Who Would Like This Book:
If you love haunted house stories dripping in atmosphere, tense historical settings, and a touch of forbidden romance, "The Hacienda" is a must-read. It’s like stepping into post-Independence Mexico, with chilling gothic vibes, an eerie estate, and characters you can’t help but root for - especially the fiery, determined Beatriz and a priest with secrets of his own. Fans of "Rebecca," "The Haunting of Hill House," or "Mexican Gothic" will feel right at home (but maybe a little on edge!) within these pages.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the story's middle a bit slow, or wished for a deeper dive into the complexities of its central characters - particularly around religious and magical struggles. If you prefer fast-paced plots or pure horror without romantic or historical elements, this might not be your jam. People expecting a straight gothic chill-fest without relationship drama might also find the romance subplot more distracting than intriguing.
About:
The Hacienda by Isabel Canas is a gothic horror novel set in Mexico, featuring a haunted house and a cast of intriguing characters. The story follows the protagonist, Beatriz, as she navigates the eerie atmosphere of the San Isidro hacienda, uncovering dark secrets and facing chilling encounters. The writing style is described as beautifully crafted, encouraging readers to immerse themselves in the vividly depicted setting and characters, with a historical aspect that adds depth to the narrative.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include references to violence, death, and themes of trauma associated with war and oppression.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance, with a focus on the relationship between Beatriz and Padre Andres, but it does not overshadow the horror elements.
From The Publisher:
Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca in this debut supernatural suspense novel, set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, about a remote house, a sinister haunting, and the woman pulled into their clutches...
During the overthrow of the Mexican government, Beatriz's father was executed and her home destroyed. When handsome Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposes, Beatriz ignores the rumors surrounding his first wife's sudden demise, choosing instead to seize the security that his estate in the countryside provides. She will have her own home again, no matter the cost.
But Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she imagined.
When Rodolfo returns to work in the capital, visions and voices invade Beatriz's sleep. The weight of invisible eyes follows her every move. Rodolfo's sister, Juana, scoffs at Beatriz's fears-but why does she refuse to enter the house at night? Why does the cook burn copal incense at the edge of the kitchen and mark the doorway with strange symbols? What really happened to the first Doña Solórzano?
Beatriz only knows two things for certain: Something is wrong with the hacienda. And no one there will save her.
Desperate for help, she clings to the young priest, Padre Andrés, as an ally. No ordinary priest, Andrés will have to rely on his skills as a witch to fight off the malevolent presence haunting the hacienda and protect the woman for whom he feels a powerful, forbidden attraction. But even he might not be enough to battle the darkness.
Far from a refuge, San Isidro may be Beatriz's doom.
Ratings (36)
Incredible (6) | |
Loved It (12) | |
Liked It (8) | |
It Was OK (9) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (144):
Read It (36) | |
Want To Read (82) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (25) |
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The Hacienda?
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