Book Review | The Fervor by Alma Katsu

1944. Meiko and her daughter Aiko are sent to an internment camp as WWII rages on. Pastor Archie is haunted by a shocking loss and guilt from his past. Reporter Fran is chasing a story about mysterious deaths that seem to go unnoticed. Their fates will collide in the horror of disease and demons.

He thought he’d outrun it, but all this time Hell had been waiting for him with its mouth wide open.

The Fervor is set during WWII when Japanese American people were incarcerated due to hysteria, racism, and fear. It’s a historical horror that feels eerily relevant, showing how easily people can turn on those who are different from them. In the afterword, the author reveals that her family was among the people interned in those camps, and it’s clear that this is a personal story that resonates through the writing.

What makes the book interesting is the characters aren’t just good or evil, but complex. The most innocent character is Aiko, a courageous, smart child forced into difficult spots. Her mother Meiko struggles to accept their living condition, angry at the unfairness of the situation. But she also feels obligated to “behave” due to her culture and societal pressure. Archie is a grieving pastor whose religious beliefs don’t stop him from being prejudiced. Fran is a journalist sleeping with a married man and trying hard to convince herself that she’s not doing anything wrong. These characters have their own journeys to go to and it was interesting to see where they ended up.

The book tackles authoritarian power, medical experiments, appalling xenophobia, and the strength of family in a setting that feels all too real. Toward the end, I thought specific plot points resolve a little too easily. I wanted to know more about the demon and its origins in relation to the characters’ lives. But ultimately, the outcome was satisfying. I was sad to leave the characters behind.

The Fervor is a touching, disturbing story of folklore, faith, and family. Read this if you want scares with ghosts and tears.

I received a copy from the publisher and Times Reads for review purposes.

About the author: Alma Katsu

Photo by: Simone Dalmeri