very much liked the vibe on this and i loved the choice of using Sihuanaba (La Cegua) as the main supernatural character. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you Netgalley and Zando Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“These Vengeful Wishes” by Vanessa Montalban is a standalone YA fantasy book steeped in mystery, local folklore, and a touch of horror. The story centers around Ceci, an aspiring artist, who moves back to her mother's hometown of Santa Aguas, a small town rich with local legends and dark secrets. Here, Ceci encounters a mysterious wishing well guarded by the spirit of la Cegua, a vengeful witch-like figure from local folklore with the face of a horse skull. As Ceci settles into the eerie Sevilla manor with her mother, she begins to unravel the town's mysteries and discovers her own connection to la Cegua. Through haunting dreams and bizarre events, Ceci's fascination with the spectral figure grows. When she and her new friend Jamie stumble upon a well in the woods—a well that grants wishes but at a dangerous cost—Ceci is drawn into a tangled web of ancient curses and modern-day vengeance. I absolutely loved this book, especially with its message about how women are often forgotten in history as shown through la Cegua.

The book is rich in atmosphere, with Montalban's vivid descriptions enhancing the creepy, supernatural tone. I especially loved the descriptions of la Cegua, particularly in the flashbacks of who she was when she was human; they perfectly set the mood of the story. The setting of Santa Aguas, with its dense forests and shadowy history, also provides a fitting backdrop for Ceci's journey. The folklore surrounding La Cegua adds depth to the story, making it more than just a typical YA fantasy; it becomes a story of misunderstood spirits, revenge, and the reclaiming of identity.

Ceci is a relatable protagonist, with her mix of teenage naïveté and a desire for belonging. Her initial naivety regarding the consequences of her wishes reflects a realistic teenage mindset as she, at first, desires to make a selfish wish without considering the consequences, and her growth throughout the novel is both believable and engaging. I really liked how the wishes Ceci made were relatively wholesome, reflecting who she is as a person. The relationship between Ceci and her mother, though rooted in some common YA tropes, adds layers to the story, especially as Ceci learns more about her family's past and her mother's history with La Cegua. I do wish the mother were more involved in the story; she is mostly absent (which works for the plot), but I wanted more of her perspective.

Jamie, Ceci’s love interest, brings a refreshing dynamic to the story. I absolutely loved Jamie and his “golden retriever energy.” Jamie is supportive, understanding, and is a fully developed character instead of just being a generic, perfect love interest. His presence provides a grounding force for Ceci as she navigates the dangerous allure of the wishing well. He was, unexpectedly, my favorite part of the story.

I did find the plot predictable with obvious hints about key characters and their backstories, specifically Adel as well as Ceci’s father. There are also moments where the narrative relies heavily on info-dumping, particularly towards the end, which can feel overwhelming and detract from the otherwise well-paced storytelling. However, these shortcomings are balanced by the book's strengths. Montalban’s ability to blend folklore with a modern setting, combined with her focus on feminist retellings and themes of empowerment, make “These Vengeful Wishes” a compelling read. The book’s exploration of the misunderstood spirit of La Cegua, and its commentary on the power dynamics that have historically isolated women branded as “other,” adds a thought-provoking layer to the story.

Overall, “These Vengeful Wishes” is a fantastic YA fantasy novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy stories with a strong sense of place, rich cultural folklore, and complex female characters. I definitely can’t wait to read more from Montalban, and I will also be picking up a physical copy of the book (the cover is gorgeous!).

First of all, I am obsessed with that cover. It’s what caught my interest in the beginning. This story is very atmospheric and I loved the touch of mystery and the folklore aspect. It did take me a bit in the beginning to get interested but once I did I really enjoyed my time with this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc of this upcoming read!

This YA Horror has the recipe for perfection. it is spooky, promises to be atmospheric and it nestles itself in Nicaraguan folk lore. Folk horror and atmospheric go hand in hand. So, I was super excited. However, I personally feel like YA horror just is not for me. I kept wanting more, urging the author to push herself just a bit more. However, for its intended audience, this will be a smash.

