Alberta Monte is at a crossroads in her life. She has found that her marriage has fallen apart after several miscarriages and a recent stillbirth. Worse, there is no explanation for her inability to reproduce successfully. So, when Alberta receives a letter addressed to the Countess Alberta Montebianco from her family's ancestral land of Nevenero, Italy saying she is the heir to a title, castle and money, she dives in. Before leaving for Italy, Alberta finds out more about why her grandfather left Nevenero and finds a story full of danger, tragedy and folklore. Alberta is whisked away on a private jet to her castle and finds that she has a living aunt and great-grandmother. However, along with the dazzling castle, comes a host of dangerous secrets, secrets that Alberta will have to accept and protect.
The Ancestor is a deeply atmospheric Gothic thriller that uniquely combines elements of horror and folklore for a completely unexpected look into family history and duty. The writing slowly and deftly builds tension with unlikely stories, isolation, dangerous conditions and an unraveling of family secrets. Alberta's character is one of immense transformation. Though her transformation does not take a typical route, it is all necessary in Alberta's journey. I enjoyed that the underlying theme was in science, with genetics and finding your true self while discovering your ancestors. I was astounded by the landscape of Mont Blanc and the communities of the Aosta Valley. I could picture the imposing castle casting a shadow on the small towns below, unchanging through the centuries. I can easily imagine how the folklore of the Icemen developed. At some points, I thought I had the mysteries solved, but there were surprises until the very end. The Ancestor is a transporting, surprising story that will take you on a journey like no other.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
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