Review: Vida Nocturna by Mark Diehl

Only the need will last forever.

Sara has always escaped her real-world fears by reading fantasy and horror stories. Now, as a social-phobic college freshman, she enters a dark world where horror is not supernatural and fantasy is a trap.

Evil is contagious.

Victims become predators, and every predator was once just like Sara. Imagining she’d be different was her first step toward them. Now, draped in the decadent 80s subculture, she’s rendered helpless by powers she never imagined.

Never had I been so back-and-forth on my feelings for the main character of a story before. Until Vida Nocturna.

Before I continue, let me warn you, if you’re a fan of a linear, straight-forward, traditional style of story-telling, this book is not for you. But, if you’re a little more open-minded and don’t mind some jumping around between past and present, and some more past, then you may just find that this book will be to your liking. Okay. You’ve been warned.

Now, as for Sara. I feel almost like there were a few different Saras in this story. You have the Sara that is a little girl that we read about. The Sara that is a wavering, unsure high-school student, the Sara that is a desperate, lonely college-student, and then the latter Sarah. I won’t spoil that one for you.

As for “litle girl” Sara, my heart broke for her a million times over. With parents like hers, it’s no wonder she turned out as unstable as she did. It made me want to hug my kids a little tighter, reading about the abused little Sara.

“High school Sara” is sad, with a social disorder that seemingly keeps her from connecting even with her closest friends. This leads to all sorts of issues. Some of which, Sara brings on herself, in my opinion.

“College-girl Sara” is the one that seems to finally break. The one that inevitable seems to make the decision that instead of rising above her poor upbringing and social disorder, is going to go down the lower road and become an addict. Addicted to what? Well, I’ll leave you to discover that for yourself.

I whole-heartedly love this story. I love how the author portrays such a sad girl and her lonely journey that leads to an ending that I couldn’t have guessed at.

Just be warned. This book isn’t really for the younger audience.

My Rating: