A review by leligavi
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

dark emotional 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? No

3.0

So this is what I thought Mexican Gothic was going to be. The two books get compared so often and now I really understand why. However, I think the fundamentals of the book are really, really different. Because of the location of the two books, this one feels more...Spanish? lol. I know that's kind of a whack adjective but it's true. I appreciate that about the book, but also understand why Mexican Gothic doesn't have that same feeling. My point being: if you aren't reading this book because everyone says it's so similar to Mexican Gothic, just read it. They aren't similar in the ways that matter. 
I liked our two main POVs.
And that forbidden romance boi? Fantasitc. Loved them and I appreciate that the author made sure not to include the cheating trope because I would have DNF'd this book SO FAST if they had. Yeah, like her husband sucked and there was no love, but she was still married, friend. No cheating, please. And definitely not with the PRIEST. So, I'm glad the author had some class about it.
I didn't love the way that God is portrayed in the book. However, I do have to keep in mind that the book is in a Catholic perspective. That does change things.
However, as a Christian, it is hard to stomach that the priest did have premarital sex while in the service of priesthood? But also, I know he's human and human's make mistakes. But you can't just kind of throw it under the rug because you root for them. At the same time though, all of what I just said is true. But also Andres was also the person who really made the perspective of the Lord more bearable because he had a more accurate view of the Lord. But also he was a witch. It's kind of...conflicting honestly. Lol.
I will say that the only thing that bugged me a little at the beginning was the CONSTANT mention of needing to marry Rodolfo to gain her security and power and how the house is hers, etc. As a Hispanic lady, it irked me and then I had to remind myself of the time period and to just let it go. BUT IT JUST KEPT COMING UP. I felt like that was all that was written about for the first 15% of the book. But I mean, valid, I understand. It was just constant. 
Uh, by the way, this book....is freaking scary. I didn't think that Mexican Gothic was scary but
BOI THIS ONE IS. WIFE #1 IS CRAZY AND SADISTIC AND THIS POLTERGIEST WILD.

I enjoyed it. I thought it was solid and I feel like I will definitely be reading other books by Cañas.

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