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It Looks Like You in the Dark
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Expected 13 Oct 26It 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
Expected publication October 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Want to Read
July 6, 2026my eyes caught the words "folklore" and "horror" say less
Want to Read
May 1, 2026ARC received! Thank you, Tor Nightfire!!
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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tapeesa lives in the Indigenous village of Chukchi, Alaska in the Kobuk River Valley. Nothing is more important to her than her sister and her community. When the white men move in again to reopen the lead mine, she feels history is repeating itself and devastation will come for her people. The gruesome death of a local is written off as wolves but Tapeesa knows the legends and knows it is the Kushtuka, a creature of lore who appears as a loved one as it tries to get you to follow before taking your throat. When her sister Esther goes missing, she will do anything to bring her back including accepting help from the untrust worthy man in charge of the mine. This might be the biggest mistake of her life.
Starting on page one, I was mesmerized by this book ! The rage I felt while reading this book was almost uncontrollable and I was cheering for more bloodshed. The story touches on aspects of racism, colonialism and misogyny. The folklore elements are so essential to the story and absolutely captivating. The cold, dark and isolated environment brought a different level of horror to the book. I really love this book and highly recommend it to any and all horror readers.
Thank you NetGalley for the early copy of this book for my honest review.
Starting on page one, I was mesmerized by this book ! The rage I felt while reading this book was almost uncontrollable and I was cheering for more bloodshed. The story touches on aspects of racism, colonialism and misogyny. The folklore elements are so essential to the story and absolutely captivating. The cold, dark and isolated environment brought a different level of horror to the book. I really love this book and highly recommend it to any and all horror readers.
Thank you NetGalley for the early copy of this book for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It Looks Like You in the Dark follows Tapeesa and her friends as a new lead mine is being developed north of their village. When her sister goes missing, and a hungry creature stalks the town, Tapeesa must track down her sister before its too late.
This was an entertaining horror! I can’t say I’ve read too many Indigenous horrors, but I will definitely be seeking more out. I loved the folklore and elements of their culture. It was super interesting and fun to learn more about. The setting was great. I love when horrors have isolated settings like this. It was super atmospheric and quite a fast read. It was a bit slow and I think I wanted a bit more horror, but it was still very good!
I really liked Tapeesa, she was a good main character that felt very realistic. Her decisions made sense and I enjoyed the ending. I loved her rage over the unfairness of everything. The author did a great job with the themes and conversations about indigenous peoples and white men coming and destroying their land and making them sick. It was a good read.
If you like Indigenous stories or horror, I’d definitely recommend it!
Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the arc
This was an entertaining horror! I can’t say I’ve read too many Indigenous horrors, but I will definitely be seeking more out. I loved the folklore and elements of their culture. It was super interesting and fun to learn more about. The setting was great. I love when horrors have isolated settings like this. It was super atmospheric and quite a fast read. It was a bit slow and I think I wanted a bit more horror, but it was still very good!
I really liked Tapeesa, she was a good main character that felt very realistic. Her decisions made sense and I enjoyed the ending. I loved her rage over the unfairness of everything. The author did a great job with the themes and conversations about indigenous peoples and white men coming and destroying their land and making them sick. It was a good read.
If you like Indigenous stories or horror, I’d definitely recommend it!
Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the arc
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The first thing I did when I started reading this book was to do a little dive into the author. I wanted to know if she was from indigenous background and to see if I should read this as written with authenticity or cosplay. I'm happy to say that the author does have indigenous background and her culture and historical point of view really shine through in this book!
While a very effective horror story (and very, very creepy!), there are deeper themes here. Racism, colonization, and modern treatment of indigenous people all come into play.
And? A whole lot of very well deserved feminine rage!
I adored Tapeesa and her sister. I felt for their community - especially the frustration that comes with fighting against a society with money and power when you are poor and feel powerless. (Side note: Tapeesa's mother needs...things I won't say here. While I understand her background, I CANNOT with this woman.)
Excellent story!
While a very effective horror story (and very, very creepy!), there are deeper themes here. Racism, colonization, and modern treatment of indigenous people all come into play.
And? A whole lot of very well deserved feminine rage!
I adored Tapeesa and her sister. I felt for their community - especially the frustration that comes with fighting against a society with money and power when you are poor and feel powerless. (Side note: Tapeesa's mother needs...things I won't say here. While I understand her background, I CANNOT with this woman.)
Excellent story!
June 29, 2026
Ok, wow, that was really good! Zellers writing is infused with emotion that you just can’t help getting caught up in. As a middle aged white man from the east coast, I don’t know much about indigenous Alaskan culture and mythology, but it was fun hearing the stories and having them infused with the plot of the book. I’m still on the fence about the role the Kushtukas actually played in the story, was it really them or was it Tapeesa and Esther? I mean, I guess for the plot to actually work, they need to be real but a lot of what happens point to them not being real, if that makes sense. Anyway, I’m sure it was just wolves…a very fun read!
(Oh, and by the way…seems like her mom is the real monster here)
(Oh, and by the way…seems like her mom is the real monster here)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Solid horror novel. I received an advanced reader copy from an Instagram giveaway and quite enjoyed it. The beginning is pretty slow but an interesting look at life in a remote Alaskan village for people of Inupiaq heritage.
I wish there was a glossary of Inupiaq terms. I had to guess the occasionally used words meanings based on context clues.
After the slow beginning the ending was great and moved a lot faster.
Don't expect a ton of supernatural elements here, that part is mostly in the background though it shows up regularly.
Would recommend, especially if you're interested in Alaskan folklore.
I wish there was a glossary of Inupiaq terms. I had to guess the occasionally used words meanings based on context clues.
After the slow beginning the ending was great and moved a lot faster.
Don't expect a ton of supernatural elements here, that part is mostly in the background though it shows up regularly.
Would recommend, especially if you're interested in Alaskan folklore.
Review of advance copy
I received this Advance Reader Copy from our local bookstore, Rooted Books and Gifts.
I love horror books and this book is now one of my favorites?
The main character, Tapeesa, lives in a small town in Alaska. She grew up hearing all the native stories and legends.
Now that some people have come from the lower states to mine natural resources from the ground, Tapeesa realizes those stories have some truth to them as well as some very sharp teeth.
I love horror books and this book is now one of my favorites?
The main character, Tapeesa, lives in a small town in Alaska. She grew up hearing all the native stories and legends.
Now that some people have come from the lower states to mine natural resources from the ground, Tapeesa realizes those stories have some truth to them as well as some very sharp teeth.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow, a tremendous reading experience!
Zeller creates and sustains multiple layers and levels of suspense across the entire narrative.
Tapeesa kept growing on me with each new plot development and her interactions with the various other characters.
Highly recommended!!
Zeller creates and sustains multiple layers and levels of suspense across the entire narrative.
Tapeesa kept growing on me with each new plot development and her interactions with the various other characters.
Highly recommended!!
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5
June 29, 2026
I read this in one sitting as part of my 7 books in 7 days challenge and all I can say is WOW
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews