In my latest review on Blazing Minds I take a look at the first fantasy-horror novel in the series ‘Maria the Wanted and the Legacy of the Keepers’ from author V. Castro.

“Word started to get around there was a new enforcer in town. No one knew if she was a demon or an angel, perhaps a mythical mix of both. Maybe the woman in the black hat was one of the old gods that wandered this land before the lash of the cross was introduced. The only thing anyone knew was that no human could run from their devious deeds if Maria and her fist caught you in their sights.” Maria The Wanted 

Maria is a wanted woman. She’s wanted by an Aztec trafficker, a cartel boss, the people she fights for, and now the devil she can’t resist. 

Her journey begins as a would-be immigrant turned vampire, until the injustices of the world turn her into something else. She’s not just out for blood, she wants answers. 

They do say that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and this is definitely the case in the vampire action-horror book Maria the Wanted. With a bright comic book style front cover and a lengthy extended Indiana Jones title, you would be forgiven for thinking that there would be a playful tone to the story. Such as a fun Buffy the Vampire Slayer style character with a unique Mexican twist. Yet once the story starts to unfold it soon becomes clear that Maria the Wanted has a lot more to offer.

Following the initial events of carnage which holds a familiar a theme with the blood and violence that you would expect (this is after all a horror book about vampires), the story takes a more meaningful emotional journey. Enveloping a deeper understanding of Maria’s struggle as she continues to wrestle with her conscience regarding her loss, new abilities and needs as a vampire and a desire to find her true purpose.

The more personal approach to Maria’s character works well for the book, although we soon learn this is only the part of the story overall . As pieces of Maria’s past begin to come together the book suddenly takes an unexpected turn, events begin to occur on a much larger scale intertwining various characters and stories which I wasn’t expecting. It is a huge contrast in the way the initial events unfold, but with so much going on in the later stages of the book you can understand why V. Castro has taken so much time to develop the character. Seeing the journey from the woman she was before, to the woman she becomes plays an important role in portraying her characters decisions.

Despite taking a more emotional character driven story, the book is not short of action and even includes an unexpected eroticism between the characters which confirms that this book is intended for a younger audience. Maria is portrayed as strong female character and becomes the anti-hero you would expect, but despite her strengths and abilities she is also not without her weaknesses.Although it is these human attributes that make Maria so relate-able, as she remains conflicted between her conscience and desires.

With the story initially based in Mexico Writer V.Castro enthuses her ethnic background, incorporating cultural references and embraces her Latinx heritage in the story. This includes a strong Latino lead with Maria which like so many elements of the story that look to adduce a wider perspective than the usual stereotypes. In addition to incorporating a very visual description, several Mexican words and phrases are used throughout the book without transaction. This may annoy some reader who like myself will have to look up some of the words to clarify what they mean, (Día de Muertos being one of the few phrases I managed to recognised). This however did not effect my personal enjoyment of the book and as they only appeared sporadically it felt as though they actually add a unique stylisation to the book.

As the book goes on, we are introduced to several characters whose backstories are incorporated into historical moments in history which have shaped them into who they are today. With the men it is often the violence of war, which has left them haunted. Whilst for several of the women it is the atrocities of persecution which is one of the books most powerful underlining themes. There are scenario that stands out, such as the atrocities associated with the torturous maltreatment by a Nazi doctor on a Jewish women during world war two. Although it is the events regarding the abduction of a woman for the American slave trade which was the most effective and memorable. It is the most harrowing part of the book and a backstory which really stays with you.

So many elements of the story incorporate real life events with fiction, but the line becomes ever more burred when it comes to the political figure heads. The sentiments of the story which reflect true events would seem more fictitious than reality, but as it deliberately highlights there is an unbalanced danger which in the reality of current political turmoil it seems all too real.

On a more lighter note it is unusual to comment on a soundtrack for a book, but in Maria the Wanted it is definitely worth mentioning.   The songs to create a track list soundtrack which works as part to capture part of the story and if brought together would make a brilliant mix tape.

Author V. Castro does acknowledges some elements of the classic vampire mythology in the book, but like so many elements of the story she also looks to create her own rules which allows Maria to walk her own path with a unique and create an original take.

Maria the Wanted is a surprisingly in-depth book which continues to evolve with the story. Moving between an emotional drama and full action horror, it continues to change and as the spectrum of the story continues to expand you are never sure how the story will unfold.

After reading the book I was surprised at how much is incorporated into the story, especially when you consider how much time is spent developing the characters. It creates a memorable anti-hero with Maria and sets a up a backdrop for the next chapter. I am not sure what V. Castro can do to improve on the first book with the story, but I am looking forward to seeing where she decides to take eh characters next.

Philip Rogers

Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!