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juliana_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Phew! I don’t think I have read a horror novel before. Short stories yes, but this had slow burn intensity that only a novel could achieve. I really enjoyed it, particularly the strong sense of place and time. Two things impacted my rating:
1) The prose was clunky and repetitive at times! Everyone was “worrying” their lips. There were a few “I knew two things to be true…” lists. But, this is the author’s first novel and I would 100% read another.
2) I could have done without one of the last chapters when Beatriz and Andres slept together. I think their love and tenderness could have been expressed differently given the intense trauma they had both endured. It also seemed so contrary to Andres’ piety? Maybe they could have just kissed and embraced, I don’t know. But him receiving a letter six weeks after, and Beatriz mentioning her descendants using the house…seems suspicious.
But man, was it a creepy book. The visceral descriptions of the house really made it a page-turner.
1) The prose was clunky and repetitive at times! Everyone was “worrying” their lips. There were a few “I knew two things to be true…” lists. But, this is the author’s first novel and I would 100% read another.
2) I could have done without one of the last chapters
But man, was it a creepy book. The visceral descriptions of the house really made it a page-turner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Racism, Blood, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and War
leahkarge's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Racism, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
mandkips's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion, Death of parent, and War
namielle's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
While there were some things I took minor issue with, this book was quite enjoyable, and I was eagerly turning pages to see what would happen next.
Beatriz moves to San Isidro, the hacienda owned by her new husband, Don Rodolfo Solórzano. She is his second wife, and she does her best to ignore the swirling rumors about the death of his first wife, Doña María Catalina. Soon after moving in, Beatriz begins to experience strange phenomena. With the help of Padre Andrés, Beatriz must unravel the secrets of the hacienda and fight of the evil presence within.
I really enjoyed Beatriz as the protagonist; she’s strong-willed and unafraid to ask for help with all of the spooky stuff she’s dealing with. Padre Andrés is also pretty likable, though I guess I didn’t get some of the angst over his abilities to fight against the evil. I mean, I guess part of it is that he didn’t want to be burned as a witch or whatever, but like, this was a life or death situation! I say bring on all the witch powers.
This wasn’t the scariest book that I’ve ever read, but things were very tense and caused me some anxiety. I was on the edge of my seat a couple of times because I was sure that surely really awful things were going to happen to the characters.
Beatriz moves to San Isidro, the hacienda owned by her new husband, Don Rodolfo Solórzano. She is his second wife, and she does her best to ignore the swirling rumors about the death of his first wife, Doña María Catalina. Soon after moving in, Beatriz begins to experience strange phenomena. With the help of Padre Andrés, Beatriz must unravel the secrets of the hacienda and fight of the evil presence within.
I really enjoyed Beatriz as the protagonist; she’s strong-willed and unafraid to ask for help with all of the spooky stuff she’s dealing with. Padre Andrés is also pretty likable, though I guess I didn’t get some of the angst over his abilities to fight against the evil. I mean, I guess part of it is that he didn’t want to be burned as a witch or whatever, but like, this was a life or death situation! I say bring on all the witch powers.
This wasn’t the scariest book that I’ve ever read, but things were very tense and caused me some anxiety. I was on the edge of my seat a couple of times because I was sure that surely really awful things were going to happen to the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Rape, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent and War
bandysbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book first came to my attention when it was selected as a BOTM book. I kept hearing it compared to Mexican Gothic and Rebecca, which one one hand sounded intriguing, but on the other hand made it seem like it might not be all that original. I actually didn’t get it the month it was picked. I got it months later as an add-on after hearing a few good reviews. I’m so glad I did!
This book is no knock off. While I understand the comparisons, I don’t feel they really do It justice. This is gothic horror set in Post-Independence Mexico. Even though it’s about a long past time, it feels so fresh and in some ways relatable.
One of the biggest strengths is the way this book is so deeply anchored in the time and place. The mentions of cultural beliefs, foods, and traditions really help make this feel deeply set in Mexico. The mentions of the people living through colonialism, the colorism, sexism, misogyny, etc. are all things that were common to that era. There are just so many details that really bring the story to life.
The main two characters, Beatriz, the young, naïve wife of a Ascendado and Andrés, a local priest with unusual powers are both so interesting. Usually, for me, one POV is stronger, but in this case I found both of them enjoyable.
I did find myself wishing that the ending was slightly different. I was able to predict a few key parts of it, but not enough to ruin the story. I think it mostly made sense.
All in all, if you are into gothic horror, you’ll like this book. It has all of the elements for a good spooky read!
This book is no knock off. While I understand the comparisons, I don’t feel they really do It justice. This is gothic horror set in Post-Independence Mexico. Even though it’s about a long past time, it feels so fresh and in some ways relatable.
One of the biggest strengths is the way this book is so deeply anchored in the time and place. The mentions of cultural beliefs, foods, and traditions really help make this feel deeply set in Mexico. The mentions of the people living through colonialism, the colorism, sexism, misogyny, etc. are all things that were common to that era. There are just so many details that really bring the story to life.
The main two characters, Beatriz, the young, naïve wife of a Ascendado and Andrés, a local priest with unusual powers are both so interesting. Usually, for me, one POV is stronger, but in this case I found both of them enjoyable.
I did find myself wishing that the ending was slightly different. I was able to predict a few key parts of it, but not enough to ruin the story. I think it mostly made sense.
All in all, if you are into gothic horror, you’ll like this book. It has all of the elements for a good spooky read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Rape and Abortion
kellyofcali's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
So, I read this in two chunks (library issues), which may have affected my enjoyment a bit as I think given the horror genre you probably don't want to stop and break the tension...but overall a fun spooky read! I enjoyed the setting and the author does a great job with the horror aspects, I just sometimes felt like characters and their stories fell in and out quickly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
ticktock's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Classism
catapocalypse's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
I had a fun time reading this debut gothic horror! While it gets comped to <i>Mexican Gothic</i>, I'd say being gothic horror set in Mexico is all they really have in common. This is faster-paced and more surface-level, whereas Silvia Moreno-Garcia's book is more thoughtful on its deeper themes and builds it high suspense slowly.
Andrés, the priest with a dark secret, is my favorite part of the book overall. There are ways the plot could have played out that might have been even more compelling, but it's still satisfying. And I personally appreciate the realistic depiction of the effects of a concussion.
I am interested to see what Cañas writes next!
Andrés, the priest with a dark secret, is my favorite part of the book overall. There are ways the plot could have played out that might have been even more compelling, but it's still satisfying. And I personally appreciate the realistic depiction of the effects of a concussion.
I am interested to see what Cañas writes next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Death of parent
plantgal_jill's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Rape, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
blissofalife's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
The inspirations for this book Rebecca, Shirley Jackson novels are obvious throughout but told through a fresh lens and seamlessly combined. The build-up was superb, the climax felt a little too fast. Would still recommend it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and War