Cover Image: Nestlings

Nestlings

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Member Reviews

I was initially hesitant once I saw the inspiration mashup, but I absolutely shouldnโ€™t be.

May Cassidy does it again in this horror that had me hooked from the first chapter.

This story was incredibly well thought out and was a total page turner. I will absolutely be getting a physical copy to add to my library.

The creepy tiny of the book easily sets the reader up for never ending unease. If this book and this author arenโ€™t on your shelf, I would absolutely recommend changing that.

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This is such an engrossing horror novel. The setting is unique and haunting, and the numerous perspectives are all equally compelling, adding up to a novel of enormous atmosphere and empathy. Monstrously impressive in its ambition, scope and execution. Nat Cassidy is one to treasureโ€”and fear!

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I'm so late on this, but Nestlings by Nat Cassidy was incredible. It is rare that I read a novel that actually scares me (the last one being Hidden Pictures) and makes me want to stop reading in the dark before bedtime, but this was one of them. Rosemary's Baby is one of my favorite films, so the plot - husband, wife and baby relocate to a posh but mysterious apartment building in New York City, chaos unfolds - was an easy sell for me. I would tell my husband the latest happenings at the Deptford on our nightly dog walks and he said that my secondhand accounting was giving him the chills. What more do you need to know? A must read for horror fans, already one of my top reads so far this year. Five stars!

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This is how you do a horror book. Every part of this book was intriguing, and perfectly executed. The details and storytelling abilities of the author allows you to really capture each scene and moment, you feel like you are in the moment and the fear and unnerving feeling is there and honestly this is one of the better horror books I have read I'm a long time!

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This book genuinely gave me the ickies which doesn't happen often for me; the descriptions are written so well and provide a vivid picture. That fucking smiling concierge will haunt me forever ๐Ÿ˜ณ

Having also read Mary, it is clear that Nat Cassidy is an incredibly thoughtful writer who does his research and I'm finding that his afterwords are absolutely worth reading, as much as the book themselves. Honestly, as soon as I heard that he had another book coming out, I pre-ordered it right away...not even knowing what it's about. I didn't care because I had a feeling it would be a kick ass story and I was right!

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While I'd say this is a stronger read than Cassidy's debut Mary, I ultimately found Nestlings lacking the right balance of atmosphere and domesticity. The bug stuff was fine, and a bit gross, but nothing ever scared me. Perhaps Nat Cassidy just isn't for me.

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Ahoy there mateys! I started this in October 2023 and thought I would finish it quickly.ย  This book is short and yet it stalled at 30%.ย  I really wanted to know about the creepy New York City apartment building.ย  What I got instead were unpleasant characters and a plodding plot.ย  The mother hated her baby because the birth paralyzed her.ย  I get why she struggled but her voice was unpleasant.ย  The husband was worse.ย  I did ruin the ending for meself on purpose.ย  Yup glad I didn't finish this.ย  Arrr!

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Thank you Netgalley, author, and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc. I look forward to reading more.

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Nestlings is a masterpiece of literary motherhood horror. Ana and Reid win the apartment rental lottery and score a reduced-price apartment in the Deptford, a prestigious and exclusive New York building. But right away, things arenโ€™t as idyllic and serene as theyโ€™d hoped. Their one-year-old baby, Charlie, cries incessantly. Ana has been in a wheelchair ever since her daughterโ€™s birth, and she struggles with the apartmentโ€™s accessibility.

The authorโ€™s writing style is unparalleled, and I was hooked right from the very first pages. The story takes its time, leisurely weaving a story full of tension and grotesque metaphor, masterfully blending real-world struggles, like paying bills and navigating a new disability, with paranormal horror. The plot is slow, but the narrative is rife with a rich history for the Deptford, backstory for the characters, and eerie imagery.

The book is broken up into parts, with chapter titles and breaks in the chapters, which gives little sneak peaks in the horrors to come.

The entire narrative is told in the third person, and we get multiple charactersโ€™ POVs throughout. I didnโ€™t particularly like Reid, the husband, as he makes some poor choices, and I never managed to connect with him. Ana, on the other hand, is a far more compelling character. Sheโ€™s a mother, but she resents her child for the hardship sheโ€™s brought on her. She wanted to move to the Deptford, if only while yearning for a lifestyle that had always been just out of reach, but she has doubts and regrets almost instantly after moving in. Something is very, very wrong with the Deptford and its residents. I adore stories that present a place as its own character, and the Deptford, with its breathing walls and organic warmth, fails to disappoint.

All in all, I highly recommend this book if youโ€™re looking for an atmospheric motherhood horror thatโ€™s equal parts psychological warfare and creature feature.

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A masterclass in new age vampirism. Nat Cassidy not only managed to absolutely terrify me with their King-esque vampirian monsters but also was able to craft an incredibly powerful story about the Jewish-American experience, loss, and disability all while wrapping it up in a beautiful heart wrenching little postpartum journey of motherhood. I have also never had a reader who has made me hate a man more in my life. Love that. I also can ONLY see the babyโ€™s looking like the babyโ€™s in Dead Space. Soโ€ฆ thatโ€™s Terrifyingโ€ฆ Nat is a true horror craftsman and I can not wait to see what he does next.

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As always, shout out to NetGalley for providing me with this e-arc. I am a little late to the game but I am happy I finally got around to reading this one. After reading Mary by Nat Cassidy, I knew I had to get my hands on Nestlings. Mary was one of my favourite reads from 2023 so I had high hopes, and I will say I was slightly disappointed in Nestlings. It wasn't bad! Trust me, it is still worth a read but I didn't really enjoy the pacing (personal preference). The story itself was everything I look for in horror/thriller though. It was very creepy and had a great story line about human experience. I would definitely recommend this book.

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I found it creepy and sometimes disgusting and shocking. I was also bored at some points. I think it was a very unique book and Iโ€™d be curious to check out another book by this author.

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Nat Cassidy is a power house in the horror genre and I am so excited to continue reading stories from him. As a follow up to one of my favorite reads, Mary, Nestlings is a Rosemary's Baby inspired haunted tale depicting postpartum, depression, family, and motherhood. Nat Cassidy is an auto-buy author for me now and I will be reading anything he writes.

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what a thrill ride of a novel this is ! Ana and Reid with newborn Charlie leave their old apartment for the mysterious and glamorous Deptford . Ana paralyzed and traumatized after the birth of her baby needs a fresh start. .what starts out as adjusting to their new apartment and life
Ends with horror . One of the best horror novels of the year . Original, unique and definitely creepy and scary

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This one is a challenge to review, because I really hate the trope of a married couple moving into a house/apartment where supernatural things occur and cause strain on their marriage. Hate it. Nestlings does deploy this trope, but executes it quite well. There's also a turn in this book that I found very surprising (a turn that I forgot was telegraphed by the tags on Tor Nightfire's website as well as Goodreads) and a good twist on that horror subgenre. The ending will not be for everyone, but I appreciate when books really *go there*.

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Nat Cassidy always brings something new to horror. This book combines spectacular writing with commentary on difficult pregnancies, parenthood, disability and so much more. All while being an incredibly interesting story with very dark and terrifying moments. I love the fresh take on vampire-adjacent trope and I love the idea of moving into a new place in New York and finding out that something is off about the neighbours and the building itself.

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I missed the notification that i was approved for this ARC, and ended up buying a physical copy, which after reading i wouldve done any way. This book is amazing. I will forever buy any Nat Cassidy book now, and he may just be my favorite author. I dont know if i prefer this book or Mary more.

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This book was such a wild ride. I'm just gonna put it out there, I will ๐’๐’†๐’—๐’†๐’“ move to a building that has a lottery for people to move in. Not after this book! And don't get me started about the babies....

For all the parents out there, take heed before reading this one. ๐‘ซ๐’๐’'๐’• ๐’”๐’‚๐’š ๐‘ฐ ๐’…๐’Š๐’…๐’'๐’• ๐’˜๐’‚๐’“๐’ ๐’š๐’๐’–.

They said in the synopsis that it was ๐‘น๐’๐’”๐’†๐’Ž๐’‚๐’š'๐’” ๐‘ฉ๐’‚๐’ƒ๐’š meets ๐‘บ๐’‚๐’๐’†๐’Ž'๐’” ๐‘ณ๐’๐’• and I 100% agree. It's like if you smooshed a story about changelings with a story about vampires and creepy buildings with gargoyles, disguised as luxury.

I thought the disability rep was done really well. It showed the range of anger and resentment, but also the strength and capability. I loved Ana's character as well as the other "characters." Everything fit together so nicely for one hell of a no thanks ๐Ÿ‘€

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I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

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It's been a bit since I've come across a really good creature horror, and this book presented such a compelling perspective! The creatures were intriguing, and I found the lore surrounding them really interesting. Beyond the creatures, what stood out to me was Cassidy's willingness to tackle the challenging themes of parenthood, disability, and mental health with honesty and depth.

Ultimately, "Nestlings" is a compelling and emotionally charged horror story that delves into the complexities of motherhood against the eerie backdrop of an exclusive New York City residential building. As a reader who thoroughly enjoyed the book, I highly recommend it to those seeking a dark and thought-provoking narrative.

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