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Pinfeathers
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Expected 17 Nov 26Win a free kindle copy of this book!
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50 copies available
U.S. only
A tense, gripping novel about a mother whose child begins to change in ways she can’t explain, from the national bestselling author of The Place Where They Buried Your Heart.
Nora Pacetti is a new stay-at-home mother—she’s tired but coping while caring for her happy, healthy baby, Olivia. But then one morning, something that looks like a feather starts growing out of Olivia’s arm. Or at least, that’s what Nora’s mother, Giulia, thinks. Nora thinks her mother has probably spent too much time watching conspiracy videos on YouTube.
Nora’s husband thinks Olivia needs tests, specialists, hospitals. But Nora senses that whatever is happening to her daughter needs to be concealed—and a mother’s intuition is never wrong. Soon sinister people begin asking questions about Olivia, and Nora starts to wonder if there really is something wrong with her baby. But she’s determined to discover the truth about her daughter . . . no matter the cost.
Nora Pacetti is a new stay-at-home mother—she’s tired but coping while caring for her happy, healthy baby, Olivia. But then one morning, something that looks like a feather starts growing out of Olivia’s arm. Or at least, that’s what Nora’s mother, Giulia, thinks. Nora thinks her mother has probably spent too much time watching conspiracy videos on YouTube.
Nora’s husband thinks Olivia needs tests, specialists, hospitals. But Nora senses that whatever is happening to her daughter needs to be concealed—and a mother’s intuition is never wrong. Soon sinister people begin asking questions about Olivia, and Nora starts to wonder if there really is something wrong with her baby. But she’s determined to discover the truth about her daughter . . . no matter the cost.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Christina Henry
71 books8,976 followersChristina Henry is a horror and dark fantasy author whose works include GOOD GIRLS DON'T DIE, HORSEMAN, NEAR THE BONE, THE GHOST TREE, LOOKING GLASS, THE GIRL IN RED, THE MERMAID, LOST BOY, RED QUEEN, ALICE, and the seven book urban fantasy BLACK WINGS series.
Her short stories have been featured in the anthologies ELEMENTAL FORCES, CURSED, TWICE CURSED, GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE and KICKING IT.
She enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.
You can visit her on the web at
www.christinahenry.net
Facebook: authorChristinaHenry
Threads: authorChristinaHenry
Instagram: authorChristinaHenry
Goodreads: goodreads.com/CHenryAuthor
Her short stories have been featured in the anthologies ELEMENTAL FORCES, CURSED, TWICE CURSED, GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE and KICKING IT.
She enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.
You can visit her on the web at
www.christinahenry.net
Facebook: authorChristinaHenry
Threads: authorChristinaHenry
Instagram: authorChristinaHenry
Goodreads: goodreads.com/CHenryAuthor
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Pinfeathers
By Christina Henry
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this incredible book!
I primarily read sci-fi or fantasy, and I read plenty. But I don't think I have ever read anything like this before.
It has a couple of children who don't know each other, having the same skin issue.. pinfeathers growing out of their arms. This is just the start of a wild chase across states, fake military men after them, stabbings, shooting, body changes, and so much more suspense! I was exhausted just reading it all!
The author really knows how to keep the suspense up, have several deadly issues going at one time, set up the plot masterfully, and make it believable that someone could transform into a bird.
This book is definitely one of the top books I've read this year!
Absolutely loved this book!
By Christina Henry
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this incredible book!
I primarily read sci-fi or fantasy, and I read plenty. But I don't think I have ever read anything like this before.
It has a couple of children who don't know each other, having the same skin issue.. pinfeathers growing out of their arms. This is just the start of a wild chase across states, fake military men after them, stabbings, shooting, body changes, and so much more suspense! I was exhausted just reading it all!
The author really knows how to keep the suspense up, have several deadly issues going at one time, set up the plot masterfully, and make it believable that someone could transform into a bird.
This book is definitely one of the top books I've read this year!
Absolutely loved this book!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.0 Stars
I have been a long time fan of Christina Henry's horror novels because I find that she has a talent for writing engrossing stories. Admittedly, her last few novels didn't hit for me but this one had her back to top form. I love stories that depict the messiness of motherhood and this kicked in strong form.
The fantastical elements were vividly described that lead to an eerie creepy experience. Needless to say, I really enjoyed this one and found it one of the better horror novels published in 2026 so far. I would recommend this one as an excellent place to start with this author.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I have been a long time fan of Christina Henry's horror novels because I find that she has a talent for writing engrossing stories. Admittedly, her last few novels didn't hit for me but this one had her back to top form. I love stories that depict the messiness of motherhood and this kicked in strong form.
The fantastical elements were vividly described that lead to an eerie creepy experience. Needless to say, I really enjoyed this one and found it one of the better horror novels published in 2026 so far. I would recommend this one as an excellent place to start with this author.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Creepy, weird, emotional and original.
Imagine in just a few short days your whole life is turned upside down. You return from a morning run to your baby inconsolable. Your husband is annoyed and leaves for work. You see what you believe to be a splinter on your daughter's arm. She settles and you plan to remove it when she wakes up. However, after waking there are more "splinters". You turn to your mom for advice. Your husband turns to doctors. Grandma arrives with crazy, wacky conspiracy theories. Doctors want to poke and rest your baby. Within hours you are on the run from fake military men and your baby has developed feathers. This is exactly what happened to Nora, Adam, and baby Olivia.
Fear, paranoia, and basic instincts make for a fast paced, action packed story. You get extreme body changes, violence, and government pursuit. This book had me anxious and emotionally exhausted by the end. I loved every minute of it though.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ebook copy. This is my honest review.
Imagine in just a few short days your whole life is turned upside down. You return from a morning run to your baby inconsolable. Your husband is annoyed and leaves for work. You see what you believe to be a splinter on your daughter's arm. She settles and you plan to remove it when she wakes up. However, after waking there are more "splinters". You turn to your mom for advice. Your husband turns to doctors. Grandma arrives with crazy, wacky conspiracy theories. Doctors want to poke and rest your baby. Within hours you are on the run from fake military men and your baby has developed feathers. This is exactly what happened to Nora, Adam, and baby Olivia.
Fear, paranoia, and basic instincts make for a fast paced, action packed story. You get extreme body changes, violence, and government pursuit. This book had me anxious and emotionally exhausted by the end. I loved every minute of it though.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ebook copy. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Christina Henry Absolutely NAILED This One! I loved it!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 You're gonna want to Pre-order NOW!
Release date is 11 / 17 / 2026
From the very beginning of the story, Pinfeathers had my complete attention. Turning the pages I always felt like something was about to happen and IT DID! I was completely immersed in the story because of how Christina Henry wrote it. It's Creepy. Disturbing. Emotional. Weird. Original. Unpredictable. Completely gripping.
Nora and Adam are raising their first child, Olivia, who isn’t even a year old. They notice something about Olivia that is wrong. Nora turns to her mother, Guilia, for help while Adam goes down the Dr. Google rabbit hole, desperately searching for anything that could explain what's happening. And then things get even worse the terrifying realization that they may not be able to trust the police or even the medical professionals trying to help them.
Giulia, the grandmother, brings some seriously wild conspiracy theories into the mix. Crazy, Wacky, absolutely! I can personally relate. But with everything happening, I kept wondering if maybe her theories weren’t so crazy after all.
The fear, desperation, paranoia, and primal instinct to protect your child made every moment feel intensely personal. I kept asking WHAT IN THE HECK IS HAPPENING right alongside Nora and Adam. A relentless, unsettling ride through terrified parents, grotesque body changes, violence, imposters, and government pursuit. I was anxious, horrified, emotionally exhausted, and completely HOOKED! And this one pulled on my heartstrings HARD.
Christina Henry had me turning the pages into the late night because the tension never let up, and the fear felt so incredibly real. And that ending?! I LOVED IT. This is one of those stories that gets under your skin and stays there. Definitely one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon!
Thank you Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Christina Henry for the ARC.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 You're gonna want to Pre-order NOW!
Release date is 11 / 17 / 2026
From the very beginning of the story, Pinfeathers had my complete attention. Turning the pages I always felt like something was about to happen and IT DID! I was completely immersed in the story because of how Christina Henry wrote it. It's Creepy. Disturbing. Emotional. Weird. Original. Unpredictable. Completely gripping.
Nora and Adam are raising their first child, Olivia, who isn’t even a year old. They notice something about Olivia that is wrong. Nora turns to her mother, Guilia, for help while Adam goes down the Dr. Google rabbit hole, desperately searching for anything that could explain what's happening. And then things get even worse the terrifying realization that they may not be able to trust the police or even the medical professionals trying to help them.
Giulia, the grandmother, brings some seriously wild conspiracy theories into the mix. Crazy, Wacky, absolutely! I can personally relate. But with everything happening, I kept wondering if maybe her theories weren’t so crazy after all.
The fear, desperation, paranoia, and primal instinct to protect your child made every moment feel intensely personal. I kept asking WHAT IN THE HECK IS HAPPENING right alongside Nora and Adam. A relentless, unsettling ride through terrified parents, grotesque body changes, violence, imposters, and government pursuit. I was anxious, horrified, emotionally exhausted, and completely HOOKED! And this one pulled on my heartstrings HARD.
Christina Henry had me turning the pages into the late night because the tension never let up, and the fear felt so incredibly real. And that ending?! I LOVED IT. This is one of those stories that gets under your skin and stays there. Definitely one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon!
Thank you Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Christina Henry for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Ah Christina Henry always writes incredible books, and this one was no different. Talk about immersive and moody. This book was so vivid with the descriptions that I could picture everything in my head as I was reading; it was great. The premise of this book was really unique, I hadn’t read anything like it before so that was really fun. My heart went out to Nora as she struggled with what to do with her daughter. This one was really fun and I recommend it for those looking for an immersive paranormal read.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 stars
A fast-paced, heartfelt monster horror, Pinfeathers immediately reminded me of Zach Cregger's Resident Evil movie, as both approach their storytelling in a similar way: a lean, action-focused plot built around the protagonist's personal journey.
Pinfeathers gets to the point (the feather-growing baby) within mere pages, and we're off to the races as the protagonist and her family try to make sense of her child's condition. I was initially put off by the stereotypes (at this point, I'm tired of reading about emotionally absent, gaslighting husbands—can we get some more nuanced portrayals?), but fortunately, the story soon introduces the protagonist's mother, who is easily one of its most delightful highlights. Her character is over-the-top, yet endearing. With her actions being deeply intertwined with many of the major plot points, she's a big part of why this novel works so well for me (I'm being intentionally vague here, because uncovering her character arc was a blast).
Returning to the comparison with Resident Evil, Pinfeathers hints at a much larger event unfolding in parallel with a mother's struggle to cope with her morphing child, but intentionally gives us only the briefest glimpses of it. This stylistic choice creates a sense of urgency and uncertainty, though I sometimes wished the novel had spent more time expanding on its world-building. As it stands, the antagonistic entity feels rather two-dimensional, like a typical moustache-twirling villain whose motivations are never fully fleshed out.
I didn't expect to get emotional toward the end of Pinfeathers, but its focus on a mother's emotional roller coaster and her (mostly) unwavering devotion to her child really pays off. The novel succeeds in delivering an emotionally resonant experience, even if I would've loved to see its scope explored a little further. The Place Where They Buried Your Heart was a near-perfect horror story for me that I never saw coming. While Pinfeathers veers into a subgenre that isn't usually my go-to, it's still a worthwhile read for its fast-paced plot, well-realized central characters, and vividly described horror. Another strong addition to Christina Henry's repertoire.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
A fast-paced, heartfelt monster horror, Pinfeathers immediately reminded me of Zach Cregger's Resident Evil movie, as both approach their storytelling in a similar way: a lean, action-focused plot built around the protagonist's personal journey.
Pinfeathers gets to the point (the feather-growing baby) within mere pages, and we're off to the races as the protagonist and her family try to make sense of her child's condition. I was initially put off by the stereotypes (at this point, I'm tired of reading about emotionally absent, gaslighting husbands—can we get some more nuanced portrayals?), but fortunately, the story soon introduces the protagonist's mother, who is easily one of its most delightful highlights. Her character is over-the-top, yet endearing. With her actions being deeply intertwined with many of the major plot points, she's a big part of why this novel works so well for me (I'm being intentionally vague here, because uncovering her character arc was a blast).
