*Full Review on Blog -- https://theinklingspodcast.blogspot.com/2023/11/nestlings-nat-cassidy.html *

Ana and Reid really, really needed a break. Their landlord is an absolutely garbage bag of a human being and Ana has just gone through a terrifying change after delivering their daughter, Charlie: she's paralyzed and wheel chair bound. It's something that would hurt anyone, but especially impacts Ana's mental stability as she is someone who had made a career being fit and active. Now she's bitter and struggling in her relationships with both Reid and Charlie, relearning her body, and, on top of that, dealing with postpartum depression. And just as things are looking their worst after one horrible night, they win the lottery = a room in the rich and luxurious Deptford Apartments. As they move in, though, is Ana becoming more unhinged and unwell? Sure, Reid can try and explain away most of it; of course Charlie is acting differently. She's a baby and they just made a big move. Can he explain the needle-like marks on her skin? That one's a little more tricky.
There were a few moments in this book that did feel slow to me, but I personally enjoyed the slow burn, creeping feeling. While it was a slow burn, I didn't really feel as if there were any scenes that weren't needed aside from two chapters. This book often switches perspectives, which I really enjoyed, but there were two that had me questioning why they were there and, honestly, I'm still not sure. They did give relevant information, I'm just not sure a full chapter from that person's perspective was necessary. It seems like it could've been given in another way. I've already touched on this a bit before, but I really enjoyed the way that Nat utilized this kind of horror story to explore the topics that are in this book. Early in the book, he says, "But mother can handle a lot of sensations at once, can't they? It's of the the job: to be torn open and persevere." I always appreciate when the topic of motherhood is discussed in a complex way, because it's a complex thing in and of itself. It isn't 100% sunshine and rainbows, but mom's are often dehumanized for feeling any negative feelings towards their children.

A very creepy story that had me from the very beginning. This young couple that moves into a new apartment that seems fraught with bad omens considering their situation. But trying to make the best of everything, they move in even if it's on a top floor and the main character is in a wheel chair. Then when all the strange happenings are going on, things continue to ratchet up in the creepy-ness!

3.5 rounded up. I have mixed emotions about this one. The book was well written with an eerie setting and a unique plot. It was fast paced enough to keep me reading and I actually did enjoy it. However, maybe it's been too long since I read an actual horror book, but I thought it was extremely weird and almost laughable at times. It lost some shock value there and made a steep dive into ridiculousness. Maybe I should stick to thrillers. My thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Not sure how I ended up reading so many “modern retellings of ‘Rosemary’s Baby’” this year, (I mean, technically I choose what I read so it’s my fault.) But this one is probably the closest thing to the original story but also absolutely it’s own creative thing.

This book was very different from the author's other book, "Mary." So much so that they kind of feel like two different authors wrote them. (Personally, I enjoyed this one a lot more.)

There is a moment early on that legit gave me the creeps. The horror overall in "Nestlings" is very effective, from the ever present, growing dread to the threat that is very clearly there in the building. (There’s never any question about whether or not the characters are actually in danger. Even if Ana is being gaslit about it, we the reader know for a fact that she and her daughter are fucked.) And the monsters in this book are something I haven’t really seen before! Scary, gross, refreshing. Very cool. Also loved and appreciated the Gremlins 2 reference. Technically, there are two references if you think about it. I read a review or two that said the in-between, story stuff was boring but I disagree. There was plenty of horror mixed in consistently that I was never left wondering when something creepy was going to happen again. The wait was never long.

The husbands in these types of stories are always  so irritating. Even when they’re mostly written to be understanding and mostly likable, (which is RARE), they still have to gaslight and irritate the protagonist. I think it’s required by law. In this case, we actually get Reid’s POV from time to time. And it was handled in such a way that it could have been both the influence of the building AND the stress of his actual life that changed him from an okay guy to an actual piece of shit. (I said what I said.) I did appreciate that aspect of the characterization, but damn was he infuriating. I think the only thing keeping this book from being a five-star read for me was that I struggled a lot with him. It made parts of the experience unpleasant. That was probably the point, but I was already stressed about other things in my actual life and I didn't need to be annoyed on top of all that.

The ending is a bit disturbing but also interesting and weird I liked the decisions that the author made. Just a quick aside, I don't know if it will be included in the final version or not, since this is an advanced reading copy, but I appreciated the detailed explanation of trigger warnings from the author at the beginning. It was a thoughtful touch. I did write my own for this review, though. I also never see horror books in which the main character is in a wheelchair for the entire story!

TW: Postpartum Depression, Imagery of child death, sexism, a very racist character, gross things involving fluids and viscera

Weird, unsettling story that takes the vampire creature feature and infuses it with New York atmosphere and Jewish folklore. I enjoyed the undercurrent of themes about parenting, loss and grief. So good!

Another absolute banger by Nat Cassidy. 

Superficially, Nestlings is an exquisitely well-written and entertaining horror novel. Cassidy pays homage to "The Shining," "Salem's Lot," and  "Rosemary's Baby" and does them complete justice while still crafting a story that is uniquely his own. 

Yes- "Nestlings" has all of the significant elements of a modern horror novel. It has a perfectly atmospheric location (easily considered a character itself), horrific visuals, suspense, creepy characters, and monstrous evil. 

"Nestlings" ALSO integrates the genuine everyday horrors of ableism, racism, xenophobia, grief, and just basic survival in a world that can be absolutely brutal and indifferent. 
The marriage of both notes is seamless- neither distracts from the other but rather strengthens the whole experience. 

Cassidy has an undeniable talent for creating contextually layered stories that reach the depth of the human experience with incredible empathy and emotional intelligence while maintaining the integrity of entertainment value and escapism. 

I absolutely love this book and this author. 

The audiobook narration is brilliantly done and hits all the right notes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Nat Cassidy is creating a niche for himself with effective, entertaining, gross horror novels that serve as allegory for human conditions. I'm hooked. His writing is fresh, funny and, yes, horrifying. While this one may not be quite as original as his first (noted homages to Salem's Lot and Rosemary's Baby), it is full of surprises and thought-provoking moments. Cassidy is that rare man that can write women I understand and relate to.

Nat Cassidy is a master of tone and setting. I loved the majority of this book, but the narrative was frustrating at times.

ALC REVIEW: NESTLINGS

Pub date: October 31, 2023

“Ana and Reid needed a lucky break.

The horrifically complicated birth of their first child has left Ana paralyzed, bitter, and struggling: with mobility, with her relationship with Reid, with resentment for her baby. That's about to change with the words any New Yorker would love to hear―affordable housing lottery.

They've won an apartment in the Deptford, one of Manhattan's most revered buildings with beautiful vistas of Central Park and stunning architecture.

Reid dismisses disturbing events and Ana’s deep unease and paranoia as the price of living in New York―people are odd―but he can't explain the needle-like bite marks on the baby.”

You ever get really scared to read an author’s second book because you are so obsessed with their debut?! That it’s not gonna live up to the first?! Well I am ecstatic to report that is not the case with @catnassidy second book Nestlings!The characters in this book are top notch. You feel for Ana and Reid and are so happy that they are moving into a new place. The neighbors are “quirky” to say the least, but you can’t help but kinda fall in love with their oddities. You know the creepiness is gonna get ramped up when nobody wants to come in the building unless they live there 👀 And you know that whatever is going on with the baby has something to do with their new digs. The atmosphere in this book is just ✨chefs kiss✨ I loved that it was set in New York and was the perfect backdrop for this story. I seriously could NOT stop listening to this one because I NEEDED to know what happened next. This book will definitely be in my top reads of the year right next to Mary

Thank you to @netgalley @tornightfire and @macmillan.audio for this perfect, spooky audiobook

Nestlings was the perfect creepy horror pick for the fall. I loved the setting of a desirable apartment building with secrets set in NYC. Will be recommending this!

Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this work as an e-ARC. Having read the masterpiece that is Cassidy's Mary, I went into Nestlings with high expectations. The author delivered via tonality and ambiance. However, I felt the story fell flat in some aspects. I particularly didn't like how our main character Ana didn't have agency over her story, her decisions, until her world literally crumbled before her. I think it was all very convenient how she was able to get out of being a wife and a mother in one full swoop, and she was able to live her life how she wanted. Also, Georgia deserved better than what little acknowledgement she received after her "disappearance."
I will most likely read more of Cassidy's works in the future. However, this work wasn't for me. Thank you, again, for the opportunity to read this work in advance! 2.5/5 rounded up to 3.

DNF after the 'Neighbor' chapter. A woman clearly having a mental health crisis and nothing is done. A "detective" brushes the whole thing aside? Not realistic, too frustrating to continue.

I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as Mary. I think I went in with my expectations too high. The scary scenes in this book are well written and definitely lived up to the Rosemarys Baby and Salems lot comparison's. I’ve found myself quite bored with all of the in between, non-scary parts. I loved the Jewish and disability representation in this book and I am still a huge fan of Nick Cassidy’ writing, just bummed I didn’t love this book as much as I’d hoped.

Thanks to netgalley for a free copy of this ebook in exchange for a review.
The afterword definitely changed my perspective on this read. It was a very simple read with themes of postpartum, mental health, and a bit of religion. I enjoyed the alternating chapter perspectives, I think this really added much more suspense to the read.
The only thing for me is that I suspected more horror. The horror DID come in but only about 80% through the book. There were teasers here and there from the beginning, which were terrifying, and I really wanted more.
I will say, about 80% through, the horror really amped up and I was loving it!
Very enticing premise overall and I'd recommend to anyone looking for a simple horror story.
#netgalley #nestlings #natcassidy

I was very excited to get to read this book before it's release because it sounded perfect for my taste. It was pitched as Salem's Lot meets Rosemary's Baby, which sounded incredible. Thankfully, it lived up to all of my expectations and then some. I've never read Nat Cassidy before so the most surprising thing for me was how much I loved the writing, it was so easy and fun to read, I enjoyed the reading experience a lot. The story itself was also amazing, I loved the New York vibes, especially because I was actually there while reading some parts of the book. It did remind me of Salem's Lot and Rosemary's Baby in the best way possible. The horror elements were also great, it was actually really creepy at times. I can highly recommend this book to any horror fan!

I loved this one! At first I thought it was just a typical haunted house story but it’s not at all. It’s especially not typical. I can definitely say I haven’t read another book like it. It was a bit slow to start but once it picked up, it got crazy. Will be reading more by this author for sure!

I was disgusted yet intrigued from the very start. I loved this book. Do check trigger warnings.

Post partum is not often talked about it books and I love that it is in this one. I felt every bit of it. I also love the spooky vibes.

This was my first read by Nat and I cannot wait to read more!

Nat Cassidy, you’ve done it again. After reading his debut horror novel, Mary: An Awakening of Terror, I felt as though Cassidy gave us a piece of his soul. That particular novel included a very personal foreword and afterword in which he details the specifics of his inspiration for the story and how it is dedicated to his late mother who suffered from multiple sclerosis. I felt like I had been hit by a lightning bolt; not only was Mary a completely enthralling, haunting good time with a well-written female main character, but I too could relate with having a parent with MS. Enter the announcement of Nestlings, and I knew I had to see if lightning would strike twice. It certainly did.

Nestlings is a creature that buries deep beneath your skin only to sink its bloody fangs deep in your system around the last third or so of the novel. Things start out with an already rocky outlook; Reid and Ana have had a remarkable string of misfortune with the struggle to conceive, the loss of Reid’s mother, and the eventual birth of their daughter Charlie which left Ana paralyzed. On top of this, they live in an apartment with an abhorrent landlord only until they learn they have won an affordable housing lottery that grants them the chance to live in the luxurious, historic apartment building, the Deptford. This would seem to be a lucky break until you factor in the apartment’s location on one of the top floors while Ana utilizes a wheelchair. In an effort to turn their luck around themselves, Reid and Ana decide to move anyway, a choice that will irrevocably change the trajectory of not only their lives but their daughter Charlie’s as well.

On the surface, it’s very clear to see the numerous levels of trauma Reid and Ana are dealing with prior to their move to the Deptford. However, the gnarliest of traumas stem from what is unspoken: the city of New York is still reeling from the COVID pandemic, Ana is working through her own postpartum feelings which are compounded by her loss of mobility, Reid is attempting to be the main caretaker of both Ana and Charlie, and Reid and Ana continue to strive to create a better life for themselves amid so much loss. Above all else, Ana and Reid just want to establish some sense of normalcy, some sense of home. Cassidy toys with the saying “know your home” versus “know you’re home,” an idea which still haunts me in the days after reading this story. This most fundamental desire for a place to reside comfortably is the great equalizer in Nestlings, the aspect that every single person can relate to. In relation to this universal yearning, Cassidy’s writing shines as he creates characters who are undeniably authentic. While reading this book, the only word that would continually come to mind was dread. This is simply because I was placed so squarely in Reid and Ana’s (mostly Ana’s) shoes that I couldn’t help but take on the feelings and struggles they faced. Let me just say, I have never in my entire life been more upset about a Home Depot errand (if you read the book, you know).

The struggles that arise once Ana and Reid realize something is terribly wrong in their new abode are the most horrifying strain of terror. This all plays into the “be careful what you wish for” trope that is partially at play in Nestlings, but even more distressing are the conflicts arising between Ana and Reid. Since they are both so solidly written, I felt as though I was holding a front-row seat to watch Mom and Dad fight. This tension and unease that unfurls between the two becomes a monster of its own, an entity separate from the perceived evils that lurk in the halls of the Deptford.

Speaking of the entities that call the Deptford home, Cassidy’s take on “vampires” was so emphatically refreshing. No spoilers to be told here, but I absolutely loved the manner in which the residents of the Deptford were unveiled. The mystery behind their origins and what new fresh hell is plaguing Ana and Reid’s small family really propelled the plot forward at an accelerated pace. Here again, Cassidy injects more of himself by centering these revelations on Jewish roots. Around the last third of the book, a certain chain of events really allows the story to take flight (please pardon the bird pun). The construction of this narrative generates little to no room for the possibility of any semblance of a peaceful conclusion. Worry not, the ending of this story is everything.

Beyond plot devices and literary techniques used, Nestlings is another piece of personal horror fiction from Cassidy. In the afterword, he outlines the personal tragedies he’s endured in the last few years which have made their way into his novel. In my eyes, there’s something tremendous to be said for turning so much pain and suffering into some form of art and then making the conscious choice to share that art with others. The authenticity of Cassidy’s works is more than apparent because of this. It is the reason Ana and Reid feel so real; their problems are our own. If I’m being candid, it is why I love reading horror. Another human being sharing their fears, their vulnerabilities, with the world is in and of itself inherently frightening. But when the result is books like Mary and Nestlings, you can’t lose.

4.75/5

I was actually able to get a physical copy early of this one. The setting was unique for this type of horror story and the focus on real human psychology and real problems that couples face after the birth of a child were superb. Don't miss this one if you like horror thats spooky but also makes you think.

This was an interesting take on vampires! I definitely enjoyed it not being a typical vampire novel and was pleasantly surprised at being creeped out throughout the book!