House of Monstrous Women

Fama debuts with a deliciously eerie tale of friendship, familial duty, and the lengths one might go for love. In 1980s Philippines, Josephine del Rosario has dutifully remained in her family’s old, deteriorating home ever since the political assassination of her parents when she was a child. Meanwhile her brother, Alejandro, has had the freedom to go off and pursue his ambitions. Now, however, Josephine is enticed to leave home by a letter from her childhood friend (and longtime secret love) Hiraya Ranoco, whose family is widely believed to be made up of witches. Hiraya invites Josephine to come to her secluded mansion in the jungle to play a game “like we used to” along with Alejandro and his girlfriend. But this game has high stakes: the winner will be granted their heart’s desire. The losers, however, may not leave the mansion with their lives. In lush prose, Fama paints Ranoco House as labyrinthine and sinister and masterfully incorporates the backdrop of political upheaval and brewing revolution in Manila to add to the tension. The result is a wonderfully fresh take on gothic horror that should win the author a legion of fans. Agent: Dorian Maffei, Kimberly Cameron & Assoc. (Aug.)