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A review by mariaslibrary
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This book seems well received, but honestly I'm surprised it doesn't have an even higher rating. Seems some folks found it a slow burn, but I thought we reached the spooky pretty quickly. I loved Mexican Gothic, but I thought this had a much faster build and I had a hard time putting it down. I started reading on a Friday, about 35 pages the first day, read another 240 pages the next day (only set it down then because I had to get ready for a party) and finished Sunday morning.
I loved the poltergeist type build, the forbidden tension with the priest, and all the use of historical context for world building.
I admit that the story reflecting my own ancestral roots might have made it more interesting to me than those with no connection to Mexico or wounds from the colonization of the Americas. I found this book had moments that poked at my own wounds that made me feel for, and fear for, the characters even more. I found the author's note at the end of the book quite impactful as well.
"...homes like Hacienda San Isidro were haunted by more than the supernatural.
Colonialism has carved the landscapes of our homes with ghosts. It left gaping wounds that still weep... I hope this novel inspires the courage anger and compassion we all need to face the ghosts of colonialism that linger today."
The only critique - without giving any spoilers here- would perhaps be that I needed a little more from the ending. Even a page more, a half page. I would have love to know a little more of what the future held for our characters that remained. I was left a bit unsatisfied with what we got in that regard.
Overall, I just thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't even bear to slow down to savor it more.
I loved the poltergeist type build, the forbidden tension with the priest, and all the use of historical context for world building.
I admit that the story reflecting my own ancestral roots might have made it more interesting to me than those with no connection to Mexico or wounds from the colonization of the Americas. I found this book had moments that poked at my own wounds that made me feel for, and fear for, the characters even more. I found the author's note at the end of the book quite impactful as well.
"...homes like Hacienda San Isidro were haunted by more than the supernatural.
Colonialism has carved the landscapes of our homes with ghosts. It left gaping wounds that still weep... I hope this novel inspires the courage anger and compassion we all need to face the ghosts of colonialism that linger today."
The only critique - without giving any spoilers here- would perhaps be that I needed a little more from the ending. Even a page more, a half page. I would have love to know a little more of what the future held for our characters that remained. I was left a bit unsatisfied with what we got in that regard.
Overall, I just thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't even bear to slow down to savor it more.