The Hacienda

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.

Finalmente tirando um tempo para escrever uma pequena resenha sobre o livro. Eu achei The Hacienda bem mediano - enquanto a parte cultural, histórica do livro foi muito interessante e eu estava muito imersa na conversa entre os personagens (muitos pontos positivos para os narradores do audiobook), o mistério em si não foi interessante e a história apresenta apenas 2 possíveis personagens culpados pelo o que aconteceu com Maria Catalina (outra coisa que eu acho que não deveriam ter entregado na sinopse foi que aconteceu alguma coisa com ela). Qualquer um dos dois personagens que fosse revelado o culpado não teria me surpreendido. O outro twist que a autora também botou pra surpreender o leitor de que Maria Catalina não era uma pessoa boa também não teve efeito sobre mim, acho que por ter visto esse twist em tantos livros antes...
Considerando ser um livro de estréia acho que a autora tem muito potencial. Não é um livro que eu não recomende, mas não achei “wow” como as pessoas dizem que é.

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

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'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.

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.

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.

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.