The Haunting of Alejandra

A Novel by V. Castro

By: V. Castro

Narrated by: Raquel Beattie

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

A woman is haunted by the Mexican folk demon La Llorona in this “utterly terrifying and wholly immersive . . . story about generational trauma, colonization, systemic oppression, and the horror at the heart of motherhood” (Library Journal, starred review).

“Castro is one of the most exciting genre authors on the scene right now, and this might be her most powerful book yet.”—Paste

A POPSUGAR AND CRIMEREADS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Alejandra no longer knows who she is. To her husband, she is a wife, and to her children, a mother. To her own adoptive mother, she is a daughter. But they cannot see who Alejandra has become: a woman struggling with a darkness that threatens to consume her.

Nor can they see what Alejandra sees. In times of despair, a ghostly vision appears to her, the apparition of a crying woman in a ragged white gown.

When Alejandra visits a therapist, she begins exploring her family’s history, starting with the biological mother she never knew. As she goes deeper into the lives of the women in her family, she learns that heartbreak and tragedy are not the only things she has in common with her ancestors.

Because the crying woman was with them, too. She is La Llorona, the vengeful and murderous mother of Mexican legend. And she will not leave until Alejandra follows her mother, her grandmother, and all the women who came before her into the darkness.

But Alejandra has inherited more than just pain. She has inherited the strength and the courage of her foremothers—and she will have to summon everything they have given her to banish La Llorona forever.

©2023 V. Castro (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The provocative novel is haunting and packed with dark secrets.”—Today

“Creepy yet insightful.”—Culturess

“Castro is one of the most exciting genre authors on the scene right now, and this might be her most powerful book yet.”—Paste Magazine, Most Anticipated Horror Novels of 2023

Must Read For Any Struggling Mother

One of the reviews I read for this book said that they couldn’t relate to the main character, Alejandra, and that it was all unrealistic. I’m not sure what their circumstances were, but good for you. Motherhood and marriage are different for everyone, and your experience does not invalidate anyone who is struggling where you are not. This book opened something within me that has been closed for a long time. I am not healed, but the cracks are forming right where they need to. I found so much of myself in Alejandra’s pain, anguish, love for her children, and desire to be better. I hope I can garner strength like her one day, I hope all women can, because we are capable. I hope that whoever reads this book finds some piece of healing like I did.

Incredible

I was immediately hooked by this story. It was creepy and heart wrenching, and the narrator’s performance was phenomenal. Would absolutely recommend for those who love haunting stories.

Haunting Generational Trauma

I enjoyed this book, I liked the story and all the different characters. One thing that drove me nuts about the audio performance though... please learn how to pronounce Cenote correctly! The mention of Cenotes in the storyline was pretty frequent. That really took away from the performance.

Wow! What a great story

I enjoyed listening to this story about a woman who is going through emocional issues and self hatred. This was an interesting take to the old Mexican stories about la llorona. This was a great story about generations of strong women and a family curse. I can't wait to listen to more stories from this author and this narrator.

It's good

It's a good book if you don't go into it thinking it's a true horror book. There's nothing scary about this book. The monster is more a manifestation of a mother's struggle to still be a person after having children.

Eerie connection to beloved folklore

It is suspenseful, Alejandra’s hunting by “La Llorona” is an amplified twist from the stories that kept me up as a child, Castro’s plot as the root for intergenerational trauma is a dark twist that gets in your head and starts questioning reality and it’s possibilities.

Spooky and a great read

I really enjoyed this book and the performance. Definitely had moments where I got goosebumps.

Trigger warnings

Pretty good if you look more for symbolism, but definitely needs some trigger warnings! Be sure to check those before reading/listening

Outstanding!!

What an incredible book. I could not stop listening to it.
It takes you through the journey of different generations of women and the internal struggles we go through and feel ashamed to speak about this. The ending was just beautiful. Please note this can be triggering for some and that there is suicidal ideation.

A haunting story with a beautiful lesson in love

The Haunting of Alejandra tells a beautiful story of the generational battle that women have faced throughout history, as a frightening allegory. Hidden in what seems to be horror story, the story of Alejandra tells the story of the importance of self love, self care, and the importance that “Sometimes you need to know you are not alone in the scariest experiences, especially the ones that push you to the brink of understanding everything.”