I don't know what I was expecting from a book about a demonic cult, but there were definitely some nasty, horrific things that caught me off guard.

Overall I really enjoyed it, especially the way the story was broken up. It's told in six parts, each part taking place in different years and primarily focusing on different characters. These parts aren't in chronological order, and the further you get, things that happened earlier (or later) in terms of the story start to take on a different meaning.

There were some parts that felt a bit slower than the rest, but they didn't stop me from wanting to find out what was going to happen next.

Our Share of Night is a very dark and morbid tale of the ties between family members. We meet Juan and his young son Gaspar, both deep in grief after the death of Rosario, Juan's wife and Gaspar's mother who died in a car accident. The two of them set out on a road trip to travel to Rosario's family home. The family is part of a secret society called "The Order" who have searched for years for the secret to eternal life. Their attempts to ferret this out involves grotesque rituals, maiming members and killing others. Juan has a terminal heart condition that is exacerbated by his work as a medium for the Order, where is is able to connect with the Darkness. He is trying to protect his son Gaspar from being enlisted in future Order rituals. This book is quite lengthy, but the reader gets viewpoints from Juan, Gaspar as he ages, and even Rosario prior to her death. Much of this book is about the lengths we will go to protect family that may look at least on the surface may be causing them harm. It is a tough read- there is a lot of violence and gore. We see different examples of how parents interact with their children as part of the Order.

Enríquez continues to dazzle with her penchant for horror. I enjoyed her short story collection prior to this, and continue to be invested in what strange tales she spins next.

Thanks to Hogarth (Random House) via NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.

Deeply unsettling and, at times, nearly unfathomable in its grotesque violence, <i>Our Share of Night</i> by Mariana Enriquez is an epic horror masterpiece that explores an incredible range of themes-- colonialism, capitalism, inherited family trauma, and the corrupting influences of power and wealth.

The novel is divided into what I would consider four main parts, spanning nearly four decades between the 1960s and late 1990s, with most of the plot focusing on the years just before and just after Argentina's transition from a military dictatorship to a democracy. The first part opens with what I would consider our two main protagonists, Juan and his then-six-year-old son Gaspar, on a trip to the family home of his wife, Rosario, who died unexpectedly and suspiciously. Juan is a medium for a cult called The Order, which worships a violent god they call The Darkness in hopes of being granted immortality. The Order has chapters throughout the world, including the Argentian chapter, which is controlled by Rosario's family, who basically bought Juan when he was a child. Juan has been used and abused by the family for decades, and at the beginning of the novel, we learn that Juan is trying to do everything in his power to keep Gaspar, who has started to demonstrate the same abilities, from befalling the same fate. From there, the novel moves forward in time to when Gaspar is around twelve years old, then back in time to when Juan and Rosario were teenagers and young adults, and then forward again, ending when Gaspar is around the same age-- early twenties.

This is the first I've read of Enriquez, and what an incredible introduction. This book is immense in all senses of the word-- it's more than 600 pages, it acts as an allegory in so many different respects, and each part almost acts as a different kind of horror novel. In Part I, we are introduced to this violent cult, and see first-hand The Darkness, which is a real supernatural entity that enacts violence on the cult members. Part III, which is the second major part, focuses on Gaspar and his preteen friends and their obsession with a creepy house in the neighborhood. Part IV, which takes place in London and gives us a lot more insight into the cult's history and operations, has kind of a dark academia feel to it. And then the last part ties everything together, with elements of everything that precedes it.

Enriquez weaves together so much, so expertly. The whole time I was reading, I could see all these plot threads, and I was so eager to see how they would all come together, but then there would also be plot points that I thought were done, only to have Enriquez circle back and bring something back in a way that I couldn't have imagined, which was really cool. She also covers so much ground with the themes the novel explores, political and personal. At its core, though, this novel really focused on the powerful and wealthy and the lengths they were willing to go to maintain that power, and the vulnerable who were exploited and harmed as a result. And we also see the ways that the vulnerable also perpetuate harm and trauma on each other. Juan and Gaspar's relationship is really compelling--it's dysfunctional and traumatic in so many ways, even though Juan thinks of himself as doing whatever it takes to save Gaspar, even if that includes inflicting harm and abuse on him.

I think fans of horror and fans of literary fiction that explores themes like political violence and colonialism will find a lot to appreciate in this novel. But seriously, do some research on content warnings before reading so you can make an informed decision on whether you're up for it. Because some of what I read in this one is probably going to haunt me forever.

Thanks to the publisher for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

After loving this author's short story collection, I was eager to read the first full length novel by them. While this is classified as horror, I felt it read more like a sweeping family epic. Unfortunately that is not my preferred genre.

My biggest challenge with this book was the length. It's really, really long and it felt exhaustive to get through. The writing is actually quite elegant but it was just so long to get through. I liked pieces of this novel, particularly some of the cultural elements and family dynamics but I didn't connect with the narrative as much as I hoped I would.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for providing me with a digital galley in exchange for my honest review.

This book has a very long, slow start. I love the short stories I have consumed from the author, but I was unable to find a way to hold my interest on this novel or connect with it’s characters. It’s also a little unclear what the novel is actually about.

I’m hoping to pick it up again for a second chance one day.

Plot: 4
Characters: 4
Writing Style: 4
Cover: 4
Enjoyment: 3.5/4
Buyable/Re-readable?: Maybe. I'll explain at the end, since it may or may not be a spoiler.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Violent child abuse (physical, emotional, psychological), human sacrifice, torture, kidnapping, caging children, dismemberment, suicide, disappeared, genocide. I don't always include these but felt it prudent this time. I was able to get through the book, and this may help others as well, because I was reminded of the fantastical setting regularly, therefore making it easier to remember this was a work of fiction and fake.

This story is told in third and first person POVs, and divided into six parts (I would say that, for the most part, the characters had different voices but not always, it's curious) -
▫ Part 1, Jan 1981 - Juan and Tali.
▫ Part 2, Jan 1983 - Jorge Bradford (it had a lot of run-on sentences), only one 'chapter'.
▫ Part 3, 1985–86 - Gaspar, Pablo, Adela, Vicky. Run-on sentences as well, some that work, some that are frustrating. The kids are around 12 here and Juan is 34. The second half gets, I don't know, odd? Like, it almost drags.
▫ Part 4, 1960–1976 - First POV, Rosario Bradford and about Juan during youth. She's 11 and he's 8 at some point. She tells a story set in 1919. A time jump occurs where Juan is 15, and then about to turn 18 in another. Gaspar is two at some point, and it ends with Juan 24, Luis (his brother) 30.
▫ Part 5, 1993 – First POV of journalist, Olga. 7 years since a significant disappearance. It's written like one of her stories, includes interviews.
▫ Part 6, 1987–97 - Told through Luis, Vicky, Gas, Pablo, Steve/Esteban. Gaspar is 14 at some point, 18 at another. Pablo is 23.The book ends with Gaspar being 25.

The author chose to use quotation marks but also omitted them throughout - ex: We’re leaving, he said as he shook him gently. I am not a fan and very curious as to why they chose to do this? Things included are: the Order, the Ceremonial, mediums/priests & priestesses/shamans, invocations, demons, occult, sex magic, blood magic, sacrifices, saints, deities, tarot, Cults of the Shadow, initiates, Brujería, imbunche, ghosts/memories/echoes, psychic-like connections, talismans, and even some real world things, such as The National African Company, war in Argentina, etc.

This book won't be for everyone, from the trigger warning content, to the writing style, to the sheer strangeness. When asked what was the book about, I could only say it's weird. It's a wild, wild ride that has enjoyable moments and others less so. It's like...supernatural horror with real world war elements and an interesting magic system. Sort of, heh.

With regards to it being re-readable, this is my SPOILER WARNING!!

SPOILER WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ending leaves room for a possible sequel. If no such plans come to fruition, then this is a one-and-done book, given the dark, heavy content and kookiness. However, if another installment comes out, one may want to read the first book as a refresher of events that occurred, though I might just remind myself through spark notes or something. We'll see. And if another doesn't come, then I wish we had gotten a better wrap up for certain characters. A lot of unanswered questions, or at least, not answered in a fully satisfying manner. 3 and a halfish stars.

This book truly defies categorization, a decade-spanning long swallow of a heady cocktail mixing politics, cult horror, generational trauma, exploitation, entrapment, and deep, pervasive darkness.

Perfection. It’s a mixture of genres but it’s enthralling. Very much gothic horror and obsessed with the writing. Very well translating.

In-laws are so much worse when they’re demonic! Follow Juan, a medium, whose wife recently died and who has served as a vessel for this dark order since he was a child. Now he wants to escape and keep his son as far away from them as he can.

This one has a lot of pages, but its physical intimidation is easily made up for with its incredible characters, dialogue (through an incredibly unique avoidance of most dialogue tags) and a variety of different haunts, both emotional and metaphysical.

If you liked Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones, you may enjoy the similar rural feel with droves of humanity and emotion.

Pretty Brutal.

Mariana Enríquez's Our Share of Night follows a father and son trying to survive trauma and the clutches of a cult. Part family drama, gothic tale, coming of age story, and supernatural horror, this novel is complex and compelling.

This was my first time reading something by Mariana Enriquez and I was a little nervous because all I ever heard was the hype. I was totally wrong, though. Our Share of Night was FANTASTIC. Was it weird? Yes, definitely. Did I understand everything that happened? Probably not but I still enjoyed every bit of the ride. I cannot really describe what this book is about but I'm going to definitely recommend this to everyone I know. I also cannot wait to read everything Mariana Enriquez has written.

What a talent! I will read everything Enriquez writes. Engrossing, exciting, thrilling--I love being in her worlds.

I'm so torn on this book. It is beautifully written, but I also found it overly meandering. I'm a big fan of character-driven and character-focused books, but Our Share of Night doesn't do it for me. I think perhaps this one is too long for what it is, given how descriptive and overly wordy it is. The book does deserve and warrant length, but there were many places where I would have edited it down. That's not to say that it isn't very well written. It may just be a case of this one not being for me. I will say, the book is absolutely horrifying in the most amazing way. Really really well done horror. It will make your skin crawl.

There is no pigeonholing this book. It's horror/fantasy/magical realism/political fiction/historical fiction/straightforward storytelling/back and forth storytelling/mythology/religious fiction/cult representation----pretty much anything you want to call it. Including fascinating and hard to put down.

Enriquez' stories are brilliant, and her long (really long) fiction is very well done, too. There are times where I felt it could have been edited more, but when I tried to decide what could be eliminated, I was stumped. It's clear she thinks about every word, and Megan McDowell clearly treated the translation with the same care. This was a team effort that certainly shows!

The characters are multi-dimensional, even the scary-as-hell mother-in-law, and Gaspar is such a sympathetic character- add coming of age to the trope list above- he's my favorite, though his friends are pretty amazing. The potential he had to be one terrifying man is felt simmering below the story throughout.

Descriptions- my brother-in-law's family is from Argentina. Enriquez describes just as my sister's photos do. Now I want to go...maybe- as long as there isn't really a cult like the one in this book there.

All in all, this was a novel that continues what Enriquez has started with her amazing short stories, and is a terrific addition to the canon of Argentina's writers, as well as the great South American Women who write horror. Highly recommend to those who like reading. Just maybe don't read at night.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Hogarth/Granta for the ARC.

While I really loved this one, I will admit that it got a bit bogged down for me in the middle and I set it aside for a bit. However, it is such a fantastic and chilling story. It follows a man and his son who after the death of his wife, head to her ancestral home, where they must confront the terrifying legacy she has bequeathed: a family called the Order that commits unspeakable acts in search of immortality. The description goes on to further say it is a ghost story, a story of the occult and the supernatural, a book about the complexities of love and longing with queer subplots and themes. So you have a little of everything mixed together, and man oh man does it ever work. This is a long one but well worth your time. I look forward to reading more by this author.

3.5 stars: I was so excited to read this novel based on the reviews and the plot synopsis. What I was not expecting was a long, meandering, 600+ pages lacking in plot. I like character-driven books, but I don't think the structure lent itself to really knowing the characters (except maybe Gaspar and his friends, who were the best part of the book). The book is split into various sections, each of a different time period and generally with a different narrator. The author's writing is actually very good, which is why I stuck with the book. The Order is terrifying and there are truly some gruesome, horrific things in this book. However, the book just felt aimless. I didn't want to DNF it, but I wanted to be finished with it! I'm generally a fast reader, but I also do not remember many details once I'm finished with a book. With this book, I barely remembered what I had read the day before when I picked it up again. I'm not a short story reader, but I will give the author a second chance with one of her story collections. Her writing might be perfectly suited for that?

This was phenomenal. I’ve never read something so terrifying but also had me rooting hard for the friendships of this story. Can there be a category of gothic specific to jungles and evil doorways? This has it! I am very curious if this is an ending or leaving room for another chapter for Gaspar.

I am so appreciative to have received this ARC. The summary was gripping, filled with horrors both real and imaginary. I wanted a book that would stick with me, and while the pages I read will, I had to DNF this book. I didn’t like the mix of quoted dialogue vs non quoted dialogue. I believe this was a stylistic choice based on how it read, but as it is an ARC, it could have been editing that will be completed later. The writing was interesting, but the story lagged. It felt like we were thrown in and never, at any time, given anything to grab on to. Once I started to gain my footing, the characters moved onto something new with almost no relation to what the reader previously learned.

That being said, this story feels important. I think lovers of literature will understand what I mean when I say that. I couldn’t finish it, but I would suggest everyone give it a chance. Definitely check the triggers. It is a very dark, depressing read.

So, first and foremost: I’ve seen a couple of articles comparing this to Stephen King. Having read all 600 and then some pages of this, I have absolutely no idea where that comparison comes in. Is it just because it’s horror? It does not read like King. If I had to throw any comparisons out there, I’d say a smidge of Poppy Z. Brite, a soupçon of House of Leaves, and a wee bit of The Road (without the sparse language). But even with all that, it’s probably more true to say that it’s its own very special thing.

Oh, and I saw someone reference it being vampiric and I’m not sure what that person has been ingesting. This isn’t vampires.

The writing is dense, beautiful, and very literary. Most of what happens in the book is absolutely devastating. There’s no joy here. It’s a bleak and horrifyingly gruesome read.

If you have trigger warnings, they’re here…in spades. I mean there’s literally no point in listing them because they’re just about all here.

I will be honest and say that I lost a touch of interest in Rosario’s section (which is mighty big section on its own). I read it and found it important to understanding the origins of a lot of the story, but I didn’t love her and I found myself pausing the read more than once in this part.

But overall, it’s the kind of read that you can get lost in. It may take effort, but I found it worth it.

• ARC via Publisher

I was hoping this would be one I loved, and I did like some elements, but I found the writing to have a full quality to it. It was compared to a Stephen King book, but the only similarities I could pinpoint were the use of “the shine” type of storyline.

I enjoyed this author’s short stories but found the writing in this one didn’t work for me and had to DNF. I would be curious to try another book of hers. Maybe it was just this one.