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Muñeca
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26A vivid, surreal Gothic about a queer, Latine, working class witch who sets out to rescue a bespelled heiress and loses control of her powers and her heart in the process.
It is 1968 Oakland, and Natalia Fuentes has been hearing rumors about the beautiful Violeta Miramontes. The young heiress to Spanish colonial wealth has been left paralyzed by a mysterious illness. But Nati knows a thing or two about witchcraft, and she is certain that this is the work of dark magic.
Armed with a plan to break the spell and earn a handsome reward, Nati works her way into the house as Violeta’s caretaker, and immediately discovers her suspicions are true. But who cursed Violeta? And why?
As feelings between the two women bloom into romance, Nati grows more and more reckless, and is forced to face her own ghosts— ones she hoped would stay gone forever.
Riveting and richly layered, Muñeca explores how far one will go to save the person they love—even if that means damning themselves. Cynthia Gómez fills her debut novel with moments that chill your bones and warm your heart, a razor-sharp examination of deep-rooted issues that will haunt readers long after the last page is turned.
It is 1968 Oakland, and Natalia Fuentes has been hearing rumors about the beautiful Violeta Miramontes. The young heiress to Spanish colonial wealth has been left paralyzed by a mysterious illness. But Nati knows a thing or two about witchcraft, and she is certain that this is the work of dark magic.
Armed with a plan to break the spell and earn a handsome reward, Nati works her way into the house as Violeta’s caretaker, and immediately discovers her suspicions are true. But who cursed Violeta? And why?
As feelings between the two women bloom into romance, Nati grows more and more reckless, and is forced to face her own ghosts— ones she hoped would stay gone forever.
Riveting and richly layered, Muñeca explores how far one will go to save the person they love—even if that means damning themselves. Cynthia Gómez fills her debut novel with moments that chill your bones and warm your heart, a razor-sharp examination of deep-rooted issues that will haunt readers long after the last page is turned.
176 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Muñeca is a short entertaining read although a little underdeveloped.
i love the idea of a haunted or possessed doll so reading the synopsis & seeing the title i had an idea on where this was going to go. the setting, history & the witchcraft blended together very well. i really enjoyed the magic & spells throughout! the writing was great.
i was enjoying it more in the first half, but somewhere along the way the story just lost me a little bit. it's a novella & there's a lot being packed into 138 pgs so some things ended up falling flat for me. i think this could have been much better if it was a little bit longer or maybe even as a full length novel. you feel for Nati & Violeta because of what they've been through but every character felt flat. the gothic atmosphere we're promised doesn't really reach it's full potential because everything just seems too...direct? we never spend enough time at any given point developing certain parts of the book that would have helped capture that gothic tone. everything just seemed to happen like bam bam bam, it's rushed. the relationship also felt way too insta-lovey which again, i think this is just due to how short the book is.
Muñeca has some strong ideas & the overall concept is interesting. Cynthia Gómez shows a lot of potential so i will definitely keep an eye out for her work in the future. this was still a good enough read to recommend
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
i love the idea of a haunted or possessed doll so reading the synopsis & seeing the title i had an idea on where this was going to go. the setting, history & the witchcraft blended together very well. i really enjoyed the magic & spells throughout! the writing was great.
i was enjoying it more in the first half, but somewhere along the way the story just lost me a little bit. it's a novella & there's a lot being packed into 138 pgs so some things ended up falling flat for me. i think this could have been much better if it was a little bit longer or maybe even as a full length novel. you feel for Nati & Violeta because of what they've been through but every character felt flat. the gothic atmosphere we're promised doesn't really reach it's full potential because everything just seems too...direct? we never spend enough time at any given point developing certain parts of the book that would have helped capture that gothic tone. everything just seemed to happen like bam bam bam, it's rushed. the relationship also felt way too insta-lovey which again, i think this is just due to how short the book is.
Muñeca has some strong ideas & the overall concept is interesting. Cynthia Gómez shows a lot of potential so i will definitely keep an eye out for her work in the future. this was still a good enough read to recommend
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
Want to Read
December 17, 2025I NEED IT OMG
Read
March 5, 2026I blurbed this one!
"Muñeca is the best sort of story: sexy, witchy, sapphic. A class-conscious fairy tale with teeth that I shall carry within my heart for years to come."
"Muñeca is the best sort of story: sexy, witchy, sapphic. A class-conscious fairy tale with teeth that I shall carry within my heart for years to come."
2026
January 7, 2026Halloween TBR
Pride TBR
Latine Heritage Month TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pride TBR
Latine Heritage Month TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
{Thank you, NetGalley and Putnum, for the ARC!}
Muñeca is a novel about Natalia, a Mexican-American woman, looking to earn more money than she can count by curing the magical curse that ails the bedridden and paralyzed young heiress, Violeta Miramontes, and finds herself doing more than she thought would be a simple undoing spell.
As a debut, I thought this was pretty good. The setting is clearly well informed and established and it colors a lot for those of us who haven’t been to this area of California before. The author’s note at the end regarding the research the author did was also interesting, dare I say as interesting as the plot itself. I like Nati and Violeta. I like that they don’t shy away from the “darkness” they feel within themselves due to what they’ve both experienced (all forms of abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.). It’s easy to have your character choose the moral high ground, but it’s better to remember that violence is a good and valid form of resistance. We can’t always win by being nonviolent. Some people only learn when they’ve been threatened.
I also love when characters aren’t redeemed. Bad people can choose to do a good or self-sacrificial thing, but that doesn’t mean we must forgive them for their prior acts. It’s simply a way for that character to resolve themselves for themselves. No one needs to forgive them. Not yet.
My issue is largely with the relationship between Nati and Violeta. I couldn’t help but feel as though Nati was pulled to this house for a different reason. Yes, this spell she figured she could undo is meant to be an easy fix. Yes, it’s not supposed to be anything more than a cash grab, but I couldn’t help but feel, especially as we learn more of Nati’s connection to witchcraft, that this was a more intimate act. Knowing Nati hasn’t touched witchcraft since her youth, why would she suddenly pick it up for something as mundane as money? Her job sucked, yes, but she had community and love from that community. Why touch something so traumatizing ever again?
To me, I felt as though Nati had felt something for Violeta when she was young and that tiny thread, however unbeknownst to her, is what led Nati back to the Miramontes’. Every good deed has a bit of selfishness in it. I would have liked to see something like that added into Nati’s character. A recognizing that her feelings when she was at the Miramontes’ house was something more than she understood at that time (the howling as it described in the book). It would have made their quick relationship to one another even more compelling.
Overall, 4/5. I would be happy to read more from this author, especially if they write something even more in the horror territory.
Muñeca is a novel about Natalia, a Mexican-American woman, looking to earn more money than she can count by curing the magical curse that ails the bedridden and paralyzed young heiress, Violeta Miramontes, and finds herself doing more than she thought would be a simple undoing spell.
As a debut, I thought this was pretty good. The setting is clearly well informed and established and it colors a lot for those of us who haven’t been to this area of California before. The author’s note at the end regarding the research the author did was also interesting, dare I say as interesting as the plot itself. I like Nati and Violeta. I like that they don’t shy away from the “darkness” they feel within themselves due to what they’ve both experienced (all forms of abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.). It’s easy to have your character choose the moral high ground, but it’s better to remember that violence is a good and valid form of resistance. We can’t always win by being nonviolent. Some people only learn when they’ve been threatened.
I also love when characters aren’t redeemed. Bad people can choose to do a good or self-sacrificial thing, but that doesn’t mean we must forgive them for their prior acts. It’s simply a way for that character to resolve themselves for themselves. No one needs to forgive them. Not yet.
My issue is largely with the relationship between Nati and Violeta. I couldn’t help but feel as though Nati was pulled to this house for a different reason. Yes, this spell she figured she could undo is meant to be an easy fix. Yes, it’s not supposed to be anything more than a cash grab, but I couldn’t help but feel, especially as we learn more of Nati’s connection to witchcraft, that this was a more intimate act. Knowing Nati hasn’t touched witchcraft since her youth, why would she suddenly pick it up for something as mundane as money? Her job sucked, yes, but she had community and love from that community. Why touch something so traumatizing ever again?
To me, I felt as though Nati had felt something for Violeta when she was young and that tiny thread, however unbeknownst to her, is what led Nati back to the Miramontes’. Every good deed has a bit of selfishness in it. I would have liked to see something like that added into Nati’s character. A recognizing that her feelings when she was at the Miramontes’ house was something more than she understood at that time (the howling as it described in the book). It would have made their quick relationship to one another even more compelling.
Overall, 4/5. I would be happy to read more from this author, especially if they write something even more in the horror territory.
May 3, 2026
Muñeca is a lush and slow-burning Gothic that intertwines magic, longing, and rage into something both intimate and unsettling. Set against the textured backdrop of 1968 Oakland, the novel feels very rooted in place and history. Its supernatural elements are grounded in lived realities of class, race, and marginalization. That foundation gives the story weight and allows its surreal turns more emotional precision versus spectacle. At its center is Natalia or "Nati", a protagonist whose sharp edges make her all the more compelling. Her understanding of witchcraft is practical at first, but as she becomes more entangled with Violeta, who is fragile and enigmatic, her control begins to fray. Their relationship is the beating heart of this story and unfolds with a tenderness that never loses sight of the dangers that surround them, both magical and human. What elevates Muñeca is that it does not simplify morality. Gómez allows her characters to sit in their anger and desperation, acknowledging the ways oppression shapes not only suffering but response. The horror is not just in curses and spirits, but also in inherited power and the cost of resisting it. By the final pages, the story has become a reckoning. Haunting and deliberate, this is a novel that stands out in both its beauty and its bite. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC. You can pick this up June 02, 2026 wherever you buy your books.
May 16, 2026
full rtc but for now: despite having the bones of an excellent story, i’ve never read another historical fiction quite so divorced from its era and any sense of place. the name dropping was on the level of a lot of contemporary romance novels, in a bad way.
Want to Read
April 7, 2026need this book ......... <3
February 4, 2026
A deliciously dark Gothic debut that goes deeper than the aesthetic, MUÑECA is a feat of sorcery in and of itself—a taut, dread-filled tale constantly skirting the edges of desire and doom, one that kept me spellbound until the bloody, satisfying end.
May 16, 2026
Review forthcoming, absolutely OBSESSED with this!!
March 10, 2026
Another stunning debut, absolutely bewitching. Loved the Rebecca reference and was entranced by the story, history, magic, and its masterfully crafted characters- 1000% the next horror book club pick because I need to talk about this book!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a claustrophobic gothic slow burn sapphic love story that also, unexpectedly, taught me a great deal about the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. I genuinely didn’t know much about it going in.
Set in 1968 Oakland, Natalia Fuentes has been hearing rumours about the beautiful Violeta Miramontes. The young heiress to Spanish colonial wealth has been left paralysed by a mysterious illness, but Nati knows a thing or two about witchcraft and is certain this is the work of dark magic.
Gómez is richly layered in the way she uses that war as family background, weaving it through the Miramontes bloodline with a haunting precision.
I found myself genuinely shocked by the scale of it. As Gómez explains in the author’s note, it was a war launched on a fabricated pretext, one that allowed the US to strip huge swaths of Mexican land, including Alta California, overnight. The Californios “found their status radically changed overnight” and in many cases had to fight all the way to the Supreme Court just to keep what was theirs. How terrible that we are watching history repeat itself right now.
But this is also, at its heart, a beautiful gothic love story. The slow unfurling between Nati and Violeta is tender and charged in equal measure. There is a passage early on where Nati describes first finding her people, arriving at a house party and feeling something in herself finally settle: “that rattling that I’d never been able to quiet… I’d never heard that Carla Thomas song before, but in that room just then, I felt like I had been hearing it all my life.” That image threads all the way through to the final pages and pays off completely.
And then there is the music itself. Gómez has embedded a genuinely extraordinary soundtrack into this novel. Carla Thomas at that first house party. Nina Simone chosen by Violeta from a stack of records, blinking her yes or her no from her paralysed body. Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come drifting through the sickroom while Nati reads aloud from The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Agustín Lara singing about the blue colour of dawn. The Everly Brothers deployed, with brilliant mischief, as the centrepiece of a nightmare spell. I ended up building a playlist as I read and honestly it made the whole experience something close to immersive theatre. I would love to see this adapted into some kind of hybrid performance or accompanied edition, because the music is doing real structural work here, not just atmosphere.
Gómez gives us a razor-sharp examination of class, race, queer struggle, and inherited trauma. The writing earns its most intimate moments completely, and when they arrive they land hard. When Nati finally kisses Violeta it feels “like the night when Doris took me to that party, when Carla Thomas’s voice soared so high and free” and the circularity of that is just gorgeous. It all comes together into something hauntingly beautiful.
There will inevitably be comparisons to Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and I understand why. But Gómez deserves her own standing entirely. She has a way of pulling you into a world and keeping you there that is entirely her own.
A stunning debut. #pudseyrecommends
Many thanks to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the advance copy.
Set in 1968 Oakland, Natalia Fuentes has been hearing rumours about the beautiful Violeta Miramontes. The young heiress to Spanish colonial wealth has been left paralysed by a mysterious illness, but Nati knows a thing or two about witchcraft and is certain this is the work of dark magic.
Gómez is richly layered in the way she uses that war as family background, weaving it through the Miramontes bloodline with a haunting precision.
I found myself genuinely shocked by the scale of it. As Gómez explains in the author’s note, it was a war launched on a fabricated pretext, one that allowed the US to strip huge swaths of Mexican land, including Alta California, overnight. The Californios “found their status radically changed overnight” and in many cases had to fight all the way to the Supreme Court just to keep what was theirs. How terrible that we are watching history repeat itself right now.
But this is also, at its heart, a beautiful gothic love story. The slow unfurling between Nati and Violeta is tender and charged in equal measure. There is a passage early on where Nati describes first finding her people, arriving at a house party and feeling something in herself finally settle: “that rattling that I’d never been able to quiet… I’d never heard that Carla Thomas song before, but in that room just then, I felt like I had been hearing it all my life.” That image threads all the way through to the final pages and pays off completely.
And then there is the music itself. Gómez has embedded a genuinely extraordinary soundtrack into this novel. Carla Thomas at that first house party. Nina Simone chosen by Violeta from a stack of records, blinking her yes or her no from her paralysed body. Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come drifting through the sickroom while Nati reads aloud from The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Agustín Lara singing about the blue colour of dawn. The Everly Brothers deployed, with brilliant mischief, as the centrepiece of a nightmare spell. I ended up building a playlist as I read and honestly it made the whole experience something close to immersive theatre. I would love to see this adapted into some kind of hybrid performance or accompanied edition, because the music is doing real structural work here, not just atmosphere.
Gómez gives us a razor-sharp examination of class, race, queer struggle, and inherited trauma. The writing earns its most intimate moments completely, and when they arrive they land hard. When Nati finally kisses Violeta it feels “like the night when Doris took me to that party, when Carla Thomas’s voice soared so high and free” and the circularity of that is just gorgeous. It all comes together into something hauntingly beautiful.
There will inevitably be comparisons to Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and I understand why. But Gómez deserves her own standing entirely. She has a way of pulling you into a world and keeping you there that is entirely her own.
A stunning debut. #pudseyrecommends
Many thanks to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Despite being previously unfamiliar with Gomez's previous work, Muneca is an excellent transition into longer works for an author known for her short stories.
Muneca, the Spanish word for "Doll," takes place in the late 1960s California where our protagonist Nati seeks out caregiving work for a family whose estate and wealth has been steadily shrinking overtime. Nati, now an adult, is curious when she hears the name Miramontes after so many years since her mother left the house staff after getting sick. Even more so, the Miramontes gossip involves the young heiress, wasting away in a catatonic state with no cure in sight. Nati is instantly interested. Coming from a family where witchcraft was feared but known, Nati believes undoing the spell is her ticket out of her day job and could potentially set her up for a few years at the very least. Over the course of this novel, Nati tries multiple avenues to free Violeta but fails each time. As she digs deeper into this mystery, Nati must face Violeta's loved ones and what they hide as well as her own family.
Muneca is an incredibly short read. Bitesize chapters make this book easy to put down when one is interrupted, but even so, I am doubtful one will want to put this down willingly. As the story progresses readers are tugged from the past to the present, seeing how witchcraft has impacted Nati's current predicament and how she wrestles with trying to use something so stigmatizing to the betterment of others. As an English speaker, Gomez's use of language is accessible; Muneca does not leave those without Spanish language in the dark, or make one feel left out despite only knowing a limited vocabulary.
I also loved the dichotomy of those in power vs. those without. Gomez tenderly explores these complex ideas via the use of Inez Miramontes, Violeta's mother. As a widow of a cheating husband, Inez grasps onto her vision of normalcy and power that can be reigned in under her roof. Despite this, as a woman in the 1960s, her power is just an illusion. Unfortunately for her, Inez is now at the mercy of her son in law, the cold husband of Violeta who holds his power like a vice. While Nati works fiercely to undue Violeta's curse, Inez is scrabbling at ways to regain her own situation, no matter the impact it may bring to others.
Gomez also weaves witchcraft throughout this book beautifully. Readers will find themselves drawn to Nati's desperate next-spell-mentality and try to guess what comes next. For the setting to be in a failing family estate, Muneca is anything but musty and motheaten. Nati is vibrant and stubborn, if not blindly making choices that readers will cringe at for their stupidity. You'll be rooting for her by the end, and appreciate her careful consideration as she tries to balance the morals of using power for good, and if using such power negates the wielder's integrity.
The only thing I wish there was more of is Inez. Dare I say it, but a novel following Inez would be even more so captivating for readers.
Muneca, the Spanish word for "Doll," takes place in the late 1960s California where our protagonist Nati seeks out caregiving work for a family whose estate and wealth has been steadily shrinking overtime. Nati, now an adult, is curious when she hears the name Miramontes after so many years since her mother left the house staff after getting sick. Even more so, the Miramontes gossip involves the young heiress, wasting away in a catatonic state with no cure in sight. Nati is instantly interested. Coming from a family where witchcraft was feared but known, Nati believes undoing the spell is her ticket out of her day job and could potentially set her up for a few years at the very least. Over the course of this novel, Nati tries multiple avenues to free Violeta but fails each time. As she digs deeper into this mystery, Nati must face Violeta's loved ones and what they hide as well as her own family.
Muneca is an incredibly short read. Bitesize chapters make this book easy to put down when one is interrupted, but even so, I am doubtful one will want to put this down willingly. As the story progresses readers are tugged from the past to the present, seeing how witchcraft has impacted Nati's current predicament and how she wrestles with trying to use something so stigmatizing to the betterment of others. As an English speaker, Gomez's use of language is accessible; Muneca does not leave those without Spanish language in the dark, or make one feel left out despite only knowing a limited vocabulary.
I also loved the dichotomy of those in power vs. those without. Gomez tenderly explores these complex ideas via the use of Inez Miramontes, Violeta's mother. As a widow of a cheating husband, Inez grasps onto her vision of normalcy and power that can be reigned in under her roof. Despite this, as a woman in the 1960s, her power is just an illusion. Unfortunately for her, Inez is now at the mercy of her son in law, the cold husband of Violeta who holds his power like a vice. While Nati works fiercely to undue Violeta's curse, Inez is scrabbling at ways to regain her own situation, no matter the impact it may bring to others.
Gomez also weaves witchcraft throughout this book beautifully. Readers will find themselves drawn to Nati's desperate next-spell-mentality and try to guess what comes next. For the setting to be in a failing family estate, Muneca is anything but musty and motheaten. Nati is vibrant and stubborn, if not blindly making choices that readers will cringe at for their stupidity. You'll be rooting for her by the end, and appreciate her careful consideration as she tries to balance the morals of using power for good, and if using such power negates the wielder's integrity.
The only thing I wish there was more of is Inez. Dare I say it, but a novel following Inez would be even more so captivating for readers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a free copy from Putnam via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Release date June 2nd, 2026.
I was intrigued by the Gothic sixties setting of this novella. In Muñeca, Natalia Fuentes has renounced the witchcraft her grandmother taught her as a child—until she learns that the older girl she admired is trapped by a curse that leaves her paralyzed. Determined to free Violeta, Natalia infiltrates the wealthy Miramontes house as a maid to investigate the curse.
Muñeca has sharply drawn 1968 setting, from Natalia's involvement in early lesbian culture to the specter of segregation looming over the whole plot. It's clear Gomez has done her research, and she incorporates it with a light hand. For instance, rather than directly mentioning the recent assassination of Martin Luther King, a woman is characterized by her offhand mention of the events as all those people kicking up a fuss after that man was killed. I particularly liked the depiction of the uneasy position of the Miramontes family. They're from old Spanish colonial wealth dating back before California was annexed, and they have the entitlement of once having been on top of the colonial food chain. They may be Latino, but the Miramontes family has a far different experience from brown Natalia, who works as a maid.
However, while I enjoyed the historical fiction aspects of the novella, I found the genre elements much weaker. The sapphic romance was written as instalove from almost the first moment that Natalia and paralyzed Violeta meet eyes, and it's barely developed over the rest of the plot. While the compressed romance might be due to the constraints of novella length, I wasn't especially enamored of the witchcraft bits either. All of Natalia's witchcraft felt clunky and plastic, more like playing with toys than something with real weight and horror. For instance, she symbolically plays with a mousetrap in an attempt to break the curse, and does some symbolic gestures with mint and a fridge to curse someone to eternal cold. I don't know the degree to which the curses depicted here actually reflected period cultural practices, but as horror novel plot elements, they lacked a certain flair.
Flawed as a horror novel but an excellent piece of historical fiction. Perhaps it's a bit obvious to compare Muñeca to the work of Silvia Moreno Garcia, but it did remind me thematically of her Mexican Gothic, or of The Bewitching.
I was intrigued by the Gothic sixties setting of this novella. In Muñeca, Natalia Fuentes has renounced the witchcraft her grandmother taught her as a child—until she learns that the older girl she admired is trapped by a curse that leaves her paralyzed. Determined to free Violeta, Natalia infiltrates the wealthy Miramontes house as a maid to investigate the curse.
Muñeca has sharply drawn 1968 setting, from Natalia's involvement in early lesbian culture to the specter of segregation looming over the whole plot. It's clear Gomez has done her research, and she incorporates it with a light hand. For instance, rather than directly mentioning the recent assassination of Martin Luther King, a woman is characterized by her offhand mention of the events as all those people kicking up a fuss after that man was killed. I particularly liked the depiction of the uneasy position of the Miramontes family. They're from old Spanish colonial wealth dating back before California was annexed, and they have the entitlement of once having been on top of the colonial food chain. They may be Latino, but the Miramontes family has a far different experience from brown Natalia, who works as a maid.
However, while I enjoyed the historical fiction aspects of the novella, I found the genre elements much weaker. The sapphic romance was written as instalove from almost the first moment that Natalia and paralyzed Violeta meet eyes, and it's barely developed over the rest of the plot. While the compressed romance might be due to the constraints of novella length, I wasn't especially enamored of the witchcraft bits either. All of Natalia's witchcraft felt clunky and plastic, more like playing with toys than something with real weight and horror. For instance, she symbolically plays with a mousetrap in an attempt to break the curse, and does some symbolic gestures with mint and a fridge to curse someone to eternal cold. I don't know the degree to which the curses depicted here actually reflected period cultural practices, but as horror novel plot elements, they lacked a certain flair.
Flawed as a horror novel but an excellent piece of historical fiction. Perhaps it's a bit obvious to compare Muñeca to the work of Silvia Moreno Garcia, but it did remind me thematically of her Mexican Gothic, or of The Bewitching.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a sapphic tale of love, desire, and witchcraft – a woman saving her beloved cursed to never speak a word. A haunting tale detailing the grit it takes to save your loved ones. Even if it means engaging with the magic you thought you would put behind you. What is evil – magic or the person casting it? A historical piece that takes place it the sixties with appropriate lore and aesthetic described throughout. Gómez possess a knack for creating a sapphic bond defined by the confines of the tools around them.
This narrative touches the service of witchcraft and the way tools and toys symbolize intent. Think about what metaphorically describes being released from a trap and that is how this narrative is intricately written. The historical context here is key to understanding the narrative and the way colonial ways have condemned witchcraft in Latin communities. The narrative reads the notion in the air that what is evil is defined by the oppressors and you need to fully embrace it to begin to break free. I appreciate the narrative expressing the duality of the protagonist freeing her love while commenting on the ways colonialism has harmed Latin America.
The novella echoes the sentiments of MLK and Malcom X as they are both historically accurate and trailblazers in civil rights. The undertone of civil rights is not lost in this narrative or time period alone. I appreciated the way she incorporates their message and their narratives that have set the groundwork for this kind of writing. This is a response to the way we are forced into cages to represent white traditional values – the witchcraft is rebellion towards older practices to save ourselves and our loved ones to reach a better future.
An enchanting novella that utilizes the short space to really empathize with what it means to be trapped and how to find yourself in a path towards freedom. This is not a story about the beginning of sapphic love but a love that is instant in an understanding that both parties are looking to be free from their own curses. There is this connection in understanding that creates this sapphic yearning into an instant mission to unravel dark secrets in the floorboards. Thank you Cynthia Gómez, Putnam, and Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Visit my blog for more tarot readings, recommendations, and reviews here, https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
This narrative touches the service of witchcraft and the way tools and toys symbolize intent. Think about what metaphorically describes being released from a trap and that is how this narrative is intricately written. The historical context here is key to understanding the narrative and the way colonial ways have condemned witchcraft in Latin communities. The narrative reads the notion in the air that what is evil is defined by the oppressors and you need to fully embrace it to begin to break free. I appreciate the narrative expressing the duality of the protagonist freeing her love while commenting on the ways colonialism has harmed Latin America.
