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Kobuk Valley
It Looks Like You in the Dark
It Looks Like You in the Dark is a propulsive, grab-you-by-the-throat, Indigenous horror debut, by Mathilda Zeller, that expertly blending folklore and supernatural chills to explore all the fearsome monsters that emerge when we turn our backs on the land and each other.
Tapeesa is newly out of high school and working in a fish processing plant in the Inupiat village, Chukchi, where she’s lived her whole life. Maybe that’s why people tend to assume she isn’t that bright―or maybe her mama is right and she does have bad blood. Either way, she knows the legend, and she knows the history. Her Ahna told her that the hungry creature―the kushtuka―appears to us in the form of someone we love. It will try to get us to follow it. Follow it where? Those who have gone no longer have throats to tell us.
The Kobuk River Valley of remote Alaska draws greedy white men time and time again. But whenever they come, death comes too. This time the white men are here for the long term, to create an open pit, a lead mine just north of the village. When her sister Esther goes missing, Tapeesa will do anything to get her back. Seeking justice, Tapeesa must track down the kidnapper in the darkening Arctic. What awaits beyond the warmth of her village is more horrible than she could imagine and closer to her than she knows
Tapeesa is newly out of high school and working in a fish processing plant in the Inupiat village, Chukchi, where she’s lived her whole life. Maybe that’s why people tend to assume she isn’t that bright―or maybe her mama is right and she does have bad blood. Either way, she knows the legend, and she knows the history. Her Ahna told her that the hungry creature―the kushtuka―appears to us in the form of someone we love. It will try to get us to follow it. Follow it where? Those who have gone no longer have throats to tell us.
The Kobuk River Valley of remote Alaska draws greedy white men time and time again. But whenever they come, death comes too. This time the white men are here for the long term, to create an open pit, a lead mine just north of the village. When her sister Esther goes missing, Tapeesa will do anything to get her back. Seeking justice, Tapeesa must track down the kidnapper in the darkening Arctic. What awaits beyond the warmth of her village is more horrible than she could imagine and closer to her than she knows
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2026
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October 13, 2026
It Looks Like You in the Dark by Mathilda Zeller is a chilling blend of Indigenous folklore, supernatural horror, and the historical oppression and exploitation of Alaska Native communities. Beneath its disquieting atmosphere lies an equally disturbing examination of greed, generational trauma, and the consequences of allowing outsiders to take and take and take.
The kushtuka, a mysterious creature from Tapeesa’s childhood stories, appears to be stalking the people of her town, Chukchi. It lures people away, and those who follow are never found alive. But supernatural threats are hardly the only dangers facing this isolated community.
For generations, white men have come and gone, taking whatever they could from the land and its people. Tapeesa herself is the daughter of an alcoholic mother and a visiting white man, while her grandfather is also white. Her family history reflects the complicated legacy of outsiders whose presence has left lasting scars. Meanwhile, some members of the community have learned to look the other way as atrocities unfold, particularly when money is involved.
In the past, outsiders came seeking gold. Now, plans for a new mine threaten to poison the land and the people who depend on it. Some residents welcome the possibility of employment and economic opportunity in a place where both are scarce. Others, including Tapeesa, recognize the danger, especially as children are already becoming sick. The conflict raises a troubling question: What happens when a community’s economic survival is used to justify its continued exploitation?
As tensions mount, Tapeesa begins seeing things that others claim not to see. She experiences strange cravings and an increasingly consuming anger, leaving her questioning what is happening to her. When her sister, Esther, disappears, Tapeesa is determined to find her, no matter what stands in her way. But the truth awaiting her may be far more disturbing than she could have imagined.
While the supernatural elements might initially seem like the greatest source of fear, I found myself far more concerned about what the visiting white men might do to the community. The children’s illnesses were particularly disturbing, especially as their suffering was ignored while plans for further exploitation moved forward. The paranormal horror is frightening, but the human cruelty and indifference are what truly rattled me.
Zorga Qaunaq was a perfect choice to narrate this audiobook, lending authenticity to Tapeesa’s perspective and the world she inhabits. Her performance heightened the unease, fear, anger, and frustration that permeate the story. Rather than simply recounting the events, her narration made the emotional weight of the characters’ experiences all the more palpable.
What makes this novel particularly compelling is how seamlessly the supernatural horror intertwines with the very real horrors of colonialism, environmental destruction, and the exploitation of vulnerable communities. The threat of the kushtuka exists alongside a history of people being taken from their homes, their land being stripped of its resources, and their suffering being dismissed in the pursuit of profit. The parallels are unnerving, especially when the line between monster and human becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish.
This is a book that clings to you, much as the atrocities depicted within its pages will never truly leave the characters who endure them. Zeller has crafted a descriptive, layered story that explores historical injustice through the lens of paranormal terror without allowing either element to diminish the other. It is an impressive debut that is far more than a horror story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The kushtuka, a mysterious creature from Tapeesa’s childhood stories, appears to be stalking the people of her town, Chukchi. It lures people away, and those who follow are never found alive. But supernatural threats are hardly the only dangers facing this isolated community.
For generations, white men have come and gone, taking whatever they could from the land and its people. Tapeesa herself is the daughter of an alcoholic mother and a visiting white man, while her grandfather is also white. Her family history reflects the complicated legacy of outsiders whose presence has left lasting scars. Meanwhile, some members of the community have learned to look the other way as atrocities unfold, particularly when money is involved.
In the past, outsiders came seeking gold. Now, plans for a new mine threaten to poison the land and the people who depend on it. Some residents welcome the possibility of employment and economic opportunity in a place where both are scarce. Others, including Tapeesa, recognize the danger, especially as children are already becoming sick. The conflict raises a troubling question: What happens when a community’s economic survival is used to justify its continued exploitation?
As tensions mount, Tapeesa begins seeing things that others claim not to see. She experiences strange cravings and an increasingly consuming anger, leaving her questioning what is happening to her. When her sister, Esther, disappears, Tapeesa is determined to find her, no matter what stands in her way. But the truth awaiting her may be far more disturbing than she could have imagined.
While the supernatural elements might initially seem like the greatest source of fear, I found myself far more concerned about what the visiting white men might do to the community. The children’s illnesses were particularly disturbing, especially as their suffering was ignored while plans for further exploitation moved forward. The paranormal horror is frightening, but the human cruelty and indifference are what truly rattled me.
Zorga Qaunaq was a perfect choice to narrate this audiobook, lending authenticity to Tapeesa’s perspective and the world she inhabits. Her performance heightened the unease, fear, anger, and frustration that permeate the story. Rather than simply recounting the events, her narration made the emotional weight of the characters’ experiences all the more palpable.
What makes this novel particularly compelling is how seamlessly the supernatural horror intertwines with the very real horrors of colonialism, environmental destruction, and the exploitation of vulnerable communities. The threat of the kushtuka exists alongside a history of people being taken from their homes, their land being stripped of its resources, and their suffering being dismissed in the pursuit of profit. The parallels are unnerving, especially when the line between monster and human becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish.
This is a book that clings to you, much as the atrocities depicted within its pages will never truly leave the characters who endure them. Zeller has crafted a descriptive, layered story that explores historical injustice through the lens of paranormal terror without allowing either element to diminish the other. It is an impressive debut that is far more than a horror story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.0 Stars
As someone who enjoys indigenous focused horror and thrillers, I found this novel gripping. I really enjoyed the Alaskan Inuit aspects incorporated into the story that brought a fresh perspective to the book.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
As someone who enjoys indigenous focused horror and thrillers, I found this novel gripping. I really enjoyed the Alaskan Inuit aspects incorporated into the story that brought a fresh perspective to the book.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Want to Read
July 6, 2026my eyes caught the words "folklore" and "horror" say less
October 2, 2026
I received this book as an audio ARC from NetGalley. Thank you to everyone involved.
