Review: The Possession of Alba Díaz
A fresh demonic possession story from the perspective of the possessed.
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The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas is a fresh demonic possession story from the perspective of the possessed, which does not unfold the way you’d expect. It’s chilling and satisfying!
This is part horror, part historical fiction, and part romance. The horror will be familiar from other possession stories… until it’s not. The historical setting is vividly drawn, and the romance sizzles even with no explicit spice on the page. My favorite line:
She caught his kiss between her teeth and returned it stripped of chastity.
Fuck. 🥵
The story is laced with themes of bodily autonomy and independence, and is not shy in its opinion of the patriarchy of the Catholic church. I loved Alba being the protagonist instead of the victim and asserting these values herself, loudly, in her own voice. Even as Elías helps her, she’s never helpless; she saves him plenty, too. He’s no knight in shining armor, and she’s no damsel in distress.
If you enjoy eerie, atmospheric horror, historical fiction, and slow-burn Gothic romance with richly-drawn characters and a densely-textured world, you’ll love this one.
