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Little Kin
Not yet published
Expected 22 Sep 26The story of a woman’s quest for family and belonging which turns into a nightmarish tale of survival set on a subarctic island overrun by impossible beings and torn apart by a blood-soaked covenant.
Unknown Binding
Expected publication September 22, 2026
About the author
Katya de Becerra
19 books290 followersKatya de Becerra is a multi-award-winning author of horror and speculative fiction whose work blends folklore, myth, and the uncanny to explore identity, transformation, and belonging. Her forthcoming novel Little Kin continues this tradition, weaving narratives that interrogate family ties and cultural memory. Katya’s previous novels (What The Woods Keep, Oasis, When Ghosts Call Us Home, They Watch From Below) have been praised for their atmospheric storytelling and genre-bending approach, earning her recognition as a distinctive voice in contemporary horror and fantasy. Katya was born in Russia, studied in California, lived in Peru, and then stayed in Australia long enough to become a local. She was going to be an Egyptologist when she grew up, but instead she earned a PhD in Anthropology.
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June 13, 2026A remote island near the Arctic Circle. A crumbling house and a woman desperate for a new start, finds herself thrown into a nightmare.
This is a folkloric tale of survival and belonging.
Genre: Horror
Many thanks to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and the author, Katya de Becerra for an early ARC!
Publication: September 22, 2026
This is a folkloric tale of survival and belonging.
Genre: Horror
Many thanks to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and the author, Katya de Becerra for an early ARC!
Publication: September 22, 2026
Want to Read
January 29, 2026The island remembers. It always does.
Hey, my lovely readers!
Here’s a little note from me, the author, about my new book, LITTLE KIN (my adult debut!).
LITTLE KIN arrived in my life the way Rothagisht arrives for Cassini: suddenly, and without warning.
One night, just as I was drifting toward sleep, I found myself somewhere else entirely—standing on the deck of a steam ferry cutting across a turbulent sea, heading toward a mist shrouded island. My name was Cassini. I knew at once that this image, this feeling, was the beginning of a story I had to tell.
I’m a cultural anthropologist by training, and I’ve done my share of fieldwork—never in locations quite as remote (or terrifying!) as Rothagisht, but enough to understand that entering any community as an outsider comes with equal parts wonder and disorientation. Anthropology has always shaped my writing: I’m fascinated by ritual, myth, memory, and the ways people make meaning in places where the past is never really past.
In LITTLE KIN, I wanted to explore what happens when the desire to belong collides with forces older and stranger than we are. I wanted to write a story where a scholar’s instinct to understand meets a landscape that doesn’t want to be studied—only obeyed. A place where folklore isn’t metaphor but survival, and where transformation comes at a price.
This book is my love letter to:
• misty islands and sentient landscapes
• rituals that bind and unravel
• found and inherited kinships
• the uneasy space between science and superstition
And yes, to all the readers who love atmospheric folk horror with a slow burn emotional core!
Perfect for fans of Heather Fawcett, T. Kingfisher, and Ari Aster’s Midsommar, LITTLE KIN is a chilling, folkloric tale of survival and belonging. I truly hope this book of mine finds its way onto your TBR.
Feel free to ask me anything about the writing process, anthropology, or the world of Rothagisht—I love talking to readers here, but please note I don’t read or comment on reviews nor do I check my books' ratings as I believe review platforms are primarily for readers, and writers should let readers read and review without observed.
🖤 Katya
Hey, my lovely readers!
Here’s a little note from me, the author, about my new book, LITTLE KIN (my adult debut!).
LITTLE KIN arrived in my life the way Rothagisht arrives for Cassini: suddenly, and without warning.
One night, just as I was drifting toward sleep, I found myself somewhere else entirely—standing on the deck of a steam ferry cutting across a turbulent sea, heading toward a mist shrouded island. My name was Cassini. I knew at once that this image, this feeling, was the beginning of a story I had to tell.
I’m a cultural anthropologist by training, and I’ve done my share of fieldwork—never in locations quite as remote (or terrifying!) as Rothagisht, but enough to understand that entering any community as an outsider comes with equal parts wonder and disorientation. Anthropology has always shaped my writing: I’m fascinated by ritual, myth, memory, and the ways people make meaning in places where the past is never really past.
In LITTLE KIN, I wanted to explore what happens when the desire to belong collides with forces older and stranger than we are. I wanted to write a story where a scholar’s instinct to understand meets a landscape that doesn’t want to be studied—only obeyed. A place where folklore isn’t metaphor but survival, and where transformation comes at a price.
This book is my love letter to:
• misty islands and sentient landscapes
• rituals that bind and unravel
• found and inherited kinships
• the uneasy space between science and superstition
And yes, to all the readers who love atmospheric folk horror with a slow burn emotional core!
Perfect for fans of Heather Fawcett, T. Kingfisher, and Ari Aster’s Midsommar, LITTLE KIN is a chilling, folkloric tale of survival and belonging. I truly hope this book of mine finds its way onto your TBR.
Feel free to ask me anything about the writing process, anthropology, or the world of Rothagisht—I love talking to readers here, but please note I don’t read or comment on reviews nor do I check my books' ratings as I believe review platforms are primarily for readers, and writers should let readers read and review without observed.
🖤 Katya
April 15, 2026
I was wondering how Australia’s queen of YA horror would handle her adult debut novel. The answer is - rather adroitly. De Becerra’s powers of description are as beautiful as ever, making the setting of Little Kin a highlight - it presents its terrors and its wild, volcanic gorgeousness in equal measure.
Cass, an anthropologist, is making her way to her ancestral home after a mysterious aunt, Brigra, died unexpectedly. Cass’s own origins are a tad hazy - she was adopted and therefore hopes this unusual chance to get to know her birthplace may give her the answers she craves.
On Rothagisht - cold, desolate and devoid of technology- things are about to get a little bit Amish and very Midsommar. The natives aren’t overjoyed to see her. Even the overwhelmingly sexy Arder seems to be keeping her at arm’s length, acting like a polite guide. Cass would like to get to know him carnally (with a name like Arder, there’s no way he was going to be short and scrawny), but there’s distance between them. Could it be his purpose on the island is that of a marked man? Or is Cass the marked one? The idea of sacrifice, on behalf of a community or a loved one, comes through quite clearly in this book.
Cass also feels herself to be magical somehow, and has squashed this feeling down as it’s a not-very-academic way to think. Her aunt’s mysterious tiny door is a big clue - as is the title of the book. It’s not ‘the small and unrelated people’. Parts of Little Kin are distinctly fantasy rather than horror, though a lot of Cass’s nights are distinctly nightmarish.
Looking at Little Kin as a migration story and considering De Becerra the author’s own story as a Russian writer in Australia, parts of Cass’s search for identity and struggle to get a sense of belonging in a community become quite poignant.
Finally - hard segue here - because this is De Becerra’s first adult novel, I expected adult activities. A character like Arder exists to be climbed like a tree and Cass’s desire for him is strong from the start. Like Chekhov’s gun, we needed Chekhov’s sex scene. I’m delighted that the sex when it eventually happens isn’t just for the sake of it, it’s well earned and a kind of consummation of her place on the island and her role as part of nature itself.
Disclosure: I’m a friend of the author.
Cass, an anthropologist, is making her way to her ancestral home after a mysterious aunt, Brigra, died unexpectedly. Cass’s own origins are a tad hazy - she was adopted and therefore hopes this unusual chance to get to know her birthplace may give her the answers she craves.
On Rothagisht - cold, desolate and devoid of technology- things are about to get a little bit Amish and very Midsommar. The natives aren’t overjoyed to see her. Even the overwhelmingly sexy Arder seems to be keeping her at arm’s length, acting like a polite guide. Cass would like to get to know him carnally (with a name like Arder, there’s no way he was going to be short and scrawny), but there’s distance between them. Could it be his purpose on the island is that of a marked man? Or is Cass the marked one? The idea of sacrifice, on behalf of a community or a loved one, comes through quite clearly in this book.
Cass also feels herself to be magical somehow, and has squashed this feeling down as it’s a not-very-academic way to think. Her aunt’s mysterious tiny door is a big clue - as is the title of the book. It’s not ‘the small and unrelated people’. Parts of Little Kin are distinctly fantasy rather than horror, though a lot of Cass’s nights are distinctly nightmarish.
Looking at Little Kin as a migration story and considering De Becerra the author’s own story as a Russian writer in Australia, parts of Cass’s search for identity and struggle to get a sense of belonging in a community become quite poignant.
Finally - hard segue here - because this is De Becerra’s first adult novel, I expected adult activities. A character like Arder exists to be climbed like a tree and Cass’s desire for him is strong from the start. Like Chekhov’s gun, we needed Chekhov’s sex scene. I’m delighted that the sex when it eventually happens isn’t just for the sake of it, it’s well earned and a kind of consummation of her place on the island and her role as part of nature itself.
Disclosure: I’m a friend of the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I mean, this one was creepy. There's a mysterious island filled with strange people and sinister creatures and it's all folk horror-y and I can totally dig that. The world building is fantastic and I enjoyed learning about Rothagisht and its inhabitants and all of the folklore of the island. If you like your novels full of folk horror and weirdness, there's a pretty good chance that you'll appreciate this one.
But (there's always a but!) the storyline did kind of jump the shark around the 80% mark for me. Even if you enjoy that sort of thing, you'll still know what I'm talking about when you get to it because it's utterly bizarre. I didn't exactly hate it, but the main character was certainly not on my bingo card for this book.
I also didn't totally buy the insta-love between Cass and Arder. It seems rather forced and unnecessary and almost … juvenile, I guess? I just read elsewhere that this author primarily writes YA and this is her adult debut, and I am not at all surprised to hear it. Even putting the romance aside, the writing does have a bit of a YA feel to it, despite the fact that there are exactly zero teenagers/young adults in it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's something to be aware of if you're not a fan of the genre.
But still, this novel definitely had its spooky moments and I loved that it's written from the point of view of an anthropologist (and that the author herself is an anthropologist). Rothagisht would certainly be a fascinating place to visit … well, other than the bloodthirsty monsters roaming the island and the strange cult-like atmosphere, of course. But anthropologically? Rothagisht would be a goldmine. It's such an otherworldly and unusual place that the story veers into fantasy territory at times.
Overall, Little Kin is a mostly enjoyable and entertaining read. It's not perfect (because seriously what was that last 20%?), but it definitely kept me turning the pages until the very end.
3.49 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 22, 2026.
But (there's always a but!) the storyline did kind of jump the shark around the 80% mark for me. Even if you enjoy that sort of thing, you'll still know what I'm talking about when you get to it because it's utterly bizarre. I didn't exactly hate it, but the main character was certainly not on my bingo card for this book.
I also didn't totally buy the insta-love between Cass and Arder. It seems rather forced and unnecessary and almost … juvenile, I guess? I just read elsewhere that this author primarily writes YA and this is her adult debut, and I am not at all surprised to hear it. Even putting the romance aside, the writing does have a bit of a YA feel to it, despite the fact that there are exactly zero teenagers/young adults in it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's something to be aware of if you're not a fan of the genre.
But still, this novel definitely had its spooky moments and I loved that it's written from the point of view of an anthropologist (and that the author herself is an anthropologist). Rothagisht would certainly be a fascinating place to visit … well, other than the bloodthirsty monsters roaming the island and the strange cult-like atmosphere, of course. But anthropologically? Rothagisht would be a goldmine. It's such an otherworldly and unusual place that the story veers into fantasy territory at times.
Overall, Little Kin is a mostly enjoyable and entertaining read. It's not perfect (because seriously what was that last 20%?), but it definitely kept me turning the pages until the very end.
3.49 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 22, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5☆
"The sacred balance must be kept. If we tell lies to the land, it will break us all"
Cassini Shanradoff-Krim is still reeling from the death of her mother, and mourning a father who is still alive but losing his battle to alzheimer's disease, when she recieves a letter that a mysterious Aunt Brigra she knew nothing about has left her their family's ancestral home. Cass embarks on a journey that will bring her closer to finding out who her birth parents are, and perhaps propel her anthropological career into the big leagues.
Little Kin is full of folklore and dark fantasy storytelling. Katya de Becerra definitely knows how to bring a world to life. The story did end up having a little too much fantasy sprinkled in for my taste, especially when it was marketed as a horror.
I think it can be hard for YA authors to find their adult audience writing style, and in my opinion Katya is not quite there yet. Besides for some spicier scenes, you could easily substitute the adult main characters for 17 year old characters, and the story would work. It reads very much like a throwback to the teen dystopian book era ( which I loved), but was lacking the grit and depth I feel an adult novel should have.
I would absolutely read Katya de Becerra's next adult novel, if there is one. Once her character's voices mature a little bit more, I think she'll be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to writing adult novels.
