"I can’t understand why this book has so many great reviews. It could have been a great story but it’s poorly written. A lot of unnecessary characters and events are introduced but really don’t add anything to the plot. There are a ton of inconsistencies or things that just don’t make sense (outside of the magical realism aspects), timelines don’t add up. Overall it was just frustrating to read, felt like I was reading the authors notes instead of a fully formed novel. "

"First of all, the author never interviewed Juan David Ortiz. JD’s parents are not immigrants. They are U.S. citizens. That’s racist to be automatically stating that they are immigrants. There is misinformation in this book about JD. He was not involved in the underworld of drugs. None of Juan David Ortiz’s family members spoke to Rick Jervis; he ambushed each of them in different cities. The author stalked JD’s family and waited outside their homes. The author is a stalker. JD is not a monster. Border patrol and law enforcement were not covering up for Juan David Ortiz. The author is an outsider who doesn’t know Laredo, Texas like we do. Apparently, the author will do anything to sell a book on the tragedy of Latinos in a poverty city. The author doesn’t know anything directly from Juan David Ortiz himself. These sex workers all had HIV. Juan David Ortiz and his family want nothing to do with Rick Jervis. The author should be sued for defamation of character, harassment, and stalking. By the way, Juan David Ortiz has his own book in which he actually states his opinion and thoughts about his case. What’s the point of this book if you can’t get the main character speak to you? The author is another desperate first time author."

"1.5 ⭐️
Wayyyyy too much conjecture and artistic license, particularly as the author acknowledged he never interviewed Ortiz. I’m surprised the publisher didn’t address that. Author also missed the opportunity to delve into some deeper issues. "