«These Vengeful Wishes» has been such a nice surprise. What first caught my attention was its cover, it had something that was so appealing to me. Then its summary ended up fascinating me as well: a female spirit, a curse, a haunted house… It rose my expectations and I was so happy it didn’t disappointme at all.

This book follows Cecilia, who moves to Santa Aguas with her mother Marina after her last husband left them with no money. The manor they arrive to was purchased by Marina because it was cheap and it was placed in the town where she grew up. Cecilia is about to graduate, so she has to go to Santa Aguas’ highschool for the last weeks of the scholar year. There she will meet a group of people who will end up turning into family, specially Jamie, a tender-hearted boy who spends all his time helping people and working in several jobs.

When Cecilia arrives to Santa Aguas, she starts learning about La Cegua, a female spirit from the Nicaraguan folklore that lures men into the forest and kills them. La Cegua’s curse is strongly related to the Sevillas, the family whose manor Cecilia and her mother are now living in. One day, exploring the woods around the house with Jamie, Cecilia discovers there’s a place with La Cegua’s statue and a well; they end up discovering it makes wishes come true, so they try its power. What could go wrong?

«These Vengeful Wishes» was so interesting to read. First, you meet a Cecilia that has no empathy for her mother at all, who is isolated and whose friends are not there for her at all. Gradually, you discover why she isn’t close to her mother and why art is her only escape from her reality. Her character’s growth was, besides La Cegua and Sevillas’ mystery, the best thing of the book. When she meets Jamie, she starts bonding with him: he’s attentive, a good friend and a great listener. Along with him, she meets Di and Myra, a couple that become her real friends: they care about Cecilia and her wellbeing, they welcome her into their family with so much ease. There you realize Cecilia is a great girl, but she was unlucky with her background and the people she surrounded herself at first. Cecilia’s mum ends up being such an interesting character as well once you get to know her full story, how she grew up, how was her adolescence.

And what about La Cegua and the Sevillas’ plot? It was amazing to put the pieces together. Montalban creates such a dark atmosphere around them, she’s able to make the reader imagine everything so clear, I felt like I was there with the characters, feeling their fear. I think the way the mystery develops, how Montalban builds the tension was fascinated and she could end the story with a satisfactory plot twist —even though it was somehow predictable at certain point, I enjoyed it nonetheless—.

I gave the book 5 stars because it was an amazing experience and all I can wish now is to have it translated to Spanish, my mother tongue. I would love for other spaniard readers to enjoy it as much as I did!

A teen girl moves into a new town and discovers that there is a magical wishing well possessed by La Cegua, a vengeful female spirit...but every wish has a consequence and what started off as fun soon takes a dark turn. Ceci is tired of her life and she's tired of her stepdad... so when she might have leaked informaiton on him and ot him arrested, Ceci and her mother have to move to her mother's hometown of Santa Aguas. The town is steeped in the legend of La Cegua, a witch who was wronged and now appears on lonely roads at night to lure untrustworthy men to their deaths. Ceci and her mom move into the abandoned maonr of the Sevilla family, that was said to have been cursed by La Cegua. Ceci soon finds that her mother is more connected to this town and its secrets than she could have imagined and it does not help that Ceci's dreams have been plagued by La Cegua.... and when Ceci finds the well that grants wishes... the well of La Cegua things take a turn. The wishes start off fun but turn into something sinister as those she cares about are being put in danger.... Ceci must find out her mother's past and its connection to the town and how to stop La Cegua's wish granting well from being used for the wrong reasons.... and to stop La Cegua herself. This is a YA horror novel that doesn't really feel like a horror novel. I was initially intrigued because it was about La Cegua but I just found myself bored by the story. It's definitely a younger YA read and theres also a bit of a romance plot in here too that was fine. I just found the story a bit too slow for myself and while it didn't connect with me as a horror fan, I do think that younger YA readers will have a fun time with this, especially during spooky season. Its light in terms of horror and scariness, and it's pretty easy to read, so while I wouldn't say this was the best book ever for older readers, I do think that younger readers who don't want anything too scary to read during spooky season will have a fun time with it.

Release Date: February 4, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Zando Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

These Vengeful Wishes was a very atmospheric and mysterious read. I loved the supernatural elements throughout the book. This is the second book that I’ve read by this author and I really love her writing.

The story follows teen, Ceci, who moves to her mother’s hometown in Florida. Ceci soon discovers a wishing well near her home where La Cegua (a vengeful female spirit) resides.

I thought this was a pretty fast paced book with an interesting premise. I thought the lore of La Cegua was very interesting. I liked the main character, Ceci, and her new friend, Jamie. There is a little romance in this that was cute.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to YA supernatural lovers.

3.75 rounded up

This was good but there was something that didn't fully work for me, keeping it from being a true 4 or 5 star read.

Ceci was an interesting main character - strong, willful, and more read like a true teenager. However, I struggled with her attitude at times and got frustrated with the decisions she made. This may be more to do with the fact that, as I grow older, certain YA books get harder for me to relate to. This is natural and not an actual issue for the book - so take this with a grain of salt! - but I personally struggled with Ceci at times.

Jamie is a solid counterbalance to her, though, and I enjoyed their relationship. Unfortunately, I found it less satisfying that his growth occurs off-page at the end - while I'm glad he seems to reunite with his mother and escape his father's influence, I felt a bit robbed of seeing him take action to change his life when a good bit of his characterization has to do with him being stuck in his current circumstances.

If you enjoy YA, gothic fantasy, and Latine-inspired folktales, this one is for you! Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review posted to StoryGraph and Goodreads on 1/31/25. Review will be posted to Amazon on release date.

Cecilia is used to her life being uprooted as each of her mother’s marriages end but she wasn’t prepared to return to the town where her mother grew up to a mansion that’s the talk of the town due to a family curse and La Cegua. As she gets more acclimated to her new environment it quickly becomes clear that something isn’t quite right.

I really enjoyed this story overall. The pacing felt a bit all over the place so there were times I found myself thinking “okay what’s next?” I appreciated the weaving of folklore and the discussions surrounding power, subjugation, and worthiness. The ending was satisfying and I found myself wanting to stay a little longer in that slice of life moment.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zando books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!!

Before I start, yes I love Jamie, yes he is the best ray of sunshine and no I will not be changing my answer.

Now that’s out of the way, These Vengeful Wishes was great. It was everything I wanted from the synopsis and more. Full of mystery and intrigue. Ceci was a great main character, she had depth without digging too much into her woes and backstory. We understood all we needed to about her from the get go. The way she developed was excellent, the mother-daughter dynamic was done so well I wished the epilogue had gone on longer so I could see the ways Ceci and her mother would continue to develop. I loved every second of Ceci’s hard exterior melting in the sunshine of Jamie’s presence and the way he disarmed her was just chefs kiss.

I enjoyed the story, I thought it was intriguing and the use of flashbacks aided in telling the reader the things they needed to know. I felt for Soledad and everything she was put through. The feeling of wrath and vengeance is felt throughout the pages and the characters actions. I did feel as though Adel was a bit of an unnecessary character, she kind of felt like she was weaved into the story last minute and didn’t really add anything. The things she brought to the story kind of bogged down the narrative and made it feel a bit childish.

