Diavola

"This book is unhinged and hard to describe. It’s the classic haunted house story . There’s the dynamics of a family, and unsettling warnings from local villagers, and the past of the villa that they’re staying in… I loved the sharpness of the writing. It was really intelligent, quick writing, full of depth and despair. And it’s a really unique take on the haunted house trope. I loved what she was doing with the family dynamics, too – I think every family is gothic in its own way! I love this book. It’s unsettling and smart, and a worthy read indeed for anyone interested in Gothic fantasy. It’s one thing to have a haunted house described as an old, decrepit mansion, but here we have a remote villa in Italy. She doesn’t rely on atmosphere, at least in terms of darkness and the Victorian era; we move away from that, and instead, we have this Italian villa, a warm and gorgeous country home. So we’re not expecting it – things are not set up for the reader as easily as other novels that employ the haunted house motif. Thorne opens with something that, on the surface, feels more relaxing and cozy and comfortable, and then gradually those elements of darkness come through. It’s creepier because it’s somewhere nice."