence/Blood

I’m dealing with a bad cold this week, but at least there’s more time to read. I’m back again after reading the supernatural thriller, “Silver Nitrate” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This is the third book I’ve read by Moreno-Garcia; the others were “Velvet Was the Night” and “The Daughter of Doctor Moreau“. This author is most famous for “Mexican Gothic” and her canon features genres such as horror, fantasy, and historical fiction. Out of the three, “Silver Nitrate” is probably my least favorite, to get to the point. This novel was still an enjoyable read though and I will explain why.

“One must have hobbies… Or else the mind atrophies”

– Silvia Moreno-Garcia “Silver Nitrate”

The novel takes place in Mexico City in the 1990s, and focuses on two best friends who love horror movies. Montserrat, a bitter and talented sound editor who is down on her luck, and Tristán, a handsome and charming but now irrelevant soap opera actor with a tragic past .Tristán discovers his new neighbor is a forgotten cult horror film director that both him and Montserrat admire, and go on an adventure to help the old man and end up learning about Nazi occultism in a silver nitrate film reel from an older time. Montserrat and Tristán dive deep to solve the mystery behind these magic practices before they’re all cursed for good.

“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….What Wilhelm said wasn’t considered outrageous at the time. It’s not even outrageous now, sadly”

– Silvia Moreno-Garcia “Silver Nitrate”

I’ve noticed that her newest book isn’t as hyped as her previous books, like “Mexican Gothic” which a lot of people I follow or know have read. Moreno-Garcia has a wonderful writing voice, and I enjoy how she sets the scene for the reader, whether it’s a spooky set up or describing a characters’ motives. She still does this in “Silver Nitrate”. I found the book slower in the beginning half at times which made it hard at certain points to continue on. Once I found a groove though, I couldn’t put it down. The mentions of film history mixed with the occultism and it’s influence in Mexico City post-1940s was fascinating though. Even though some of it was terrible especially concerning Nazi-influence in Mexico and white supremacism, I found the historical knowledge an important part of the read. If you read this book, definitely read the “Author’s Note” afterwards where she highlights some of her research and influences about film history.

“Even if the darkness never ended and swallowed him whole, he’d still run to her”

– Silvia Moreno-Garcia “Silver Nitrate”

Horror and film fanatics alike will enjoy reading this one. And the bisexual representation was pretty good. I give it 3.5 ⭐️s though since there were parts that ran off too slowly and it took awhile for the plot to pick back up. I could say more about some strange romantic conclusions to character plots, but no spoilers here! You’ll just have to read the book to find out…

Let me know what you think if you’ve read this one!

_Elizabeth

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