This could be the love child of a Latin horror novel and The Thorn Birds (if you are old enough to remember it).
I had a lot of fun and loved the haunted house, a scary and eery place.
The story is well done, the romance is a classic as the priest is a forbidden lover par excellence.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a solid 4 star read. I didn’t know what to expect going into this story but I was hopeful that it would fill the craving for just the right spooky season vibes I was after- I can happily report that it did, while I wasn’t scared whilst reading it, I was definitely absorbed in the tension and mystery that was crafted with this lovely prose.

This was an atmospheric, gothic haunted house story however, the historical setting of the Hacienda San Isidro provided a fresh take on a genre that can otherwise feel bland and generic.

The chemistry and tension built between Andrés and Beatriz was well done and would appeal to people who like ‘can’t stop thinking about almost touching your hand for 3/4 of the book’ type of chemistry. I don’t know if it’s just a side effect of historical fiction based in a time where it is a patriarchal society but I did find Beatriz a more passive character in her own story and Andrés had a much more interesting role in the story and fleshed out background.

For me the ending was probably the part I enjoyed the least. It was fine- but some of the story choices and directions that aren’t my jam, and the ending wasn’t a surprising twist and probably just detracted from me giving it a full 5 stars.

I would definitely read more from this author though for the vibes alone. Thank you to Rebellion Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Hacienda is exactly what I look for in a horror. Something not too scary, something genre bending that brings in a fantasy element as well as a little romance. The Hacienda was all that and more, it was about fighting for your place in the world, for a place to belong, in a world that looks down on you because of your sex, skin colour. It's a story of a woman who just desperately wants somewhere to call her own, and the lengths she will go to to achieve that.

The story is told from two POV's, Beatriz & Andrés. Beatriz is the daughter of a man who wound up on the wrong side of a revolution, and was killed for it. With nowhere else to go, she and her mother fled to the only family they had left, a family that treated them like servants, so when she catches the eye of Rodolfo, the owner of San Isidro, she takes her chance to go, become mistress of her own home, get out from under the thumb of her aunt and uncle and claim her own life back. She is someone who knows pain, someone who, though gentle-bread, isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. So when she arrives as San Isidro, both she and the servants are in for a shock because the house does not want her there, but Beatriz has never been one to back down from a fight.

Andrés' chapters are flitted throughout the book, and also allow flashbacks that help tell the story of San Isidro, a house that his family have run for many years, a house that he knew growing up, and one that has drastically changed when he visits now. He is the one person who believes Beatriz when she comes to him with stories about the house, stories she is unable to prove, but as soon as he sets foot inside he knows something is deeply wrong. He is someone who lives a constant battle between the two sides of himself, that of Padre Andrés, the god fearing clergyman, and that of the Andrés that grew up learning witchcraft from his grandmother.

Alongside these two, Cañas feeds us a well built cast of side characters, all of whom have an important part to play in the story. Rodolfo, Beatriz's charming husband with a not to charming backstory. Juana, Rodolfo's sister who acts more like a man and runs the day to day life of the hacienda. Ana Luisa and Paloma, servants at the Hacienda as well as Andrés aunt and cousin. Cañas twists and turns these characters in so many ways that you struggle to know who to trust, who to empathize with, who is bad and who is behind the house behaving as it is. The final character, and by far the most twisted of all was San Isidro itself. I love when house's become characters in their own right, and in this book you can feel the sinister nature of it, the dark and cold that follows Beatriz around the house.

This book had a bit more of a fantasy element than I was expecting, but it was an addition to the story that I loved. We get to delve into it more with Andrés chapters, learning about his backstory, his time training with his grandmother, and his ability to almost hear the house, or at least the voices of the people who have lived and died there over the years. When he first arrives back into San Isidro he instantly knows something is wrong, the house feels different, it sounds different and he knows there is some kind of spirit haunting it's walls. While the story behind who the spirit was may have been predictable, Cañas ensures that we are kept on our toes, never quite knowing who or why she is haunting, did she die or was she killed, and what happened in the house to create such a sinister atmosphere. All this, alongside Cañas' beautiful and descriptive writing style ensured this was a book that I struggled to put down.

The romance in this book was so beautifully woven through. What starts off as a cry for help gradually builds into a desperate need for one another, but with one married and one in the church, both know that little can happen. It's the sweet bloom of romance between two people who never thought they would feel it, it's forbidden and it's incredibly slow burn. If you enjoy a good 'hot priest questioning his religion' then I can highly recommend this and, although the romance plays a rather large part in the story, it never detracts from the horror, rather adds an intensity and desperation to the story, both characters unsure if they are going to make it out alive.