Other than that, I rooted for the rest of the characters. Even the side characters that we only got small glances of stuck in my mind. The plot was addictive, I couldn’t put it down I just needed to know what happened next! So overall, a very easy, enjoyable read and I would be very intrigued to read Montalban’s other works

Another satisfying read! And it's Latinx!
These Venegful Wishes is a YA fantasy horror based on the Nicaraguan folktale of La Cegua - a vengeful spirit who preys on bad men and lures them to their death.
Montalban does an exceptional job creating an immersive setting within a small haunted Florida town and a creepy mansion with a generational curse. She particularly excelled in writing a female lead with flaws, strengths, and a beautiful arc, as well as including a great cast of characters that challenged her preconceived notions about love and family. The love interest is sweet and gets so flustered, but is also confident and sharp. I loved Ceci and Jaime so much. They need to be protected at all costs.
Most of all, I loved the exploration of female rage. With the use of Nicaraguan cultural and historical elements, this book delves into the legend of La Cegua and shines a light on a complex character, wronged by the man she loved, the abuse she endured and the vengeance she seeks because of it.

Cecilia's world turns upside down when her mother's hasty divorce sends them to the small backwater town in Florida where her mother grew up. Ceci thought she knew her mother, but the creepy old manor house and the town begin revealing more secrets about her mother's past than she can process.

If you loved Mexican Gothic, this story is for you! Full of dark twists, mysterious magic, and the authentic cultural flair that Montalban executes so beautifully. I can't recommend this enough!

Read if you like mother daughter relationships, Central American folk lore & wronged women getting their vengeance.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

I've been trying to get more into horror and so this was a very interesting story. Admittedly, I really didn't like Ceci for several chapters. She was all hard edges and annoying sarcasm. The story eventually softened her though, made her more vulnerable which is always important. I don't think it's mainly because of Jamie but I do think he helped her to be more in touch with her emotions. Soledad helped in this aspect too. Overall the magic surrounding Soledad and the curse of the Sevillie family was pretty cool too. I like the idea of vengeful ghosts going after the people who wronged them. Especially since it seemed like none of the men in this family were very upstanding people. What I wished we'd seen more of was Mayra and Di. They were really good side characters and very funny too but they were hardly in the novel.

This was such an atmospheric and beautifully written story! It was spooky and sad and I loved the characters and relationships! The added elements of an ancient curse and a superstitious small town made this book so hard to put down! I devoured it.

If you’re a fan of YA fantasy books that delve into curses, you’re in for a treat! Ceci has just been unrooted back to her birthplace, and the adventure is only beginning. As she delves deeper into her new surroundings, she’s on the brink of discovering the mysterious curse of La Cegu. What hidden truths will she uncover, and how will her connection to the curse ultimately shape her destiny? The excitement is building as we await the revelations that lie ahead!

Thank you NetGalley, Vanessa, and Zando Young Readers for this ARC

I feel once I started the book my interest dwindled a bit. The synopsis sounded great but I wasn’t grabbed when reading.

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban is a darkly enchanting tale that weaves together revenge, power, and the complexities of desire. Montalban masterfully constructs a world where wishes come at a price, blending lush, vivid imagery with morally complex characters. The story’s fast-paced plot keeps readers on edge, exploring themes of justice and consequence while unraveling a web of secrets and betrayals. With sharp, lyrical prose and a touch of the supernatural, Montalban crafts a compelling narrative that asks: how far would you go to get what you want?

5 Stars

This book was everything. So atmospheric. The setting was amazing. The horror elements were so well done. The take on magic felt new and fresh, and I love it.
I love how the Nicaraguan folklore was entwined with the main plot.
I love Ceci and how fiercely protective of the people she loves.
I love Jamie. He was *puts in pocket* my baby.
I really liked how family trauma was dealt here, and that ending brought me to tears.
Overall, this is a new favorite book, and I can't wait to read more of this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest.

I reviewed an ARC of These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban from NetGalley. #NetGalley

I could not put this book down. It was written differently than a lot of books I've recently read. Despite that, it was still super easy to become immersed in the story and follow along. The characters were easy to understand and get to know. The story building was not large but I did not feel I was lacking for information.

Not everything was a shock. Some twists were predictable. However, I don't feel like that took anything away from the storyline.

This book was great at pulling me in and not letting me go until the story was finish. Loved this book and writing style.

This started off with a scary/ creepy vibe, but it didn't end up being that kind of book which I was equal parts sad about and fine with. It became a story of a woman that fell in love with a man that used her and isolated her, but in the end could it keep her in that prison. Soledad's story was heartbreaking, she fell in love with a man that promised her a life full of love all while never planning on giving her that, he just wanted to use her and her gift. I wished we got more into Jaime's story, but I get this was about giving the women their time to shine instead of being forced to be the backdrop to a man's story. This was great in showing how the women suffered because of a man's greed and incessant need to have more even when they have more than enough to be happy. Thank you NetGalley and Zando.

Thank you to Hear Our Voices for the e-arc. Truly honored to be participating in Montalban's release tour!

This was a hit Latinx YA Horror book!

This book revolves around The Nicaraguan Leyenda of La Cegua. La Cegua is a folktale about a woman wronged who appears in the night and lures away untrustworthy men to their death.

This book not only features the tale but this version is written with complexity and real characters. La Cegua isn't only a tale of a woman seeking revenge but it's a tale of a women who has been wronged by men with themes of the importance of family.

I love how complex all the characters are in this book, no one is completely innocent and this is truly rare to see in YA horror. Ceci is a unique character, her perspective is one worth reading about despite it's bias. You get to see her mature and grow throughout the book, understanding that her purpose in life is bigger than what she believes.

Ceci and Jamie are a great duo, they compliment each other in a loving way. Jamie is the softness in Ceci and Ceci is the protective shell of Jamie. Their romance was truly sweet to read about alongside the

One of the things that I truly enjoyed about this book is that it touched upon serious subjects that are occuring in our world today. Such as the effects of Gentrification within Latinx cultures, alongside Generational trauma within Latinx households.

The pacing of the book is fitting to the novel, and it's ending is satisfying for the characters. I truly had such a great time reading this. I'm excited for everyone else to tune in on release day!

This was SO. GOOD. Like read it all one day good.

I loved the characters, the south Florida gothic Mansion, the mystery, the horror elements, a vengeful spirit that punishes bad men 🎉.

The story moves along at such a nice pace, we have a lil teenage romance, lots of tension, I personally could not read this at night when home alone 😂.

Overall, so good, I enjoyed this so much. You can read it anytime, but this would be a perfect September/October book.

A haunting tale of generational curses and how no matter how much you try the past will come back to haunt you - literally.

I found this book to be a fun and fascinating read, filled with legitimate danger and significant character growth as our main character learns to try to fight the curse haunting her and the town - as well as attempt to reconnect with her mother. When exploring the strange house that she and her mother moved into - seen as haunted by the local town - Ceci discovers a mysterious door that leads to a well that seemingly grants wishes. All is not as it seems, as this wishing well is more like a Monkey’s Paw situation and soon Ceci realizes the very real danger she is exposing to her friends and family by trying to find the easy way out of her problems.

This book flew by as I read it, and I was hooked onto the local superstition of the town, as well as the very real history that is uncovered when Ceci begins to investigate further. I thought the tension was done extremely well, as we’re never certain how exactly this tale will end - or who are the true villains in this story. I also liked how even as we, as the reader, were putting together the pieces of Ceci and her mother’s past, we were never fully able to guess the ending or how everything would resolve. While I found the ending itself to be a bit predictable and cliche, I was never bored or uninterested in the storytelling itself.

The thing I found the hardest to deal with during my reading was some of the dialogue between Ceci and Jamie, as well as the almost naive way Ceci embraces the wishes from this mysterious magical well - and refuses to acknowledge the very real dangers that ever wish she uses causes. However, this is a YA book so I cannot fault the book for having a young naive main character, when she is only about 16 and dealing with many issues on top of the magical wishing well. I also feel like, considering the book’s title being These Vengeful WIshes, that many of the wishes - and their consequences - were rather tame.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Zando Young Readers for providing this e-ARC.