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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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5757 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 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
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
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."
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.
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.
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 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/
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
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 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
**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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Muñeca is a queer, gothic, magical, historic horror novella. The protagonist takes a job at an old estate, one that her mother used to work at and was treated poorly. Now, the daughter lays unmoving in bed, and Natalia takes a job with the hopes of unraveling the spells and secrets within the home. Through this more modern lens taking place in the 1960s, the novella explores the history of the land grabs of California, from the Indigenous, to the Spanish, to Mexico, to the US. I'm always a sucker for stories that take place in the Bay Area and this one specifically occurs in Orinda, two Bart stops from my hometown.
There are some elements to this book that are languid and gothic, but other bits, like the romance and ending, feel quite rushed. The dialogue could be a bit stilted, but otherwise I found it to be a quick and enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There are some elements to this book that are languid and gothic, but other bits, like the romance and ending, feel quite rushed. The dialogue could be a bit stilted, but otherwise I found it to be a quick and enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for the DRC*
A fairy-tale Gothic romance underpinned by sinister magic, this story has pretty good vibes, a creepy doll, and the bones of a good plot with some nice little twists near the end. As a novella it flew by, and there are some really interesting themes of colonization and power at play here. I thought the simple magic system was really nice and impactful. Perhaps as a symptom of the novella length and it being a debut, the prose was very flat and matter-of-fact in a way I found disengaging from the story. We never linger anywhere, and the dialogue is really plot-focused. As a symptom of that, the Gothic vibes never really had a chance to bloom (or wilt, to pick a more Gothic term). The politics and plot of this one are very straight-forward and the minimal tension in it barely fizzles before being resolved. It felt a bit bare to me overall and I wanted more time to dwell in the world and build the atmosphere.
A fairy-tale Gothic romance underpinned by sinister magic, this story has pretty good vibes, a creepy doll, and the bones of a good plot with some nice little twists near the end. As a novella it flew by, and there are some really interesting themes of colonization and power at play here. I thought the simple magic system was really nice and impactful. Perhaps as a symptom of the novella length and it being a debut, the prose was very flat and matter-of-fact in a way I found disengaging from the story. We never linger anywhere, and the dialogue is really plot-focused. As a symptom of that, the Gothic vibes never really had a chance to bloom (or wilt, to pick a more Gothic term). The politics and plot of this one are very straight-forward and the minimal tension in it barely fizzles before being resolved. It felt a bit bare to me overall and I wanted more time to dwell in the world and build the atmosphere.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'd like to thank Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of this book. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
Muneca is a short novel that packs so much in its pages. I would categorize it as 'horror-lite' since it is spooky, but without the gore or extreme horror that other books can have. I think I preferred it for this reason.
I think Gomez was able to do a lot of world-building in this book, giving the reader a sense of the time and political climate as well as building in a magic system with noticeable rules. I liked how spells paired with songs and the way Nati was able to weave everything in together by connecting her spell to items.
I think the romance in the novel was a bit rushed, and it didn't feel totally natural, but other than that, I had no complaints.
Muneca is a short novel that packs so much in its pages. I would categorize it as 'horror-lite' since it is spooky, but without the gore or extreme horror that other books can have. I think I preferred it for this reason.
I think Gomez was able to do a lot of world-building in this book, giving the reader a sense of the time and political climate as well as building in a magic system with noticeable rules. I liked how spells paired with songs and the way Nati was able to weave everything in together by connecting her spell to items.
I think the romance in the novel was a bit rushed, and it didn't feel totally natural, but other than that, I had no complaints.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lesbians and Witchcraft - how does it get better than this!
4.5
I loved this story. It was very original and I loved seeing glimpsed of historical events and how they affect the characters without the history overpowering the plot. It was a very fast and easy read. The chapters were short and made you want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. It was funny at parts that will make you laugh, and bittersweet at parts that will make your heart ache.
The only reason I am giving this not a 5 stars is because I wished it was bit longer and the feature some of the characters even more. I would love to see more of the grandmother and the mother's story and how that affected Nati's internal battle using spells as times. Otherwise a near perfect short read!
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
4.5
I loved this story. It was very original and I loved seeing glimpsed of historical events and how they affect the characters without the history overpowering the plot. It was a very fast and easy read. The chapters were short and made you want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. It was funny at parts that will make you laugh, and bittersweet at parts that will make your heart ache.
The only reason I am giving this not a 5 stars is because I wished it was bit longer and the feature some of the characters even more. I would love to see more of the grandmother and the mother's story and how that affected Nati's internal battle using spells as times. Otherwise a near perfect short read!
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Muñeca is a Gothic LGBTQ+ novel set in the 1960s by author Cynthia Gómez, releasing June 2nd, 2026. Thank you Netgalley and Putnam books for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts! There is just something so sweet about a short, snappy, GOTHIC novel that puts me in such a cozy state of mind. *Cue Sapphic storyline and wrap it up in a bow* and there are SUPERNATURAL ELEMENTS TOO? SOLD. The discussion and comparisons on the theme of power in this book, especially during this time period is also very well done. So, if you enjoy all of the things I've mentioned above plus the addition of feminine rage, sprinkles of history, and dashes of culture; this is also a read for you. It reminds me of Blood on her Tongue mashed with The Yellow Wallpaper. 4.5 ⭐
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Sometimes you have high expectations for a book. Things you more or less have been promised from reading a synopsis and then it all fall flat... But that is not the case with this spellbinding pearl of a novella.
You will get everything you've been expecting and more: atmosphere, witching spells, gothic darkness, characters that feels alive and psychological depth. Goméz puts a spell on the reader. You can feel fear and longing crawling under your skin - making a home in your chest.
