Diavola

I really enjoyed this novel from start to finish. There's just something supremely satisfying about going into a story knowing that it won't turn into a ten book series. I love a good stand alone novel, and Diavola is a VERY good stand alone novelRight out of the gates the reader is thrust into the awkward Pace family dynamic, where our protagonist finds herself on the annual family holiday and dreading every second of it. It's no secret that Anna doesn't fit in with her family, and that is a feeling, rather than a simple plot-based fact, that the author has hammered home remarkably well. When Anna feels awkward, I felt awkward. When she was apprehensive, I was apprehensive. Bravo Jennifer Thorne for getting the character across so well.At its core, Diavola is a haunted house story. But, overall, it's so much more. We experience everything in essentially real-time rather than having things alluded to. I imagine that if such a haunting were occurring in real life, it would happen in a very similar way as was written in the book. It feels almost real rather than something conjured out of an author's mind, a feeling made possible due to the excellent character work. So top marks again to the author for that.I had a slight feeling of 'where's this going' during the latter part of the novel, but buckled in for the downward spiral being created for Anna by the monstrosity that haunts her (how good is that cover? It really hammers home when you read the book as it features so heavily).My feelings of 'where's this going' initially had me thinking it would only manage a four out of five score, but it turned out I really liked where it was going. I won't say too much, other than Anna is put through an awful lot and endures so very much. I think the hardships forced on her, the strain (growing ever more strained with every turn of the page) of her family life and the frustrations in her personal life all add to the ending in a complete and satisfying way. There was one thing that felt a tad weird near the end ... I'd have liked a bit more repercussion to have come from it, but I suppose I can't have everything. The moral of this review: Read this spooky Italian haunted house novel

This book was such a good read! There were scenes I literally felt like I was there and it was terrifying! Such a good read that just kept on giving every time you thought it would end. Highly recommend.

I was influenced by TikTok to get this book, and it’s ok but it is nothing like I imagined it could be.

Wow! The best way to describe this book is like Mexican Gothic on steroids! We follow Anna and her family who are on holiday in a villa in the Italian countryside when some seriously weird stuff starts happening, like doors slamming, scratching sounds and a general feeling of dread.This book gave me so many instances of goosebumps that were so intense I had tears, as well as feelings of frustration with Anna's family, and don't even get me started on Christopher!! On the flip side, though, this book had moments of outrageously dark humour that had my partner so confused that I would be telling him how creeped out I was one minute, then laughing out loud the next.I absolutely devoured this book and will have to get a physical copy when it is published!!Incredible!

This was a great read! I think it could be produced as a movie. The writing was excellent and while English is not my first language (but I'm fluent) it was very easy and fun to read. Whereas I don't really enjoy humour when reading horror /scary books, this one is an exception. Lastly .... What an eye catching cover!!!! One of the best book covers I've ever come across.

Loved this book for many reasons. Dark humour, awful family and genuinely creepy goings on in an eerie rental villa. The author has created some marvellous characters, especially Anna.

I did enjoy this book, and there was a lot of suspenseful moments. I enjoyed the dark humour, I just feel there were a few questions unanswered. I’d definitely recommend though if you like creepy haunted stories

Do you like gothic horror, dark humour and family dynamics? If so this is the book for you. At times creepy, at times humours and always gripping Divola is the perfect read for fans of gothic horror. The main character Anna is a wonderfully flawed yet human heroine and I loved seeing her personal journey amidst the horror.Now I don’t do spoilers but I will say the writing is beautifully dark at points and some of the descriptions of Tuscany are stunning. The characters are all incredibly human is not at all likeable. In fact most members of Anna’s family I found myself actively disliking but that is not a bad thing as such, it just shows how good Thorne is at writing characters.The horror of this one is beautifully done. Particularly the ‘haunting’ sections which are peak gothic horror. If you are a fan of that genre you will definitely love this one.

This book was everything I've been looking for. It was scary, fast-paced, eventful, with a main character I love and can sympathize with. I can honestly say this is the best book I've read this year, and one of the best I've read ever.

Gets under your skin and doesn't leave you, even if you beg and scream for release. I devoured this book.

with a bit of horror story against the tension.

3.5 it seemed people either loved it or hated it and I guess I am am built, violent, right in between. It was definitely interesting, but then it took a turn at the end and I was not impressed. But it held my attention. Very dysfunctional family not really any likable characters.

-Unlikable characters, including the protagonist-messy plot, as if there were supposed to be two novels that were mashed into one-boring ending (about last quarter of the novel)- haunting sequences fair