As I have come to anticipate from this author, this is deeply atmospheric and tense, capturing the time and place in a compelling way. It's a little scary, but not so much you'll need to read only during daylight hours.

5⭐️ Amazing. Incredible. Read the first 20% over the course of 2 days and then last 80% in one sitting. Could not physically move until I finished this book. The writing had me in a trance.

Such a good take on a possession story with a historical fiction backdrop! And the romantic subplot being better than some of my romance reads? I will be reading all of Isabel Cañas' books from now on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A full review will be posted on my TikTok @alireadsanywhere on release day!

The set up to this story is intriguing: Alba Diaz is a mestiza woman living with her adoptive parents in Zacatecas. She is engaged to her best friend in a marriage of convenience (him-gay, her-ugly and uninterested in being married off to some gross man). The plague hits and Alba, her fiancé, their families and a creepy priest all travel to the Mina San Gabriel to escape the plague. This also just *happens* to be where Alba was abandoned as an infant. Cue intriguing mystery.

Unfortunately, the plot starts to fall apart with the introduction of Alba's love interest, Elias. His character is convoluted and their attraction to each other was poorly sold to the reader. It's just insta love. As the mystery and drama unfolded I kept thinking Elias' character and story would be explained to the reader, but it really wasn't. He remained one dimensional and his magical connection to mercury really did not make sense to me.

3 stars for unique setting, great descriptions, and for the author not being afraid to go all in at the end.

The Plot: In plague-ridden 1765 Zacatecas, Alba flees the city with her wealthy merchant parents and her soon-to-be husband, Carlos, to wait out the outbreak at his family’s secluded silver mine in the mountains. But the mine holds more than just memories—something ancient and malevolent has been disturbed. Alba begins to experience blackouts, convulsions, vivid hallucinations. She’s not herself. Or rather… not only herself anymore. As possession tightens its grip, so does the trap she’s walked into.

Elias, Carlos’s cousin, didn’t come to Mexico to play savior. He came to escape his family’s shadow and make enough money to leave for good. But then there's Alba, spirited, sharp, angry at the world and determined to carve out space for herself in it. And despite knowing better, Elias can’t stay away. Not when the danger becomes undeniable. Not when something inside her is crying for help. Alba is one of those rare characters who feels as if she’s clawed her way straight off the page. She burns with defiance, not because it’s fashionable, but because the only alternative is silence. Her desire isn’t just for love or freedom—it’s for sovereignty. To not be passed like a coin from father to husband. To own her choices, her desires, her body. It’s messy and visceral and utterly compelling.

And Elias—ugh, the yearning. The way he looks at her like she’s the only star left in his sky. Their dynamic simmers with unspoken longing and impossible choices. This isn’t a romance dressed up in horror. It’s horror with jagged teeth, but at its heart beats a love that aches.

The atmosphere? Top-notch. The creeping dread starts slow, curling like fog around your ankles. But once the descent begins, it doesn’t let up. The mine, the mercury, the rituals—all of it feels tactile and loaded with history. I learned more about 18th-century silver mining than I ever expected, and somehow it added to the horror. The poison isn’t just spiritual it’s physical, economic, generational.

“She did not ask for this. She did not want this. All she had ever wanted… was the inverse of this perverse imprisonment.”

There’s a constant tension between the divine and the damned here, priests and spirits, relics and rituals and the question of what people are willing to believe to feel safe. Is the real evil a demon, or the people who use religion to justify control? The novel doesn’t give easy answers, and that ambiguity makes it richer.

Yes, it takes a little time to settle into itself. But when it does? It owns its space. You can practically taste the metallic tang of blood in the air, feel the cold stone of the mine under your hands. The fear is primal. The stakes personal. And the pacing tightens beautifully until you’re flipping pages with a death grip.

Final thoughts: The Possession of Alba Diaz is eerie, elegant, and soaked in atmosphere. It blends horror, history, and heartache with the skill of a master. If you’re a fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, gothic tales with teeth, or historical fiction that doesn’t shy away from the darkness—it belongs on your shelf.

And maybe don’t read it at night. Just saying.

