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The House of Gardenias
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26A debut gothic YA from the USA Today bestselling author of The Hacienda and The Possession of Alba Díaz
Sixteen-year-old Minerva has spent her whole life in the slums of the capital city of an unnamed country that resembles colonial Mexico. Though she lives in the shadow of constant government turmoil, her empty belly and her father’s brutality don’t leave time for politics—especially since her older brothers ran away. Minerva can’t take another beating or miss another meal, so she flees to a wealthy loyalist neighborhood to win a job as a lady’s maid to an elderly widow.
Minerva and Encarnación del Valle—the proud and acerbic widow—form an unlikely duo. They are both survivors in their own ways, stubborn and used to being underestimated. For a time, Minerva is happy. She has food and safety in a house lit and warmed by magical chispa. Why should she care who runs the country or how her employer affords the magic?
But when the viceroy sweeps back into power on a wave of horrific bloodshed that sweeps away any hope Minerva had of seeing her brothers again, Encarnación retreats to the del Valle’s mountainside estate, the Casa de la Gardenias. Minerva finds herself surrounded by dozens of more experienced servants and the cruel, scheming younger del Valles, but the living are the least of anyone’s worries at the Casa de las Gardenias, and soon Minerva discovers that this ancient estate is home to forces far older and more bloodthirsty than the fascist del Valles or the liberal guerrillas amassing in the surrounding wilderness.
Sixteen-year-old Minerva has spent her whole life in the slums of the capital city of an unnamed country that resembles colonial Mexico. Though she lives in the shadow of constant government turmoil, her empty belly and her father’s brutality don’t leave time for politics—especially since her older brothers ran away. Minerva can’t take another beating or miss another meal, so she flees to a wealthy loyalist neighborhood to win a job as a lady’s maid to an elderly widow.
Minerva and Encarnación del Valle—the proud and acerbic widow—form an unlikely duo. They are both survivors in their own ways, stubborn and used to being underestimated. For a time, Minerva is happy. She has food and safety in a house lit and warmed by magical chispa. Why should she care who runs the country or how her employer affords the magic?
But when the viceroy sweeps back into power on a wave of horrific bloodshed that sweeps away any hope Minerva had of seeing her brothers again, Encarnación retreats to the del Valle’s mountainside estate, the Casa de la Gardenias. Minerva finds herself surrounded by dozens of more experienced servants and the cruel, scheming younger del Valles, but the living are the least of anyone’s worries at the Casa de las Gardenias, and soon Minerva discovers that this ancient estate is home to forces far older and more bloodthirsty than the fascist del Valles or the liberal guerrillas amassing in the surrounding wilderness.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 29, 2026
About the author
Isabel Cañas
14 books5,220 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
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!
May 14, 2026
First book I’ve read by her and OBSESSED!!! Such an excellent book!
May 22, 2026
Loved this book. The author did a great job of building up characters so that you like them but understand why you could also hate them. Minerva was a great character, and I enjoyed her relationship with Ygnacio and Senora Encarnacion. I want to be friends with Senora Encarnacion and listen to her stories all day.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Full review to come but y’all aren’t ready!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!! This was an AMAZING book! Highly recommend for YA library collections.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It dragged a little bit in a few spots, but it was ultimately very atmospheric and emotional. I loved the ending of the story overall
Want to Read
May 16, 2026ARC received & can’t wait to read it!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews