DNF @ 30%

Thank you so much for NetGalley and Lanternfish Press for the ARC.

I was super excited to read this book but unfortunately, it didn't do it for me. I think the different perspectives and the tense changes were just difficult to read for me personally.

I think this is a great book with really interesting themes but don't be discouraged but this one review. Please go read it!

gorgeously and darkly interesting, filled with depths of spirit and soul and living in this liminal space that is just so fun to explore

This book is difficult to rate. I loved the dark witchcraft and mythology. I also liked the family dynamic and family home as central to the story. Sometimes, I was a bit confused about the details of the supernatural but it may be just me. However, the amount of "action" in the second half of the book was a little intense.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Lanternfish Press for the ARC.

This is an entrancing freefall into indigenous mythological history. It delivers tensions and frights along with bloody introspection and contemplation.

There was a lot going on in this story that I appreciated so much. First off, it is a continual and really exciting exploration of identity, somehow both very explicit and intentional but never didactic, never giving easy answers. There is a constant question and exploration about the colonization of identity. Our main characters are fully Latina, and they trace their ancestry back to both indigenous Mexican or Mesoamerican as well as Spanish roots, so right away a bifurcated history of both colonizer and oppressed. Further, their mother doesn’t want them to speak Spanish, wanting them to distance themselves from that identity to assimilate into the American ideal, further complicating their cultural understanding of themselves in the world. There are other characters who have unbroken Spanish/conquistador ancestry, some who have unbroken indigenous ancestry, and some who are biracial with white and Latino mixed parents. The little details spill out as the story unfolds, and M. M. Olivas isn’t interested in giving uncomplicated answers, but instead they use these relationships between identity and ancestry to ask some really engaging questions about what we inherit and how we fit into, or belong to, the world around us.

“We are Essences. We are stories… Of the wind, and death, and water, and soil. We persist as long as we are told.”

The characters were wonderful. The main and secondary characters are all complicated and messy, and they feel lived-in. I didn’t feel like a single character was relying on stereotypes or was serving as filler or a placeholder, everyone felt realized, even characters that had only small or incidental parts to play. The writing, too, was really strong. It wasn’t lyrical prose, necessarily, but it did have a slightly ethereal nature to it, something that made it different than just straight-forward narration, which I appreciated. It helped develop the atmosphere and tone of the story. Part of that tone-setting also comes from the fact that the writing style shifted across characters. Most of the story follows the perspective of our main character Liz, but we also sometimes get section from a local sheriff as well as from Liz’s childhood friend Julian. All of the sections from Liz’s perspective (as well as occasional sections from her sister’s perspective) are told in a close third person, letting us share Liz’s experiences and doubts and fears but have a traditional distance as we see her from both the outside in and inside out. The sections that follow the sheriff are all written in first person narration, and they don’t use punctuation marks to distinguish speech, and are generally much more rambling/chaotic feeling, losing us in the contradictions he is constantly grappling with. The sections that follow Julian are written in second-person narration, positioning us in an entirely different relationship with him. Mixing these different narrative styles, even within the span of a single chapter, could be confusing and chaotic, but it isn’t, I found it worked really well. It gave the story this undulating feel, if that makes sense, a constant motion that worked given the distress and confusion our primary character was experiencing. Also, there is a considerable amount of Spanish mixed in, often without translation, which is again really effective, especially as our main character doesn’t know Spanish very well. It is a small flourish that goes a long way to help build the world. There is also a good amount of Nahuatl vocabulary sprinkled throughout, creating distance even from Spanish, which further contributed to the world-building.

That world-building was really skillful. It is set in contemporary America, but the story uses that as an entryway into a mood or atmosphere that is very distinct. There is a lot of talk about the town itself and I would have liked a little better sense of space and place, for all the talk of the town, but that didn’t detract from the world we did get. It is a twilight world, a world where myth lives side-by-side with the ordinary, where Aztec deities interceded in the mundane, where our characters are constantly caught between various opposing forces and loyalties. The history and magic and witchcraft and ordinariness of this world all mix together in a way that is compelling and feels organic, which allowed for an exciting story that I hadn’t seen told before. In some ways the story can be distilled into something simple, a young woman coming to terms with who she is and the various histories and legacies she has inherited. But that is used as a wonderful starting place to explore family, loyalty, identity, and belief, all under the shadow of colonization and coercion. There are journeys for all three of our POV characters, even though Liz is clearly the main character of the story, and the way those journeys intertwine is thoughtful and fun.

