Atmospheric, frightening, gripping! This is genre-bending Gothic horror mixed with historical fiction and romance. And it haunted me long after I finished it.

I have not read this author before, but her writing style is beautiful and lushly descriptive with great attention to historical detail. This is set in Mexico in the 1700s in a silver mine. I was fascinated by the eerie, mysterious setting and felt immersed in this world, and then the creepiness and suspense set in. I felt a continuous sense of dread and was legitimately scared a few times, but I could not put this down!

Unsettling as it is at times, there are also vivid, compelling characters. The characters were up against powerful and frightening forces in this story, both human and demonic. I was as engaged by the Alba's journey and the romance element as much as the horror elements. Alba is a strong, complex character, one I won't soon forget. She longs to achieve autonomy in an oppressive patriarchal society, and the story examines Alba's internal struggles and what she eventually embraces in pursuit of that. A forbidden romance element balances the horror, creating emotional depth, hope, and longing. I rooted for Alba and Elias.

The intertwining of the genres in the story really made the exploration of the deeper feminist themes more impactful. The ending is fantastic as well. Highly recommended, but be prepared to be as frightened as you are entertained!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the gifted book

*4.5 rounded up

It follows Alba, a young woman who is fleeing a plague with her family to her fiances family mine-town. There, she realizes she's been possessed and seeks the help of the one person her fiancé doesn't want her near. His very dangerous cousin.

The story was so good. The pacing and the writing were absolute perfection. It's gothic and atmospheric. Not only do you get horror and suspenseful elements, but you also get historical vibes with a romantic subplot. There's demonic possession, toxic masculinity, and the occult. It's a major page turner and worth every word!

I am such a huge fan of Isabel Canas, and this book is no different! It has suspense, romance, and just enough horror to keep you on the edge of your seat. Isabel Canas is an autobuy author for sure! Definitely give this one a try, especially if you liked her other books!

Zacatecas, Mexico, 1765. Alba is a young woman about to marry a man she doesn't want, but who will free her from her overprotective family. There is an epidemic in her town, so she, her family, and her fiancé take refuge in  Mina San Gabriel, a mining town, when Alba begins to sleepwalk and accidents begin to happen. It seems that she is possessed. Alba knows that something is happening to her, so she investigates and seeks help. She also wants to know more about her childhood; all she knows is that she was found in a mine as a baby and was adopted.

Set in Mexico during the Viceroyalty, a setting I haven't read much about in literature, which was the first thing that caught my attention, and the fact that it is set in Zacatecas, where there are real silver mines and a lot of dark history. I loved the setting, its slow pacing, and immersive, quite gothic and creepy. I think it's the author's scariest book; the vibes are immaculate. Horror mixed with forbidden romance and mystery, it's just perfect. The romance is slow burn and forbidden, which makes the horror a little less terrifying and creates more tension and yearning.  Apart from historical horror, it touches on issues such as classism, colonialism, and religious fanaticism. It's spooky with the classic mix of exorcists, mercury, and remedies from the 18th century.

Alba doesn't like her life, and she wants to change it, choose her path, and not follow the path her parents have laid out for her. She is a wonderful protagonist with a terrible story. She has hallucinations, wakes up covered in blood, and has to hide everything from her family. Elias is the black sheep of his family and the one who will try to save Alba. There is a lot of tension between the two; neither underestimates nor judges the other, and they are a good match.

Thanks so much to Berkley for the spooky free book! Opinions are my own. 

Read it if you like:
Gothic & Spooky Vibes
Mexican Town
Historical Horror

4.5 stars. Gothic horror and romance combined with women’s bodily autonomy. Alba and her parents leave their city and a blossoming plague for the remote village and silver mine of Alba’s fiancé, Carlos, and his family. Alba,however, begins experiencing nightmares, sleepwalking, and something within her own body fighting for control of her. One night, while sleepwalking she is saved by someone completely unexpected. This story is gorgeously written, creepy, full of romantic yearning, demonic possession and religious horror. So. Damn. Good. Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley for my arc.

Isabel Cañas conjures a haunting blend of gothic horror and historical fiction in The Possession of Alba Díaz. Set in 1765 Mexico during a plague outbreak, the novel follows Alba, a young woman whose refuge in a remote silver mine turns into a chilling descent into demonic possession, occult secrets, and forbidden desire.

Cañas masterfully layers dread and atmosphere, weaving in themes of autonomy, faith, and legacy. Alba and Elías's dual perspectives add emotional depth and tension, while the historical backdrop—complete with mercury-laced mining and Inquisition-era exorcisms—grounds the supernatural in gritty realism.

It’s a gripping, genre-bending tale that’s as intellectually rich as it is spine-tingling. Fans of The Hacienda and Vampires of El Norte will find themselves right at home—and thoroughly unsettled.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for this ARC!

Oooh I loved this book! Getting to watch this tender relationship bloom amongst the horrors of literal demon Posession was so special. I loved the explorations of greed and personal agency both of our main characters went through. The writing was so vivid and descriptive I was completely immersed in the books and there are scenes that are going to live in my head permanently!