This may be my first book by Cañas but I can assure you it won't be my last. Her writing reminds me of Silvia Moreno-Garcia in that it drags you into the story and is so incredibly atmospheric. I already have her other books on my TBR & you can bet that I will be picking it up asap.

I love a gothic haunted house story and The Hacienda was no exception. Brilliantly written, with some truly creepy scenes that I loved. However, I never thought I would say this but I think it was a little bit too fast-paced for me. So much plot, I was getting a head rush. At it is at its core a horror novel, it also said interesting things about the time period in which it was set. I could have had a little less action but that truly is a personal preference. If you are after a gothic, horror haunted house novel, check this out immediately.

A mystery in an old Hacienda? Sold.

I was at the edge of my seat in this book. Like every fucking chapter I was waiting to see what was going to happen. I loved it. I have no words. Other people have made more eloquent reviews about this book and I am still trying to process the story and how much I loved it.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc version of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Isabel Cañas' debut novel, The Hacienda, is an impressive supernatural gothic novel set in a remote house in Mexico, after the Mexican War of Independence from Spain, in 1823. When Beatriz's father is executed and her house destroyed, she has no choice but to marry Don Rodolfo Solórzano despite his political ideas and especially the mysterious rumors surrounding his first wife's sudden demise. But Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she imagined, and soon Beatriz realizes that there's something wrong in her new house.

Rebecca meets The Haunting of Hill House meets Mexican Gothic: The Hacienda is a mix of historical fiction, gothic vibes, a doomed love story, strong resilient characters and a terrifying haunted house that has no intention of letting go of its past.
I really enjoyed this novel, it's beautifully written and with its dark atmosphere it kept me glued to its pages since the very last line. I liked the dual POV of Beatriz and Padre Andrés, it gave depth to the story and made me care more for these characters. I don't think that the romance was necessary here, it felt a bit forced for me and this is why I removed one star from the final rating.
But I have to admit that my favorite character was actually the haunted Hacienda itself, who knows how many creepy things are hidden in those walls?? I wish I could visit it - only briefly though, and with lots of copal with me.
Can't wait to read more by this author!

* I'd like to thank Isabel Cañas, Solaris and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much Netgalley, the publisher Solaris and the author for the arc The Hacienda.

A horror novel that I couldn't put down. A perfect creepy read for October.
Beautifully written, chilling atmosphere, haunted house, paranormal activities and a powerful heroine.

I love haunted house stories and The Hacienda did not disappoint me, a great plot and great characters.

‘The Hacienda’ felt like Casita from ‘Encanto’ with anger issues mixed with the suspense of the ‘Woman in Black.’ It was well thought out and a book I could recommend to readers who are a fan of thrillers and suspense.
I particularly enjoyed the many layers to Andres’ character, and felt his voice was clear and powerful throughout the story. I felt his story line added so much to the overall narrative and I rooted for him throughout, more than any of the other characters.
I felt the second half of the story moved faster and I was more invested, waiting to find out what was going to happen next. But I think on reflection, it wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy the first half or that it was slow, I was uncomfortable and I think that is the sign that the story meets it’s aim in being a gripping gothic novel.
I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book, and the descriptions and imagery used throughout made it feel like I was there in the grips of the Hacienda. I would have liked to have seen more from some of the characters such as Father Vincete, but I was satisfied with the way the story played out!

Thanks to net gallery for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t read either Rebecca or Mexican Gothic so my opinions aren’t derived from the comparison. The Hacienda had a bit of a slow start. I’ll admit I struggled to get into the story to start with but once the house came alive I was sucked in. It’s a slow burn of a haunting that creeps in then swallows you whole. The house was as much of a character as the two leads and I loved waiting with anticipation to see what horrors it would conjure next. I didn’t lose any sleep over the story but it was definitely chilling.

More so were the attitudes of the time. Racism and classism were woven into the story as was the Mexican War of Independence. It shouldn’t be taken as a historical account of course, but as someone who was previously unaware of this period of history, it was interesting to learn about.

I liked Beatriz but Andrés stole the show for me. His struggle between his identity as a witch and a priest really drew me in. I could have easily read a whole book about his life and his experiences.

I’d recommend for anyone who likes slow burn horror, vengeful ghosts and houses that hate you.

This is described as Rebecca meets Mexican Gothic, which is exactly what drew me in, as those are two of my absolute favourite books. This story dripped with atmosphere from the very first chapters- the isolated hacienda, the fact that the FMC doesn't really belong within the society she has found herself. I thought Beatriz was a great character- the perfect mix of naive, young woman but also determined and driven to provide a life for herself and her mother, even if that means forgoing love.
I didn't love Andres' POV quite as much, but maybe that was because he was a bit cerebral for me- I think I just liked how straightforward Beatriz was! I think maybe the plot wasn't super twisty but i was surprised enough by the events that happened simply because i was so drawn into the atmosphere and enjoyed it for that!
Overall I really enjoyed this book- definitely one for lovers of gothic horror, and perfect for spooky season.

