Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - The Hacienda

Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

7 reviews

cashlyn's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I started out LOVING this book, and was really interested in the characters and seeing how they would change and grow. However. The characters did not grow, and what plot growth they did have

being Andres “darkness” getting let out of his box

we didn’t even get to actually SEE. It was mainly just lightly referred to instead of us seeing any real difference in his character. I do still love Andres but I wish we had been allowed to get to know him better.
As for Beatriz…didn’t really like her in the end. She starts out as

what we hope will be a strong female character in a difficult position (ie being a woman with nothing to her name except a misogynistic husband and a house that hates her). She’s the daughter of a general, and despite her being “just a girl”, at first she feels strong and capable enough to change the house and make it her own. But, by the end she gives up and we actually see that she was just kinda weak and lame this whole time and she runs off with her tail tucked between her legs back to her mommy. The book started out with some great suspense and dread which I really loved, but by the end none of it seemed earned. Catalina, who was the big bad wolf the entire time, gets defeated within one page after all that??

Overall, I thought the romance was interesting (if underdeveloped and under explored) and would have liked to see that more in the book instead of the same old hauntings that just end up whipping itself into a frenzy for…nada. The plot was also a *vibe* and I would be interested in reading more like it bc I loved the setting and theme, just with some more actual stakes and consequences (also we got scared of the Inquisition and Padre Vicente for nothing…?)
Cañas has a really pretty writing style especially for settings and vibes which made it enjoyable to read and at first she set up the dread very nicely (couldn’t put the book down until about 3/4 of the way through).
Anyway, that all seemed scathing but I overall liked the book okay, it just needs many improvements.

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veeples's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is such a delightful read. Cañas quickly draws you in with Beatriz’s wit and charm and resilience. I couldn’t help but feel so much for Beatriz and her fear as she faces the horrors of the house. Her stubbornness to survive, to live, despite everything is what endears her most to me. Andrés’s internal struggle with himself, who he is, what he wants, and his conviction to help are also wonderfully charming and provoking.

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coyotecasket's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I love this author and I love this book!

the ending is sad and not what i would have liked to have happened, but it was hopeful as well and I understand why it ended the way it did in the context of the story. It wouldn't have felt authentic to either Andrés' character or Beatriz's if they both gave up everything that makes them them just to be together.

the story is so well written and the characters are all extremely dynamic and well written. Andrés was my favorite and his entire story was very interesting and I love the symbolism of him being both a witch and a priest, of him fulfilling his duties to his people while also doing so within the confines of the church in the wake of the Spanish inquisition.

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kate_arts's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This really is similar to Hill House but in a more impactful way. I think the decent into madness is more relatable in this story and there’s a similar element of not knowing what is real or not. I enjoyed how this is historical fiction, but history of the time doesn’t overwhelm the story.

I loved the relationship between Beatriz and Andres. I loved Andres conflict with religion and how you can find “faith” in your own way and not necessarily in the way some catholic priest wants you to. Beatriz is also very relatable.

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