Book Review: Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne
From the moment I laid eyes on the stunningly-disturbing cover of Diavola, it was like an irresistible siren’s call, beckoning me to uncover its secrets. What does the cover even mean? I had to know. Add to that a synopsis promising a Gothic-feeling Travel Horror nestled in the heart of Italy, rich with family drama and haunted occurrences, and I was utterly hooked. Little did I know that this book would be one of my greatest surprises of 2024.
Diavola follows Anna, who is thrown into the complexities of her family dynamics during a seemingly idyllic vacation in a historic villa near the quaint town of Monteperso. What starts as a picturesque getaway quickly turns into a tangled web of tension and strained relationships. The pull of family drama is palpable: a mother with a penchant for passive-aggressive comments, a distant father wielding financial power, and a meticulously planned itinerary from her sister, Nicole. It’s all too relatable, with just enough eerie atmosphere to hold your attention.
What struck me most was how Jennifer Marie Thorne captured the uneasy ambiance of the villa without overshadowing the characters themselves. The villa feels like a character in its own right, emitting odd noises and harboring secrets in a locked tower room, creating an oppressive setting that mirrors the family’s dysfunction. You can practically feel the weight of their unresolved issues pressing down as each layer of their relationships unfurls. I often found myself leaning closer to my headphones, utterly captivated by Anna’s struggles, mirrored brilliantly by Andi Arndt’s engaging narration.
There’s an undeniable tension between Anna and her twin brother, Benny, further complicated by the presence of his arrogant boyfriend, Christopher. Their once precious bond is strained, beautifully weaving in themes of familial loyalty, resentment, and the complexity of sibling relationships. The emotional depth Thorne brings to each character is impressive; I felt as though I truly knew the Pace family—almost as if I were a participant in their chaotic dynamics.
As I navigated through the novel, I was astounded by the shifts in my own emotional landscape. The latter half of the book unleashed twists I never saw coming, fleshing out subtleties and nuances that I had missed initially. One vivid moment that stays with me is when Anna confronts not just her familial ties but the shadows lurking in the villa itself. It’s these layers of horror—both psychological and supernatural—that pull you deeper into the narrative.
I genuinely believe that Diavola is a must-read for anyone who enjoys Travel Horror or finds themselves intrigued by intricate family dynamics. It’s a gripping and haunting journey that haunted my thoughts long after the last chapter ended. I am already eager to revisit the Pace family, to annotate and dig deeper into the layers of betrayal and love that envelop this tale.
In conclusion, this book isn’t just a reading experience; it’s an emotional rollercoaster that deftly intertwines horror and family drama. Thank you to Tor Nightfire and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to explore this mesmerizing world. I can’t wait to see what Jennifer Marie Thorne conjures up next!