The Possession of Alba Diaz brought me right back to the incredible work Isabel Cañas does in blending historical fiction, romance and the paranormal. While I felt like I knew Elias character inside and out, I didn’t feel that same satisfaction with Alba especially as she journeys from young woman wanting autonomy to pure female rage. The themes of possession both physical and paranormal were great and yet I actually wish the book was longer to have avoided the feeling of a rushed ending. Either way I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend!

This was a terrific read : atmospheric, creepy, romantic. As well as being beautifully written, it blends genres seamlessly, grips you from the first chapter and never lets go.

I thought some of the later chapters were a smidge more messy, but I had a great time overall. I can't wait to pick up whatever Isabel Cañas writes next.

I highly recommend for this fall season.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the arc.

After absolutely devouring Vampires of El Norte last year, I was very eager to read the author's next book! It definitely gives similar vibes and atmosphere, and while I didn't love it quite as much, it was still a solid follow up. I'll say this: I felt it started a bit slow, for me personally, and I had some trouble getting into it. But when it picked up (and it definitely did!) I ended up really enjoying it and being invested in the characters and the story. The atmosphere is on point from the start, and you can absolutely feel the desperation that Alba feels. She's not thrilled to marry, but bestie Carlos will leave her alone, so she's resolved herself to that fate. Her parents infuriated me, but obviously this sort of behavior was common at the time. It still did make me feel any less sad for Alba. When they have to go to Carlos's family's silver mine to try to stay away from the plague currently running rampant, all kinds of strange things are afoot. And the list of folks Alba can count on seems to shrink daily. I'll say no more, as it is a mystery to unravel, after all, but as the story picks up, I wasn't able to put it down.

Bottom Line: After a slower start, this one picks up and is just as exciting and atmospherically on point as its predecessors.

Listen. I WAS TERRIFIED when I read this. TERRIFIED.
However I devoured this book. Romance with demonic possession? Ok you have my attention.
I was equally scared and also swooning for the romance. Is that even possible? The answer is yes.
For me it didn't need to be scarier but if you're a horror girly or guy, you may want more. For me it was perfectly balanced (I'm a scaredy cat).

There's also some very important topics brushed on during this book. Racism, colonialism, patriarchy and toxic families. A must read!!!

All I can think about after reading this book is.... that we all need a man that will still love us even if we're possessed by a demon.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Isabel Cañas is an autobuy author for me now. Vampires of El Norte was my first love, but The Possession of Alba Díaz solidified it for me.

I will admit, I am not much of a horror reader so I'm not the most well-versed in the genre, BUT I can confidently say that this is a GREAT FREAKING BOOK! There are underlying themes of colonialism, religion/spiritual beliefs, a pandemic. Mix that with the possession of Alba, a woman who wants some say over her life instead of just becoming an heir producing wife to someone of her father's choosing, and you've got quite a story.

Even with a possession, I was rooting for Alba the entire time!! There was a smidge of romance in the story and yes, I was rooting for it too. The last 10-15% of the book had me gripping onto the book, savoring the ending.

A huge thank you to Berkley Publishing for a gifted copy of The Possession of Alba Díaz, as well as an eARC. All thoughts are my own!

I absolutely adore everything that Isabel Cañas writes, and THE POSSESSION OF ALBA DÍAZ is another winner. I love how she brings in not only solid horror storytelling and interesting twists on tropes, but how she also brings in themes of Mexican history, misogyny, colonialism, and religious zealotry into the story to make it that much more interesting. I loved Alba and her slowburn relationship with Elías, and how Cañas makes their romance feel incredibly believable despite the instalove involved. And also hooray for a more outside the box take on possession that doesn't come down to 'the Christian God can save you'. Loved it.

L0veeeed the book, loooved the story. It was a bit slow at the beginning but after that I was HOOKED. Isabel has become an automatic buy for me. I loved all her three books

Isabel has such a way with words and imagery, and this book was no exception. My copy is full of highlights of absolutely gorgeous sentences that paint an incredibly vivid scene. One of the things I really love about her writing in general is how immersive it is, and this was so exception. You can really FEEL the mine and the way the tight spaces press in.

But it's not just the line work that makes this such a great story. The creeping sense of dread as the plot peels back onion layer by onion layer, the building certainty that something Is Very Wrong Here, and the subtle ways that the villains reveal themselves one unsettling detail at a time, made this such a pleasure to read (though perhaps not my best choice just before bed!)

Isabel Cañas just DOES NOT MISS. Alba Diaz weaves history, chilling settings and suspense, and sensuality into a delightfully spooky tale that has me so super ready for Halloween.

I'm a huge fan of Isabel Cañas, so I knew that I was going to love this before I read it. I didn't anticipate how much I would love it though. One of the reasons I love her books is because I enjoy the way that she combines historical fiction, romance, and horror. This leans more towards horror than her previous books, which I personally liked. Alba is a fascinating character to follow. She is, unfortunately, still somewhat relatable as well. The last third of this books is really where this novel shines. The anger and helplessness that Alba feels really comes through the pages in this section. This book was captivating and I highly recommend it.

I also listened to the audiobook and it was phenomenal! The narrators did such an incredible job.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

This felt like sinking into a dark dream. At times it reminded me of Nosferatu, that same creeping, ghostly presence that is ever present. The horror was perfect, chilling and bloody. I found myself reading slowly, wanting to stretch out the experience and savor it. It’s a story that stays in the mind, equal parts haunting and tender, and I loved every moment of being carried into that mine. Also, the longing… I live for a good longing.

I thought this was a very well written Gothic novel. In the 1700s, a plague sweeps through Zacatecas, where Alba lives with her parents, who want her to marry Carlos. They all flee to an isolated mine owned by Carlos's family. Alba begins suffering from strange hallucinations, sleepwalking, and violent convulsions. Elia, who is Carlos's cousin begins to notice what Alba is experiencing and tries to save her and they both are in serious danger from the demons and the occult. The author has an excellent mastery of mood and setting and is obviously well versed in the genre of gothic literature. I think, for me, what might have made it five stars was just a little more characterization and interaction; I felt a little bit of "disconnect," perhaps exalting mood for character, however, it might also be that while I read some gothic literature, it is not a huge component in my reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for providing me with access to this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Isabel Cañas has officially made it into my top 5 favorite horror authors. Every book by her before The Possession of Alba Díaz was also so good but this one solidified her placement in my tops list.

"Darkness can only by undone by its like."

One of the best things about this author's writing is the way she blends different genres into her books. In this case, we got a blend of historical, gothic, romance, suspense, and horror and they worked so perfectly together.

I won't go into the plot because its my opinion that with thriller and horror books, its best to go in with as little information as possible. But just know, I DEVOURED this books. Highly recommend it!

What to expect:
-Family secrets
-Forbidden love
-Seeking independence in a "man's world"
-Demonic possession
-Gothic elements

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Isabel Cañas could rewrite the phone book and I'd sign up to read it. She is such a phenomenal storyteller and The Possession of Alba Diaz is no exception. Set in 18th century Mexico, Alba and her family flee to her fiance's remote family property to escape a plague. Things quickly take a turn for the worst, however, and there appears to be something very wrong with Alba. Meanwhile, her fiance's cousin is drawn to Alba in a way that can't be explained.

This was a truly atmospheric, gothic read, full of signature Cañas, but I do think it became somewhat complicated towards the end of the story. I wasn't able to quite keep up with what was going on. Alba and Elias were intriguing considering their circumstances but Carlos felt like a stand-in for a real character. The ending though was excellent and I think more than made up for some of the detractions. Ultimately, this was the perfect read for the dog days of summer and would be an excellent first fall read. Fans of Cañas' previous work as well as Isabel Ibañez and Silvia Moreno Garcia will find a lot to love in The Possession of Alba Diaz.

