I’m always drawn to witchy YA books with strong female leads, and These Vengeful Wishes promises exactly that—plus a haunting twist of Latinx folklore. Set in a small town and inspired by the legend of La Cegua, this standalone YA horror novel feels like a hidden gem worth adding to your paranormal fantasy TBR.
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Bookish Essentials
Genre: Young Adult / Paranormal Horror / Folklore-Inspired Fantasy / Magical Realism
Series: Standalone Novel
Reading Age: 14+
Published: 2025
Pages: 298
From the Jacket of These Vengeful Wishes
“As the truth unfolds, readers will find themselves captivated, racing toward an unforgettable conclusion. Recommended purchase; hand this to fans of Trang Thanh Tran’s She Is a Haunting and Krystal Sutherland’s House of Hollow.” —School Library Journal
They think the dark can hide their wickedness. But I see into their rotten hearts.
A vengeful female spirit with a thirst for justice ignites a teen girl’s rage in this new YA horror by award-winning author, Vanessa Montalban.
When her stepfather is arrested, aspiring artist Ceci moves back to her mother’s hometown of Santa Aguas, an eccentric small town steeped in the legend of La Cegua, the specter of a wronged witch who appears on lonely roads at night, luring untrustworthy men to their deaths.
Ceci and her mother take up residence in the abandoned manor of the Sevilla family, rumored to have been cursed by La Cegua, where she begins to uncover a past connected to her mother. The more she learns of the Sevillas, the more Ceci finds herself forming a strange affinity with the feared Cegua, who she suspects is the one inspiring her paintings of a mysterious door in the forest.
When the very door Ceci has been painting appears in the woods, she ventures through it with her new friend, and maybe crush, Jamie. Together, they discover a well for granting wishes. The well of La Cegua.
After learning others are also searching for the well, Ceci must confront the truth of her mother’s past and prevent La Cegua’s wishes from being used for the wrong reasons. Every wish has its price, and La Cegua never forgets the ones who have wronged her.
Why These Vengeful Wishes is on My TBR
To be honest, this book sounds a little creepy, but I think I might’ve stumbled on a hidden gem with These Vengeful Wishes! It’s set in a small town—one of my favorite book settings—and weaves in the legend of La Cegua, which is admittedly new to me. Add in a vengeful witch, haunted vibes, and a fresh cultural twist on magical horror, and this YA standalone definitely earns its spot on my witchy bookshelf. Stay tuned for my review!
You Might Also Like
- Burn Our Bodies Down, by Rory Power
- The Devouring Gray, by C. L. Herman
- Wicked Like a Wildfire, by Lana Popovic
Save Vanessa Montalban’s These Vengeful Wishes to your TBR List
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Love stories with heart and magic? Check out my novel, Forgotten Cove, the first book in the Hailing Cove series by T.G. Elsher.
Elle Wildes was a normal teenage girl. Or at least she thought she was until her mother sent her to her grandma’s house in Hailing Cove. Anticipating a boring summer, Elle’s world is turned upside down when she realizes the sleepy coastal town holds its own mysteries and those from her past as well.
When Elle’s forgotten memories come back to haunt her, she discovers the secrets of her family’s lineage and the responsibilities that come with it. But with two dreamy guys vying for her attention, she is taken on a roller coaster ride of heartache and betrayal as she discovers her identity in an unknown magical town.
Reader Praise
What can I say about T.G. Elsher’s debut novel, Forgotten Cove? Elsher is a gifted storyteller who immerses readers in the enchanting world of Hailing Cove, where witchcraft and magic blend seamlessly with a cast of loveable, deeply human characters. Elle Wildes, the relatable protagonist, navigates her powers, friendships, and heartbreak with authenticity that pulls at your heartstrings. The book masterfully combines mystery, romance, and coming-of-age themes, keeping me hooked from the first page to the last. The emotional climax, written with breathtaking beauty, moved me to tears. T.G. Elsher may well be this generation’s L.J. Smith, creating stories that are both magical and profoundly moving. I truly couldn’t get enough!