With that said, I did struggle a little with the pacing of the story. The whole story was set in a relatively condensed time period, though there were a number of flashbacks. That was fine, it worked well. But the first 50% - 60% of the book didn’t feel as propulsive as I would have wanted. There were constant interesting things happening, in terms of character, plot, and lore—it was never boring and never felt like it was stalling or dragging its feet… But there also just didn’t feel like a lot of momentum. After finishing a chapter I didn’t feel the immediate need to continue to the next. I was deeply invested in the characters and story, but it wasn’t a gripping page-turner in that way. The back half of the book changed that, with a much more explosive pacing, the pay-off for things set up in the first half. Once things really started moving I didn’t want to put the book down… but this did have the unfortunate side effect of highlight how slowly paced the first half was. There was a lot of lore and world and character development in the first half, a lot of dominoes being put into place. I don’t know, exactly, how that could have been down as effectively while also giving a greater sense of urgency. I never felt bored, I was always pulled in, and there was a worthwhile and exciting payoff to that investment, but it would have been nice to have a little more oomph in the first half.

I still really enjoyed this story a lot. It explored really complicated and thorny issues without ever simplifying them or feeling preachy. I should add there are some wonderfully bloody scenes in here, too. There are eruptions of violence and fear that carry the whole story. This isn’t a safe story. It digs it claws deep, not just through flesh and bone but through time, dissecting accepted histories. I am really glad I had a chance to read this story. It brought to life a whole world of folklore and histories that are still largely absent from contemporary pop culture, and it didn’t hold your hand at all, but instead forced you to navigate this world in an exciting, embodied kind of way. It told a story about being haunted by identity, or, maybe more accurately, of being haunted by being lost among varied and seemingly competing identities, but did so in a way that felt fresh and inclusive. It has heart, only sometimes you realize that heart has been ripped still beating from a bloody chest. I definitely recommend it and look forward to seeing what else the author creates in the future.

(Rounded up from 3.5)

I want to thank the author, the publisher Lanternfish Press, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sundown in San Ojuela has a beautifully eerie vibe, blending gothic storytelling and domestic family drama in a way that feels like a modern folk tale. The writing is poetic and really grounds you in the desert town of San Ojuela, but it took me a while to get into, and I don't think it ever fully took off for me. While I loved the world-building, the characters didn’t quite grab me the way I hoped. That said, it’s a unique story about ancient gods and dark family history, and while it wasn’t the horror I expected, it was still a ride worth taking.

Thank you NetGalley and Laternfish Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.I have really come to love Latin America folklore so I was pretty excited to read this book. But there was a lot going on and I was having a hard time connecting with the characters. Also, it might be more of a me problem but I just couldn’t get behind all POV tense shifts. First, second, and third person POV were all used throughout this book. I don’t know if I’m a fan of reading a book in the second person POV, where it goes ‘You did this… You did that’, I think it disconnected me from the story a bit. And again, that’s my personal preference. I can understand what the author was trying to do but it fell a bit flat for me. I enjoyed the mythology and folklore tie ins to the story. I also enjoyed the themes around cultural identity and family legacies.

I believe that you get two types of writers, storytellers and story-weavers. M.M. Olivas is a story-weaver of note. Sundown in San Ojuela, is a tale that has been woven into the the very fiber of my being. I did not merely read this story, but felt it, bled with it.

Each character, so perfectly imperfect tugged at my heartstrings and played them to the tune of love. For that is what this book is truly about. It is the importance of love of self, the love of culture, family and friends. It is about accepting ourselves but at the same time striving to be the best versions of our self no matter how many curveballs life throws at us.

It is also a tale of magic, darkness, dread and blood. It is art, it is an experience, it is a spell that brings the written word to life.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for providing this magnificent ARC and of course all my love and gratitude to the author, M.M. Olivas, who has crept into my heart and become an auto-buy author for me.

