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Something Followed Us Home: Tales of Latiné Horror
Dive into the chilling depths of Latiné horror with this anthology, edited by Bram Stoker Award winner Cynthia Pelayo, where each story reimagines immigration, colonization, faith, and folklore as the fears we inherit and carry across borders and generations.
Something followed us home. It crawled in with our prayers, slipped into our beds, watched from mirrors, waited in water, and learned our names.
Gathering chilling work from some of today’s most acclaimed Latiné voices, this horror anthology moves through haunted households, brutal landscapes, sacred spaces turned dangerous, and bodies claimed by forces both ancient and intimate. The dead murmur behind locked doors. Bones rebuild themselves under merciless suns. Love becomes a doorway for demonic hunger. Blood, devotion, and memory intertwine as the past presses back with teeth.
Something Followed Us Home is an unnerving, visceral, and impossible-to-shake collection that proves that what is carried forward does not remain quiet, and what follows us rarely leaves without taking something in return.
Featuring stories by: Agustina Bazterrica, Isabel Cañas, Gerardo Sámano Córdova, Zoraida Córdova, Ann Dávila Cardinal, Mariana Enriquez, Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro, Xochitl Gonzalez, Leopoldo Goût, Ananda Lima, Juan Martinez, Mónica Ojeda, Daniel José Older, Cynthia Pelayo, Lilliam Rivera, Diana Rodriguez Wallach, Alex Segura.
Something followed us home. It crawled in with our prayers, slipped into our beds, watched from mirrors, waited in water, and learned our names.
Gathering chilling work from some of today’s most acclaimed Latiné voices, this horror anthology moves through haunted households, brutal landscapes, sacred spaces turned dangerous, and bodies claimed by forces both ancient and intimate. The dead murmur behind locked doors. Bones rebuild themselves under merciless suns. Love becomes a doorway for demonic hunger. Blood, devotion, and memory intertwine as the past presses back with teeth.
Something Followed Us Home is an unnerving, visceral, and impossible-to-shake collection that proves that what is carried forward does not remain quiet, and what follows us rarely leaves without taking something in return.
Featuring stories by: Agustina Bazterrica, Isabel Cañas, Gerardo Sámano Córdova, Zoraida Córdova, Ann Dávila Cardinal, Mariana Enriquez, Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro, Xochitl Gonzalez, Leopoldo Goût, Ananda Lima, Juan Martinez, Mónica Ojeda, Daniel José Older, Cynthia Pelayo, Lilliam Rivera, Diana Rodriguez Wallach, Alex Segura.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2026
About the author
Cynthia Pelayo
71 books849 followersCynthia Pelayo is a Bram Stoker Award winning and International Latino Book Award winning author and poet.
Pelayo writes fairy tales that blend genre and explore concepts of grief, mourning, and cycles of violence. She is the author of Loteria, Santa Muerte, The Missing, Poems of My Night, Into the Forest and All the Way Through, Children of Chicago, Crime Scene, The Shoemaker’s Magician, as well as dozens of standalone short stories and poems.
Loteria, which was her MFA in Writing thesis at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, was re-released to praise with Esquire calling it one of the ‘Best Horror Books of 2023.’ Santa Muerte and The Missing, her young adult horror novels were each nominated for International Latino Book Awards. Poems of My Night was nominated for an Elgin Award. Into the Forest and All the Way Through was nominated for an Elgin Award and was also nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Poetry Collection. Children of Chicago was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award in Superior Achievement in a Novel and won an International Latino Book Award for Best Mystery. Crime Scene won the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Poetry Collection. The Shoemaker’s Magician has been released to praise with Library Journal awarding it a starred review.
Her forthcoming novel, The Forgotten Sisters, will be released by Thomas and Mercer in 2024 and is an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.”
Her works have been reviewed in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Review of Books, and more.
Pelayo writes fairy tales that blend genre and explore concepts of grief, mourning, and cycles of violence. She is the author of Loteria, Santa Muerte, The Missing, Poems of My Night, Into the Forest and All the Way Through, Children of Chicago, Crime Scene, The Shoemaker’s Magician, as well as dozens of standalone short stories and poems.
Loteria, which was her MFA in Writing thesis at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, was re-released to praise with Esquire calling it one of the ‘Best Horror Books of 2023.’ Santa Muerte and The Missing, her young adult horror novels were each nominated for International Latino Book Awards. Poems of My Night was nominated for an Elgin Award. Into the Forest and All the Way Through was nominated for an Elgin Award and was also nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Poetry Collection. Children of Chicago was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award in Superior Achievement in a Novel and won an International Latino Book Award for Best Mystery. Crime Scene won the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Poetry Collection. The Shoemaker’s Magician has been released to praise with Library Journal awarding it a starred review.
Her forthcoming novel, The Forgotten Sisters, will be released by Thomas and Mercer in 2024 and is an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.”
Her works have been reviewed in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Review of Books, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 432 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Latine Heritage Month 2026 #1
Like some of the other reviewers said, a lot of these shorts aren't true horror, but fantasy or magical realism. And that's fine, but this feels poorly advertised.
1. Blue Flowers by Agustina Bazterrica
3/5 stars
I love an unreliable narrator. I don't love misogyny.
2. The Hand That Feeds by Isabel Cañas
2/5 stars
3. Her First Cruise Ship by Ann Dávila
2/5 stars
4. My Boyfriend by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
3/5 stars
You had me at demon cinnamon roll. Why did I picture Magnus Bane? Should I re-read TMI? As an adult, Luke > Jace.
5. The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Córdova
4/5 stars
I love unlikable women. A surprise pregnancy at thirty-nine must be horrifying.
6. Guardian Angel by Mariana Enríquez
3/5 stars
Is this incest, possession, or magical realism?
7. The Return of La Muelona by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro
5/5 stars
Isabel is one of my favorite names. Not Isabella. Not Bella.
An introspective look on white colonialism and plantations.
8. Pomelo by Xochitl Gonzalez
4/5 stars
I'm already annoyed by the casual misogyny.
The obsession with having multiple children when you already have one healthy one should be studied.
Fruit man was interesting. Don't even ask me to explain. I can't.
9. LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Gout
1/5 stars
10. Specter by Ananda Lima
1/5 stars
11. Mechanical Servants LLC by Juan Martinez
1/5 stars
12. The World from Above and the World from Down Below by Mónica Ojeda
3/5 stars
Incredibly sad. A man loses first his daughter, and then his wife.
Gabriela is a beautiful name. I always prefer the Spanish spelling of certain names: Ana, Camila, Carolina, Isabela, Sofia. To name a few.
13. The Rooftop Revolution of Selly Aviles by Daniel José Older
1/5 stars
14. El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo
3/5 stars
I love when stories take a turn. I won't spoil.
But love the Puerto Rican pride and dismantling of American colonialism.
15. Whispers from the Root by Lilliam Rivera
2/5 stars
16. Fidelity by Alex Segura
3/5 stars
I should've read the title first. I don't condone cheating, but I see why this housewife was unhappy. I see less of why the other househusband was unhappy. Sorry not sorry. I have no sympathy for the man.
17. We Are Gathered Here Together by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
1/5 stars
Latine Heritage Month 2026 #1
Like some of the other reviewers said, a lot of these shorts aren't true horror, but fantasy or magical realism. And that's fine, but this feels poorly advertised.
1. Blue Flowers by Agustina Bazterrica
3/5 stars
I love an unreliable narrator. I don't love misogyny.
2. The Hand That Feeds by Isabel Cañas
2/5 stars
3. Her First Cruise Ship by Ann Dávila
2/5 stars
4. My Boyfriend by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
3/5 stars
You had me at demon cinnamon roll. Why did I picture Magnus Bane? Should I re-read TMI? As an adult, Luke > Jace.
5. The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Córdova
4/5 stars
I love unlikable women. A surprise pregnancy at thirty-nine must be horrifying.
6. Guardian Angel by Mariana Enríquez
3/5 stars
Is this incest, possession, or magical realism?
7. The Return of La Muelona by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro
5/5 stars
Isabel is one of my favorite names. Not Isabella. Not Bella.
An introspective look on white colonialism and plantations.
8. Pomelo by Xochitl Gonzalez
4/5 stars
I'm already annoyed by the casual misogyny.
The obsession with having multiple children when you already have one healthy one should be studied.
Fruit man was interesting. Don't even ask me to explain. I can't.
9. LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Gout
1/5 stars
10. Specter by Ananda Lima
1/5 stars
11. Mechanical Servants LLC by Juan Martinez
1/5 stars
12. The World from Above and the World from Down Below by Mónica Ojeda
3/5 stars
Incredibly sad. A man loses first his daughter, and then his wife.
Gabriela is a beautiful name. I always prefer the Spanish spelling of certain names: Ana, Camila, Carolina, Isabela, Sofia. To name a few.
13. The Rooftop Revolution of Selly Aviles by Daniel José Older
1/5 stars
14. El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo
3/5 stars
I love when stories take a turn. I won't spoil.
But love the Puerto Rican pride and dismantling of American colonialism.
15. Whispers from the Root by Lilliam Rivera
2/5 stars
16. Fidelity by Alex Segura
3/5 stars
I should've read the title first. I don't condone cheating, but I see why this housewife was unhappy. I see less of why the other househusband was unhappy. Sorry not sorry. I have no sympathy for the man.
17. We Are Gathered Here Together by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
1/5 stars
June 25, 2026
a diverse anthology of latin american horror stories. there's a great deal of tonal variation from piece to piece, so it doesn't feel very cohesive - and many of the pieces are lighter than the book's presentation would lead me to expect. as with any anthology, some pieces are stronger than others.
there are some glimmers of spanish language here and there among these stories, but the majority of the pieces shy away from bilingual content, despite the fact that some were originally written in english and some were written in spanish and appear in translation here. i wish there was more indulgence in the mingling of languages, though it's wonderful that this collection is being published in both languages.
BLUE FLOWERS by agustina bazterrica - a powerful and haunting ghost story about the loss and guilt that afflict one farm girl when she remembers what she has done.
THE HAND THAT FEEDS by isabel cañas - the dark folktale of la loba, a wolf woman who takes off her wolfskin and becomes human to marry a controlling man who keeps her wolfskin locked away. this feels like a variation on the legend of the selkie.
HER FIRST CRUISE SHIP by ann dávila cardinal - zombie tourists arrive in a puerto rico city in droves, doing immense damage but providing economic benefit - the tradeoff that comes with being a colonized tourist destination. entertaining, but a bit too on the nose.
MY BOYFRIEND by gerardo sámano córdova - a bloody and comedic achilean piece about a guy whose boyfriend is possessed by a demon. he tells himself he loves both the boyfriend and the demon, but he's determined to help the demon thrive. a bittersweet breakup story.
THE IMMACULATE REBIRTH OF NICKI DURAN by zoraida córdova - a chilling speculative piece about a wave of sudden second trimester pregnancies. the birth of a mysterious entity vs the rebirth of the self.
GUARDIAN ANGEL by mariana enriquez - a dark tale of witnesesing familial demonic possession in the form of incest. very dark, religious, and bloody.
THE RETURN OF LA MUELONA by carolina flórez cerchiaro - a folktale about a young woman trying to escape her expected future of marrying the son of a plantation owner. wives and laborers are endlessly exploited for capitalist greed, until a mystical reckoning comes. this is a powerful colonization revenge story, told in beautiful prose.
POMELO by xochitl gonzalez - another folktale - this one is about a selfish patriarch presiding over a glass house (literally) and reinforcing patriarchal family structure until divine retribution comes. there's a magical grapefruit tree, brujeria, maternal sacrifice, and a sibling borne of the earth. i love the trippy magical realist turn this takes in the second half!
LUZ Y FER by leopold gout - this is the first story in the collection to genuinely creep me out. paranoia, huge scale conspiracy, a pair of twins acting as portents of disasters, two halves of one whole, passing their role on to the protagonist. this one is suspenseful and fascinating.
SPECTER by ananda lima - a fantastic technological / linguistic horror story about a grad student who is haunted by an alligator-masked creature who demands words. i love lima's imaginative writing.
MECHANICAL SERVANTS LLC by juan martinez - a surreal and sad story of alternate selves and alternate versions of our loved ones. the MC's precarious legal status adds a layer of anxiety and disempowerment.
THE WORLD FROM ABOVE AND THE WORLD FROM DOWN BELOW by mónica ojeda - this is a heartbreaking story about untenable grief and the zombie resurrection of a dead child. some returns are sadder than disappearances.
THE ROOFTOP REVOLUTION OF SELLY AVILES by daniel jose older - a punchy romp about a writer / dogwalker, a mysterious wealthy consortium, and the power of stories. interesting, but it feels unfinished.
EL JIBARO DE PUERTO RICO by cynthia pelayo - a brutal colonization story with a shyamalan-esque twist. poignant, but without subtlety.
WHISPERS FROM THE ROOT by lilliam rivera - a surreal and biting piece about magical transformation intergenerational revenge.
FIDELITY by alex segura - the legend of el silbón - a jaded housewife has an affair with a sexy dad who's actually a demon. she carries out the legend and becomes the demon herself.
WE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER by diane rodriguez wallach - the final piece is the delicious story of a vigilante vampire family inflicting revenge on bullies and cruel white people. love the triumphant sense of justice!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
there are some glimmers of spanish language here and there among these stories, but the majority of the pieces shy away from bilingual content, despite the fact that some were originally written in english and some were written in spanish and appear in translation here. i wish there was more indulgence in the mingling of languages, though it's wonderful that this collection is being published in both languages.
BLUE FLOWERS by agustina bazterrica - a powerful and haunting ghost story about the loss and guilt that afflict one farm girl when she remembers what she has done.
THE HAND THAT FEEDS by isabel cañas - the dark folktale of la loba, a wolf woman who takes off her wolfskin and becomes human to marry a controlling man who keeps her wolfskin locked away. this feels like a variation on the legend of the selkie.
HER FIRST CRUISE SHIP by ann dávila cardinal - zombie tourists arrive in a puerto rico city in droves, doing immense damage but providing economic benefit - the tradeoff that comes with being a colonized tourist destination. entertaining, but a bit too on the nose.
MY BOYFRIEND by gerardo sámano córdova - a bloody and comedic achilean piece about a guy whose boyfriend is possessed by a demon. he tells himself he loves both the boyfriend and the demon, but he's determined to help the demon thrive. a bittersweet breakup story.
THE IMMACULATE REBIRTH OF NICKI DURAN by zoraida córdova - a chilling speculative piece about a wave of sudden second trimester pregnancies. the birth of a mysterious entity vs the rebirth of the self.
GUARDIAN ANGEL by mariana enriquez - a dark tale of witnesesing familial demonic possession in the form of incest. very dark, religious, and bloody.
THE RETURN OF LA MUELONA by carolina flórez cerchiaro - a folktale about a young woman trying to escape her expected future of marrying the son of a plantation owner. wives and laborers are endlessly exploited for capitalist greed, until a mystical reckoning comes. this is a powerful colonization revenge story, told in beautiful prose.
POMELO by xochitl gonzalez - another folktale - this one is about a selfish patriarch presiding over a glass house (literally) and reinforcing patriarchal family structure until divine retribution comes. there's a magical grapefruit tree, brujeria, maternal sacrifice, and a sibling borne of the earth. i love the trippy magical realist turn this takes in the second half!
LUZ Y FER by leopold gout - this is the first story in the collection to genuinely creep me out. paranoia, huge scale conspiracy, a pair of twins acting as portents of disasters, two halves of one whole, passing their role on to the protagonist. this one is suspenseful and fascinating.
SPECTER by ananda lima - a fantastic technological / linguistic horror story about a grad student who is haunted by an alligator-masked creature who demands words. i love lima's imaginative writing.
MECHANICAL SERVANTS LLC by juan martinez - a surreal and sad story of alternate selves and alternate versions of our loved ones. the MC's precarious legal status adds a layer of anxiety and disempowerment.
THE WORLD FROM ABOVE AND THE WORLD FROM DOWN BELOW by mónica ojeda - this is a heartbreaking story about untenable grief and the zombie resurrection of a dead child. some returns are sadder than disappearances.
THE ROOFTOP REVOLUTION OF SELLY AVILES by daniel jose older - a punchy romp about a writer / dogwalker, a mysterious wealthy consortium, and the power of stories. interesting, but it feels unfinished.
EL JIBARO DE PUERTO RICO by cynthia pelayo - a brutal colonization story with a shyamalan-esque twist. poignant, but without subtlety.
WHISPERS FROM THE ROOT by lilliam rivera - a surreal and biting piece about magical transformation intergenerational revenge.
FIDELITY by alex segura - the legend of el silbón - a jaded housewife has an affair with a sexy dad who's actually a demon. she carries out the legend and becomes the demon herself.
WE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER by diane rodriguez wallach - the final piece is the delicious story of a vigilante vampire family inflicting revenge on bullies and cruel white people. love the triumphant sense of justice!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was initially drawn to this book because of the story by Ann Dàvila Cardinal but seeing Zoraida Córdova and Isabel Cañas in the list I knew I was in for at the very least a solidly enjoyable read and I wasn't wrong. This collection is a really mixed bag but it's exactly the kind of mixed bag I would expect with Pelayo, I can feel her curation in there. What I'm trying to say is that if you like her work, you'll probably like this anthology, not just her piece in it.
Micro review of each story:
Blue Flowers by Agustina Bazterrica
Wasn't a fan of this one, mostly because of the way the ending was handled, not really of what it was but how it was written.
The Hand That Feeds by Isabel Cañas
The story is a classic, you've probable read something similar before but it's still good.
Her First Cruise Ship by Ann Dávila
The story I came here for. Cruise ships are horrifying to begin with but add some retail horror and a sticky sprinkle of decay and I'm seduced.
My Boyfriend by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
Light on the horror but so much fun!
The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Córdova
Exactly the brand of weirdness I expected from this author, and I was delighted. It has a touch of disaffection, just enough dream logic to keep you unsteady and the imagery is stunning.
Guardian Angel by Mariana Enríquez
Uncomfortable as all get outs and left me questioning what the heck I had just read.
The Return of La Muelona by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro
Always here for a revenge arc but I wish the story was a little tighter.
Pomelo by Xochitl Gonzalez
This felt more like magical realism than like horror.
LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Gout
I have kind of a touch and go history with this author's work so I wasn't convinced about this one but I ended up enjoying it well enough. I think it being short form made it so that his ideas weren't diluted to heck with fluff.
Specter by Ananda Lima
Not sure I really got it but Lima did a fantastic job setting up the ambiance.
Mechanical Servants LLC by Juan Martinez
My favourite story of the whole anthology. There's liminality, that doesn't just rely on visually unsettling spaces, real liminality. I really rooted for the character and oddly enough I related to a lot of his affects.
The World from Above and the World from Down Below by Mónica Ojeda
This one was bleak and beautiful.
The Rooftop Revolution of Selly Aviles by Daniel José Older
Another one I wouldn't necessarily consider horror
El jibaro de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo
Sad and beautiful
Whispers from the Root by Lilliam Rivera
Big fan of stories that ask "what is a haunting" so I liked this one for that.
Fidelity by Alex Segura
Hard to review this one without giving spoilers but it was one of the best stories in there in my opinion.
We Are Gathered Here Together by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
I liked it well enough but it didn't feel like a full story, felt like a stage being set up.
I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, many thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this title early, this did not affect my review (or at the very least I don't believe it has).
Micro review of each story:
Blue Flowers by Agustina Bazterrica
Wasn't a fan of this one, mostly because of the way the ending was handled, not really of what it was but how it was written.
The Hand That Feeds by Isabel Cañas
The story is a classic, you've probable read something similar before but it's still good.
Her First Cruise Ship by Ann Dávila
The story I came here for. Cruise ships are horrifying to begin with but add some retail horror and a sticky sprinkle of decay and I'm seduced.
My Boyfriend by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
Light on the horror but so much fun!
The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Córdova
Exactly the brand of weirdness I expected from this author, and I was delighted. It has a touch of disaffection, just enough dream logic to keep you unsteady and the imagery is stunning.
Guardian Angel by Mariana Enríquez
Uncomfortable as all get outs and left me questioning what the heck I had just read.
The Return of La Muelona by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro
Always here for a revenge arc but I wish the story was a little tighter.
Pomelo by Xochitl Gonzalez
This felt more like magical realism than like horror.
LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Gout
I have kind of a touch and go history with this author's work so I wasn't convinced about this one but I ended up enjoying it well enough. I think it being short form made it so that his ideas weren't diluted to heck with fluff.
Specter by Ananda Lima
Not sure I really got it but Lima did a fantastic job setting up the ambiance.
Mechanical Servants LLC by Juan Martinez
My favourite story of the whole anthology. There's liminality, that doesn't just rely on visually unsettling spaces, real liminality. I really rooted for the character and oddly enough I related to a lot of his affects.
