Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

Julia Armfield’s "Private Rites" immerses readers in an eerie, atmospheric blend of psychological horror and intricate family dynamics. From the opening chapter, the novel establishes a palpable tension and a deep sense of unease that only intensifies as the story unfolds. Armfield's prose is strikingly beautiful, luring readers into a world where every detail feels meticulously crafted to build suspense and foreboding.

The novel centers on the lives of three estranged sisters—Isla, Irene, and Agnes—who are drawn back to their family home following their father's death. Each sister is vividly characterized, their individual struggles and complex relationships with one another brought to life through Armfield’s deft storytelling. Isla, the therapist with self-destructive tendencies, Agnes, the reluctant heir, and Irene, grappling with her own past and present, form a triad of compelling and deeply flawed protagonists.

Armfield excels at creating a chilling atmosphere. The horror elements are subtle, often lurking just beneath the surface of the sisters’ interactions and memories. The recurring imagery of rain and floods adds to the sense of an impending environmental apocalypse, tying the personal tragedies of the sisters to a larger, almost biblical catastrophe.

However, the novel’s structure occasionally feels disjointed. The interludes set in the City, while beautifully written, initially seem like clumsy world-building dumps. As the story progresses, these sections start to make more sense, contributing to the dystopian setting, yet their integration could have been smoother. The alternating points of view within chapters can be jarring, shifting rapidly between the sisters and the City’s cryptic passages, sometimes causing confusion.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its exploration of sisterhood and familial roles. The sisters are trapped in their childhood dynamics, unable to escape the roles imposed on them by their father and their shared history. Armfield delves into how unresolved family trauma shapes their identities and relationships, a central thesis that resonates deeply throughout the narrative.

Despite the atmospheric tension and strong character development, some elements of the plot remain frustratingly ambiguous.

The involvement of a religious cult, hinted at through various characters and plot points, never fully coalesces into a clear or satisfying explanation. The mystery surrounding Agnes’s mother and the cult’s apocalyptic intentions feel underdeveloped, leaving readers with more questions than answers.

This ambiguity, while intriguing, sometimes tips into confusion, detracting from the novel’s overall impact.

Nonetheless, Armfield’s ability to blend horror with a poignant examination of family dynamics makes "Private Rites" a compelling read. The environmental disaster backdrop and the sisters' struggle against their past and each other create a narrative that is both haunting and thought-provoking. The book’s final act,

particularly Isla’s sacrifice

, adds a layer of emotional depth and resolution that, despite the lingering ambiguities, brings a satisfying conclusion to the sisters’ tumultuous journey.

In conclusion, "Private Rites" is a beautifully written and deeply atmospheric novel that will appeal to fans of psychological horror and literary fiction. While it may not reach the same heights as Armfield’s previous work, "Our Wives Under the Sea", it remains a testament to her skill as a storyteller. With its rich prose and complex characters, it’s a novel that digs deep and forces the reader to think about love, loss, and how we can all keep going together. 

📖 Recommended For: Fans of Psychological Horror and Literary Fiction, Readers Fascinated by Complex Family Dynamics, Admirers of Atmospheric and Eerie Prose, Fans of Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects and the TV show “Succession.” 

🔑 Key Themes: Familial Trauma and Dysfunction, Psychological Horror and Supernatural Elements, The Impact of Environmental Catastrophe, Exploration of Sisterhood and Identity, The Weight of Grief and Memory.