Highly recommend this book and I hope that Cynthia Goméz continue to bring us stories. I would love to meet Nati again.
Big thank you to Edelweiss+ and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the DRC.
Release date June 2nd, 2026.
You will get everything you've been expecting and more: atmosphere, witching spells, gothic darkness, characters that feels alive and psychological depth. Goméz puts a spell on the reader. You can feel fear and longing crawling under your skin - making a home in your chest.
Highly recommend this book and I hope that Cynthia Goméz continue to bring us stories. I would love to meet Nati again.
Big thank you to Edelweiss+ and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the DRC.
Release date June 2nd, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In Muñeca, we follow Natalia as she works to undo a spell on an heiress named Violeta. I enjoyed the witchy elements, the exploration of queer life for women of color at the time, and the interesting history surrounding land grants explored by Gomez. I would've liked to see a slower burn between Natalia and Violeta to really be convinced of their relationship, though the backstory provided did help paint a picture for their connection. The revenge was satisfying and both women were easy to root for after all they'd been through. This is a strong debut that gives a nuanced voice to Mexican-American and working class women. Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I mostly really liked this one.
The concept was really well done - especially the muñeca aspect which should not have worked for me, but did!
I liked our main character very much. She's not the best human, but she's got her reasons and I understood her. I also adored her friend Doris.
Violeta? Not so much. While I understood why she was the way she was, some of her passages in the book border on questionable.
I also wished more attention had been paid to Natalia's grandma. She is so very wrong and was so very fun to read!
All in all, it's a very good Gothic and wonderfully witchy.
* ARC via Publisher
The concept was really well done - especially the muñeca aspect which should not have worked for me, but did!
I liked our main character very much. She's not the best human, but she's got her reasons and I understood her. I also adored her friend Doris.
Violeta? Not so much. While I understood why she was the way she was, some of her passages in the book border on questionable.
I also wished more attention had been paid to Natalia's grandma. She is so very wrong and was so very fun to read!
All in all, it's a very good Gothic and wonderfully witchy.
* ARC via Publisher
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Darling, Muneca… do I ever have a story for you… it is one about a woman tapped, in a marriage, in a creepy colonial gothic house, with a mother that is, well less then. It is a story of history, revenge, oppression, brujeria, retribution, resistance, family, friendship, and love. It is a story for the ages, one for the masses, and one for the heart.
Set in 1968, it’s a story for 2026 and beyond. Muneca is a lovely horror story, one which doesn’t shy away from history, family lineages, ancestral guilt, and the power to change futures. It is impactful and lovely all wrapped up in a wonderfully delightful storyline.
Set in 1968, it’s a story for 2026 and beyond. Muneca is a lovely horror story, one which doesn’t shy away from history, family lineages, ancestral guilt, and the power to change futures. It is impactful and lovely all wrapped up in a wonderfully delightful storyline.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Muñeca is my favorite book of the year. Yes, I know it's only February, but I find it hard to imagine a book that I could love more than this.
Muñeca follows a Latina witch as she works to reverse a curse placed by a power-hungry husband. The romance is a beautiful nod to the queer community. The writing style put me under a spell so that I just had to read the whole book in one sitting. I cannot describe my love for the plot and its significance.
This is a must-read story of female rage and revenge.
Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Muñeca follows a Latina witch as she works to reverse a curse placed by a power-hungry husband. The romance is a beautiful nod to the queer community. The writing style put me under a spell so that I just had to read the whole book in one sitting. I cannot describe my love for the plot and its significance.
This is a must-read story of female rage and revenge.
Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This Gothic romance novella offers dark magic, intriguing twists, and themes of colonization and power. The simple magic system is effective, but the flat prose and plot-focused dialogue limit its atmosphere and tension, leaving the world feeling underdeveloped.
The sapphic and witchy horror elements are compelling, especially the unique magic and claustrophobic premise of being trapped in one's body for years. Historical details about Oakland's queer scene add depth. The main relationship develops naturally but raises questions about consent that are not fully addressed.
The sapphic and witchy horror elements are compelling, especially the unique magic and claustrophobic premise of being trapped in one's body for years. Historical details about Oakland's queer scene add depth. The main relationship develops naturally but raises questions about consent that are not fully addressed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 - a queer sapphic horror in which Natalia believes she is one who can finally break the curse upon Violetta Miramontes, a young heiress locked in her own body. the cultural elements of this were interesting - the colonial history, the queer culture and the family elements. as it's a novella, a lot was squeezed into 170 pages, and so the relationship elements between Nati and Violetta felt a little rushed at times. would still recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book would have been benefitted from being at least 100 pages longer. There's very strong concepts introduced that felt underwhelming at the end because of its length. That being said, the witchcraft was lovely. I loved the way magic worked in this novel! I do wish we could have spent learning more about Nati's family's history with witchcraft.
The romance in this book is a little underwhelming. I wish the attraction between Nati and Violeta wasn't so instant.
The romance in this book is a little underwhelming. I wish the attraction between Nati and Violeta wasn't so instant.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Nati is determined to break a spell for the daughter of her late mother's employer. Initially she wants a reward. However her motivation becomes much more personal as she discovers her love for Violeta and all the harm that has been done to her.
This book is a fast read and every moment is used to move the story on. I really enjoyed how the romance part of the story was written. The ending definitely is satisfying.
Nati is determined to break a spell for the daughter of her late mother's employer. Initially she wants a reward. However her motivation becomes much more personal as she discovers her love for Violeta and all the harm that has been done to her.
This book is a fast read and every moment is used to move the story on. I really enjoyed how the romance part of the story was written. The ending definitely is satisfying.
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