I'd like to thank Katya de Becerra, Blackstone Publishing, and Netgalley for a free ARC copy in exchange for a review.
"The sacred balance must be kept. If we tell lies to the land, it will break us all"
Cassini Shanradoff-Krim is still reeling from the death of her mother, and mourning a father who is still alive but losing his battle to alzheimer's disease, when she recieves a letter that a mysterious Aunt Brigra she knew nothing about has left her their family's ancestral home. Cass embarks on a journey that will bring her closer to finding out who her birth parents are, and perhaps propel her anthropological career into the big leagues.
Little Kin is full of folklore and dark fantasy storytelling. Katya de Becerra definitely knows how to bring a world to life. The story did end up having a little too much fantasy sprinkled in for my taste, especially when it was marketed as a horror.
I think it can be hard for YA authors to find their adult audience writing style, and in my opinion Katya is not quite there yet. Besides for some spicier scenes, you could easily substitute the adult main characters for 17 year old characters, and the story would work. It reads very much like a throwback to the teen dystopian book era ( which I loved), but was lacking the grit and depth I feel an adult novel should have.
I would absolutely read Katya de Becerra's next adult novel, if there is one. Once her character's voices mature a little bit more, I think she'll be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to writing adult novels.
I'd like to thank Katya de Becerra, Blackstone Publishing, and Netgalley for a free ARC copy in exchange for a review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.
I was drawn to this book by the lovely cover and the promise of horror but I struggled to get into the story. It starts off well with a rather bleak boat ride to a remote island populated by a closed community and an introduction to our protagonist, Cass, who is an anthropologist with a specialty in magic (think Russian covens and ancient rituals) who is using this as an opportunity to work on her postdoc and discover her roots. On her first night on the island there are things in the dark and knocks at her door and strange voices calling her name and a pretty intense nightmare and this is as horror as this book is going to get.
You see, this isn't a horror novel, It's a fairytale.
Once I accepted the genre change I enjoyed the book much more and sped through the rest of it. This book would be good for someone who enjoys fairytales, especially dark ones, and is interested in maybe dipping their toes into horror. It just wasn't what I was looking for.
And one more complaint behind the spoiler:
Thank you to Blackstone and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was drawn to this book by the lovely cover and the promise of horror but I struggled to get into the story. It starts off well with a rather bleak boat ride to a remote island populated by a closed community and an introduction to our protagonist, Cass, who is an anthropologist with a specialty in magic (think Russian covens and ancient rituals) who is using this as an opportunity to work on her postdoc and discover her roots. On her first night on the island there are things in the dark and knocks at her door and strange voices calling her name and a pretty intense nightmare and this is as horror as this book is going to get.
You see, this isn't a horror novel, It's a fairytale.
Once I accepted the genre change I enjoyed the book much more and sped through the rest of it. This book would be good for someone who enjoys fairytales, especially dark ones, and is interested in maybe dipping their toes into horror. It just wasn't what I was looking for.
And one more complaint behind the spoiler:
Thank you to Blackstone and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Cass inherits her family's ancestral home on a remote subarctic island, she hopes it will lead her to answers about her past. Instead, she finds herself caught in an ancient covenant, surrounded by unsettling folklore, impossible beings, and a desperate fight for survival. Little Kin was an eerie, immersive read with family secrets, dark fantasy, and folk horror.
I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding Cass's family history as she pieced together the truth about where she came from. The mythology and lore were incredibly imaginative, and it was clear how much care went into creating this unique world. While I appreciated the fantasy elements, I did find they occasionally overshadowed the horror. I went in expecting something a little darker and scarier...which is totally on me.
However, the story kept me invested from beginning to end. With the constant mystery, the unforgettable setting, and the surprising twists, I was always eager to see what would happen next.
Thank you, @blackstonepublishing, Katya de Becerra & NetGalley, for the #gifted earc. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding Cass's family history as she pieced together the truth about where she came from. The mythology and lore were incredibly imaginative, and it was clear how much care went into creating this unique world. While I appreciated the fantasy elements, I did find they occasionally overshadowed the horror. I went in expecting something a little darker and scarier...which is totally on me.
However, the story kept me invested from beginning to end. With the constant mystery, the unforgettable setting, and the surprising twists, I was always eager to see what would happen next.