The novella echoes the sentiments of MLK and Malcom X as they are both historically accurate and trailblazers in civil rights. The undertone of civil rights is not lost in this narrative or time period alone. I appreciated the way she incorporates their message and their narratives that have set the groundwork for this kind of writing. This is a response to the way we are forced into cages to represent white traditional values – the witchcraft is rebellion towards older practices to save ourselves and our loved ones to reach a better future.
An enchanting novella that utilizes the short space to really empathize with what it means to be trapped and how to find yourself in a path towards freedom. This is not a story about the beginning of sapphic love but a love that is instant in an understanding that both parties are looking to be free from their own curses. There is this connection in understanding that creates this sapphic yearning into an instant mission to unravel dark secrets in the floorboards. Thank you Cynthia Gómez, Putnam, and Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Visit my blog for more tarot readings, recommendations, and reviews here, https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
May 9, 2026
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!
Who would have thought that my review of The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia could offer so many opportunities in the ARC world? Maybe this proves Moreno-Garcia's positive influence on the success of rising Latina authors and their Gothic horrors. Either way, I was very happy to see an email in my inbox that offered an early insight into Gómez's latest novel.
Muñeca is a Gothic fantasy that follows Nati as she returns to witchcraft in order to save a paralysed young heiress from dark magic. As feelings start to develop between the two women, Nati has to face her own demons and the powers threatening to devour her humanity.
---
Initially, I was quite intrigued by the premise and the mystery of Violeta's illness. I have a soft spot for witchcraft and Gothic fantasies, so it comes without surprise that I had high hopes for this one. A damsel in distress and a strong female character with tendencies for the dark arts as a knight in shining armour? I'm hooked. Whilst I do think this book has a lot of potential, I have to admit that Muñeca could have benefitted from being a longer novel.
My favourite part about the book was Gómez's use of music to activate spells. This element made the reading experience feel more atmospheric, the author's rich descriptions lending strength to the overall story. The rules of the magic system were laid out to the reader in bitesized chunks, so that it was easy to follow along without any confusion. It was also interesting to see the clash of views on colonialism between Nati and Violeta's mother, a scene that paid homage to the real-life events in American history. I am partial about books that teach me more about history and give me a microscopic view of the people at that time, and I believe Muñeca managed to do that without straying from the main plot.
Although it was a short read, I found that the length was detrimental to the book. There weren't enough pages to connect with the characters, so in the end I didn't really care about Nati or Violeta. The attraction between the two women also blossomed way too early for me as there was no real lead-up to the romance. In the same breath, I felt that the Gothic elements promised in the blurb fell a bit short. We didn't have enough time to dwell on any of the settings, so it was difficult to feel the effects of what the author might have intended. Additionally, the plot twist was quite obvious, so it didn't come as a shock. I would have preferred it if the novel had a darker twist, but that might just be due to my personal tastes.
Rating
⭑⭑⭑⭒⭒
Still, I would recommend this book to readers who are interested in a short read with witchy elements.
Muñeca by Cynthia Gómez is out on the 2nd June 2026.
Who would have thought that my review of The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia could offer so many opportunities in the ARC world? Maybe this proves Moreno-Garcia's positive influence on the success of rising Latina authors and their Gothic horrors. Either way, I was very happy to see an email in my inbox that offered an early insight into Gómez's latest novel.
Muñeca is a Gothic fantasy that follows Nati as she returns to witchcraft in order to save a paralysed young heiress from dark magic. As feelings start to develop between the two women, Nati has to face her own demons and the powers threatening to devour her humanity.
---
Initially, I was quite intrigued by the premise and the mystery of Violeta's illness. I have a soft spot for witchcraft and Gothic fantasies, so it comes without surprise that I had high hopes for this one. A damsel in distress and a strong female character with tendencies for the dark arts as a knight in shining armour? I'm hooked. Whilst I do think this book has a lot of potential, I have to admit that Muñeca could have benefitted from being a longer novel.
My favourite part about the book was Gómez's use of music to activate spells. This element made the reading experience feel more atmospheric, the author's rich descriptions lending strength to the overall story. The rules of the magic system were laid out to the reader in bitesized chunks, so that it was easy to follow along without any confusion. It was also interesting to see the clash of views on colonialism between Nati and Violeta's mother, a scene that paid homage to the real-life events in American history. I am partial about books that teach me more about history and give me a microscopic view of the people at that time, and I believe Muñeca managed to do that without straying from the main plot.
Although it was a short read, I found that the length was detrimental to the book. There weren't enough pages to connect with the characters, so in the end I didn't really care about Nati or Violeta. The attraction between the two women also blossomed way too early for me as there was no real lead-up to the romance. In the same breath, I felt that the Gothic elements promised in the blurb fell a bit short. We didn't have enough time to dwell on any of the settings, so it was difficult to feel the effects of what the author might have intended. Additionally, the plot twist was quite obvious, so it didn't come as a shock. I would have preferred it if the novel had a darker twist, but that might just be due to my personal tastes.
Rating
⭑⭑⭑⭒⭒
Still, I would recommend this book to readers who are interested in a short read with witchy elements.
Muñeca by Cynthia Gómez is out on the 2nd June 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5
Title/Author: Muñeca by Cynthia Gómez
Format Read: Audiobook. I have to confess. I have been listening to everything in audiobook format because I recently got access to Penguin Random House Audio for Booksellers and Industry Professionals and now I just want to listen to everything!! I can also read so much faster because I can multitask while reading. It just suits my season of life right now
Pub date: June 2nd, 2016
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Page Count: 171 Pages/5 Hours Run Time
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/979821704...
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
Historical fiction- The Bay Area in the late 1960s
Queer romance/forbidden (secret) sapphic yearning and desire
Generational trauma/abuse, domestic drama/abuse
Witchcraft/spells/magic
Feminist and Gothic
Lush, decadent prose and storytelling rich with atmosphere
Caretakers
Succession and Inheritance
Muñeca means "doll" in Spanish
A vivid, surreal Gothic about a queer, Latine, working class witch who sets out to rescue a bespelled heiress and loses control of her powers and her heart in the process.
__
Minor complaints:
-I wish it was a little creepier/more spooky/dreadful
-Nati and Violeta’s romance is rushed and underdeveloped
I feel like this could (or should) be a longer story with more time to build out the mystery/conflict/romance
Final recommendation: Nati, a queer Latina living in 1960s Oakland learned witchcraft and magic (sometimes dark magic) from her grandmother--hears a rumor about Violeta, the heiress to the wealthy Miramontes family, having been paralyzed by a strange illness, and suspects magic may be the culprit. She takes a job as a caretaker, to make some fast cash, but also to see Violeta and attempt to break the curse.
I loved the atmosphere and the storytelling, Gómez is a very capable author, able to draw the reader in with an easy and comfortable narrative but certain aspects of the story do feel a bit rushed or clipped short while other sections require the endurance of a slow-burn, so the pacing is a bit challenging. I highly recommend the audiobook
Comps: Bochica by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro, Feast While You Can by Mikaella Clements, But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo, A Light Most Hateful by Hailey Piper, The Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles
I really enjoyed my time with Cynthia Gómez's short story collection
The Nightmare Box and Other Stories
Title/Author: Muñeca by Cynthia Gómez
Format Read: Audiobook. I have to confess. I have been listening to everything in audiobook format because I recently got access to Penguin Random House Audio for Booksellers and Industry Professionals and now I just want to listen to everything!! I can also read so much faster because I can multitask while reading. It just suits my season of life right now
Pub date: June 2nd, 2016
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Page Count: 171 Pages/5 Hours Run Time
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/979821704...
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
Historical fiction- The Bay Area in the late 1960s
Queer romance/forbidden (secret) sapphic yearning and desire
Generational trauma/abuse, domestic drama/abuse
Witchcraft/spells/magic
Feminist and Gothic
Lush, decadent prose and storytelling rich with atmosphere
Caretakers
Succession and Inheritance
Muñeca means "doll" in Spanish
A vivid, surreal Gothic about a queer, Latine, working class witch who sets out to rescue a bespelled heiress and loses control of her powers and her heart in the process.