The World from Above and the World from Down Below by Mónica Ojeda
This one was bleak and beautiful.
The Rooftop Revolution of Selly Aviles by Daniel José Older
Another one I wouldn't necessarily consider horror
El jibaro de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo
Sad and beautiful
Whispers from the Root by Lilliam Rivera
Big fan of stories that ask "what is a haunting" so I liked this one for that.
Fidelity by Alex Segura
Hard to review this one without giving spoilers but it was one of the best stories in there in my opinion.
We Are Gathered Here Together by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
I liked it well enough but it didn't feel like a full story, felt like a stage being set up.
I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, many thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this title early, this did not affect my review (or at the very least I don't believe it has).
September 17, 2026
Lantiné Horror Anthology Review
I have to admit that this is one of the best anthologies I’ve ever read! With the first story by Agustina Bazterrica, I was hooked!
The stories that stood out to me were…..
LUZ Y FER by @leopoldoleopoldo was my favorite!!! A secret society? Good versus Evil! Sign me up and I absolutely loved how it ended!! Cleverly done Mr. Goût 👏👏
Guardian Angel by Mariana Enriquez
— A creepy doll possessing a father? This was really trippy.
The Hand That Feeds by Isabel Canãs
— About a woman who can turn into a wolf by putting on her “wolf skin” and seeks vengeance upon the husband who hurts her. This was a GOOD FOR HER story and I loved it.
El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo
— About a family dealing with tragic loss and the ghosts that still haunt them. Very atmospheric and chilling!
Stories of folklore, ghosts, repression, religion, witches, revenge, and more. I really loved it and it’s a perfect read for National Latiné Heritage Month!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Primero Sueno Press and The Tobias Literacy Agency for the gifted copy!
Out 9/29
I have to admit that this is one of the best anthologies I’ve ever read! With the first story by Agustina Bazterrica, I was hooked!
The stories that stood out to me were…..
LUZ Y FER by @leopoldoleopoldo was my favorite!!! A secret society? Good versus Evil! Sign me up and I absolutely loved how it ended!! Cleverly done Mr. Goût 👏👏
Guardian Angel by Mariana Enriquez
— A creepy doll possessing a father? This was really trippy.
The Hand That Feeds by Isabel Canãs
— About a woman who can turn into a wolf by putting on her “wolf skin” and seeks vengeance upon the husband who hurts her. This was a GOOD FOR HER story and I loved it.
El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo
— About a family dealing with tragic loss and the ghosts that still haunt them. Very atmospheric and chilling!
Stories of folklore, ghosts, repression, religion, witches, revenge, and more. I really loved it and it’s a perfect read for National Latiné Heritage Month!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Primero Sueno Press and The Tobias Literacy Agency for the gifted copy!
Out 9/29
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating and reviewing anthologies is difficult. Some are great. Some not so much lol. I really liked a couple of them in the beginning. Her First Cruise Ship which is about tourist zombies and My Boyfriend which is about this guys boyfriend who happens to be possessed. That one was probably my favorite. But there were others that I just didn't care for like Pomelo. I was glad to read this as it introduced me to new authors that I would enjoy reading from again.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review in the August 2026 issue of Booklist and on the blog: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2026/08... (link live on 8/10 at 7am central)
4.5 out of 5
Three Words That Describe This Book: Haunting, Full Range of Scares, Thought-Provoking
Like Never Whistle at Night anthos or Sinew and Silk (Kulski) this is a cultural based anthology that is able to showcase what unites these Latine authors but also showcase what makes them different. These stories are all haunting. Some chilling, others visceral. Some more myth or folklore others more psychological. Some straight up terror others sardonic.
But here's the thing, no matter your background as a reader, you will find something that resonates with you here. It is both a specific volume and a universal one. These are inherited stories in some ways but universal as well.
But all haunting. The introduction (by Brenda Lozano, translated by Heather Cleary) talks about what distinguishes a ghost from one culture to the next, how they are the same and different. It is an excellent essay on its own. She writes about how Latin American stories-- even when written in English are linked to political history of Spanish. She write about Latin American Ghosts being connected to colonialism, narco violence, femicide, precession, and dictatorships. But also the specific folklore of the people depending on where they are from.
The haunting is what I felt reading the stories. They are so different and yet, they all reverberate with a similar energy. The voices presented in each tale linger. The stories unsettle readers-- each in their own way. And you cannot help but think about each after you finish them. The fear is still there whether you want it to be or not, whether you have a personal connection to Latin America or not. And that is the sign of a solid horror anthology.
Published simultaneously in English and Spanish which is cool on its own but when you realized that I read the English version and some stories are noted who translated them into English and when Spanish readers get it, the ones I read in English will have translated by attributions. This is exactly what this anthology is trying to do -- make the way the past, the author's ties to their various Latin traditions, resonate in the present. How the stories they were told, the horrors they lived through, colonization, folklore, diaspora, immigration, family, legacy, violence, revenge, ghosts-- all of it made these authors who they are and that connection to the Spanish, whether they speak it or not, it is there.
Because of the range of scares and writing styles, not every reader will read the entire thing cover to cover at once. But what I think will happen-- readers will come to read a story by an author they love-- and there are many here that have legions of fans (especially some YA authors). They wil read that story and then try another. Maybe by another author they have heard of. And then maybe come back to it to try another.
The awesome TOC is great. I especially hope it draws more readers to the amazing works by these authors-- especially Craft: Stories I wrote for the Devil by Amanda Lima and A Sunny Place for Shady People by Mariana Enríquez.
Stories I want to call out
The first story By Agustina Bazterrica-- Blue Flowers is a great representation of the entire book. Setting the haunting stage. It is psychological, it is chilling, and it will linger with readers. It is also about a family which many of these stories are. Almost all are centered around family relationships.
Ann Davila Cardinal-- Her First Cruise Ship-- is a diaspora story but it is also a shocking satire about the vacation industry in and around PR. I loved it. You will laugh and gasp, but also Cardinal will not allow you to leave it behind without thinking about why you laughed and why you gasped. If you have ever been on a Caribbean island vacation, you will feel discomfort at this one.
Ananda Lima is an author of Brazilian descent that I love. She writes stories that are so original and compelling. This one Specter-- it is a psychological story of the anxiety and fear around being an immigrant, in this case, a grad student. You can feel everything that is happening here-- the real fear and the supernatural.
But my favorite might be Lilliam Rivera's Whispers from the Root. Rivera is a YA author who I was unfamiliar with before this anthology. She grabbed me from the first line and did not let go. This is an angry story of body horror and revenge and WOW! I have not read anything like it. The visuals she creates, the historical harm from one man on three families, the prophesy coming true, the three people knowing they had to make a trek to exact revenge, All of it. the pain, the horror, the heartbreak. The revenge across generations. The cheering for the villain to get his. LOVED IT. Reminded me of Stephen Graham Jones.
4.5 out of 5
Three Words That Describe This Book: Haunting, Full Range of Scares, Thought-Provoking
Like Never Whistle at Night anthos or Sinew and Silk (Kulski) this is a cultural based anthology that is able to showcase what unites these Latine authors but also showcase what makes them different. These stories are all haunting. Some chilling, others visceral. Some more myth or folklore others more psychological. Some straight up terror others sardonic.
But here's the thing, no matter your background as a reader, you will find something that resonates with you here. It is both a specific volume and a universal one. These are inherited stories in some ways but universal as well.
But all haunting. The introduction (by Brenda Lozano, translated by Heather Cleary) talks about what distinguishes a ghost from one culture to the next, how they are the same and different. It is an excellent essay on its own. She writes about how Latin American stories-- even when written in English are linked to political history of Spanish. She write about Latin American Ghosts being connected to colonialism, narco violence, femicide, precession, and dictatorships. But also the specific folklore of the people depending on where they are from.
The haunting is what I felt reading the stories. They are so different and yet, they all reverberate with a similar energy. The voices presented in each tale linger. The stories unsettle readers-- each in their own way. And you cannot help but think about each after you finish them. The fear is still there whether you want it to be or not, whether you have a personal connection to Latin America or not. And that is the sign of a solid horror anthology.
Published simultaneously in English and Spanish which is cool on its own but when you realized that I read the English version and some stories are noted who translated them into English and when Spanish readers get it, the ones I read in English will have translated by attributions. This is exactly what this anthology is trying to do -- make the way the past, the author's ties to their various Latin traditions, resonate in the present. How the stories they were told, the horrors they lived through, colonization, folklore, diaspora, immigration, family, legacy, violence, revenge, ghosts-- all of it made these authors who they are and that connection to the Spanish, whether they speak it or not, it is there.
Because of the range of scares and writing styles, not every reader will read the entire thing cover to cover at once. But what I think will happen-- readers will come to read a story by an author they love-- and there are many here that have legions of fans (especially some YA authors). They wil read that story and then try another. Maybe by another author they have heard of. And then maybe come back to it to try another.
The awesome TOC is great. I especially hope it draws more readers to the amazing works by these authors-- especially Craft: Stories I wrote for the Devil by Amanda Lima and A Sunny Place for Shady People by Mariana Enríquez.
Stories I want to call out
The first story By Agustina Bazterrica-- Blue Flowers is a great representation of the entire book. Setting the haunting stage. It is psychological, it is chilling, and it will linger with readers. It is also about a family which many of these stories are. Almost all are centered around family relationships.
Ann Davila Cardinal-- Her First Cruise Ship-- is a diaspora story but it is also a shocking satire about the vacation industry in and around PR. I loved it. You will laugh and gasp, but also Cardinal will not allow you to leave it behind without thinking about why you laughed and why you gasped. If you have ever been on a Caribbean island vacation, you will feel discomfort at this one.
Ananda Lima is an author of Brazilian descent that I love. She writes stories that are so original and compelling. This one Specter-- it is a psychological story of the anxiety and fear around being an immigrant, in this case, a grad student. You can feel everything that is happening here-- the real fear and the supernatural.
But my favorite might be Lilliam Rivera's Whispers from the Root. Rivera is a YA author who I was unfamiliar with before this anthology. She grabbed me from the first line and did not let go. This is an angry story of body horror and revenge and WOW! I have not read anything like it. The visuals she creates, the historical harm from one man on three families, the prophesy coming true, the three people knowing they had to make a trek to exact revenge, All of it. the pain, the horror, the heartbreak. The revenge across generations. The cheering for the villain to get his. LOVED IT. Reminded me of Stephen Graham Jones.
October 10, 2026
This anthology presents seventeen horror short stories written by today's most popular Hispanic writers. The themes of the stories are varied, but all have a supernatural pull. There were some standouts for me, like
“The Return of La Muelona” by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro, El Jíbara de Puerto Rico” by Cynthia Pelayo and "The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran” by Zoraida Córdova, which I am still thinking about days later. As I always do with an anthology, I am going to discuss each one and rate it on its own. Not every story resonated with me, but it did introduce me to a few authors that I would like to read more by.
Blue Flowers by Agustina Bazterrica 2.5 stars- A child's repressed memories left me with a lot of questions.
This Hand That Feeds by Isabel Cañas 3 stars. A man tries to keep his wife from taking her wolf form, but she wants to be free.
Her First Cruise Ship by Ann Dávila Cardinal 2 stars. Zombie stories/comedy horror; it was at this moment I wondered if any story would grip me.
My Boyfriend by Gerardo Sámano Córdova- 3.5 stars Dating a guy who might be a demon, the protagonist realizes he digs it, and then he goes down a rabbit hole of killing, which he realizes he actually enjoys. Uncomfortable, but it was the first of the stories where I felt more invested.
The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Córdova 4 stars- Women begin waking up and finding themselves pregnant, including our protagonist, Nicki. I took it as a social commentary on reproductive rights and the patriarchy deciding what happens with women's bodies. But the ending left me feeling empty.
Guardian Angel by Mariana Enríquez 3 stars- Creepy. Yeah, that's about all I will say on this one.
The Return of La Muelona by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro 6 stars. Memorable. A great revenge story about colonial oppression that really did have that horror feeling for me.
Pomelo by Xochitl Gonzalez 3.5 stars. Never underestimate your daughters and wives. Nor should you try to control them. Felt like a folk tale
LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Goût NR I liked the title play on Lucifer. Conspiracy action thrillers don't engage me. I didn't finish the story, so I leave it unrated.
Specter by Ananda Lima NR I didn't get it! So I leave it unrated, but it was a true horror story.
Mechanical Servants LLC by Juan Martinez 2.5 stars Futuristic, Technology isn't always good.
The World from Above and the World from Down Below by Mónica Ojeda 3.5 stars. All about a father's grief. The ending was interesting and made me sad.
The Rooftop Revolution of Selly Aviles by Daniel José Older 2 stars. First-person perspective; protagonist was abrasive; story didn't stick.
El Jíbara de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo 6 stars. Story swirls around the 1937 Ponce Massacre in Puerto Rico. I had to stop reading and take a breather. The relationship between the granddaughter and her grandfather was beautiful, and they were the first two characters that I deeply ached over.
Whispers from the Root by Lilliam Rivera 3 stars People wake up with missing body parts; someone has to pay. I have a lot of questions remaining.
Fidelity by Alex Segura 3.5 stars. Never trust a soccer mom. This one made me chuckle. What does it say about me?
We Are Gathered Here Together by Diana Rodriguez Wallach 4 stars. A vampire comedy with a nice little twist. A good way to end the anthology.
Publication Date 29/09/26
Goodreads Review 10/10/26
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Primero Sueno Press for access to this title.
“The Return of La Muelona” by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro, El Jíbara de Puerto Rico” by Cynthia Pelayo and "The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran” by Zoraida Córdova, which I am still thinking about days later. As I always do with an anthology, I am going to discuss each one and rate it on its own. Not every story resonated with me, but it did introduce me to a few authors that I would like to read more by.
Blue Flowers by Agustina Bazterrica 2.5 stars- A child's repressed memories left me with a lot of questions.
This Hand That Feeds by Isabel Cañas 3 stars. A man tries to keep his wife from taking her wolf form, but she wants to be free.
Her First Cruise Ship by Ann Dávila Cardinal 2 stars. Zombie stories/comedy horror; it was at this moment I wondered if any story would grip me.
My Boyfriend by Gerardo Sámano Córdova- 3.5 stars Dating a guy who might be a demon, the protagonist realizes he digs it, and then he goes down a rabbit hole of killing, which he realizes he actually enjoys. Uncomfortable, but it was the first of the stories where I felt more invested.
The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Córdova 4 stars- Women begin waking up and finding themselves pregnant, including our protagonist, Nicki. I took it as a social commentary on reproductive rights and the patriarchy deciding what happens with women's bodies. But the ending left me feeling empty.
Guardian Angel by Mariana Enríquez 3 stars- Creepy. Yeah, that's about all I will say on this one.
The Return of La Muelona by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro 6 stars. Memorable. A great revenge story about colonial oppression that really did have that horror feeling for me.
Pomelo by Xochitl Gonzalez 3.5 stars. Never underestimate your daughters and wives. Nor should you try to control them. Felt like a folk tale
LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Goût NR I liked the title play on Lucifer. Conspiracy action thrillers don't engage me. I didn't finish the story, so I leave it unrated.
Specter by Ananda Lima NR I didn't get it! So I leave it unrated, but it was a true horror story.
Mechanical Servants LLC by Juan Martinez 2.5 stars Futuristic, Technology isn't always good.
The World from Above and the World from Down Below by Mónica Ojeda 3.5 stars. All about a father's grief. The ending was interesting and made me sad.
The Rooftop Revolution of Selly Aviles by Daniel José Older 2 stars. First-person perspective; protagonist was abrasive; story didn't stick.
El Jíbara de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo 6 stars. Story swirls around the 1937 Ponce Massacre in Puerto Rico. I had to stop reading and take a breather. The relationship between the granddaughter and her grandfather was beautiful, and they were the first two characters that I deeply ached over.
Whispers from the Root by Lilliam Rivera 3 stars People wake up with missing body parts; someone has to pay. I have a lot of questions remaining.
Fidelity by Alex Segura 3.5 stars. Never trust a soccer mom. This one made me chuckle. What does it say about me?
We Are Gathered Here Together by Diana Rodriguez Wallach 4 stars. A vampire comedy with a nice little twist. A good way to end the anthology.
Publication Date 29/09/26
Goodreads Review 10/10/26
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Primero Sueno Press for access to this title.
October 13, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Horror + Short Stories
Something Followed Us Home is a collection of horror stories written by many authors. One of the aspects I appreciate a lot about this collection is the variety it offers. Having not read many Latin American stories in the past made reading this collection an interesting experience. It focuses on Latin American folklore, mythology, and traditions with a horror wrap-up. The stories in this book offer different perspectives on horror. All depends on what an author interprets as scary, and because there are many authors, it means you will see the difference to varying degrees.
I’m a big fan of literary fiction, so I found myself drawn to some stories more than others, mainly because of the writing style. Some authors successfully made their stories more engaging in one way or another, whether it is the plot, characters, or the atmosphere. Others were less successful, at least in my view. With an anthology like this, I suppose some unevenness is to be expected.
A word of caution, though: don't go into this expecting every story to be horror in the conventional sense. Fans of conventional horror might not dig every single story in the collection, as some of them, I feel, were more like fantasy or folklore or literary fiction without the horror.
Another thing you need to remember is that these are short stories, so your expectations about character development should be grounded. There is hardly enough room for substantial character development, and some of the ideas might have benefited from a longer format. Still, I appreciate the collection for its cultural variety and the different approaches its authors take. Not every story worked for me, but there was enough here to make it a worthwhile read. 3.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.
https://constantinebooks.blogspot.com...
Genre: Horror + Short Stories
Something Followed Us Home is a collection of horror stories written by many authors. One of the aspects I appreciate a lot about this collection is the variety it offers. Having not read many Latin American stories in the past made reading this collection an interesting experience. It focuses on Latin American folklore, mythology, and traditions with a horror wrap-up. The stories in this book offer different perspectives on horror. All depends on what an author interprets as scary, and because there are many authors, it means you will see the difference to varying degrees.
I’m a big fan of literary fiction, so I found myself drawn to some stories more than others, mainly because of the writing style. Some authors successfully made their stories more engaging in one way or another, whether it is the plot, characters, or the atmosphere. Others were less successful, at least in my view. With an anthology like this, I suppose some unevenness is to be expected.
A word of caution, though: don't go into this expecting every story to be horror in the conventional sense. Fans of conventional horror might not dig every single story in the collection, as some of them, I feel, were more like fantasy or folklore or literary fiction without the horror.
Another thing you need to remember is that these are short stories, so your expectations about character development should be grounded. There is hardly enough room for substantial character development, and some of the ideas might have benefited from a longer format. Still, I appreciate the collection for its cultural variety and the different approaches its authors take. Not every story worked for me, but there was enough here to make it a worthwhile read. 3.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.
https://constantinebooks.blogspot.com...
October 20, 2026
Outstanding!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
For you and me, and for us.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Monstrous in life, monstrous in death”
3.9/5
Something Followed Us Home is a wonderfully varied anthology of Latin American horror, folklore, magical realism, and the strange territory where those things overlap. As with any collection of short stories, some pieces landed considerably harder than others, and I found the tonal variation occasionally worked against the cohesion of the book as a whole. There were also more stories that felt folkloric, whimsical, or magical-realism-adjacent than genuinely horrific, which isn't inherently a criticism but did occasionally leave me feeling that the presentation promised a darker collection than the one I actually read. I also found myself wishing for more linguistic interplay; there are glimpses of Spanish throughout, and it is wonderful that the collection exists in both languages, but I would have loved to see the bilingual nature of the collection more fully reflected on the page.
Among the individual stories, the collection's strongest personalities were varied enough that I never felt like I was reading the same story twice - in plot or theme. The strongest, in my opinion, were: Blue Flowers - quiet and haunting, with a folkloric quality that gradually curdles into something much darker; The Hand That Feeds - carries a similarly restrained unease, its folklore-inspired atmosphere doing considerably more work than its brevity might suggest; The Return of La Muelona - easily one of my favorites, gorgeously written and steeped in generational rage, feminine vengeance, and the lingering violence of colonial exploitation; Pomelo - takes a stranger, more dreamlike route, leaning heavily into magical realism and symbolism in a way that didn't always hold my attention but ultimately produced some wonderfully surreal imagery; Luz y Fer - among the collection's more genuinely unsettling offerings, with a creeping sense of paranoia and impending catastrophe that lingered long after the story ended; The World from Above and the World from Down Below - less frightening than devastating; its grief is so absolute that the horror almost becomes secondary; Fidelity - struck a particularly satisfying balance between folklore and contemporary horror, and I found myself wishing there were considerably more of it by the end El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico - similarly memorable, with a sharp and poignant examination of colonialism that occasionally sacrifices subtlety for emphasis, but its emotional weight still landed.