Returning to the comparison with Resident Evil, Pinfeathers hints at a much larger event unfolding in parallel with a mother's struggle to cope with her morphing child, but intentionally gives us only the briefest glimpses of it. This stylistic choice creates a sense of urgency and uncertainty, though I sometimes wished the novel had spent more time expanding on its world-building. As it stands, the antagonistic entity feels rather two-dimensional, like a typical moustache-twirling villain whose motivations are never fully fleshed out.
I didn't expect to get emotional toward the end of Pinfeathers, but its focus on a mother's emotional roller coaster and her (mostly) unwavering devotion to her child really pays off. The novel succeeds in delivering an emotionally resonant experience, even if I would've loved to see its scope explored a little further. The Place Where They Buried Your Heart was a near-perfect horror story for me that I never saw coming. While Pinfeathers veers into a subgenre that isn't usually my go-to, it's still a worthwhile read for its fast-paced plot, well-realized central characters, and vividly described horror. Another strong addition to Christina Henry's repertoire.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
More of a sci-fi thriller than a horror novel, Pinfeathers by Christina Henry has an intriguing premise which does a great deal of heavy lifting throughout.
While I did find the main mystery of baby Olivia’s condition compelling enough to keep reading to the end in search of answers, I found the main character Nora’s reasoning baffling much of the time, and her reactions to certain events almost grating beyond belief.
The story also got bogged down in places and went around in circles in others.
As I said, the main plot itself was interesting enough, but no other character outside of Nora really felt built up enough to invest in when danger did inevitably come knocking.
Otherwise, it’s a solid enough story.
With thanks to Titan Books for the ARC.
While I did find the main mystery of baby Olivia’s condition compelling enough to keep reading to the end in search of answers, I found the main character Nora’s reasoning baffling much of the time, and her reactions to certain events almost grating beyond belief.
The story also got bogged down in places and went around in circles in others.
As I said, the main plot itself was interesting enough, but no other character outside of Nora really felt built up enough to invest in when danger did inevitably come knocking.
Otherwise, it’s a solid enough story.
With thanks to Titan Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review to come upon release. Received a pre-release copy from NetGalley
October 17, 2026
This was such a strange, creepy, and emotional read that I couldn’t put down. Christina Henry had me completely hooked from the start, and I was so invested in the unsettling mystery surrounding a baby who begins growing pinfeathers. The body horror was incredibly well done, and it struck a great balance between unsettling and heartbreaking. I also really enjoyed the cast of characters, especially Giulia, and I enjoyed the multiple POVs in the story.
Nora and Adam are doing their best to adjust to life with their newborn daughter, Olivia, when everything changes after Olivia begins growing pinfeathers. As her condition worsens, Nora becomes convinced that seeking help could put her daughter in even greater danger. Desperate for answers, the family is forced to confront the terrifying mystery of what is happening to Olivia and whether there’s any hope of saving her.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Publication Date : Nov 17, 2026
Nora and Adam are doing their best to adjust to life with their newborn daughter, Olivia, when everything changes after Olivia begins growing pinfeathers. As her condition worsens, Nora becomes convinced that seeking help could put her daughter in even greater danger. Desperate for answers, the family is forced to confront the terrifying mystery of what is happening to Olivia and whether there’s any hope of saving her.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Publication Date : Nov 17, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of Pinfeathers by Christina Henry from Berkley Publishing Group/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
⭐ 4 ⭐
Whoa.
This book was seriously trippy and quite anxious-making, particularly because I’m just enough of a conspiracy theorist (who has read a lot over the years about the illegal CIA mind control program **MK-ULTRA**) to believe that the United States government is willing to do just about anything to anybody.
Anywhere, any time.
Oh, heck, who am I kidding? Not just the U.S. government. Any government.
Definitely want to read more by Christina Henry!
**MK-ULTRA**
Per Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/MK-U...
“MK-ULTRA was an illegal mind-control research program that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency operated between 1953 and 1964. The CIA conducted experiments using high doses of LSD and other drugs, hypnosis, electroshock, and sensory deprivation on subjects who often had no idea that they were part of a covert test. The ultimate goal was to find a way to erase the memory and then control the mind as a tool in fighting the Cold War. In his book Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control, author and journalist Stephen Kinzer called the program “essentially a continuation of work that began in Japanese and Nazi concentration camps,” in part because Nazi doctors and others who had worked in those environments were recruited to continue their research as part of the program. Fearing discovery, the CIA destroyed most records of the experiments in 1973, but details of the program later emerged through congressional and journalistic investigations.”
DESCRIPTION
A tense, gripping novel about a mother whose child begins to change in ways she can’t explain, from the national bestselling author of The Place Where They Buried Your Heart.
Nora Pacetti is a new stay-at-home mother—she’s tired but coping while caring for her happy, healthy baby, Olivia. But then one morning, something that looks like a feather starts growing out of Olivia’s arm. Or at least, that’s what Nora’s mother, Giulia, thinks. Nora thinks her mother has probably spent too much time watching conspiracy videos on YouTube.
Nora’s husband thinks Olivia needs tests, specialists, hospitals. But Nora senses that whatever is happening to her daughter needs to be concealed—and a mother’s intuition is never wrong. Soon sinister people begin asking questions about Olivia, and Nora starts to wonder if there really is something wrong with her baby. But she’s determined to discover the truth about her daughter . . . no matter the cost.
Received a complimentary copy of Pinfeathers by Christina Henry from Berkley Publishing Group/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
⭐ 4 ⭐
Whoa.
This book was seriously trippy and quite anxious-making, particularly because I’m just enough of a conspiracy theorist (who has read a lot over the years about the illegal CIA mind control program **MK-ULTRA**) to believe that the United States government is willing to do just about anything to anybody.
Anywhere, any time.
Oh, heck, who am I kidding? Not just the U.S. government. Any government.