I rated this book a 3/5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
The audiobook was narrated by Zorga Qaunaq. I think that’s this audio performance was good but at times it was a little one dimensional. Her voice is nice to listen to though so it was not a chore to get through.
Things I liked about this book:
❄️ I liked the Alaskan setting with indigenous characters. It was interesting to read about.
❄️ I love the mythology and lore in the book.
❄️I loved the monsters and how they were described
Things that didn’t work for me:
❄️This book kind of read younger like a YA.
❄️Slow to start and the climax was a little flat for me
❄️ I wanted more of the monster in the book
I rated this book a 3/5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
The audiobook was narrated by Zorga Qaunaq. I think that’s this audio performance was good but at times it was a little one dimensional. Her voice is nice to listen to though so it was not a chore to get through.
Things I liked about this book:
❄️ I liked the Alaskan setting with indigenous characters. It was interesting to read about.
❄️ I love the mythology and lore in the book.
❄️I loved the monsters and how they were described
Things that didn’t work for me:
❄️This book kind of read younger like a YA.
❄️Slow to start and the climax was a little flat for me
❄️ I wanted more of the monster in the book
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I had the honor of blurbing this novel, and it’s a phenomenal read, engaging Alaskan indigenous supernatural lore alongside of cast of characters you will absolutely come to love.
Want to Read
April 22, 2026ARC received! Thank you, Tor Nightfire!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
(4.25 ⭐) Fractured communities, greed, and monstrosity in your own reflection: It Looks Like You in the Dark is a gripping ride, packed with Indigenous (Inupiat) mythology, the ferocious bond of sisterhood, and plenty of blood.
Tapeesa is a young adult who works at her local fish processing plant in her home village of Chukchi. Her mom warns her about her bad blood, which she’s been locked onto ever since the bloody circumstances of her dad’s death a decade earlier. Her Ahna warns her about myths like the kushtuka, who shapeshifts into loved ones and lures you away. Her little sister Esther bewitches everyone with her beauty and charm, and her best friend (and maybe more?) Pana is steady and hardworking with his dogs, but she’s not quite sure what she wants for her own future.
And when a new crew of greedy white men enter the Alaskan wilderness to open a mine, they cause friction throughout the village. Tapeesa is wary of them to start with, and when Esther goes missing, she’ll do anything to bring her home safely. But the darkness is dangerous, and with shapeshifters on the prowl, you never quite know who you can trust.
“We deserve better choices than we have.”
Tapeesa is 19, and I feel like that can be one of the trickiest ages to write realistically - balancing that fresh-out-of-childhood confidence with growing maturity. And to me at least, she felt very authentic. Tapeesa is steady; she doesn’t rush into decisions, and she’s also been a bit of a parental figure herself to Esther. Eldest daughters and sisters often become parentified or feel responsible for their younger siblings, but in Tapeesa’s case, her dad is dead and her mom is often drunk or entirely absent. Luckily, Ahna looks after them and is a good role model, but Tapeesa feels constant guilt that Ahna is put in that position instead of them caring for her as she ages.
And in addition to feeling that responsibility for Esther, Tapeesa also feels responsibility over her home and wants to protect it. She’s interested in leaving temporarily for additional education, but she feels anxious about stepping away even for a moment - and also a bit of guilt over expressing the desire to leave, especially since Esther talks about it nonstop. It’s a compelling internal struggle, and outside of all that, Tapeesa is just a great narrator. She shifts her all her attention immediately to Esther when she goes missing, and she’ll do anything to find her, but she’s clever and cautious, too. And she listens to everyone and their warnings.
There’s some interesting commentary here on being a “perfect victim” and how quickly and easily it is for group mentality to take over and pick apart a person who’s struggling. At the start of the story, Esther is framed as almost-perfect and adored by everyone. But right before she goes missing, she has one night of teenage drinking. And that’s all that the village needs to dismiss her instead and assume she’s out on her own somewhere instead of believing Tapeesa.
I also thought the generational gaps were interesting here - the younger characters want to fight back. They believe that maybe the government will help with the miners, and they never bite their tongues. The elders, however, take more of a step back. They’re confident that their words won’t matter, but that things will even out in the end if you just let the circumstances play out (and accept the losses along the way).
There’s constant injustices here, and different sorts of violence (against people, against the land, and just general colonial exploitation). We have a monster on the prowl, and that creature is a shapeshifter who takes many forms. A shapeshifter that can assume your identity forces you to look keenly at your own identity, especially when you find yourself connecting with it or wishing you could end some of these human villains yourself.
What do we become in order to fight off evil? Is the kushtuka a predator or a protector? Is it about survival or bloodthirstiness? These are chilling questions that the book only ever answers in shades of gray.
It’s a little bit of “people coming back wrong”, it’s a heaving sprinkling of Alaskan Native folklore, and it’s a lot of slow-burn atmospheric tension and emotional trauma. I do think we sometimes leaned too heavily on repetitive conversations about Tapeesa’s future when I was ready to get more into the action, but when it hits, it HITS. This is eerie, gory, and has quite a satisfying ending (which you’ll find familiar if you also discovered Zeller’s writing from Never Whistle at Night).
CW: murder, body horror, gore, violence, gaslighting, animal cruelty/death, colonization, racism, misogyny, slurs, sexism, vomit, stalking, sexual harassment, threat of rape
Follow me on social media for book recommendations!
(I received an advance reader copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
Tapeesa is a young adult who works at her local fish processing plant in her home village of Chukchi. Her mom warns her about her bad blood, which she’s been locked onto ever since the bloody circumstances of her dad’s death a decade earlier. Her Ahna warns her about myths like the kushtuka, who shapeshifts into loved ones and lures you away. Her little sister Esther bewitches everyone with her beauty and charm, and her best friend (and maybe more?) Pana is steady and hardworking with his dogs, but she’s not quite sure what she wants for her own future.
And when a new crew of greedy white men enter the Alaskan wilderness to open a mine, they cause friction throughout the village. Tapeesa is wary of them to start with, and when Esther goes missing, she’ll do anything to bring her home safely. But the darkness is dangerous, and with shapeshifters on the prowl, you never quite know who you can trust.
“We deserve better choices than we have.”
Tapeesa is 19, and I feel like that can be one of the trickiest ages to write realistically - balancing that fresh-out-of-childhood confidence with growing maturity. And to me at least, she felt very authentic. Tapeesa is steady; she doesn’t rush into decisions, and she’s also been a bit of a parental figure herself to Esther. Eldest daughters and sisters often become parentified or feel responsible for their younger siblings, but in Tapeesa’s case, her dad is dead and her mom is often drunk or entirely absent. Luckily, Ahna looks after them and is a good role model, but Tapeesa feels constant guilt that Ahna is put in that position instead of them caring for her as she ages.
And in addition to feeling that responsibility for Esther, Tapeesa also feels responsibility over her home and wants to protect it. She’s interested in leaving temporarily for additional education, but she feels anxious about stepping away even for a moment - and also a bit of guilt over expressing the desire to leave, especially since Esther talks about it nonstop. It’s a compelling internal struggle, and outside of all that, Tapeesa is just a great narrator. She shifts her all her attention immediately to Esther when she goes missing, and she’ll do anything to find her, but she’s clever and cautious, too. And she listens to everyone and their warnings.
There’s some interesting commentary here on being a “perfect victim” and how quickly and easily it is for group mentality to take over and pick apart a person who’s struggling. At the start of the story, Esther is framed as almost-perfect and adored by everyone. But right before she goes missing, she has one night of teenage drinking. And that’s all that the village needs to dismiss her instead and assume she’s out on her own somewhere instead of believing Tapeesa.
I also thought the generational gaps were interesting here - the younger characters want to fight back. They believe that maybe the government will help with the miners, and they never bite their tongues. The elders, however, take more of a step back. They’re confident that their words won’t matter, but that things will even out in the end if you just let the circumstances play out (and accept the losses along the way).
