A review by rubisbooknook
Satan's Affair by H.D. Carlton

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I don’t think this book was badly written in any way, as a matter of fact it was the compelling writing style that kept me going and able to finish. I just had a very hard time with this one.
I knew going in, it was gonna be very dark and that there were lots of trigger warnings. And I can usually handle those kinds of things when they’re a means to a better end, but I was just so uncomfortable with some of the scenes in this book. One in particular almost made me DNF the book. I couldn’t though, because I had to know the final outcome and understand the connection to Haunting Adeline so I couldn’t help but push through. 
It wasn’t a pleasant reading experience, but I don’t think it’s ever meant to be. The whole story is told through Sibby’s point of view who has suffered so much trauma in her life that she’s clearly not mentally stable. I expected this to be a dark romance, since it’s the prequel to one, but it’s more of a character study mixed with a psychological horror/thriller. 
This book is helpful in better understanding Sibby’s character in Haunting Adeline, but it’s not a story I’d ever like to revisit again.
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