Overview

In The Haunting of Alejandra, we meet Alejandra, a woman stretched thin by the demands of marriage, motherhood, and family expectation. Her days are full and exhausting, and her sense of self is slowly slipping away. When she begins seeing a woman in white inside her home, the haunting forces her to confront painful truths about her past. The ghost is tied to La Llorona, and through this connection Alejandra uncovers a history of grief, violence, and inherited trauma that has shaped the women in her family for generations.

Writing & Voice

We found V. Castro’s writing intense and deeply personal. The voice stays close to Alejandra’s inner life, blending everyday domestic pressure with creeping supernatural fear. The prose is direct and emotional, allowing the horror to grow from real experiences rather than spectacle. It is unsettling because it feels close to home.

Characters

Alejandra is worn down but still fighting to survive her own life. Her frustration, anger, and sadness feel honest and raw. The women around her, both living and dead, reflect different paths shaped by silence and suffering. The ghostly presence is not just a threat but a mirror, forcing Alejandra to face what has been passed down to her.

Themes

This novel explores motherhood, identity, and inherited pain. We see how cultural expectation and family history can trap people in repeating patterns. Folklore is used as a living force, not a distant myth. The story asks whether understanding the past can help break its hold, or whether some wounds demand to be acknowledged before healing can begin.

What Worked

• Powerful premise: folklore and modern life are woven together naturally.
• Emotional honesty: Alejandra’s struggle feels real and confronting.
• Atmosphere: the tension builds steadily without relying on shock.

Minor Quibbles

• The focus is more psychological than overtly frightening.
• The domestic detail may feel slow for readers expecting constant action.

Final Thoughts

We found The Haunting of Alejandra unsettling, emotional, and thoughtful. It uses horror to explore the weight of inheritance and the cost of silence, creating a story that stays with you long after finishing.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4 / 5)