I have heard of Isabel Cañas’ books before, specifically Vampires of El Norte, but have not read any before this book. Getting approved for this was a welcome surprise, and I will definitely be reading more in the future.

The first half of this book was slower than I had expected it to be, but I appreciated the attention to detail for the time period. It was atmostpherica and genuinely creeped me out. This book challenged me to look up more words than any book I have read recently. I also found myself looking for the translations of the Spanish phrases used. That being said, the payoff for continuing this book was worth it.

I did not go into this expecting to get romance along with the horror, but I loved every second of it. There was a huge shock in the plot toward the end, and at first I thought I would hate the ending, but she surprised me with one of the most satisfying endings I have found in a horror novel so far.

This is the perfect book to read as we head into early fall. If you like reading both horror and romance, you will love this book. It surprised me with one of the most satisfying endings I have found in a horror novel so far. This book will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review!

The Possession of Alba Díaz is a dark story set in an 18th-century Mexican silver mine during a plague. It mixed history, horror, and romance, while also tackling themes like patriarchy, colonialism, religion, and survival.

Alba is a young woman trying to hold on to her freedom in a world that wants to take it from her. She agrees to marry Carlos, her childhood friend, because she knows he will not try to control her. When she moves to his estate away from the plague, things take a terrifying turn as she becomes possessed by a demon. The possession storyline is creepy and intense.

Elías, Carlos’s cousin, is half Spanish and half Maghrebi Arab, and he brings another layer to the story. I loved how his background was written into the book, and the moment he recited Surah Fatiha genuinely scared me (Faiza can attest to this lol). His connection with Alba felt a bit rushed, but I still found myself rooting for them anyway.

I enjoyed Elias's relationship with this half-sibling. The side characters were layered, and that made for a good story. I wanted to fight everyone lol.

This book gives us female rage, sharp reflections on women’s autonomy, and the harsh choices women have always had to make to survive. The horror hits hard, the romance is a little undercooked, but overall, this is a satisfying read.

Thank you Berkeley and Netgalley for the digital arc.

This book hooked its demonic claws into me and I couldn’t put it down. The descriptive writing makes me feel like I’m right next to these characters. I could see Alba, her jerky movements, hear her demonic laughter. The tension that builds as she starts sleeping poorly and hearing voices is beyond unsettling. I adored Alba and wanted her to escape from the cages of her life so badly!

The romantic subplot, the yearning! It was perfect. A man who stands by your side even though you’re possessed? Yes please.
It’s a unique and amazing blend of horror, historical fiction, with some forbidden love. This is a 5⭐️ top read of the year, and I will absolutely be reading everything Isabel Cañas writes.

Thank you so much Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC

I loved this book so much. Isabel just gets better and better ! It started a bit slow for me but then the story picked up and I was hooked! She has now officially moved up to automatic buy for me

I was totally not expecting to love this one as much as I did.

The Possession of Alba Díaz is about…you guessed it…the possession of Alba Díaz. In the beginning of the novel, we are introduced to Alba and her family. Alba has been recently betrothed to a young man named Carlos. After this betrothal, Alba and her family leave to stay with her fiancé’s family where Alba interacts with a carousel of compelling characters including a mysterious man named Elías—her fiancé’s cousin. The two, inevitably, become a story of forbidden desire.

The Possession of Alba Díaz is a haunting and romantic novel that is elevated by its atmospheric writing. Cañas does an excellent job in writing a world that feels familiar and real. As I read, I could ‘see’ old Mexico, the mines, and the religious imagery. Cañas’ writing is vivid and detailed that creates a pleasurable, immersive reading experience. The gothic vibes were immaculate, and I would love to see this novel depicted on screen.

It is also important to say that this is more than a historical horror piece of work. This novel had cultural and symbolic layers that raises questions about morality, religion, patriarchy, colonialism, and gender. I would also even call this a work of feminism. Throughout the novel, Alba is essentially caught in a war where the ‘prize’ is possession over her body. There is the demon, for example, who ultimately possesses Alba and causes her to experience hallucinations and convulsions. Alba’s war for her body is timely given the current political climate. Together, these themes add so much depth that makes it a memorable one.

There is so much I can say about this one but not enough space. If you want to read a gothic horror with both romance and depth, this is the book for you. It is full of dread and tension. Alba’s romance with her betrothed’s cousin, in particular, is full of yearning and angst that’ll have you wanting more.

Rating: 4.5 (Rounded Up to 5)

One of my most anticipated reads of 2025 & I must say I'm slightly disappointed. While I didn't hate it, I also didn't love it especially when comparing it to some of her previous work..

As always the writing is immersive, Isabel Cañas always does a great job of transporting you back to Mexico during the 1700-1800's. I usually love the way she blends gothic horror with romance. It always felt perfectly balanced. But there's something about The Possession of Alba Diaz that missed the mark for me.

