Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for the opportunity to review It Looks Like Us by Alison Ames.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: This novel is young adult horror, so it reads very differently than the adult horror that I typically read, BUT I think that it will appeal to the intended audience. I really appreciated the diverse backgrounds of the characters and how the author didn’t shy away from including a main character with anxiety. I enjoyed the pacing and found there to be just the right balance of action and suspense. I think this book has a good amount of gore for the YA audience…it’s a good intro to that type of book. A fun addition for me as an adult reader were the references to the old Animorphs books throughout.

Genre: Young Adult Horror

Publishing date: September 27th, 2022

Rep: Queer, Gay, Asexual, and Anxiety

Synopsis: Shy high school junior Riley Kowalski is spending her winter break on a research trip to Antarctica, sponsored by one of the world’s biggest tech companies. She joins five student volunteers, a company-approved chaperone, and an impartial scientist to prove that environmental plastic pollution has reached all the way to Antarctica, but what they find is something much worse… something that looks human.

Riley has anxiety–ostracized by the kids at school because of panic attacks–so when she starts to feel like something’s wrong with their expedition leader, Greta, she writes it off. But when Greta snaps and tries to kill Riley, she can’t chalk it up to an overactive imagination anymore. Worse, after watching Greta disintegrate, only to find another student with the same affliction, she realizes they haven’t been infected, they’ve been infiltrated–by something that can change its shape. And if the group isn’t careful, that something could quickly replace any of them.

Content Warning: gore and panic attacks

Thank you to TBR & Beyond Tours, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions contained within are my own.

Sometimes, I read horror books because I like how they tend to have commentary on real world issues. Sometimes, I read horror books just to be spooked. It Looks Like Us is one of those horror books that provided a little bit of both!

This story follows a young girl named Riley. She has just signed up for a summer expedition out to Antarctica, where she will be joining a group of teens tasked with collecting ice samples for scientific research. She’s eager to go to get away from her life and try and reinvent herself, if only for the summer. Once they arrive, though, things start to go south. Greta, the expedition leader, starts to act funny and, when she tries to kill her, Riley quickly realizes this trip is not what she signed up for.

When I tell y’all this book gave me the shivers, I’m not lying! I’m not one to usually put much stock into comp titles, but they hit the nail on the head with this book. This is indeed a pretty solid mashup of The Thing and Wilder Girls when it comes to the monster lurking within and the body horror sprinkled throughout. If you’re easily spooked or easily grossed out, this might not be the read for you. But if you like a good jump-scare, you might want to check this one out!

One aspect that added to the creep factor of this book is how well the author built up the atmosphere. You can truly get a sense of the characters’ feelings of isolation as they are stuck on the most inhospitable continent with something that is trying to kill them. Alison Ames crafts the loneliness and the terror so well and that’s what really made this a great horror novel! Dread oozes off the pages and I freakin’ ate it up. The plot also pulls you into the action immediately and it doesn’t let up until you turn the last page. It made for a fast reading experience, that’s for sure!

The characters in this story were wonderfully written, as well. Riley, our main character, is definitely the most fully realized character of the bunch. Though the others in her group are interesting, I felt like they weren’t as nuanced as Riley. I thought the author did a good job depicting Riley’s anxiety, as well. I don’t suffer from anxiety myself, so please take what I say with a grain of salt, but it felt real and intense. Again, the other characters fell a little flat for me, but they were still interesting enough that I was invested in what happened to them. Well… most of them.

Overall, this was a fast-paced, intense read that had me flying through the pages. The atmosphere and tone is pitch perfect for this brand of horror and it had my spine tingling many times! I enjoyed Riley’s character and thought the author did an incredible job depicting how she struggles with anxiety. The secondary characters were less intriguing, but I still had a great time with this book. If you’re a fan of horror that features isolation and leans on the grotesque side, I think you should give this one a try!

Disclaimer: I received an arc and e-arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: It Looks Like Us

Author: Alison Ames

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: Asexual MC with Anxiety Disorder, Asian character, Gay character

Recommended For...: young adult readers, horror, science fiction, thriller, LGBT, queer

Publication Date: September 13, 2022

Genre: YA Horror

Age Relevance: 14+ (gore, death, grief, cursing, panic attacks, violence, drugs, suicide)

Explanation of Above: There is a lot of gore, involving burns and blood and body parts, and violence involving weapons in this book. There is death and grief mentioned and shown in this book. There are 3 instances of panic attacks shown on screen. There are some slight mentions of drugs and suicide/suicidal ideation.

Publisher: Page Street Kids

Pages: 277

Synopsis: Shy high school junior Riley Kowalski is spending her winter break on a research trip to Antarctica, sponsored by one of the world’s biggest tech companies. She joins five student volunteers, a company-approved chaperone, and an impartial scientist to prove that environmental plastic pollution has reached all the way to Antarctica, but what they find is something much worse… something that looks human.