5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

The Plot: In 1765, plague sweeps through Zacatecas. Alba flees with her wealthy merchant parents and fiancé, Carlos, to his family’s isolated mine for refuge. But safety proves fleeting as other dangers soon bare their teeth: Alba begins suffering from strange hallucinations, sleepwalking, and violent convulsions. She senses something cold lurking beneath her skin. Something angry. Something wrong. Elías, haunted by a troubled past, came to the New World to make his fortune and escape his family’s legacy of greed. Alba, as his cousin’s betrothed, is none of his business. Which is of course why he can’t help but notice the growing tension between them every time she enters the room…and why he notices her deteriorate when the demon’s thirst for blood gets stronger.

"The rite of confession continued, and Alba plotted to sin again." MY GIRL.

Alba was such a great character to read. Her biggest desire is to just live a life she wants where no one can tell her what to do. She's always been controlled by her parents, by priests, by society. With her upcoming marriage to Carlos, she knows he will leave her alone with the protection of a married status.
But oh, she meets his cousin Elias. And goes to stay at Carlos' family home in the countryside. And there may or may not be demons at play in the mine nearby.
"She did not ask for this. She did not want this. All she had ever wanted, all she had ever lived for, was the inverse of this perverse imprisonment. To command her own life. To command her own body, to decide to whom it was given and when."

I really loved Alba and Elias as a pair, but the two of them as individuals made the story so much better. The desperation with the two of them. Wanting the same thing but unable to grasp it.
"He was a ship lost at sea. Sextant overboard, no wind in his sails, and only her star, her brilliant star, guiding him through the dark."

<b>Chilling, Gothic, and Gripping.</b>

I was beyond excited to get the opportunity to read an early copy of this one because I have heard wonderful praise for Isabel Canas's work. It was a multi layered story with the blood and scares one would expect from horror, but the veins of this story run deeper than that. There are wonderful threads regarding the 18th century in Mexico. Alba is determined not to be married off to the highest bidder bringing to mind how little control women had of their choices. The fear of the locals who worked in the silver mines stayed in the back of my mind. There was so much more than a run of the mill horror or historical fiction piece. The genre bending style gives a more complete picture of this time when fear pushed buttons better left ignored.

A fainting bride signals a deadly plague and Alba seeks refuge at her fiancée's home in the country located walking distance from his family's silver mine. Alba's family is reluctant to support her engagement due to financial issues but they join them in an effort to harbor in a safe place. Alba's relationship with her parents was toxic and I really wanted to see her gain independence because their treatment of her made me nauseous. As the title suggests this story is about Alba being possessed. There is this push and pull within the narrative between religion and the occult. It was fascinating from a historical standpoint and also the fact that the greed of men can hide behind either. Elias is the black sheep of his family, but he has Alba's best interest at heart which is more than I can say for any other character. There is even a budding romance between the pair. As much as someone who is demon possessed can have a romance anyway. The two barely know each other yet I couldn't help but hope things would work out for them. We get Alba's and Elias's POV throughout which helped to understand how the possession worked and also how high the stakes were.

The story unspools rather slowly at first setting the stage although it stayed interesting to me. I didn't know much about mercury and silver mining so this was intriguing. When the story took off I grew roots right on the spot because there was no putting it down at that point. I love a good scare but what really sealed the deal was the desperate tension throughout. The characters fear and determination bled through the pages.

A great pick for spooky season!

Thank you to Berkley for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I re-read The Hacienda every year. Yes, every year. I love both of her previous works so to say this was a highly anticipated read for me is an understatement. I was most excited to see how Cañas once again brings back to life a hidden piece of Mexico's history with an unforgettable gothic and atmospheric prose.

From the first chapter of The Possession of Alba Diaz, I could tell the writing style would be a little different. It was much more focused on the historical aspects of the storyline. For that reason, I feel as if Cañas transformed her signature and became more comparable to SMG. Was I completely enchanted by the setting? Not entirely, but I at least knew all the details. I think that's a sacrifice that sometimes is made, expository or atmospheric.

But there is so much to absolutely love about this book too. Alba's character is an unforgettable one. I loved the theme of a loveless marriage, the struggle for autonomy, and the demons being mythical and real. It was a masterful and unique plot that Cañas consistently delivers with. And I loved how surprisingly sexy it was??? UGH. I also deeply appreciate how all of Cañas men yearn. I was a little hesitant in the beginning, because of their first encounter, but the character development of Elias was phenomenal.

To all those who enjoy a satisfying ending than I strongly urge them to pick this one up!

Thank you Netgalley and Berkeley for the ARC.

Dark, immersive, and terrifying!

The Possession of Alba Díaz was such a ride. It was gothic horror at its finest; a blend of history, supernatural, and human rights. Cañas weaves absolutely rich character work with human emotion at its core.

I loved the lore, the setting of the silver mines in Neuva España, and the absolute desperation of the merchant families trying to save their riches and sanity.

The only thing I will say, is that those mines had me freaked out and I wish we had spent some more time in them!!! Give me all the creepy, dark tunnels.

If you’re a fan of exorcism and possession stories, definitely pick this up. It checks all the boxes for a great, hypnotic, spine-chilling read.

Set in colonial Mexico, her newest release is a richly layered Gothic horror novel in which a young woman, grieving the loss of her mother and struggling with her faith, begins to believe she’s possessed. But the terror in Cañas’ story isn’t just supernatural. It’s deeply personal and politically charged.

“It’s also the first book I’ve written since we lost Roe v. Wade,” she says. “I came at it with questions of bodily autonomy and what that means, not only from a societal perspective, but from personal experience as someone whose body has hosted other human beings.”

The title, she adds, is deliberately double-edged. “Yes, it’s about demonic possession. But it’s also about who gets to own Alba’s body, her life, her future.”

Read the full. interview: https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/seattle-authors-new-novel-is-a-gothic-horror-set-in-colonial-mexico/

She has done it again. I screamed when I got this ARC. 5/5 stars, actually a million stars. I’m obsessed. I loved this book. It was perfect. I will read anything this author writes. I cannot wait until this comes out for the rest of the readers out there.

“Darkness can only be undone by its like”

This is a haunting, erotic, gothic horror story of demonic possession. In this we follow our main character Alba from 1700’s Mexico, as she is set to marry a man from a wealthy colonial family that owns a silver mine. But when they move to his mine to escape the plague, she begins sleepwalking and the episodes are becoming more and more violent. Her fiancé’s cousin, Elías, a recluse, seeks to help free her from what may be possessing her.

This a possession story that is representative of colonialism and a woman’s autonomy over her own body. Alba’s struggle to free herself from a demon is a struggle to free herself from the confines of patriarchy and ownership by a man during this time. She and Elías’ love story too is deeply sensual, passionate, and expands this story beyond just a typical horror. So much of this story reminded me of the haunting, gothic scenery and forbidden love of Wuthering Heights. I found the writing romantic, violent, haunting, and deeply meaningful.

I would’ve liked to see a less rushed ending, as I felt it got wrapped up a little too neatly to truly make sense. But, all in all, a fun, spooky read for fans of horror romance and “good for her” books.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC!

An interesting paranormal romance with plenty of mystery, suspense, and twists, along with some historical fiction elements. Told from the point of view of two distinct and intriguing characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a digital copy of The Possession of Alba Diaz in exchange for an honest review.

Years ago, a baby was found abandoned in a remote silver mine. A wealthy merchant quietly adopted her and passes her off as his biological child. By 1765, Alba has grown into an intelligent young woman, chafing from society's restriction for ladies and terrified of a potentially awful arranged marriage. So she manipulates her close male friend Carlos into an engagement, because she figures it's her best option. But then plague comes to the city, and everyone wealthy enough to flee does so. Carlos's family invites Alba's family to join them at their remote silver mine (yes, that one), high in the mountains and in theory, safe from the plague. Unfortunately, returning to the mine has awakened something evil and it isn't long before Alba begins to suffer from the signs of demonic possession.