The breadth of perspectives and traditions that this collection brings together is easy to appreciate and enjoy. Even when a story didn't entirely work for me, there was usually something distinctive in its voice, mythology, imagery, or cultural framework that made it worthwhile. The strongest pieces understand that horror doesn't have to mean gore or conventional monsters; sometimes it is inheritance, displacement, grief, exploitation, faith, or the consequences of refusing to let an old wound close. I would have preferred a more consistently unsettling collection, and there are several stories here that I would have happily given considerably more room to develop, but the standouts were genuinely memorable. Something Followed Us Home is an interesting and often beautiful collection, particularly for readers willing to let their definition of horror stretch a little beyond the traditional.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I sincerely enjoyed this eclectic anthology and look forward to the next ARC opportunity.
3.9/5
Something Followed Us Home is a wonderfully varied anthology of Latin American horror, folklore, magical realism, and the strange territory where those things overlap. As with any collection of short stories, some pieces landed considerably harder than others, and I found the tonal variation occasionally worked against the cohesion of the book as a whole. There were also more stories that felt folkloric, whimsical, or magical-realism-adjacent than genuinely horrific, which isn't inherently a criticism but did occasionally leave me feeling that the presentation promised a darker collection than the one I actually read. I also found myself wishing for more linguistic interplay; there are glimpses of Spanish throughout, and it is wonderful that the collection exists in both languages, but I would have loved to see the bilingual nature of the collection more fully reflected on the page.
Among the individual stories, the collection's strongest personalities were varied enough that I never felt like I was reading the same story twice - in plot or theme. The strongest, in my opinion, were: Blue Flowers - quiet and haunting, with a folkloric quality that gradually curdles into something much darker; The Hand That Feeds - carries a similarly restrained unease, its folklore-inspired atmosphere doing considerably more work than its brevity might suggest; The Return of La Muelona - easily one of my favorites, gorgeously written and steeped in generational rage, feminine vengeance, and the lingering violence of colonial exploitation; Pomelo - takes a stranger, more dreamlike route, leaning heavily into magical realism and symbolism in a way that didn't always hold my attention but ultimately produced some wonderfully surreal imagery; Luz y Fer - among the collection's more genuinely unsettling offerings, with a creeping sense of paranoia and impending catastrophe that lingered long after the story ended; The World from Above and the World from Down Below - less frightening than devastating; its grief is so absolute that the horror almost becomes secondary; Fidelity - struck a particularly satisfying balance between folklore and contemporary horror, and I found myself wishing there were considerably more of it by the end El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico - similarly memorable, with a sharp and poignant examination of colonialism that occasionally sacrifices subtlety for emphasis, but its emotional weight still landed.
The breadth of perspectives and traditions that this collection brings together is easy to appreciate and enjoy. Even when a story didn't entirely work for me, there was usually something distinctive in its voice, mythology, imagery, or cultural framework that made it worthwhile. The strongest pieces understand that horror doesn't have to mean gore or conventional monsters; sometimes it is inheritance, displacement, grief, exploitation, faith, or the consequences of refusing to let an old wound close. I would have preferred a more consistently unsettling collection, and there are several stories here that I would have happily given considerably more room to develop, but the standouts were genuinely memorable. Something Followed Us Home is an interesting and often beautiful collection, particularly for readers willing to let their definition of horror stretch a little beyond the traditional.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I sincerely enjoyed this eclectic anthology and look forward to the next ARC opportunity.
June 3, 2026
Some of my favorite authors are featured in this collection, which made me eager to pick it up. Unfortunately, it ended up being a fairly average read. While a few stories were enjoyable, none were particularly memorable.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Something Followed Us Home
Collection of Latine Horror Stories
Pub date: Oct 20, 2026
I really enjoyed this collection! 🖤
Every story brought something different to the table, and I honestly didn’t come across a single one that felt like a miss.
The variety of voices, folklore, and different takes on horror made this such a fun collection to work through. I also discovered several new to me authors that I’m definitely looking forward to exploring beyond this anthology.
✨ What to expect:
• Folklore & mythology
• Ghosts & supernatural horror
• Family secrets & generational trauma
• Religion & cultural traditions
• Monsters & things that go bump in the night
• Unsettling, atmospheric stories
If you enjoy horror anthologies and love discovering new authors along the way, definitely add this one to your list. 👻📚
Thank you Atria, Cynthia Pelayo, & NetGalley for allowing me early access!
#bookreview
Collection of Latine Horror Stories
Pub date: Oct 20, 2026
I really enjoyed this collection! 🖤
Every story brought something different to the table, and I honestly didn’t come across a single one that felt like a miss.
The variety of voices, folklore, and different takes on horror made this such a fun collection to work through. I also discovered several new to me authors that I’m definitely looking forward to exploring beyond this anthology.
✨ What to expect:
• Folklore & mythology
• Ghosts & supernatural horror
• Family secrets & generational trauma
• Religion & cultural traditions
• Monsters & things that go bump in the night
• Unsettling, atmospheric stories
If you enjoy horror anthologies and love discovering new authors along the way, definitely add this one to your list. 👻📚
Thank you Atria, Cynthia Pelayo, & NetGalley for allowing me early access!
#bookreview
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a great anthology.
As the description says, this is a collection of short horror stories from multiple authors, and I was really excited to see some familiar names included.
Overall, I had a really good time with this. The stories are short and easy to get into, which makes it super bingeable. You can just pick one up, get fully immersed, and then move on to the next without feeling overwhelmed.
And the variety? So good.
We get ghosts, demons, curses, folklore, all kinds of creepy and unsettling vibes. Some stories leaned more into that weird, eerie atmosphere that I personally love, and those were definitely my favorites.
Of course, like with any anthology, some stories stood out more than others, but overall the collection felt really solid and satisfying.
Also… it’s coming out on my birthday, so obviously it gets extra points from me. ( hi, hi) :D Oh, and almost forgot, I love the cover too!
⭐ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.
As the description says, this is a collection of short horror stories from multiple authors, and I was really excited to see some familiar names included.
Overall, I had a really good time with this. The stories are short and easy to get into, which makes it super bingeable. You can just pick one up, get fully immersed, and then move on to the next without feeling overwhelmed.
And the variety? So good.
We get ghosts, demons, curses, folklore, all kinds of creepy and unsettling vibes. Some stories leaned more into that weird, eerie atmosphere that I personally love, and those were definitely my favorites.
Of course, like with any anthology, some stories stood out more than others, but overall the collection felt really solid and satisfying.
Also… it’s coming out on my birthday, so obviously it gets extra points from me. ( hi, hi) :D Oh, and almost forgot, I love the cover too!
⭐ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.
September 22, 2026
I purposely went into Something Followed Us Home with tempered expectations, and yet, I still came away from it mostly underwhelmed.
Most of the stories did not read as horror to me; instead, there is an abundance of magical realism, urban legends, and general speculative fiction featuring darker subject matter. I can enjoy stories in these subgenres when they make up for what they lack in horror with exponentially stranger/weirder concepts—that didn’t happen in this anthology for me either.
Despite my general disappointment with this anthology, it still had its bright spots. The Return of La Muelona by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro is the best story in the collection in my opinion, and I’m looking forward to picking up her novel Bochica very soon! I also enjoyed Luz y Fer by Leopoldo Goût, though I can see why it may not work as well for other readers.
My reception of this anthology should be taken with a grain of salt, as my personal taste in horror just isn’t flexible enough to fully appreciate all this anthology offers. I strongly recommend readers try it out for themselves and form their own opinion.
I think readers who enjoyed Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II: An Indigenous Horror Anthology and Speculative Fiction for Dreamers: A Latinx Anthology will have a good time with this anthology.
RATING BY STORY
BLUE FLOWERS by Agustina Bazterrica – 3/5
The story had more potential horror-wise than I feel was realized. A good story if you want something "spooky", but a little too basic for my taste. I'm also hesitant about commenting on translated writing because it always reads choppy to me.
THE HAND THAT FEEDS by Isabel Cañas – 2/5
This was probably the most uninteresting “monstrous woman” story I’ve come across to date, but readers who enjoyed Come Closer by Sara Gran may enjoy it.
HER FIRST CRUISE SHIP by Ann Dávila Cardinal – 3.5/5
I liked this one. It was absurd, but not so much so that it became too silly for me. I wish the horror had been cranked up a bit, especially considering the horror trope used in it—it could have been way more gruesome.
MY BOYFRIEND by Gerardo Sámano Córdova – 2/5
I didn't care about this man, his boyfriend, or their sex life—demonic possession or not.
THE IMMACULATE REBIRTH OF NICKI DURAN by Zoraida Córdova – 3/5
The concept of this one was so interesting, but the horror was severely lacking.
GUARDIAN ANGEL by Mariana Enriquez – 2.5/5
Much like my experience with Our Share of Night, this was hovering on the edge of being an enjoyable horror story for me... but then it just wasn't. I was more confused than anything else.
THE RETURN OF LA MUELONA by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro – 4.5/5
The writing in this story was fantastic, and it had an alluring, dark urban legend feel to it that I really liked. The retribution for colonization and subjugation was the cherry on top.
POMELO by Xochitl Gonzalez – 2.5/5
Not horror at all, but an objectively good magical realism story—it just didn't do anything for me personally.
LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Goût – 4/5
This is so random, but this reminded me of the 2009 film Knowing with Nicholas Cage (my favorite fun-bad movie haha). It has a sci-fi, conspiratorial vibe with some investigative sleuthing into natural disasters—idk, I liked it *shrugs*
SPECTER by Ananda Lima – DNF
I had absolutely no idea what was going on or what the purpose of this was, nor did I care enough to figure it out.
MECHANICAL SERVANTS LLC by Juan Martinez – DNF
*passively copies and pastes review above here*
THE WORLD FROM ABOVE AND THE WORLD FROM DOWN BELOW by Mónica Ojeda – 3/5
A slow but interesting story about resurrection, but it didn’t give horror to me; I don’t know if that’s because it genuinely was lacking in horror or if it’s just my usual reaction to grief horror...
THE ROOFTOP REVOLUTION OF SELLY AVILES by Daniel José Older – DNF
I didn’t find the youthful tone and writing style of this story enjoyable at all.
EL JÍBARO DE PUERTO RICO by Cynthia Pelayo – DNF
An important topic for sure—colonization from Puerto Rico’s viewpoint—but the execution is boring the hell out of me.
WHISPERS FROM THE ROOT by Lilliam Rivera – DNF
*sigh* I’m still bored...
FIDELITY by Alex Segura – DNF
*sighs again, but more aggressively*
WE ARE GATHERED HERE TOGETHER by Diana Rodriguez Wallach – 3/5
This story was fine, but the overall tone was a little too juvenile for me.
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy of this read. All opinions remain my own.
Most of the stories did not read as horror to me; instead, there is an abundance of magical realism, urban legends, and general speculative fiction featuring darker subject matter. I can enjoy stories in these subgenres when they make up for what they lack in horror with exponentially stranger/weirder concepts—that didn’t happen in this anthology for me either.
Despite my general disappointment with this anthology, it still had its bright spots. The Return of La Muelona by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro is the best story in the collection in my opinion, and I’m looking forward to picking up her novel Bochica very soon! I also enjoyed Luz y Fer by Leopoldo Goût, though I can see why it may not work as well for other readers.
My reception of this anthology should be taken with a grain of salt, as my personal taste in horror just isn’t flexible enough to fully appreciate all this anthology offers. I strongly recommend readers try it out for themselves and form their own opinion.
I think readers who enjoyed Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II: An Indigenous Horror Anthology and Speculative Fiction for Dreamers: A Latinx Anthology will have a good time with this anthology.
RATING BY STORY
BLUE FLOWERS by Agustina Bazterrica – 3/5
The story had more potential horror-wise than I feel was realized. A good story if you want something "spooky", but a little too basic for my taste. I'm also hesitant about commenting on translated writing because it always reads choppy to me.
THE HAND THAT FEEDS by Isabel Cañas – 2/5
This was probably the most uninteresting “monstrous woman” story I’ve come across to date, but readers who enjoyed Come Closer by Sara Gran may enjoy it.
HER FIRST CRUISE SHIP by Ann Dávila Cardinal – 3.5/5
I liked this one. It was absurd, but not so much so that it became too silly for me. I wish the horror had been cranked up a bit, especially considering the horror trope used in it—it could have been way more gruesome.
MY BOYFRIEND by Gerardo Sámano Córdova – 2/5
I didn't care about this man, his boyfriend, or their sex life—demonic possession or not.
THE IMMACULATE REBIRTH OF NICKI DURAN by Zoraida Córdova – 3/5
The concept of this one was so interesting, but the horror was severely lacking.
GUARDIAN ANGEL by Mariana Enriquez – 2.5/5
Much like my experience with Our Share of Night, this was hovering on the edge of being an enjoyable horror story for me... but then it just wasn't. I was more confused than anything else.
THE RETURN OF LA MUELONA by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro – 4.5/5
The writing in this story was fantastic, and it had an alluring, dark urban legend feel to it that I really liked. The retribution for colonization and subjugation was the cherry on top.
POMELO by Xochitl Gonzalez – 2.5/5
Not horror at all, but an objectively good magical realism story—it just didn't do anything for me personally.
LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Goût – 4/5
This is so random, but this reminded me of the 2009 film Knowing with Nicholas Cage (my favorite fun-bad movie haha). It has a sci-fi, conspiratorial vibe with some investigative sleuthing into natural disasters—idk, I liked it *shrugs*
SPECTER by Ananda Lima – DNF
I had absolutely no idea what was going on or what the purpose of this was, nor did I care enough to figure it out.
MECHANICAL SERVANTS LLC by Juan Martinez – DNF
*passively copies and pastes review above here*
THE WORLD FROM ABOVE AND THE WORLD FROM DOWN BELOW by Mónica Ojeda – 3/5
A slow but interesting story about resurrection, but it didn’t give horror to me; I don’t know if that’s because it genuinely was lacking in horror or if it’s just my usual reaction to grief horror...
THE ROOFTOP REVOLUTION OF SELLY AVILES by Daniel José Older – DNF
I didn’t find the youthful tone and writing style of this story enjoyable at all.
EL JÍBARO DE PUERTO RICO by Cynthia Pelayo – DNF
An important topic for sure—colonization from Puerto Rico’s viewpoint—but the execution is boring the hell out of me.
WHISPERS FROM THE ROOT by Lilliam Rivera – DNF
*sigh* I’m still bored...
FIDELITY by Alex Segura – DNF
*sighs again, but more aggressively*
WE ARE GATHERED HERE TOGETHER by Diana Rodriguez Wallach – 3/5
This story was fine, but the overall tone was a little too juvenile for me.
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy of this read. All opinions remain my own.
October 20, 2026
Something Followed Us Home edited by Cynthia Pelayo was a really enjoyable anthology, and I love when a collection introduces me to new authors I want to read more from. My favorites ended up being Her First Cruise Ship by Ann Dávila Cardinal, My Boyfriend by Gerardo Sámano Córdova, El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo, and The Hand That Feeds by Isabel Cañas.
One of the things I love about a good anthology is getting to experience so many different voices, perspectives, and storytelling styles in one place, and this collection definitely delivered on that front. I particularly enjoyed the way the stories explored mythology, folklore, and the supernatural alongside Puerto Rico’s colonial history and cultural memory. There was a lot of variety throughout the collection, with some stories leaning into unsettling atmosphere and quieter dread while others embraced the supernatural more directly.
That said, I did find the collection much more focused on mythology and the supernatural than on horror itself. While there were certainly some disturbing moments, the horror elements felt relatively light overall. I also wish there had been a more cohesive theme connecting the stories beyond Latine horror, as the collection sometimes felt a little all over the place. The variety was both a strength and a weakness in that regard.
Still, I really enjoyed my time with this anthology. Even when certain stories didn't completely work for me, I appreciated the range of perspectives and the opportunity to discover new-to-me authors. And honestly, finding several writers whose work I now want to seek out is one of the best things I can take away from a collection like this.
Thank you Cynthia Pelayo, Atria Books | Atria/Primero Sueno Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One of the things I love about a good anthology is getting to experience so many different voices, perspectives, and storytelling styles in one place, and this collection definitely delivered on that front. I particularly enjoyed the way the stories explored mythology, folklore, and the supernatural alongside Puerto Rico’s colonial history and cultural memory. There was a lot of variety throughout the collection, with some stories leaning into unsettling atmosphere and quieter dread while others embraced the supernatural more directly.
That said, I did find the collection much more focused on mythology and the supernatural than on horror itself. While there were certainly some disturbing moments, the horror elements felt relatively light overall. I also wish there had been a more cohesive theme connecting the stories beyond Latine horror, as the collection sometimes felt a little all over the place. The variety was both a strength and a weakness in that regard.
Still, I really enjoyed my time with this anthology. Even when certain stories didn't completely work for me, I appreciated the range of perspectives and the opportunity to discover new-to-me authors. And honestly, finding several writers whose work I now want to seek out is one of the best things I can take away from a collection like this.
Thank you Cynthia Pelayo, Atria Books | Atria/Primero Sueno Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books /Primero Sueno Press for providing me with the ARC.
This is an interesting collection. I’ve read only from a couple of the authors in here and was excited to read some more Latiné horror. Unfortunately, I’ve lost interest quite fast in some of the stories. This was mostly because of the writing style. For a short story I expect something flashy and punchy that can grab me from the start and surprise me by the end. There are some very good stories as well, but my only favorite was The world from above and the world from below by Monica Ojeda.
My individual ratings are as follows:
Blue Flowers by Augustina Bazterrica – A good ghost story, pretty emotional 3 stars
The hand that feeds by Isabel Canas - A solid fable 3 stars
Her first cruise ship by Ann Davila Cardinal –Zombie flicks are not my faves 3 stars
My boyfriend by Gerardo Samano Cordova - Loved this, I would also prefer the demon 4 stars
The immaculate rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Cordova DNF
Guardian Angel by Mariana Enriquez –I knew what it was and how would end, but I still loved it 5 stars
The return of La Muelona by Carolina Florez-Cerchiaro DNF
Pomelo by Xochith Gonzalez – Just boring 2 stars
LUZ by Ananda Lima - Such a cool concept, but the ending felt flat 3.5 stars
Mechanical Servants LLC by Juan Martinez – DNF
The world from above and the world from below by Monica Ojeda – Give it to Monica Ojeda to be the most distinguished and original author in here 5 stars
The rooftop revolution of Selly Aviles by Daniel Jose Older – I didn’t get it, but it gave me a few giggles 2.5 stars
El Jibaro de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo - DNF
Whispers from the root by Lilliam Rivera – This was like a noir story, honestly, I did not like it 2 stars
Fidelity Alex Segura – uh, okay 2 stars
We are gathered here together Diana Rodriguez Wallach – This was a cool premise, well executed 3.5 stars
This is an interesting collection. I’ve read only from a couple of the authors in here and was excited to read some more Latiné horror. Unfortunately, I’ve lost interest quite fast in some of the stories. This was mostly because of the writing style. For a short story I expect something flashy and punchy that can grab me from the start and surprise me by the end. There are some very good stories as well, but my only favorite was The world from above and the world from below by Monica Ojeda.
My individual ratings are as follows:
Blue Flowers by Augustina Bazterrica – A good ghost story, pretty emotional 3 stars
The hand that feeds by Isabel Canas - A solid fable 3 stars
Her first cruise ship by Ann Davila Cardinal –Zombie flicks are not my faves 3 stars
My boyfriend by Gerardo Samano Cordova - Loved this, I would also prefer the demon 4 stars
The immaculate rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Cordova DNF
Guardian Angel by Mariana Enriquez –I knew what it was and how would end, but I still loved it 5 stars
The return of La Muelona by Carolina Florez-Cerchiaro DNF
Pomelo by Xochith Gonzalez – Just boring 2 stars
LUZ by Ananda Lima - Such a cool concept, but the ending felt flat 3.5 stars
Mechanical Servants LLC by Juan Martinez – DNF
The world from above and the world from below by Monica Ojeda – Give it to Monica Ojeda to be the most distinguished and original author in here 5 stars
The rooftop revolution of Selly Aviles by Daniel Jose Older – I didn’t get it, but it gave me a few giggles 2.5 stars
El Jibaro de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo - DNF
Whispers from the root by Lilliam Rivera – This was like a noir story, honestly, I did not like it 2 stars
Fidelity Alex Segura – uh, okay 2 stars
We are gathered here together Diana Rodriguez Wallach – This was a cool premise, well executed 3.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book opened me up to fears I’ve never had to even think about, and I appreciated where it took me. (more below)
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader
I received a free eARC from Atria Book/Primero Sueno Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This book is out September 29, 2026!
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Seventeen short stories exploring Latiné folklore, fears, and generational trauma.
– POV: Single & Multiple first-person & third-person (majority of stories are single third-person)
– Sexual content: There are a few stories that had sexual content, some intentionally disturbing. None are overly explicit, but heed caution if sexual content in horror is a trigger for you.
– Themes: immigration, deportation, generational trauma, colonization, oppression, greed, lust, religion, memory
– Representation: Latiné folklore and voices; LGBTQIA+
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
What makes horror so scary is that it’s rooted in real fears. These stories might not have you leaving the lights on because you’re afraid of the monsters under your bed, but they might make you want to leave them on for the monsters that live in your town, your country, and your world.
I’m new to these authors and am admittedly unfamiliar with much of the folklore and cultural context woven throughout these stories. Because of that, I’m sure there are nuances and layers that will resonate differently with readers who grew up with these stories, traditions, and cultural touchstones. As someone experiencing them from the outside, I know I’m missing some of that context. That said, I still found so much to appreciate in these stories, particularly the writing and the themes they explore.
My favorites were “Her First Cruise Ship,” “The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran,” “Pomelo,” and “We Are Gathered Here Together.” But honestly, I can’t say there was a single story in this collection that didn’t leave me feeling introspective or thinking about what it was trying to say. Each one was thoughtfully written and gave me something to sit with.
That said, some of the stories were definitely harder for me to parse than others. A few leaned so heavily into allegory that I wasn’t sure I fully understood what they were trying to convey. But that’s also one of the nice things about horror: sometimes you don’t have to fully understand the meaning to be thoroughly creeped out.
Would I Recommend?: Yes! Especially if you are interested in any of the authors involved and want a snippet of their styles.
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven—————✧——————Plot Driven
Fast Paced——————✧—————Slow Paced
Light/Fluffy————————✧———Heavy/Emotional
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader
I received a free eARC from Atria Book/Primero Sueno Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This book is out September 29, 2026!
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Seventeen short stories exploring Latiné folklore, fears, and generational trauma.
– POV: Single & Multiple first-person & third-person (majority of stories are single third-person)
– Sexual content: There are a few stories that had sexual content, some intentionally disturbing. None are overly explicit, but heed caution if sexual content in horror is a trigger for you.
– Themes: immigration, deportation, generational trauma, colonization, oppression, greed, lust, religion, memory
– Representation: Latiné folklore and voices; LGBTQIA+
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
What makes horror so scary is that it’s rooted in real fears. These stories might not have you leaving the lights on because you’re afraid of the monsters under your bed, but they might make you want to leave them on for the monsters that live in your town, your country, and your world.
I’m new to these authors and am admittedly unfamiliar with much of the folklore and cultural context woven throughout these stories. Because of that, I’m sure there are nuances and layers that will resonate differently with readers who grew up with these stories, traditions, and cultural touchstones. As someone experiencing them from the outside, I know I’m missing some of that context. That said, I still found so much to appreciate in these stories, particularly the writing and the themes they explore.
My favorites were “Her First Cruise Ship,” “The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran,” “Pomelo,” and “We Are Gathered Here Together.” But honestly, I can’t say there was a single story in this collection that didn’t leave me feeling introspective or thinking about what it was trying to say. Each one was thoughtfully written and gave me something to sit with.
That said, some of the stories were definitely harder for me to parse than others. A few leaned so heavily into allegory that I wasn’t sure I fully understood what they were trying to convey. But that’s also one of the nice things about horror: sometimes you don’t have to fully understand the meaning to be thoroughly creeped out.
Would I Recommend?: Yes! Especially if you are interested in any of the authors involved and want a snippet of their styles.
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven—————✧——————Plot Driven
Fast Paced——————✧—————Slow Paced
Light/Fluffy————————✧———Heavy/Emotional
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
October 16, 2026
This was a very uneven collection. There were really good stories, really mediocre stories, and probably about four that left me with that WTF feeling. I get that horror comes in different-size packages with different emotional resonance. Still, I kind of felt this could have used a tighter edit.
This anthology has some of my favorite authors in it, and I felt really blessed to get it as an ARC from NetGalley. I just didn't connect with as many stories as I wanted to.
That said, three of them I loved.
Cynthia Pelayo's own "El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico" earns its spot. It follows a girl living in an isolated Eden with only her grandfather and a menagerie of animals for company, and slowly you realize what's really haunting that place. It's inspired by the real 1937 massacre in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where police opened fire on a peaceful march, killing 19 people and wounding hundreds more. Sad, beautiful, and angry in all the right ways.
Lilliam Rivera's "Whispers from the Root" got under my skin and stayed there. People start waking up missing a body part, and it spirals into a modern vengeance tale that unfolds in completely unexpected ways. Weird, sharp, and the ending is deliciously nasty.
And Leopoldo Goût's "Luz y Fer" had me flipping pages as fast as I could. It's about twins separated at birth, and it turns out they're twin halves of the devil, reunited after turning up at a series of disasters. It plays like a creepy conspiracy thriller, and the title alone is a great little wink.
If you pick this up, start with those three and go from there.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This anthology has some of my favorite authors in it, and I felt really blessed to get it as an ARC from NetGalley. I just didn't connect with as many stories as I wanted to.
That said, three of them I loved.
Cynthia Pelayo's own "El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico" earns its spot. It follows a girl living in an isolated Eden with only her grandfather and a menagerie of animals for company, and slowly you realize what's really haunting that place. It's inspired by the real 1937 massacre in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where police opened fire on a peaceful march, killing 19 people and wounding hundreds more. Sad, beautiful, and angry in all the right ways.
Lilliam Rivera's "Whispers from the Root" got under my skin and stayed there. People start waking up missing a body part, and it spirals into a modern vengeance tale that unfolds in completely unexpected ways. Weird, sharp, and the ending is deliciously nasty.
And Leopoldo Goût's "Luz y Fer" had me flipping pages as fast as I could. It's about twins separated at birth, and it turns out they're twin halves of the devil, reunited after turning up at a series of disasters. It plays like a creepy conspiracy thriller, and the title alone is a great little wink.
If you pick this up, start with those three and go from there.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Did Not Finish
October 13, 202618% in and these short stories are not great. Will be DNFing.
Want to Read
October 17, 2026This collection contains a Mónica Ojeda short story I've always wanted to read!
October 2, 2026
💀🌺 Something Follwed Is Home: Tales of Latiné Horror edited by Cynthia Pelayo 🌺 💀
Special thanks to @atriabooks for the gifted copy of this fantastic anthology. I knew many of the featured authors going in, but also found some new ones to check out as well. I always LOVE how anthologies can help connect you to new writers.
The stories had a fantastic variety. Some were strange, some were absolutely beautiful, and others were haunting. I’m still thinking about several of these stories as we speak—The Hand That Feeds, Pomelo,her First Cruise Ship, and more.
I loved the variety and folklore. This was such an excellent dive into Latiné Horror and I look forward to reading more by these authors.
Special thanks to @atriabooks for the gifted copy of this fantastic anthology. I knew many of the featured authors going in, but also found some new ones to check out as well. I always LOVE how anthologies can help connect you to new writers.
The stories had a fantastic variety. Some were strange, some were absolutely beautiful, and others were haunting. I’m still thinking about several of these stories as we speak—The Hand That Feeds, Pomelo,her First Cruise Ship, and more.
I loved the variety and folklore. This was such an excellent dive into Latiné Horror and I look forward to reading more by these authors.
November 3, 2026
I enjoyed this very much.
There were heartbreaking stories, gross stories, creepy ones and some tat made me giggle.
We Are Gathered Here Together by Diana Rodriguez Wallach, was my favourite!
There were heartbreaking stories, gross stories, creepy ones and some tat made me giggle.
We Are Gathered Here Together by Diana Rodriguez Wallach, was my favourite!
September 25, 2026
For me, short story collections are usually hit or miss, and this one just barely made the hit mark. I found myself having a hard time getting into it, which actually really surprised me! It kept me entertained enough to continue to power through, but in the end I didn’t love it as much as I was hoping. However, I feel like a good chunk of these short stories would have actually been a lot better if they were full length novels instead! I did have a few favorites though that I’ll note below 🥰
💀 The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Córdova
💀 Guardian Angel by Mariana Enríquez
💀 LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Gout
💀 Fidelity by Alex Segura
💀 We Are Gathered Here Today by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
Lastly, I would like to give a big thank you to Atria Books for my arc of Something Followed Us Home!
💀 The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Córdova
💀 Guardian Angel by Mariana Enríquez
💀 LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Gout
💀 Fidelity by Alex Segura
💀 We Are Gathered Here Today by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
Lastly, I would like to give a big thank you to Atria Books for my arc of Something Followed Us Home!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Newcomers to the genre may do much worse than immersing themselves in this multi-author collection of short stories, which, quite appropriately, is being issued simultaneously in Spanish (Lo que nos siguió a casa: Cuentos de terror Latiné) and in English (Something Followed Us Home: Tales of Latiné Horror). The editor who has brought the collection together is Cynthia Pelayo – a Bram Stoker Award-winning and International Latino Book Award-winning writer and poet based in Chicago, who often draws inspiration from her Puerto Rican heritage. Besides contributing a poignant and effective Shyamalanesque ghost story (“El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico”), Pelayo has assembled an impressive roll-call of authors, including such well-known names as Mariana Enríquez, Agustina Bazterrica, Isabel Cañas and Mónica Ojeda.
So what exactly distinguishes Latiné horror, apart, obviously, from the origins of its authors? The foreword, by Brenda Lozano, attempts to answer the question by identifying some common traits – a haunting and haunted political history, remnants of colonialism still evident in linguistic duality, and the tension between Catholicism and pre-Christian cults. There are some fine examples in this generous collection, which range from body horror to weird speculative fiction; from tales of demonic possession to fairytale-like stories; from an offbeat vampire story to reworkings of folkloric monsters.
Although the impact of individual stories varies (some of the offerings suffer from heavy-handed metaphors or overly obvious “messages”), the overall quality of the collection is high, making for a multi-faceted and contrasting anthology. This is an excellent Latiné horror primer.
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
So what exactly distinguishes Latiné horror, apart, obviously, from the origins of its authors? The foreword, by Brenda Lozano, attempts to answer the question by identifying some common traits – a haunting and haunted political history, remnants of colonialism still evident in linguistic duality, and the tension between Catholicism and pre-Christian cults. There are some fine examples in this generous collection, which range from body horror to weird speculative fiction; from tales of demonic possession to fairytale-like stories; from an offbeat vampire story to reworkings of folkloric monsters.
