The Possession of Alba Díaz: Synopsis, review, characters, more

Written By Esta Pinto

If you’re looking for a haunting gothic tale that blends horror, history and romance, you’ve come to the right place.

In this The Possession of Alba Díaz review, I’ll walk you through what makes Isabel Cañas’ novel so captivating, from its mysterious characters to its chilling atmosphere. This possession story  is about agency, autonomy, forbidden love and the weight of history.

Of course, with a story this intense, it’s important to pause and talk about trigger warnings. Cañas doesn’t shy away from themes like demonic possession, religious oppression, colonisation and patriarchal control. I’ve included the full list below my review. 

This is a book that’s both unsettling and stunning, perfect for readers who want their supernatural horror with sharp social commentary and luminous prose.

Happy reading friends!

 

The Possession of Alba Díaz synopsis.

When a demonic presence awakens deep in a Mexican silver mine, the young woman it seizes must turn to the one man she shouldn’t trust… from bestselling author Isabel Cañas.

In 1765, plague sweeps through Zacatecas. Alba flees with her wealthy merchant parents and fiancé, Carlos, to his family’s isolated mine for refuge. But safety proves fleeting as other dangers soon bare their teeth: Alba begins suffering from strange hallucinations, sleepwalking, and violent convulsions. She senses something cold lurking beneath her skin. Something angry. Something wrong.

Elías, haunted by a troubled past, came to the New World to make his fortune and escape his family’s legacy of greed. Alba, as his cousin’s betrothed, is none of his business. Which is of course why he can’t help but notice her every time she enters a room or the growing tension between them… and why he notices her deteriorate when the demon’s thirst for blood grows stronger.

Get The Possesion of Alba Diaz here.

 

The Possession of Alba Díaz characters.

Main characters.

The Possession of Alba Diaz is told in first-person from the two alternating perspectives of Alba Diaz and Elias Monterrubio. 

The main characters in The Possession of Alba Diaz are:

  • Alba Diaz de Bolanos; and 

  • Elías Monterrubio.

Supporting characters.

  • Carlos Monterrubio (Alba’s fiance)

  • Don Heraclio Monterrubio (Carlos’ father)

  • Maria Victoriana Monterrubio (Elias’ sister)

  • Carolina Hernandez (Maria Victoriana’s mother)

  • Padre Bartolome Verastegui Robles 

  • Padre Horacio

  • Emilio Diaz (Alba’s father)

  • Lucero Diaz (Alba’s mother)

  • Socorro

  • Nicandro  Romero Gallastegui (aka Romero)

  • Juan Arcadio / Abuelo Arcadio

Mentioned characters (off-page).

  • Young Izquierdo

  • Fatima

  • Victoriano Monterrubio (Elias’ father)

 

Review: The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas.

View my review and follow me on GoodReads here.

My rating: ★★★★★

Demon possession but make it yearning.

Girls don’t want boyfriends, they want alchemists with mercury-stained hands who will help them banish the unholy spirits tormenting their souls, am I right?

I didn’t expect that I would describe a horror novel about possession as beautiful and elegant. And yet, The Possession of Alba Diaz is exactly that. Isabel Cañas somehow delivers chills and horror written in luminous, lyrical and tender prose. The writing itself is that good that I found myself staring at the page in awe.

But this book is more than just pretty prose. It's also full of substance and it gets under your skin. At the heart of it is choice, agency and autonomy. Alba is engaged to her friend, Carlos, a man who isn't into women. But being married to her closeted friend is the only path forward that will let Alba control her own life and freedom. Choice and agency are the kinds of themes that you might say are “timely,” because women having autonomy and agency over the trajectory of their lives is apparently still up for debate centuries later to this present day, mostly amongst those who don't possess a uterus, which is kinda wild?

Then there’s Elias, an alchemist of sorts who refines silver with mercury and has some metaphorical demons of sorts. His romance with Alba is tender, forbidden and occasionally rudely interrupted by, you know, demonic possession.

What really grounded the novel for me was its intricate and illuminating historical attention to detail of Mexico in the 1700s. From Zacatecas to an isolated Mexican silver mining town, combined with the oppressive Inquisition. Religion here is about control, it’s colonisation, it’s hypocrisy. If you’re getting déjà vu, then you and me both.

And for those wondering about the horror, it was really satisfying. The first half paves a solid foundation, but the second half gets creepy, and it had me glued to the pages. I had an e-arc and I combined it with listening and the combo was perfect. If you can swing the audiobook, do it. Carolina Hoyos and Anthony Rey Perez have a range that includes guttural and hissing tones for... certain scenes... and that really enhances the experience.

Finally, I love stories that throw shade at the patriarchy and colonisation, and this one delivered that commentary with style.

So yeah, if your idea of a good supernatural horror includes romance, Mexican history, and just a little righteous fury, this book is for you.

Thank you so much to Rebellion | Solaris & NetGalley for the digital arc!

 View my review and follow me on GoodReads here. I chat about books a lot.

 

The Possession of Alba Díaz FAQs.

SPOILER ALERT:

⚠️ Some answers may spoil The Possession of Alba Díaz if you haven’t read it already. Proceed with caution. ⚠️

Here are the answers to all your common FAQs.

Is The Possession of Alba Díaz part of a series?

No, The Possession of Alba Diaz is a standalone horror novel.

What are the content and trigger warnings?

  • Supernatural horror

  • Violence

  • Gore

  • Toxic family relationships

  • Physical abuse

  • Grief

  • Death of a parent

  • Abandonment

  • War

  • Confinement

  • Classism

  • Death

  • Colonisation and colonialism

  • Religious trauma

  • Religious bigotry

  • Racism

  • Misogyny

  • Racist slurs

  • Murder

  • Infidelity

  • Pandemic/Epidemic

  • Possession

What is the age rating for The Possession of Alba Díaz?

The Possession of Alba Diaz is classified as adult, so ages 18+, due to horror and adult themes. Please also see the trigger and content warnings listed above.

Is there spice in The Possession of Alba Díaz?

No there is no spice in The Possession of Alba Díaz… although there is a romantic subplot

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