This has to be one of the most layered possession stories I've ever read, a very original & unique take on the trope that read like a modern spin on The Craft told through a Latinx lens.

At its core this is a feminist coming-of-age story about a group of five young, Chicana women living in Texas, & I loved the many ways V. Castro examined topics of female empowerment, identity, & sexuality through a horror lens. This was really creepy & dark, yet also very beautiful & inspiring - I love when horror is multifaceted & trust me when I say Castro will have you going through a ringer of emotions. A lot of the horror found within these pages is tied into real world issues faced by areas close to the border, & I thought Castro did a fantastic job of juxtaposing reality with the supernatural. Fernanda's transformation as a character was so fascinating - I don't want to give away anything, but I'll reiterate this isn't your typical possession story.

Even if you're not a fan of novellas, I'd encourage you to pick this up - what begins as a séance gone wrong morphs into a tale of so much more with a very impactful message. I'm really looking forward to checking out more of V. Castro's work!