These Vengeful Wishes was folkloric and atmospheric and spooky. I loved who Ceci grew into and the real bonds she made with her new friends. I wish we got a deeper insight into the relationship between Ceci and her mother. Ceci is also written as an antsy and aggressive teen, which felt completely accurate, albeit annoying at times. I can't discredit how well Montalban wrote her characters; she made me feel so many different ways about them. La Cegua was a haunting beautiful specter, i loved how Montalban wrote her. I also really appreciated the dive into Nicaraguan culture/legends. It brought new elements to this YA horror. Overall, this was a solid read and I enjoyed the writing style.

Unfortunately, I did not get to finish this book simply because of time. However, what I did read was very well written and captured my interest from the start. You feel for our main character and the numbness she feels, though I do like her attitude -particularly when she calls the police in the beginning. I find her quite entertaining. I only got to read a handful of chapters but already it has captured my heart and curiosity and I will definitely be picking it up when it comes out.

2,5/2,75⭐️ (rounded up)

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban is a YA horror novel with elements drawn from Nicaraguan folklore.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t particularly engaged with this story.
The plot didn’t capture my attention, even though La Cegua’s story was pretty intriguing.
I also struggled to connect with the characters and I would’ve appreciated a deeper exploration of the relationship between Ceci and her mother.

Thank you NetGalley and Zando Young Readers for the ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC copy

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban impressed me with its combination of magic and psychological depth. The story focuses on the desire for revenge that slowly consumes the characters, making the plot dynamic and suspenseful. What struck me most was how accurately the internal conflicts of the characters are conveyed - the question of morality, the power and consequences of fulfilled wishes. This is a dark, yet insightful novel that makes you think about the cost of our actions and choices.

These Vengeful Wishes is a gripping young adult horror novel that weaves together a family mystery and Nicaraguan folklore. Ceci and her mother return to her mother’s hometown of Santa Aguas after her stepfather is arrested. They move into a large manor house that her mother had secretly owned, and Ceci quickly befriends some local students. Ceci learns the town’s mysterious history revolving around La Cegua, a Nicaraguan ghost story.
I really enjoyed this book, the characters were engaging and well written, and the folklore was interesting. While slightly predictable, there were definitely plot points that kept me guessing, and I wanted to keep reading when I had to put the book down.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of These Vengeful Wishes in exchange for my honest review.

A very creepy and interesting story.
I didn't expect that I would like the book.
But at the characters were very well written and the plot intersecting.

4/5 stars
Recommended if you like: Southern Gothic, horror, wishes, family secrets

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 10/7, Instagram as of 10/10, and to my book blog as of 10/24.

The book started out quite interestingly and you can't quite tell where it's going to go or how our MC ends up back in her mother's hometown. This part of the setup progresses fairly quickly and I was actually pretty amused at how it played out.

I have to say, I didn't like Ceci very much at the beginning. The very beginning was interesting, but she's quickly painted as a spoiled, capricious character. Luckily, things seem to change once her mom and her head to Santa Aguas, and I found myself liking Ceci much more after that. She's definitely a character who has gone through difficulties, despite the seemingly privileged facade (and honestly, reality). She also grows over the course of the book and comes to realize her own flaws while also understanding and forgiving her mother for some of hers.

Santa Aguas clearly has something...off about it from the get-go. For one there's the horse-headed statue of a woman with mustard seeds outside the gas station. For another there's the sheer number of missing person cases and drunk people who wander into the woods and return wrong. There's actually a couple layers to the mystery, and it's hard to tell at first how they all connect with one another. I definitely figured some aspects of it out before the characters did, but there were also parts that took me completely by surprise.

The well of La Cegua and the wishes it grants was definitely an interesting aspect. Wishes being magically granted is, naturally, very seductive and hard to resist. Who wouldn't make a wish or two given the chance? But all magic comes with a price, and the wishes La Cegua grants have a nasty sting...just not always for the wish maker. It was definitely interesting to see how the dark side of these wishes played out and how the desire to make life just a little bit better battled with the need to prevent bad things from happening.

I wasn't sure how the wishes and the missing people connected (except for the obvious: La Cegua), and it was fun trying to figure it out alongside the characters. While the two bits of magic are seemingly separate, there was a really interesting thread connecting them, and I really liked how it was all revealed.

The main side characters are Jamie, the friend who discovers La Cegua's wishing well with Ceci, and two of Jamie's friends, Myra and Di. Jamie is a giant teddy bear who's always looking out for people and trying to make sure they're taken care of. But just like how Ceci is hiding a vulnerable core, Jamie is hiding his own difficult family background behind his sunny exterior. The two of them are able to connect over shared, but different, family troubles, and it makes sense why they're both drawn to the wishing well. Myra and Di seem like polar opposites, but they vibe off each other fairly well. They're also more than willing to bring Ceci into their friend group, and I liked that she had someone other than Jamie that she could be herself around.

I'm not really sure how I feel about Ceci's mom. For most of the book she acts one way: rich, out to keep her money, and wanting to keep up appearances. But throughout the book there are moments of softness with her and she and Ceci get some genuine moments together. She does seem to shed some of the superficiality the longer they stay in Santa Aguas, but then something will happen and she'll snap back to her old self. The ending felt a little too neat with her, imo, though there is a time jump from the last chapter to the epilogue, so I suppose it's feasible she worked on herself.

Overall, I found this to be a great horror read that has wishes gone awry, family secrets, and a nice dose of Southern Gothic. While Ceci doesn't start out as the most likable, I did enjoy her character once she was in Santa Aguas, and she definitely undergoes some major character growth.

This book is very atmospheric with beautiful writting and interesting folklore. The mystery was well done and i loved the touch of fantasy

Be careful what you wish for!

These Vengeful Wishes was a creepy, atmospheric read. When Ceci's mom drags her back to her small hometown, she learns that the town's folklore about a generational curse is directly linked to the house she's living in.
This book sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole, learning about La Cegua.
This had the right amount of suspense and kept me turning the pages.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy to review.

I enjoyed this one! Very atmospheric and immersive storytelling. It was a tad predictable at times, and some scenes lagged, but overall, an intriguing story for fans of folklore and monstrous girls. Bit of genre confusion, though…this read more like a speculative mystery than fantasy to me!

I devoured this book! Vanessa Montalban weaves an eerie and enchanting tale with These Vengeful Wishes—it’s packed with small-town secrets, supernatural legends, and just the right amount of spine-tingling suspense. Ceci is a character I immediately connected with—her journey of self-discovery, especially through her art, made the story so much richer.

The atmosphere of Santa Aguas, with its dark folklore and that haunting wishing well, gave me chills in the best way. And La Cegua? Absolutely creepy yet so captivating! The horse-skull-faced spirit is unforgettable and adds an unsettling layer of danger. As Ceci’s bond with La Cegua deepened, I found myself holding my breath, wondering what would happen next!

My only wish (pun intended!) is that the pacing could’ve been a tad quicker in spots, but overall, this was such a fun, spooky read. It’s perfect for anyone craving a mix of magic, mystery, and a hint of vengeance. Just be careful what you wish for… 🌟🌟🌟🌟

"The boy has not returned to see me, and I am hungry. Night always draws them near. They think the dark can hide their wickedness. But I see into their rotten hearts."

WOW!!! What a ride!!! This book is labeled as YA, but I'm 32 years old and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed every spooky second of this one! This book is full of creepy folklore, magic, and curses. The author has done a wonderful job of setting the vibe, and managed to have it set, from the very first paragraph. I might reccomend this one, especially for spooky season!! Careful, you know how it goes, right? Every wish has a price. Sometimes more than you would ever dream of paying.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This myth was interesting. There’s always a price for magic and wishes; sometimes that price is very steep.

La Cegua. the specter of a wronged witch who appears on lonely roads at night, luring untrustworthy men to their deaths, and Ceci has found a wishing well that is possessed by La Cegua. Also, their house is cursed by the same witch, however, Ceci begins to feel for the cursed with and starts painting a door in the woods...and it appears. It also seems that her mother's past may play a part in this. I loved this Nicaraguan legend! This book was fast paced and fun! I will be looking for more works by this author going forward.

I was hoping for a spooky unusual folklore story, apart from the typical american or british or greek ones, but sadly I could not really connect with the protagonist or the tale overall.
I felt something was missing in the writing and the spook factor never kicked in for me.

While this book was not for me, other readers might enjoy it.

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc!

i really loved this book, and it has really piqued by interest in nicaraguan folklore.

the story flowed really well and each character was distinct. my only wish was for it to have been a bit creepier. will definitely be recommending this.