Diabhal: Diabhal Book 1

by Kathleen Kaufman

Overview

Diabhal (gaelic for “devil”) follows Ceit Robertson as she explores the true nature of evil and wickedness. In her world of cults, exorcisms, and unspeakable horrors, she discovers that perhaps the devil is not what we should truly fear.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684423217
Publisher:	Keylight Books
Publication date:	10/29/2019
Series:	Diabhal , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Kathleen Kaufman is a native Coloradan and long-time resident of Los Angeles. Her prose has been praised by Kirkus Reviews as “crisp, elegant” and “genuinely chilling” by Booklist. She is the author of The Tree Museum, The Lairdbalor, soon to be a feature film with Echo Lake Studios and director Nicholas Verso, and her most recent, Hag, due out in October 2018. Kathleen is a monster enthusiast, Olympic-level insomniac and aficionado of all things unsettling. When not writing, she can be found teaching literature and composition at Santa Monica College or hanging out with a good book. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, terrier, and a pack of cats.

Editorial Reviews

06/03/2019

Kaufman (The Lairdbalor) puts an unusual spin on the diabolic possession story by evoking sympathy for the embodiment of evil. Ceit Robertson’s power emerged at an early age, and she’s assumed to be next in line to lead her family’s Celtic magick community. When her mother becomes afflicted by dark beings called the Sluagh, Ceit tries to save her mother’s soul and is revealed to possess more power than anyone imagined. Cait is effectively orphaned, with her mother catatonic and her father too distraught to care for her. Members of a Satanic temple are awed by Ceit and decide to bring her into their fold so she can be worshipped properly; however, events don’t go as planned. Kaufman’s tale of an affectionate, afflicted “devil” mixes with the Satanic panic of the 1980s to become an engrossing tale of magic, darkness, and natural order. Fans of My Best Friend’s Exorcism and Stranger Things will be fascinated by Ceit’s ascent to power. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

"Imagine a world of old magic that exists beside our own, but one that is darker, grittier, and more dangerous  than you ever imagined. Kathleen Kaufman's Diabhal rings with ominous truths." —Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger

“A potent tale of mythos, superstition, and the power of little girls, Diabhal is told with rigor and surety. Kaufman is magnificent.”— Lee Murray, two-time Bram Stoker nominee and author of Into the Mist.

“…an engrossing tale of magic, darkness, and natural order” – Publishers Weekly

"Vivid, evocative, brimming with themes of classic horror and ancient magic juxtaposed against modern life, Kaufman's new novel shines with twisty plotting and an appealing young heroine who must juggle the past, present and future as she strives to discover her birthright as a powerful sorceress.”—Denise Hamilton, bestselling author of the Eve Diamond crime novels, shortlisted for the Edgar, Macavity, Anthony, and Willa Cather Awards

"A great choice for readers drawn in to the folk horror of the movie Midsommar, fans of dark fantasy authors like Seanan McGuire, or horror featuring strong, female, teen protagonists like M. R. Carey's Someone Like Me (2018).”—Booklist

“Spine-chilling tale of ancient rituals and restless spirits” – Fresh Fiction on Diabhal

From the Publisher