Daughters Unto Devils, by Amy Lukavics, is the perfect spooky, horror novel! It is a wonderfully crafted historical tale that will set you on edge and – if you manage to not read it in a single sitting, keep you up late into the night wondering what will happen next.

Main character, Amanda Verner, and her family are settled comfortably in their small cabin in the mountains. Amanda has recently taken up sleeping with the post boy and has found herself with child. She feels she is being punished for her acts of last winter when unspeakable tragedy befell the family. Amanda has to make the decision whether or not to tell the boy and her family or try keeping her condition hidden. This creates such inner strife within her that her pain is almost tangible. Her desire to keep peace in such a fragile family dynamic lures the reader in by questioning what really happened the previous year.

Terrified of the past, and in an attempt to avoid another harsh winter, her father has decided to move south to the prairie to start anew in a much larger cabin. This idea frightens Amanda, as she is having strange thoughts, feelings, and urges. She doesn’t feel like herself and is doubting all she has ever known. Members of her own family are suspicious of her and are inching closer to becoming strangers to her as her panic escalates.

The characters of Lukavics’ taut tale are beset by shame, poverty, and soon, much darker forces.

When the family settles into prairie life, a series of bizarre events including hallucinations, visions, and apparently-paranormal events, lead Amanda first into questioning her circumstances, and eventually into a horrific nightmare she can’t be sure the family will survive. What once only afflicted Amanda is now taking its toll on every member of the Verner family.

This novel was brilliantly written. Amy Lukavics draws the reader in from the first paragraph and continues to wind them up like a spring until they come undone at the mesmerizing and terrifying conclusion. The story begins innocently enough, but soon is overtaken with a creepy vibe that leaves you tinged with goosebumps.

Lukavics’ words paint the imagery as if it can be vividly seen in the mind’s eye and transports readers to another time. The historical setting lent a great deal of eeriness to the book, as there was little way for the characters to escape any given situation. This is a fabulous read for any fan of historical fiction, or horror, as both genres are explored in great detail. Further, while technically considered to be a young adult novel, this is definitely one that can be enjoyed by adults, as well!