There’s constant injustices here, and different sorts of violence (against people, against the land, and just general colonial exploitation). We have a monster on the prowl, and that creature is a shapeshifter who takes many forms. A shapeshifter that can assume your identity forces you to look keenly at your own identity, especially when you find yourself connecting with it or wishing you could end some of these human villains yourself.
What do we become in order to fight off evil? Is the kushtuka a predator or a protector? Is it about survival or bloodthirstiness? These are chilling questions that the book only ever answers in shades of gray.
It’s a little bit of “people coming back wrong”, it’s a heaving sprinkling of Alaskan Native folklore, and it’s a lot of slow-burn atmospheric tension and emotional trauma. I do think we sometimes leaned too heavily on repetitive conversations about Tapeesa’s future when I was ready to get more into the action, but when it hits, it HITS. This is eerie, gory, and has quite a satisfying ending (which you’ll find familiar if you also discovered Zeller’s writing from Never Whistle at Night).
CW: murder, body horror, gore, violence, gaslighting, animal cruelty/death, colonization, racism, misogyny, slurs, sexism, vomit, stalking, sexual harassment, threat of rape
Follow me on social media for book recommendations!
(I received an advance reader copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
October 16, 2026
Thank you Mathilda Zeller and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
I absolutely loved the mix of culture in this novel the use of the language, myth, and lore.
The characters were interesting and the setting could be considered a character in itself.
The story itself I didn't find scary like I think it was intended but it did have an overall creepy vibe.
The narration was great.
Good read.
I absolutely loved the mix of culture in this novel the use of the language, myth, and lore.
The characters were interesting and the setting could be considered a character in itself.
The story itself I didn't find scary like I think it was intended but it did have an overall creepy vibe.
The narration was great.
Good read.
October 14, 2026
"When people are insatiable, bad things happen," Aunt Max said. "They come up here because their hunger is bottomless, and they tend to run into things even hungrier than them. Things that are hungry for them." She smacked her lips and gave a satisfied smile, as if she'd just pushed back from the table after a huge dinner. "Go on, kids. Go live your lives. Those guys digging that mine will sort themselves out."
This was brilliant - I've been waiting for it for a few months, and it's just so nice when something so anticipated is worth all that patience. Mathilda Zeller is new to me, but hopefully we get many more books from her - It Looks Like You in the Dark is top notch Arctic horror.
This was brilliant - I've been waiting for it for a few months, and it's just so nice when something so anticipated is worth all that patience. Mathilda Zeller is new to me, but hopefully we get many more books from her - It Looks Like You in the Dark is top notch Arctic horror.
August 9, 2026
Thank you Nightfire for my free ARC of It Looks Like You in the Dark by Mathilda Zeller — out Oct 13!
» READ IF YOU «
❄️ want Alaskan folklore-driven dread you can actually feel
👤 are freaked out by a monster that wears a loved one's face
⚠️ love horror that doubles as commentary on colonial greed
» SYNOPSIS «
Tapeesa has just graduated high school, and she's working a fish cannery job while she figures out the shape of her future. She's tired of being underestimated by her own family and by everyone she knows—which is every inhabitant of the small Alaskan village of Chukchi. Tapeesa's Aana tells her the legend of the kushtuka, a creature that takes the form of someone you love to lure you away forever. And when a predatory mining company arrives and her sister goes missing, Tapeesa will find out just how real that legend might be.
» REVIEW «
The atmosphere in this one is RELENTLESS! Zeller writes the frozen Arctic and the isolation of Chukchi so realistically, and the folk horror elements are deliciously unsettling. I finished this book home alone, late at night, and spent a solid hour afterward jumping at eeeeevery creak and shadow. 10/10 for the atmosphere doing its job. And I mean, come on—a monster that takes on the guise of someone you love and trust has got to be one of the most effective horror premises out there, and Zeller wrings every bit of dread out of it.
Underneath the freaky folklore, there's some real political commentary too—the white miners encroaching on Chukchi gives the horror an added layer of rage that never feels heavy-handed, just true. Tapeesa is a great lead to carry all of it, easy to root for and so well-written as a young woman trying to figure out what to do with her life after high school. This was a fast and frightening debut that made me literally sleep with the lights on. Don't miss it!
» RATING «
❄️ I'm Shivering ❄️
» READ-A-LIKES «
• Never Whistle at Night edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. (her short story "Kushtuka" is the opener)
• Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogers
• Head Count (movie)
• The Mean Ones by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne
» READ IF YOU «
❄️ want Alaskan folklore-driven dread you can actually feel
👤 are freaked out by a monster that wears a loved one's face
⚠️ love horror that doubles as commentary on colonial greed
» SYNOPSIS «
Tapeesa has just graduated high school, and she's working a fish cannery job while she figures out the shape of her future. She's tired of being underestimated by her own family and by everyone she knows—which is every inhabitant of the small Alaskan village of Chukchi. Tapeesa's Aana tells her the legend of the kushtuka, a creature that takes the form of someone you love to lure you away forever. And when a predatory mining company arrives and her sister goes missing, Tapeesa will find out just how real that legend might be.
» REVIEW «
The atmosphere in this one is RELENTLESS! Zeller writes the frozen Arctic and the isolation of Chukchi so realistically, and the folk horror elements are deliciously unsettling. I finished this book home alone, late at night, and spent a solid hour afterward jumping at eeeeevery creak and shadow. 10/10 for the atmosphere doing its job. And I mean, come on—a monster that takes on the guise of someone you love and trust has got to be one of the most effective horror premises out there, and Zeller wrings every bit of dread out of it.
Underneath the freaky folklore, there's some real political commentary too—the white miners encroaching on Chukchi gives the horror an added layer of rage that never feels heavy-handed, just true. Tapeesa is a great lead to carry all of it, easy to root for and so well-written as a young woman trying to figure out what to do with her life after high school. This was a fast and frightening debut that made me literally sleep with the lights on. Don't miss it!
» RATING «
❄️ I'm Shivering ❄️
» READ-A-LIKES «
• Never Whistle at Night edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. (her short story "Kushtuka" is the opener)
• Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogers
• Head Count (movie)
• The Mean Ones by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne
October 11, 2026
Tapesa, just out of high school, lives with her mother and sister in a Inupiat village in northern Alaska. A new mining company has arrived promising jobs and prosperity, but this had happened before and every time, along with the promises, they have brought ecological disaster and death.When her sister goes missing, Tapesa is determined to find her but what she encounters in the dark outside her village is much worse than she could ever have imagined.
It Looks Like You In the Dark by Mathilda Zeller is a dark atmospheric horror story steeped in Inupiat lore. The isolated setting in northern Alaska gives the reader a strong sense of place as well as helping to ramp up the tension. But, along with the supernatural horrors, and, perhaps more interesting at least for me living in northern Ontario, it provides a glimpse of the environmental racism and devastation Indigenous nations face and have faced throughout most of the north for decades.
This is a compelling tale that kept the chills coming throughout and I recommend it highly. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Zorga Qaunaq who does an exceptional job of building place and tension.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for this early audiobook in exchange for an honest review
It Looks Like You In the Dark by Mathilda Zeller is a dark atmospheric horror story steeped in Inupiat lore. The isolated setting in northern Alaska gives the reader a strong sense of place as well as helping to ramp up the tension. But, along with the supernatural horrors, and, perhaps more interesting at least for me living in northern Ontario, it provides a glimpse of the environmental racism and devastation Indigenous nations face and have faced throughout most of the north for decades.
This is a compelling tale that kept the chills coming throughout and I recommend it highly. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Zorga Qaunaq who does an exceptional job of building place and tension.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for this early audiobook in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 3 stars
It Looks Like You in the Dark by Mathilda Zeller is an atmospheric Indigenous horror debut set in a remote Iñupiat village in Alaska. It will be published October 13, 2026.
The story follows Tapeesa, a young woman newly out of high school who works at a fish processing plant in her small village. I loved the setting—Alaska is not somewhere I encounter often in fiction, and Zeller creates such a strong sense of place. The isolation, darkness, wilderness, and tight-knit community all work especially well for a slow-burn horror story.
At the center of the novel is a creature from Indigenous folklore, the kushtuka, which can appear in the form of someone you love. That becomes particularly terrifying for Tapeesa because her sister, Esther, has recently gone missing. At the same time, outsiders continue to descend upon the area, and some of them have disappeared as well. The novel weaves supernatural horror together with the very real history of outsiders exploiting Indigenous land and communities.
This is definitely a slow burn, and I think readers who particularly enjoy folklore-driven horror will appreciate it more than I did. I liked the story and thought it was a solid debut, but it never quite grabbed me enough to move beyond a three-star read.
I also had mixed feelings about the audiobook performance. Zorga Qaunaq has a pleasant voice, but the narration felt somewhat restrained to me. I tend to prefer more vocal variation and differentiation in tone, especially in a story with this much atmosphere and tension. Because of that, I suspect I might have connected more strongly with this one in print.
Overall, It Looks Like You in the Dark is an interesting debut with a wonderfully unusual setting, a compelling use of Indigenous folklore, and a strong sense of atmosphere. I’ll be interested to see what Mathilda Zeller writes next.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for gifting me the advanced listening copy.
It Looks Like You in the Dark by Mathilda Zeller is an atmospheric Indigenous horror debut set in a remote Iñupiat village in Alaska. It will be published October 13, 2026.
The story follows Tapeesa, a young woman newly out of high school who works at a fish processing plant in her small village. I loved the setting—Alaska is not somewhere I encounter often in fiction, and Zeller creates such a strong sense of place. The isolation, darkness, wilderness, and tight-knit community all work especially well for a slow-burn horror story.
At the center of the novel is a creature from Indigenous folklore, the kushtuka, which can appear in the form of someone you love. That becomes particularly terrifying for Tapeesa because her sister, Esther, has recently gone missing. At the same time, outsiders continue to descend upon the area, and some of them have disappeared as well. The novel weaves supernatural horror together with the very real history of outsiders exploiting Indigenous land and communities.
This is definitely a slow burn, and I think readers who particularly enjoy folklore-driven horror will appreciate it more than I did. I liked the story and thought it was a solid debut, but it never quite grabbed me enough to move beyond a three-star read.
I also had mixed feelings about the audiobook performance. Zorga Qaunaq has a pleasant voice, but the narration felt somewhat restrained to me. I tend to prefer more vocal variation and differentiation in tone, especially in a story with this much atmosphere and tension. Because of that, I suspect I might have connected more strongly with this one in print.
Overall, It Looks Like You in the Dark is an interesting debut with a wonderfully unusual setting, a compelling use of Indigenous folklore, and a strong sense of atmosphere. I’ll be interested to see what Mathilda Zeller writes next.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for gifting me the advanced listening copy.
October 17, 2026
Thank you to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for providing access to this ebook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Haunting and tense, It Looks Like You In The Dark is a captivating novel that intertwines supernatural horror with the detrimental past remnants and ever-present dangers of greed, colonization and exploitation within an Indigenous community.
Reading It Looks Like You In The Dark often made me feel furious as the novel’s protagonist, a young woman named Tapeesa, had to repeatedly endure not only the disrespect and patronizing behavior from the wealthy men who sought to consume the resources within her village, but also the manipulative behavior from someone meant to protect her.
Nevertheless, I appreciated the glimpses into Iñupiat culture, particularly the language, the history and the different types of food that were mentioned. The folklore presented within It Looks Like You In The Dark was also very intriguing and the atmospheric writing made the isolation and the often-encompassing darkness even more unsettling.
I regret that I wasn’t able to read Don’t Whistle At Night prior to It Looks Like You In The Dark’s release to offer a proper comparison, but the possibility of a creature that resembles someone you love attempting to lead you away was a frightening one.
It was also an good representation of an expressed sentiment of how wishes made to a particular deity could inevitably cause pain to the one who made it, as a creature feeding upon those who were causing harm could also potentially harm those in need along with those who were “deserving” of it.
While a part of me felt somewhat vindicated at certain gory points of the novel, the situations that lead to some of those moments were an unfortunate reminder that not every person required a frightening form to behave monstrously.
Although the novel touches upon serious topics and dark experiences, It Looks Like You In The Dark still maintains a measure of hope for its characters and the future. I would recommend it to a reader who is interested in an unsettling novel that focuses upon Indigenous culture and horror.
Haunting and tense, It Looks Like You In The Dark is a captivating novel that intertwines supernatural horror with the detrimental past remnants and ever-present dangers of greed, colonization and exploitation within an Indigenous community.
Reading It Looks Like You In The Dark often made me feel furious as the novel’s protagonist, a young woman named Tapeesa, had to repeatedly endure not only the disrespect and patronizing behavior from the wealthy men who sought to consume the resources within her village, but also the manipulative behavior from someone meant to protect her.
Nevertheless, I appreciated the glimpses into Iñupiat culture, particularly the language, the history and the different types of food that were mentioned. The folklore presented within It Looks Like You In The Dark was also very intriguing and the atmospheric writing made the isolation and the often-encompassing darkness even more unsettling.
I regret that I wasn’t able to read Don’t Whistle At Night prior to It Looks Like You In The Dark’s release to offer a proper comparison, but the possibility of a creature that resembles someone you love attempting to lead you away was a frightening one.
It was also an good representation of an expressed sentiment of how wishes made to a particular deity could inevitably cause pain to the one who made it, as a creature feeding upon those who were causing harm could also potentially harm those in need along with those who were “deserving” of it.
While a part of me felt somewhat vindicated at certain gory points of the novel, the situations that lead to some of those moments were an unfortunate reminder that not every person required a frightening form to behave monstrously.
Although the novel touches upon serious topics and dark experiences, It Looks Like You In The Dark still maintains a measure of hope for its characters and the future. I would recommend it to a reader who is interested in an unsettling novel that focuses upon Indigenous culture and horror.
October 23, 2026
This was the best version of what a horror book should be - a little spooky in an unknowable way, and a lot filled with outrage at injustice.
Set in a remote Iñupiat village in Alaska, the story follows Tapeesa after her sister disappears amid plans for a new rare-earths mine. As she searches for her, a dangerous creature from Iñupiat folklore begins stalking both locals and the outsiders exploiting their lan
The horror never feels separate from the real world. The supernatural elements sit alongside violence, prejudice and inherited trauma, until you start to question which parts are supposed to frighten you more.
There is something deeply effective about horror used this way, where the strange and unknowable gives shape to anger that is otherwise difficult to contain.
Superbly executed.
Set in a remote Iñupiat village in Alaska, the story follows Tapeesa after her sister disappears amid plans for a new rare-earths mine. As she searches for her, a dangerous creature from Iñupiat folklore begins stalking both locals and the outsiders exploiting their lan
The horror never feels separate from the real world. The supernatural elements sit alongside violence, prejudice and inherited trauma, until you start to question which parts are supposed to frighten you more.
There is something deeply effective about horror used this way, where the strange and unknowable gives shape to anger that is otherwise difficult to contain.
Superbly executed.
October 25, 2026
This novella is a thriller that straddles the line of horror. Tabeesa is 19 and lives in a Native community in Northern Alaska. A corporation wants to reopen the nearby lead mine to extract rare earth minerals (not well known at the time the novella is set, the mid-nineties). The white men who arrive to open seem okay to start. But then Tabeesa's sister goes missing, and no one wants to help find her...
This is atmospheric and scary, with blood, gore, and vomit enough to make me a little nauseated. I loved the setting and character of Tabeesa, although sometimes she was so 19-years-old I was frustrated with her choices. In the horror way, everything ends up okay... but not for everyone. The prose and narration are top notch - I highly recommend the audio for this one, as it's written in first person AND includes dialogue and songs in Tabeesa's native language. Definitely a good choice for when the days get shorter and colder, and you want to feel just a little scared.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audiobook.
This is atmospheric and scary, with blood, gore, and vomit enough to make me a little nauseated. I loved the setting and character of Tabeesa, although sometimes she was so 19-years-old I was frustrated with her choices. In the horror way, everything ends up okay... but not for everyone. The prose and narration are top notch - I highly recommend the audio for this one, as it's written in first person AND includes dialogue and songs in Tabeesa's native language. Definitely a good choice for when the days get shorter and colder, and you want to feel just a little scared.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with a gifted ALC copy of It Looks Like You In the Dark. All opinions are my own.
Narrator: Zorga Qaunaq
Time: 8 hours 16 minutes
If you love horror then you definitely need to add Mathilda Zeller’s Indigenous horror book to your TBR! It Looks Like You In the Dark satisfies all of those feelings of rage towards those who exploit, manipulate, and abuse others because of their greed and entitlement.
Tapeesa’s POV kept me riveted in the story and I loved the way she fought for the people in her village. The Alaskan setting and cultural background of the Inupiaq people were both big highlights of the story for me. I also loved listening to this one on audio and hearing the name pronunciations and songs in the Indigenous language.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* CW: Gore, Death, Abuse, R*pe
* Indigenous Horror
* Alaskan Folklore
* Colonizing & Greed
* Feminine Rage
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🌶️
It Looks Like You In the Dark is definitely a great coming of age horror book and I highly recommend it if you have read and loved books like What Hunger and Chlorine.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with a gifted ALC copy of It Looks Like You In the Dark. All opinions are my own.
Narrator: Zorga Qaunaq
Time: 8 hours 16 minutes
If you love horror then you definitely need to add Mathilda Zeller’s Indigenous horror book to your TBR! It Looks Like You In the Dark satisfies all of those feelings of rage towards those who exploit, manipulate, and abuse others because of their greed and entitlement.
Tapeesa’s POV kept me riveted in the story and I loved the way she fought for the people in her village. The Alaskan setting and cultural background of the Inupiaq people were both big highlights of the story for me. I also loved listening to this one on audio and hearing the name pronunciations and songs in the Indigenous language.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* CW: Gore, Death, Abuse, R*pe
* Indigenous Horror
* Alaskan Folklore
* Colonizing & Greed
* Feminine Rage
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🌶️
It Looks Like You In the Dark is definitely a great coming of age horror book and I highly recommend it if you have read and loved books like What Hunger and Chlorine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh ok Mathilda, I see you! (And really hoping nothing sees ME back 😉)
In It Looks Like You in the Dark we follow Tapeesa and the events that follow when her sister Esther goes missing. Should Tapeesa be afraid of the stories of the kushtuka her Ahna told her about, or something still more sinister lurking in the village of Chukchi? (Short answer: yes.)
I came into this story completely blind as Never Whistle at Night is on my TBR but I just haven't gotten to it yet 😩So I really didn't know what I was in for and all I can say is this story really did grab me by the throat as promised! I really loved how all the elements of this story wove together and blended so seamlessly with one another. The Inupiat folklore, the tense dread of Esther being missing, and the simmering undercurrent of the danger Hank presented. I will admit that initially this story was a slow burn, but at the same time I felt like a boiled frog. Everything just kept heating up and getting more and more tense until things came to a head with that ending!
I know I'm not really describing a lot of what happened, it's intentional. I think you should come into the story with zero expectations, just let the author take you on this journey. After you finish this book and find yourself itching for more, I'd recommend True Detective: Night Country. I can't wait to read more from this author and I can't wait to meet her at my local bookstore SOON!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to listen to an ALC and provide an honest review, all opinions are my own.
In It Looks Like You in the Dark we follow Tapeesa and the events that follow when her sister Esther goes missing. Should Tapeesa be afraid of the stories of the kushtuka her Ahna told her about, or something still more sinister lurking in the village of Chukchi? (Short answer: yes.)
I came into this story completely blind as Never Whistle at Night is on my TBR but I just haven't gotten to it yet 😩So I really didn't know what I was in for and all I can say is this story really did grab me by the throat as promised! I really loved how all the elements of this story wove together and blended so seamlessly with one another. The Inupiat folklore, the tense dread of Esther being missing, and the simmering undercurrent of the danger Hank presented. I will admit that initially this story was a slow burn, but at the same time I felt like a boiled frog. Everything just kept heating up and getting more and more tense until things came to a head with that ending!
I know I'm not really describing a lot of what happened, it's intentional. I think you should come into the story with zero expectations, just let the author take you on this journey. After you finish this book and find yourself itching for more, I'd recommend True Detective: Night Country. I can't wait to read more from this author and I can't wait to meet her at my local bookstore SOON!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to listen to an ALC and provide an honest review, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ALC Review | It Looks Like You in the Dark
Author: Mathilda Zeller
Series: Kobuk Valley Series
Release Date: October 13, 2026
What initially grabbed my attention was the Alaska setting and the Indigenous folklore. The idea of the kushtuka, a creature that takes the form of someone you love to lure you into the darkness, was creepy and fascinating from the start.
This story follows Tapeesa as she searches for her missing sister while uncovering disturbing secrets tied to her community, the land and the people who seek to exploit it. I especially appreciated the Indigenous representation and the way the story explored themes of family, culture, and the connection between people and the land.
While the book didn't completely hook me to the point where I couldn't wait to pick it back up, it was compelling enough that I wanted to see how everything unfolded. The pacing felt slow at times, but the folklore, atmospheric setting, and mystery kept me invested.
The audiobook narration by Zorga Qaunaq was well done and helped bring Tapeesa's story and the chilling atmosphere of the Arctic wilderness to life.
Overall, this was a unique Indigenous horror debut that blended folklore, supernatural elements, and important social themes into an eerie and memorable read.
Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @mathildazellerauthor for the ALC.
Author: Mathilda Zeller
Series: Kobuk Valley Series
Release Date: October 13, 2026
What initially grabbed my attention was the Alaska setting and the Indigenous folklore. The idea of the kushtuka, a creature that takes the form of someone you love to lure you into the darkness, was creepy and fascinating from the start.
This story follows Tapeesa as she searches for her missing sister while uncovering disturbing secrets tied to her community, the land and the people who seek to exploit it. I especially appreciated the Indigenous representation and the way the story explored themes of family, culture, and the connection between people and the land.
While the book didn't completely hook me to the point where I couldn't wait to pick it back up, it was compelling enough that I wanted to see how everything unfolded. The pacing felt slow at times, but the folklore, atmospheric setting, and mystery kept me invested.
The audiobook narration by Zorga Qaunaq was well done and helped bring Tapeesa's story and the chilling atmosphere of the Arctic wilderness to life.
Overall, this was a unique Indigenous horror debut that blended folklore, supernatural elements, and important social themes into an eerie and memorable read.
Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @mathildazellerauthor for the ALC.
October 11, 2026
“This was it, how we all ended: defeated by their brutality, in a world that would choose them and forget about us.”
So there I was, minding my own business, reading chapter 23 of It Looks Like You in the Dark. Suddenly I realized this reminded me of my favorite short story called Kushtuka, from the collection Never Whistle at Night. Im the kind of reader that goes into every book blind, so I decided I waddled over to my bookshelf as fast as my little legs could go so I could be sure. Then boom, there it was! My mind is BLOWN! That story has stuck with me 2 YEARS. But the full length novel??? FUCKING PERFECTION. This is such a bleak story and is filled with hardship and heartache. It’s atmospheric in the most chilling way, and will have you peeking over your shoulder as you walk down the halls in your own home. But that ending was everything I needed and more 🥹 I’m so happy that this book is now finally out for the world to experience 😍
Thank you so much to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for my arc of It Looks Like You in the Dark!
So there I was, minding my own business, reading chapter 23 of It Looks Like You in the Dark. Suddenly I realized this reminded me of my favorite short story called Kushtuka, from the collection Never Whistle at Night. Im the kind of reader that goes into every book blind, so I decided I waddled over to my bookshelf as fast as my little legs could go so I could be sure. Then boom, there it was! My mind is BLOWN! That story has stuck with me 2 YEARS. But the full length novel??? FUCKING PERFECTION. This is such a bleak story and is filled with hardship and heartache. It’s atmospheric in the most chilling way, and will have you peeking over your shoulder as you walk down the halls in your own home. But that ending was everything I needed and more 🥹 I’m so happy that this book is now finally out for the world to experience 😍
Thank you so much to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for my arc of It Looks Like You in the Dark!
October 10, 2026
Thank you @tornightfire + @macmillan.audio for the ARC + ALC ♡
🌄💓 In autumn I am reading either fall romance or fall horrors and this lands firmly in the latter category.
🎣 ⛏️🌊 Missing indigenous girls and murdered townspeople in a mining town, and a coming of age story where the cold, remote Alaskan wilderness will steep into your soul.
Rare earth minerals and elements have drawn mining companies to profit off the land, but it also has awaken an ancient monster (Kushtuka). And that monster is hungry.
🐻❄️🐺🐋 I appreciated the food, culture, stories, and setting immensely. The underlying plot was a slower start and took me a while to settle into. The story leans YA horror with complicated family, def add to your TBR if you want to learn more about the Arctic!
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 I listened to an excerpt of this book first in Never Whistle at Night (horror anthology) and was excited to see it become a full length novel! I did a tandem listen of this one narrated by Zorga
https://www.instagram.com/p/DeUZY8hEWqh/
3.75⭐️ rounded up
🌄💓 In autumn I am reading either fall romance or fall horrors and this lands firmly in the latter category.
🎣 ⛏️🌊 Missing indigenous girls and murdered townspeople in a mining town, and a coming of age story where the cold, remote Alaskan wilderness will steep into your soul.
Rare earth minerals and elements have drawn mining companies to profit off the land, but it also has awaken an ancient monster (Kushtuka). And that monster is hungry.
🐻❄️🐺🐋 I appreciated the food, culture, stories, and setting immensely. The underlying plot was a slower start and took me a while to settle into. The story leans YA horror with complicated family, def add to your TBR if you want to learn more about the Arctic!
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 I listened to an excerpt of this book first in Never Whistle at Night (horror anthology) and was excited to see it become a full length novel! I did a tandem listen of this one narrated by Zorga
https://www.instagram.com/p/DeUZY8hEWqh/
3.75⭐️ rounded up
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
There was a lot to like about this story! Lately, I've been realizing how little indigenous folklore I'm actually aware of and it's very exciting to be getting more of it in literature.
I found the monster to be absolutely terrifying, but I wished that the execution was a little stronger. With the characters lacking depth - often seeming like they had no emotions about what was going on - the terror wasn't fully realized and it was hard to root for anyone. However, I do appreciate how easy it was to hate the villains.
The unfortunate reality of how natives are and were treated by police and anyone from outside the village was done exceptionally well, leaving me full of rage!
The prose was often repetitive and the characters' dialogue felt incongruous with the tone and the setting.
As a reader, this was very entertaining.
As an editor, I wish this had another round or two of editing and revision.
Overall, 3/5 stars. Worth reading, would recommend to anyone looking for more literature including indigenous folklore.
I found the monster to be absolutely terrifying, but I wished that the execution was a little stronger. With the characters lacking depth - often seeming like they had no emotions about what was going on - the terror wasn't fully realized and it was hard to root for anyone. However, I do appreciate how easy it was to hate the villains.
The unfortunate reality of how natives are and were treated by police and anyone from outside the village was done exceptionally well, leaving me full of rage!
The prose was often repetitive and the characters' dialogue felt incongruous with the tone and the setting.
As a reader, this was very entertaining.
As an editor, I wish this had another round or two of editing and revision.
Overall, 3/5 stars. Worth reading, would recommend to anyone looking for more literature including indigenous folklore.
April 30, 2026
I had the immense pleasure of meeting Mathilda Zeller in Cleveland at the GLIBA Spring Forum when I received this ARC. After hearing her discussion with Kyle Winkler, I was genuinely intrigued to read her book. I’m so grateful to have received this ARC and give it an honest review.
As someone who is just beginning to dip their toes into the horror genre, I appreciated Zeller’s work immensely. This story gripped my attention from the beginning and the pace never slowed. It was incredible how a relatively short book could induce such a number of conflicting emotions. Although this is a work of fiction, Zeller was capable of weaving some of the horrifying realities that indigenous people have and continue to face.
This was a solid 5 star read for me and I simply cannot wait to see what else Zeller writes next! If you want a fast-paced, thrilling, rage-inducing, educational story crafted with indigenous folklore — this is the book for you!
As someone who is just beginning to dip their toes into the horror genre, I appreciated Zeller’s work immensely. This story gripped my attention from the beginning and the pace never slowed. It was incredible how a relatively short book could induce such a number of conflicting emotions. Although this is a work of fiction, Zeller was capable of weaving some of the horrifying realities that indigenous people have and continue to face.
This was a solid 5 star read for me and I simply cannot wait to see what else Zeller writes next! If you want a fast-paced, thrilling, rage-inducing, educational story crafted with indigenous folklore — this is the book for you!
October 21, 2026
The nitty-gritty: Monsters both human and supernatural inhabit the pages of It Looks Like You in the Dark, a thoughtful and sometimes frightening Indigenous horror story.
“I understood it, her, whatever the monster was. Her hunger was my hunger, as familiar as it was horrifying.”
Based on the dark, moody cover, I was excited to read It Looks Like You in the Dark, a story set in Alaska that follows a small group of indigenous people called the Iñupiat. And even though it took some time to get going, I ended up enjoying this a lot. The horror is the kind that creeps up on you and the pace is fairly slow, but if you enjoy slow-burn stories that are more dread-filled than horrific, this could be a good fit.
We follow nineteen year old Tapeesa and her family and friends in 1994, who live a simple but mostly fulfilling life in the harsh climate of Alaska. Tapeesa is content to stay in their little village, but her younger sister Esther wants to leave and experience life in a bustling city and meet new people. Tapeesa, though, loves her predictable life, until one day a man named Hank Ferryman comes into town, representing a company called DrilTek. Hank has his sights set on reopening the local mine, which is full of the rare earth minerals necessary for the production of computers, a soon to be booming industry. Hank promises jobs and a good income to the locals, and most of them are excited for this new opportunity.
Tapeesa isn’t so sure, though. She doesn’t trust Hank, and later it turns out she’s right. Coinciding with Hank’s arrival, Tapeesa starts seeing a menacing figure with long black hair and sharp teeth hanging around. And when her beloved sister Esther goes missing, Tapeesa fears that the monster in the woods might be responsible.
Mathilda Zeller does a fantastic job of establishing a sense of place: the cold, snowy setting, the dark nights full of shadows, even the smell of fish that pervades everything (Tapeesa works in a fish cannery and her work involves gutting fish). Through thoughtful character work, she's also created a tight knit community who work together and protect each other. Tapeesa and her friends are leery of outsiders like Hank and his team of miners, and this tension adds to the supernatural danger the town is facing.
I also loved the strong folklore aspects of the story. Storytelling is important in this society, and kids grow up learning about all kinds of monsters. Tapeesa believes the creature stalking them is a Kushtuka, something that is able to take on the appearance of a loved one and lure you away from safety. Although the horror is more on the subtle side, it’s very effective once you’re in the middle of it, and I liked that it’s a little vague and let’s readers draw their own conclusions about what’s happening. The story was surprisingly cinematic, and I think It Looks Like You in the Dark would work well as a movie or TV show in the right director’s hands.
