#the hacienda by isabel cañas

[morethanonepage]

unfortunately i have discovered that finishing a book is 1000% easier if you’re not reading it on your phone/an e-reader/ipad. 

[quirkycatsfatstacks]

Review: The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

Review: The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

Author: Isabel CañasPublisher: BerkleyReleased: May 3, 2022Received: Own (BOTM)Warnings: Rape (mentioned), colourism, arson If you love Mexican Gothic, then you’ll love The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas. At least that’s the marketing that sucked me in – and I am so happy for that fact. This is absolutely a book worth reading. Beatriz has not had the happiest of lives. She lost her father during the…

[edwardslovelyelizabeth]

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

“It is said that mortal life is empty without the love of God. That the ache of loneliness's wounds is assuaged by obedience to Him, for in serving God we encounter perfect love and are made whole. But if God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, if He is three in one in the Trinity, then God knows nothing of loneliness...God knows nothing of loneliness, because God has never tasted companionship as mortals do: clinging to one another in darkness so complete and sharp it scrapes flesh from bone, trusting one another even as the Devil's breath blooms hot on their napes.”

[freckles-and-books]

Currently reading

[elfilibusterismo]

"It is said that mortal life is empty without the love of God. That the ache of loneliness’s wounds is assuaged by obedience to Him, for in serving God we encounter perfect love and are made whole. But if God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, if He is three in one in the Trinity, then God knows nothing of loneliness. God knows nothing of standing with his back to a gray morning, of dropping to his knees in the dust. Of his shoulders slumping beneath the new weight of knowing what it meant not to be alone, and an acute awareness of his chest’s own emptiness. God knows nothing of loneliness, because God has never tasted companionship as mortals do: clinging to one another in darkness so complete and sharp it scrapes flesh from bone, trusting one another even as the Devil’s breath blooms hot on their napes."

— Isabel Cañas, The Hacienda

[nocturnal-milk-dud]

Me and my priest kink-having ass reading the hacienda

[brucklethings]

“Colonialism has carved the landscapes of our homes with ghosts. It left gaping wounds that still weep.”

— Isabel Cañas, The Hacienda, Author’s Note

[sincerelyveronica]

The Hacienda-Review

My anticipation for this book was low-key at first. I was a sucker for the cover though. I knew I would get to it eventually. But, it kept popping up on my Goodreads feed. It almost felt subliminal. Looked it up on Libby and sure enough, the book was there. Seriously, I'm glad my library had copies of it. I was instantly swept off my feet! I forgot about my other books and just fell into world that is Hacienda San Isidro. I'm still reveling in the aftermath. A book hangover, if you will.

Plot:

In the overthrow of the Mexican government, Beatriz’s father is 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 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 its 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 help 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.

4/5 STARS

Let me start off with saying that The Hacienda had my WHOLE attention from the very beginning. I can say with much certainty that it's been a long time since an audiobook pulled me into its clutches that quickly. I'm usually apprehensive with most audiobooks because I don't know how the narrators will be. Most of the time, it takes a couple of chapters for me to get use to narrator's voice and then connect with the story. But not this book, these narrators held my attention from start to finish.

From the VERY start, it enveloped me an unforgettable way. The first chapter starts from the end of the book and works backwards. I absolutely loved that beginning. Not only was I intrigued with the direction but I was instantly curious about these characters. We are first introduce to Andres and know nothing about him or his purpose in the book. It flashbacks to Beatriz before arriving to Sin Isidro and introducing us to her. I actually liked having different perspectives in books. I enjoyed going between Beatriz and Andres' thoughts and experiences.

The relationship and dynamic built between Beatriz and Andres was probably my favorite thing about this whole book. Their forbidden love that grows so delicately and lovely throughout the book. I don't want to say anymore. But, I will forever ship those two! PARA SIEMPRE!

This story takes place during a few timelines: after the Spanish Inquisition, a little before the overthrow of the Mexican government and present day 1800s. You could tell the author really did her researching during that time period. Discussing the Casta system and the constant question of linage and skin color. Casting a light on how the Spanish used their systems to maintain their power and superiority over other racial groups. Their total lack and blatant disregard for mestizos and indigenous life. It's not for the faint-hearted. There was also heavy themes of Catholicism and how it ruled during that time.

The Hacienda also gets very atmospheric. Each chapter brings on that eeriness of being watched. Being hunted and teased by the evil that resides in the house. It almost feels like you stepped into the house and are experiencing it yourself. That's what happened to me. Like the hands of the Hacienda pulled me into its darkness. That my book buddies, is a sign of good writing. I know I could keep writing about it but I have to stop...

In all honesty, I wasn't sure what to expect from this story but this is exactly what I wanted out of a gothic story. I mean, a creepy and eerie haunted house story set in Mexico with intriguing, complex and layered characters? What more can you ask for? But my biggest reason and connection to the story was the culture and heritage. I come from a Guatemalan family. Much of my bloodline is indigenous and Spanish. I was able to understand these topics so well because I heard my own families' stories. I knew the hardships and I know how bad indigenous communities still have it in Guatemala, Mexico and other Central & South American countries. Unfortunately, the fight is far from over. I hope it will end one day. I applaud and appreciate the author for her research and shining lights on topics that still need to be discuss. That need to be changed.

The Hacienda is definitely worth a read. I highly recommend and I can't wait to put it in my collection!

XOXO

Sincerely,

Veronica

[nat-reviews-books]

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

I loved this, it was fantastic. Although I don't consider myself a horror fan, I really enjoyed this. The atmosphere was heavy, the characters were interesting, and I just couldn't stop listening. I thought both narrators were great, and this was a great story to listen to.

I'd recommend this to people who enjoy horror, but not body horror, people who like ghost stories, and anyone wanting a ln alternative historical fiction novel.

Triggers: blood, ghosts, priests

[otterandterrier]

It is said that mortal life is empty without the love of God. That the ache of loneliness's wounds is assuaged by obedience to Him, for in serving God we encounter perfect love and are made whole. But if God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, if He is three in one in the Trinity, then God knows nothing of loneliness... God knows nothing of loneliness, because God has never tasted companionship as mortals do: clinging to one another in darkness so complete and sharp it scrapes flesh from bone, trusting one another even as the Devil's breath blooms hot on their napes.

The Hacienda, Isabel Cañas

[reading-is-my-aphrodisiac]

reading the hacienda by isabel cañas and i’m sorry but i cannot find it in myself to think of anything when this is the inspo for andrés

like i understand beatriz is scared shitless by this house but if i was her i would be jumping this mans bones 24/7 lmao

[khelinski]

The sun set, its dying light bleeding across dark clouds. The dark deepened, from blue to gray and finally black. A distant roll of thunder.  I heard the cold before I felt it. It scraped along the floorboards like claws, the sound vibrating in my teeth more than my ears: like metal on metal, glass on glass.

Isabel Cañas

[judgingbooksbycovers]

The Hacienda: A Novel

By Isabel Cañas.

[barrowmare]

y’all need to read the hacienda by isabel cañas asap!!

[elfilibusterismo]

"I could rationalize this decision away. It was easy, too easy. She was a lost soul who sought help and I gave it, thus was my vocation. I could repeat that sentence like a litany, like a prayer, a meditation of pious deceit, but it still would not change the truth. I was giving in to temptation. Every decision I made that kept me close to her, that offered the opportunity to be close enough to touch her hand or smell her hair, was a sin. I wanted it all the same."

— Isabel Cañas, The Hacienda

[opulentquotes]

But if God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, if He is three in one in the Trinity, then God knows nothing of loneliness. God knows nothing of standing with his back to a gray morning, of dropping to his knees in the dust.

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas