The Possession of Alba Díaz, Isabel Cañas (Review by Emily Hall)

Rating: 4.25/5 Stars

The Possession of Alba Diaz had me hooked from the title. Set in 1765 in Zacatecas, Mexico, this book follows the titular Alba Diaz and her family as they isolate themselves from a plague at her fiancé’s family’s silver mine up in the mountains. However, once they arrive Alba can’t shake the constant feeling of unease that settles into her, a feeling that escalates into hallucinations and madness. Only Elías, a cousin of Alba’s fiancé, seems to understand what is happening to her, and together they must race to unravel the mystery.

First, I thought this book was incredibly well written. As with any good gothic horror novel it is intensely atmospheric – the mine itself becomes a character in the book. That makes it easy to get lost in the story which is what I most enjoy about gothic style writing. Alba and Elías are also interesting characters, both harboring secrets from the rest of the world that are gradually revealed to the reader as we switch back and forth from their perspectives. The only reason I didn’t give a full five stars is that the book is a slow burn, sometimes feeling almost like it was dragging. However, once the possession truly sets in and takes over Alba it is hard to put down. This would be a perfect spooky book to read around Halloween!