Reviews

I loved being transported by this book into another time, place, and culture. I was completely transfixed by the juxtaposition of beauty against horror. The characters and the setting alike are draped in rich and emotional details that bewitch your senses; it’s a Gothic atmospheric both dream and nightmare of a story that’s as terrifying as it is heartfelt.

The hacienda is haunted by dark secrets seething with anger and betrayal, and I was fascinated by the sheer hostility of a ghost spoiled by its own hubris. As the house and the specter become an inseparable force, they conjure themselves into their own main character that is supremely scary. Blood drenches the walls, red eyes roam in the night like hunter stalking prey, contorted apparitions crawl on the stairs, and a suffocating cold squeezes your breath in a stranglehold all while amused at its ability to torment.

A banished priest that hides his powers as a witch and the fierce survivalist that is Beatriz, newly minted wife of the hacienda’s owner, create their own intricate tale of flaws and forbidden feelings as they work together to solve the horrors of the house. Both are outcasts that bear the disguises of their titles, trying to make their way in a world where what they really come to find is their need for one another.

My mind was mixed with a sway of emotions in this novel, feeling all the reds and blacks of blood, death, love and evil. I enjoyed researching the cultural terms I did not previously know and getting a (fictional) glimpse of Mexico’s politically strife past and the pride of it’s peoples. This story paints a rich palette of landscapes and languages in which I was happily immersed!

emmabeckman's review against another edition

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2.0

Ok this is definitely a ME problem and not so much a book problem. This just didn't end up being the book I wanted it to be, so for my enjoyment, it has to be a 2. It took me so long to read. I had to start the audiobook so that I would actually make progress on it. This just isn't they type of horror that I find scary or enjoy reading. Bummer for me. But I would be interested to see what people thought of the representation of Indigenous peoples vs. colonizers and the religious overtones of the book.

kitty_reads_'s review against another edition

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4.5

🎧 i want to inject Isabel Cañas pros into my veins.

almost every paragraph gave me chills. Cañas is an incredible writer and I am so excited to read more from her! this book was a 5 stars until the end, I didn’t hate it, but it just felt a bit rushed and I feel like it lacked something? but I also was rushing and finish before I had to turn it into my library, so maybe it was just me! but if u love spooky houses and atmospheric writing, this is for you!

also, I loved the narrators! definitely a good one to listen to!

cat_astrophicallybookish's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

plumjam's review against another edition

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adventurous dark informative mysterious tense

3.0

geethepsyche's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

ixris's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.5

A historical ghost story with plenty of jump scares over a discussion of class divide and colonialism.

There is a romance, but it's not hot and heavy, much more muted compared to many other novels I've read this year!

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