A review by jennshelfishlife
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

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? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

Set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, Beatriz has lost her home and her father. Determined to regain her status in society and to have a home of her own, Beatriz married Don Rodolfo Solórzano who has his own secrets. Beatriz resettles to the countryside in a beautiful but frightening hacienda. While residing at the hacienda, Beatriz is haunted by an evil and frightful entity. While fending off the evil, Beatriz also has to contend with Rodolfo's staff and sister who don't make life easy for her. Seeking peace, Beatriz seeks out the local parish for an exorcism and meets Padre Andrés who has his own mysterious past but agrees to help Beatriz. 
The relationship between Beatriz and Padre Andrés is well written and developed but I found it to be a cliché. I loved the spookiness to the tale, definitely eerie and it did remind me of Rebecca or The Haunting of Hill House. 
What I would have liked from the story, a more thoroughly fleshed out character development of Beatriz' family and the Mexican War of Independence. The budding romantic relationship between Beatriz and the padre didn't add anything to the story. Padre Andrés had a justified reason and interest in the hacienda without the romance with Beatriz. One last note, I would have liked a different ending for Juana.
Overall, a very creepy and spooky read that I would recommend to readers that enjoy Gothic horror.
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