When twins Sol and Mundo Lucero arrive in Mexico to attend their father’s funeral, they realize that there was far more to Arturo Lucero than they’d previously believed. Such as–among a long list of other things–the fact that Arturo has eleven children.
Thus begins the twins’ journey to track down their nine other siblings, each of whom have a planetary-themed name.
It’s immediately apparent that each sibling had a radically different opinion of Arturo Lucero. He was a loving father to some, an absent parent to others. With each new sibling found, more and more outlandish secrets are uncovered… and not just about Arturo.
Celestial Blood starts as a realistic family drama grounded in reality. I wasn’t even sure it could be considered speculative fiction at all, but as the story progressed, the comedic elements grew to be increasingly over-the-top and we get to hear brief tidbits of a dead Arturo’s conversations with the literal devil. These scenes aren’t particularly plot-relevant but they allow us some insight into Arturo and give his character the chance to reflect on how he raised his children.
I’m a huge fan of stories that don’t take themselves too seriously and still have Something to Say about humanity. Through an increasingly absurdist plot, Celestial Blood tackles themes of personal responsibility, found family, and what keeping secrets does to the ones we love.
The production quality is consistently excellent, and I’m unaware of any other audio dramas that are available in both English and Spanish versions (you can listen to one without speaking the other language). My one minor criticism was that it was sometimes difficult to tell when the dialogue had switched from the characters to the story’s external narrator. This led to some initial confusion, but once I knew what to expect it was easier to distinguish these transitions.
Overall, Celestial Blood was an enjoyable listen. It’s an excellent family drama that balances humor and heart with commendable skill.
Celestial Blood is a bilingual radionovela produced by KCRW. It’s narrated by Mexican actress Kate del Castillo. You can listen to the first episode in the podcast app of your choice or on the show’s website.
