The Hacienda

*slight spoilers  Gothic historical horror, it follows newlywed Beatriz who experiences strange occurrences as she just arrived at her husband's hacienda, and her only help might be in the figure of Andrès, a priest who hides a dark secret. 
This was such a great debut novel, very reminiscent of gothic novels like Rebecca, The Haunting of House Hill or Mexican Gothic.  I really appreciated how the authors interwove historical and cultural elements of Mexico in the 19th century, taking on themes of colonialism, racism, faith, traditions, sexism.  The gothic, literally chilling atmosphere of the hacienda house was perfectly rendered especially in Beatriz's point of view, and I loved how the entity slowly destroys her physically and psychologically.  I also loved how the house was a living and breathing space, full of emotions.  Some parts had too much repetition in some of the things said or done, the reveal on who was responsible didn't feel impactful enough and the aftermath of the big showdown being a bit too dragged out, so this wasn't a perfect read.  Still this was an incredibly strong debut and I'm looking forward to reading more of Isabel Cañas' books. 

I can confirm Isabel Cañas is one of my new favorite authors. I enjoyed this book even more than Vampires of E Norte.

Her prose per usual is exquisite and crafts an atmosphere so rich in detail and emotion you're immediately immersed into the story.

She also knows how to create dynamic and resilient characters that are multi-faceted and real. I loved Beatriz and her determination and perseverance to fight back against the forces in the hacienda threatening her despite the lack of support from others around her.

Anxiously looking forward to her next novel!

This low rating was a me thing.

I listened on audio and had a really hard time paying attention which meant I should have put it down and picked something else. But I persisted. It is very atmospheric but the plot was really slow. I didn't get a good feel of the characters and when I can't connect to the characters it effects my enjoyment. I wish that I had stopped listening and picked up in a different format at a different time.

this book got my anxiety up bad, but I loved it. The answer to the haunting changed with the story in twists and turns and bumps in the night. Even if you're not a horror fan, would 10/10 recommend (do NOT read at night though)

I don't normally read horror yet I had an entertianing time reading, certain parts flew by because I had to know what happened next. I love me some slow burn, forbidden romance and even better when it's not meant to be . 

There wasn't anything that stood out to me, the plot was predictable and the ending felt flat compared to all the build up. It was still an easy, solid read.

Book Review: The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas is a debut supernatural suspense novel that combines the elements of Mexican Gothic and Rebecca. Set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, the story revolves around Beatriz, who, after the execution of her father and the destruction of her home, seeks security and stability in a marriage proposal from the enigmatic Don Rodolfo Solórzano. Determined to have a home again, Beatriz moves into Hacienda San Isidro, which turns out to be far from the sanctuary she had envisioned.

As Don Rodolfo returns to work in the capital, Beatriz finds herself plagued by visions and voices that invade her sleep. The weight of invisible eyes follows her every move, and strange occurrences within the hacienda intensify her sense of unease. Beatriz's fears are dismissed by Rodolfo's sister, Juana, but her refusal to enter the house at night raises further suspicion. The cook's use of copal incense and the presence of mysterious symbols add to the growing mystery surrounding the first Doña Solórzano. With no one willing to help her, Beatriz turns to Padre Andrés, a young priest with extraordinary abilities, who becomes her ally in battling the malevolent force haunting the hacienda.

One of the standout aspects of The Hacienda is the author's exceptional writing skills, particularly considering this is her debut novel. The prose is captivating and creates an eerie atmosphere that permeates throughout the narrative. Cañas skillfully balances the pacing, ensuring that the story maintains a steady momentum while building suspense and anticipation. The book is replete with gothic, creepy vibes that make it an ideal choice for the “spooky” season.

The plot of The Hacienda is richly woven with historical elements, adding depth and authenticity to the story. The blend of supernatural elements with the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence provides a unique backdrop for the haunting experiences faced by Beatriz. The suspense is palpable, keeping readers engaged and eager to unravel the mysteries surrounding the hacienda.

The characters in The Hacienda are intriguing and well-developed. Beatriz and Padre Andrés serve as strong leads, each bringing their own strengths and vulnerabilities to the story. Beatriz's determination to uncover the truth and her resilience in the face of danger make her a compelling protagonist. Padre Andrés adds an additional layer of complexity with his forbidden attraction to Beatriz and his reliance on his witchcraft skills to combat the malevolent presence.

While The Hacienda is an enthralling read, it fell slightly short in its ending, which left me wanting more closure and resolution. This minor drawback prevented me from awarding it a full 5-star rating. However, despite this, The Hacienda remains a captivating and chilling novel, showcasing Isabel Cañas' talent as an author.

In conclusion, The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas is a gripping supernatural suspense novel that successfully merges historical elements with eerie atmospheres. With exceptional writing, well-paced storytelling, and intriguing characters, this debut novel proves Cañas' potential as a rising author in the genre. While the ending might leave readers craving more resolution, it does not diminish the overall quality of this captivating read. I highly recommend The Hacienda to those seeking a suspenseful and atmospheric tale that will keep them hooked until the very end.

ARC Via NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book. The story had me hooked, the characters were captivating (some captivating for different reasons), and the twists and turns in the story left me satisfied. I had heard the ending was disappointing but I did not have that experience. I thought the ending was excellent, well-fitted for the plot and characters.

I think this was the perfect reading experience for me. Most of the time when I finish a book I experience grief-like emotions. Usually I wish for a little more story, a character to be expanded upon, a situation to be more tightly wrapped up or just to live in that world a little longer. This book hasn't evoked those emotions in me which is rare and also a compliment.

Highly recommend especially if you like spooky, historically set tales.

An entertaining ghost story with a unique setting which mostly suffers from trying to be in dialogue with Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca. This is Rebecca as filtered through a modern sensibility, where the ghosts have to be literal, the heroine plucky and the lines between good and evil unambiguous. A solid debut novel from Cañas.

A haunted house kind of story.It has a switch of perspective of characters and is generally pretty good story. I was surprised by the witch priest! Solid book, and If you liked this I rec. [b:Mexican Gothic 53152636 Mexican Gothic Silvia Moreno-Garcia https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1607462569l/53152636.SY75.jpg 73647361]

A bit of a slow burn to start but then around page 80 I was hooked. Beautifully written and legitimately creepy - I had to stop reading it before bed. There are ghosts and paranormal spooks galore but the real villain is colonialism. The characters are well drawn and though the ending might not leave you completely satisfied, the journey to get there is fun.

I enjoyed the book, but I was expecting something darker and creepier.

This creepy gothic had me turning pages into the night (while slightly scared!)

Beatriz marries Rodolfo, whose first wife died in mysterious circumstances, to escape her hard life and is whisked away to his hacienda.
There she meets Padre Andres, who she's drawn to.
The hacienda is pure evil and the mysterious secondary characters add an extra level of spookiness in this riveting read.

This was scarier and more supernatural than I expected. It was well done because even with the supernatural part, there was still a bad guy that needed justice. I guess technically there were a few bad guys. So there were plenty of secrets to uncover.
The magic system could be explained a little better, but it might have been an awkward info dump and I wouldn't have liked that either. So maybe it is all for the best.
If you are looking for a creepy ambiance and lots of secrets, pick this one up.

while i could've done without a lot of the repetition and some of the odd syntax, i do NOT understand why the end is so disliked........it's realistic! not every ghost story has to end the same way (i.e. in some big supernatural showdown with the heroes winning 100% or in them losing completely)! sometimes they can just End and that's okay!

i am however fondly wishing the heteros well for once

3.5 ⭐

Was getting Crimson Peak vibes! There were obviously trouble spots in the book. Ultimately I feel like the beginning of the book went into a lot of details that didn't seem to matter as much. The ending then felt very rushed. The characters and their relationships seemed very shallow and didn't always make much sense

Loved the writing in this!!! It seemed to flow so nicely for me. It's Mexican, it's Gothic, creepy, brooding, not always sure you are going to be safe in the dark...was just my cup of tea

Gothic horror done right. I loved the atmosphere of the boo, and how the house was almost it's own character. Beatriz is thinking she is getting into a prosperous marriage and will soon have the house ready for her mother to come live with them in this luxurious house. but the house and it's evil spirits have other plans. Also the character of Andres is beautifully written. He really cares about the villagers and Beatriz especially. I do like their relationship.

Overall great book would recommend for anyone seeking a good gothic horror novel.

I'll admit, I had my reservations about The Hacienda early on.

Earlier on in the book it felt like it was going in a very well-trodden direction that I'm just not super into. Seeing taglines like “Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca” sets a stage, which perhaps makes perfect sense considering the material, but also makes the earlier parts of the book seem almost rote and overly indebted to said works.

That is, before Andres becomes an important character in the book. The interplay between Beatriz and Andres is crucial framework here. A lot of authors do the thing where one character knows all the answers the other is searching for, only for us to inhabit their heads without ever an inclination of what these may be. Cañas avoids this masterfully by introducing Andres later in the book and keeping him engaged in the ‘now' of the action.

By the time he's forced to reckon with the past and analyze it himself, it feels natural and earned, as opposed to obfuscated through narrative trickery. That's not easy to pull off and most authors fail at this.

It's a genuine treat to watch everything unspool, the characters interact and how complicated everything is both in Mexico at the time and in the lives of these characters thanks to European colonizers and their own histories.

Such an atmospheric and captivating read. I was expecting the typical Jane Eyre type read but it was so much better. Made you feel like you were expecting the haunting yourself. Also loved getting a glimpse into to the author's culture and experience her deep love for it.