The Hacienda is a mesmerizing novel that plunges readers deep into the heart of 1800s Mexico, delivering a narrative steeped in the rich traditions of Mexican culture while weaving a captivating gothic horror tale. In a time of social upheaval following the overthrow of the Mexican government, Beatriz's life takes a harrowing turn when her father, a general in the Mexican government, is executed, and her family's home is reduced to ruins. Left to fend for herself and her mother, Beatriz's path crosses that of Don Rodolfo Solórzano, a wealthy man whose proposal promises security and stability in exchange for marriage.

Despite the ominous rumors shrouding the sudden death of Rodolfo's first wife, Beatriz is determined to embrace the sanctuary that his countryside estate, Hacienda San Isidro, appears to offer. Her yearning for a place to call home again overshadows the undisclosed cost she may have to pay.

However, the Hacienda San Isidro soon reveals itself to be far from a sanctuary. As Rodolfo returns to the capital, Beatriz is plagued by unsettling visions and eerie voices that infiltrate her sleep. An invisible malevolent presence seems to follow her every move, and even Rodolfo's sister, Juana, refuses to enter the house at night, casting doubt on the safety of the hacienda. The cook's enigmatic rituals, involving copal incense and cryptic symbols, only deepen the enigma surrounding the estate. Beatriz's obsession with uncovering the truth about the first Doña Solórzano's fate intensifies.

Isolated and desperate for help, Beatriz forges an unlikely alliance with Padre Andrés, a young priest who possesses unconventional skills as a witch. Their partnership is further complicated by Andrés' forbidden attraction to Beatriz. Together, they must confront the malevolent presence that haunts the hacienda and shield Beatriz from a sinister force. Yet, the darkness that envelops them proves to be more formidable than they could have imagined.

Isabel Cañas masterfully crafts a gripping narrative in "The Hacienda," blending historical turmoil, supernatural elements, forbidden romance, and gothic horror steeped in Mexican tradition. The novel immerses readers in a world where ancient beliefs and cultural practices converge with the eerie and the supernatural. While the ending may leave some readers yearning for more closure, the book's strengths, including its well-drawn characters, rich atmosphere, and captivating storytelling, make it a highly recommended read. Expect to be transported to a world where the enduring power of family ties collides with the enigmatic and unsettling, all set against the backdrop of a Mexico brimming with tradition and mystery.

4* because this was really good! I can’t remember the last time I finished a book in 24hours. It definitely had its faults despite being so gripping but for the most part I enjoyed reading this thoroughly, so my rating is based on enjoyment mostly.

In a nutshell, this books is about Beatriz who's been left to fend for herself and her mother after her father (a general in the Mexican government) is betrayed and murdered. The books is set in 1800s Mexico with a backdrop of social unrest (and a caste system), although the civil tumult is alluded to and not a central focus of the book. Beatriz hopes to provide a secure future for herself and her mum by accepting the proposal of Rodolfo, a wealthy man who runs a hacienda (essentially a plantation) producing pulque (an alcoholic drink). Rodolfo goes back to the capital due to political matters, and Beatriz is left alone on the plantation with Rodolfo's unfriendly and brash sister, Juana and his servants, all of who refuse to live in the large manor house of the hacienda. The said house starts acting weird and creepy, Beatriz finds out some questionable stuff about Rodolfo and his mysterious dead ex-wife but finding no ally amongst the staff or in Juana, enlists the help of a young local priest, Andrés

Now, about the things I liked: I really enjoyed the two main characters and their dual POV, although I feel like Andrés' POV wasn't strictly necessary for the story, it allowed a glimpse into his mind. There was romance, and it was nice and kind of slow burn-y, but didn't detract from the focus of the book. The book was a nice change from a Westernised fantasy setting, and there was some social and historical context as I mentioned above (enough to satisfy me, as after all this is a gothic fantasy not historical fiction).
I liked the pacing of the book (I finished it in two sittings, need I say more?) but most of all I enjoyed the writing. Some might disagree and call it purple prose, but I thought the descriptions of the surroundings and the actual haunting/scary bits were beautifully written. This book is Cañas' debut, and for a debut it's great. It does not take a lot to scare me, I'll admit, but for me the prose and the story was dark enough to avoid reading it before bedtime. The story kept me intrigued and I felt had a lot of tension which continued building towards the climax of the book. I really wanted to know the specifics and secrets that were causing the hacienda to be haunted. I was hooked!