Several themes are woven throughout the story, like the negative effects of mining which could impact the health of the villagers as well as the environment. The author also talks about the freedom of choice, for example Tapeesa has a thirst for learning and wants to go away to college, but at the same time she doesn’t want to leave her home. I thought these themes were pretty well balanced with the horror elements, although I would have liked even more horror (what a surprise!)
But the final “showdown” was fantastic. Expect some bloody, graphic violence, which ramps up the tension and fits perfectly with the story.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
“I understood it, her, whatever the monster was. Her hunger was my hunger, as familiar as it was horrifying.”
Based on the dark, moody cover, I was excited to read It Looks Like You in the Dark, a story set in Alaska that follows a small group of indigenous people called the Iñupiat. And even though it took some time to get going, I ended up enjoying this a lot. The horror is the kind that creeps up on you and the pace is fairly slow, but if you enjoy slow-burn stories that are more dread-filled than horrific, this could be a good fit.
We follow nineteen year old Tapeesa and her family and friends in 1994, who live a simple but mostly fulfilling life in the harsh climate of Alaska. Tapeesa is content to stay in their little village, but her younger sister Esther wants to leave and experience life in a bustling city and meet new people. Tapeesa, though, loves her predictable life, until one day a man named Hank Ferryman comes into town, representing a company called DrilTek. Hank has his sights set on reopening the local mine, which is full of the rare earth minerals necessary for the production of computers, a soon to be booming industry. Hank promises jobs and a good income to the locals, and most of them are excited for this new opportunity.
Tapeesa isn’t so sure, though. She doesn’t trust Hank, and later it turns out she’s right. Coinciding with Hank’s arrival, Tapeesa starts seeing a menacing figure with long black hair and sharp teeth hanging around. And when her beloved sister Esther goes missing, Tapeesa fears that the monster in the woods might be responsible.
Mathilda Zeller does a fantastic job of establishing a sense of place: the cold, snowy setting, the dark nights full of shadows, even the smell of fish that pervades everything (Tapeesa works in a fish cannery and her work involves gutting fish). Through thoughtful character work, she's also created a tight knit community who work together and protect each other. Tapeesa and her friends are leery of outsiders like Hank and his team of miners, and this tension adds to the supernatural danger the town is facing.
I also loved the strong folklore aspects of the story. Storytelling is important in this society, and kids grow up learning about all kinds of monsters. Tapeesa believes the creature stalking them is a Kushtuka, something that is able to take on the appearance of a loved one and lure you away from safety. Although the horror is more on the subtle side, it’s very effective once you’re in the middle of it, and I liked that it’s a little vague and let’s readers draw their own conclusions about what’s happening. The story was surprisingly cinematic, and I think It Looks Like You in the Dark would work well as a movie or TV show in the right director’s hands.
Several themes are woven throughout the story, like the negative effects of mining which could impact the health of the villagers as well as the environment. The author also talks about the freedom of choice, for example Tapeesa has a thirst for learning and wants to go away to college, but at the same time she doesn’t want to leave her home. I thought these themes were pretty well balanced with the horror elements, although I would have liked even more horror (what a surprise!)
But the final “showdown” was fantastic. Expect some bloody, graphic violence, which ramps up the tension and fits perfectly with the story.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It Looks Like You in the Dark by Mathilda Zeller
ALC review
Pub date 13 Oct 2026 from MacMillion Audio,
Narrated by Zorga Qaunaq.
1994 Chukchi, Alaska
This story is told through the eyes of 19yo Tapeesa Filipović. She lives with her mother and younger sister in a small, remote village in Alaska. A mining company’s arrival promises jobs and money. Some in the village blindly see the possibility of a “better” life, funded by outsiders. These promises have been made before, with disastrous results. Why would this time be any different?
Steeped in Iñupiat culture, the atmospheric setting is a perfect backdrop for a horror tale. It’s dialog heavy and that worked so well for the audiobook. Tapeesa is brave yet haunted and the narrator captures her perfectly. There’s an overall theme of good vs evil, one does not exist without the other, nothing is as it seems.
I felt Tapeesa’s rage and indignation, the desire to support her family but still keep them safe. I loved the old stories within the story. I could feel the oppressive dark and cold isolation, smell the moss and fish. I was transported to this little town and wanted to stay even when I was scared out of my mind.
My favorite part was never being sure of the real monster or if they were helping or hurting. So good!
Highly recommend for readers that enjoy atmospheric folklore, set in the 90’s with a badass FMC you’ll want to root for. The narrator captured the characters and inflection perfectly.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to be an advanced listener!
#MacMillianAudio #indigenousfolklore #netgalley #mustread
ALC review
Pub date 13 Oct 2026 from MacMillion Audio,
Narrated by Zorga Qaunaq.
1994 Chukchi, Alaska
This story is told through the eyes of 19yo Tapeesa Filipović. She lives with her mother and younger sister in a small, remote village in Alaska. A mining company’s arrival promises jobs and money. Some in the village blindly see the possibility of a “better” life, funded by outsiders. These promises have been made before, with disastrous results. Why would this time be any different?
Steeped in Iñupiat culture, the atmospheric setting is a perfect backdrop for a horror tale. It’s dialog heavy and that worked so well for the audiobook. Tapeesa is brave yet haunted and the narrator captures her perfectly. There’s an overall theme of good vs evil, one does not exist without the other, nothing is as it seems.
I felt Tapeesa’s rage and indignation, the desire to support her family but still keep them safe. I loved the old stories within the story. I could feel the oppressive dark and cold isolation, smell the moss and fish. I was transported to this little town and wanted to stay even when I was scared out of my mind.
My favorite part was never being sure of the real monster or if they were helping or hurting. So good!
Highly recommend for readers that enjoy atmospheric folklore, set in the 90’s with a badass FMC you’ll want to root for. The narrator captured the characters and inflection perfectly.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to be an advanced listener!
#MacMillianAudio #indigenousfolklore #netgalley #mustread
September 23, 2026
It Looks Like You In the Dark by Mathilda Zeller. Thanks to tornightfire for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tapeesa loves her small Alaskan fishing village. She has lived their her entire life and knows all the tales; even of the kushtuka, a creature that takes on the form of someone you know. When Tapeesa’s sister goes missing, she’ll do anything to get her back. Including following darkness in the wilderness.
The title of this one completely drew me in, despite the fact that I am not a huge fan of folklore horror. Please take my review with a grain of salt because it’s not my favorite horror trope. The story is very atmospheric, as one would hope for with folklore horror. We get a lot of native mythology and lore , which is perfect for adding the creepiness factor. The main characters are young, and it makes it feel like a young adult read at times. The language flows; the author is clearly talented. It took a little time for things to get started for me, as the suspense built but I felt the pacing was slow for a while. It’s definitely creepy and atmospheric. I think fans of folklore horror will enjoy it.
“If it was what we both thought it was, it was evil. Speaking of it could bring it here, back to the place where we first saw it, back to where we were burying its victim.”
Read if you like:
-Alaskan settings
-Native or Indigenous horror
-Atmospheric creepy reads
-Creature horror
It Looks Like You In the Dark comes out 10/13.
Tapeesa loves her small Alaskan fishing village. She has lived their her entire life and knows all the tales; even of the kushtuka, a creature that takes on the form of someone you know. When Tapeesa’s sister goes missing, she’ll do anything to get her back. Including following darkness in the wilderness.
The title of this one completely drew me in, despite the fact that I am not a huge fan of folklore horror. Please take my review with a grain of salt because it’s not my favorite horror trope. The story is very atmospheric, as one would hope for with folklore horror. We get a lot of native mythology and lore , which is perfect for adding the creepiness factor. The main characters are young, and it makes it feel like a young adult read at times. The language flows; the author is clearly talented. It took a little time for things to get started for me, as the suspense built but I felt the pacing was slow for a while. It’s definitely creepy and atmospheric. I think fans of folklore horror will enjoy it.
“If it was what we both thought it was, it was evil. Speaking of it could bring it here, back to the place where we first saw it, back to where we were burying its victim.”
Read if you like:
-Alaskan settings
-Native or Indigenous horror
-Atmospheric creepy reads
-Creature horror
It Looks Like You In the Dark comes out 10/13.
Read
October 19, 2026It Looks Like You in the Dark by Mathilda Zeller is an expansion of their story “Kushtaka” from Never Whistle At Night, an indigenous horror anthology. That was an incredibly haunting short story, so I was very excited to pick this one up. Our protagonist, Tapeesa, has just graduated high school and is working at a local fish cannery while she figures out what she wants to do next. Her Aana tells her the story of the Kushtaka, which is a creature that takes on the form of someone you love to lure you away for good. While she is working at the fish cannery, a predatory mining company comes to town, and Tapeesa’s sister goes missing. She learns just how real legends can be as she searches for her sister in her remote Alaskan village.
This book is bleak and so atmospheric. Zeller knows how to build tension and will have you looking over your shoulder at every creak or shift in the air. The Alaskan setting was amazing, and I could feel the ice and cold throughout the book. I loved the exploration of generational trauma, family, colonialism, the exploitation and murder of Indigenous women, and female rage that permeated the pages. This was relentless, unsettling, and unapologetic in its rage.
I highly recommend if you want supernatural horror, isolated atmospheric settings, female rage, and a good slow burn. The audiobook was also so well done! Thank you to Tor Nightfire, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing a free ARC.
This book is bleak and so atmospheric. Zeller knows how to build tension and will have you looking over your shoulder at every creak or shift in the air. The Alaskan setting was amazing, and I could feel the ice and cold throughout the book. I loved the exploration of generational trauma, family, colonialism, the exploitation and murder of Indigenous women, and female rage that permeated the pages. This was relentless, unsettling, and unapologetic in its rage.
I highly recommend if you want supernatural horror, isolated atmospheric settings, female rage, and a good slow burn. The audiobook was also so well done! Thank you to Tor Nightfire, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing a free ARC.
October 15, 2026
Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Tor Nightfire for the gifted copies!
“This was it, how we all ended: defeated by their brutality, in a world that would choose them and forget about us.”
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU IN THE DARK started as KUSHTUKA, a short story in the horror anthology NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT. The transition to a full-length debut novel is spectactular.
Tapeesa has lived in the Inupiat village of Chukchi in Alaska all her life, growing up with the stories of the kushtuka, hungry creatures that appear in the form of loved ones, and the stories of white men coming to their remote area when her grandfather was alive. But it's not the last time greedy white men come to the Kobuk River Valley... this time, they arrive to open a lead mine close to the village.
Once I started this book, could NOT stop listening. It's on the shorter side and perfectly paced to unravel all the gruesome details that appear as Hank and his team destroy the land and the Arctic becomes darker. The use of Indigenous folklore here was absolutely perfect, and the horror elements highlighted the impact of colonialism: disease, missing girls, disrespect of the land, and more. This was my first experience with Zorga Qaunaq as a narrator, but she did a FANTASTIC job and I was happy to see an Indigenous narrator chosen for this book.
I really appreciated this book and highly recommend it if you're looking to learn more about Alaskan Native culture and colonial impact, or if you are just a thriller / horror lover and are looking for a great book!
“This was it, how we all ended: defeated by their brutality, in a world that would choose them and forget about us.”
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU IN THE DARK started as KUSHTUKA, a short story in the horror anthology NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT. The transition to a full-length debut novel is spectactular.
Tapeesa has lived in the Inupiat village of Chukchi in Alaska all her life, growing up with the stories of the kushtuka, hungry creatures that appear in the form of loved ones, and the stories of white men coming to their remote area when her grandfather was alive. But it's not the last time greedy white men come to the Kobuk River Valley... this time, they arrive to open a lead mine close to the village.
Once I started this book, could NOT stop listening. It's on the shorter side and perfectly paced to unravel all the gruesome details that appear as Hank and his team destroy the land and the Arctic becomes darker. The use of Indigenous folklore here was absolutely perfect, and the horror elements highlighted the impact of colonialism: disease, missing girls, disrespect of the land, and more. This was my first experience with Zorga Qaunaq as a narrator, but she did a FANTASTIC job and I was happy to see an Indigenous narrator chosen for this book.
I really appreciated this book and highly recommend it if you're looking to learn more about Alaskan Native culture and colonial impact, or if you are just a thriller / horror lover and are looking for a great book!
September 19, 2026
It Looks Like You In The Dark slowly seeps under your skin then takes hold, refusing to let go. Mathilda Zeller's debut novel blends Inupiat folklore, supernatural horror, family dysfunction, unresolved grief, and the painful history of exploitation that feels deeply rooted and also genuinely unsettling. Tapeesa is a compelling protagonist. Her love for her land and her community shines strongly, making the search for her missing sister feel all the more personal. The relationships throughout the book felt authentic and messy, which in turn makes them believable. The monster itself is terrifying because of what it represents … exploiting the fear of losing that which you hold most dear. Zeller expertly weaves tension around this creature, letting the narrative unfold naturally and unhurriedly. The Alaskan setting is immersive, not just a backdrop but stitched to history, culture, conflict, and the pain of generations. The folklore elements feel essential to Tapeesa's world versus just exposition for the reader. There is a powerful undercurrent of anger surrounding exploitation of Indigenous peoples and their land. That anger makes the horror land that much harder. Emotional, atmospheric, and stunning, It Looks Like You In The Dark is a standout debut novel and I can't wait to see what else Mathilda has in store for us. Thank you Tor Nightfire for sending me an advance copy for review. Make sure you add this to your TBR and pick it up when it publishes October 13th, 2026 wherever you buy your books. Full coverage coming soon from Cemetery Dance!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**Thank you to Macmillian Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own**
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great blend of the supernatural and just the horrible things that people do, which is my favorite type of horror. And Zeller really nailed the sense of growing dread, especially at the end (though I had read her short story in Never Whistle at Night so at a certain point I did know exactly what was going to happen but I still really enjoyed it, hers was my favorite story in that collection!)
I've seen a few reviews that say it read as YA and I somewhat agree. The characters are young, just out of high school, and they act like it. I think an YA audience would really enjoy this book. And I really enjoyed it as an adult as well.
The narration was excellent, I really enjoyed Zorga Qaunaq's performance. She really brought the characters to life.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great blend of the supernatural and just the horrible things that people do, which is my favorite type of horror. And Zeller really nailed the sense of growing dread, especially at the end (though I had read her short story in Never Whistle at Night so at a certain point I did know exactly what was going to happen but I still really enjoyed it, hers was my favorite story in that collection!)
I've seen a few reviews that say it read as YA and I somewhat agree. The characters are young, just out of high school, and they act like it. I think an YA audience would really enjoy this book. And I really enjoyed it as an adult as well.
The narration was excellent, I really enjoyed Zorga Qaunaq's performance. She really brought the characters to life.
October 8, 2026
*audiobook
“Why does it smell like a rotting corpse in here?”
Thanks to Tor Nightfire / Macmillan Audio for my #gifted copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This is an indigenous, atmospheric, folk horror novel and is also a debut. There were native ghosts stories and tales of Gods and goddesses. It read a bit like a scary story you’d tell around a campfire.
Overall, a decent read and a sold debut.
The narration was done well too.
QOTD: Do you have a favorite folktale / fairytale or scary story?
#itlookslikeyouinthedark #mathildazeller #folklore #folkhorror
“Why does it smell like a rotting corpse in here?”
Thanks to Tor Nightfire / Macmillan Audio for my #gifted copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This is an indigenous, atmospheric, folk horror novel and is also a debut. There were native ghosts stories and tales of Gods and goddesses. It read a bit like a scary story you’d tell around a campfire.
Overall, a decent read and a sold debut.
The narration was done well too.
QOTD: Do you have a favorite folktale / fairytale or scary story?
#itlookslikeyouinthedark #mathildazeller #folklore #folkhorror
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