"The Hacienda" is a historical gothic horror written by Isabel Cañas.

Wow, what a wonderful book! Delightfully dark, eerie, distressing and atmospheric, it had me hooked from the opening scene. A spellbinding, captivating and powerful story that deftly blends horror, gothic and historical elements, with the addition of a pinch of tormented and forbidden romance. A read characterized by evocative prose, a disturbing setting, an intriguing story and interesting characters.

The writing is simply enchanting! Elegant, lyrical and refined, it captured me with its beauty. I was impressed by the vivid, powerful and intense descriptions, so much so that I repeatedly ended up in jujubes. Seriously, just the opening scene alone,with its portrayal of a breathtaking landscape, involved me deeply. I found it to be sophisticated prose, full of passion and feeling, highly expressive. I was able to feel the anguish and turmoil of the characters, the hostility of the hacienda, the agitated climate of the time. I think the author did an excellent job in handling the more frightening and gothic undertones of the story, creating very effective images and situations. In addition, I sensed more melancholic, poignant, and bitter tones that at times took my breath away because of their intensity.

The setting is darkly fascinating! I have a huge soft spot for books set in haunted mansions, and the hacienda San Isidro convinced me from its first appearance. A huge white stucco estate, surrounded by cultivated fields, isolated in the wilderness, towering against a spectacularly colored sky and amid the deep darkness of night. A once opulent estate, now reduced to a labyrinth of dusty, empty rooms, full of drafts and sinister creaks, with a garden abandoned to neglect. No one resides in the main house, especially after nightfall, except Don Rodolfo, when present, and now his new wife Beatriz. An ancient place, marked by centuries of not always pleasant stories that have left an imprint within its walls. A haunted place, with its own will and desires, that has no intention of bowing to anyone. I loved the hacienda San Isidro! The already interesting premises are further accentuated by the author's evocative prose! I really felt the malevolent and menacing atmosphere of the estate, as well as sensed the suffocating darkness that falls at night, barely contained by the candles' flame. The hacienda San Isidro is a sort of character in its own right, which I found analyzed excellently! Also, apart from the house, I liked the rest of it a lot as well. In my opinion, the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence was rendered very well with its religious, racial, and class tensions!

The plot is hypnotic! Slow, deceptively placid, it proceeds almost sleepily. It is not a story full of action and events, but it is the story of how a person's daily life, their dreams and hopes, slowly sink into a world of horrors, distorting and shattering everything. It is a story of secrets, deceptions, lies, wrongs, abuses, grudges and evil. It is a story of a Nation devastated by the effects of war, divided by an consolidated and unjust class system, dismantled and yet still present in people's minds, oppressed by religion and the specter of the Inquisition. But it is also a story of resilience, courage, freedom, hope and love. And yes, of course, it is also a horror tale. Between frightening apparitions, creepy visions, malevolent whispers, disconcerting plays of light, sudden drafts of air, abrupt drops in temperature, ominous slamming doors, sinister creaks, and so much more, there is no shortage of spooky elements. In my opinion, the author handled it all exceptionally well, creating excellent macabre, gothic and haunting scenes, maintaining an elegant style. I admit I guessed the various plot twists in advance and wasn't scared, but I rarely get scared reading horror books, so I don't count.

I loved Beatriz and Andrés, protagonists with their first person povs! Beatriz is a woman trapped in a suffocating life. Her father, a rebel general during the Mexican War of Independence was arrested at the end of the conflict, condemned as a traitor and executed by the same rebels he served. Their home, with their wealth, was burned and destroyed, forcing her and her mother to flee in the middle of the night. Alone, without anything, they had no alternative but to turn to the woman's petty and capricious relatives. Beatriz has spent years with her uncle and his cruel wife, under the constant weight of humiliation and blackmail. Yearning for freedom, for a better life for her and her beloved mother, she has seized the opportunity presented by Don Rodolfo's marriage proposal, with his country estate and the power of his name. Only to find herself sinking into a chilling nightmare. Beatriz is a determined, courageous and intelligent woman with a fiery spirit, unwilling to bend to the will of others. She craves freedom, a happy and respectable life, a place to call her own. For her and her mother. She is a practical, rational person, willing to sacrifice the possibility of true love for a marriage of interest, with a stranger for whom she feels nothing. A complex, multifaceted character, who under the tough appearance hides a sensitive soul plagued by doubts and sufferings. A soul that the hacienda San Isidro attempts to haunt, torment and destroy, trying to push her to the abyss of madness and exhaustion. I loved Beatriz, her analysis and her evolution! She is such a vibrant character, so full of feeling, that I couldn't help but become attached to her!

Andrés, in turn, is a wonderfully described character. He has fewer chapters than Beatriz, but is still well drawn and efficient. Andrés is a young mestizo priest, despised and considered inferior because of his partly indigenous origins. A complicated, troubled man torn between his religious faith and the powerful magic he inherited from his ancestors. Andrés is able to see things that others cannot see, hear things that others cannot hear, and do things that others cannot do. He is a loyal, honest, prudent and caring character with a big heart, to whom I immediately connected!

There is a small romance component in the book that I loved immensely! Marginal to the story, never dominant, it won me over with its load of slow burn and forbidden. The relationship between Beatriz and Andrés develops slowly, starting out as an alliance and a superficial acquaintance, then moving to a friendship and finally to something more. During the sleepless and unsettling nights spent side by side watching over and fighting evil, Beatriz and Andrés have a way to get closer, to talk, to get to know and understand each other. It is a delicate, subtle relationship made up of quick glances, fleeting touches and small, caring gestures. They made me sweat, melt and suffer!

All in all, this is a historical gothic horror novel that I deeply loved and recommend to lovers of the genre!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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**

The first chapter of this book made me concerned that all of it would be quite flowery and difficult to read. This faded after the first chapter - the characters made me smile and hope and feel their passionate emotions as they deal with everything.

Rollercoaster of emotions. A little disappointed in the ending (Spoiler: what’s in that letter!!!! Make them kiss more ;-;), but a solid historical romantic gothic horror fantasy novel.

I really enjoy reading different genres so I was excited to read this horror debut by Isabel. There were moments that felt tense and had me feeling nervous. I read it at night time which was probably the best time as it heightened the creepiness of the house and the book overall.

An enjoyable read, but one I think won't be very memorable.
It's got a good amount of creepy going on, and a nice innocent new bride to scare, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me.
As a debut though, it makes me interested enough to see what the author does next.