The Hacienda

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley books for an ARC. The Hacienda is available on May 10, 2022.

It’s only January, but I feel like I just read one of the best books of the year. I’m not sure I even have words to explain how amazing this book is.

Beatriz is newly married to Rodolfo in 1823 Mexico. Against her mother’s wishes to marry for love she marries out of necessity. Rodolfo has an estate that she claims as her own. But her new home is no home at all. There is evil in this house and Beatriz seeks help from Padre Andrés. Beatriz will uncover dark secrets as she tries to survive in the Hacienda.

In 2020, Mexican Gothic was released and immediately became a favorite among readers. I truly believe that Silvia Garcia-Moreno brought new life to Gothic Literature, and helped to bring it to a mainstream audience. I predict that Gothic Literature will continue to grow in popularity, and Mexican Gothic literature will continue to grow a strong following.

There are a few similarities between these two books (which also happen to be gothic tropes that I love): unsettling house, untrustworthy husband, distressed women trying to figure out a mystery. But this is where the the similarities end. While I believe that fans of Mexican Gothic will enjoy The Hacienda it deserves its own time to shine in the spotlight.

I loved The Hacienda. Cañas did an amazing job creating a creepy and chilling atmosphere. I read this book during the day time and the night, and it didn't matter how much light was out, I found myself jumping at shadows and house settling noises. I was completely engrossed in the novel, and I found myself thinking about how great this would be as a movie or limited tv series. I really enjoyed the fast pace and the tension that was built throughout.

Cañas is an excellent storyteller. This book is told with a fast pace, and the tension was built up beautifully. Cañas also has a way with words. Her use of imagery and figurative language were artfully crafted, so I absolutely can't wait for a hardcover copy to annotate my favorite quotes and sections. I also loved that she touched upon other topics such as religion, colonialism, and the caste system, which I think will make people want to learn more about. She anticipates this by providing some resources for further study in her author's note.

I loved this book so much that I will be recommending it for a long time!

5 stars