So ... this is where my disappointment comes in because I feel as though the 'big reveal' never came and the ending (and by ending I mean the last page - if you've read it you'll know) let me down. All that tension, built up for a bit of an anti-climactic end.BUT I have to preface that despite the disappointments below, I still looked back and said "I enjoyed that book". Oddly enough, whilst I was left somewhat unsatisfied, the ending didn't taint my reading experience overall. You can take that as you will. I would still recommend this book, albeit with the caution that it's a fun, semi-scary read that may/may not leave you frustrated depending on the type of reader you are.

I was really intrigued by the premise of the book: after her father is executed in the Mexican War of Independence Beatriz marries a wealthy man, Don Rodolfo, so her family will not be destitute and moves into his rural hacienda, only to discover that her new husband's house holds horrifying secrets.

It gave off 'The House on Haunted Hill' by Shirley Jackson and 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier, but it lacked the depth and subtle motivations of the originals.

While the setting was perfect for a gothic story focused on the guilt and horror of upheld legacies of slavery and the author talks about classism, colonialism, racism and sexism, we don't feel it.The book focuses on evil individuals and only skims the surface of themes that could have been very interesting to read about:loss of heritage, colonization, the patriarchy, the caste system etc. reinforcing the systems it wants to criticize.

I liked the flowery writing style at first, there were some good descriptions of the atmosphere and interesting metaphors, but the constant repetition of words, turns of phrases and concepts took me out of the story.

There was too much telling and too little showing and I didn’t really picture the house, the people or the rituals being described.

I didn't understand the dual POV choice and I think the plot would have flowed more easily if there was only Beatriz's one. In alternative the author would have needed to spend more time on Andrés' personal history and on the characterization of the others characters. I couldn’t empathize with them and the romance wasn’t too realistic.

The end was abrupt and felt detached from the rest of the haunting.


Nevertheless I think the books had all the ingredients to be good and it is a debut, so I’d read something else from the author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Gothic
Haunted House
Historical
Horror/Thriller

What a fantastic read! I could not put this book down, it had me hooked from beginning to end.
The story is filled with rich culture, discrimination, religious differences and family feuds.

Beatriz and her mother are forced to move in with family after her father is executed and her home burned down in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence.
Amongst her own people she is judged by the tone of her skin colour and treated as a servant. When a rich, handsome man proposes to her, she immediately accepts his proposal against her mother’s wishes with the intent to improve their quality of life.

The Hacienda San Isidro is nothing like she imagined in her mind. The house and gardens are run down and neglected but it does not stop Beatriz from wanting to bring it back to its former glory.
After her new husband leaves for work in the capital, Beatriz becomes aware that not all is well with the house. She starts hearing things and seeing things and turns to the church for help to cleanse the house.
The church dismisses her claims as ramblings of a mad woman but one priest believes her, someone who knows what goes on inside those walls.
Padre Andrés is no ordinary Priest, he is two sides of one coin. On one side he is a priest and on the other he is a witch. He has tried so hard to bury the witch but it’s who he is born to be. Only the witch has the power to help Beatriz to rid the house of the sickness. The house of course has other ideas.

The house has dark and horrific secrets that it loves to show off to Beatriz. It taunts her day and night laughing childishly at her fear. It also reveals that the man she chose as a husband is not who she imagined at all and that he in himself is a horror.

This book was deliciously eerie and had me on edge the whole time. It was truly gripping and I look forward to reading more books by this author. It was also a learning experience for me as I don’t know much about Mexican history and culture.
This book is for fans of haunted houses, murder mysteries and historical fiction and I highly recommend it.


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Rebellion Publishing for this e-arc.

I truly enjoyed this book and think this is a great read for a cozy, rainy weekend with the perfect amount of creepiness.
The story and it’s two POVs was a little confusing at the beginning since it’s told from the present and the past but I quickly got used to it as the story progressed. I must admit that I didn’t like our protagonist Beatriz for the majority of the book which made the book a little annoying at times. Also the trope of someone moving into a house and joining a new family with a lot of history but no one telling them anything and just leaving them to fend for themselves is not enjoyable to me. But this was basically the whole setup of the story.

I enjoyed the creepy haunted house but the backstory of the house and the characters could’ve been more flashed out since all the information was told as the story progressed without actually showing anything which mislead me to think that the characters could’ve been lying.

The ending felt quite rushed and unbelievable at times and the last sentence made me want more, it felt a little unfinished.

Nevertheless I enjoyed it and the haunting creeped me out which was exactly what I was looking for. The story was engaging and i couldn’t put the book down at times.
I especially liked Andrés and the whole dark witch part of the story.

I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a engaging spooky read for autumn.

"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.