Definitely want to read more by Christina Henry!
**MK-ULTRA**
Per Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/MK-U...
“MK-ULTRA was an illegal mind-control research program that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency operated between 1953 and 1964. The CIA conducted experiments using high doses of LSD and other drugs, hypnosis, electroshock, and sensory deprivation on subjects who often had no idea that they were part of a covert test. The ultimate goal was to find a way to erase the memory and then control the mind as a tool in fighting the Cold War. In his book Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control, author and journalist Stephen Kinzer called the program “essentially a continuation of work that began in Japanese and Nazi concentration camps,” in part because Nazi doctors and others who had worked in those environments were recruited to continue their research as part of the program. Fearing discovery, the CIA destroyed most records of the experiments in 1973, but details of the program later emerged through congressional and journalistic investigations.”
DESCRIPTION
A tense, gripping novel about a mother whose child begins to change in ways she can’t explain, from the national bestselling author of The Place Where They Buried Your Heart.
Nora Pacetti is a new stay-at-home mother—she’s tired but coping while caring for her happy, healthy baby, Olivia. But then one morning, something that looks like a feather starts growing out of Olivia’s arm. Or at least, that’s what Nora’s mother, Giulia, thinks. Nora thinks her mother has probably spent too much time watching conspiracy videos on YouTube.
Nora’s husband thinks Olivia needs tests, specialists, hospitals. But Nora senses that whatever is happening to her daughter needs to be concealed—and a mother’s intuition is never wrong. Soon sinister people begin asking questions about Olivia, and Nora starts to wonder if there really is something wrong with her baby. But she’s determined to discover the truth about her daughter . . . no matter the cost.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I like what the story wanted to do and, at first, this was a page turner. There is always something new going on with Olivia, and Nora's frustration with feeling helpless not knowing what is going on with her daughter. A dark turn in the story accelerates the action further and it kept me turning the pages as fast as possible. There became a point that while a lot was going on, it suddenly became too much. Certain things went by so fast they weren't being fully explored and then it just ends. I liked the points Christina hit on but I felt with this type of story, it could of had a bit more depth.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A truly spectacular paranormal horror novel that is engaging and spare; there is no unnecessary filler text and it has heroines who behave fairly rationally despite being placed in an irrational paranormal situation.
The first few pages immediately set up the plot, with Nora, a new mother already running ragged from caring for her newborn daughter, with little assistance from her husband, discovers her daughter is growing feathers. Guilia, Nora’s mom, raised Nora as a single parent and has always been there to help her, and she has, in an eerie way, had anticipated the steps they need to take. The only minor issue I had with this novel is that it was hard to believe that Nora’s mom could have taken all of the precautions that were necessary later in the book (no spoilers) but despite that, it was an engaging read.
I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC; all opinions are my own.
The first few pages immediately set up the plot, with Nora, a new mother already running ragged from caring for her newborn daughter, with little assistance from her husband, discovers her daughter is growing feathers. Guilia, Nora’s mom, raised Nora as a single parent and has always been there to help her, and she has, in an eerie way, had anticipated the steps they need to take. The only minor issue I had with this novel is that it was hard to believe that Nora’s mom could have taken all of the precautions that were necessary later in the book (no spoilers) but despite that, it was an engaging read.
I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC; all opinions are my own.
September 18, 2026
This was an interesting read. I enjoyed the premise and the focus on the mother daughter relationship. The Italian mother was spot on! I love how unhinged she seemed, but how quickly she understood and accepted all the changes happening throughout the book. For me, the book did get repetitive with the main character resisting changes. I realize that would likely be a true lived experience, but did feel I was being beat over the head with it. Otherwise, good book!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
* thanks to Berkley for the ARC - pub date 11/17/26
I loved Christina Henry’s last book (The Place Where They Buried Your Heart) so I was super excited when I was sent Pinfeathers! She did a great job capturing the terror and frustration of early motherhood — even before the baby starts sprouting sharp black spikes. The absolute obliviousness of the husband was spot on as well. I didn’t love some of the later sections as much - it felt more action thriller than horror, but I loved how it ended and am already excited to read more books by Henry — she’s so good at blending horror and emotion.
I loved Christina Henry’s last book (The Place Where They Buried Your Heart) so I was super excited when I was sent Pinfeathers! She did a great job capturing the terror and frustration of early motherhood — even before the baby starts sprouting sharp black spikes. The absolute obliviousness of the husband was spot on as well. I didn’t love some of the later sections as much - it felt more action thriller than horror, but I loved how it ended and am already excited to read more books by Henry — she’s so good at blending horror and emotion.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thank you to @goodreads and @berkleypub for an advance copy proof of Pinfeathers, the latest novel from the creative mind of Christina Henry ❤️
You know how everyone asks: would you still love me if I was a worm? Well, would you still love your baby if they were *literally* turning into a bird? This dark fantasy/thriller/horror novel makes you question exactly that.
Theories, secrets, experiments, folktales...this is a book that makes you question everything! But at the heart of it all, this is the story of the love of a mother.
I give this one a solid 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
You know how everyone asks: would you still love me if I was a worm? Well, would you still love your baby if they were *literally* turning into a bird? This dark fantasy/thriller/horror novel makes you question exactly that.
Theories, secrets, experiments, folktales...this is a book that makes you question everything! But at the heart of it all, this is the story of the love of a mother.
I give this one a solid 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Christina Henry is a master at taking me from wonder, to horror and somehow overall doing it with love. I really wasn’t sure where this book was going in the beginning. And I won’t lie I never could have predicted how the middle and the end were going to go either. I loved every minute of the middle and end of the book and I think you will too. 4.25/5 stars!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Surprising, horrifying, and also deeply touching.
I loved the weirdness and thrills, the interlude info tied it all together. Giulia was the best character, maybe ever. Nora was kind of annoying; always argumentative. I wish we had more time/history with Catherine.
This book kept me on my toes, I didn’t really know what the heck would happen next as Olivia began to change and set off the series of events from there.
Love, love, love this story and highly recommend it. The end had me actually crying.
Thank you so much to the author, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing Group for a copy!
