An Alchemical Reaction: Review of Isabel Cañas' The Possession of Alba Díaz

A bit of alchemy, angst, and a world of tensions between colonial Mexico and imperial Spain in the 18th century leads to Isabel Cañas’ latest novel: The Possession of Alba Díaz, out this August 19th, 2025. Did I mention the brooding hero and the plucky heroine? Their forbidden romance is plagued by demonic possession. If you’re searching for horror, historical fiction, slow-burn romance, or a few hundred pages of engrossing prose, Alba Díaz and Isabel Cañas will not disappoint.

The Possession of Alba Díaz is available for purchase on August 19th, 2025. Many thanks to Penguin Random House for the advance copy!

The Setting: A Historical Tapestry

The silver mines of Zacatecas are beautifully crafted by Cañas. They serve as a historically significant site of interlocking tensions between the Old World and the New. Capitalism and economic reform drive the Monterrubio family’s mining operations in Zacatecas. Yet, as the novel deftly explores:

Precious metals are not the only riches extracted and depleted by human greed.

Indigenous beliefs, cultures, practices, and the very ecological future of central Mexico are at stake.

Dual Perspectives

The novel shifts fluidly between the perspectives of Elías Monterrubio and Alba Díaz de Bolaños.

Elías is the black sheep of the Monterrubios of Spain. His tortured past includes dabbling in alchemy and romantic tragedy. On the other hand, Alba is the adopted daughter of a merchant family in Zacatecas. Her yearning for self-determination leads her to strategically engage with Carlos Monterrubio, Elías’ cousin. Both Elías and Alba, as mestizo outcasts, disrupt mining operations, the Spanish Inquisition, and societal norms.

An outbreak of matlazahuatl forces the families to isolate in Casa Calaveras, the Monterrubios’ mansion situated up in the mines. As haunting voices, mysterious murders, and intense passions unfold, Alba Díaz truly hits its narrative stride.

Themes of Autonomy and Passion

I was drawn to Alba long before the pace picked up. One memorable scene displays her audacious spirit. She confesses to plotting her way to financial independence in Padre Bartolomé’s confessional, while simultaneously scheming in her mind.

Alba’s rebellious spark, which endears her to readers, makes her absence doubly felt in the latter half of the novel. Here, she is (dis)possessed by an unspeakable evil. Cañas expertly examines issues of female bodily autonomy against the backdrop of class, patriarchy, and religion. Elías and Alba exemplify a slow-burn romance sprinkled with horror.

The Climax and Aftermath

Cañas’ brilliant prose occasionally stumbles during moments of narrative exposition. For instance, the climactic scene in the cathedral might feel heavy-handed after pages of build-up regarding an unholy matrimony. This punctuates an otherwise beautifully crafted climax.

Nevertheless, the afterword left me with a sense of continuity. It points towards lives and afterlives that outlast even the traumas of colonial violence. Of all the evils in the world, what most needs exorcising are the ideologies preventing us from living, loving, and being, without fear.

Exploring a New Genre

Alba Díaz is my first exposure to Cañas’ work and to Mexican horror and Latinx vampire romance. It’s a fantastic introduction—I'll be reading Vampires of El Norte next. For those awaiting Alba Díaz this fall, you should also dive into this world.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, The Possession of Alba Díaz weaves a compelling narrative filled with rich historical context and deep emotional connections. The characters are multifaceted, their experiences resonate with contemporary themes, and Cañas’ writing style keeps you engaged throughout.

Verdict:

Characters: 8/10

Horror: 7.5/10

Plot: 8/10

Prose: Isabel Cañas/10