Castle of Otranto is a gothic novel that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish. The story is full of twists and turns, with unexpected events that constantly keep the reader guessing. Horace Walpole's writing style is engaging and vivid, painting a clear picture of the eerie castle and its inhabitants. The characters are well-developed and complex, adding depth to the story and drawing the reader further into the plot. Overall, Castle of Otranto is a must-read for fans of gothic literature and anyone looking for a thrilling and suspenseful read.

Book Description:
The Castle of Otranto is regarded as the first Gothic novel, a genre appealing to a taste for terror and set in a remote past when prodigies and magic can be imagined to have existed, with violent contrasts between purity and ungoverned passions. The author represents the tale as having been translated from a black letter Italian volume of the 15th century but describing much earlier events. This fictional antiquity and the depiction of mysterious wonders, dark subterranean passages, fearsome apparitions, marvelous coincidences, and especially a savage threat to spotless innocence are all typical of this genre, which does not assure a reader of a happy ending.