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namielle's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Rape, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent and War
bandysbooks's review against another edition
- 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 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!
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
- 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
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
- 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
Moderate: Death, Rape, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Classism
catapocalypse's review against another edition
- 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
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!
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Death of parent
kquixotic's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
As a lover of magical realism I found the story delightful. It gripped me easily and the writing was fine but not exceptional. Horror was definitely the right shelf for the story, but I’m usually reticent to read horror because I scare easily. Although gory for sure, I wasn’t scared or creeped out reading The Hacienda.
Whenever a book is written in English but set in a place where English is not the spoken language, I’m often a little frustrated by when and where to use the English word or the word in the language of the setting. For example, why not “La Hacienda” as the title?
Nonetheless, it’s a great read for when you just want some bubble gum for the brain.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Rape
blissofalife's review against another edition
- 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
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
bootsmom3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Fatphobia, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Abortion, and Alcohol
meredith_williams_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit
cinderellasbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault