A short story collection of nightmares, dreams, desire and visions centered around the Chicana experience. The stunning, star-reviewed V. Castro weaves urban legend, folklore, life experience and heartache in this intimate anthology of modern horrors.
Violet Castro was born in San Antonio, Texas to Mexican
American parents. Since Violet was a child, she wrote short horror
stories and was always fascinated with dark fiction beginning with
Mexican folklore and the urban legends of Texas. At eighteen Violet
left Texas for Philadelphia to attend Drexel University where she
received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and
History.
Violet now lives with her family in the U.K. writing and travelling
with her children. She tries to return to the US twice a year to
see her parents, three sisters and extended family.
For More information about her books and other publications, please
visit www.vvcastro.com. You can also follow her on Twitter and
Instagram @vlatinalondon.
Praise for QUEEN OF THE CICADAS
"In the age of phony fiction, V. Castro is the voice of
authenticity; una voz que lucha por la igualdad. Dark, atmospheric,
sexy, and dangerous, her fiction brings readers her unfiltered
Latinx essence and a unique pulpy flavor. Her work matters. Read
it." - Gabino Iglesias, author of Coyote Songs
"In The Queen of the Cicadas, there's a thin, bloody veil between
worlds, the past isn't past at all, and you can feel your heart
beating in the pages, the words pulsing with life. Touch them if
you dare, and don't be surprised if they quiver into flight all
around you." - Stephen Graham Jones, NYT bestselling author of The
Only Good Indians
“V. Castro writes like her blood is in the ink. Queen of the
Cicadas is the best urban legend story since Candyman, layered and
dark and hideously beautiful. It will get way under your skin. If
Castro’s not already on your radar, she should be.” - Christopher
Golden, New York Times bestselling author of Ararat and Red
Hands
"Writing in breathtaking, atmospheric prose, Castro (Hairspray and
Switchblades) merges brutal realism and supernatural terror to
create a fierce, memorable tale of Mexican folklore and horror." -
Publishers Weekly Starred Review
"Castro's novel shifts seamlessly from deliciously gory horror
narrative to family saga to a tale of righteous vengeance, all
while maintaining its unflinching condemnation of colonialism on
both sides of the Mexican-American border. A tightly paced story of
anti-colonial resistance and shared history that begs to be read in
one sitting." - Kirkus Starred Review
"A riveting #ownvoices novel exploring Mexican folk tales and
legends mingled with the history of Texas [...] Castro does not
pull any punches. Readers seeking originality and a fresh take on
well-worn horror tropes should pick up this novel by a dynamic and
innovative voice in horror. - Booklist Starred Review
"V. Castro’s MESTIZA BLOOD is horror close to the bone. These are
stories about desperate people who finally fall off the edge.
Castro shows them hanging on by their fingernails and then somehow,
clawing their way back. Her sharp eye for visceral violence and
honest depictions of sexuality, aging, and class is astounding.
Every story has impact. Every one feels all too real." - Glen
Mazzara, TV writer/showrunner (THE WALKING DEAD, DAMIEN)
"Castro delivers an unflinching, honest, raw, and thought-provoking
horror tale that is both serious in its social commentary and fun
to read. For fans of gruesome, vengeance-themed horror that is
deeply tied to its place and the marginalized identities of its
protagonists" - Becky Spratford, Literary Journal
"[...] there’s plenty to recommend this female-centric collection
on. Readers interested in speculative explorations of Mexican
American culture and mythology—or those just looking for
action-packed, cathartic narratives—should snap this up."
*Publishers Weekly*
"This collection will rip readers apart in the best way
possible."
*Booklist Starred Review*
"V. Castro’s MESTIZA BLOOD is horror close to the bone. These are
stories about desperate people who finally fall off the edge.
Castro shows them hanging on by their fingernails and then somehow,
clawing their way back. Her sharp eye for visceral violence and
honest depictions of sexuality, aging, and class is astounding.
Every story has impact. Every one feels all too real."
*Glen Mazzara, TV writer/showrunner (THE WALKING DEAD, DAMIEN)*
"In the age of phony fiction, V. Castro is the voice of
authenticity; una voz que lucha por la igualdad. Dark, atmospheric,
sexy, and dangerous, her fiction brings readers her unfiltered
Latinx essence and a unique pulpy flavor. Her work matters. Read
it."
*Gabino Iglesias, author of Coyote Songs*
"In The Queen of the Cicadas, there's a thin, bloody veil between
worlds, the past isn't past at all, and you can feel your heart
beating in the pages, the words pulsing with life. Touch them if
you dare, and don't be surprised if they quiver into flight all
around you."
*Stephen Graham Jones, NYT bestselling author of The Only Good
Indians*
“V. Castro writes like her blood is in the ink. Queen of the
Cicadas is the best urban legend story since Candyman, layered and
dark and hideously beautiful. It will get way under your skin. If
Castro’s not already on your radar, she should be.”
*Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of Ararat
and Red Hands*
"Castro's novel shifts seamlessly from deliciously gory horror
narrative to family saga to a tale of righteous vengeance, all
while maintaining its unflinching condemnation of colonialism on
both sides of the Mexican-American border. A tightly paced story of
anti-colonial resistance and shared history that begs to be read in
one sitting."
*Kirkus Starred Review*
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