The Night Diver

There is something about Ronald Malfi’s writing that makes me hunger for more. There is a deep understanding of human relationships with people and their environments that really makes his writing resonate to my core. Because I can’t get enough of this visceral, biting horror alongside heartfelt writing, I decided to look into another one of his works. ‘Black Mouth’ was a very thrilling ride, beset with compelling characters and a villain that truly chills the soul.

The first thing that drew me in was the cast of characters that fill out the story. Ronald Malfi really makes these characters shine, even in the darkness of the world they live in. They have backstories, histories, and personalities that are quite enthralling, and it was always a treat to see them live in the narrative. While there is a character in there that might slightly fall into cliché territory, their relationship with the protagonist Jamie Warren is deep, and quite heartfelt, which still made it enjoyable to read. These characters aren’t perfect by any means, and sometimes Jamie Warren does have a habit of being his own enemy when it comes to managing addictions and mental trauma. This might feel frustrating, but it also feels very real in that sense, where trauma isn’t just simply removed by playing as a hero. It damages people, and they may stumble, even in the most important moments, until they can reflect and truly move on. Overall, there is an atmosphere quite similar to ‘IT’, by Stephen King, but it also has a sort of Appalachian flavor that Ronald Malfi infuses through his writing and choice of setting. Seeing these characters come to terms with their past, and take on a terrifying villain was a journey I enjoyed every moment of.

As for the horror element, the main villain certainly stole the show. You can see webs of his manipulation through the story, reeling you into the dread of what might come next and yet, there is a mystery and charm that makes you want to see more of it. It is the perfect example of a charismatic, yet terrifying villain that becomes a looming threat to the characters in the past, present, and future. There is a secondary villain in the narrative that is absolutely unhinged, serving as a truly violent and chaotic force that ratchets up a lot of the tension in this story. Overall, the horror factor is quite impeccable in its execution. There is a sense of dread that permeates the story, where evil can lurk just around any corner to threaten the characters in this book. I could feel the proverbial sword of damocles over my heart grow as I got more invested and started caring about these characters. It wasn’t particularly fun having that hanging over my head, but it does serve as a testament to Ronald Malfi’s writing, where it can entrap you into its darkness until the story is over.

Overall, I think ‘Black Mouth’, is a very enthralling read, with its captivating characters and terrifying villains. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a horror novel with a deep, emotional foundation, as well as anyone who enjoys a good coming of age story. I enjoyed my time with this book, and I would invite others to check it out too

My final rating is: 4/5 Stars