Say hello to the Berisha family, once one of the most prominent families in Albania - now, owners of one of the largest import-export businesses in the world. The father Zef is a strong and imposing man who doesn't even live with his family, constantly absorbed by work and family matters. The mother Olga is a gorgeous woman, rumored to have been married to Zef just so his children would be gorgeous. The couple have three children; one boy and two girls. Dardan is the oldest and the only boy, primed to inherit the family business when his father is finished in his role. Maris and Nora are the girls, and both feel ignored by their father. Folks always whispered about the Berishas, saying their luck was uncanny, unholy even. Deaths happened mysteriously around them and were almost always deemed to be suicides even if the person had no reason to kill themselves. Things suddenly start to go wrong for this once-perfect family, and blood must be shed. Whose... is another matter.

Fiend is like Succession meets a strange entity, and because of that is extremely enjoyable. I have read other book of Alma Katsu's, in particular The Hunger which was fantastic. Katsu continues a fantastic writing style into fiend, which delves into the modern era of business and rich families. Each character had depth, insecurities and personalities of their own - most interestingly, none of them were what you expected and the story keeps you guessing until the very last pages. I loved that the family was from a country you don't usually see in other media (Albania) and that as readers we got to see how that background affected their lives. I cannot wait for more books by this author, and will most definitely read each one with fervor.

Much thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for this ARC.

Alma Katsu does it once again! What is it about families that stir us up to forget our moral upbringing. A lesson for all who want power and money, it's a dark road to travel. Creepy, atmospheric and with a jolt of surprise at the end! Enjoy!!!

Fiend sounded right up my alley - I have read and enjoyed other books by Alma Katsu and I was a big fan of Succession, but this just fell flat for me. The characters were all unlikeable (part of the point, I know), but they weren't interesting or nuanced. The paranormal/horror aspect was lacking for me as well and the actual crimes/nefarious deeds the Berishas committed were vague - they're allegedly worse than any other high powered family or company, but other than a demon killing their rivals, it was unclear why. Sadly a letdown for me.

"Fiend" is the first book I've read by author Alma Katsu but it definitely will not be my last. I'm hooked! The powerful Berisha family has always been very successful in business, amassing a fortune in the billions. They've also been very lucky; accidents at rival businesses, evidence disappearing, the convenient deaths of competitors, etc. As Maris, the eldest daughter, seeks to ingratiate herself to her father to become his heir apparent, she begins to have an inkling that perhaps the family's good fortune isn't due to luck alone but rather something much more ancient and dark.

This book was wildly entertaining and I absolutely devoured it. It's the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day and read cover to cover in one sitting. Many thanks to NetGalley for introducing me to a new-to-me horror novelist and I can't wait to read more from Alma Katsu.

Disclosure Statement: I received an ARC of this novel from the author's publicist. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own and have not been influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.

I love everything I've ever read from Alma Katsu. It isn't by accident that she's called one of horror's greatest stars; Katsu writes tension and horror with precision, careful and complex characterization and plotting, and an eye on what makes the story really work beyond the surface level craft. Fiend continues that trend in her work, a book that is richly characterized, complex in its thematic presentation, and often contradictory in how characters interact with and perceive the world.

Fiend is something like a moral tale, but also wound up in the intricacies of how power functions, even within the structures of the most powerful families. Its characters are almost all of them despicable in some fashion or another, and yet Katsu still finds ways to humanize them, to show how nobody can be just one-dimensional, or how their despicable nature can't also be wound up in very understandable and believably human circumstances. It's a book rich with nuance, even if its focus is explicitly on a yearning for actual justice. Much like Katsu's other work, the book demands that we confront the hypocritical nature of its protagonists, and the way we think about them ourselves.

I'll keep reading Katsu's work until she runs out of stories to tell, but Fiend fed me on its search for meaning and justice, in how it frames the corruptibility of power and creates and maintains its evils. It's a powerful parable for our modern moment.

Fiend took its time establishing the fraught dynamics of the Berisha family so that readers could really stew in their paranoia and discomfort. The difficulty I had in finding a character to root for, or identify with kept me from truly diving into this book however my perseverance was rewarded in the second half when the proverbial excrement really hit the wall and events ramped up to the point that i felt i was on the last precipice of a rollercoaster after experiencing somewhat of a 'lazy river' vibe. This is not to imply that Katsu's story is relaxing, though, because the intensity with which she writes the collective trauma and destructive cycle of this family is anything but. Fiend is well worth a read!

If you enjoyed watching Succession, then you will love Fiend from Alma Katsu. It's got all the drama that comes with the money, plus there is a supernatural element that works so well in Katsu's hands. She is truly a master at intrigue and mystery.

Fiend by Alma Katsu is a sleek, atmospheric gothic thriller about the Berishas, a family whose ridiculously massive wealth has been accrued via uncanny luck (or something darker). The narrative shifts between childhood memories and present-day power struggles as siblings Dardan, Maris, and Nora grapple for their father’s attention and money. Katsu’s crisp prose crackles with cold wit and simmering dread, evoking the menacing humor and chilling elegance of Mike Flanagan’s The Fall of the House of Usher (a personal favorite!). It’s a smart, stylish 4-star read.

Alma Katsu, the queen of historical horror, makes her entry into the contemporary with Fiend. And what an entry this is! This novel is taut and darkly atmospheric. Psychological suspense and supernatural dread are seamlessly blended into the intimate fabric of dysfunctional family dynamics. This story is about an powerful family, the Berishas. Zef, their current patriarch, has always told his three children they are blessed. But, there is something far more sinister and ancient underneath the surface. Alma's prose is sharp and deliberate. She creates an environment that feels much more cursed than whatever inhuman evil is at play. Not relying on gore or spectacle, Fiend offers a chilling experience, one that seeps its way into your mind until we reach the absolutely SAVAGE end. Thank you so much to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the ARC. You should absolutely pick this up when it publishes September 16, 2025!

I found this to be very compelling and readable. I’m usually turned off by stories with such a heavy focus on running a business, but this wove in suspense and supernatural really well and kept me interested. The way the family starts to unravel reminded me a lot of Netflix’s Fall of the House of Usher.

Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The family business has prospered with turns of fortuitous luck that benefit them, but what’s good for building wealth and power may fracture a family in Fiend by Alma Katsu.

Running a large import-export company, the Berisha family has forged their empire with luck on their side as their rivals seem to suffer from inconveniences at opportune moments or, if the Berishas are under scrutiny, something intervenes that makes the issue disappear or become forgotten. While this may appear to the outside world as if the privileged family has more than its fair share of blessings, the darker truth and reality of what drives their success is a heavy burden on the Berisha patriarch and clan leader – a secret he’s kept from even his three children, each of whom has their own place, and ambition, within the family’s structure and business. Dardan, as the male heir, must prepare to take over but isn’t keen to; Maris is eager to prove her business acumen but is seen as a pawn for a strategic marriage and a brood mare; and Nora, an unwanted but wild card of a girl, is meant to remain quiet along the sidelines. When a former employee is about to serve as a whistleblower and testify to Congress, things begin to devolve, fracturing the family on how to proceed to best protect the business, which leads to each of them crafting and enacting their respective plans while they harbor their secrets. As death follows the most recent, seemingly inexplicable, actions, the secrets about the family’s protector are brutally and shockingly revealed.

A family drama in a corporate setting laced with traces of supernatural lurking beneath the surface to drive tension, the family's interpersonal dynamics escalate the tension while the mystery of the obscured protector heightens intrigue. A variation of “sold your soul” or “be careful what you wish for” was presented with an interesting turn taken in the shadowy power figure taking the form of a demon, a result of a long-standing family curse that takes the blame instead of the direct action that an individual takes, pushing responsibility off onto another being. Rage presents differently in the characters, with Maris’s as more evident while Nora’s was better hidden until the chance arises to unleash its full ruthless potential as she enacts her plan; due to Nora’s role and position in the family, she’s overlooked as inconsequential, setting her up for potential for more potent emotions and the ability to maneuver unseen. While the patriarch role was generally an imposing figure at the outset meant for intimidation, there’s some nuance and consideration to emotional wellbeing conveyed that softened the more rigid stance, making the character weirdly more approachable, yet his diminished state before his demise was pitiable instead of something to be empathetic toward as more open communication could have prevented much, if not all, of the calamity that befell the Berisha family. The unlikable characters are, generally, cursorily sketched with limited depth beyond a one-note of what delineates them from one another in their status, and, while the story itself is rather quick, the resolution is extremely rapid and the “twist” is unexpanded upon, leaving little in the way for lasting connection with the characters or narrative as a whole.

Overall, I’d give it a 3 out of 5 stars.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had a lot of fun with this! So different in tone from Katsu's other novels.

We follow the Berishas - an extremely wealthy family who tends to have incredible luck when it comes to keeping the darker sides of their business away from the public eye. As they say - they're blessed.

We learn about each sibling, the patriarch Zef, and his wife Olga, and follow as it starts to look like their luck is running out.

I got hooked into this and read it in 2 sittings! Highly recommend.

Non linear timeline, three Berisha siblings- shifting narrators, toxic powerful family dynamics with political intrigue

Fiend didn't grab me the way Alma Katsu's other books have. It felt more like a thriller than horror, with a splash of paranormal and even that wasn't satisfying. The main characters are largely unsympathetic and the crescendo of events fell flat. I hate to give this a bad review because I adored The Fervor and The Wehr Wolf but Fiend was disappointing. I wanted more horror. It certainly does have some horror elements but not enough.

How many times have you seen a headline from the past few years covering the excesses and scandals surrounding families of dynastic wealth like the Sacklers, Murdochs or Trumps (to name only a very few)? It's not hard to understand the reasons the public has soured on the wealthy. Why is it so easy to find stories of the rich bending the world to their will without concern for those crushed under the weight of their empires? When was the last time you heard about a good billionaire?


In many ways Alma Katsu's new book Fiend is about the inertia of violence and lust for power that drives people growing up in the the shadow of such immense wealth. The novel follows the Berisha family, specifically the Berisha children; Dardan, Maris, and Nora. Dardan is the eldest and only son, the reluctant, ambitionless heir apparent to the vast empire his family has built. Maris is our protagonist, an unloved and unwanted daughter that's spent her life courting her father's favor, forever trying to prove herself for a throne she will never ascend. Nora is the youngest, and wildest. She's got a social justice streak and a drive for partying. She just wants to see the company change for good. The patriarch of the Berisha family is Zef, a tyrant with a temper one of his children may have inherited. The Berisha empire is in shipping, specifically imports and exports, something like a contemporary international version of the Vanderbilts of America's first Gilded Age. The family believes they are “as constant and involatile as the sun.” Like any family, the Berisha's have their demons, but the Berisha children speculate their demons may be more than metaphor.


Fiend alternates between chapters headed “Now” and “Then.” The novel opens with a moment from Maris' childhood. The small girl has been hearing something in the walls and goes to her eldest brother who assures her the stories she's heard of a spirit helping her family are entirely fiction. As we find out who Maris grew into, a bored figurehead at her father's company wasting time in the office. The patronizing dismissive sexism of her father only makes her work harder to prove she's just as ruthless and therefore more deserving to run her father's family. When an ex-employee turns whistleblower, Maris vaguely suggests her father deal with him. The whistleblower turns up dead in an atypical suicide and Maris once again starts thinking of the family legends she left in childhood.


Evil, whether supernatural, or human cruelty is foundational for the Berisha family. Katsu makes each of the children distinct as they wrestle with the reality of their unique standing every day. Some of them accept and relish the world they were born into. Others resent it and find it isolating. Maris' world is one of no attachments. No loves, there's a boyfriend, yes, but he's more of a toy. An object. Her dwellings and office are described almost bereft of humanity. "There are no photographs. No sentimental mementos, no talismans of affection to offer comfort during stressful moments.” Business, in other words, is her life.


The patriarchal sexism and bigotry Maris experiences only make her work harder. Her father wanted sons, and believes no matter what she is incapable of leading the family. This is a woman who has everything but equality and laudably wants to be at the top even if that means being equally ruthless. She's easy to understand, and sympathize with but hard to forgive. That she can only tries to attain power by becoming the monsters that have tormented her highlights the cycles of abuse that feed patriarchal capitalism. Her focus and drive are what pull the narrative forward as she seeks to prove she is the most worthy Berisha heir.


The Berisha siblings are all type characters in the best way until they're not, breaking out of their boxes to messy up the plot. Horror readers will be delighted to know that their appetite for gore will be sated, but the more squeamish should also know it's never gratuitous nor excessive. Everything serves the moment, the story, and the characters.


Alma Katsu is the rare writer that has found readership across genre lines without resorting to pen names nor alternate personas. Her 2018 Donner party historical horror novel The Hunger is personally one of my favorite contemporary genre works and widely praised. Fiend is somewhat of a departure for her horror offerings as it is the first that isn't tied to an event of historical infamy.


The prose is straightforward and utilitarian, incredibly readable and engaging. There's not a hint of purple here. The confidence and focus of the voice keeps the reader exactly where they need to be.

The novel is paced and plotted in sprints. Katsu's knack for crafting tension is apparent as cliff hangers leave you with a note of uncertainty, forcing the reader to quickly thumb through the flashback, which always relates back to the events of the present, before finally discovering the outcome, which lead to a few unexpected surprises.



Fiend boils to a satisfying conclusion that brings all of the scattered bits together in a way that feels both unexpected and inevitable. The novel reminds us that any rulers of our current gilded age would do well to remember that empires, like people, are mortal. Cracks in the foundation never show until it's too late. The book also doesn't outright condemn the children of wealth, making the case that evil may be strongly correlated to power and wealth but it is ultimately our choices that determine whether or not we're good people.


Fiend hits shelves September 16th from Putnam. As always, below are links to purchase from local independent booksellers in St. Louis that Nocturne is not affiliated with but firmly believes deserve your loving patronage.


I received an uncorrected proof from Net Galley in exchange for honest feedback. All quotes should beconsidered inaccurate until checked against the final version.

This was an interesting read that pulled me in pretty quickly. The premise is unique and kept me curious the whole way through. It’s a quick read with just enough horror to keep things tense and eerie without being too scary or overwhelming.

The characters aren’t exactly likable, but in a way that works—I wanted to keep turning the pages just to see what they’ll do next. The ending had a great twist that left me satisfied.

If you like horror that’s more unsettling than terrifying, and enjoy character-driven stories with a dark edge, this one’s worth picking up.

I have enjoyed Alma Katsu’s books in the past, so I had high hopes for “Fiend” but ultimately this book didn’t really impress me much. I honestly think this would have worked better as a short story. Even though this is a fairly short novel, there wasn’t enough to the story or to characters to maintain my interest. I did like the ending but it seemed to take too much to get there.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P Putnam’s Sons for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Berisha family is blessed with wealth and power and runs one of the largest import-export companies in the world. Patriarch Zef rules his company and his family with authority, telling his children Dardan, Maris, and Nora that they are blessed with success. But with such prominence comes a horrendous secret that is deadly for Berisha competition and the family members themselves. With multiple points of view, this menacing and contemporary horror read will appeal to thriller and horror readers.

Rich family, sibling rivalry, secrets, and the supernatural- I was really excited about this one. I was a big fan of Hunger by this author. Unfortunately the story pacing was a bit too slow and the characters seemed flat and very hard to connect to. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

Out September 16th, 2025
If Succession had a demon in the boardroom and a taste for blood, you'd get Fiend. Alma Katsu’s latest is a sleek, corporate horror novella that’s as chilling as it is addictive. It’s got family drama, supernatural menace, and a whole lot of moral rot—and I devoured it like a cursed cocktail at a power lunch.

The Berisha family is rich, powerful, and absolutely cursed. Their empire runs on secrets, shady deals, and something ancient scratching at the walls of their penthouse. Maris, the middle child, is stuck in a sexist legacy that demands she marry strategically while her brother Dardan is groomed to inherit the family’s dark throne. Nora, the youngest, wants out—but privilege is a hard thing to quit cold turkey.

Katsu’s writing is razor-sharp and laced with dread. The dual timeline adds depth, showing how these twisted siblings weren’t born monsters—they were made. The horror here isn’t just supernatural; it’s systemic. Greed, corruption, and misogyny drip from every page, and the demon? It’s just the cherry on top of a very rotten sundae.

I am not sure of the word count for this book but it seemed short. It pretty much follows Fall of the House of Usher vibes, but Albanian. I enjoyed it and read it quickly, but I am always a fan of the obscenely rich getting their just desserts.
The book follows Maris, Dardan, Nora, and most importantly, Zef (the patriarch). They run a super successful business of mergers and being awful, cutthroat, bribe-taking billionaires. All except Nora, who thinks the business should change their slave labor and soul-crushing ways.

Of course, behind this wealth is an ancient power, tied to the patriarch of the family and it does his bidding.

Fast read, dark, enjoyable ending. Probably won't read again because the characters were all so despicable.