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Debra Castaneda

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Debra Castaneda

Goodreads Author


Born
Los Angeles, The United States
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Member Since
January 2014


Debra Castaneda is an award-winning author of urban fantasy and dark fiction based on the central coast of California.

Her works include Barely Magic, the first book in the Maddy Madrigal Mysteries series of urban fantasy novels; The Spore Queen, The Devil’s Shallows, The Root Witch, The Copper Man, Circus at Devil’s Landing, and A Dark and Rising Tide, which comprise the Dark Earth Rising series of standalone novels, and The Monsters of Chavez Ravine, an International Latino Book Awards gold medal winner.

Debra loves writing character-driven stories about people who experience scary or magical things, and how they react when confronted with the unexpected. She’s committed to representing Latinas and Latinos in her books.

For inspiration, she
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Debra Castaneda Trini wished she hadn't taken the shortcut through the woods connecting the two neighborhoods of Chavez Ravine. Under the gloom of a tree, a figure st…moreTrini wished she hadn't taken the shortcut through the woods connecting the two neighborhoods of Chavez Ravine. Under the gloom of a tree, a figure stood dressed head to toe in white, a lacy veil over the head of a long snouted dog. (less)
Debra Castaneda I'd travel to Anne McCaffrey's Pern and become a dragon rider. …moreI'd travel to Anne McCaffrey's Pern and become a dragon rider. (less)
Average rating: 4.13 · 9,011 ratings · 1,564 reviews · 29 distinct worksSimilar authors
The Root Witch

3.77 avg rating — 2,346 ratings — published 2022 — 4 editions
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A Dark and Rising Tide

4.04 avg rating — 1,120 ratings3 editions
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Barely Magic (Maddy Madriga...

4.43 avg rating — 870 ratings2 editions
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The Devil's Shallows

4.13 avg rating — 767 ratings4 editions
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Somewhat Magic (Maddy Madri...

4.60 avg rating — 513 ratings2 editions
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The Copper Man

4.06 avg rating — 476 ratings — published 2023 — 3 editions
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Desperate Magic (Maddy Madr...

4.65 avg rating — 410 ratings2 editions
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The Spore Queen

3.75 avg rating — 466 ratings3 editions
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Mortal Magic (Maddy Madriga...

4.70 avg rating — 310 ratings2 editions
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The Monsters of Chavez Ravine

4.13 avg rating — 316 ratings3 editions
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More books by Debra Castaneda…

Castaneda’s Chili Colorado Recipe

You may recognize this dish from my urban fantasy series Maddy Madrigal Mysteries.

Here’s the thing about Mexican stews and soups (caldos): Most Latinos eat them year round, summer included.

I make my Chili Colorado with beef. Specifically, stew meat. This recipe is easier than beef stew (less chopping), but a little more ambitious than my machaca recipe (shredded beef).

If you have trouble finding t

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Published on May 19, 2026 19:41
The Root Witch The Devil's Shallows The Copper Man Circus at Devil's Landing A Dark and Rising Tide The Spore Queen
(6 books)
by
3.91 avg rating — 5,464 ratings

Barely Magic Somewhat Magic Desperate Magic
(3 books)
by
4.53 avg rating — 1,792 ratings

The Monsters of Chavez Ravine The Night Lady The Haunting of Chavez Ravine The Christmas Cucuy
(4 books)
by
4.28 avg rating — 635 ratings

The Box in The Cuts The Fault in The Cuts The Cave in The Cuts: Survi...
(3 books)
by
4.16 avg rating — 58 ratings

Knock Knock, Open...
Debra Castaneda is currently reading
by Neil Sharpson (Goodreads Author)
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Ghost Wall
Debra Castaneda rated a book it was amazing
by Sarah Moss (Goodreads Author)
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Debra Castaneda Debra Castaneda said: " I discovered this book on a list of must-read folk horror books, so that's what I went in expecting. It's not. But once I shook off my mistaken expectations, I'm so glad I read Ghost Wall which I might have otherwise missed. It's an unsettling coming ...more "

 

Debra’s Recent Updates

Debra Castaneda wrote a new blog post

Castaneda’s Chili Colorado Recipe

You may recognize this dish from my urban fantasy series Maddy Madrigal Mysteries.Here’s the thing about Mexican stews and soups (caldos): Most Latino Read more of this blog post »
Debra Castaneda rated a book it was amazing
Veil by Jonathan Janz
Veil
by Jonathan Janz (Goodreads Author)
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I absolutely loved this SciFi horror thriller about invisible creatures snatching people away.

~There’s enough heart to match the horror and make it all the more horrifying

~The action starts early and doesn’t let up all the way to the satisfying endin
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Debra Castaneda rated a book it was amazing
Cold Eternity by S.A. Barnes
Cold Eternity
by S.A. Barnes (Goodreads Author)
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All the stars for Cold Eternity, S.A. Barnes' latest SciFi horror set on a space barge filled with tanks holding cryogenically frozen bodies.

Who would take a job on a creepy ship like that? Someone desperate enough to want to hide out where the peop
...more
Debra Castaneda is currently reading
Knock Knock, Open Wide by Neil Sharpson
Knock Knock, Open Wide
by Neil Sharpson (Goodreads Author)
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Debra Castaneda rated a book it was amazing
Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss
Ghost Wall
by Sarah Moss (Goodreads Author)
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I discovered this book on a list of must-read folk horror books, so that's what I went in expecting. It's not. But once I shook off my mistaken expectations, I'm so glad I read Ghost Wall which I might have otherwise missed. It's an unsettling coming ...more
Debra Castaneda rated a book it was amazing
Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand
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Do you enjoy stories open to interpretation? If you love a great folk horror story that will leave you guessing, check out this short novel by Elizabeth Hand. (If you need firm answers, then Wylding Hall may not be for you.)

There’s so much to love ab
...more
Debra Castaneda is currently reading
Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss
Ghost Wall
by Sarah Moss (Goodreads Author)
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Debra Castaneda rated a book it was amazing
Lute by Jennifer Marie Thorne
Lute
by Jennifer Marie Thorne (Goodreads Author)
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This is one helluva great folk horror book by the author of Diavola. Lute published in 2023 and now I’m sad it took me so long to read it.

I’m embarrassed to admit the cover threw me off. Don’t get me wrong. The cover is gorgeous, but I got the impre
...more
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
" Debra wrote: "Heather D wrote: "This one is coming up soon for me on my tbr!"Happy very dark reading!"
To you as well! I've been on such a good roll th
...more "
Debra Castaneda is currently reading
Lute by Jennifer Marie Thorne
Lute
by Jennifer Marie Thorne (Goodreads Author)
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More of Debra's books…
Quotes by Debra Castaneda  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“When he looked over at her, it was like she was leaking, and the seat was all wet, and that’s when he started to get scared.”
Debra Castaneda, The Haunting of Chavez Ravine

“some parents don’t realize this, but the silent treatment is considered emotional abuse. Your mother was punishing you by withholding connection. It’s a form of control, and it’s very damaging.”
Debra Castaneda, The Root Witch

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