__
Minor complaints:
-I wish it was a little creepier/more spooky/dreadful
-Nati and Violeta’s romance is rushed and underdeveloped
I feel like this could (or should) be a longer story with more time to build out the mystery/conflict/romance
Final recommendation: Nati, a queer Latina living in 1960s Oakland learned witchcraft and magic (sometimes dark magic) from her grandmother--hears a rumor about Violeta, the heiress to the wealthy Miramontes family, having been paralyzed by a strange illness, and suspects magic may be the culprit. She takes a job as a caretaker, to make some fast cash, but also to see Violeta and attempt to break the curse.
I loved the atmosphere and the storytelling, Gómez is a very capable author, able to draw the reader in with an easy and comfortable narrative but certain aspects of the story do feel a bit rushed or clipped short while other sections require the endurance of a slow-burn, so the pacing is a bit challenging. I highly recommend the audiobook
Comps: Bochica by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro, Feast While You Can by Mikaella Clements, But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo, A Light Most Hateful by Hailey Piper, The Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles
I really enjoyed my time with Cynthia Gómez's short story collection
The Nightmare Box and Other Stories
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
General Thoughts:
Muñeca really started off strongly for me. As a novella, I feel like there's always going to be something that suffers a little bit in order to desired page count and keep the story shorter. And in this instance, I do believe it was the character development and the pacing.
I was really into the Gothic and witchy vibes of the story for better part of the first 50%. But after that, it did start to lose me a little bit, and I found my mind wandering. I did not feel the historical aspect of this novel. It did not feel like it was written in the time period it claimed to be in.
Natalia was a very interesting character that I really felt did the best she could with the circumstance she was given. I really loved watching her try to walk through these spells that she was conducting. And she definitely got more than she expected. I wish we could've gotten more of her grandmother. She was definitely a woman I would've liked to have read more about.
While there were some things that worked for me and some things I didn't. I still overall enjoyed my time with the atmosphere characters. I'll definitely be looking for more work by Cynthia Gomez. I think she's one to keep an eye on.
Things to Love:
* Super strong, Gothic vibes and atmosphere
* Really interesting witchy component
* Very interesting main female character in Natalia
Things to Question:
* started up strong, but lost me towards the end
* Story felt slightly underdeveloped and the character development could've used some work.
* Book did not quite hit the "historical" aspect for me. Did not feel like it was written in the time it was portrayed.
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 5 hours 9 minutes
🎤: Elena Rey, Frankie Corzo
Publisher: PRH audio
Format: dual narration
Was the narration good??
Frankie Corso was becoming one of my top favorite audiobook narrators ever! I just love the timber and tempo of her voice. This was done really well and I enjoyed both narrators immensely. I really recommend this on audiobook for a really immersive experience.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a gifted audiobook from the PRH audiobook program. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Muñeca really started off strongly for me. As a novella, I feel like there's always going to be something that suffers a little bit in order to desired page count and keep the story shorter. And in this instance, I do believe it was the character development and the pacing.
I was really into the Gothic and witchy vibes of the story for better part of the first 50%. But after that, it did start to lose me a little bit, and I found my mind wandering. I did not feel the historical aspect of this novel. It did not feel like it was written in the time period it claimed to be in.
Natalia was a very interesting character that I really felt did the best she could with the circumstance she was given. I really loved watching her try to walk through these spells that she was conducting. And she definitely got more than she expected. I wish we could've gotten more of her grandmother. She was definitely a woman I would've liked to have read more about.
While there were some things that worked for me and some things I didn't. I still overall enjoyed my time with the atmosphere characters. I'll definitely be looking for more work by Cynthia Gomez. I think she's one to keep an eye on.
Things to Love:
* Super strong, Gothic vibes and atmosphere
* Really interesting witchy component
* Very interesting main female character in Natalia
Things to Question:
* started up strong, but lost me towards the end
* Story felt slightly underdeveloped and the character development could've used some work.
* Book did not quite hit the "historical" aspect for me. Did not feel like it was written in the time it was portrayed.
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 5 hours 9 minutes
🎤: Elena Rey, Frankie Corzo
Publisher: PRH audio
Format: dual narration
Was the narration good??
Frankie Corso was becoming one of my top favorite audiobook narrators ever! I just love the timber and tempo of her voice. This was done really well and I enjoyed both narrators immensely. I really recommend this on audiobook for a really immersive experience.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a gifted audiobook from the PRH audiobook program. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I grabbed Muñeca because 1968 Oakland is a hell of a lot more interesting than another damp castle in England. Nati Fuentes is exactly the kind of protagonist I like: she’s a witch, sure, but she’s mostly a woman who needs to pay her bills. She’s not some mystical savior; she’s a hustler who sees a paralyzed rich girl, Violeta, as a lottery ticket. That kind of honesty about money and class is rare in "magic" books, and it’s what kept me reading when the spooky stuff started.
The vibe is heavy and sticky. You can feel the heat of the '60s and the rot of the Miramontes family’s old colonial money. It’s a house built on theft and secrets, and Nati is the crow picking at the remains. The magic isn't pretty or sparkly. It’s dirty, physical, and expensive. It’s the kind of witchcraft that leaves you exhausted and broke, which feels right.
Nati’s attraction to Violeta is a problem she doesn't want. It’s not a "star-crossed" romance; it’s a messy complication that makes her lose her edge. I appreciated that Violeta isn't just a prop for Nati to save. Even stuck in that bed, she’s got a weight to her that pushes back. Their dynamic is the best part of the book, mainly because it’s so damn inconvenient for both of them.
The middle drags. I’ll be blunt: there are about fifty pages where they just sit around being moody in the dark. I wanted Nati to stop thinking about her "ghosts" and just start breaking things. Gómez gets a bit too attached to the atmosphere sometimes, forgetting that we need the plot to actually move. But every time I was ready to skim, she’d drop a line about human absurdity or class rot that pulled me back in.
The ending doesn't play nice. There’s no easy exit where everyone lives happily ever after without scars. It’s about how saving someone often means burning your own life down to do it. It’s cynical, sharp, and totally lacks that annoying sentimentality.
The vibe is heavy and sticky. You can feel the heat of the '60s and the rot of the Miramontes family’s old colonial money. It’s a house built on theft and secrets, and Nati is the crow picking at the remains. The magic isn't pretty or sparkly. It’s dirty, physical, and expensive. It’s the kind of witchcraft that leaves you exhausted and broke, which feels right.
Nati’s attraction to Violeta is a problem she doesn't want. It’s not a "star-crossed" romance; it’s a messy complication that makes her lose her edge. I appreciated that Violeta isn't just a prop for Nati to save. Even stuck in that bed, she’s got a weight to her that pushes back. Their dynamic is the best part of the book, mainly because it’s so damn inconvenient for both of them.
The middle drags. I’ll be blunt: there are about fifty pages where they just sit around being moody in the dark. I wanted Nati to stop thinking about her "ghosts" and just start breaking things. Gómez gets a bit too attached to the atmosphere sometimes, forgetting that we need the plot to actually move. But every time I was ready to skim, she’d drop a line about human absurdity or class rot that pulled me back in.
The ending doesn't play nice. There’s no easy exit where everyone lives happily ever after without scars. It’s about how saving someone often means burning your own life down to do it. It’s cynical, sharp, and totally lacks that annoying sentimentality.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Natalia swore she'd never do magic again. She's built a life for herself where she can use her prodigious skills in mathematics, and where she feels seen and accepted by other queer women--no small feat for a young woman in 1960s California. But then she discovers Violeta, the kind daughter of her mother's former employer has been mysteriously trapped in her own body shortly after her honeymoon, unable to move or speak, baffling doctors. Nati feels compelled to return to the house in which her mother suffered countless indignities at the hands of Violeta's family. Is Nati there for revenge? Or for something much more powerful?
A queer, historical, witchy horror romance is RIGHT up my alley and Cynthia Gómez executed this brilliantly. I loved the magical realism and the way history was weaved into the story. This is a quick and compelling read which will keep readers engaged right up until the last moment.
Though the book doesn't have too many twists or turns (Yes, Violeta is cursed by the exact person you'd guess! Yes, Nati's feelings for Violeta are exactly what you think!), it doesn't need them. I think horror and horror-adjacent authors are often too obsessed with shocking their audience with twists and/or the grotesque. This book is a bit more romantic than all that, and it benefits from being unique in this way!
My only complaint is that I wanted more. I would have read an Our Share of Night length novel about Nati and her grandmother. In fact, if Gómez is looking for ideas, I would devour a prequel about how Natalia's grandmother became so twisted by magic.
This will be a perfect read for Pride (and is in fact going on my planned library display of Spooky Queer Books, right alongside Stephen Graham Jones and Ryan La Sala) and Halloween.
A queer, historical, witchy horror romance is RIGHT up my alley and Cynthia Gómez executed this brilliantly. I loved the magical realism and the way history was weaved into the story. This is a quick and compelling read which will keep readers engaged right up until the last moment.
Though the book doesn't have too many twists or turns (Yes, Violeta is cursed by the exact person you'd guess! Yes, Nati's feelings for Violeta are exactly what you think!), it doesn't need them. I think horror and horror-adjacent authors are often too obsessed with shocking their audience with twists and/or the grotesque. This book is a bit more romantic than all that, and it benefits from being unique in this way!
My only complaint is that I wanted more. I would have read an Our Share of Night length novel about Nati and her grandmother. In fact, if Gómez is looking for ideas, I would devour a prequel about how Natalia's grandmother became so twisted by magic.
This will be a perfect read for Pride (and is in fact going on my planned library display of Spooky Queer Books, right alongside Stephen Graham Jones and Ryan La Sala) and Halloween.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Velvet Shadows, Queer Fire.
Muñeca is a velvet-draped Gothic tale, lush, sensuous, and unsettling, like silk against bare skin. Latin Gothic has long been my comfort genre, and Gómez delivers a masterclass in atmosphere, weaving together eerie mansions built on the blood of the oppressed, witchcraft that bites back, and women who refuse to be silenced by patriarchy.
At the heart of the novel is a working-class witch, Natalia Fuentes, returning to the Miramontes mansion where her mother once served as a maid. The Miramontes family, wealthy and arrogant, prides itself on its European heritage, but beneath their veneer lies rot. Nati is tasked with caring for Violeta, the family’s heiress, who has languished in a mysterious coma since her wedding six years prior. Where others see illness, Nati recognizes a curse and believes she can break it. Yet her attempt to undo the spell draws her into a darkness more sinister than she imagined, where magic and power intertwine with danger.
The novel excels in its prose-sharp, lyrical, and immersive, and in its unapologetic queerness, set against a backdrop where women’s rights were barely acknowledged. Gómez enriches the narrative with historical detail, grounding the Gothic atmosphere in real social tensions. Despite its brevity, the character development feels assured, and the pacing matches the urgency of the premise.
Overall, Muñeca is a haunting, exhilarating work that blends Gothic sensibility with feminist fire. It is both comforting and disquieting, a story that wraps you in its darkness while whispering of liberation.
Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: June 2nd, 2026.
4.5/5⭐.
Muñeca is a velvet-draped Gothic tale, lush, sensuous, and unsettling, like silk against bare skin. Latin Gothic has long been my comfort genre, and Gómez delivers a masterclass in atmosphere, weaving together eerie mansions built on the blood of the oppressed, witchcraft that bites back, and women who refuse to be silenced by patriarchy.
At the heart of the novel is a working-class witch, Natalia Fuentes, returning to the Miramontes mansion where her mother once served as a maid. The Miramontes family, wealthy and arrogant, prides itself on its European heritage, but beneath their veneer lies rot. Nati is tasked with caring for Violeta, the family’s heiress, who has languished in a mysterious coma since her wedding six years prior. Where others see illness, Nati recognizes a curse and believes she can break it. Yet her attempt to undo the spell draws her into a darkness more sinister than she imagined, where magic and power intertwine with danger.
The novel excels in its prose-sharp, lyrical, and immersive, and in its unapologetic queerness, set against a backdrop where women’s rights were barely acknowledged. Gómez enriches the narrative with historical detail, grounding the Gothic atmosphere in real social tensions. Despite its brevity, the character development feels assured, and the pacing matches the urgency of the premise.
Overall, Muñeca is a haunting, exhilarating work that blends Gothic sensibility with feminist fire. It is both comforting and disquieting, a story that wraps you in its darkness while whispering of liberation.
Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: June 2nd, 2026.
4.5/5⭐.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
This little book is a banger. I mean the m.c. is "a queer, Latine, working class witch," as noted in the Goodreads summary, and that already had me sold on its own. What I really can't get over, though, is how provocative and memorable Gómez makes all of this content in more of a novella than a novel. This is bite sized but with a real impact.
Nati has some suspicions when she hears that Violeta, an heiress married to a real goober, has a mysterious illness. This condition keeps Violeta totally powerless: not moving much and not communicating either. Nati knows witchcraft when she sees it, and her witchy senses are really pinging here. When Nati finally arrives in Violeta's presence, there are many surprises to be had including but not limited to what is actually happening, who is responsible, and, well, a possible love connection!
I found this wildly engaging. I read it in almost one uninterrupted effort and really enjoyed the different directions Gómez took these characters in. Some could have felt hokey or troubling if not managed properly, but things never went awry in that way. I loved how much I got out of such an economical package, but I also would have loved to spend a little more time with these folks. If Nati were to show up in future books on additional mystery solving adventures, I'd be thrilled.
This was a great first experience for me with this author, and I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from Gómez.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Sofie Parker at Penguin Random House for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This little book is a banger. I mean the m.c. is "a queer, Latine, working class witch," as noted in the Goodreads summary, and that already had me sold on its own. What I really can't get over, though, is how provocative and memorable Gómez makes all of this content in more of a novella than a novel. This is bite sized but with a real impact.
Nati has some suspicions when she hears that Violeta, an heiress married to a real goober, has a mysterious illness. This condition keeps Violeta totally powerless: not moving much and not communicating either. Nati knows witchcraft when she sees it, and her witchy senses are really pinging here. When Nati finally arrives in Violeta's presence, there are many surprises to be had including but not limited to what is actually happening, who is responsible, and, well, a possible love connection!
I found this wildly engaging. I read it in almost one uninterrupted effort and really enjoyed the different directions Gómez took these characters in. Some could have felt hokey or troubling if not managed properly, but things never went awry in that way. I loved how much I got out of such an economical package, but I also would have loved to spend a little more time with these folks. If Nati were to show up in future books on additional mystery solving adventures, I'd be thrilled.
This was a great first experience for me with this author, and I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from Gómez.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Sofie Parker at Penguin Random House for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Muñeca was a deliciously creepy, sly, sinister, gothic historical novel with just the right hints of witchcraft and horror. I loved everything about this.
Gómez creates an ambiance of arrogant disrepair and patriarchal power within the Miramontes house—and Nati, the narrator and main character, walks right into it with a belly full of righteous indignation. The plot premise centers around Nati’s reappearance in the Miramontes Family home to care for Violeta, the daughter who would inherit the family’s wealth and uphold its prestigious Spanish legacy, who has fallen mysteriously ill and requires around the clock monitoring. In truth, Nati is there to break the spell that has rendered Violeta into a catatonic, doll-like state—a silent muñeca—and uncover the cruel realities of greed, patriarchy, colonialism, and white supremacy. The late 1960s Northern California setting was enhanced through the subversive LGBTQ community, commentary on racism and civil rights, and in particular by the musical references.
There is much to absorb in under 200 pages, and Gómez manages to keep the plot well paced, never lingering unnecessarily on flowery descriptions or immaterial plot points. This story immediately grabbed my attention before reeling me in and sinking its claws into me. While reading some of these characters reverence for their Spanish colonial heritage, I was keenly reminded of Defectors by Paola Ramos. Their chapter on “Don Quixote’s Fantasy,” exploring how some Latinos have constructed elaborate colonial heritages and white washed a destructive, genocidal history, made so much sense in this context.
Highly recommend this one!
Gómez creates an ambiance of arrogant disrepair and patriarchal power within the Miramontes house—and Nati, the narrator and main character, walks right into it with a belly full of righteous indignation. The plot premise centers around Nati’s reappearance in the Miramontes Family home to care for Violeta, the daughter who would inherit the family’s wealth and uphold its prestigious Spanish legacy, who has fallen mysteriously ill and requires around the clock monitoring. In truth, Nati is there to break the spell that has rendered Violeta into a catatonic, doll-like state—a silent muñeca—and uncover the cruel realities of greed, patriarchy, colonialism, and white supremacy. The late 1960s Northern California setting was enhanced through the subversive LGBTQ community, commentary on racism and civil rights, and in particular by the musical references.
There is much to absorb in under 200 pages, and Gómez manages to keep the plot well paced, never lingering unnecessarily on flowery descriptions or immaterial plot points. This story immediately grabbed my attention before reeling me in and sinking its claws into me. While reading some of these characters reverence for their Spanish colonial heritage, I was keenly reminded of Defectors by Paola Ramos. Their chapter on “Don Quixote’s Fantasy,” exploring how some Latinos have constructed elaborate colonial heritages and white washed a destructive, genocidal history, made so much sense in this context.
Highly recommend this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is gothic fiction at its best and written by an author who knows how to weave real history with a speculative angle that works so well’ Thank You NetGalley, Putnam and Cynthia Gomez for the ARC read.
