The Portrait of Alatiel Salazar a Gothic Horror Novella

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The Portrait of Alatiel Salazar a Gothic Horror Novella

4.25 of 5 stars 4.25 · rating details · 32 ratings · 20 reviews

When Gabriel Holland’s beloved Helena vanishes from his life, he journeys to the home of disgraced artist Cristian Salazar, the man he holds responsible for her disappearance and the death of several friends. Once in the town of Carliton, Gabriel finds only malice and mystery in the tales told by the few brave enough to speak ill of Salazar and the sinister Cousin Beatriz....more

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Published June 15th 2012 by Immortal Ink Publishing

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Jun 24, 2012 Juliet rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: horrifically-good, spookily-good

Few people now write with the same understanding of classic gothic fiction and horror as Steven Katriel. This novella draws you in to an elder world where something is really not right for a group of friends. Something has entered their lives and corrupted their very existence. From the moment Alatiel arrives on the scene, there’s trouble. Someone knows something they’re not letting slip, indeed it seems they want desperately to hide, but what is it about that girl that they know? You won’t find...more Few people now write with the same understanding of classic gothic fiction and horror as Steven Katriel. This novella draws you in to an elder world where something is really not right for a group of friends. Something has entered their lives and corrupted their very existence. From the moment Alatiel arrives on the scene, there’s trouble. Someone knows something they’re not letting slip, indeed it seems they want desperately to hide, but what is it about that girl that they know? You won’t find out from me – you really should read it for yourself to find out.

Katriel writes in a way that calls to mind masters like Stoker and Collins and builds a heady atmosphere of fear and darkness from the outset. Beginning with the confused and bewildered journal of Helena we have as little idea of what’s really going on as the helpless characters. Intrigue abounds as the story unfolds, drawing you into a haunting nightmare that you only pray is fictitious. Could you bear to live within reach of the Salazars? What is their sinister and macabre hold and from where, from when, does it stem? Who are their ancestors? Do they have any, or are these the same few that settled here? By the finale, we only hope that good will triumph - we really can’t tell either way. The mystery does not let up and the sense of dread is palpable.

Once you begin reading this book, you won’t want to put it down. I was drawn in sufficiently to resent the phone ringing. When you’ve finished reading, you still won’t put it down – it will be inside your head. It will follow you to bed and there it will make you begin to wonder, has Steven Katriel cast his own spell on you?

Katriel’s language is sumptuous and laden with juicy, delicious strings of adjectives that build a vivid picture to your mind’s eye. You will experience the sense of coldness and lack of empathy conjured up before you in an almost hypnotic suggestion, written skilfully and with vision. You will notice things about a painting that you aren’t actually looking at. You will sense the implicit state of rot beneath the surface by the language alone with no direct observation of it given. You will be absorbed into the story as though you were an incidental character with no dialogue of your own and you will want to shout out but find that you can’t. Some highly quotable lines will make you smile to read them for their near-poetic quality: “whose form shimmered like a body of water disturbed” but one of the stunning similes that spring to mind.

If you have ever loved classic fiction with disturbing under- and overtones, from Wuthering Heights to Dracula, Woman in White to Frankenstein, you will love this novella. A quite brilliant debut, well done Steven, more please!(less)

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Aug 16, 2012 C.J. Listro rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, horror, romance, literary

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The Basics: I’m a Victorian junkie. Oscar Wilde is my hero. I worship Jane Austen. Dostoyevsky (okay, he’s not Victorian; shh) is my god. I miss that style of writing: elaborate, ornate, precise. Katriel writes like he was born in 1820, but with a clearness that makes him understandable for any modern reader. His prose is just beautiful. The first half, especially, is exquisite. The second half of good, though the plot loses some fire once we depart from Helena’s point of view and beco...more Read more

The Basics: I’m a Victorian junkie. Oscar Wilde is my hero. I worship Jane Austen. Dostoyevsky (okay, he’s not Victorian; shh) is my god. I miss that style of writing: elaborate, ornate, precise. Katriel writes like he was born in 1820, but with a clearness that makes him understandable for any modern reader. His prose is just beautiful. The first half, especially, is exquisite. The second half of good, though the plot loses some fire once we depart from Helena’s point of view and becomes a little convoluted. Still, a chilling, gorgeous read. Reminds me so much of my beloved Wilde, I could swear Katriel was inspired by some ghostly apparition of the author. I have no doubt that Katriel’s career will be a strong one.

Plot (3/5): The first half was quick and intriguing. I paged through it very quickly, and had to go back to admire the prose again, because I was too eager to find out what would happen! When we switch from Helena’s point of view to Gabriel’s, I got a little lost. The history of the Salazars is long and twisted; I had a hard time keeping it straight. Still, the actual goings-on (the investigation, the deaths) were really interesting and kept me reading.

Concept (5/5): Very Victorian, in the best of ways. Alatiel is one of the “decorative poor” (a fabulous phrase) briefly worshipped, then forgotten, by Helena’s friends. But she doesn’t forget them. The idea of a consuming muse is awesome! The witchly family is a pretty cool connection too.

Characters (5/5): Need I invoke Dorian Gray? There was so much of Lord Henry in the characters, especially Helena’s friends. Basically, they’re hysterical dandies full of frivolous humor, silly sayings, and total nonchalance. Dandies. They made me laugh. Helena’s voice was really strong. I felt I knew her from a few pages in. I didn’t feel as close to Gabriel; for me, he was more a window into the story.

Style (6/5): You’ll note that I rated this a six. I don’t have enough punctuation to express my love of Katriel’s style. Many authors focus on plot and forget that how you say it can be just as important. Not here. Katriel’s phrases grabbed me from the get-go. They’re ornate and Victorian, but don’t worry—this won’t confuse you like all those books you read in high school English. It’s pretty, but very understandable. I love him for it. I want to hug this prose. Literally.

Mechanics (5/5): A few typos here and there, but it was hardly noticeable. The only confusing part was moving from Helena’s diary to Gabriel’s normal narrative. I liked the diary bit more.

Take Home Message: A flower of a book, with gorgeous prose and a chilling plot. (less)

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Nov 27, 2012 Roxanne Kade rated it 4 of 5 stars

First off let me just say that the cover of this novella reminds me of a Lady Gaga music video!! It's weird and creepy, and is a beautiful impression of what to expect under the cover.

This story is probably one of the best horror tales I have read in forever. I only wished it was a full length novel and not a novella. From the very beginning of the story, the reader is introduced to so many characters that it was easy to become a little lost trying to keep up with all of them, and if this story...more

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Aug 22, 2012 N.R. Wick rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Portrait of Alatiel Salazar is definitely a gothic horror novella in a style that reminds me a bit of Edgar Allan Poe. Even though I can't tell you how accurate the writing style or voice is for the time period in which the story is set, I can say that this book had all of the things I like about Poe's work without the wordiness and complexity of the writing style. Hopefully this comparison is flattering rather than offensive.

The book is set in the 1800s and has an interesting storytelling m...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Jessica Fortunato rated it 3 of 5 stars

Let me begin by saying that Katriel is beyond gifted in painting a Victorian picture. From his descriptions of buildings, homes, and even his vernacular you were instantly drawn into this story. I had been dying to read it since it came out,I finished it in just a few hours, and that includes re-reading certain parts. I wanted to love this book, everything about its description drew me in, but the story itself was confusing to say the least. It shifts between points of view, it jumps around in t...more

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Jul 12, 2012 B. Lloyd rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Gothic novel, at once relished and ridiculed, proved immensely popular throughout the late 18th and 19th centuries, and with the occasional decline, remains as much-read as ever if the current rate of vampire novels on the market is anything to go by. Amongst the morass of average tales of horror, however, an occasional gem is struck upon; a tale which combines chilling narrative with convincing period voice, written in fluent Decadent style: such is The Portrait of Alatiel Salazar.

Many cul...more The Gothic novel, at once relished and ridiculed, proved immensely popular throughout the late 18th and 19th centuries, and with the occasional decline, remains as much-read as ever if the current rate of vampire novels on the market is anything to go by. Amongst the morass of average tales of horror, however, an occasional gem is struck upon; a tale which combines chilling narrative with convincing period voice, written in fluent Decadent style: such is The Portrait of Alatiel Salazar.

Many cultural threads are drawn together in this recreation of the Decadent and the Aesthetic, from Sheridan Le Fanu’s Camilla, through Bram Stoker’s Vlad-inspired Dracula to Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray – all depicting some form of feeding or nourishment, taken from those surrounding the main character, whether physically, emotionally or spiritually.
The Decadents embraced the idea of the night people, opiate laden, heavy lidded, often consumptive, their faces preserved on canvas – Rossetti’s women in their trance-like state, Burne Jones with his models gazing into the distance in his dreamlike evocations of an age gone past, the dark-ringed eyes of Klimt’s women, hinting at unhealthy, hidden existences, crawling out after dark in their search for energy and life-force, an escape from ennui; they are to be found also in the more disturbing of Beardsley’s drawings, or the highly dramatic finesse of Harry C. Clarke or John Austen.
Outwardly, Alatiel might be one of the Pre-Raphaelite’s models, between Maria Zambaco and Lizzie Siddal – and similarly she is taken up as a model by a group of young artists. Inwardly however, there is a void, a bottomless pit, constantly seeking out fresh sources of life, new psyches to consume.

From subtle to shocking back to subtle, this is the imagery evoked by Portrait of Alatiel Salazar: of brooding menace, of a night-existence, of a being who eats up the energy of others, vampire-like, in order to survive – yet still this is a different creation from the gothic monsters that have gone before. Poe might have created this.(less)

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Jun 25, 2012 Samantha LaFantasie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Warning: Spoilers!

This novella is a Gothic Horror set in the late 1800's England. Following a few diary entries belonging to his beloved Helena, Gabrielle sets out to find her. Disturbed by the words she wrote, he follows the clues that point to the Salazars. Believing her to be there, he confronts the great and terrible artist and his cousin after not seeing them two years. It is there he learns that his love has been taken from him and all in exchange for the murder of Christian Salazar's wife...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Noree Cosper rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror, occult, gothic

Disclaimer: A Portrait of Alatiel Salazar is a Gothic Horror novella. It is for a niche audience and not what I am used to reading. So, if you read more of this than i do you may have a differing opinion. This was given to me for a fair review by Steven's publisher Immortal Ink.

The Good:

Writing Style: Mr. Katriel's choice of wording and voice give a very creepy overall feel throughout the book. He sets the horrific ambiance well. The novella is written in a Victorian style which is around the ti...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Robert Zimmermann rated it 5 of 5 stars

What can I say about this novella? I was really blown away by it. From what I’ve been hearing over the last few months, it should have blown me away…I guess the rumors were true. Katriel really knows how to write!

If I didn’t know any better I’d have said this book was written years ago…back when the Gothic style was first created. Katriel hit the nail on the head with his use of language and presentation. I was drawn into the story right from the beginning and didn’t want to pull away until it e...more

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Jul 31, 2012 Katrina Tinnon rated it 4 of 5 stars

To me, this novella was a mix of Bram Stoker and Rob Zombie. Ever scene in Portrait seemed like it could play out in a Zombie horror flick.

This isn't my usual genre, but I enjoyed the story. I was confused in the time lapses at some parts, but quickly figured things out. Gabriel is trying to find his fiance only yo end up in the presence of Christian Salazar. You never really figure out, or are told, what Salazar and his family really are. You begin to wonder if everything that has happened is...more

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Jun 18, 2012 Thomas Winship rated it 5 of 5 stars

“The Portrait of Alatiel Salazar” is a gothic horror novella that possesses the brute strength capable of propelling a reader—even one who is unwilling—into its dark and shadowy confines, yet author Steven Katriel chooses, instead, to lure readers into his house of horrors by tantalizing them with promises of otherworldly events, dark and mysterious people, and an oppressive sense of impending doom.

And once you enter, there’s no turning back, as Katriel’s tale drags you deeper and deeper into th...more

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Mar 27, 2013 Mark Abrams rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was great Gothic novella in the classic tradition!

This work could easily have been written in the 19th century! If you enjoy classic Gothic horror, I strongly recommend you read this. It is very well written and downright creepy. I think I'll be having nightmares about this book for months to come!

It tells the story of the Salazar family and their latest member, Alatiel. They practice a form of black magic that will leave you with chills. I would put this on the must read list of horror and...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Catrina Barton rated it 5 of 5 stars

This novel is a Gothic/Horror/Paranormal /Fantasy, and definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are engaging, and the story line is complex. Mr. Katriel's love of historical times shines through in this well written, gripping novel. The Victorian descriptions paint pictures in your head so you can actually see where it takes place. The emotions are strong in this delightfully dark tale. All in all, a good read if you're looking for dark, suspenseful action.

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Jul 01, 2012 Blue Harvest Creative rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. A fantastic and haunting novella that reminds you of The Picture of Dorian Gray in the style. The book had me on the edge of my seat through the entire story. I am looking forward to more of Mr. Katriel's work. He is a great horror writer who writes like the masters of another time. I even felt a bit of Dickens in his writing. This is a highly suggested read.

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Jun 22, 2012 Vanessa E. Leigh rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was such an interesting horror story. His writing style reminded me of Stephen King, and also the book reminded me of two of my favorite classics, The Portrait of Dorian Grey, and Bram Stoker's Dracula. This was an interesting book, if a person is a real fan of classic gothic horror, than this is the book for you.

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Jun 20, 2012 Paul rated it 5 of 5 stars

Have to say that this fiction genre wouldn't normally be my choice, however what a great read this turned to be, I found that I couldn't put it down and read it in one session. Great characters and dialogue just pulled you in to the gripping storyline. Look forward to seeing more from this author.

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Jul 13, 2012 Meghan Lounsbury rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised by this short gothic horror novella. At first it seemed like one thing an by the end turned into a full-on satanic betrayal story. The creepy turn of events for the books FIRST protagonist still haunts me. I definitely recommend this short read!

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May 10, 2013 Ashley rated it 3 of 5 stars

The premise of this story was intriguing and the begining drew me in completely. As soon as the narration changed to Gabriel's point of view however it started to get a little confusing. By the end I was both impressed and confused by the entirety of the tale. It was certainly a horror novella and an excellent one at that. The prose is beautiful and horrific, much like the story itself which in my opinion only adds to the presentation. I would have appreciated a little more explanation of what w...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Candy Korman rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a genuine Gothic. Beautiful and evocative and creepy!

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Aug 20, 2012 Sarah Cass rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review coming soon.

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Jun 09, 2013 Margarita Gakis marked it as to-read

Shelves: purchased-onkindle

Apr 13, 2013 Joe Simmons marked it as to-read

Mar 31, 2013 Lariza marked it as to-read

Mar 17, 2013 Laura added it

Nov 21, 2012 Vicy Cross rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nov 12, 2012 Diana Little rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nov 09, 2012 Nancy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oct 27, 2012 Renee McKinley is currently reading it

Oct 26, 2012 Alexander McRobbie rated it 1 of 5 stars

Oct 19, 2012 Avid Reader marked it as to-read

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About Steven Katriel

Steven J. Katriel writes Gothic Horror, Paranormal Fantasy, and Literary Fiction. He has lived in Wales, UK all his life. In recent years, he wrote history articles for a community magazine. Steve’s literary heroes and heroines range from Oscar Wilde to Hilary Mantel. He has a passion for past times and this is reflected in his writing.

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