Reviews

Hacjenda by Isabel Cañas

snarkyspice's review against another edition

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? No

5.0

snarkyspice's review against another edition

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? No

5.0

I was gonna rate this a 4.5 or a 4.75, but the way Cañas writes the desire between Beatriz and Andrés (especially at the end!) cancels out whatever other hangups I may have had with the novel. Like... there's "romance" and then there's this. 😓🥵 It didn't even need to get smutty (although I would not be opposed!) for it to just be HOT. I should've known from the very beginning what the deal would be based on Andrés' narration.

But if God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, if He is three in one in the Trinity, then God knows nothing of loneliness. [...] Of his shoulders slumping beneath the new weight of knowing what it meant to not be alone, and an acute awareness of his own chest's emptiness. God knows nothing of loneliness, because God has never tasted companionship as mortals do: clinging to one another in darkness so complete and sharp it scrapes flesh from bone, trusting one another even as the Devil's breath bloom hot on their napes.

I would not object to a sequel that explores more of Andrés really stepping into his powers as a witch and truly balancing what that means while also being an ordained priest.

ladynovastars's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

mitskacir's review against another edition

3.0

An easy read that kept me going, but ultimately disappointing. A lot of the conflict seemed resolvable (I honestly think their are other options besides sleeping in a haunted house, without compromising "pride" and "propriety", two major obstacles in this book), and the characters were a strange mix of reasonably terrified and completely unfazed (I would be a little more suspicious of Juana if the ghost in my house was constantly whispering "Juana... Juana...."). It was a bit creepy, but the spookiness and violence escalated too quickly to be really suspenseful. The book was long enough for the mysterious occurrences to build more slowly. Overall, mildly entertaining but mediocre.

anjalisudarsan's review against another edition

5.0

It's been a while since I've come across a horror themed novel that really got my attention. This book was so well written, and the plot really sucks you in!
Although this book is compared to Mexican Gothic, I thought the only similarity lies in the setting (Mexico/Spanish words being used). The Hacienda sets itself apart with its concise, clear descriptions of the horrifying hauntings happening in the house (without droning on). As a reader, I felt the fears and thoughts running in Beatriz' mind, along with the inner battle of morality Father Andres has to face.
Absolutely loved the dynamic between Beatriz and Andres, as well as the Forbidden Love theme that runs with the horror plotline. This book is quite entertaining, and I'd highly recommend it if you're okay with reading about ghosts.

shelbymarie516's review against another edition

4.0

3.75
So, this has been described as Rebecca meets Mexican Gothic and that is pretty accurate. I think this had more closure and a better plot than Rebecca but it wasn't quite as enthralling as Mexican Gothic. Let me just say I don't care for Daphne du Maurier but I really love Silvia Moreno-Garcia and her storytelling talent.

campinggrandma's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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

4.75

Loved it! The end was the.25 deduction from me. 

bookishlyy_hannah's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

katharasecunda's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

kittykitcat's review against another edition

4.0

It drew a bit longer than it should, and the prose, though beautifully crafted, every now and then got a little repetitive. That’s as far as my complaints will go, though.
It is a very traditional Gothic horror tale. I see why people insist on comparing it to Mexican Gothic, but I think that’s only because both are based in México and within the Gothic genre. But where Hacienda feels traditional in its execution, Mexican Gothic feels like a more modern take on concepts and ideas well established within the genre. Not a bad thing on Isabel Cañas’ work, in my opinion.
This is one hell of a debut, and certainly made for a good last book of 2023 for me. Yeah, it took me a bit longer than it should to get to this one, sorry.