Title: Sundown in San Ojuela by M.M. Olivas
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Genre: Horror, Gothic, Speculative Fiction, Contemporary
Themes: Family bonds, Finding your identity, Lost souls, Betraying your own kind, Mexican folklore
Culture: Mexican

Embracing your culture one creature at a time

Release Date: November 19th

Haunting, grisly, and terrifying Sundown in San Ojuela is the haunting story of Elizabeth’s journey of cultural identity appreciation and survival of all things that go bump in the night. Using her clairvoyant gift and befriending the unlikeliest of creatures – beasts, brujo, and everything in between, she embarks on a path of healing where she inevitably discovers her purpose but may have to pay the ultimate price. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart but that’s what makes it so good! Full of Mexican culture and folklore, gore, and eeriness vibes this book haunted me on every page and left me thinking about it long after it was over. It’s perfect for readers looking for spine tingling chills and heart stopping action from one chapter to the next. Sundown in San Ojuela is best read at night….if you dare!

There are multiple complex storylines that are beautifully interwoven with each other within this terrifying plot, but Olivas handles them with ease. Every detail from subtle looks to notable places to scary creatures is important, they give depth and intensity to the entire novel. Olivas breaths life and death into her novel, keeping the reader hooked on every word, line, and creature. In addition to the depth Olivas brings to her novel, she’s quite thoughtful and I found some hidden gems - quotes that gave me all the feels….and chills!

Character flaws from morally grey decision making to the overzealous power hungry are front and center and crucial to the story. From Elizabeth’s lack of confidence to Julians questionable decisions to Samuel’s total creep factor, there is so much to absorb and digest (pun intended!) with these characters. They took the story to a whole new level and had me questioning whether I loved them or hated them. I settled on loving them!

If your still in your Halloween hangover or are a year-round spooky vibes reader, then Sundown in San Ojuela is a must-read novel. It will fit nicely in your horror books tbr pile.

If you love Sundown in San Ojuela, then read…..

If you love Sundown in San Ojuela, then you’ll love The Hacienda by Isabel Canas, The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina by Zoraida Cordova, and The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton.