Many thanks to my friends at @prhaudio for the #gifted audiobook. 

 

“Women with nothing to lose are dangerous.” 

 

Atmospheric and reflective.  Disconcerting yet empowering.  

 

Castro delivers a unique look at generational trauma as she blends Mexican folklore into a mashup of women’s fiction and horror.

 

We meet Alejandra in the darkest recesses of postpartum depression.  Marriage and motherhood have created a void, leaving her lost and unable to connect.  In the midst of her struggles, an apparition of woman in white, similar to La Llorona, suddenly appears.  

 

Creepy and gruesome, this is a journey through Alejandra’s lineage and the trauma that has been passed down through the ages.  Recognizing the power this torment has wielded over her and her ancestors, Alejandra wages battle, unwilling to allow the curses to be passed on any further.

 

Castro explores the female experience with an honesty that will feel deeply relatable to many.  There is a rawness to her examination of womanhood and motherhood.  How generation after generation, trauma is passed down through biology and experience. 

 

As Alejandra took on literal demons, I was reminded of the power wielded by our common figurative demons: self-doubt, fear of failure, fear of being unlovable, negative self-talk, etc.  

 

Looking beyond the horror aspects of this novel, Castro has created an important narrative regarding mental health and overcoming that which holds us back from flourishing.    

 

While, at times, I found myself wanting (stilted dialogue, confusing transitions between POV), I ultimately found this unique premise worth the read.  

 

🎧 Narrator Raquel Beattie brought an authenticity to Alejandra while also creating a distinct voice for each ancestor.  However, there were times I felt the need to grab a print copy to clarify certain plot points.  I recommend a combination of the two formats.