Thank you, @blackstonepublishing, Katya de Becerra & NetGalley, for the #gifted earc. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love folk horror and I’ve always found anthropology fascinating, so I was immediately intrigued by the premise of this book.
It was a fast paced read. At times I felt the plot was moving so quickly that I didn’t get a chance to appreciate the world of Rothagisht and the intricacies of the remote island and its mysterious customs.
I enjoyed following the main character Cass on her journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Elements of the story felt like Alice in Wonderland with Cass caught in a wild fever dream and I was happily along on the ride.
I would recommend for fans of The Wickerman and Midsommer. There were similar vibes right from that start in which a character is lured to a remote society and we can tell immediately that something is off but can’t put on our finger on what it might be. The plot kept me guessing until the climax which encouraged me to keep reading “just one more chapter” until the book was done.
It was a fast paced read. At times I felt the plot was moving so quickly that I didn’t get a chance to appreciate the world of Rothagisht and the intricacies of the remote island and its mysterious customs.
I enjoyed following the main character Cass on her journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Elements of the story felt like Alice in Wonderland with Cass caught in a wild fever dream and I was happily along on the ride.
I would recommend for fans of The Wickerman and Midsommer. There were similar vibes right from that start in which a character is lured to a remote society and we can tell immediately that something is off but can’t put on our finger on what it might be. The plot kept me guessing until the climax which encouraged me to keep reading “just one more chapter” until the book was done.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"As usual, she had only herself to rely on." -Wow! I wasn't expecting to be so immersed in Cass's world and the mysterious island of Rothagisht, but the perfectly eerie atmosphere and immediate undercurrent of mystery and something sinister swept me away from chapter one! This was a ton of fun, hard to put down- RIP, weekend chores!- and had a really satisfying ending, IMO. An easy recommendation, I think especially for anyone who loved T. Kingfisher's The Twisted Ones as much as I did!
Official remarks: "At turns gorgeous and gritty, LITLTE KIN is folk horror at its finest: haunting enough to bring the chills, yet deeply emotional as it explores what it means to belong. You’ll never forget your visit to the forbidding, mist-swathed island of Rothagisht.”
Official remarks: "At turns gorgeous and gritty, LITLTE KIN is folk horror at its finest: haunting enough to bring the chills, yet deeply emotional as it explores what it means to belong. You’ll never forget your visit to the forbidding, mist-swathed island of Rothagisht.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
A mesmerizing blend of folk horror and dark fantasy, Katya de Becerra’s Little Kin is a knock on the door in the dead of night. Dread and longing simmer beneath the surface, and sinister legacies crawl back from the past in this propulsive, get-under-your-skin read that’ll leave you peeling back every layer with bloodied, ravenous fingers.
Want to Read
April 8, 2026Pre-review: can't wait to get my hands on this book.
Folk horror on a remote island?
YES PLEASE.
Folk horror on a remote island?
YES PLEASE.
Want to Read
April 16, 2026Little Kin by Katya de Becerra is a haunting and atmospheric horror novel that blends psychological depth with visceral survival stakes. Set against a stark subarctic backdrop, the story explores themes of belonging, identity, and the terrifying cost of hidden truths. With its eerie premise and unsettling tone, it promises a gripping and thought-provoking read for horror enthusiasts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
* thank you netgalley for the ARC so i could read and give my honest review*
I went into this book blind and it was ok. Not really my type of style with slow burn but i could see why others would like. For being Becerra 1st novel i can tell they have talent and will look out for more stuff. Again i dont think this was a bad book at all just not for me
I went into this book blind and it was ok. Not really my type of style with slow burn but i could see why others would like. For being Becerra 1st novel i can tell they have talent and will look out for more stuff. Again i dont think this was a bad book at all just not for me
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got to blurb this one and it's fantastic and creepy!!
"Katya de Becerra's prose transports you to a strange island where you can feel her passion for anthropology on every page. An engrossing blend of mystery, romance, and folklore, Little Kin is peak atmospheric horror."
"Katya de Becerra's prose transports you to a strange island where you can feel her passion for anthropology on every page. An engrossing blend of mystery, romance, and folklore, Little Kin is peak atmospheric horror."
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a good book and beautifuly written. The author did such a good job setting the scene...dark and foggy folk horror. No electronics work as you near the island. Don't go out at night, don't answer the door....very creepy.
Want to Read
May 18, 2026So excited to read Katya de Becerra's latest!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews