Florez-Cerchiaro well blends history and horror to create this Gothic tale burgeoning with Colombian culture.  

A mansion—lavish and opulent—nestled into a mountainside and overlooking one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the region.  Yet, this place—Antonia’s childhood home and the last spot she saw her mother alive—now haunts her dreams.

Based on lore and legend surrounding the real Hotel Del Salto, Florez-Cerchiaro paints a tale rich in the complexities of the past.  The combination of historical detail with mythology and folklore created a compelling backdrop teeming with eerie atmosphere.  

Though the novel begged for stronger characterization within its large cast, it flourished in its rich cultural underpinning that explored colonialism, cultural appropriation, and the role of the Catholic Church. 

With the narrative largely focused on Antonia resisting the norms of society, one of those norms being a woman’s dependence on a man, I found the romance subplot both unnecessary and inconsistent with the messaging.  Even so, this didn’t hinder the other overarching themes.  

Bochica, with its stellar mix of history and horror, proves that Florez-Cerchiaro is a new voice in Gothic literature worth watching!

🎧 I alternated between the print and audio formats.  But ultimately for me, the storyline had a more powerful presence in the hands of these narrators who fully embodied the gothic tones and the tense atmosphere.  If you’re grabbing this one, go with the audio!

Many thanks to my friends at @atriabooks and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.