The Possession of Alba Diaz is a historical gothic horror novel written by Isabel Cañas, published by Solaris. A spellbinding tale that capitalizes on its haunting atmosphere and its approach towards possession, while creating a captivating and elegant tale featuring forbidden romance and well-layered characters, all enclosed in a historical setting that Cañas uses to deliver a visceral kind of horror.

In 1765, plague sweeps through Zacatecas. Alba flees with her parents and her fiancé, Carlos (a man who isn't into women, but who Alba sees as the way to keep her freedom) to an isolated silver mine in the mountains, looking for refuge. However, once there, Alba starts suffering hallucinations, sleepwalking, and convulsions; something under her skin is incredibly angry, threatening to gain control over her.
In the same miner city, there's Elias, an alchemist who refines silver and who came trying to flee from the greed of her family. He's haunted by (metaphorical) demons of his own; however, he can't avoid feeling some tension for Alba, his cousin's betrothed, and to be the first one to notice her deteriorate as the demon takes over. A situation that becomes ever more dangerous with the presence of Inquisition at the mine.

Alba is not only an excellently built character, but also a big conduit for some of the themes that Cañas wants to explore through this story. Choice and autonomy are all over this novel, first around her "need" to get married, and how Carlos seems to be that passage towards freedom; and secondly with the own possession theme, showing a fearful Alba over losing her own body to the presence, but also having to battle over religious guilt, and her own family.
Elias suffers his own kind of torment, especially due to his past: we can see how the only way for him to gain that freedom is through purifying silver, even with the consequent harm to his body. The romance between both characters is tender, forbidden, and also ridden with guilt; the yearning is simply exquisite, and the slow burn builds alongside the own tension provoked by the possession.

The setting is brimming with authenticity, as Cañas has put extreme attention to the detail, bringing the best from the historical fiction part of this novel; elements like the presence of Inquisition also help to start a discussion over colonization and oppression, even hypocrisy. The ending is so cathartic.
The pacing is a bit slow during the first half, focusing on building the atmosphere and creating the tension that will be unleashed in the second half, faster and creepier.

It's not a secret that I love possession horror, and The Possession of Alba Diaz is simply excellent on many fronts; if you are looking for a blend of historical fiction with gothic horror, Cañas has perfectly covered you.