Meanwhile, Carlos's cousin Elias has been forced by his family to bring a boatload of mercury to the mine for the silver extraction process. He plans to stay long enough to earn back the money he shelled out for the mercury (an investment borrowed from his friends) and get back out. But he's intrigued by Alba from the start, and he cannot ignore the terrible things that start happening after she arrives at the mine.

The Possession of Alba Diaz is creepy, suspenseful, and richly detailed. The characters are interesting; Alba's struggles within a restrictive society are sympathetic and Elias's backstory is appropriately compelling and tragic. The silver extraction process is fascinating, and the mercury feels as threatening as the demon at times. Blending those historical details into the horror narrative is brilliant.

The Possession of Alba Diaz is a great read for spooky season and continues to build on Cañas's catalog of historical horror. It could have used a little more development here and there, but in general, it's entertaining. Recommended for fans of her previous works, for readers interested in the colonial period of Mexican history, and anybody that loves books involving mysterious altars and exorcisms.

In 1765, Alba Díaz flees plague-ridden Zacatecas with her parents, finding refuge at a secluded silver mine belonging to the family of her (blackmailed) fiancé, Carlos. It isn't long before Alba begins sleepwalking and becomes haunted by dark dreams and hallucinations. Elías, estranged cousin to Alba's soon-to-be husband, came to the mine to make his fortune and leave...but of course, nothing is ever so simple. Alba and Elías are deeply drawn to one another in spite of the forbidden nature of such an attraction, and it just so happens that Elías may be the only person who can save Alba from the demon within...

***

A new fave from an absolutely iconic gothic horror/romance author.

I love the deeply romantic nature of Cañas's writing. Everything is very dramatic, descriptive and so, so atmospheric. It was very cool to get a possession story from the perspectives of both the person who is possessed as well as the person who is, well, a little smitten with the former. I just thought it was a very cool and emotional way to navigate it. Also, while we all are accustomed to seeing the role the Church may play in a story like this, I particularly enjoyed how Cañas subverted expectations and brough the occult into play as well.

And the romance...Truly, this might be my favourite romance of the three books Cañas has written so far. It's hard to say for sure since it's been a while since I've read the others but the yearning these two had for each other really got me. I was rooting for them in a big way.

Finally, I just want to say that I think my new fave thing I've been noticing in some horror books lately (this one included) is when the characters fully acknowledge the absolute absurdity of the things going on. I find that those little moments add the perfect amount of humour in otherwise rather bleak circumstances. Both Elías and Alba's inner dialogues had me cackling at times.

Just a really solid time with themes and messaging that is easy to appreciate with both the historical context of its setting and with a modern-day perspective.

The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas comes out August 19, 2025 for those interested!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this thrill ride! The reader meanders through spooky and questionable excitements but you don’t really get to understand what’s going on till later on. Well crafted spooky book.

Isabel Cañas is an auto-read author for me since her 2022 debut novel, The Hacienda. Her books are so immersive, suspenseful, and beautifully written, and her 2025 release, THE POSSESSION OF ALBA DÍAZ, continues that trend. With a beautiful cover and intriguing synopsis, I knew that this would be high on my TBR list.

In 1765, Alba flees plague-stricken Zacatecas with her parents and fiancé to a remote family mine—but safety quickly turns to terror as she’s consumed by visions, sleepwalking, and violent seizures. Something cold and furious is waking inside her, and it wants out. Elías came to the New World to escape his family’s legacy, not fall for his cousin’s bride-to-be—but he can’t ignore the pull he feels toward Alba or the darkness slowly taking hold of her.

I will be honest and say that this book was almost a DNF. I was not used to Cañas' heavily detailed, yet beautifully written prose, and I was struggling with paying attention. Once I switched my focus onto the audiobook version via @prhaudio, I was hooked. I would recommend if you are struggling with the narrative. Isabel Cañas' writing is so immersive and beautiful that once I got hooked, I was committed. My rankings for her novels are below, but THE POSSESSION OF ALBA DÍAZ is immersive and atmospheric, with suspense that kept me wanting more until the final act. STARS: 4, PUB: 8/19

RANKINGS:
1. The Vampires of El Norte
2. The Possession of Alba Díaz
3. The Hacienda

Canas is back with another atmospheric, historical fiction supernatural horror story set in Mexico. This time the backdrop is an 18th-century eerie silver mine, which Alba and her family escape to amid a rampant plague tearing through the cities. This is also the setting where the titular Alba becomes possessed.