One of my favorite aspects of the story is that we get five female characters that lend a complete picture into what womanhood entailed in the 1960’s and to be honest, even today. The grandmother is the morally grey, unattached and selfish portrait of a woman not worried about morality. Nati’s mother, the protective figure who has tried to shield her daughter from the darkness of the world while also hiding herself away so the world doesn’t hurt her. Violetas’ mother who has carried the weight of her family name and heritage as a crux and to her own and her daughter’s detriment. Then we have the two main characters of our story-Nati and Violeta(who each embody a form of female rage).
Violeta is the woman hurt by her husband, suffering a fate of pain and loss for trying to stand up to the man whom she believed. And Nati, our heroine, morally grey but led by her heart and purpose. Both fighting in their own way against the oppression of male dominance, classism and racism. Both defending their female hood, their queerness and their self-love.
Told through a lens of witchcraft and an eerie atmosphere that keeps you enthralled in its grasp. The story tells a complete tale in less than 200 pages which is to me the sign of very good writing. No over explaining, no fluff, it’s all direct and written with purpose. This will be a new gothic literature favorite.
One of my favorite aspects of the story is that we get five female characters that lend a complete picture into what womanhood entailed in the 1960’s and to be honest, even today. The grandmother is the morally grey, unattached and selfish portrait of a woman not worried about morality. Nati’s mother, the protective figure who has tried to shield her daughter from the darkness of the world while also hiding herself away so the world doesn’t hurt her. Violetas’ mother who has carried the weight of her family name and heritage as a crux and to her own and her daughter’s detriment. Then we have the two main characters of our story-Nati and Violeta(who each embody a form of female rage).
Violeta is the woman hurt by her husband, suffering a fate of pain and loss for trying to stand up to the man whom she believed. And Nati, our heroine, morally grey but led by her heart and purpose. Both fighting in their own way against the oppression of male dominance, classism and racism. Both defending their female hood, their queerness and their self-love.
Told through a lens of witchcraft and an eerie atmosphere that keeps you enthralled in its grasp. The story tells a complete tale in less than 200 pages which is to me the sign of very good writing. No over explaining, no fluff, it’s all direct and written with purpose. This will be a new gothic literature favorite.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What an absolute ride of a book.
Violeta is an heiress to a dying fortune who lives in a deteriorating mansion with her husband and mother. A few years prior, she suddenly was struck with an illness that froze her into her body, unable to move or speak, but still completely aware. Natalia, who is familiar to the family, hires on as a companion to Violeta. She comes from a long line of powerful witches so when she suspects Violeta has been hexed, she is determined to save her.
The author spins a heck of a tale involving wild spells and dangerous consequences. Both Natalia and Violeta are mad with the fury of women who have been locked into the roles assigned to their gender and class. The story takes place in 1960’s California but the atmosphere in the house gave more vintage vibes. I felt the non-stop tension like the relentless rise of a roller coaster and gritted my teeth waiting for the drop. Plenty of twists and turns. As Nati and Violeta spend more time together, their romantic connection grows deeper. I thought the characters’ book choices and the music that they listened to was a good way to add depth. The writing has bite with occasional fiendish humor which I absolutely loved.
If you like creepy tales with witches, unconventional Queer love stories, crazy suspense, and a dash of social commentary on class and gender, read this book. Also, I want to mention Muñeca is the Spanish word for doll which is front and center in the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc. I am leaving a review voluntarily.
Violeta is an heiress to a dying fortune who lives in a deteriorating mansion with her husband and mother. A few years prior, she suddenly was struck with an illness that froze her into her body, unable to move or speak, but still completely aware. Natalia, who is familiar to the family, hires on as a companion to Violeta. She comes from a long line of powerful witches so when she suspects Violeta has been hexed, she is determined to save her.
The author spins a heck of a tale involving wild spells and dangerous consequences. Both Natalia and Violeta are mad with the fury of women who have been locked into the roles assigned to their gender and class. The story takes place in 1960’s California but the atmosphere in the house gave more vintage vibes. I felt the non-stop tension like the relentless rise of a roller coaster and gritted my teeth waiting for the drop. Plenty of twists and turns. As Nati and Violeta spend more time together, their romantic connection grows deeper. I thought the characters’ book choices and the music that they listened to was a good way to add depth. The writing has bite with occasional fiendish humor which I absolutely loved.
If you like creepy tales with witches, unconventional Queer love stories, crazy suspense, and a dash of social commentary on class and gender, read this book. Also, I want to mention Muñeca is the Spanish word for doll which is front and center in the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc. I am leaving a review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5 stars
A dark, sapphic and witchy novella that had me entranced from the beginning. The witchcraft was so unique -- learning about the magic system was fascinating and I haven't read anything quite like that before. This is such a claustrophobic horror, too. Imagining being trapped in your own body and not being able to communicate for SIX YEARS is terrifying (and a great premise for a horror novella).
I particularly loved the bits of historical information on the queer/lesbian scene in Oakland in 1968; small details that show the author's research really make the narrative all the better.
The relationship between the two main characters developed naturally (sometimes, novellas fall into the insta-love trap regarding romance). I thought it was done well, considering that one of the characters is essentially trapped in her whole body. That being said, there was a bit in there that made me wonder about consent. (Hard to describe without major spoilers.) I assume the consent was there based on context clues, but it wasn't explicitly stated. All I can say is that had it been me in that situation, I wouldn't have been comfortable with what happened.
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A dark, sapphic and witchy novella that had me entranced from the beginning. The witchcraft was so unique -- learning about the magic system was fascinating and I haven't read anything quite like that before. This is such a claustrophobic horror, too. Imagining being trapped in your own body and not being able to communicate for SIX YEARS is terrifying (and a great premise for a horror novella).
I particularly loved the bits of historical information on the queer/lesbian scene in Oakland in 1968; small details that show the author's research really make the narrative all the better.
The relationship between the two main characters developed naturally (sometimes, novellas fall into the insta-love trap regarding romance). I thought it was done well, considering that one of the characters is essentially trapped in her whole body. That being said, there was a bit in there that made me wonder about consent. (Hard to describe without major spoilers.) I assume the consent was there based on context clues, but it wasn't explicitly stated. All I can say is that had it been me in that situation, I wouldn't have been comfortable with what happened.
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*3.5
Thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam for the e-arc!
Mexican-American sapphics are basically unbeatable and iconic!
Nati has a gift that has been passed down from her family for generations. Her grandmother spent her entire life morphing her abilities and teaching Nati about witchcraft.
Determined to help a young heiress, Violeta, break the curse that has left her paralyzed, Nati infiltrates the heiress's home as a caretaker. Nati didn't plan to become invested in Violeta's plan to seek revenge, but quickly became enamored and will do anything to avenge her.
This is a relatively quick read. Some might find the pacing of the relationship and novel a bit fast. There were some scenes where I really wish we had gotten to spend time with the characters to really understand that yearning and passionate romance that Violeta and Nati felt towards one another.
This read is perfect for readers who are familiar with Agustina Bazterrica's work alongside Carmen Maria Macahdo. Muñeca presents some realities based on racism, classism, queer identity, and other forms of marginalization. This is a story about resistance and finding autonomy after it's been stripped away.
This is my first book by Cynthia and I plan to return to her work in the future!
Thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam for the e-arc!
Mexican-American sapphics are basically unbeatable and iconic!
Nati has a gift that has been passed down from her family for generations. Her grandmother spent her entire life morphing her abilities and teaching Nati about witchcraft.
Determined to help a young heiress, Violeta, break the curse that has left her paralyzed, Nati infiltrates the heiress's home as a caretaker. Nati didn't plan to become invested in Violeta's plan to seek revenge, but quickly became enamored and will do anything to avenge her.
This is a relatively quick read. Some might find the pacing of the relationship and novel a bit fast. There were some scenes where I really wish we had gotten to spend time with the characters to really understand that yearning and passionate romance that Violeta and Nati felt towards one another.
This read is perfect for readers who are familiar with Agustina Bazterrica's work alongside Carmen Maria Macahdo. Muñeca presents some realities based on racism, classism, queer identity, and other forms of marginalization. This is a story about resistance and finding autonomy after it's been stripped away.
This is my first book by Cynthia and I plan to return to her work in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**Thank you to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Cynthia Gomez for the ARC.**
This book does so many things beautifully. Oppression, witchcraft, greed, retribution, familial secrets, and evil hidden in plain sight are all woven together in a way that felt layered and intentional. A horror historical with hints of romance that honestly left me wanting more.
