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The House of Gardenias
An Instant New York Times Bestseller
“This is gothic storytelling with a lyrical and devastating tale of one maid caught in a spiderweb of loyalty, courage, revolution, and monsters both dead and alive.” —Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The House Saphir
A stunning young adult debut from gothic master Isabel Cañas, bestselling author of The Hacienda, Vampires of El Norte, and The Possession of Alba Díaz.
Growing up in a city wracked by political violence and a home where she’s more likely to receive a beating than a meal, Minerva Treviño’s cowardice has kept her alive for sixteen years. But even she has a limit. Hungry and desperate, she musters enough courage to run away and take a job as lady’s maid to a wealthy widow who supports the deposed viceroy.
Minerva is happy serving Encarnación del Valle. She has food in her belly and the safety of a warm house lit by magical chispa. Why should she care who runs the country or how her employer affords the magic?
When the viceroy sweeps back into power, Minerva retreats with her gleeful employer to the family’s mountainside stronghold to wait out the inevitable rebel slaughter. At la Casa de las Gardenias, Minerva faces new threats in the haughty servants and cruel, scheming del Valles.
But the living residents of the house are the least of her worries. As Minerva quickly discovers, the ancient estate is home to forces far older and more bloodthirsty than anything she could have imagined.
“This is gothic storytelling with a lyrical and devastating tale of one maid caught in a spiderweb of loyalty, courage, revolution, and monsters both dead and alive.” —Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The House Saphir
A stunning young adult debut from gothic master Isabel Cañas, bestselling author of The Hacienda, Vampires of El Norte, and The Possession of Alba Díaz.
Growing up in a city wracked by political violence and a home where she’s more likely to receive a beating than a meal, Minerva Treviño’s cowardice has kept her alive for sixteen years. But even she has a limit. Hungry and desperate, she musters enough courage to run away and take a job as lady’s maid to a wealthy widow who supports the deposed viceroy.
Minerva is happy serving Encarnación del Valle. She has food in her belly and the safety of a warm house lit by magical chispa. Why should she care who runs the country or how her employer affords the magic?
When the viceroy sweeps back into power, Minerva retreats with her gleeful employer to the family’s mountainside stronghold to wait out the inevitable rebel slaughter. At la Casa de las Gardenias, Minerva faces new threats in the haughty servants and cruel, scheming del Valles.
But the living residents of the house are the least of her worries. As Minerva quickly discovers, the ancient estate is home to forces far older and more bloodthirsty than anything she could have imagined.
Audible Audio
First published September 29, 2026
About the author
Isabel Cañas
16 books5,780 followersIsabel Cañas is a Mexican American speculative fiction writer. After having lived in Mexico, Scotland, Egypt, Turkey, and New York City, among other places, she has settled in the Pacific Northwest. She holds a doctorate in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and writes fiction inspired by her research and her heritage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 437 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have a confession to make: if Isabel Cañas announced she was rewriting the phone book as a gothic horror, I'd probably request it before finishing the sentence.
She has become one of those rare authors for me—the kind whose name alone is enough. No synopsis needed. No reviews checked. Just me aggressively clicking the "Request" button and trusting the literary gods.
So when I realized she was venturing into YA territory, I had mixed feelings. Could the queen of atmospheric nightmares, haunted houses, and morally questionable people tone herself down?
The answer is yes.
And thankfully, also no.
The House of Gardenias still carries Isabel Cañas's unmistakable fingerprints: lush prose, unsettling imagery, complicated families, and the kind of atmosphere that practically crawls off the page and sits beside you while you're reading. It just happens to center around a sixteen-year-old girl who deserves approximately one million hugs and an unlimited dessert budget.
Minerva is not your typical fearless heroine. She survives by keeping her head down, staying quiet, and making herself as invisible as possible. Considering she lives in a world full of violence and an abusive father who mistakes cruelty for parenting, you can't exactly blame her. Survival has been her full-time job for sixteen years.
And honestly? I loved that.
There is something so refreshing about a protagonist whose greatest strength isn't bravery—at least not at first. It's endurance. Watching Minerva slowly realize that surviving and living are two entirely different things became one of my favorite parts of the book.
Then she arrives at La Casa de las Gardenias.
Friends, if someone invites you to a remote mansion in the mountains where the family smiles too much, the servants whisper, and the shadows seem to breathe...
RUN.
Leave your luggage. Leave your dignity. Leave your favorite cardigan if you must.
Just. Run.
The house itself completely stole the show for me. Isabel Cañas could probably write 400 pages about wallpaper, and I'd still be invested. Every hallway, every creaking floorboard, every dark corner felt alive. There is an oppressive, almost suffocating quality to the setting that had me reading "just one more chapter" at midnight, knowing full well I was going to regret it when I inevitably had to walk to the bathroom in the dark.
What I continue to admire about Cañas's writing is how effortlessly she weaves larger themes into her stories. This isn't simply a haunted house novel. It's about class, power, colonialism, survival, and the impossible choices people make when they're given only terrible options.
Because let's be honest: politics are a luxury when you're starving.
Minerva doesn't care who's in charge of the country. She cares about having food in her stomach and a roof over her head, and that perspective made the story feel incredibly human.
The first half is admittedly slower and more atmospheric than terrifying. If you're expecting nonstop jump scares and blood splattering across the walls every twenty pages, this may not be your book. Isabel Cañas prefers to sharpen the knife slowly while smiling politely at you.
And when things finally begin to unravel?
OH, THEY UNRAVEL.
By the final third, I was completely invested. The tension skyrockets, the mysteries begin to click into place, and suddenly I remembered why Isabel Cañas has become one of my favorite voices in gothic fiction.
Also—and I say this with affection—I would like to formally invoice this author for the emotional damages inflicted upon me by the ending.
Overall, The House of Gardenias gave me strong Isabel Allende and Laura Esquivel vibes—the kind of stories where history, folklore, family legacies, politics, and the supernatural sit together at the same dinner table and somehow make perfect sense. There is a dreamy, almost magical quality beneath all the darkness that reminded me why Latin American gothic fiction feels so unique. Isabel Cañas continues to prove she belongs in that literary conversation, creating stories that are not only haunting but deeply rooted in culture, memory, and resilience. Add a terrifying mansion, bloodthirsty secrets, and one unforgettable coming-of-age journey, and you have a book that will linger in your mind long after you turn the final page.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Dutton Books for Young Readers for sharing this very intriguing YA horror's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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She has become one of those rare authors for me—the kind whose name alone is enough. No synopsis needed. No reviews checked. Just me aggressively clicking the "Request" button and trusting the literary gods.
So when I realized she was venturing into YA territory, I had mixed feelings. Could the queen of atmospheric nightmares, haunted houses, and morally questionable people tone herself down?
The answer is yes.
And thankfully, also no.
The House of Gardenias still carries Isabel Cañas's unmistakable fingerprints: lush prose, unsettling imagery, complicated families, and the kind of atmosphere that practically crawls off the page and sits beside you while you're reading. It just happens to center around a sixteen-year-old girl who deserves approximately one million hugs and an unlimited dessert budget.
Minerva is not your typical fearless heroine. She survives by keeping her head down, staying quiet, and making herself as invisible as possible. Considering she lives in a world full of violence and an abusive father who mistakes cruelty for parenting, you can't exactly blame her. Survival has been her full-time job for sixteen years.
And honestly? I loved that.
There is something so refreshing about a protagonist whose greatest strength isn't bravery—at least not at first. It's endurance. Watching Minerva slowly realize that surviving and living are two entirely different things became one of my favorite parts of the book.
Then she arrives at La Casa de las Gardenias.
Friends, if someone invites you to a remote mansion in the mountains where the family smiles too much, the servants whisper, and the shadows seem to breathe...
RUN.
Leave your luggage. Leave your dignity. Leave your favorite cardigan if you must.
Just. Run.
The house itself completely stole the show for me. Isabel Cañas could probably write 400 pages about wallpaper, and I'd still be invested. Every hallway, every creaking floorboard, every dark corner felt alive. There is an oppressive, almost suffocating quality to the setting that had me reading "just one more chapter" at midnight, knowing full well I was going to regret it when I inevitably had to walk to the bathroom in the dark.
What I continue to admire about Cañas's writing is how effortlessly she weaves larger themes into her stories. This isn't simply a haunted house novel. It's about class, power, colonialism, survival, and the impossible choices people make when they're given only terrible options.
Because let's be honest: politics are a luxury when you're starving.
Minerva doesn't care who's in charge of the country. She cares about having food in her stomach and a roof over her head, and that perspective made the story feel incredibly human.
The first half is admittedly slower and more atmospheric than terrifying. If you're expecting nonstop jump scares and blood splattering across the walls every twenty pages, this may not be your book. Isabel Cañas prefers to sharpen the knife slowly while smiling politely at you.
And when things finally begin to unravel?
OH, THEY UNRAVEL.
By the final third, I was completely invested. The tension skyrockets, the mysteries begin to click into place, and suddenly I remembered why Isabel Cañas has become one of my favorite voices in gothic fiction.
Also—and I say this with affection—I would like to formally invoice this author for the emotional damages inflicted upon me by the ending.
Overall, The House of Gardenias gave me strong Isabel Allende and Laura Esquivel vibes—the kind of stories where history, folklore, family legacies, politics, and the supernatural sit together at the same dinner table and somehow make perfect sense. There is a dreamy, almost magical quality beneath all the darkness that reminded me why Latin American gothic fiction feels so unique. Isabel Cañas continues to prove she belongs in that literary conversation, creating stories that are not only haunting but deeply rooted in culture, memory, and resilience. Add a terrifying mansion, bloodthirsty secrets, and one unforgettable coming-of-age journey, and you have a book that will linger in your mind long after you turn the final page.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Dutton Books for Young Readers for sharing this very intriguing YA horror's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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October 20, 2026
i don’t think this book is bad necessarily but i got bored once i passed the intriguing beginning. i kept reading because i was hoping the story would find a way to hook me again (i was very interested at the start!), but unfortunately, it never quite clawed its momentum back for me.
🤍 the flowers in this garden:
—— the gothic, ghosty, haunted house vibes were there;
—— i liked the style of writing (isabel cañas has a very evocative delivery, without being overly elaborate or tooooo flowery with her prose — she can paint a picture and craft an atmosphere though);
—— it was very quick and easy to get through, since it comes in at 280 pages and is marketed as a YA; and
—— the political themes were nice and all (civil unrest, democracy struggles and insurgency, class issues).
🖤 the nails in this coffin:
—— the plot: i just stopped caring 😭😬. it could have done with a bit more dynamism but it became rather bland and sleepy for me;
—— the characters: i struggled to connect to anyone. not either of the main characters, not any of the many side characters either. none of them really popped for me. the cast was also big, and various people started blending together for me when there were a lot of names in the mix, yet several of these characters weren’t given enough page time to make themselves distinctly known to me;
—— i didn’t really buy the connection between the mcs. i don’t think it was meant to be romantic per se (it was giving friendship / partners-in-ghosty-crime energy more than anything) but even the platonic chemistry wasn’t palpable enough for me by the end (and the intended impact of the ending almost hinges on it. without this, the unconventional hea doesn’t hit); and
—— the resolution was a little chaotic and rushed.
this was this author’s YA debut (i think), and the one other book i’ve read by her was the possession of alba díaz, which was a historical fiction x horror hybrid with a romance subplot (and an adult story). i really enjoyed that, so i’m definitely going to try more from her backlist even though the house of gardenias was just shy of aight for me. maybe i’ll have more luck with her adult books. i do hope this one finds its audience though, because again…didn’t really think it was bad. i was simply disengaged. i thought it would be a hit for the fall season, but alas…
a short(er), sweet but ultimately boring review from me tonight…pretty much how i’d sum up the book and its effect on me 🫣.
🤍 the flowers in this garden:
—— the gothic, ghosty, haunted house vibes were there;
—— i liked the style of writing (isabel cañas has a very evocative delivery, without being overly elaborate or tooooo flowery with her prose — she can paint a picture and craft an atmosphere though);
—— it was very quick and easy to get through, since it comes in at 280 pages and is marketed as a YA; and
—— the political themes were nice and all (civil unrest, democracy struggles and insurgency, class issues).
🖤 the nails in this coffin:
—— the plot: i just stopped caring 😭😬. it could have done with a bit more dynamism but it became rather bland and sleepy for me;
—— the characters: i struggled to connect to anyone. not either of the main characters, not any of the many side characters either. none of them really popped for me. the cast was also big, and various people started blending together for me when there were a lot of names in the mix, yet several of these characters weren’t given enough page time to make themselves distinctly known to me;
—— i didn’t really buy the connection between the mcs. i don’t think it was meant to be romantic per se (it was giving friendship / partners-in-ghosty-crime energy more than anything) but even the platonic chemistry wasn’t palpable enough for me by the end (and the intended impact of the ending almost hinges on it. without this, the unconventional hea doesn’t hit); and
—— the resolution was a little chaotic and rushed.
this was this author’s YA debut (i think), and the one other book i’ve read by her was the possession of alba díaz, which was a historical fiction x horror hybrid with a romance subplot (and an adult story). i really enjoyed that, so i’m definitely going to try more from her backlist even though the house of gardenias was just shy of aight for me. maybe i’ll have more luck with her adult books. i do hope this one finds its audience though, because again…didn’t really think it was bad. i was simply disengaged. i thought it would be a hit for the fall season, but alas…
a short(er), sweet but ultimately boring review from me tonight…pretty much how i’d sum up the book and its effect on me 🫣.
July 20, 2026
⌗ ──🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ read.
my first Isabel Cañas' book. and it definitely won't be the last. this was amazing and so beautiful, oh gods
⌗ ──🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ pre-read.
I GOT THE ARC, OMGGGG. YASSSS. now that i'm back at working from home, i'll be able to read more and finish all the arcs that i have pending, lmaooo. starting with this one.
thanks to netgalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers for an arc in exchange of an honest review!
my first Isabel Cañas' book. and it definitely won't be the last. this was amazing and so beautiful, oh gods
⌗ ──🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ pre-read.
I GOT THE ARC, OMGGGG. YASSSS. now that i'm back at working from home, i'll be able to read more and finish all the arcs that i have pending, lmaooo. starting with this one.
thanks to netgalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers for an arc in exchange of an honest review!
Want to Read
May 17, 2026ARC received. Thank you, Dutton Books for Young Readers!!
I always look forward to Isabel Cañas's latest releases, and I'm so happy to see she's going to be entering the YA-space. I can't wait!
I always look forward to Isabel Cañas's latest releases, and I'm so happy to see she's going to be entering the YA-space. I can't wait!
September 29, 2026
I think this would be a good intro to Gothic lit and colonialism in fiction for YA readers. But personally, I found it to be an okay read. While I enjoyed the second half of the book, this wasn't really anything to write home about.
I didn't really vibe with the FMC and this was one of those stories where you really have to feel for what the MC goes through. I wish we had more of a backstory that wasn't just about her abusive father and absent brothers. Other than leaving to strike out on her own, and the events during the climax, it felt like Minerva was just going through the motions. I didn't get a feel for her personality or interests, other than her wanting to work for Señora Encarnación and collaborating with the MMC.
Usually, I'm down for anything Gothic, but with this particular story, I was actually more interested in the background events with the old guard loyalists overthrowing the democratically elected president, causing chaos throughout the country. I also wanted more from the chispa, the magical resource that the rich folk use and abuse. Hell, even the MMC's, Ygnacio's, backstory and life seemed a hell of a lot more interesting than Minerva's storyline.
At the end of the day, I did like certain specific elements woven throughout the story (the fall of democracy, natural "resources" obtained via colonialism, etc.), but the main storyline was pretty predictable (haunted estate, evil colonizers, and vengeful ghosts) and made this somewhat of a dull read.
Thank you to Dutton Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.
I didn't really vibe with the FMC and this was one of those stories where you really have to feel for what the MC goes through. I wish we had more of a backstory that wasn't just about her abusive father and absent brothers. Other than leaving to strike out on her own, and the events during the climax, it felt like Minerva was just going through the motions. I didn't get a feel for her personality or interests, other than her wanting to work for Señora Encarnación and collaborating with the MMC.
Usually, I'm down for anything Gothic, but with this particular story, I was actually more interested in the background events with the old guard loyalists overthrowing the democratically elected president, causing chaos throughout the country. I also wanted more from the chispa, the magical resource that the rich folk use and abuse. Hell, even the MMC's, Ygnacio's, backstory and life seemed a hell of a lot more interesting than Minerva's storyline.
At the end of the day, I did like certain specific elements woven throughout the story (the fall of democracy, natural "resources" obtained via colonialism, etc.), but the main storyline was pretty predictable (haunted estate, evil colonizers, and vengeful ghosts) and made this somewhat of a dull read.
Thank you to Dutton Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.
May 26, 2026
✨✨A new fave author for me!!!✨✨
What a fantastic YA gothic novel!! The Possession of Alba Díaz was one of my favorite reads last year, so I knew I had to get my hands on The House of Gardenias. I’m so happy that I got to read it!
The House of Gardenias is a gothic atmospheric dream! I really felt for Minerva. Also, I liked her relationship with Señora Encarnación and Ygnacio. This book was more emotional than I was expecting. It really had me in my feels. The ending!!!🥺 I highly recommend this one!
I need to read more from Isabel Cañas!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released September 29, 2026 .
What a fantastic YA gothic novel!! The Possession of Alba Díaz was one of my favorite reads last year, so I knew I had to get my hands on The House of Gardenias. I’m so happy that I got to read it!
The House of Gardenias is a gothic atmospheric dream! I really felt for Minerva. Also, I liked her relationship with Señora Encarnación and Ygnacio. This book was more emotional than I was expecting. It really had me in my feels. The ending!!!🥺 I highly recommend this one!
I need to read more from Isabel Cañas!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released September 29, 2026 .
June 7, 2026
Isabel Cañas YA debut stands proudly amongst her other works. I could hardly stand to put this down - the audacity of work when I had this book waiting for me at home?! I couldn’t wait to get home and read!
Minerva’s character was complex, and Cañas did such a good job capturing her. I felt frustrated with her at times early on for ‘not caring’ about colonial rule over her country. But I think that is the quiet genius of what Cañas is teaching us, what she’s showing through this story.
When your basic fundamental needs aren’t met - food, water, a safe place to sleep, a safe place to live…it becomes much harder to care. Of course that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t, but what she so perfectly illustrates is the reason why capitalism is so cruel, so ethically and morally bankrupt; why this system of power and oppression needs us to be tired, to be hungry, to not be able to reliably care for ourselves. They count on it, so that we’ll be unwilling or even physically unable to do anything about their oppression. Too worn down to fight back in any way. Too tired and jaded to dream of a better future, a better world.
But our dreams and our work for a better future will ultimately succeed, and reading stories helps us dream up better futures and worlds we can make together✨
I think the above lesson is especially powerful in a YA book, when teens are learning about the systems that keep us downtrodden, hungry, and burnt out - so that they learn that we always have a choice. That even the smallest act of resistance can be the sparks to something greater.
Cañas also did a good job exploring the colonizing elites, and showing how complex a character like Señora Encarnación can be. I wanted to hate her for being racist and supporting the brutal colonization of modern day México. But I couldn’t fully hate her because she truly seemed to love Minerva, and cared for her as a person in a way Minerva so desperately needed. When she protected Minerva from her father, my heart softened towards her, and I have wrestled with her complex moral ambiguity ever since.
Señora Encarnación’s family was AWFUL, damn. There wasn’t a single one of them I pitied, and it was darkly satisfying to see them be confronted by their own karma in the end.
I desperately wanted Minerva and Filomena to make it (the sacrifices she made for the rebellion - pretending to be interested in Leoncio? Ack, girl was STRONG af), and I was devastated that neither Minerva or Filomena (and Minerva’s other brother, Armando) didn’t survive to see what they had helped fight for. But just that Minerva, a 17 year old of such a difficult life, found the grit and courage to stand and fight anyways, to help Arnulfo escape to do what he was meant to do, was powerful.
Together they fought colonial rule and freed their homeland.
Ygnacio was a great character, and even though he was trying to be scary in the beginning, I always liked him. I really did want to know the lore behind who Ygnacio’s ‘kin’ were in the sarcophaguses upstairs👀🫣 I’ll be casually wondering about that forever. 😅
I was glad the ghosts had the peaceful garden and library after the remainder of the people fled the house. I wish Arnulfo and Minerva could’ve spoken one more time. 🥺
That’s my only real criticism of this book - I truly wish it had been 15-20 pages longer. A proper epilogue, a little moment of unrushed goodbye between brother and sister, and perhaps a little glimpse into the hereafter our brave ghosts finally found themselves in.
Even though the end was sad, I did like how Cañas reminded us that death, while parting may be bitter indeed, is not a defeat. In death our heroes continued to fight for those they loved, and root out and defeat the colonizers that remained in la Casa de las Gardenias. As dear Gandalf says in LOTR ‘End? No, death is not the end. Death is merely another path, one that we all must take.’
Overall, this is another triumph from Isabel Cañas - a haunting tale about courage, human nature, finding your role in the stories unfolding around you, and helping each other make a better world.
📖The House Of Gardenias releases September 29th, 2026!
✨Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Reader’s Group, Dutton Books For Young Readers, and Isabel Cañas for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for my honest review!💜
Minerva’s character was complex, and Cañas did such a good job capturing her. I felt frustrated with her at times early on for ‘not caring’ about colonial rule over her country. But I think that is the quiet genius of what Cañas is teaching us, what she’s showing through this story.
When your basic fundamental needs aren’t met - food, water, a safe place to sleep, a safe place to live…it becomes much harder to care. Of course that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t, but what she so perfectly illustrates is the reason why capitalism is so cruel, so ethically and morally bankrupt; why this system of power and oppression needs us to be tired, to be hungry, to not be able to reliably care for ourselves. They count on it, so that we’ll be unwilling or even physically unable to do anything about their oppression. Too worn down to fight back in any way. Too tired and jaded to dream of a better future, a better world.
But our dreams and our work for a better future will ultimately succeed, and reading stories helps us dream up better futures and worlds we can make together✨
I think the above lesson is especially powerful in a YA book, when teens are learning about the systems that keep us downtrodden, hungry, and burnt out - so that they learn that we always have a choice. That even the smallest act of resistance can be the sparks to something greater.
Cañas also did a good job exploring the colonizing elites, and showing how complex a character like Señora Encarnación can be. I wanted to hate her for being racist and supporting the brutal colonization of modern day México. But I couldn’t fully hate her because she truly seemed to love Minerva, and cared for her as a person in a way Minerva so desperately needed. When she protected Minerva from her father, my heart softened towards her, and I have wrestled with her complex moral ambiguity ever since.
Señora Encarnación’s family was AWFUL, damn. There wasn’t a single one of them I pitied, and it was darkly satisfying to see them be confronted by their own karma in the end.
I desperately wanted Minerva and Filomena to make it (the sacrifices she made for the rebellion - pretending to be interested in Leoncio? Ack, girl was STRONG af), and I was devastated that neither Minerva or Filomena (and Minerva’s other brother, Armando) didn’t survive to see what they had helped fight for. But just that Minerva, a 17 year old of such a difficult life, found the grit and courage to stand and fight anyways, to help Arnulfo escape to do what he was meant to do, was powerful.
Together they fought colonial rule and freed their homeland.
Ygnacio was a great character, and even though he was trying to be scary in the beginning, I always liked him. I really did want to know the lore behind who Ygnacio’s ‘kin’ were in the sarcophaguses upstairs👀🫣 I’ll be casually wondering about that forever. 😅
I was glad the ghosts had the peaceful garden and library after the remainder of the people fled the house. I wish Arnulfo and Minerva could’ve spoken one more time. 🥺
That’s my only real criticism of this book - I truly wish it had been 15-20 pages longer. A proper epilogue, a little moment of unrushed goodbye between brother and sister, and perhaps a little glimpse into the hereafter our brave ghosts finally found themselves in.
Even though the end was sad, I did like how Cañas reminded us that death, while parting may be bitter indeed, is not a defeat. In death our heroes continued to fight for those they loved, and root out and defeat the colonizers that remained in la Casa de las Gardenias. As dear Gandalf says in LOTR ‘End? No, death is not the end. Death is merely another path, one that we all must take.’
Overall, this is another triumph from Isabel Cañas - a haunting tale about courage, human nature, finding your role in the stories unfolding around you, and helping each other make a better world.
📖The House Of Gardenias releases September 29th, 2026!
✨Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Reader’s Group, Dutton Books For Young Readers, and Isabel Cañas for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for my honest review!💜
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2026
3.5 rounded up! I’m a huge fan of all of Isabel Cañas’ books and thought this was a great addition to her work. I will say it was probably my least favourite of her works though!
Vengeful spirits, political unrest, class struggles - there was a lot this story had working for it. I enjoyed a lot of elements but I think some aspects felt a bit abrupt. Namely some character dynamics and personalities (trying not to be too spoilery) felt kind they changed too quickly, maybe if this had been a tad longer the changes would have felt more natural. I also sorta saw the ending coming so was really hoping I’d be surprised by a twist, but alas it did end how I expected lol.
That said, the atmospheric descriptions were amazingly immersive as always. The horror aspects were spookily well done! Pacing was good and this was a quick read IMO. Had fun despite some of the shortcomings.
thank you penguin teen for the eARC!!
Vengeful spirits, political unrest, class struggles - there was a lot this story had working for it. I enjoyed a lot of elements but I think some aspects felt a bit abrupt. Namely some character dynamics and personalities (trying not to be too spoilery) felt kind they changed too quickly, maybe if this had been a tad longer the changes would have felt more natural. I also sorta saw the ending coming so was really hoping I’d be surprised by a twist, but alas it did end how I expected lol.
That said, the atmospheric descriptions were amazingly immersive as always. The horror aspects were spookily well done! Pacing was good and this was a quick read IMO. Had fun despite some of the shortcomings.
thank you penguin teen for the eARC!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As I was reading this, I had to keep adjusting my expectations from Cañas' horrormance, which is what has largely drawn me into her writing. This book centers multiple relationships, including mentorship and a sibling dynamic, and while there is a relationship that could be construed as romantic, it's more about the sense of kinship at the heart of it.
Set in the lush, historical Mexico I've come to know and love, The House of Gardenias follows our protagonist's quest for independence from her abusive father as she finds employment with the politically unfavorable del Valle family. During Minerva's tenure at La Casa de las Gardenias, she also finds that she and her only remaining family have wound up on opposite sides of what eventually evolves into a civil war.
Even though there were a few different plot lines to follow, I found this an engaging entry in Cañas' catalogue of ghost stories. Minerva and Arnulfo's struggle to protect each other from opposite sides of a conflict was compelling, and I liked the perspective that Ygnacio's character added. The resolution at the end felt a little rushed, but I really enjoyed how Cañas brought several storylines to a satisfying close.
And while this may in some ways have reduced my own enjoyment, I can appreciate that this felt like a book written for a younger audience who will hopefully learn from Minerva's courage and loyalty while getting to experience the historical setting that this author so deftly brings to life every time.
Set in the lush, historical Mexico I've come to know and love, The House of Gardenias follows our protagonist's quest for independence from her abusive father as she finds employment with the politically unfavorable del Valle family. During Minerva's tenure at La Casa de las Gardenias, she also finds that she and her only remaining family have wound up on opposite sides of what eventually evolves into a civil war.
Even though there were a few different plot lines to follow, I found this an engaging entry in Cañas' catalogue of ghost stories. Minerva and Arnulfo's struggle to protect each other from opposite sides of a conflict was compelling, and I liked the perspective that Ygnacio's character added. The resolution at the end felt a little rushed, but I really enjoyed how Cañas brought several storylines to a satisfying close.
And while this may in some ways have reduced my own enjoyment, I can appreciate that this felt like a book written for a younger audience who will hopefully learn from Minerva's courage and loyalty while getting to experience the historical setting that this author so deftly brings to life every time.
October 11, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Isabela Canas unfortunately just hasn't reclaimed the charm and eerieness for me since The Hacidena. This story is very slow to start and while it does pick up towards the end my mind was wandering so much throughout the book I was just happy to be done with it. There is good war action, saddening oppression, political intrigue, and paranormal elements that her stories normally have, however the story was just not captivating for me. I still need to read The Posession of Alba Diaz, but I fear that if that is a flop she may not be an author for me in the future.
Isabela Canas unfortunately just hasn't reclaimed the charm and eerieness for me since The Hacidena. This story is very slow to start and while it does pick up towards the end my mind was wandering so much throughout the book I was just happy to be done with it. There is good war action, saddening oppression, political intrigue, and paranormal elements that her stories normally have, however the story was just not captivating for me. I still need to read The Posession of Alba Diaz, but I fear that if that is a flop she may not be an author for me in the future.
May 14, 2026
First book I’ve read by her and OBSESSED!!! Such an excellent book!
October 3, 2026
I’m a big fan of Isabel Cañas’s gothic horror novels, so I was excited to get an early read of her latest. Her atmospheric writing is still a favorite of mine, and her prose is fantastic. In this book, she takes on young adult horror, which was probably good for me because the scary stuff is a little more scaled back. But she definitely didn’t skimp on the sophisticated writing or the creepy atmosphere.
Minerva is a teenager who has run away from her abusive father, been abandoned by her older brothers, and is struggling just to get food. She gets a job as a maid for the wealthy Señora Encarnación del Valle, who is related to the deposed viceroy. Minerva finally has some safety and security. With civil war raging in the capital, the two retreat to Casa de Gardenias, hoping to escape the turmoil. This is where we get into the paranormal.
The story is told through dual perspectives, with Minerva’s story paired with Ygnacio, whose observations slowly reveal an all-knowing mysterious entity. I really enjoyed the way his perspective builds the tension and gives the reader historical reference.
Cañas does a great job drawing you into Minerva’s plight from the beginning, and I loved watching her grow into someone more resilient and confident from someone who merely doesn’t draw attention to herself. She’s young, but she finds herself caught up in a dangerous mess involving people with all the power and I think young readers will be taken by her like I was.
This is definitely an atmospheric and haunting story with themes of class and power dynamics, political violence and colonialism with dark secrets of the house of gardenias. Cañas knows how to create that creeping, uneasy feeling that something is very wrong. There’s also a surprising emotional pull beneath all the ghostly dread, which made this more than just a spooky read.
I received this advance e-copy from NetGalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Young Readers Group in exchange for my review.
Minerva is a teenager who has run away from her abusive father, been abandoned by her older brothers, and is struggling just to get food. She gets a job as a maid for the wealthy Señora Encarnación del Valle, who is related to the deposed viceroy. Minerva finally has some safety and security. With civil war raging in the capital, the two retreat to Casa de Gardenias, hoping to escape the turmoil. This is where we get into the paranormal.
The story is told through dual perspectives, with Minerva’s story paired with Ygnacio, whose observations slowly reveal an all-knowing mysterious entity. I really enjoyed the way his perspective builds the tension and gives the reader historical reference.
Cañas does a great job drawing you into Minerva’s plight from the beginning, and I loved watching her grow into someone more resilient and confident from someone who merely doesn’t draw attention to herself. She’s young, but she finds herself caught up in a dangerous mess involving people with all the power and I think young readers will be taken by her like I was.
This is definitely an atmospheric and haunting story with themes of class and power dynamics, political violence and colonialism with dark secrets of the house of gardenias. Cañas knows how to create that creeping, uneasy feeling that something is very wrong. There’s also a surprising emotional pull beneath all the ghostly dread, which made this more than just a spooky read.
I received this advance e-copy from NetGalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Young Readers Group in exchange for my review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Happy Latine/x Heritage Month!
'.... something lingers in the cracks between the stones, like dried blood beneath fingernails. Something dark hangs on the air. Something that is too sweet to be foul, too coy to be clean.
Something aware.' (Ch 1)
YA / Teen Gothic Fantasy Horror | Wartime Political/Civil Instability | Class Disparity | Coming-of-Age | Family Dysfunction | Latine/x
The name is actually what drew me to the book first, as I love Gardenias! They are my favorite flower.
Minerva is a survivor. She enters into a world that is far different than the one she left behind. Though she cannot see how brave that makes her, she thinks herself the opposite. All she brought with her is the baggage of the past. She forms a newfound family connection that is touching, but also gives off a sense of apprehension and the probability that it will inevitably lead to heartache.
' To be invisible was to survive. This dictum ruled my life long before la Casa de las Gardenias, but now it was law.
And I was no longer invisible.
I was an insect caught beneath a merciless magnifying glass, anticipating the pin he would use to spear me to the spot.' (Ch 17)
One world dissolves into another, and the safety she found... is fleeting. In this one, it feels sinister...
'His eyes refocused on me, and suddenly I was a weak thing of shivering flesh and breakable bone before something uncanny. Something hungry.' (Ch 19)
Ygnacio kind of reminds me a little bit of Anne Rice's character Lasher. Alluring, predatorial. Wholly underestimating his prey.
'A reminder that retribution, if it ever found her, would be swift and merciless.' (Ch 4)
This story is atmospheric, political, arresting. It is littered with little airy and enchanting, yet shadowy and still, tidbits of lyrical and haunting descriptions. Woven through with a touch of romance.
Uncorrected proof / eARC courtesy of NetGalley | Dutton Books for Young Readers / Penguin Ramdom House
'.... something lingers in the cracks between the stones, like dried blood beneath fingernails. Something dark hangs on the air. Something that is too sweet to be foul, too coy to be clean.
Something aware.' (Ch 1)
YA / Teen Gothic Fantasy Horror | Wartime Political/Civil Instability | Class Disparity | Coming-of-Age | Family Dysfunction | Latine/x
The name is actually what drew me to the book first, as I love Gardenias! They are my favorite flower.
Minerva is a survivor. She enters into a world that is far different than the one she left behind. Though she cannot see how brave that makes her, she thinks herself the opposite. All she brought with her is the baggage of the past. She forms a newfound family connection that is touching, but also gives off a sense of apprehension and the probability that it will inevitably lead to heartache.
' To be invisible was to survive. This dictum ruled my life long before la Casa de las Gardenias, but now it was law.
And I was no longer invisible.
I was an insect caught beneath a merciless magnifying glass, anticipating the pin he would use to spear me to the spot.' (Ch 17)
One world dissolves into another, and the safety she found... is fleeting. In this one, it feels sinister...
'His eyes refocused on me, and suddenly I was a weak thing of shivering flesh and breakable bone before something uncanny. Something hungry.' (Ch 19)
Ygnacio kind of reminds me a little bit of Anne Rice's character Lasher. Alluring, predatorial. Wholly underestimating his prey.
'A reminder that retribution, if it ever found her, would be swift and merciless.' (Ch 4)
This story is atmospheric, political, arresting. It is littered with little airy and enchanting, yet shadowy and still, tidbits of lyrical and haunting descriptions. Woven through with a touch of romance.
Uncorrected proof / eARC courtesy of NetGalley | Dutton Books for Young Readers / Penguin Ramdom House
May 30, 2026
I love this book. Isabel Cañas is gothic royalty. This novel is her best yet. As political unrest surges through Colonial Mexico, Minerva, an impoverished maid, is brought to the stronghold of the viceroy’s family. There is something very wrong with the house and its occupants. The atmosphere is incredible as is the growing tension. Cañas shows full mastery of the slow burn, ratcheting things up while keeping the reader on tenterhooks. She keeps to the gothic spirit, relying on the claustrophobia produced by both the house and the events swirling within and outside it. There is very little gore, and the book is the better for it. This book is definitely a must read for gothic fiction fans.
This is my honest opinion of an uncorrected ARC. I would like to thank Isabel Cañas, Dutton Books, and NetGalley for allowing me this amazing opportunity.
This is my honest opinion of an uncorrected ARC. I would like to thank Isabel Cañas, Dutton Books, and NetGalley for allowing me this amazing opportunity.
July 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
———
This is the first book I’ve read by Isabel Cañas and consider me immensely impressed! The depth with which our characters are fleshed out is astounding, the setting atmospheric, and the story itself is thematically jarring. It poses great questions about the lengths we go for those we are loyal to, and how our loyalties shift when self-preservation takes priority.
For a book I read mostly at nighttime, the horror elements do not disappoint. The suspense builds, the uncertainty and unrest seep into every shadowed place. Though I enjoyed the pacing throughout most of this book, I do think the ending felt rushed. That selfish part of me wishes for just a little more. Still, a really well-done work, especially as a debut into the YA genre.
———
This is the first book I’ve read by Isabel Cañas and consider me immensely impressed! The depth with which our characters are fleshed out is astounding, the setting atmospheric, and the story itself is thematically jarring. It poses great questions about the lengths we go for those we are loyal to, and how our loyalties shift when self-preservation takes priority.
For a book I read mostly at nighttime, the horror elements do not disappoint. The suspense builds, the uncertainty and unrest seep into every shadowed place. Though I enjoyed the pacing throughout most of this book, I do think the ending felt rushed. That selfish part of me wishes for just a little more. Still, a really well-done work, especially as a debut into the YA genre.
October 3, 2026
such a small book yet contains such a punch
September 29, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers for sharing this book with me. All opinions are mine own.
A country is in the middle of uprising and a civil war. 16 year-old Minerva, running from an abusive household and starvation, gets employment as a servant for one of the former royal family members. When the rebels are thrown off and the power is in the hands of the royals again, Minerva along with other royal women is sent to safety of a remote palace, House of Gardenias. But the house itself not as safe as everyone believes, it’s full of hungry darkness which has its own tally to set with the royals and it selected Minerva as its weapon.
A lot is going on in this short book. The beginning is slow, but the second half of the book delivers with abundance. There’s war action, political power struggle, battle against oppression, machinations, but also family relationships and drama, a sprinkle of romance, and of course a ghost haunting and ancient evil disturbed by human greed. All in all it’s a very enjoyable read and I don’t feel like it needed to be of a bigger volume.
I think my reading experience was altered not in a good way by my lack of knowledge of Spanish. For the first 100 pages I was convinced that chispa is some kind of natural fuel. I also feel I’m missing something important not understanding the significance behind incantations and local folklore.
Boy, someone likes their mother-of-pearl whites, that’s the most use of this color description I’ve encountered in my life. I guess gardenias are indeed white.
A country is in the middle of uprising and a civil war. 16 year-old Minerva, running from an abusive household and starvation, gets employment as a servant for one of the former royal family members. When the rebels are thrown off and the power is in the hands of the royals again, Minerva along with other royal women is sent to safety of a remote palace, House of Gardenias. But the house itself not as safe as everyone believes, it’s full of hungry darkness which has its own tally to set with the royals and it selected Minerva as its weapon.
A lot is going on in this short book. The beginning is slow, but the second half of the book delivers with abundance. There’s war action, political power struggle, battle against oppression, machinations, but also family relationships and drama, a sprinkle of romance, and of course a ghost haunting and ancient evil disturbed by human greed. All in all it’s a very enjoyable read and I don’t feel like it needed to be of a bigger volume.
I think my reading experience was altered not in a good way by my lack of knowledge of Spanish. For the first 100 pages I was convinced that chispa is some kind of natural fuel. I also feel I’m missing something important not understanding the significance behind incantations and local folklore.
Boy, someone likes their mother-of-pearl whites, that’s the most use of this color description I’ve encountered in my life. I guess gardenias are indeed white.
September 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The House of Gardenias.
I really loved this gothic story, and I will read anything Isabel Cañas writes. After her brothers run away without a trace, sixteen year old Minerva can't stand another minute suffering the abuse of her dad and stepmother, and starving in the slums. Minerva applies for a lady's maid position in a neighborhood she could never dream of. Señora del Valle is a persnickity old lady from one of the most powerful families tied to the Viceroy. I loved the unlikely relationship that formed between the two. Political violence erupts in the city as the Viceroy regains control, and Minerva accompanies Señora del Valle to her families mountain fortress known as The House de las Gardenias. It doesn't take Minerva long to figure out they aren't really welcome. Señora del Valle's family members are cruel and ruthless, as are their servants. Minerva soon finds out there may be something even more sinister hiding in the House de las Gardenias.
I would've rated this higher, but I wanted to know a little more about the political history, and the amulet folklore mentioned in the book. And the ancient ones of the house. Who were they? Inquiring minds need to know!
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The House of Gardenias.
I really loved this gothic story, and I will read anything Isabel Cañas writes. After her brothers run away without a trace, sixteen year old Minerva can't stand another minute suffering the abuse of her dad and stepmother, and starving in the slums. Minerva applies for a lady's maid position in a neighborhood she could never dream of. Señora del Valle is a persnickity old lady from one of the most powerful families tied to the Viceroy. I loved the unlikely relationship that formed between the two. Political violence erupts in the city as the Viceroy regains control, and Minerva accompanies Señora del Valle to her families mountain fortress known as The House de las Gardenias. It doesn't take Minerva long to figure out they aren't really welcome. Señora del Valle's family members are cruel and ruthless, as are their servants. Minerva soon finds out there may be something even more sinister hiding in the House de las Gardenias.
I would've rated this higher, but I wanted to know a little more about the political history, and the amulet folklore mentioned in the book. And the ancient ones of the house. Who were they? Inquiring minds need to know!
October 2, 2026
if you read and loved isabel’s book the hacienda, but expected the love interest to be the spirit that haunted the house from the beginning, then run, don’t walk, straight to the house of gardenias!!!
this is an ARC review! thank you to penguin young readers for the gifted eARC!
the house of gardenias may be isabel’s YA horror debut, but it packs the same kind of eerie, paranormal punch that her adult books have in droves, with the tiniest amount of romantic tension that’ll have you rooting for these crazy kids (‘kid’, being subjective i suppose, when you’re an ancient ghost) just as hard as the downfall of colonial empires everywhere!!!!!
the way isabel weaves together multiple genres in such a compelling way is nothing short of artistry. as usual, this is a paranormal political horror that reads vaguely historical too, witha tinge of romance. the kind of genre blend that thrills due to the sheer innovation of it, leaving none of the disparate genre-specific elements left feeling underdone or underdeveloped.
at under 300 pages, this is a short, sweet, and impactful read. perfect for a gloomy fall day, or when you’re feeling particularly like toppling empires and eating the rich.
this is an ARC review! thank you to penguin young readers for the gifted eARC!
the house of gardenias may be isabel’s YA horror debut, but it packs the same kind of eerie, paranormal punch that her adult books have in droves, with the tiniest amount of romantic tension that’ll have you rooting for these crazy kids (‘kid’, being subjective i suppose, when you’re an ancient ghost) just as hard as the downfall of colonial empires everywhere!!!!!
the way isabel weaves together multiple genres in such a compelling way is nothing short of artistry. as usual, this is a paranormal political horror that reads vaguely historical too, witha tinge of romance. the kind of genre blend that thrills due to the sheer innovation of it, leaving none of the disparate genre-specific elements left feeling underdone or underdeveloped.
at under 300 pages, this is a short, sweet, and impactful read. perfect for a gloomy fall day, or when you’re feeling particularly like toppling empires and eating the rich.
September 30, 2026
Isabel Cañas is an auto buy author for me, and having read all of her work, I’m pretty sure she simply can’t miss. I enjoyed this book too. It was atmospheric and unsettling in a way that Cañas does particularly well, while also being deeply rooted in Mexican culture and the country’s early history. I also found the characters compelling and enjoyed seeing how the story unfolded.
That said, I have to admit this is probably my least favorite of her books so far. I think a lot of that comes down to the lack of a strong romantic plot, which is something this author excels at. In her other novels, romance always provides such a great balance to the darker, creepier elements. This book is YA, so the tone and focus are naturally different. I knew that going in, but I still found myself missing that particular aspect of her storytelling.
Even so, this was a good read, and I couldn’t bring myself to give it anything less than 4 stars. I’d happily recommend this book both to existing fans of Isabel Cañas and to readers who are curious about her work and looking for a place to start.
September 30, 2026
I am such a big Isabel Cañas fan that I willingly followed her to YA. I am obsessed with the way she blends horror and romance. I wasn't sure what to expect from The House of Gardenias. Maybe a coming of age but in a haunted house story? Any romance at all? Well, the answer to both of those questions is yes-and-no.
Minerva is a teenager living in the slums of Mexico City with her family. Her father remarried; her stepmother saves their meager food for her own biological children; and her older brothers ran away from home. Minerva is willing to do what it takes to better her situation: she steals her stepmother's best gown and finds a job working for the elderly sister of the deposed viceroy. Soon, the two women leave the beautiful townhouse for a mountainside estate. And this is where the haunted house comes into play, because there's a presence (or two or three) that won't leave Minerva alone...
Cañas's signature horror style is overlaid with a fantasy source of energy, chispas, that we find out is explicitly drawn from the subjugation of the native peoples of Mexico. In addition, Minerva's goal is simply to survive: she doesn't have the energy to devote to theoretical political divisions. For Minerva, her patron Encanacion might be related to the old viceroy, but that doesn't mean she's not a good person. Equally, her brothers may be fighting for the insurgent Bunavistas, but all that it means practically to Minerva is that they abandoned her in an abusive household.
And I mentioned a romance...? Well, it's not exactly a romance-romance*, but Minerva does gain a devoted admirer before the book is finished.
The House of Gardenias is eerie and a little bit tragic, but I loved it and I'm so glad I took the chance on it!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Minerva is a teenager living in the slums of Mexico City with her family. Her father remarried; her stepmother saves their meager food for her own biological children; and her older brothers ran away from home. Minerva is willing to do what it takes to better her situation: she steals her stepmother's best gown and finds a job working for the elderly sister of the deposed viceroy. Soon, the two women leave the beautiful townhouse for a mountainside estate. And this is where the haunted house comes into play, because there's a presence (or two or three) that won't leave Minerva alone...
Cañas's signature horror style is overlaid with a fantasy source of energy, chispas, that we find out is explicitly drawn from the subjugation of the native peoples of Mexico. In addition, Minerva's goal is simply to survive: she doesn't have the energy to devote to theoretical political divisions. For Minerva, her patron Encanacion might be related to the old viceroy, but that doesn't mean she's not a good person. Equally, her brothers may be fighting for the insurgent Bunavistas, but all that it means practically to Minerva is that they abandoned her in an abusive household.
And I mentioned a romance...? Well, it's not exactly a romance-romance*, but Minerva does gain a devoted admirer before the book is finished.
The House of Gardenias is eerie and a little bit tragic, but I loved it and I'm so glad I took the chance on it!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
October 3, 2026
This is stunning! Atmospheric and beautifully written with compelling characters, and an ending that feels devastating, redemptive, and inevitable. I loved this and will be keeping my eye out for future YA titles from Cañas!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content advisory: violence, swearing, sexual harrassment, hauntings
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content advisory: violence, swearing, sexual harrassment, hauntings
Want to Read
June 4, 2026neeeeeedd September comw fasterrrr !!!!
July 23, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ I love Isabel Cañas books so when I saw this was a short YA I wasn’t sure what to expect but it definitely it exactly as it says. It still has her same beautiful writing style with that gothic dark atmospheric vibes with supernatural elements. However, I think she THRIVES in a romantic subplot and since this didn’t really have that I was a little starved of her usual writing. It’s like when you eat and it doesn’t fill you up but leaves you content for now. 😅 that’s how I feel
August 23, 2026
📖 Thank you Dutton Books and NetGalley for my eARC
16-year-old Minerva flees an abusive home to become a lady’s maid to a wealthy widow. But when political violence forces them to retreat to Casa de la Gardenias, Minerva quickly learns that the haughty, 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 residents are actually the least of her worries.
There is just something about Isabel Cañas’ writing that makes it so incredibly easy to picture everything in your head. I could see the dark corridors, the shape forming in the shadows.
There’s a constant feeling of being trapped, in more ways than one. I was so on edge more than a few times, holding my breath and hoping that Minerva wouldn’t get caught. I absolutely adored Minerva as a character, and I found myself rooting for her throughout the story.
I was completely immersed in this story, and Isabel Cañas once again proves why her writing is so easy to get lost in.
16-year-old Minerva flees an abusive home to become a lady’s maid to a wealthy widow. But when political violence forces them to retreat to Casa de la Gardenias, Minerva quickly learns that the haughty, 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 residents are actually the least of her worries.
There is just something about Isabel Cañas’ writing that makes it so incredibly easy to picture everything in your head. I could see the dark corridors, the shape forming in the shadows.
There’s a constant feeling of being trapped, in more ways than one. I was so on edge more than a few times, holding my breath and hoping that Minerva wouldn’t get caught. I absolutely adored Minerva as a character, and I found myself rooting for her throughout the story.
I was completely immersed in this story, and Isabel Cañas once again proves why her writing is so easy to get lost in.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you @duttonbooks for my beautiful, finished copy. I love Canas work. If she writes it, I read it. I will admit, I did not know this was a YA novel until I finished it. It doesn’t read like one. (I mean that as a compliment) so if YA isn’t your thing, I would still give it a go.
The environment, setting and atmosphere is lush, unsettling and intimate. I loved all the dynamics at play here. Canas goes over politics, family dynamics and classism in an unnamed county. I am assuming it to be colonial Mexico.
Minerva is a wonderful heroine/ MC who has such growth throughout the story. She is courageous, loyal and brave. I thought that Canas brought everything together beautifully. The paranormal elements and battle give just enough creep factor, and the historical pieces were very well done. Totally surprised by this one..I gobbled it up. Add it to your TBR, its out now!
The environment, setting and atmosphere is lush, unsettling and intimate. I loved all the dynamics at play here. Canas goes over politics, family dynamics and classism in an unnamed county. I am assuming it to be colonial Mexico.
Minerva is a wonderful heroine/ MC who has such growth throughout the story. She is courageous, loyal and brave. I thought that Canas brought everything together beautifully. The paranormal elements and battle give just enough creep factor, and the historical pieces were very well done. Totally surprised by this one..I gobbled it up. Add it to your TBR, its out now!
September 10, 2026
I had the chance to read The House of Gardenias and I was SCAREEEED. Some scenes in this book are absolutely not for the faint of heart. The descriptions of the house, the ghostly encounters Minerva has, the way everything slowly becomes more unsettling... GODDDD. I had chills.
Thankfully, I was reading this in the middle of the day because there is absolutely no way I would have been able to sleep if I had read some of those scenes at night.
The writing is definitely one of my favourite things about this book. There’s something so atmospheric about the way the house and its ghosts are described, and the author really knows how to build that sense of dread without relying solely on jump scares.
I also really enjoyed how much depth there is beneath the horror. The book explores politics, colonialism, reclaiming power, and what it means to take back control of your own history. It’s surprisingly layered for a YA book, and I appreciated that these themes weren’t just sitting in the background.
And I really liked Minerva as a protagonist. The author captures that particular stage of youth so well, where you’re growing into yourself while simultaneously feeling like you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing. Everything is changing, everything is confusing, and you’re trying to figure out who you are in the middle of it all.
Thankfully, I was reading this in the middle of the day because there is absolutely no way I would have been able to sleep if I had read some of those scenes at night.
The writing is definitely one of my favourite things about this book. There’s something so atmospheric about the way the house and its ghosts are described, and the author really knows how to build that sense of dread without relying solely on jump scares.
I also really enjoyed how much depth there is beneath the horror. The book explores politics, colonialism, reclaiming power, and what it means to take back control of your own history. It’s surprisingly layered for a YA book, and I appreciated that these themes weren’t just sitting in the background.
And I really liked Minerva as a protagonist. The author captures that particular stage of youth so well, where you’re growing into yourself while simultaneously feeling like you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing. Everything is changing, everything is confusing, and you’re trying to figure out who you are in the middle of it all.
October 14, 2026
4.25 stars. Haunting, compelling, and gothic in the exact way I wanted, The House of Gardenias is a gorgeously written YA debut from an author I love.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sixteen-year-old Minerva Treviño has spent her life hungry, beaten, and trying to stay out of the way in a capital city torn by political violence. Desperate to survive, she flees to a wealthy neighborhood and takes a job as lady’s maid to the sharp-tongued widow Encarnación del Valle. For a while she has food, a warm house lit by magical chispa, and a reason not to care who is in power. When the viceroy returns and bloodshed follows, Encarnación retreats to the family’s mountain estate, la Casa de las Gardenias. There Minerva is surrounded by scheming relatives, other servants, and—supposedly—forces older and more dangerous than the living people in the house.
I just didn’t get the hype.This is marketed as gothic horror from an author known for that kind of atmosphere, but I never found it scary or even particularly spooky. The house is supposed to be haunted and hungry; I mostly found it talky and slow. Long stretches of political tension, family sniping, and Minerva just trying to keep her head down never built into dread for me. The supernatural elements arrive, but they didn’t land as threatening.I also never got invested in the plot. The dual timelines/perspectives and the mix of revolution, class resentment, and ghosts should have been gripping. Instead it felt like watching people circle the same rooms and the same grievances. I didn’t like any of the characters enough to care what happened to them—Minerva included. She’s meant to be a survivor, but I found her passive and hard to root for; everyone else felt either cruel, self-interested, or thinly sketched. If you want a lush, politically charged haunted-house story, other readers clearly connected with this one. I finished it bored and unmoved. Two stars.
I received a DRC from Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
I just didn’t get the hype.This is marketed as gothic horror from an author known for that kind of atmosphere, but I never found it scary or even particularly spooky. The house is supposed to be haunted and hungry; I mostly found it talky and slow. Long stretches of political tension, family sniping, and Minerva just trying to keep her head down never built into dread for me. The supernatural elements arrive, but they didn’t land as threatening.I also never got invested in the plot. The dual timelines/perspectives and the mix of revolution, class resentment, and ghosts should have been gripping. Instead it felt like watching people circle the same rooms and the same grievances. I didn’t like any of the characters enough to care what happened to them—Minerva included. She’s meant to be a survivor, but I found her passive and hard to root for; everyone else felt either cruel, self-interested, or thinly sketched. If you want a lush, politically charged haunted-house story, other readers clearly connected with this one. I finished it bored and unmoved. Two stars.
I received a DRC from Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An excellent YA gothic and perfect accessible entry point into Isabel Cañas’ books. House of the Gardenias contains all of the things I loved in her previous works, lightly simplified while preserving just the right touch of poeticism in the prose. Expect an interweaving of supernatural and social horrors, political unrest, heaps of atmosphere, and a delicate thread of romance.
This is a fairly short and tightly paced book, which I loved in the beginning because it was super addictive. But ultimately I do think that it would have gone from 4 to 5 stars if it had been longer. The third act feels a bit rushed, decisions are made that seemed irrational and needed more explanation, and I really wish we had gotten to spend more time with some of the characters. (Filomena and Ygnacio, in particular.)
Still a wonderful fall read and worthy addition to Isabel Cañas’ extremely impressive body of work!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is a fairly short and tightly paced book, which I loved in the beginning because it was super addictive. But ultimately I do think that it would have gone from 4 to 5 stars if it had been longer. The third act feels a bit rushed, decisions are made that seemed irrational and needed more explanation, and I really wish we had gotten to spend more time with some of the characters. (Filomena and Ygnacio, in particular.)
Still a wonderful fall read and worthy addition to Isabel Cañas’ extremely impressive body of work!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
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