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.
"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*
"The Queen of the Cicadas is a supremely creepy story that feels
like it is creeping into the real world as it is being read."
*A Reviewer Darkly*
"Castro’s expert storytelling upends classic horror tropes to make
'The Queen of the Cicadas' an exhilarating and frightening
literary ride."
*Los Angeles Review of Books*
"A deliciously sinister story"
*Harper's Bazaar*
''Mexican-American author Violet Castro delivers a powerhouse
horror novel with The Queen of the Cicadas [...]"
*Rue Morgue*
"A truly original and surprising work of fiction [...] plot
descriptions don't do this debut novel justice as Castro weaves
several familiar tropes from the slasher and ghost story sub-genres
into a blood-drenched (literally) story of both personal and
cultural reclamation."
*Toronto Star*
"A keenly written work of suspense that also reflects upon
humanity's capacity for good and evil, The Queen of the Cicadas is
a compelling page-turner for connoisseurs of the genre. Highly
recommended."
*Midwest Book Review*
![]() |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
![]() |