Natalia finds herself working in the very house where her mother was treated poorly and undervalued. There she meets Violeta, an heiress trapped in her own body, and what unfolds between them is equal parts heartbreaking and electric.
As Nati uncovers the truth about the household and the greed and secrets behind every person she encounters, the two women form a plan to set Violeta free and claim the retribution she has long deserved. Love blooms between them as they grow closer through it all, and when everything finally comes full circle and retaliation arrives, you feel it. That ending lets you exhale in the best possible way.
This one lingers.
If you want a read that clings to you and has you cheering with your whole chest, this is your next pick.
This book does so many things beautifully. Oppression, witchcraft, greed, retribution, familial secrets, and evil hidden in plain sight are all woven together in a way that felt layered and intentional. A horror historical with hints of romance that honestly left me wanting more.
Natalia finds herself working in the very house where her mother was treated poorly and undervalued. There she meets Violeta, an heiress trapped in her own body, and what unfolds between them is equal parts heartbreaking and electric.
As Nati uncovers the truth about the household and the greed and secrets behind every person she encounters, the two women form a plan to set Violeta free and claim the retribution she has long deserved. Love blooms between them as they grow closer through it all, and when everything finally comes full circle and retaliation arrives, you feel it. That ending lets you exhale in the best possible way.
This one lingers.
If you want a read that clings to you and has you cheering with your whole chest, this is your next pick.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
Highlights
~the BEST spooky doll ever
~music as magic
~weaponised tea
~brown sapphic witches get shit done
~burn down the patriarchy
As someone who doesn’t speak Spanish, when I finished this book I went to check out what the title actually meant.
And my jaw freaking dropped.
FRIENDS, EVERY ONE OF THOSE DEFINITIONS IS SUPER RELEVANT TO THIS STORY! I am in awe.
That multilayered brilliance sets a standard for the whole book, and every page lives up to it. Gómez’s prose is gorgeous, sharp as a knife and constantly flaying open all the lies and privilege and colonialism with surgical artistry. Every sentence is a perfect stroke of the blade, and to read Muñeca is to watch a master at work.
The back of the book is slightly misleading; Natalia is not a practised, experienced witch. She only had a few lessons from her terrifying grandmother when she was a child, and hasn’t done magic since. Which adds another layer to the story, because Muñeca is as much about Natalia discovering and claiming her power as it is about her helping Violetta. This is a soft magic system – the rules aren’t Maths, but they make visceral emotional sense; every spell Nati casts feels correct in a way I don’t know how to articulate, but it’s massively impressive and I want to give Gómez so much applause for it! And Gómez hits my requirement that soft magic feel wondrous out of the damn park: this is witchcraft that makes your heart pound and your breath catch in your throat, beautiful and strange and visceral.
I couldn’t approve more.
This is a story intimately concerned with privilege, wealth, colonialism, power. Nati’s mother worked for Violeta’s family as a maid, and there’s nothing shameful in that, but there’s a lot of shame in how the family treated her, how they looked down on her and continue to look down on their other employees. That Violeta’s family is white-passing and Nati’s is not is an undeniable part of this, as is the fact that the wealth and legacy they’re so obsessed with is bloodsoaked. Nor does Gómez reduce all of this to black and white simplicity; this is a book shaped by intersectional feminism, or phrased another way, by awareness of the kyriarchy. Violeta’s mother is a woman, which places her under the power of Violeta’s husband, but her generational wealth gives her power over others, which she freely abuses. That white Americans stole vast swathes of land from Mexico is a crime and a tragedy; but so is the fact that Violeta’s ancestors themselves displaced and enslaved Indigenous peoples to claim that land in the first place. Both things can be true at once. And this is where the Gothic aspects of the story most come in, I think; the growing understanding on the part of the reader that just beneath the surface of the luxury surrounding Violeta is so much horror, both historical and far more recent; the gradual awareness that a perpetrator can be a victim can be a perpetrator again.
The gilt is inextricable from the guilt. And if they don‘t feel that guilt, well, Nati’s here to teach them better.
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
Highlights
~the BEST spooky doll ever
~music as magic
~weaponised tea
~brown sapphic witches get shit done
~burn down the patriarchy
As someone who doesn’t speak Spanish, when I finished this book I went to check out what the title actually meant.
And my jaw freaking dropped.
muñeca
feminine noun
1. (Anatomy) wrist
2. (= juguete) doll
3. (very informal) (= chica) doll (very informal) ⧫ chick (very informal) (sometimes offensive)
4. (= trapo) polishing rag
5. (Andes, Southern Cone) (= mutualidad) friendly society ⧫ benefit society
6. (Southern Cone) (informal) (= influencia) pull ⧫ influence
FRIENDS, EVERY ONE OF THOSE DEFINITIONS IS SUPER RELEVANT TO THIS STORY! I am in awe.
That multilayered brilliance sets a standard for the whole book, and every page lives up to it. Gómez’s prose is gorgeous, sharp as a knife and constantly flaying open all the lies and privilege and colonialism with surgical artistry. Every sentence is a perfect stroke of the blade, and to read Muñeca is to watch a master at work.
his Cuban accent draped over his English like lace over a chair
The back of the book is slightly misleading; Natalia is not a practised, experienced witch. She only had a few lessons from her terrifying grandmother when she was a child, and hasn’t done magic since. Which adds another layer to the story, because Muñeca is as much about Natalia discovering and claiming her power as it is about her helping Violetta. This is a soft magic system – the rules aren’t Maths, but they make visceral emotional sense; every spell Nati casts feels correct in a way I don’t know how to articulate, but it’s massively impressive and I want to give Gómez so much applause for it! And Gómez hits my requirement that soft magic feel wondrous out of the damn park: this is witchcraft that makes your heart pound and your breath catch in your throat, beautiful and strange and visceral.
I couldn’t approve more.
I let myself imagine those two ghouls, shivering from a chill that grows worse every second, coughing and desperately piling every blanket onto themselves. Ringing for a doctor who will never be able to save them, who will never think to check the freezer for a photograph wrapped in herbs and clouded with thickening ice.
This is a story intimately concerned with privilege, wealth, colonialism, power. Nati’s mother worked for Violeta’s family as a maid, and there’s nothing shameful in that, but there’s a lot of shame in how the family treated her, how they looked down on her and continue to look down on their other employees. That Violeta’s family is white-passing and Nati’s is not is an undeniable part of this, as is the fact that the wealth and legacy they’re so obsessed with is bloodsoaked. Nor does Gómez reduce all of this to black and white simplicity; this is a book shaped by intersectional feminism, or phrased another way, by awareness of the kyriarchy. Violeta’s mother is a woman, which places her under the power of Violeta’s husband, but her generational wealth gives her power over others, which she freely abuses. That white Americans stole vast swathes of land from Mexico is a crime and a tragedy; but so is the fact that Violeta’s ancestors themselves displaced and enslaved Indigenous peoples to claim that land in the first place. Both things can be true at once. And this is where the Gothic aspects of the story most come in, I think; the growing understanding on the part of the reader that just beneath the surface of the luxury surrounding Violeta is so much horror, both historical and far more recent; the gradual awareness that a perpetrator can be a victim can be a perpetrator again.
You should try being brown, Mrs. Miramontes. Then you’ll see how often doctors in white coats are your friends.
The gilt is inextricable from the guilt. And if they don‘t feel that guilt, well, Nati’s here to teach them better.
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Muñeca feels like the kind of gothic story that gets in your blood. It’s heavy with emotion, longing, and that quiet kind of fear that sits in your chest instead of jumping out at you. The stakes are deeply personal, and every moment feels charged with desire, guilt, and the sense that loving too hard can be its own kind of curse.
The witchcraft isn’t flashy or cute. It’s dark, intimate, and rooted in feeling, like magic passed down through whispers, pain, and memory. The horror comes from atmosphere and emotional consequence, not shock value, which makes everything feel more real and more haunting.
What I loved most is how the gothic tone mirrors the emotional struggle. This is about obsession, sacrifice, and wanting something so badly it starts to consume you. It’s romantic in a dangerous way, tender and terrifying at the same time.
Muñeca is perfect for readers who want their horror slow, emotional, and full of corazón.
The witchcraft isn’t flashy or cute. It’s dark, intimate, and rooted in feeling, like magic passed down through whispers, pain, and memory. The horror comes from atmosphere and emotional consequence, not shock value, which makes everything feel more real and more haunting.
What I loved most is how the gothic tone mirrors the emotional struggle. This is about obsession, sacrifice, and wanting something so badly it starts to consume you. It’s romantic in a dangerous way, tender and terrifying at the same time.
Muñeca is perfect for readers who want their horror slow, emotional, and full of corazón.
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