I loved the weirdness and thrills, the interlude info tied it all together. Giulia was the best character, maybe ever. Nora was kind of annoying; always argumentative. I wish we had more time/history with Catherine.
This book kept me on my toes, I didn’t really know what the heck would happen next as Olivia began to change and set off the series of events from there.
Love, love, love this story and highly recommend it. The end had me actually crying.
Thank you so much to the author, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing Group for a copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy of Pinfeathers by Christina Henry in exchange for my honest review.
I should know by now that going into a Christina Henry novel means having absolutely no idea what I’m getting myself into, but somehow, Pinfeathers still managed to surprise me. This book is WEIRD. It’s creepy, unsettling, occasionally stomach-churning, and completely unpredictable.
Nora is a new mother trying to navigate the exhaustion and challenges of caring for her baby daughter, Olivia, when she notices something that absolutely should not be there: what looks like a feather growing out of her baby’s arm. As Olivia’s condition becomes increasingly disturbing, Nora and her family find themselves searching for answers while trying to figure out who they can actually trust. What starts as an already unsettling situation quickly spirals into something far stranger than I ever could have anticipated.
The body horror is definitely the star of the show here, and Henry does not shy away from making you uncomfortable. But beneath all the bizarre twists and increasingly wild developments is a story about motherhood, family, and just how far someone will go to protect the people they love. I found myself frustrated with Nora at times, but I could also understand her desperate need to believe there was a reasonable explanation for what was happening to her daughter. And Giulia, Nora’s mother, was such an interesting presence throughout the story.
My biggest recommendation is to go into this book knowing as little as possible. I genuinely had no idea where the story was heading, and I think that uncertainty made the experience even better. The plot takes some truly unexpected turns, and while parts of it stretch believability, I was invested enough to need to know how it would all come together.
Pinfeathers is not going to be for everyone, and readers who are squeamish about body horror or distressing situations involving a baby should proceed with caution. But if you enjoy horror that gets under your skin, takes some seriously strange turns, and leaves you thinking, “What on earth did I just read?” this one is worth picking up.
Christina Henry has once again reminded me that I should never assume I can predict where one of her stories is going. Weird, wild, and deeply unsettling, Pinfeathers was a memorable ride!
Thank you again to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this advance copy.
I should know by now that going into a Christina Henry novel means having absolutely no idea what I’m getting myself into, but somehow, Pinfeathers still managed to surprise me. This book is WEIRD. It’s creepy, unsettling, occasionally stomach-churning, and completely unpredictable.
Nora is a new mother trying to navigate the exhaustion and challenges of caring for her baby daughter, Olivia, when she notices something that absolutely should not be there: what looks like a feather growing out of her baby’s arm. As Olivia’s condition becomes increasingly disturbing, Nora and her family find themselves searching for answers while trying to figure out who they can actually trust. What starts as an already unsettling situation quickly spirals into something far stranger than I ever could have anticipated.
The body horror is definitely the star of the show here, and Henry does not shy away from making you uncomfortable. But beneath all the bizarre twists and increasingly wild developments is a story about motherhood, family, and just how far someone will go to protect the people they love. I found myself frustrated with Nora at times, but I could also understand her desperate need to believe there was a reasonable explanation for what was happening to her daughter. And Giulia, Nora’s mother, was such an interesting presence throughout the story.
My biggest recommendation is to go into this book knowing as little as possible. I genuinely had no idea where the story was heading, and I think that uncertainty made the experience even better. The plot takes some truly unexpected turns, and while parts of it stretch believability, I was invested enough to need to know how it would all come together.
Pinfeathers is not going to be for everyone, and readers who are squeamish about body horror or distressing situations involving a baby should proceed with caution. But if you enjoy horror that gets under your skin, takes some seriously strange turns, and leaves you thinking, “What on earth did I just read?” this one is worth picking up.
Christina Henry has once again reminded me that I should never assume I can predict where one of her stories is going. Weird, wild, and deeply unsettling, Pinfeathers was a memorable ride!
Thank you again to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this advance copy.
Read
October 25, 2026Disclosure Statement: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. My thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced by either the author or the publisher.
Pinfeathers is a weird book, part fairy tale, part X-Files freak of the week, and also a dutiful consideration of the difficulty of motherhood and intimacy. At its heart is the story of a mother coming to terms with the changes in her child beyond what she can stomach, and reflecting on the ways her daughter's change also reveals the truth of change in herself.
At its most allegorical, I think the book delivers a heartfelt anxiety about change, about whether or not we're even equipped for the things life might throw at us. As Nora's daughter begins to turn into a bird, she's faced with the reality that raising this individual child is more than she might have bargained for, and the resulting horror resides in her fears over what her child is becoming, but also what that reveals in herself. Her attitudes toward childrearing begin to shift as she recognizes her own child less and less, as the baby interrupts her marriage and her sense of sanity. It's a little rare to see these anxieties so plainly on the page, as most books about mothers and motherhood, even when monstrous, still often cleave toward wholesome maternal instincts over the opposite. And it's worth investigating these ideas, as not all motherhood is wholesome, and not all mothers are equipped for their children's needs.
But the book is also deliberately silly, with a whole subplot featuring megalomaniacal villains that feel torn straight out of a Gothic comic book. Most of the horror is cut through with a kind of absurdist humor, ranging from conspiracy theories to folktale, such that the book feels like it's doing a little too much at any one time. It's hard to call out what coheres best and what doesn't, because the book is so very weird and its characters know and acknowledge how weird it is. It's all in good fun, with the heavier thoughts on motherhood leavened by all of the other weirdnesses the book indulges in.
I'd place this one somewhere between camp and existential horror, funny enough to breeze through while still being horrifying in its own right.
Pinfeathers is a weird book, part fairy tale, part X-Files freak of the week, and also a dutiful consideration of the difficulty of motherhood and intimacy. At its heart is the story of a mother coming to terms with the changes in her child beyond what she can stomach, and reflecting on the ways her daughter's change also reveals the truth of change in herself.
