Maria the Wanted

by V. Castro

Overview

Newly turned Mexican vampire, Maria, is not just out for blood, she wants answers.

From the twice Bram Stoker-nominated author of The Haunting of Alejandra and Immortal Pleasures, a gripping tale of empowerment, desire and belonging, perfect for readers of A Dowry of Blood and Certain Dark Things.

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 in Juarez, Mexico until the injustices of the world turn her into something else.

Forced to leave her home and family, she embarks on a journey across Mexico seeking those answers. She learns a new language and how to survive as a vampire. To ease her restlessness she finds work with an ex-boxer and learns to fight, becoming an unlikely bad ass enforcer of justice for the community that has embraced her. Is she a saint or an old God from a forgotten past?

An encounter with a violent, ruthless vampire boss leads her to finally find her creator, and he is nothing like she imagined. Drawn into a world of ancient vampires, deadly conspiracies and a dangerously seductive devil, Maria must find a way to fight for herself and all humankind.

A fierce and seductive vampire thriller, pulsing with rage, fear and desire, that explores the dark back streets of Mexico and a vampire woman’s determination to find her place in the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781803366722
Publisher:	Titan
Publication date:	06/03/2025
Product dimensions:	5.12(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

V. Castro is a two-time Bram Stoker Award nominated author of Aliens: Vasquez, The Haunting of Alejandra, The Queen of The Cicadas, Goddess of Filth, Hairspray and Switchblades, and Out of Atzlan. She is a Mexican American expat living in the UK. As a full-time mother, she dedicates her time to her family and writing. Her official site is vcastrostories.com.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for The Haunting of Alejandra:
“A powerful story about motherhood, trauma, love, and the ways myths can and should be rewritten…If you’re a horror fan and you haven’t picked up V. Castro, you need to fix that.”—Sarah Langan, author of Good Neighbors


“V. Castro charts a terrifying legacy of tears with The Haunting of Alejandra, an empathic epic that maps out the birth of a curse and tethers itself to the very ancestry of its tragic protagonist.”—Clay McLeod Chapman, author of Ghost Eaters


“Sometimes, being a woman can be hell. In V. Castro’s dark, heroic tale, a woman draws on her familial roots to save herself and her children—by facing down a soul-devouring demon.” —Alma Katsu, author of The Fervor


“The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro is a much-needed gem in the horror genre. It’s an intricate tale that blends together folklore, grief, and revenge to create horrifying images that are sure to be etched into the imaginations of readers for years to come. Whether you know the story of La Llorona or not, this novel is a must-read.”—Sergio Gomez, author of Camp Slaughter


 Praise for The 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 )

From the Publisher