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What’s it about?
A grieving mother is drawn to La Llorona's legend while her daughter-in-law and an engineer race to save her using innovative technology.
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Book details
- Print length272 pages
Print length: 272 pages
The estimated length is calculated using the number of page turns on a Kindle, using settings to closely represent a physical book. - LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateOctober 1, 2025
- File size8.3 MB
- Page FlipEnabled
Page Flip: Enabled
Page Flip is a new way to explore your books without losing your place. - Word WiseEnabled
Word Wise: Enabled
Word Wise helps you read harder books by explaining the most challenging words in the book. - Enhanced typesettingEnabled
Enhanced typesetting: Enabled
Enhanced typesetting improvements offer faster reading with less eye strain and beautiful page layouts, even at larger font sizes.
In this haunting reimagining of the La Llorona legend, Mary Romasanta delivers a psychological thriller that merges folklore, technology, and the raw ache of grief.
Mi-Ra has lost everything that once anchored her to life. Consumed by guilt and sorrow, she feels herself drawn toward the ancient whispers of La Llorona—the Weeping Woman said to lure the brokenhearted to the river’s edge. As the legend tightens its grip, Mi-Ra begins to believe that surrender may be the only way to quiet the pain.
But Ruth, her fiercely devoted daughter-in-law, refuses to let her disappear. A brilliant technologist shaped by loss, Ruth enlists Paul, a gifted engineer haunted by his brother’s suicide. Together, they adapt groundbreaking technology—originally designed to protect infants—into a system that tracks Mi-Ra’s vital signs and movements, intervening before despair turns fatal.
Yet no algorithm can fully contain grief, and no device can silence the spectral pull of La Llorona. As the river’s call grows louder, Mi-Ra must confront the truth at the heart of her suffering: whether redemption is still possible, or whether she will become another echo in the water.
La Llorona: The Awakening is a chilling, emotionally charged exploration of love, loss, and the fragile line between salvation and surrender.
Target Audience
Adults (16+)
Readers of psychological thrillers, supernatural suspense, and emotionally grounded horror
Themes
Grief and survivor’s guilt
Suicide prevention and mental health
Cultural folklore and generational trauma
Technology vs. the human soul
Redemption, love, and resilience
The unseen bonds that tether us to life
Why This Book
La Llorona: The Awakening appeals to fans of folklore-driven horror like The Conjuring and Mexican Gothic, as well as readers drawn to emotionally intelligent thrillers such as The Night House or Sharp Objects. Its intersection of myth and modern science offers strong crossover potential for book clubs, academic discussions, and mental health advocacy spaces. The story’s cultural specificity paired with universal themes makes it both intimate and widely resonant.
About the Author
Mary Romasanta is a writer, technologist, and former IT professional with over two decades of experience before transitioning fully into storytelling. The daughter of a pastor and a florist, she was raised surrounded by faith, folklore, and firsthand encounters with grief and spiritual conflict. Her work explores the intersection of the supernatural and the deeply human, often centering marginalized voices and culturally rooted legends. Through her fiction, Romasanta confronts fear not as spectacle—but as a mirror reflecting love, loss, and the courage to keep living.
Review
"Readers who seek intense emotional journeys paired with psychological suspense are sure to get sucked into it."
"Mary Romasanta masterfully blends multiple genres—women's fiction, folk-based horror, and psychological thriller."
— Cameron Gillespie, IndieReader
"Mary Romasanta's gripping prose entranced me from the beginning of this impressive work."
"Her ability to fuse folktales with a Biblical story... creates a modern masterpiece of strength and resilience."
"Mary Romasanta's La Llorona is one of those novels that leaves a mark on the reader."
— Terri Stepek for Reader Views
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.Mary Romasanta, a writer, technologist, and mother of three young boys, embarked on a transformative journey to turn her lifelong passion for storytelling into reality after two decades in the corporate world. Known for her fearless approach to genre, she blends psychological thrillers, science fiction, the paranormal, and the supernatural, crafting stories that push boundaries and captivate readers. Her writing delves deep into the darker corners of the human psyche, weaving suspense, mystery, and supernatural intrigue into compelling narratives that leave a lasting impact.
Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, just steps away from the city's largest cemetery, Romasanta grew up immersed in an environment rich with mystique and spiritual curiosity. As the daughter of a pastor and a florist, she found inspiration in both the ethereal and the everyday, fueling her fascination with the unknown. These early influences are reflected in the vivid backdrops and eerie atmospheres of her debut novel, Avīci Sagga, and subsequent novels, The Eternal Secret and Infestation.
With a unique blend of genres and an unwavering dedication to exploring cultural and spiritual dimensions, Romasanta invites readers to confront the thin veil between reality and the supernatural. Her stories challenge perceptions, provoke thought, and guide readers into the depths of both terror and transformation.
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Product information
| ASIN | B0DQLXJB83 |
| Publisher | Sagga Publishing House LLC |
| Publication date | October 1, 2025 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Accessibility | Learn more |
| Language | English |
| File size | 8.3 MB |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled Enhanced typesetting: EnabledEnhanced typesetting improvements offer faster reading with less eye strain and beautiful page layouts, even at larger font sizes. |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled Word Wise: EnabledWord Wise helps you read harder books by explaining the most challenging words in the book. |
| Print length | 272 pages Print length: 272 pagesThe estimated length is calculated using the number of page turns on a Kindle, using settings to closely represent a physical book. |
| Page Flip | Enabled Page Flip: EnabledPage Flip is a new way to explore your books without losing your place. |
| Best Sellers Rank |
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Sorry, there was an error
Please try again later.Top reviews from the United States
- 5 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Amazing storytelling
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2026Format: PaperbackLove the cover, author is amazing on storytelling..
- 5 out of 5 stars
A Gripping, Nightmare-Inducing Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2026Format: KindleA chilling and atmospheric horror novel that masterfully reimagines the classic Mexican legend for a new generation. The author blends supernatural dread with raw cultural tension in a way that creates a story that’s both terrifying and emotionally haunting. As the weeping woman returns with a vengeance, the escalating sense of doom and shocking twists keep you glued to every page. It's perfect for fans of folk horror and ghostly tales. This is a gripping, nightmare-inducing read.
- 4 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Dark but hopeful
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2026Format: KindleI don't regret reading this at all especially how it shows the reality of grief taking over someone's emotions and how mental health shouldn't be taken lightly. The mix of La Llorona folklore made it feel more intense and different. It's not just horror for me as it also felt like a reminder that even in our darkest moments there's still a small chance to hold on and find answers..
- 3 out of 5 stars
Very creative idea for the casual reader.
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2026Format: KindleThis book has an interesting premise and draws from one of the most haunting and emotionally rich legends in folklore, but it doesn't quite live up to the source material. Obviously, I don't know if it was the writer's intent or not, but this feels like it has been watered down as an attempt to make it more accessible, for casual or younger readers. The result is the loss of darkness, horror, and emotional brutality of the myth. A myth that you really have to already know about if you're going to enjoy this book. Mary Romasanta, the author, writes well and is very creative, but appears to have restrained herself in order to make a more commercially accessible novel, rather than something you can really sink your teeth into.
- 5 out of 5 stars
Review of La Llorona: The Awakening by Mary Romasanta
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2026Format: KindleLa Llorona: The Awakening is one of those books that really stays with you after you finish it. Mary Romasanta does an incredible job of blending psychological suspense with cultural folklore in a way that feels both meaningful and real.
What stood out to me the most was how deeply the book explores grief. Through Mi-Ra’s story, you can truly feel the weight of loss, guilt, and emotional struggle. It’s the kind of writing that pulls you in and makes you connect with what the characters are going through on a very human level.
I also really appreciated how the story brings together the Latino legend of La Llorona with the Korean Mul Gwishin. It added a unique layer to the book and showed how universal grief and loss really are. The use of modern technology alongside these traditional elements made the story even more interesting and original.
Overall, this is a beautifully written and emotional story about love, loss, and healing. It’s raw, relatable, and definitely a memorable read. I would absolutely give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it.
- 5 out of 5 stars
A haunting and emotionally powerful read.
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2026Format: KindleLa Llorona: The Awakening blends folklore and modern technology in a way that feels both eerie and deeply human. Mi-Ra’s grief is raw and consuming, and the pull of the legend adds a chilling psychological layer that keeps you hooked.
What really stands out is the balance between horror and heart—the tension of the supernatural threat alongside the fierce love and determination of Ruth. The use of technology as a lifeline against something ancient and emotional is especially compelling.
This is more than just a thriller—it’s a story about loss, redemption, and the fight to hold on when everything feels like it’s slipping away.
- 5 out of 5 stars
Favorite Read!
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2026Format: KindleFrom a very young age, I was fascinated by the tale of La Llorona (I still am) so as soon as I saw this, I picked it up. I wasn’t disappointed. This interesting reimagining of the old legend is an emotional psychological thriller that uses folklore as more than just atmosphere -- it becomes a living force that blends with grief and guilt. The author tells in a way that feels intimate and modern, grounding the supernatural in the very real experience of loss. The story’s REAL strength lies in how it refuses to treat grief as something easily solved; instead, it lingers in that uncomfortable space where pain permanently distorts perception.
I especially appreciated the contrast between human connection and technological intervention. Ruth and Paul’s attempt to “out-engineer” despair introduces a compelling ethical and emotional layer -- one that asks whether healing can ever be measured, monitored, or prevented by design, and the presence of La Llorona feels like both a literal and symbolic tale. Five full stars. I loved it.
- 5 out of 5 stars
Haunting, Emotional, and Deeply Human
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2026Format: KindleThis book hits harder than your average thriller, leaning into grief and emotional struggle in a way that feels raw and genuine rather than just dramatic for effect. The blend of folklore and modern technology is handled surprisingly well, giving the story a unique edge without losing its emotional core. It’s a haunting read that lingers, not because it tries to scare you, but because it understands pain a little too well.
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