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Debra's Reviews > Diavola

Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne
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it was amazing
bookshelves: audiobook, horror

Holy Moly grab me a cannoli!

This book was fantastic! I could not put it down! This is how you do it! I loved the creepy, horrific, sinister, humorous, something-isn't-quite-right vibes in this book. I found it to be a utterly addictive, gripping, and spine-tingling page turner! I loved the atmosphere, the tension, the mounting sense of danger, and chilling location. I was intrigued by the strange behavior of the townspeople, their stares, and their warnings. The mounting dread and increasing sense of doom had the hairs standing up on the back of my neck while reading.

The Pace family always goes on a family vacation. It is one that Anna usually dreads. She doesn't quite fit in with the rest of her family, including her twin brother Benny. Her sister doesn't seem to want her around, her father reminds her who paid for the vacation while her mother frequently questions her life choices. Ah, so much fun being uncomfortable around one's family.

But things are about to go from being uncomfortable to much, much worse. Something isn't quite right at their remote Gothic villa in Monteperso, and it has nothing to do with their toxic family interactions. There are bumps in the night, a locked room that is not to be entered, and the unsettling feeling of being watched. Then Anna is told about the Villa's dark and brutal history....

The feeling of dread oozed from the pages, and I lapped it up! Plus, the humor, wit and sarcasm in the book worked so well and was placed perfectly throughout the book. This book comes in at under 300 pages but packs a wallop of a punch! There is something about haunted houses/locations that gets me every single time. We want to feel safe in our homes, where we choose to stay while on vacation/holiday, and there is something so unsettling when that feeling of safety is gone. Anna doesn't feel safe around her judgmental family. I felt for her and the toll the interactions with them took on her mentally. Then to see her not be safe due to where they were staying elevated my concern for her.

So clever, so well done, well written, and well thought out!

*Some takeaways
1. Always listen to the locals, always!
2. It doesn’t matter how much you paid for something; safety is priceless. Leave.
3. People treat you how you let them treat you.
4. Be nice to your family.
5. If you do not feel safe where you are staying � leave!
6. Don’t go into rooms you are told not to enter.

Highly Recommend.

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Reading Progress

March 2, 2024 – Shelved
March 2, 2024 – Shelved as: to-read
April 16, 2024 – Started Reading
April 16, 2024 – Shelved as: audiobook
April 16, 2024 – Shelved as: horror
April 16, 2024 – Shelved as: to-read
April 17, 2024 –
20.0%
April 17, 2024 –
30.0%
April 18, 2024 –
40.0%
April 19, 2024 –
65.0%
April 19, 2024 –
70.0%
April 20, 2024 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-22 of 22 (22 new)

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Susan  (on hiatus) This sounds creepy (and I had to smile at your family relations descriptions) Terrific review Debra!


message 2: by Jayme (new)

Jayme Sounds terrifying! Great review!


message 3: by Ginger (new) - added it

Ginger Great review Debra and glad to see you liked this one! I’ve seen some mixed reviews on it so glad to see another positive one!


Debra Susan wrote: "This sounds creepy (and I had to smile at your family relations descriptions) Terrific review Debra!"

Thank you, Susan!


Debra Jayme wrote: "Sounds terrifying! Great review!"

Thank you, Jayme!


Debra Ginger wrote: "Great review Debra and glad to see you liked this one! I’ve seen some mixed reviews on it so glad to see another positive one!"

Thank you, Ginger! This one impressed me.


message 7: by Graeme (new) - added it

Graeme Rodaughan Sounds awesome!


Debra Graeme wrote: "Sounds awesome!"

It was, Graeme! This would make a great movie!


message 9: by Graeme (new) - added it

Graeme Rodaughan 😁🎥


message 10: by A (new)

A Mac I've been trying to decide if I was going to read this one or not, but your review has sold me on it! And that list of rules. Wonderful review, Debra!


message 11: by Rae (new)

Rae Terrific review, Debra. Sounds like a great creepy read. 😱


Debra A wrote: "I've been trying to decide if I was going to read this one or not, but your review has sold me on it! And that list of rules. Wonderful review, Debra!"

Thank you, A!


Debra Rae wrote: "Terrific review, Debra. Sounds like a great creepy read. 😱"

Thank you, Rae!


message 14: by Joe (new) - added it

Joe Krakovsky Your opening line cracked me up! And that was great vacation advice. If people did that there would be far fewer horror stories!


Debra Joe wrote: "Your opening line cracked me up! And that was great vacation advice. If people did that there would be far fewer horror stories!"

Right! Glad I cracked you up!


Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill I need to bump this one up!! So glad to see all these stars!


message 17: by Ceecee (new)

Ceecee Fantastic review!


Debra Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill wrote: "I need to bump this one up!! So glad to see all these stars!"

I hope you love it, Kim!


Debra Ceecee wrote: "Fantastic review!"

Thank you, Ceecee!


message 20: by Kevin (new)

Kevin You sold me Debra! What an exceptional review!


Debra Kevin wrote: "You sold me Debra! What an exceptional review!"

Thank you, Kevin! Such a great book. I hope you enjoy it!


message 22: by Lili (new)

Lili Ok. Your review sold me on the book. I was at a crossroads. Thanks:)


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