Sundown in San Ojuela

A brilliant blend of horror, fantasy, and Mexican folklore. Some truly horrifying imagery and a plot that keeps you nailed to your seat reading. I loved this book.

"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.

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.

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.