My biggest issue is how much time spent over explaining in the beginning. The first 200 pages is really just about family drama & the mines/alchemy, that it almost felt like the possession was an afterthought. The last 40% felt so rushed which ultimately let me down because the possession elements & the descriptions were creepy but I also didn't get enough time to be spooked . The romance felt a little insta lovey, which I don't usually like, but I think this is due to how much time over explaining on other things in the beginning that we really didn't get enough time to connect to the characters/romance.

Overall, I can see why other people would love this & I can still see myself recommending it but this just wasn't my favorite from Isabel Cañas.

Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC of The Possession of Alba Díaz in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was absolutely beautiful. The storytelling was compelling, and the character development was masterfully executed. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. It possesses a haunting beauty. If you enjoy either horror or romance and want a story that skillfully blends both, this is the book you should definitely explore. I absolutely love this one!

I mean, at this point, anything Cañas writes is going to be a banger for me, and her latest possession horror — featuring a forbidden romance, no less — is no exception. Richly infused with historical detail, a terrific sense of place, and there's a scene between Elías and Alba that I'm going to be thinking about for YEARS afterward purely based on how well it illustrates the sexiness of consent. Like always, Cañas is juggling at least five really great ideas, and for me, they all came together. Can't wait to pick this one up in hard copy to add to my growing collection!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free eArc of this novel.

For fans of her other novels, this is something you'll love. It's another romantic horror (is that a thing?) with Mexican/Central American vibes. I didn't connect well with these characters sadly. The writing was impeccable though, and it read very quickly. I'd say it's her creepiest/goriest yet.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I haven’t read very many books that were blatantly about a possession, so this went wayyyy to the top of my TBR as soon as I heard about it. And sure enough, this was everything I needed it to be.

OK so this is a gothic horror so it’s not jump scare scary, just bad vibes and bad juju scary. So much of this was chilling and terrifying. I don’t want to give too much away, but my goodness, this was the creepy. This is the first gothic novel that actually creeped out in a long time. This one really lived up to the hype and I was so glad.

Besides the creep factor, I had such a good time with the characters. Elías had a troubled past with his family and his life, but he still came to the place where he found his cousin who actually hates him. And he finds out there’s someone else that his father never said much about. And then there was Alba who was just trying to outrun a plague and marry someone that would let her live her full life. But somehow this whole thing brings the two of them together, and let me just say, I was so confused. I would have been too damn scared to focus on any of that lol

Ok so this entire book I was like ok, this is ok. Not too scary. But THE ENDING? As a Catholic this really resonated with me. I was on pins and needles. Nothing was really shocking. (I may not have read a lot of possessions, but I’ve watched enough of them.) Until the end tho. Omg I wasn’t prepared. The religion, the way he weilded it, and the villains that are unearthed. Lordt I bit all of my nails off. This was so good. I don’t know who or what else to say about this book that will make you read it without spoilers.

Gah I have deleted so much from this review because I didn’t want to spoil it for y’all. But my goodness, this was so good. Just know, it lived up to the hype for me. The little foreshadowing of what was happening to Alba, and all the suprises that Elías came upon was nuts. I loved it. It’s been a long time since I had to read something with the lights on.

Cañas writes so beautifully. Her prose and the atmosphere she creates in her novels leave me spellbound. The mines gave this dark, foreboding feeling in this one. While not my favorite Cañas novel, I loved it and will continue to pick up everything she writes. I love how she weaves horror with mystery and history and romance.

As someone who grew up watching a lot of horror movies and now loves reading romance, I LOVED The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Cañas. This is a horror, forbidden romance, and Mexican historical fiction novel rolled into one. If you’re someone who has enjoyed horror movies that center demonic possession like The Conjuring, Paranormal Activity, or The Exorcist, I really think you’re going to love this book. It was so much fun reading all the nods to moments you typically see in horror. Isabel Cañas’s writing and storytelling is also so atmospheric. I could visualize so many of these scenes so clearly as something straight out of a horror movie. I also found this book so intriguing because not only is Alba our final girl, she’s also the character being possessed and half of the story is told through her perspective, which is so interesting. Of course, that leads to some unreliable narrator moments as well. We also do see Alba from Elias’s point of view and those chapters really won me over. Isabel Cañas writes the most pathetically down bad men. Tell me how this man was still yearning for Alba even while she was possessed by a freaking demon, and vowing to do anything to protect his girl. On a last note, I’ll also add that the themes of self-determination and bodily autonomy in feminism are so expertly interwoven with themes of religion and demonic possession. I could go on! I'd give this book 5 stars!

A real winner of a book.

I loved Cañas' debut, The Hacienda, and I feel like this book was a return to form (not that vampires of el norte was bad but the vibes were not as pure as the hacienda). Or maybe I just really like ghosts and possessions.

this book was visceral in all the right places, with a romantic side quest that I really enjoyed. The possession played out beautifully and hauntingly, and the implications of scapegoating were deeply felt. There was a lot I believe Cañas was saying about women and how little power they had (have) and how they are pawns at worst, currency at best. the way alba slowly gave in to her possession was heartbreaking, and yet it was powerful.