Although the impact of individual stories varies (some of the offerings suffer from heavy-handed metaphors or overly obvious “messages”), the overall quality of the collection is high, making for a multi-faceted and contrasting anthology. This is an excellent Latiné horror primer.
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
review upcoming
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As with any collection of short stories, some are better than others, but I liked a couple of them. I think my main issue is that most stories felt like fairy tales or magical realism, and only a handful felt like horror.
Blue Flowers by Agustina Bazterrica: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
This was like a folklore/fairytale. It felt whimsical, and then suddenly it got very dark. It was ok
The Hand That Feeds by Isabel Canas: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐
Was this horror? Eh. I think it’s a retelling of La Loba, but I liked it a lot. I liked the ending and the overall suppressed atmosphere and dread, even though it was short.
Her First Cruise Ship by Ann Davila Cardinal: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An interesting take on zombies, with a twist of a Twin Peaks vibe (where people accept the abnormal as part of the everyday grind) with a bit of social commentary. I liked the campiness of it, and the way other workers were so mundane about it reminded me a bit of Severance by Ling Ma.
My Boyfriend by Gerardo Samantha Cordova: ⭐️
Boring for me, probably of interest to the people who like the idea of dating a demon and all its domesticities. Genuinely can’t remember the last time I read a book with a demon and was bored like this.
The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Córdova: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This was a bit weird, but I enjoyed it. I liked the imagery depicted, and the ending was pretty speculative. The idea of an infestation of immaculate conception pregnancies sounds terrifying even without the story having any other horror aspects.
Guardian Angel by Mariana McDowell: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️?
TW: incest
Probably the most horrific so far. The religious themes are very heavy in this one, and it's a deeply uncomfortable story. Kind of left confused by the end and wished there was more, just so I could know what happened.
The Return of La Muelone by Carolina Florez-Cerchiaro: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love a good gothic story, so no surprises that I liked this as well. I really liked the prose and the theme of generational rage and vengeance finally being enacted in a plantation town. I would gladly read a longer version of this, and this was easily my favorite. I’ll have to check out other things this author has written
Pomelo by Xochitl Gonzalez: ⭐⭐.5
It felt more like folklore or magical realism than horror, but it was interesting. I did like the symbolism with the Grapefruit and what it ultimately became. But I think for the most part I found this a bit boring (which is sometimes the case with magical realism for me).
LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Gout: ⭐⭐
It was fine, interesting, well written, honestly one of the more horror stories in this book. Something about the writing style just didn’t click for me, though.
Specter by Ananda Lima: ⭐
Honestly, I think this one just needed to be longer because it felt like I got parts of a story rather than one fully cohesive story.
Mechanical Servants LLC by Juan Martinez: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This one was interesting. Kind of liminal, but more of a sad story than a horror one.
The World from Above and the World from Down Below by Mónica Ojeda: ⭐⭐⭐
Three stars for being one of the most depressing stories I have read all year.
The Rooftop Revolution of Selly Aviles by Daniel José Older: ⭐️⭐️.5
Not horror, but not bad. I didn't care for how it ended, as the story felt a bit incomplete.
El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was definitely one of the better stories for me; however, it was way too on the nose.
Whispers from the Root by Lilliam Rivera: ⭐⭐⭐
It was about revenge and I liked the author’s voice, but I think there were earlier stories that did that theme better.
Fidelity by Alex Segura: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Another retelling! Honestly, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this one, but by the end I wished there was more. I always like the theme of becoming a legend or part of the machine (for lack of a better word). One of the few stories in this collection where I would have loved another 100 pages just so the story didn’t end.
We Are Gathered Here Together by Diana Rodriguez Wallach: ⭐⭐⭐
It felt incomplete for some reason. This kind of felt like reading a prologue, but what was written was well done. Had it been even another 20-30 pages, it would’ve been an easy 4 stars for me.
I received a digital copy from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.
Blue Flowers by Agustina Bazterrica: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
This was like a folklore/fairytale. It felt whimsical, and then suddenly it got very dark. It was ok
The Hand That Feeds by Isabel Canas: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐
Was this horror? Eh. I think it’s a retelling of La Loba, but I liked it a lot. I liked the ending and the overall suppressed atmosphere and dread, even though it was short.
Her First Cruise Ship by Ann Davila Cardinal: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An interesting take on zombies, with a twist of a Twin Peaks vibe (where people accept the abnormal as part of the everyday grind) with a bit of social commentary. I liked the campiness of it, and the way other workers were so mundane about it reminded me a bit of Severance by Ling Ma.
My Boyfriend by Gerardo Samantha Cordova: ⭐️
Boring for me, probably of interest to the people who like the idea of dating a demon and all its domesticities. Genuinely can’t remember the last time I read a book with a demon and was bored like this.
The Immaculate Rebirth of Nicki Duran by Zoraida Córdova: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This was a bit weird, but I enjoyed it. I liked the imagery depicted, and the ending was pretty speculative. The idea of an infestation of immaculate conception pregnancies sounds terrifying even without the story having any other horror aspects.
Guardian Angel by Mariana McDowell: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️?
TW: incest
Probably the most horrific so far. The religious themes are very heavy in this one, and it's a deeply uncomfortable story. Kind of left confused by the end and wished there was more, just so I could know what happened.
The Return of La Muelone by Carolina Florez-Cerchiaro: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love a good gothic story, so no surprises that I liked this as well. I really liked the prose and the theme of generational rage and vengeance finally being enacted in a plantation town. I would gladly read a longer version of this, and this was easily my favorite. I’ll have to check out other things this author has written
Pomelo by Xochitl Gonzalez: ⭐⭐.5
It felt more like folklore or magical realism than horror, but it was interesting. I did like the symbolism with the Grapefruit and what it ultimately became. But I think for the most part I found this a bit boring (which is sometimes the case with magical realism for me).
LUZ Y FER by Leopoldo Gout: ⭐⭐
It was fine, interesting, well written, honestly one of the more horror stories in this book. Something about the writing style just didn’t click for me, though.
Specter by Ananda Lima: ⭐
Honestly, I think this one just needed to be longer because it felt like I got parts of a story rather than one fully cohesive story.
Mechanical Servants LLC by Juan Martinez: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This one was interesting. Kind of liminal, but more of a sad story than a horror one.
The World from Above and the World from Down Below by Mónica Ojeda: ⭐⭐⭐
Three stars for being one of the most depressing stories I have read all year.
The Rooftop Revolution of Selly Aviles by Daniel José Older: ⭐️⭐️.5
Not horror, but not bad. I didn't care for how it ended, as the story felt a bit incomplete.
El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico by Cynthia Pelayo: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was definitely one of the better stories for me; however, it was way too on the nose.
Whispers from the Root by Lilliam Rivera: ⭐⭐⭐
It was about revenge and I liked the author’s voice, but I think there were earlier stories that did that theme better.
Fidelity by Alex Segura: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Another retelling! Honestly, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this one, but by the end I wished there was more. I always like the theme of becoming a legend or part of the machine (for lack of a better word). One of the few stories in this collection where I would have loved another 100 pages just so the story didn’t end.
We Are Gathered Here Together by Diana Rodriguez Wallach: ⭐⭐⭐
It felt incomplete for some reason. This kind of felt like reading a prologue, but what was written was well done. Had it been even another 20-30 pages, it would’ve been an easy 4 stars for me.
I received a digital copy from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.
October 21, 2026
Something Followed Us Home edited by Cynthia Pelayo is a horror anthology of stories featuring authors from across Latin America.
There is something in here for everyone. These 17 stories vary widely in length, tone and what one finds horrifying. I picked this up because some of my favorite authors are listed including Mariana Enriquez, Isabel Cañas, Gerardo Sámano Córdova among a few. What was surprising for me was to discover new authors who had excellent stories in here.
I read one story a day in between other books. It was the perfect way to read it. We keep hearing that the Latine community is not a monolith and this is the perfect example of it, although the stories are linked by similar themes of exploring colonialism, horrors of everyday life, and myths, each author brings to life their own fears and culture through their stories. I loved the variety in here. Some stories are silly and hilarious, others are disgusting and uncomfortable and others put a mirror up to yourself. You can't ask for a better anthology.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for a advanced reader's copy of Something Followed Us Home: Tales of Latine Horror.
There is something in here for everyone. These 17 stories vary widely in length, tone and what one finds horrifying. I picked this up because some of my favorite authors are listed including Mariana Enriquez, Isabel Cañas, Gerardo Sámano Córdova among a few. What was surprising for me was to discover new authors who had excellent stories in here.
I read one story a day in between other books. It was the perfect way to read it. We keep hearing that the Latine community is not a monolith and this is the perfect example of it, although the stories are linked by similar themes of exploring colonialism, horrors of everyday life, and myths, each author brings to life their own fears and culture through their stories. I loved the variety in here. Some stories are silly and hilarious, others are disgusting and uncomfortable and others put a mirror up to yourself. You can't ask for a better anthology.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for a advanced reader's copy of Something Followed Us Home: Tales of Latine Horror.
October 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Cynthia Pelayo for allowing me early access to this book so I may review it honestly.
Something followed us home. It crawled in with our prayers, slipped into our beds, watched from mirrors, waited in water, and learned our names. In these stories, horror does not announce itself. It possesses, feeds, whispers, and waits.
Release Date: September 29th, 2026
This is an anthology collection of Latine Horror short stories. They were all written very well, although some I wouldn't really describe as horror but they were all quite dark. I enjoyed it very much and it was quite refreshing with them being so different.
Who Would I Recommend This To: Anyone who enjoys short stories with darkness and unease.
Overall: A great collection of stories by Latine authors!!
Something followed us home. It crawled in with our prayers, slipped into our beds, watched from mirrors, waited in water, and learned our names. In these stories, horror does not announce itself. It possesses, feeds, whispers, and waits.
Release Date: September 29th, 2026
This is an anthology collection of Latine Horror short stories. They were all written very well, although some I wouldn't really describe as horror but they were all quite dark. I enjoyed it very much and it was quite refreshing with them being so different.
Who Would I Recommend This To: Anyone who enjoys short stories with darkness and unease.
Overall: A great collection of stories by Latine authors!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really like horror anthologies, but this is the first time I read one focused on Latino stories. I really enjoyed the stories in this collection. While I liked some better than others, I can't think of one I disliked. My favorite was definitely Guardian Angel. That one was so weird and creepy. All these terrible things were happening, but it was hard to tell what was real and what wasn't. That made it even more terrifying! Some other stand out stories were LUZ, Pomelo, and Whispers from the Root. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an early copy. I leave this review voluntarily.
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