Take a photo of a barcode or cover
All the characters were a bit unlikable, even the main character, but the storytelling was what kept me going. Jennifer Thorne did a good job at writing horror with really interesting funny bits.
I borrowed this as an eBook from my local library through Libby.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Alcohol
Moderate: Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Murder
Minor: Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Suicide, Car accident, Abortion, Gaslighting
Graphic: Vomit, Gaslighting, Alcohol
Moderate: Violence, Murder
It was never really terrifying, but it was enough to make you want to look over your shoulder. And maybe research your next VROB.
Enough back story to give it some meat and meaning.
Lots and LOTS of alcohol use/abuse.
Graphic: Death, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Abortion
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Pregnancy
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol
Graphic: Death, Blood, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Violence, Car accident, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Violence, Vomit, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide, Abortion
In conclusion, Diavola is a book that does a lot of its heavy lifting with atmosphere and setting. If you’re in the mood for something dark, eerie, and a little too real when it comes to family dysfunction, Diavola could be your cup of tea. Just don’t expect to leave with any warm feelings towards the characters.
Anyway, fuck Benny. Fuck Nicole. Fuck her parents.
On to some content warnings:
❗Vomit: Yes, there’s a whole sequence that’s pretty tough for emetophobes (I say this as one myself). It’s mostly red wine, so not as bad as it could have been, but still... be warned.
❗Sexual Content: At first, the sexual content was fairly mild, with just a few sentences here and there to subtly highlight certain situations. However, towards the end, a sex scene appears—around page 260.
❗Nudity: There’s non-sexual nudity related to artwork, but a bit of sexual nudity toward the end.
❗Toxic Family Dynamics: If toxic family dynamics are a trigger for you, I’d suggest giving this book a pass, as the relationships are deeply dysfunctional throughout.
❗Blood: Wine and blood are often intertwined, making it easy to mistake one for the other.
❗Abortion: The MC’s abortion is treated as a source of shame by her family.
❗Suicide: There’s a mention of suicide, and the story plays with the idea of ritualistic behavior at some point that could be seen as an attempt at the same.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Blood, Abortion, Gaslighting
Minor: Animal death, Gore, Suicide, Car accident, Murder
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Murder
Minor: Abortion
Minor: Animal death, Gore, Murder
Minor: Suicide, Blood, Abortion, Murder