A review by stephanieanneauthor
The Fervor by Alma Katsu

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Until recently, I haven't read a ton of historical fiction. But I am quickly learning that horror stories based on historical events are extra horrifying because even when you take away the supernatural aspect, the horror of the real-life event remains. Even without the demons and spider women, this book still made me uncomfortable (which is something I love when reading books like this). I wish some of the chapters involving the journal entries had been as well developed as the rest of the book, and the ending felt a bit rushed, but this was a fantastic read with rich, multifaceted characters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, War

Minor: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Pregnancy