Sundown in San Ojuela by M.M. Olivas

Elizabeth has a history drenched in the lore of the Aztec gods thrusting their way into the world of the living. Armed with an innate ability to sense ghosts, she receives a beckoning call from her now-deceased Aunt, who is ushering her back to her roots. Reconnecting with her childhood friend Julian, life has become an ominous undertaking that blurs all senses of reality. With the help of her sister, Mary, they attempt to bring the curse of the town to rest. Who is committing these evil acts, and for what purpose?

I am silently walking on a treadmill, looking through a window onto the sea and its windblown patterns shimmering on the surface. I contemplated my feelings about this novel, comparing the ocean waves to my experiences with this read. Chaotic in nature with an untold number of possible endings. The author, M.M. Olivas, pens a book steeped in ancestry and one family member's values to keep those traditions afloat. This book was frightening, with moments of silence brazenly kicked aside with splotches of unknown entities waiting to pounce. The novel drearily exudes mysticism, embroiling the reader with a steady supply of fright and confusion. I conclude that the author's success rests in their ability to maintain a tight narrative during a tense setting.

Seeing the story unfold from multiple views caused me some confusion. It was distracting, and I forced myself to re-read passages to understand from which character's perspective I was getting. These issues aligned with my previous observations of uncontrolled sea waves passing through one another as if out of control. The gods of the Aztecs are in abundance here. They are the main course, exacting revenge through the willing human participants in San Ojuela. A prior knowledge of Aztec folklore, while by no means a must, certainly would help the reader's overall immersion by painting a more vivid picture and reference point. My knowledge of Aztec lore started and ended with Montezuma, simply because he had revenge on me as a child in Knott's Berry Farm in the form of a rollercoaster of the same name.

All that said, the author did a superb job. The book's creepy nature and ability to navigate without giving too much away lent to my enjoyment. The interpersonal strife and relationships bite at your heartstrings. I am giving this 4 out of 5 stars!

Many thanks to Lanternfish Press for the free ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

This was a excellant read, I wouldn't say it's horror, but more like folk family horror type of book.
I honestly really liked it, the author makes you care about the characters, not just reading about them as a outsider.

I felt Alot reading this and it wasn't just thrilling horror, but also family bonds and sometimes it's not easy.

I cannot imagine not only going back to the place of a traumatizing accident but with what happened to her following the accident, which I won't say, but wow..

Read this it's written beautifully.

_Sundown is San Ojuela_ by M.M. Olivas is a dark and atmospheric horror read told from multiple perspectives. Sisters Liz, who can see ghosts, and Mary return to their family home after the death of their aunt. Along with and Liz’s childhood friend, Julian, they confront their traumatic childhood and discover real monsters, gods, and spirits that disturb the grounds. This is a haunting read including Mexican folklore, mythology, and immigrant experience.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

M.M. Olivas’s debut novel, Sundown in San Ojuela, is a haunting and evocative tale that masterfully blends elements of gothic horror, family drama, and cultural exploration. Set in the desolate desert town of San Ojuela, this novel takes readers on a journey through a landscape where the past and present collide in eerie and unexpected ways.

The story follows Liz Remolina, who returns to her childhood home in San Ojuela after the death of her aunt. The town, which was the site of a traumatic accident that left Liz clairvoyant, is now a place filled with ghosts and ancient gods. Accompanied by her younger sister Mary, Liz must navigate a world where monsters lurk in the shadows and her childhood friend Julian has become a haunted figure.

Olivas excels in creating deeply nuanced characters. Liz is a compelling protagonist whose clairvoyance adds a unique dimension to her character. Her relationship with her sister Mary is both tender and strained, reflecting the complexities of family bonds.

San Ojuela is vividly brought to life through Olivas’s rich descriptions. The town’s desolate landscape, combined with its supernatural elements, creates an atmosphere that is both unsettling and captivating.

The novel explores themes of cultural identity, family legacy, and the struggle between past and present. Olivas’s writing is both lyrical and precise, capturing the eerie beauty of the desert and the haunting nature of the town.

Sundown in San Ojuela is a standout debut that marks M.M. Olivas as a powerful new voice in gothic fiction. The novel’s intricate plot, well-developed characters, and richly atmospheric setting make it a must-read for fans of horror and literary fiction alike. Olivas’s ability to weave together elements of the supernatural with deep cultural insights results in a story that is unique and unforgettable.

First thing, I love this book. My star rating is 4.5. The mix of social commentary and the pre hispanic mythology of Mexico is handled beautifully. I enjoyed the alternating points of view and had no issue with the flipping of tenses that bothered other reviewers. These devices were true to the story and the pov of those characters .
This is a brutal story of one family's inheritance of blood and magic. The consequences of the past and the injustices of the present all converge on the lives of a small town.
My reason for taking a half star off is the sheriff/ICE officer's pov and character, I understand why he was written that way and the purpose he served in the story, but the character was the least authentic in his voice.
Overall I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in mythology and grownup fairytales that have a sharp edge.
Thank you NetGalley and Lanternfish Press for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc. I however will not be finishing this. This book gave me literal nightmares, and that would be praise for some, but for my sensitive soul, I need my sleep. Legit too scary for me to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lanternfish Press for this opportunity! This book will be available 11/19/24!

Okay this book a powerhouse of Latin horror. It is insidiously creepy but also a powerful narrative of a culture not my own. Liz’s past was darkity dark but her journey of living thru it was awesome. Honestly this book scared the poo outta me and I loved every dang moment of it!

I LOVED every second of this book. I know that sounds dramatic, but seriously I did. It was extremely well written, the characters and story was intriguing and not the mention that cover!!! Do yourself a favor and read this!!

The story combines elements of Latin American folklore with supernatural horror, evoking comparisons to "The Hacienda" and "The Devil Takes You Home." However, the execution falters with an abundance of perspectives and horror tropes, which left me feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from the characters. While the rich cultural backdrop is a draw, the narrative's lack of focus and the second-person narrative style detract from its overall impact.

Many thanks to Lanternfish Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 / 5 stars – rounded up to 4 stars.

Overall I enjoyed this creepy, ethereal horror novel. The writing style lent a dark beauty to the house and the desert in a way that gave them their own weight as characters – combined with the magic and rich mythology, I thought those were the most intriguing elements of the story. Even though I can’t say I felt a strong connection with any of the characters, it is obvious how much effort went into developing each individual character’s identity and motivations to make them feel realistic and relatable; the only perspective that felt a little purposeless was the sheriff’s. The chapter numbering and changing perspectives were a bit confusing with a digital copy, but I suspect it would be easier to follow on a physical copy where you can flip back and forth.

Not a terrifying read, but definitely a brutal and unsettling one where the mythology and the unforgiving desert shine. Would definitely recommend!

"We are Essences. We are stories, Julian. Of the wind, and death, and water, and soil. We persist as long as we are told."

I was immediately hooked by this family saga that incorporates pre-Hispanic folklore and mythology. Silvia Moreno Garcia's Gods of Jade and Shadow is one of my all-time favourite novels, and this darker take on gods and humanity didn't disappoint.

Mexica/Aztec deities take shape alongside a cast of flawed, deeply human characters, each with their own complex relationships with their Mexican-American identities. By unfurling the mysteries that plague San Ojuela and the Remolina family, this novel explores concepts around assimilation, respectability politics, language loss, and cultural erasure in an engaging, yet unsettling way.

Beneath the maelstrom of gods and supernatural forces lies the legacy of conquest, centuries ago and present-day. The conquest of the Americas is positioned in stark parallel to ongoing immigration debates and migrant issues – where brown bodies are treated as disposable. The complexities of this town have woven themselves into the lives, the very bodies, of those who inhabit it – eventually, tearing them apart in gruesome and spectacular fashion.

Overall, an incredibly compelling read with themes that will resonate for many children of immigrants. I loved the mythological and folkloric tie-ins, and the cosmic horror element of gods, humans, and Faustian bargains really worked for me. Definitely recommend this for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Isabel Cañas.

I love Latin American fiction, especially horror, but this story fell flat and fast. I didn't find myself enjoying the story and just had to give up.

It’s always good to read something you normally wouldn’t, I believe, and it’s always nice getting new perspectives and voices through literature. This, however, wasn’t for me – but I’m happy I tried and cannot fault the author what so ever.