A terrifying new novel from bestselling #HorrorBookTok sensation Ania Ahlborn—the acclaimed author of the modern classic Brother.
Hailed as a writer of “some of the most promising horror I’ve encountered in years” (Seanan McGuire, author of the Ghost Roads series), Ania Ahlborn delivers a novel that pushes the boundaries of horror into a new realm.
Isla Hansen, a mother reeling from a devastating loss, is beside herself when a mysteriously orphaned child appears on the outskirts of the Hansens’ secluded Colorado property. Although strange and unexplainable, the child’s presence breathes new life into Isla. But as the child settles in, Isla’s husband, Luke, and their five children notice peculiarities that hint at something far beyond the ordinary—anomalies that challenge the very fabric of reality itself. The tension within the Hansen household grows, and with it, the sense that there is something very wrong with the new kid in the house.
The Unseen is a haunting tale that walks the line between the familiar and the unknown, drawing us into a chilling narrative where reality itself feels just out of reach.
Born in Ciechanow Poland, Ania has always been drawn to the darker, mysterious, and sometimes morbid sides of life. Her earliest childhood memory is of crawling through a hole in the chain link fence that separated her family home from the large wooded cemetery next door. She’d spend hours among the headstones, breaking up bouquets of silk flowers so that everyone had their equal share.
Author of nine novels, Ania's books have been lauded by the likes of Publisher's Weekly, The New York Daily News, and The New York Times. Some titles have been optioned for film.
Hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ania currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina.
For more from Ania, visit her site, or connect via social media on Facebook and Twitter.
Creepy, horrific, haunting, and unsettling, Ania Ahlborn delivers an eerie tale with The Unseen. This book is brimming with tension, dread, and will have the hairs sticking up on the back of your neck! An odd-looking orphaned child, a mother who recently suffered a loss, and a moody eerie vibe pulled me in and never let go. This book played out like a horror film in my mind.
Isla Hansen, a married mother of five is no stranger to loss. When she sees an orphaned child on the edge of their property, she insists she and Luke, her husband, take the child into their home when no one claims him. The boy is strange, odd, and non-verbal except for loud screeching yells. He makes Isla's husband and children uncomfortable. When strange things begin to occur, the household becomes tense, and Isla begins to be more attached to the orphaned boy.
You could cut the tension with a knife in this book. Ania Ahlborn has mastered creating unease, dread, and tension. I felt for the children and their father. I wanted to tell Luke to take a stand and to do something - anything!!!! Now!!! Do Something Now!!!! But well.......
This book is told through the POV of several characters which is a nice touch! I liked getting into their heads and being able to see things their way. There are a nice number of twists and turns along the way. I did not see the ending coming at all and I do have some conflicted feelings about it.
What I did not have conflicted about was the descriptions of loss and grief. I also thought the author did well with showing the children's feelings and thoughts. There is a lot of talk of miscarriages which may be upsetting for some readers.
Overall, a creepy, unsettling, book that delivered on the chills and thrills. This was the first book I have read by this author, but it will not be my last.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Like all of Ania’s books, this one is creepy, strange, and touches on some heavy topics, but not overly horrifying. The storyline itself was really good, and I have to admit that there were so many characters in the beginning that it gave me whiplash trying to keep track of them all. It did smooth out at the half way mark.
The mom’s character frustrated so much! She came across as self pitying, but again by the end it made sense. The mystery around Rowan was wrapped up well and it all made sense. But I still felt so much angst for Evie in the epilogue.
Sinister, creepy, tense, and filled with unease, The Unseen brought all of your worst fears to life in one single story. But that wasn’t the only brilliant piece to this dynamite tale. You see, on top of every standard horror book element was a genuine dysfunctional family dynamic as well as an enigmatic past that oozed even more tension. Combined with a swelling level of dread, this book came together with complete and utter perfection. After all, each and every character—including the feral child—had a part to play in the escalating horror, which they did with a strange sense of realism despite the implausibility of the snowballing events. I mean, I certainly hope none of this could come about outside of fiction.
The only piece to this hair-raising tale that didn’t quite work for me was the conclusion. I can’t say exactly why without providing at least one spoiler, but to say I was conflicted would be the understatement of the year. Somewhat open-ended and with a potential sci-fi twist at the end, it certainly wasn’t what I was expecting as I was inhaling this novel. That being said, the epilogue was an out-and-out win and made me want to pat Ms. Ahlborn on the back by the last page. A clever addition to the story, it gave the whole thing the feel of an episode from the The Twilight Zone in all of truly mind-bending, spine-chilling glory. In other words, I adored it and would love to see what comes next for this family.
All said and done, from the multiple distinct POVs to the ominous atmosphere, I was mostly won over hook, line, and sinker. You see, not only was the eerie vibe of the book an utter slam dunk, but the entire arc of the storyline was well-plotted and smart. Intertwining the past and the present into one brilliant premise, I couldn’t be more impressed after finishing this novel. Ultimately, though, I was most blown away by the thrills and chills that all delivered in spades. I do need to say, however, that this is one book you’re going to want to read with the lights on. And, oh yeah, might I suggest to never foster a child who randomly shows up in your yard. I mean, that’s kind of obvious, right? Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Isla Hansen, a mother reeling from a devastating loss, is beside herself when a mysteriously orphaned child appears on the outskirts of the Hansens’ secluded Colorado property. Although strange and unexplainable, the child’s presence breathes new life into Isla. But as the child settles in, Isla’s husband, Luke, and their five children notice peculiarities that hint at something far beyond the ordinary—anomalies that challenge the very fabric of reality itself. The tension within the Hansen household grows, and with it, the sense that there is something very wrong with the new kid in the house.
Thank you to Ania Ahlborn and Gallery Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
If 100 pages too long and too many points of view had a baby, it would probably look a lot like this book.
There was a good story amidst the repetitive plot points and unexplained evil force, but you have to squint pretty hard to find it. I kept waiting for the story to get going, and when it finally did around 75% of the way through, it turned into a frenetic mess.
I still have no idea who Rowan really was or why he was so inextricably linked to Isla. Why so many kids and must we really see the same thing through all of their eyes? Why is Isla so obsessed with having children when she completely ignores the ones she has? She’s a terrible mother and Luke is an anxiously attached doormat. These people shouldn’t have any children together let alone try to double the population of their small Colorado town.
I’m just glad this one is over with. Onto the next.
*Please note, I was a beta reader for this book in its early stages, this is my second time reading/reviewing 4.5 stars! Basic Info: Title/Author: The Unseen by Ania Ahlborn Pub date: August 19th, 2025 Publisher: Gallery Books Page Count: 384 Affiliate Link: Format Read: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978166805... Recommended for readers who enjoy: - Mixed media formats/news clippings (articles) - Multiple POVs - Domestic drama and family dynamics/marriage issues/large families - Motherhood/parenting/mental health/pregnancy - Creepy kids/orphans/mute children - Missing children - rural living/farmhouse - "don't go in the woods" __ Minor complaints: - The family does tolerate a lot of strange or unexplained behavior that they readily dismiss or overlook BUT I would argue that this is a horror book and how can horror exist without some kind of absence of logic or reasoning - I know that horror has a reputation for not believing kids when they say something paranormal or supernatural is going on, even when the kid draws a monster or something freaky but I feel like it's such a prevalent trope at this point, characters in film or books should know about it by now--like zombies (everyone knows what a zombie is and that they are called zombies)
Final recommendation: I have read so many Ania Ahlborn novels. There are plenty of reasons why I consider her to be one of the leading voices in horror but my favorite one to share with other readers is Ania's ability to draw the reader in close with her signature storytelling style. I would say readers can usually expect multiple POVs in alternating chapters, authentic dialogue, and dynamic character development mostly done with a unique flare for inner monologues. The Unseen is Ania Ahlborn working at the top of her game in her wheelhouse--what she knows best: Domestic drama with underlying dread building in escalation for an unsettling reading experience. Not to put too fine of a point on the plot by sharing too many details but this is the story of a family, rocked by grief and loss, who find a young boy on their property and open their home to him. it's a large family and everyone has different feelings about his presence and experience his behavior with their own perspectives so there is a lot of tension between characters as they try to deal with this mysterious child. I have to be honest and say I didn't make an emotional connection with the main adults: Isla or Luke but I loved August's (Gus) chapters. As the mom of two boys (now grown men) I almost always gravitate toward a compelling male teen in peril and in this case, I got attached. "He’d scared the hell out of Willow and Sophie at the dinner table with stories of feral kids cannibalizing their hapless adoptive families." I love Gus for this, he's so real. My favorite aspect of this book is the use of the creepy child trope. It is so good! Creepy kid horror lovers *must* add this to your TBR. "And when their eyes met, he canted his head just slightly, then forced a chilling sort of smile. An imitator. An echo." Lastly, I'm not one to figure things out--if an author crafts a masterfully plotted blindside, It will work on me, 100%. This one got me. I did not see the end coming AT ALL
Location: Colorado Comps: The Push by Ashley Audrain, Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin, elements/vibes of The Omen (1976 movie) and the Apple TV+ show, Servant.
Takes the long route to nowhere. I wanted this to be good. A strong start, then it falters and eventually flatlines. It got weirder towards the end instead of creepier. Disappointing conclusion that feels like you read the book only to find yourself back at the beginning.
Let me preface this by saying, this was my second read of Ania Ahlborn’s and I LOVED IT!
This is PERFECT FOR FANS of the good old creepy kid trope! Creepy kid books are some of my favorites! I will also add, that I’m pretty picky when it comes to this trope. Ahlborn knocked it outta the park 👏
Isla and Luke Hansen have had many tragedies when it comes to losing children. Even though they have a household full of kids, Isla wants another one. Only thing is, she keeps having miscarriages.
Then, one day, a boy magically shows up on their property. He looks disheveled, unclean and doesn’t say a word. With the help of family services, they are able to foster the child, since no one has claimed him missing.
Soon, the other children begin to notice something just isn’t right with him. Terrible things start to take place and more and more children are coming up missing. Just who is this boy and what does he want?
I absolutely loved it! This was creepy, unhinged and very unsettling. My only quibble was that I wasn’t ready for it to end.
Ania Ahlborn won me over with her brutally dark horror novel, BROTHER, and I’ll read anything she writes moving forward! I have been excited to dive into Ahlborn’s newest horror novel, THE UNSEEN, for months now and she doesn’t disappoint!
Without diving in too much, this book is a deep dive into grief in the most unique way. Isla Hansen, a grieving mother, is shaken when a mysteriously orphaned child appears on the edge of her family’s remote Colorado property, bringing with him an eerie but revitalizing energy. As the child becomes part of their household, Isla’s husband and children begin to notice strange, reality-bending anomalies that suggest something is deeply wrong with their new guest.
This book is a legit page turner! I could not stop turning the pages and picked this book up every chance I got. This book is nearly perfect (I didn’t looooove the ending) and has cemented Ahlborn as an auto-read author for me. Do not go too far down the rabbit hole to protect yourself from spoilers because if you find out the direction this book goes, you’ll ruin the entire journey!
The ending made the book feel so pointless. I had to listen to all these characters drone on for HOURS and that's what happens to them. I feel like whatever Ronan was is never fully explained or how his psychic hold on Isla works. They made a huge deal about the mom/grandma coming and she's barely in the story at all. And I got so tired of hearing about "Ruby May" - God that name became so annoying to hear over and over again. Also its so predictable that Ronan was going to be bad, I kind of thought there'd be some twist there but nope its exactly what we knew from like 20 minutes in. I just hate how nothing felt resolved... and the alien twist was so random and out of nowhere. We didn't need the pov from absolutely every member of the family...so like 7 people in total? The title feels a bit unexplained as well ... plenty of people in the book seen them? . . . FULL REVIEW (some spoilers)...
I felt like this book was way too long and also too slow paced. I think this may have to do with how many POVs rotated throughout the story and not all of them felt needed or relevant. Some of them blended together too much, especially all of the daughters and I had a hard time keeping straight who was who. A LOT happens in the last chapter or two and I wish that could have been spaced out further and cut down on some of the time during the middle where not much is happening. I was hoping this would be more plot driven with a lot of creepy events plaguing this family around every corner! It was NOT that...
Some of the characters were REALLY infuriating. Namely the mother character Isla, as well as the father Luke. Isla was exasperating in her need to have another baby while she neglected her 5 perfectly healthy children who all claimed how much they needed their mom to be there for them. Luke was an enabler who went along with Isla instead of having a spine and standing up for his family when she was steamrolling everyone with her ridiculous irrational behavior. It comes out that some of her actions and manners may have been influenced by a force beyond her control, but it arrives too late to redeem their actions. Her POV's were a frustrating experience.
I will say I liked Gus, the teenage son who was grounded and rational, and Sophie, the five year old daughter who was really cute and funny. They were my favorite POVs to read through. Eden annoyed me so much every time she mentioned her love of true crime podcast and how she listened to Lana Del Ray so she MUST be edgy.
I think the trope leaned on of a demon child (a la The Omen) felt recycled and not repurposed in a way that brought anything new to the narrative. It was exactly what you would expect from the moment we meet the child and so there was no shock or surprise towards the end when it comes out that he is IN FACT... a demon child *gasp*! Just a bit predictable.
The ending was really unsatisfying and raises more questions than it answers. I was confused about the twist (which felt completely out of place) as well as the last chapter or two where a million things kind of happen at once. At this point I was honestly really exasperated with the story and so my brain was on autopilot just trying to get to the end. The ending felt rushed and the last minute explanations were kind of jumbled (i.e. all of isla's repressed memories coming back to her.. so she was impregnated by aliens when she was 16? and all her miscarriages were... caused by the aliens? I dont know thats where i get really confused) and a lot of questions was not resolved or answered (i.e. where did all the children go to and what was their fate? and I hate this because poor Sophie didn't deserve that ending). . . . reading notes:
2% I know im barely in but this character perspective is anoyyyying. She has FIVE kids but she's feeling sorry for herself that she can't have any more. And she's complaining about her 5 kids!!! Like stop and go give some attention to the kids you already have.
7% prediction. John is a vampire. The social worker is saying how he holds his arms to his chest because it seems likely they may have been that way for a while. *like a vampire in a coffin!
Also I think I would be more sympathetic toward isla if she had no kids and really desperately wanted kids but kept having miscarriages. But the fact that she already has 5 kids and doesn't seem to appreciate them or be grateful for them. But just wants to have another baby is really frustrating to read about. If I was one of her kids , I would be super hurt
I think she is deeply traumatized from all of the miscarriages and is now experiencing a distortion of reality with this ridiculous obsession.
August just acknowledged what I've been saying about how the mom turned her back on her other kids. I like August so far. He's the only real one.
42% this book sure names a lot of musicians
43% "she let out a breath she didnt realize she was holding " 😬😬😬
YESSSS Eden thinking this is what im saying about the dad too. He's just as culpable as the mom for enabling this whole charade.
67% this kind of reminds me of slenderman but like a bunch of slender people... once you see them its too late. The description of the creatures is pretty creepy
68% Why is the 13 year old making dad dinner? Both the mom and dad characters are COMPLETELY useless
87% the kids agree with everything I said about the mom so im glad the book isnt acting like the moms weird obsession about the dead babies over her own living kids isnt crazy
88% this is reminding me of poltergeist
This audio book narrator is triggering my misophonia
91% okay WEIRD... and creepy
94% is this about Aliens??? And abductions 😅 i dont know i find this so silly
98% omg I totally guessed this is how it would end with eden, the cycle repeating.
100% this is way too long and overwritten. So glad its over.
Thank you Gallery book for the early copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback
Publishes August 19th and follows a mother named Isla and Luke Hanson who are grieving the loss of Isla’s pregnancy while simultaneously caring for their 5 children on their farm in Colorado when a strange, mute, malnourished child appears on their property. Isla immediately is drawn to this child and the family takes him in and well.. it doesn’t go well.
This book is told in multiple POVs following each family member’s experience with taking in this child.
This book initially reminded me of the perfect child by Lucinda Berry but way more intense and supernatural.
This book was utterly gripping, fast paced, and creepy as hell. The intense moments were spectacular and chilling and the moments in between were suspenseful and drama filled.
With grief at the forefront of this story it was interesting to me to see how each of the family members navigated their mother’s decisions and the way their dynamics were tested throughout this book.
Overall I thought this was a creepy, intense, suspenseful, chilling, emotional, unique and riveting read.
This is definitely one of the creepiest books I’ve read featuring the “creepy child” trope. It was atmospheric, unsettling, and chilling. The multiple POVs from different family members pulled me in, and I honestly couldn’t put it down it was so good! The pacing was fast, and the sense of unease lingered throughout the entire story.
Isla and Luke have endured unimaginable tragedy, losing several of their children. While they still have five, the grief weighs heavily on Isla, and her mental state is slowly unraveling. Then, out of nowhere, a strange boy appears on their property. Isla becomes determined to take him in as one of her own. But soon after, strange things begin happening within the family, and something about the boy feels very wrong especially as more and more children in the surrounding area are reported missing.
I'm throwing in the towel on this one. DNF'ing at about 15%.
First, it's reallyyyyy slow. That's because we're getting EVERYONE'S POVs, including all the kids. I don't need to hear about a child's perspective when you already know what they're thinking and it's not moving the story along.
Second, and primarily, because I think the mom is selfish. She has 5 healthy children. On her 6th pregnancy, she had a miscarriage. She attempted suicide. She's now so depressed that she barely interacts with her kids. I get having a miscarriage is hard, but come on now. You have children who actually NEED you and you don't want anything to do with them? Now she's got some strange child showing up and she wants to adopt him?? INSTEAD OF LOVING AND CARING FOR YOUR OWN KIDS?!?! Naw fuck you. I think you're a shitty mom and you don't deserve your kids.
Come at me all you want. I said what I said and I stand by it 100%.
QOTD: What is the last good horror/thriller book you’ve read?
🥰 Thank you Galley Books and Ania Ahlborn for the opportunity to read this one early in exchange for my honest review.
💥⚡️💥⚡️💥⚡️💥
The Unseen by Ania Ahlborn Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Unseen is a haunting tale that walks the line between the familiar and the unknown, drawing us into a chilling narrative where reality itself feels just out of reach.
Ahlborn is a concsiencious creator of the creep. Every tree, every word uttered, every emotion evoked is placed solely to add to the vibe. And the plot was absolutely delicious. A small town where a boy just appears out of nowhere while other children are going missing, and the boy happens to be the creepiest child to ever exist. 😮💨
My favorite element had to be the multiple POVs. Crawling into the mind of a six year old who is scared of the dark and then passing the respective to all the others in the house just added to the haunting atmosphere.
I took a star off because I felt like the ending was a bit of a letdown, as horror stories so often are, but overall I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of psychological horror.
I listened to The Unseen on audio and the multiple POVs with a full cast of narrators really kept the story moving. It’s a long book but listening made it feel immersive and easy to follow. The story itself is dark, atmospheric and unsettling with that creeping sense of dread Ania Ahlborn does so well. I will say this one leans more into sci-fi horror than her other works, and I wish I’d known that before starting (sometimes you just need to be in the right mood for that mix) While it wasn’t my personal favorite from her, I still found it an engaging and eerie read that fans of hers will likely love!
If there’s one thing to know about an @aniaahlborn book, it’s that you will be unsettled the entire time. Whew, this book gave me the creeps! I made the mistake of reading it before bed last night, and had to put it down and turn Friends up loud for an hour before I felt okay closing my eyes lol
This book was so dark, creepy, unsettling, spooky, heartbreaking, and disturbing - so you should absolutely read it! I went into it blind, I think you should too, the only two things you need to know is miscarriage TW, and the dogs are ok!
I absolutely love the premise of this story and how it all started. However, the story itself became very slow and repetitive with no forward progress. I also was not a fan of the fact that the ending didn’t resolve anything or solve any of the mysteries.
That is the only spoiler I am giving because you really need to go into this book knowing nothing. I also came out of the book knowing nothing and highly confused on what I just read.
My interest was lost about twenty pages in because of how many ITALICS were used. I just felt like I was jumping around too much and the italics were not adding to the story at all.
Also I don’t think all the POVs are necessary. Olive and Eden were too close are wise and temperament for them to both need POVs. Sophie was a really interesting POV but she got the least amount of word count.
I am so confused on what I read and there was no closure at all. This is very abnormal for Ahlborn.
"The Unseen" is an eerie, slow-burning horror story that latches onto your nerves and doesn’t let go. The author proves she knows how to turn ordinary settings into something deeply unsettling.
The story follows a family still grieving a loss, whose fragile peace is shattered when they take in a strange boy, and the odd events that follow blur the line between grief, guilt, and something far more sinister.
The character work is strong, particularly in how grief and obsession twist the family’s dynamics. You feel their unravelling, which makes the horror hit even harder.
Overall, "The unseen" is a haunting, emotionally charged horror novel that creeps under your skin.
This one is eerie, atmospheric, and unsettling in the best way. The story follows the Hansen family, still reeling from a terrible loss, when a mysterious, nonverbal boy appears in the woods behind their house. Isla, the mother, insists on taking him in despite the clear challenges, and from there things spiral into a tense, emotional, and deeply creepy tale.
This book had me on edge, with moments that made the hairs on my arms stand up. Ahlborn perfectly captures that dreadful, lingering sense that something isn’t right. While the ending lost me a bit (I’m not a fan of open ended conclusions) it was still an absorbing and worthwhile read that delivered the spooky, goosebump inducing atmosphere I was craving. This would be a perfect addition to a spooky szn TBR.
This is a tough one to rate. It's a story about a family that, due to the mom's insistence, takes in a feral boy that walks out of the woods seemingly from nowhere. The mom, who has five kids already, is deeply depressed because she's miscarried on the sixth child multiple times (apparently forgetting about her living children), and the dad agrees to take the boy in to keep the mom sane. This is all happening among the backdrop of a rash of children missing in the Boulder, Colorado area over many years.
It's an interesting setup that's unfortunately marred by several things. First, the mom is unbearably insufferable, so much so that I thought of DNF'ing the book several times. Her behavior is explained later in the book, but it doesn't really help. She's one of the worst moms you'll ever read about. Second, the book, at 372 pages, is too long, as it takes about 70% in before things really get going. I'm all for a good slow burn, but this was a bit much. It needed to be jump started sooner. Third, it sets up the mystery of the feral boy and the missing children but never really explains why he does what he does or why the children go missing. I have no problem with open-ended books, but this one is written as if the mystery will be explained, but then it never is. It ends up hurting the narrative. It's well-written, and the last 70 pages or so, and the ending, are terrifically dark, which are both big plusses and provide a necessary boost. It just suffers from some important issues which keep it from being more than a 3-star read. It's certainly not a bad book by any stretch, just not as good as it could have been.
Intense and unsettling, this story follows Isla, a mother of five who has experienced a great deal of loss in her life. She feels herself edging toward hopelessness until a strange looking little boy shows up, seemingly out of nowhere, near her house. She has no idea why, but she feels a connection and an immediate need to take him in.
After fostering him, strange things start to happen and everyone in the household suspects that the boy has something to do with all of it, but Isla won’t hear a word of it. What follows is a descent into chaos that there is no coming back from.
Initially, I wanted to devour it in a few sittings, but I found myself taking my time, trying to absorb all the emotions and soak in each character’s POV. Ania has a way with her words, effortlessly drawing you into the character’s lives and making you empathize with them by immersing you in their mental and emotional states. I savored every bit of this book and I truly loved it.
To have received this ARC and an opportunity to review it is such an honor. You absolutely need to grab a copy when it comes out. This title is set to be published August 19th of this year.
I really liked the first half. It was creepy and I was scared to read it at night. But it lost me in the 2nd half. It's entirely too long, and maybe I'm stupid, but did we even get a conclusion? What happened? Who is the creepy feral child? What happened to the family? Did they all die? Did they get abducted by aliens? Where are all the other missing children? I don't understand how a book can be nearly 400 pages yet I'm left with approximately zero questions answered.
This book was wild, unique and super creepy! I was completely addicted to it. It was also unpredictable, as someone who went in blind. It did not go, at all, how I initially expected it to. Which I love. Isla is mother to five children, but after a devastating loss, she is not handling her grief well. When a strange child shows up out of the woods, Isla is convinced that taking the boy in is what she needs. Reluctant and unhappy about it, her family goes along with it because they just want the matriarch of the family to be fixed. what ensues is a truly creepy and unsettling story that I could not have predicted at all. Kids are creepy af, but there are other elements to this one that go beyond! Intentionally keeping it vague; don't let this one get spoiled for you! I loved it. 5 stars!
If you are a fan of Ania Ahlborn and her beautifully written and deliciously creepy novels then you will LOVE this.
I enjoyed the multiple POV's and found that it was very effective in the storytelling and helped me to better understand each character.
The theme of grief combined with a constant underlying feeling of tense dread followed me the entire story and there were some scenes that genuinely creeped me out and made the hair on my arms stand up.
The only thing I wish is that the ending was a little different. It was very effective but I couldn't help but want to know more.
Also, try not to read a lot of in depth reviews. Go into this story as blind as you can. The payoff is worth it.
I don't care if it's still summer, to me the spooky season is officially here.
✨This was quite the chilling and unsettling story of one family and the horrors that befell them. The author’s descriptions were very vivid, and she truly delivered on creating an uncomfortable and tense environment for the reader. Those who enjoy the creepy kid trope are going to devour this book because WOW was that kid ever creepy.
✨What kept this from being a favorite for me was the confusion among the sister characters (they were very difficult to differentiate), the extreme unlikability of the parent characters and the unexpected plot direction shift that didn’t quite work for me. With that said, this was a sufficiently spooky read that I finished fairly quickly and rather enjoyed.
✨I will advise that there is pregnancy loss, so please be aware if this is a sensitive topic for you.
🎧I listened to this book on audio and was impressed with the production value and the full cast narration. This method of reading the book really brought the story off the page for me, and the performances by the narrators were very well done.
🌿Read if you like: ✨Speculative fiction ✨Spooky stories ✨Family drama ✨Creepy kid tropes ✨Multiple POV ✨Colorado settings