At its most allegorical, I think the book delivers a heartfelt anxiety about change, about whether or not we're even equipped for the things life might throw at us. As Nora's daughter begins to turn into a bird, she's faced with the reality that raising this individual child is more than she might have bargained for, and the resulting horror resides in her fears over what her child is becoming, but also what that reveals in herself. Her attitudes toward childrearing begin to shift as she recognizes her own child less and less, as the baby interrupts her marriage and her sense of sanity. It's a little rare to see these anxieties so plainly on the page, as most books about mothers and motherhood, even when monstrous, still often cleave toward wholesome maternal instincts over the opposite. And it's worth investigating these ideas, as not all motherhood is wholesome, and not all mothers are equipped for their children's needs.
But the book is also deliberately silly, with a whole subplot featuring megalomaniacal villains that feel torn straight out of a Gothic comic book. Most of the horror is cut through with a kind of absurdist humor, ranging from conspiracy theories to folktale, such that the book feels like it's doing a little too much at any one time. It's hard to call out what coheres best and what doesn't, because the book is so very weird and its characters know and acknowledge how weird it is. It's all in good fun, with the heavier thoughts on motherhood leavened by all of the other weirdnesses the book indulges in.
I'd place this one somewhere between camp and existential horror, funny enough to breeze through while still being horrifying in its own right.
September 24, 2026
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
👩🏼 are an overprotective mother
🦅 have a daughter who turned into a bird
❤️ love to read horror
🤫 keep secrets from your loved ones
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Nora Pacetti is a new stay-at-home mother—she’s tired but coping while caring for her happy, healthy baby, Olivia. But then one morning, something that looks like a feather starts growing out of Olivia’s arm. Or at least, that’s what Nora’s mother, Giulia, thinks. Nora thinks her mother has probably spent too much time watching conspiracy videos on YouTube.
Nora’s husband thinks Olivia needs tests, specialists, hospitals. But Nora senses that whatever is happening to her daughter needs to be concealed—and a mother’s intuition is never wrong. Soon sinister people begin asking questions about Olivia, and Nora starts to wonder if there really is something wrong with her baby. But she’s determined to discover the truth about her daughter . . . no matter the cost.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was my first novel by Christina but won’t be my last! I was so invested in this story from page one! I could fully relate to Nora because I am also a mom to a ten month old daughter, so everything that was happening to Olivia felt like it was happening to my Emma. I felt every single one of Nora’s emotions on another level! This story honestly felt written for me, and I’m so glad I read it at a time where I could feel a lot of empathy for the main character. I absolutely loved Giulia’s character though. She was the most amazing mother and grandmother to Nora and Olivia - doing everything she could to protect them. The chapters were a bit long for my taste (I simply prefer shorter chapters) but the book did seem to go more quickly with the longer chapters. The ending also had me tearing up.
👩🏼 are an overprotective mother
🦅 have a daughter who turned into a bird
❤️ love to read horror
🤫 keep secrets from your loved ones
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Nora Pacetti is a new stay-at-home mother—she’s tired but coping while caring for her happy, healthy baby, Olivia. But then one morning, something that looks like a feather starts growing out of Olivia’s arm. Or at least, that’s what Nora’s mother, Giulia, thinks. Nora thinks her mother has probably spent too much time watching conspiracy videos on YouTube.
Nora’s husband thinks Olivia needs tests, specialists, hospitals. But Nora senses that whatever is happening to her daughter needs to be concealed—and a mother’s intuition is never wrong. Soon sinister people begin asking questions about Olivia, and Nora starts to wonder if there really is something wrong with her baby. But she’s determined to discover the truth about her daughter . . . no matter the cost.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was my first novel by Christina but won’t be my last! I was so invested in this story from page one! I could fully relate to Nora because I am also a mom to a ten month old daughter, so everything that was happening to Olivia felt like it was happening to my Emma. I felt every single one of Nora’s emotions on another level! This story honestly felt written for me, and I’m so glad I read it at a time where I could feel a lot of empathy for the main character. I absolutely loved Giulia’s character though. She was the most amazing mother and grandmother to Nora and Olivia - doing everything she could to protect them. The chapters were a bit long for my taste (I simply prefer shorter chapters) but the book did seem to go more quickly with the longer chapters. The ending also had me tearing up.
November 1, 2026
Wow!! I am so confused. I am going to review this book without describing anthing that happens in the book. I think if you want to try this book it is best that you go in not knowing anything.
I’ve loved Christina Henry’s work since The Girl in Red. She is an excellent author and this book does not change that opinion. My problem with this book is how many things I think it was trying to say and where it was going. Parts of the book reminded me of The Fly, Justin Cronin’s The Passage, Young Frankenstein and the X Files. There was body horror. There was a government type conspiracy, there was humor that made you wonder whether it was intended humor. In short, it was all over the place. There was also some very interesting questions the work brought up. Unfortunately, for me at least, it didn’t coalesce into a Consistent whole. It read like differing sections of another book woven together with dental floss.
All of that said, Alll of those disperate pieces were so well written that it is still an entertaining book. I’m going to land on 3 1/2 stars. I think fans of Christina Henry should give this a try. I also think if you’re a fan of any of those comps I mentioned you should give this a whirl.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this work in exchange for an honest review. As per the usual arrangement this review is my work, created without the use of AI or any other outside source.
I’ve loved Christina Henry’s work since The Girl in Red. She is an excellent author and this book does not change that opinion. My problem with this book is how many things I think it was trying to say and where it was going. Parts of the book reminded me of The Fly, Justin Cronin’s The Passage, Young Frankenstein and the X Files. There was body horror. There was a government type conspiracy, there was humor that made you wonder whether it was intended humor. In short, it was all over the place. There was also some very interesting questions the work brought up. Unfortunately, for me at least, it didn’t coalesce into a Consistent whole. It read like differing sections of another book woven together with dental floss.
All of that said, Alll of those disperate pieces were so well written that it is still an entertaining book. I’m going to land on 3 1/2 stars. I think fans of Christina Henry should give this a try. I also think if you’re a fan of any of those comps I mentioned you should give this a whirl.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this work in exchange for an honest review. As per the usual arrangement this review is my work, created without the use of AI or any other outside source.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well, that did not go in the direction I thought it would. Not even remotely. Pinfeathers is an absolutely unhinged blend of body horror, sci-fi, and government conspiracy. Somewhere along the way, I found myself thinking, “What the actual fuck is happening here?” And I mean that in the best possible way.
Christina Henry has a talent for taking a story somewhere dark and twisted, but when she goes batshit, she goes ALL THE WAY. No dipping a toe into the weirdness here. She dives headfirst into the deep end and apparently takes the rest of us with her. And honestly, I love her for that.
This is the kind of book you’re better off going into with as little information as possible. Just trust the process, embrace the chaos, and prepare for things to get seriously weird. Buckle up, horror fans. This is one wild ride of sci-fi body horror, and Christina Henry is clearly not here to hold any hands.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Christina Henry, and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Christina Henry has a talent for taking a story somewhere dark and twisted, but when she goes batshit, she goes ALL THE WAY. No dipping a toe into the weirdness here. She dives headfirst into the deep end and apparently takes the rest of us with her. And honestly, I love her for that.
This is the kind of book you’re better off going into with as little information as possible. Just trust the process, embrace the chaos, and prepare for things to get seriously weird. Buckle up, horror fans. This is one wild ride of sci-fi body horror, and Christina Henry is clearly not here to hold any hands.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Christina Henry, and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 22, 2026
How do you tell your husband your daughter is sprouting feathers? Rip the bandaid off.
I love it when a novel captures my attention like a vice! Tension and suspense successfully carries throughout, making
Pinfeathers a book which hooks you immediately and will no doubt urge you to read on. This cast of characters is multi dysfunctional. The plot is crazy like a fox!
Nora and Adam fight like cats and dogs. But they do agree on one thing. The love for their child and protecting her no matter what happens. Even if she has begun to take on characteristics of a raven.
The same goes for Giulia, Nora’s mother. Protect your offspring. She’s smart and switched on with secrets that blow Nora’s mind. There’s just one thing. They weren’t counting on being hunted.
Or were they?
Avian awareness.
Conspiracy theories.
Body horror.
Folklore.
Family bonding.
Female resilience.
Mothers love.
Special thanks goes out to Berkley via NetGalley for this e-galley gift.
I love it when a novel captures my attention like a vice! Tension and suspense successfully carries throughout, making
Pinfeathers a book which hooks you immediately and will no doubt urge you to read on. This cast of characters is multi dysfunctional. The plot is crazy like a fox!
Nora and Adam fight like cats and dogs. But they do agree on one thing. The love for their child and protecting her no matter what happens. Even if she has begun to take on characteristics of a raven.
The same goes for Giulia, Nora’s mother. Protect your offspring. She’s smart and switched on with secrets that blow Nora’s mind. There’s just one thing. They weren’t counting on being hunted.
Or were they?
Avian awareness.
Conspiracy theories.
Body horror.
Folklore.
Family bonding.
Female resilience.
Mothers love.
Special thanks goes out to Berkley via NetGalley for this e-galley gift.
Read
October 28, 2026I really wanted to enjoy this one, but unfortunately, it just wasn't for me. The premise was certainly unusual and had the potential to be an intriguing, suspenseful read, but I struggled to connect with the characters or become invested in their story.
The increasingly bizarre and disturbing elements weren't what I was looking for, and I found myself having a difficult time staying engaged. By 33%, I wasn't feeling compelled to continue, and the story hadn't given me enough reason to push through.
I know this book may appeal to readers who enjoy unconventional horror and strange, unsettling storylines, but it ultimately wasn't a good fit for me. I'm disappointed it didn't work out, but sometimes a book just isn't the right match for a reader.
Thank you Netgalley for my ARC .
The increasingly bizarre and disturbing elements weren't what I was looking for, and I found myself having a difficult time staying engaged. By 33%, I wasn't feeling compelled to continue, and the story hadn't given me enough reason to push through.
I know this book may appeal to readers who enjoy unconventional horror and strange, unsettling storylines, but it ultimately wasn't a good fit for me. I'm disappointed it didn't work out, but sometimes a book just isn't the right match for a reader.
Thank you Netgalley for my ARC .
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
thank you so much to my partners PRH Audio and Berkley for the gifted copies! I felt so unsettled while reading this book. I still remember vividly what it was like to be a new mother and I can’t even imagine what it would be like if the craziness in this book happened to me and my baby. Talk about horror! But thank goodness for Nora’s mom Giulia… we could all use someone like her on our lives! I have a lot of questions about her that I’m dying to get answers to but I’ll have to be satisfied with never knowing why she did the things she did. This book was both heartbreaking and uncomfortable at times, posing the question: What would you do if your child changed and wasn’t your child anymore?
The audiobook was narrated by @samanthadesz and I loved how she handled the various characters, including Giulia’s Italian accent. I’m so glad I listened to the audio and got the full experience of the accent!
The audiobook was narrated by @samanthadesz and I loved how she handled the various characters, including Giulia’s Italian accent. I’m so glad I listened to the audio and got the full experience of the accent!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC of Pinfeathers via NetGalley.
I thought this would be a bit like The Push, but it ended up being like a weird mix between X-men and The Bourne Identity, extremely different than what I was expecting. I appreciated that the plot took off right from the first chapter and the action never let up, which made it a very quick read. Unfortunately, all of the characters were both flat and unlikeable and the ending provided absolutely no explanation for any of the events in the story. I'm not opposed to open endings in books but this felt flat out unfinished.
2.5 stars.
I thought this would be a bit like The Push, but it ended up being like a weird mix between X-men and The Bourne Identity, extremely different than what I was expecting. I appreciated that the plot took off right from the first chapter and the action never let up, which made it a very quick read. Unfortunately, all of the characters were both flat and unlikeable and the ending provided absolutely no explanation for any of the events in the story. I'm not opposed to open endings in books but this felt flat out unfinished.
2.5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I want to thank NetGalley, Christina Henry and the people at Berkley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book.
I have read a few books by Christina Henry and they generally don't disappoint. This book hit different as there were times I didn't know if I liked it and then there were times that I loved it.
The book has an air of X-files about it that works, but I felt it took a bit to explain it.
