Title: Diavola
Author: Jennifer Thorne
Genre: Horror
Type: Standalone
POV: Third Person
Expected Publication: March 26, 2024
Jennifer Thorne skewers all-too-familiar family dynamics in this sly, wickedly funny vacation-Gothic. Beautifully unhinged and deeply satisfying, Diavola is a sharp twist on the classic haunted house story, exploring loneliness, belonging, and the seemingly inescapable bonds of family mythology.
Anna has two rules for the annual Pace family destination vacations: Tread lightly and survive.
It isn’t easy when she’s the only one in the family who doesn’t quite fit in. Her twin brother, Benny, goes with the flow so much he’s practically dissolved, and her older sister, Nicole, is so used to everyone—including her blandly docile husband and two kids—falling in line that Anna often ends up in trouble for simply asking a question. Mom seizes every opportunity to question her life choices, and Dad, when not reminding everyone who paid for this vacation, just wants some peace and quiet.
The gorgeous, remote villa in tiny Monteperso seems like a perfect place to endure so much family togetherness, until things start going off the rails—the strange noises at night, the unsettling warnings from the local villagers, and the dark, violent past of the villa itself.
(Warning: May invoke feelings of irritation, dread, and despair that come with large family gatherings.)
Pre-order on Amazon.
As the black sheep of the family, Anna Pace anticipated the tensions of their yearly family vacation. But their trip to Tuscany turned out to be much more challenging when external forces came into play.
This book was quite slow to begin with, but thankfully it gained momentum in its latter half. I enjoyed the ambiance and the various characters, even as flawed as they were. I definitely felt for Anna and rooted for her. The storyline was interesting, and I liked how it ended.
Diavola is the story of survival and resilience. It would appeal to readers who enjoy haunted house stories intertwined with toxic family dynamics.
Final Verdict:
This review is also available on Goodreads.
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