Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - The Hacienda

Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

94 reviews

leligavi's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

So this is what I thought Mexican Gothic was going to be. The two books get compared so often and now I really understand why. However, I think the fundamentals of the book are really, really different. Because of the location of the two books, this one feels more...Spanish? lol. I know that's kind of a whack adjective but it's true. I appreciate that about the book, but also understand why Mexican Gothic doesn't have that same feeling. My point being: if you aren't reading this book because everyone says it's so similar to Mexican Gothic, just read it. They aren't similar in the ways that matter.
I liked our two main POVs.

And that forbidden romance boi? Fantasitc. Loved them and I appreciate that the author made sure not to include the cheating trope because I would have DNF'd this book SO FAST if they had. Yeah, like her husband sucked and there was no love, but she was still married, friend. No cheating, please. And definitely not with the PRIEST. So, I'm glad the author had some class about it.

I didn't love the way that God is portrayed in the book. However, I do have to keep in mind that the book is in a Catholic perspective. That does change things.

However, as a Christian, it is hard to stomach that the priest did have premarital sex while in the service of priesthood? But also, I know he's human and human's make mistakes. But you can't just kind of throw it under the rug because you root for them. At the same time though, all of what I just said is true. But also Andres was also the person who really made the perspective of the Lord more bearable because he had a more accurate view of the Lord. But also he was a witch. It's kind of...conflicting honestly. Lol.

I will say that the only thing that bugged me a little at the beginning was the CONSTANT mention of needing to marry Rodolfo to gain her security and power and how the house is hers, etc. As a Hispanic lady, it irked me and then I had to remind myself of the time period and to just let it go. BUT IT JUST KEPT COMING UP. I felt like that was all that was written about for the first 15% of the book. But I mean, valid, I understand. It was just constant.
Uh, by the way, this book....is freaking scary. I didn't think that Mexican Gothic was scary but

BOI THIS ONE IS. WIFE #1 IS CRAZY AND SADISTIC AND THIS POLTERGIEST WILD.

I enjoyed it. I thought it was solid and I feel like I will definitely be reading other books by Cañas.

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linzlee's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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noshakira's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I absolutely loved this book. It's equal parts spooky, empowering, and romantic. It perfectly captures the feelings, both good and bad, when you walk into a space that feels like it is living. Typically, I dislike period pieces, and would have avoided a book set in the 1800s like this one, but the storyline didn't feel as dated as many others and focused more on the timeless human and haunting aspects. Beautifully written and read like a movie in my mind.

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baearles's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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alychee's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

almost perfect, it was such an amazing read, amazing horror house, the themes of colonialism, and i learn a lot about the history of mexico and i found that i'm actually very interested in it and the whole casta system they had at the time of the revolution

i LOVED beatriz, such a badass and cool woman with strong ideas and such a kind heart i was afraid

she would die a the end, seeing how the book started

but i'm glad it ended this way, the right way (padre andrés you'll be forever loved)

i strongly recommend it for people looking for "sentient" houses, strong characters that go through exceptionally hard times but still find the strength to survive, and for the forbidden romance lovers 👀

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tahsintries's review against another edition

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4.0

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veeples's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is such a delightful read. Cañas quickly draws you in with Beatriz’s wit and charm and resilience. I couldn’t help but feel so much for Beatriz and her fear as she faces the horrors of the house. Her stubbornness to survive, to live, despite everything is what endears her most to me. Andrés’s internal struggle with himself, who he is, what he wants, and his conviction to help are also wonderfully charming and provoking.

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cesca_natalia's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

An amazing and beautifully written story about a young woman, Beatriz, whose lives about to change when she become the new pátron of Hacienda San Isidro.

I can't believe how brilliant & talented Isabel with The Hacienda. Truthfully, when I started to read this book, I expect nothing beside a knowledge that the content inside will be dark & twisted much like the cover art. But few chapters in, it taken me into a journey of suspense & horror I've never imagined (the scene where the skeleton crawled on the stairs almost make me launch my phone to the wall)

Character-wise, Beatriz had taken the whole space of my heart with her bravery, ambitious, toughness personality. Girl know how to put on a fight until her last (almost) dying breath, she knows what she wants & how to get it, her blind ambition & fixed mindset makes me think that she's a 100% Capricorn. Mixed with Andrès's compassion & gentle personality, together they create this edging yet fascinating chemistry.

Furthermore, with how detail and descriptive every scene & Isabel, as Mexican-American author put lots of Mexican reference from food, drinks, culture or words, kind of give this sense of grounded into the story & makes it more imaginable. The plot, eventhough it's easily guessed, doesn't mean it's carelessly written.

Despite all of this, in my opinion, the forbidden love story trope especially with religious figure involved, could become a dangerous topic to thread on. Though it creates a heart-breaking situation but I don't think it's fair especially for people whose in those said religion & actively practice it.

Anyway, I do recommend The Hacienda if you're looking a book that could make you jump and scream out of fear (I did it twice, each of it)

Content Warnings

teddie_valetine98's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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lisa3315's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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