I mean how does a baby develop what appears to be feathers. But once they can't past the initial shock then we see all the levels of relationship dynamics in a family with a new child.
Though there are some times where you really have to rely on suspension of disbelief the book is very entertaining.
I have read a few books by Christina Henry and they generally don't disappoint. This book hit different as there were times I didn't know if I liked it and then there were times that I loved it.
The book has an air of X-files about it that works, but I felt it took a bit to explain it.
I mean how does a baby develop what appears to be feathers. But once they can't past the initial shock then we see all the levels of relationship dynamics in a family with a new child.
Though there are some times where you really have to rely on suspension of disbelief the book is very entertaining.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am a Christina Henry fan already and this might be my new current favorite. She definitely knocked it out of the park with this one. I love creepy horror novels. In this one, a baby is in distress and the parents are frantic to discover what the problem is. I have no idea if this has a fairytale origin or if the author created her own. If she did, extra props to her for that because she did an excellent job. This is excellent. I wish I could erase it out of my brain and start over from the beginning.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got an eGalley of this from NetGalley for Review
Thoughts: This was a very well done thriller/horror sort of book. It was compulsively readable, very hard to put down. I wasn't quite sure what to expect coming in, but the pace was non-stop, almost leaving you breathless. I am a big fan of Christina Henry and have read her Madeline Black seris (loved it), the Chronicles of Alice series (loved it), "The Mermaid" (liked it), "The Girl in Red" (loved it), and "Horseman" (liked it).
This story follows Nora as she navigates being a new stay-at-home mother. She is growing resentful of her husband who is dodging parental duty with excuses of work and his own social life even though they agreed to do this baby thing together. Then one day her baby daughter, Olivia, is inconsoable. That is when Nora sees a tiny black splinter like thing growing from her daughter's arm. Nora's mother (who is a conspiracy theory nut and doomsday prepper) absolutely doesn't think Nora should take Olivia to the doctor. However, Nora's husband is adamant that they figure out what is going on. Nora is exhausted and being pulled between the two. Things start to unravel as Olivia's issues continue and creepy things start to happen to Nora and her husband.
For the most part I enjoyed this. The pain and exhaustion Nora feels is very real and well depicted. There are a number of twists and turns throughout the story which I really enjoyed and the story is incredibly fast-paced and hard to put down.
I think my only disappointment was in the story device used to explain the "why" behind the pinfeathers that start growing on Olivia. There were hints that the reason behind this was something more, but then the main reason given behind this was a story device that has been way overused to explain why a human starts showing strange traits. Really the "why" behind all of this felt a bit muddled, like we were given a reason why but maybe it was something else, but we're not sure. Maybe that uncertainty was deliberate but it left me feeling a slightly unsatisfied with the story as a whole.
The above is a pretty minor quibble, this was a very well done story and incredibly engaging and readable. It was creepy in a very real way and I found the ending incredibly satisfying (if a bit unhinged). This is the first of a series of creepy Halloween month reads I have lined up and it didn't disappoint.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I really enjoyed this. I liked the fast-paced, the creepiness, the characers, and the twists and turns. I though the ending was spectacular. My only complaint is the over-used story device used to explain Olivia's "condition". I would recommend this as an excellent creepy read, especially for those who enjoy Henry's writing and how unhinged it can be. I looked forward to what she writes next.
Thoughts: This was a very well done thriller/horror sort of book. It was compulsively readable, very hard to put down. I wasn't quite sure what to expect coming in, but the pace was non-stop, almost leaving you breathless. I am a big fan of Christina Henry and have read her Madeline Black seris (loved it), the Chronicles of Alice series (loved it), "The Mermaid" (liked it), "The Girl in Red" (loved it), and "Horseman" (liked it).
This story follows Nora as she navigates being a new stay-at-home mother. She is growing resentful of her husband who is dodging parental duty with excuses of work and his own social life even though they agreed to do this baby thing together. Then one day her baby daughter, Olivia, is inconsoable. That is when Nora sees a tiny black splinter like thing growing from her daughter's arm. Nora's mother (who is a conspiracy theory nut and doomsday prepper) absolutely doesn't think Nora should take Olivia to the doctor. However, Nora's husband is adamant that they figure out what is going on. Nora is exhausted and being pulled between the two. Things start to unravel as Olivia's issues continue and creepy things start to happen to Nora and her husband.
For the most part I enjoyed this. The pain and exhaustion Nora feels is very real and well depicted. There are a number of twists and turns throughout the story which I really enjoyed and the story is incredibly fast-paced and hard to put down.
I think my only disappointment was in the story device used to explain the "why" behind the pinfeathers that start growing on Olivia. There were hints that the reason behind this was something more, but then the main reason given behind this was a story device that has been way overused to explain why a human starts showing strange traits. Really the "why" behind all of this felt a bit muddled, like we were given a reason why but maybe it was something else, but we're not sure. Maybe that uncertainty was deliberate but it left me feeling a slightly unsatisfied with the story as a whole.
The above is a pretty minor quibble, this was a very well done story and incredibly engaging and readable. It was creepy in a very real way and I found the ending incredibly satisfying (if a bit unhinged). This is the first of a series of creepy Halloween month reads I have lined up and it didn't disappoint.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I really enjoyed this. I liked the fast-paced, the creepiness, the characers, and the twists and turns. I though the ending was spectacular. My only complaint is the over-used story device used to explain Olivia's "condition". I would recommend this as an excellent creepy read, especially for those who enjoy Henry's writing and how unhinged it can be. I looked forward to what she writes next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This feels different from Christina Henrys other books.
It is almost like a body horror.
Finishing the book and reflecting back, not much happens, but it all happens so fast over the course of a few days, but the psychology behind what is happening is terrifying.
I'm not sure on the ending, however, karma always wins!
Really enjoyed this. A different kind of read. Would highly recommend
Thanks Netgally for my advanced copy
It is almost like a body horror.
Finishing the book and reflecting back, not much happens, but it all happens so fast over the course of a few days, but the psychology behind what is happening is terrifying.
I'm not sure on the ending, however, karma always wins!
Really enjoyed this. A different kind of read. Would highly recommend
Thanks Netgally for my advanced copy
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