Isabel Canas is an exciting author to follow because I feel she occupies a unique niche within horror, as she’s made a name for herself with her approach to gothic historical novels incorporating romance, without sacrificing horror.
I’m a fan of her first novel The Hacienda, and I presume The Vampires of El Norte strikes a similar niche. I think if you enjoyed either of these novels, you will not be disappointed with The Possession of Alba Diaz.
As you might expect the book is about the demonic possession of our protagonist, Alba Diaz, but the word possession in the title also serves to represent life under patriarchy in 18th century Mexico, and her yearning for autonomy.
She is engaged to Carlos, from a wealthy mining family, but their engagement is more strategic than romantic, in her pursuit of freedom from her family
Their families together flee the plague and go to Carlos’s family silver mine, where Alba begins having hallucinations and a feeling of something dark taking hold inside her.
Just like The Hacienda, this novel is told from both perspectives of the central romance, in this case following Alba and Elias, her fiances cousin, as they try to free her of the demon inside of her.
The Haunting of Alba Diaz leans harder into the Gothic romance, making it a more central element compared to The Hacienda, sharing equal emotional weight with the horror plot.
And with the horror plot, Canas delivers the gothic and atmospheric setting and tone we expect, with a slow dreadful build up to some surprisingly visceral possession sequences pushing the gore and grotesque imagery further than we saw in the Hacienda.
And if you know my taste, you know I love a slow build up to cathartic and graphic horror moments.
The writing was beautiful and detailed, and I really enjoyed this reading experience. I would still personally consider The Hacienda a superior book, but this is really close in quality.
The first half of the book is somewhat bogged down by its exposition with family and relationship dynamics and the silver mining business, which contrasted with its fast paced ending that felt a little rushed as a result.
And the ending was pretty ridiculous, but I found it immensely entertaining so no critiques from me aside from its pacing.
Some supporting characters left more to be desired in their characterization, particularly with some reveals at the end.
But this is still a pretty great novel rooted in gothic tradition while still feeling fresh, taking European and American gothic structure such as with The Turn of The Screw or Rebecca and relocating it to a distinctly Mexican historical moment and heightening the physical horror
I gave The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Canas a strong 3.5 stars

"The Possession of Alba Diaz" will definitely go over well with fans of horror and historical fiction.

It's definitely a slow-build to all of the suspense but it is worth it. I loved that Isabel Cañas has such an innate ability to create such an immersive feel to her books. This one will definitely keep readers wanting to turn their pages non-stop.

Thank you Berkley for selecting me for this ARC through the Under-represented Voices Hub.

4⭐️
As a certified scaredy cat, I didn't know how I was going to like this one but I am so surprised and pleased to say I loved this!! Isabel Cañas’ is a mix of historical fiction and gothic horror set in the 18th Century. Alba is a young woman who finds herself in a loveless marriage who flees to finally gain the control she always wanted. Instead of peace, Alba begins to experience intense hallucinations and possessions that were quite frankly terrifying. As she continues to descend into this dark control, Alba works with Elías, her fiance's cousin, to face the demons inside and finally gain control of her mind and body. I loved Alba and Elía's characters and all the slow-burn tension between them. The Possession of Alba Díaz is an atmospheric, tension filled, eerie read that deals with patriarchy, the Spanish Inquisition, faith, power, self advocacy, and self-determination. Cañas writing brings you into the story from the very beginning and does not let go. I read this book in a single sitting because I truly could not put it down! I highly recommend picking this one up this fall season if you are in the mood of gothic horror, historical fiction, and a eerie and twisting narrative!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my review! I can't wait to go get a physical copy!! 🤎

**4.5-stars**

In 1765, a plague sweeps through Zacatecas, Mexico, forcing our MC, Alba, along with her family, to flee the city and seek refuge at a property owned by her fiance, Carlos's, family. The property is an active silver mine and many of Carlos's family members are there, involved in the day-to-day operations, including a black sheep cousin, Elias, whom Alba finds quite intriguing.

Living there is a bit of shift in lifestyle for Alba, but she's not hating it. One day on a tour, she actually gets to venture into the mine, and wanders off a little on her own to explore. Big mistake and let this be a lesson to us all.

Alba has a disturbing first experience in the mine, including auditory hallucinations that shocked and confused her. She became disoriented and feared herself lost. It's after this initial exploration that events start trending into negative territory for Alba. She begins hallucinating, sleepwalking and experiencing strange convulsions. She also starts having dark thoughts that are completely out of the norm for her.

Fearing for her sanity and her life, Alba ends up befriending the last person she should, and seeking solace through his company. As the two try to figure out what's going on with her, they boldly face enemies from all sides.

Heck, yeahhhhh! Isabel Cañas has done it again. The Possession of Alba Diaz is dripping in atmosphere, and full of an unsettling dread. How does Cañas make me love Historical Fiction? Answer: With the atmosphere, that's how!

Granted caves, or anything cave adjacent, such as, oh, I don't know, silver mines, are definitely a real life fear of mine, so Cañas played right into that with this novel. I have had great success with Cañas's novels in the past and this one did fall more into my comfort zone, as far as content goes, than the previous two. I love a possession story, and although this is a very slow burn, I feel it paid off. Cañas definitely has a feel, or a formula, to her work. I'd be able to tell it's one of her novels, even if I hadn't seen her name on the cover. Her MCs have similar vibes, but I like it. I always know what I'm getting myself into and it keeps me coming back for more.

In addition to following Alba, we also get Elias's perspective and I adored him. I'm so glad that it was a dual narrative, because I felt like he brought so much. His backstory was very interesting, and though he was such a sweet cupcake, he was treated terribly by his family, but that's a whole other thing. Both he and Alba were out of their element at this place, and I liked that they were able to be there for each other through some crazy stuff.

At the end of the day, this was a very satisfying reading experience. I always appreciate how much time and care it seems Cañas takes with the settings of her stories and building a sense of uneasiness. I also like the real history she peppers throughout, and how the land/area always feels like such an important part of the story. I would probably put this last out of her three books in overall enjoyment order, but I still really, really liked it. I'm just an Isabel Cañas stan; what can I say?!

Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I can't wait to see what this author releases next. We've had haunted properties, vampires and possessions, what are we getting next!? I will be on the edge of my seat until we find out. Whatever it is though, you better believe I will be first in line for a copy.

I cannot wait!

Thank you to Berkley for the eARC of The Possession of Alba Díaz!! I’m a new Cañas fan, but a feral one and this has rose to the top of her books for me!

Isabel Cañas is a top tier author for me because of her commitment to gothic history that doesn’t shy away from horror elements or romance. I’m genuinely obsessed with the way she weaves her stories. And if you thought she wrote men who yearned before, you are going to have your socks knocked ALL THE WAY OFF by Elías.

I love how we were given a dual edged sword with this story, not only was it about an actual, legit possession, it also tackled bodily autonomy with this lens and I really love how it leaned heavily into a woman’s choice (which was practically nonexistent back then and even now!!!!). I was rooting for Alba’s happy ending and while it took some blood and tears to get there, the end was EXTREMELY satisfying. I was ready to throw the whole book across the room for the finale and then I was swept into such an incredible final act that it was all worth it.

I don’t have enough words to express how phenomenally done this book is and I need you all to pick it up ASAP!! It is heart pounding, profound, and holds such a deep emotional undercurrent that you will be pulled along willingly through this haunting tale.

✨“So don’t tell me how to feel,” she said. My feelings are the only thing I have left.”✨

Finishing off my review week with a review of my new favorite Isabel Canas book! I loved her prior two books, THE HACIENDA and VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE, but she filled THE POSSESSION OF ALBA DIAZ with some extra special magic because this book was SO GOOD!

From the description and gorgeous cover, I knew that we were going to be getting a heroine who is possessed by a demon set in a 1700s Mexican mining country. And we get that in spades. Canas slowly ramps up the tension and the fear as it becomes more and more clear that Alba is not fully herself (and maybe never has been). Some of the possession scenes were pure Exorcist status.

About halfway through the book, it dawned on me that this was also a story about a woman fighting for possession of her body and her future in the figurative sense as well. Sure she’s fighting off a demonic possession. But the whole reason why she’s at the mine to begin with is because she’s wrangled her way into an engagement with a friend who equally has zero interest in being married. It’s her way of fighting for control of her life and for autonomy over her own body.

While we’re not living in an era of arranged marriages, this storyline still felt timely as women’s rights feel like they are being stripped away one headline and court case at a time right now. The way that Alba fights tooth and nail (literally) for possession of her body and soul was something I could absolutely get behind.

Add in the fact that there is a forbidden romance subplot with her fiance’s rogue cousin and well that skyrocketed this book to my favorites of the year list!

A million thank yous to @berkleypub for the #gifted eARC!