As always, Canas delivers on the dark and chilling vibes, but what I'm really here for is that her books always have a deeper thematic undercurrent. In this case, Alba’s possession becomes a powerful metaphor for the way women are stripped of agency over themselves and their bodies when they are married off- often sold to the highest bidder- with no say in their futures. There's also a sharp commentary on religion and the Catholic Church, and the way in which it seeks to use Alba's affliction for their own gain.

Of course there is a forbidden romance- another hallmark of Canas' books- and Elias is the perfect bad-boy saviour, willing to risk it all for Alba. Even though Alba and Elias barely know each other and their connection borders on Romeo and Juliet levels of whirlwind intensity (especially since she's engaged to someone else), you can't help but feel that somehow their bond is undeniable and real. A man who fights for a women even when she's the literal personification of a demon? It must be true love.

In the end, I thought this book was phenomenal. It struck the perfect balance between frightening and romantic. It had such a deliciously dark and Gothic feel.The ending? Perfection. No notes. Ten out of ten demonic possessions would recommend- hands down my favourite horror read of the year.

"Darkness can only by undone by its like"

When a demonic presence awakens deep in a Mexican silver mine, the young woman it seizes must turn to the one man she shouldn’t trust.

Book Stats:
📖: 384 pages
Genre: Adult Horror/Gothic Fiction
Publisher: Berkley
Format: Physical ARC from publisher
Series: Standalone

Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 11 hours 35 minutes
🎤: Carolina Hoyos/ Anthony Rey Perez
Publisher: PRH Audio
Format: Multi POV / Dual narrator
Carolina is a frequent narrator for Cañas books and for good reason. Her narration and pronunciation is top tier. The emotion lent to the story is wonderful.

Themes:
💫: Bodily autonomy
💫: Independence in a "man's world"
💫: Capitalism

Representation:
🪽: Mexican characters
🪽: Conversational Spanish
🪽: Set in Mexico

Tropes:
💗: Family Secrets
💗: Forbidden Love

Spice: 🌶️
Gore: 🧟‍♂️
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.

General Thoughts:
This book was fantastic on so many levels. The horror was dread inducing and hit those classic catholic fears of possession. The romance was full of yearning and forbidden. The mythology was rich and layered. The characters were nuanced and realistic. Not much to criticize here.

The setting was so good. The mysterious dark depths of the mines was absolutely the perfect setting for this horror. I wish we had spent more time with the mines as a setting vs the compound. I also wish we had gotten more of Alba's past as I felt that part of the story was a little underwhelming for me when it was the basis for all that was happening in the current timeline.

The ending really worked for me. I loved the way it was presented and tied everything together. It didn't rushed or incomplete and I liked where everyone ended up.

I can't wait for the authors next book because they honestly just keep getting better and better.

Disclaimer: I read this book as a gifted physical ARC from the publisher Berkley and a gifted audiobook from PRH Audio. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Sensational and deeply disturbing!

I loved this book. It took a turn I did not see coming at all. And I must say I love a "good for her" type of premise in storytelling. I felt so deeply invested in the story and in what was happening to Alba and her town.

There is evident research that happened for this book and I love that as things unfolded very organically, I also absorbed so much historical facts just as equally.

Perfect scary and creepy read!

I've always thought that horror romance is an extremely underutilized subgenre, so I was extremely excited to receive an arc for The Possession of Alba Diaz. The story starts off very slow, allowing the tension to build and let loose in the truly insane second half of this novel.

I had such a fun time reading this, the writing was so immersive, and there were some genuinely scary moments (any time the priest and Alba were on the page together I just knew it was going to get terrifying). I also loved the whole premise of having a fmc who has never had any autonomy living under a patriarchal society and having the demon possession plotline be a rather terrifying metaphor for that. Throughout this book, Alba is not only fighting to get free from this supernatural force that has made a home inside her body, but also to be free of any man who would tell her what to do or where to go.

* Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review