Thank you netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

A Nicaraguan myth-inspired story with an interesting dynamic between Cici's interpersonal relationships, her mother, and her traditions. A suspenseful read paired with languid writing

If you like a dark read with family secrets and where every wish has a price, then this is right up your alley.

When a teen girl’s stepfather was arrested, Ceci moves back to her mother’s hometown, there she discover a wishing well possessed by a female spirit. All she wanted was to make her wish come true but the wishes were bringing loved one’s lives at stake and the well was surrounded by secrets, mystery and dangers. It was all connected to her mother’s past. I loved the setting and author’s writing. The book gave me dark and eerie vibe. I loved every bit of it. The characters were so interesting

Thanks to the Publisher

4.5/5

This was one of my more anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint! I loved this start to finish. The found family and the connections made really tugged at my heart. The suspense and family secrets were great and kept me on the edge of my seat. The character development was also phenomenal. Thank you so much for my arc!!

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban is charged with revenge and mystery. In a town hiding a place where wishes come true at a steep price, Ceci navigates her mother's newest divorce newly arrived at her mother's hometown. Yet when she arrives questions surge as a local legend seems to have its origins in the house she has moved into. Could her mother's unknown past be the key that unravels it all? I loved These Vengeful Wishes, and the character of La Cegua, this story truly brings Montalban's Latin American roots in the page and demands glory.

Every single time I hear of feminine rage, I feel like a lot of authors will use that term and I don't actually see it in the characters, but following our main character, you could feel the darkness of this story and the atmospherical feeling of being in the world which I appreciate, but in the end, a revenge story is always interesting to see unfold and I liked reading this one! I may revisit it in the future!

Vanessa Montalban’s These Vengeful Wishes is a richly atmospheric YA novel that intertwines Nicaraguan folklore, family secrets, and the perilous allure of wish fulfillment. Set in the eerie town of Santa Aguas, the story follows aspiring artist Ceci as she uncovers a haunting legacy tied to the vengeful spirit La Cegua and a mysterious wishing well. While some plot elements may feel familiar, the novel's compelling characters and evocative prose make it a captivating read for fans of gothic tales and dark fantasy.

This was wonderful! I loved the writing style, the characters, the world-building…everything about it was top-notch. I will definitely be recommending this book!

This novel had such a cool concept — I loved the dark, eerie vibe and the idea of "be careful what you wish for." The story created a wonderfully creepy atmosphere that pulled me in at the start.

Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite live up to the framework for me. The pacing was very slow for most of the book, and while I don’t mind a slower burn, the sudden rush of action crammed into the last few chapters made the ending feel overwhelming and a little confusing. It felt like everything important happened at once, without enough buildup, and I struggled to fully absorb or appreciate it.

The ending was by far the most exciting part of the book, but it came too late and too fast. If the story had allowed the final events to unfold more gradually, I think it would have left a stronger impact. As it is, I ended up feeling a bit underwhelmed.

Still, I think readers who enjoy a slow-burn, atmospheric read will appreciate the mood and setting. While this one wasn’t a favorite for me, I can see others being surprised by the twist and loving the overall tone.

Some doors should never be opened… but what if they’re calling your name? 👀✨⁣
With curses, vengeful spirits, and a wish-granting well that demands a price, this book had me hooked!

This had a super cool premise but fell flat in the execution for me. I like the idea of a family curse, a vengeful ghost, a mysterious cavern and the overall vibe of be careful what you wish for. BUT the book had a very slow pacing, which is not a deal breaker on its own, but add in the fact the last 2 chapters of the book were a whirlwind of action to wrap everything up, I feel like I got whiplash. The ending was 100% the most exciting part of the story, but had too much crammed into it in just a few pages I am not sure I understood all that happened. If the ending could have been drawn out or happened more over time then I may have felt differently about the book, but as it is now I feel underwhelmed by it. I am sure others will love the overall creepy vibe of the story and may be surprised by the end reveal (which the entire book pointed towards) but it was not my favorite.

I wanted to love this but it felt like a 'thriller by numbers' with a lack of character development and depth. Though it's a young adult title, it felt very limited and lacking in ways that other young adult titles aren't.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Thank you NetGalley and Zando Young Readers for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Initially I was drawn in by the beautiful cover of These Venegful Wishes but this book isn't just a pretty face, with a fast moving plot linez complex characters and a vivid world I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'd recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy, it was an easy and fun read.

Struggled to stay interested, and eventually found myself skimming entire chapters just to find out what finally happens. Interesting plot, but the writing and character development just weren't there to back it up.

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

A little late with the review but I come with a lot of love for this book.

The cover was the thing that drew me into requesting 'These Vengeful Wishes' but right from the start, this book captured readers with an atmosphere of melancholy, longing, and anxiety.

Following Ceci as she returns to the town from her mother's childhood and to a manor haunted by a curse.
A mysterious curse surrounds the original families' deaths, and on the way to discovering the truth, she'll find out the cost of wishing.

I will say that this was very fast paced and while I could see more information or setup adding to the book, it still really hooked me, so my comment is only for what i think some might say.

I was really enjoying this story, but was having formatting issues on my e-reader. Now that it's out I'll definitely be getting it from my library so I can finish it.

Thank you NetGalley and Zando Young Readers for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ceci and her mom, Marina, have to leave their luxurious life and return to Marina’s hometown - Santa Aguas. The caveat, Santa Aguas is basically haunted by La Cegua, a witch who eliminates bad men; in this case, it’s all the Sevilla men. So of course Ceci and her mom move into the Sevilla manor, and after finding a secret wishing well, all the secrets start unraveling, including Ceci’s very own history.

This book reads like a movie. The writing is so clear and easy to imagine (this coming from someone who doesn’t usually visualize what I’m reading). "These Vengeful Wishes" is told primarily in first person from Ceci’s point of view- with snippets of La Cegua’s thoughts. I’d say this is a medium-to-fast paced book.
I appreciate that Montalban didn’t run wild with too many details. The scenes were set clearly, and left to speak for themselves, no unnecessary fluff.
Though a well-written haunted town/family story, "These Vengeful Wishes" also highlights the impact relationships have on a person, be it parental, friendship, or romantic. Furthermore, the reader sees Ceci and her mother struggle with their truths and vulnerabilities, and what it takes to break down the walls they’ve built.

I highly recommend this book. It has a little bit of everything: frenemies, young love, retribution, character growth, and a “villain” we could root for.

WOW! This book knocked it right out of the park. I loved the darkness and the mystery. I cannot recommend enough.

Montalban knocks it out of the park with this Nicaraguan legend of La Cegua. Readers will root for Cesi and Jamie while exploring serious topical issues of family, generational trauma and gentrification. The pace picks up in the second half of the book with thrills and suspense that keeps you turning pages. These Vengeful Wishes was a deeply emotional read and I look forward to whatever the author writes next!

This was a great read. If you're in the mood for spooky. I really enjoyed the myth that was used for this book. I had never heard of it before. Can't wait to read more from the author

Thanks netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!