I've read a great many cult tales in my time, but never anything quite like this.

Often the plot centres on a character trying to escape a cult, trying to save a family member from a cult, or having already left and being hunted by or returning to said cult. In any case there's always been the consistent bad juju.

In The Dark Side Of The Sky we follow multiple points of view including two very cynical present day new recruits. The stand out and what made me enjoy this most was The Bastion almost had me convinced they were good people! Oh crazy for sure, but still, doing as they must to pierce the veil.

I enjoyed Zoey and Charlie's characters, their motivations and indoctrination was handled so well, their perspectives changed so seamlessly yet subtly with the events at the pinewood that I too had forgotten what to believe.

A major part of this was cleverly restricting the narratives to Bastion members only. People living in a drug, booze and sex fuelled haze typically are not reliable narrators, but when they all give the same accounts the impossible starts to become believable.

However part 3 of the book very nearly had me walking away.
The constant obsessive referrals to Becca and Ric being the most beautiful, intelligent, perfect humans to ever exist irritated me no end. I see what Dimitri was going for; writing as if to the reader, telling them what to think, but I found it far too overbearing. Perhaps I was supposed to.

Part 4 launches the pace into a fantastical and violent conclusion that had me feeling like I was waking up from a haze of my own, I had been entirely drawn into 'the mission' without even realising it.

A very convincing character study into the malleability of the human psyche, bursting with emotion. The beautiful Italian setting made this a perfect summer read.

L'ultimo romanzo di Dimitri è un'esplorazione volutamente ambigua del mondo delle sette. L'autore ci presenta un'ambientazione che potrebbe essere o la più innocente del mondo, o la più pericolosa. Sta al lettore il compito di provare a posizionarsi, mentre eventi (stra)ordinari si sviluppano attraverso molteplici punti di vista femminili. Il romanzo funziona particolarmente bene nel descrivere le dinamiche fra il presunto culto e il paese dove l'azione si svolge. Meno convincente è la narrazione delle dinamiche interne al gruppo, dove solo alcuni personaggi emergono con una voce autonoma e ben definita. Da due terzi in poi, le vicende precipitano ed è impossibile smettere di leggere. Nell'insieme, questo libro è qualcosa di nuovo nella produzione dell'autore, una lettura interessante e accattivante che, pur non raggiungendo l'ottimo livello di opere precedenti, merita di essere letto.

This was the first book by Dimitri I have read and I have to say that I did enjoy it. Even with the satirised events in the book taking aim perhaps a little more that paganism than circular religion and myself being a Pagan I still enjoyed the book. I also enjoyed the multiple perspectives the book offered and different tones that came with that. I found the characters a little bit flat at times or two dimensional which is what took a star off for me. I do understand these are flawed, broken and outcast characters but I had hoped they would develop a little more in the course of the novel. Then again I do feel this was partly the point – but it was just a little niggle for me.

Still a really good read and I may even pick up their other works in English in the near future.

First of all, the Good: the writing of this is very interesting. Multiple voices, but easy to follow who is speaking (mostly), and I liked the varied perspectives.

Unfortunately, though, this was a DNF for me.

I'm a pagan lady who's been to events such as those satirised in this book, and I fully see where the author is coming from (in a fun way)! It's a soft target but shows how those different personality types are drawn to attend and run such events (before we get to the fantastic story aspects, of course).

What made me frustrated was how basic each character was. I assumed they'd develop as we moved forward, but nope - all remained unlikeable stereotypes. Yes, they're damaged and vulnerable, but being the caricatures that are being literally lampshaded in the story was a bit much!

I stopped at about 1/3 because the frustration was overcoming the enjoyment. Apologies.

Early ARC kindly sent via NetGalley.

Francesco Dimitri's latest escapade, The Dark Side of the Sky, brings us back to his enchanting storytelling, albeit with a slow start that might test your patience—but stick with it! Set in a grand villa along Italy's Adriatic Coast, the book delves into the lives of a select group who spend four days each June indulging in secretive rituals, from whispering painful secrets into bonfires to dancing naked under the rain. But the retreat takes a mysterious twist when some don't return home, sparking fears of a cult led by the charismatic siblings, Rebecca and Riccardo Abbracciavento.

As the guests undergo spiritual transformations and surreal experiences, external pressures mount. Journalists and drones start circling, capturing footage of what outsiders label orgiastic and satanic rituals, leading to internal strife and mob confrontations outside the villa gates.

While the first third of the book may feel leisurely paced, Dimitri’s craftsmanship shines as the plot thickens—everything is essential, building towards a grand scheme that subtly shifts your understanding without notice. The Dark Side of the Sky is Dimitri’s third book in English, following The Book of Hidden Trees and Never the Wind. While it stands alone, eagle-eyed fans will spot a few cameos hinting that these narratives share the same universe. This book melds shocking elements with vivid descriptions of summer nights and Italian culinary delights, crafting a story that challenges our notions of belief and fanaticism. If you're ready for a thought-provoking ride that blends the mundane with the fantastical, Dimitri's latest is a must-read.

4.5 Stars

Francesco Dimitri's third book in English, and while you don't have to have read The Book of Hidden Trees and Never the Wind, there are a couple of cameos to let you know the three share the same universe.
The Dark Side of the Sky is a bit slow for the first third, and while I was loving the writing I was marking half a star of the score for awhile - but I should have kept faith. As always Dimitri has a big (enormous) picture in mind and not a single scene is wasted or not needed. The things that happen, slow as it might seem at the time, all add up so that you can not possibly say when you cross from one state to another (yes, being deliberately vague).
The story in its most basic is that of a (possible) cult, a group of members desperate for somewhere to belong and for some sense of wonder and magic. The fact that they have been chosen to help save the world is the cherry on top. But as in all of Dimitri's works what is real and what is maybe one person's delusions is the question.
I love Dimitri's writing, he has been called the Italian Gaiman but maybe Gaiman should be called the English Dimitri.