Riley has anxiety--ostracized by the kids at school because of panic attacks--so when she starts to feel like something’s wrong with their expedition leader, Greta, she writes it off. But when Greta snaps and tries to kill Riley, she can’t chalk it up to an overactive imagination anymore. Worse, after watching Greta disintegrate, only to find another student with the same affliction, she realizes they haven’t been infected, they’ve been infiltrated--by something that can change its shape. And if the group isn’t careful, that something could quickly replace any of them.

Review: This was such an amazing book! I loved it from start to finish. The book reminded me a lot of The Thing due to the setting and how the monster worked a bit. I loved the twist at the end, even though I had already guessed it near the beginning. The book did so well with world building and character development. I loved every moment of the book and, I’m probably wrong, but is Asha from this author’s other book To Break a Covenant? Is everything set in the same universe given the same cover palettes being used? Is there a monster multiverse from Alison Ames? I’m not sure but I’m here doing my impatient dance for her next work of horror.

The only issue I had with the book is how predictable the book was. I felt like it was a bit too obvious for a twist, but I loved it nonetheless.

Verdict: It was so good! Recommending for Halloween Recs!

I received this book from TBR Beyond Tours/Publisher in exchange of an honest review.

5 reasons why you should read the book:

1. The monster. That one was just horrifically scary. I mean, it already started out creepy as hell. With the feeling of being watched. Seeing something slither under the ice. Seeing something in the ice or snow stare at you. But then it is inside… and you don’t know because It Looks Like Us. The monster was an absolute horror-fest and the author did a freaking amazing job on writing it. I was terrified each time we got to see the monster, and that is a lot because hello stuck on freaking Antarctica and with a megalomaniac rich dude controlling things… good luck outrunning it. It knows. I was just constantly going NOPE and fuck that and OH FUCKITY FUCK. I mean, bones re-arranging themselves? Big gaping maws? Blood or something that looks like that everywhere? It being able to talk with the voices of those eaten? And more… because I don’t want to give everything away. It was just NOPE.
2. The whole vibe of you are stuck and it is fighting for survival all the way. Which I also had with a book named 172 Hours on the Moon. It makes everything much more claustrophobic. And just like with the moon book, you just cannot go outside in a jiffy. You have to prepare. If there is a storm or your oxygen levels are low? You will die. Whereas if you just were on a sunny (or maybe not so sunny) island you can still have some choices. Here? Have fun and good luck.
3. The characters. While we follow Riley as the MC, we do learn more about the other characters along the way and I really liked them. Luke was so sweet and I love how kind he was, he knew how to help Riley when her panic attacks came up, he made sure she was fine. Next up are Dae and Nelson. Lastly Ilse. Yes, Ilse took a bit of a time to get used to. She is a bit crabby and snaps a bit too much for my liking, but later in the book I really liked her. I loved that we got to know each character and that I was rooting for them. I have to also say that while I loved getting to know the characters… it also made things so much harder. Because this is a horror book. A no-escape-everything-is-going-to-fucking-hell book.
4. How fast-paced it was. For reals. The first 30% just flew by and I was oh so worried that the book would just suddenly peter out. And while it did eddy/eddie in some parts (especially later), for most it was just GO GO GOGOOOOOOOOOOO. You just couldn’t take a break. Breaks were NOT accepting by this book. You just had to go go go and run!! Run!
5 The now and then. We get to read how Riley got out. How Riley was saved. In the now parts we see her interviewed and while I hated those cops. I loved the little danger nuggets that the author put in that just made me squee and eeeeeeek, and I couldn’t wait to see how it would turn out. And then the then, in which we read about how the teens got to Antarctica, see them collect samples… see them run and survive and blood and gore go everywhere.

I know it is just 5 reasons, but I have to add a 6th and a 7th one: The gore was well-written. I am normally not a big gore lover these days, though I am sure me from years ago would have absolutely been delighted by this one, haha. Bones clicking and reforming. Deadly blood dripping. Offal here and there. Some other fun bits. Rot in arms. Oh yes, baby. I have to say that I felt less disgusted? I noticed the same with another horror book, so maybe my stomach is steeling itself again? Renewing the levels of how much he can handle?
And then there is 7: the adorable rat we got to see a few times and then especially later. It was just the absolute cutest thing ever. I just love rodents. I should say though, non-talking ones. And thankfully, this isn’t a fantasy so it was just a normal adorable rat.
Oh, and 8. THAT FUCKING ENDING.

I have mixed feelings about this one, which largely stem from me wanting a little more depth from it.

This book is basically The Thing with shades of Alien but starring teenagers instead of adults. The main villain, the person who organised the whole trip and sends the team into a situation where their lives are at risk, is an unsubtle proxy for Elon Musk. I am not criticising the book for any of this. So long as there are individuals with as much money, power, and influence as real-world multi-billionaires do, comparable situations to the one depicted here (and in Alien) are disturbingly plausible. This book isn’t the most scathing criticism of capitalism as a whole that I’ve ever read, but it’s definitely a criticism of mega-corporations and their owners being able to effectively do whatever they like with zero oversight or consequences. If one company owns everything, and then something goes wrong, you’re kinda screwed. This book shows that very clearly.

I liked the characters! Riley was a great protagonist, and I think that the depiction of her anxiety and how this affected her was done really well. The other four teenagers were also all interesting, but had I not gone into this with the expectation that they’d all be dying very quickly I would’ve wanted to see a little more from them. I would’ve liked it if the characters’ queerness, especially Riley’s as she’s the point of view character, could’ve come up in more than literally once, and this isn’t a case of them being too busy trying to survive to talk about it because they do have a solid few days of peace before things go wrong.

I really enjoy it when tropes that aren’t necessarily inherently romantic and/or sexual but are nonetheless almost exclusively used in that context are instead used entirely platonically. This book features a scene of platonically huddling in one sleeping bag for warmth, and I am delighted.

The body horror was visceral, and not for the faint of heart! If that’s what you’re picking this book up for then you will not be disappointed!

The entire book is written in third person present tense. Thing is, this book also has a framing device, with the majority of the story being the events that Riley is recounting after the fact. And yet these chapters are written in present tense, just like the scenes of Riley in the actual present. I think Ames missed a trick here, as if the chapters in the present had been written in present tense and the chapters that Riley’s recounting had been in the past tense it would’ve worked really well. As it is, the present tense in the not-the-present chapters felt like a contradiction, and was a little distracting.

The story did feel somewhat repetitive. Decisions were made, then unmade, then remade, and they went round in circles both figuratively and literally, and at one key point arguing with the villain took precedence over taking a simple action that would’ve saved everyone who was still alive at that point. This isn’t necessarily an issue. If all fictional characters made the best decisions without fail at all times then stories in general would get a whole lot less interesting. Plus these characters are literally all teenagers, and teenagers aren’t exactly known for their decision making skills. I know I certainly have no room to judge the characters for being indecisive. Ah well. Horror protagonists are going to horror protagonist it seems.

In sum, if you’re looking for body horror and zero romance, and don’t mind it if the characters are a little underdeveloped, then you’d probably enjoy this one! I don’t regret having spent time on it.

Exciting and horrifying plot along the lines of John Carpenter’s "The Thing" and Agatha Christie’s "And Then There Were None" with very likable YA characters!

"It Looks Like Us" was an exciting and fun horror story, with the vibes of the movie by John Carpenter, "The Thing," and hints of the great Agatha Christie’s "And Then There Were None." I loved the whole setting of a remote science facility in Antarctica and the part the wealthy Anton Rusk plays in putting the teen characters there. These young adult characters represent a variety of personalities, backgrounds, races, and even sexual identities. But no matter their backstory, each one was engaging in their own way and easy to like.

The story fell within both the mystery and horror genres, and both were well developed. The action was non-stop, and there were shocking twists and turns throughout that kept me glued to the pages. The author inserted bits of factual information about Antarctica that I found interesting. However, it is the horror elements that take centerstage. They were imaginative and frightening, and I wish I hadn’t started the book right before bedtime. For those that need to know, as the action and tension ramps up, so does the use of expletives, including some heavy-duty choices.

With its exciting, non-stop action and engaging young adult heroines and heroes, I recommend IT LOOKS LIKE US to readers who enjoy young adult fiction, mystery, and horror stories or are intrigued by a story set in Antarctica.

All I needed to know was that this was a retelling of the 80s horror classic movie The Thing. That alone made me ache to read it.

It Looks Like Us was properly scary and, for lack of a better term, cinematic. Every scene was so beautifully detailed that you could see it all so clearly in your mind. It was always fun when there were references from the source film that really helped you get in the zone.

The story was fast-paced, exciting and horrifying enough that you’ll be tempted to sleep with the lights on.

If you like monster horror or if, like me, you’re a huge fan of the movie, you’ll definitely enjoy this wild ride.

I so enjoyed the first chapter that it was all I needed to be convinced to preorder. I'm intrigued by Riley's secretive backstory and the shady mission. Full review will be added to social media and book retailers once I finish reading.

it happened again; i start reading an alison ames book, i don’t expect the horror to hit right away, but then that one scene, sentence, description, whatever comes and it’s like a gut punch. my jaw lands on the floor and stays there.

(i lowkey felt like the characters freezing in the antarctic with the amount of chills that ran down my spine.)

alison ames has an ability to create such disturbing descriptions. i am not trying to claim that i don’t get scared easily, that’s not the case, but i consume an okay amount of horror, and reading alison ames’ works the horror comes so fast and it is so efficient. a lot of horror books build up for a long time before the real spookiness starts, but here, even at the buildup, at the beginning it is scary. i’ve had this experience with both of her books – i don’t expect to get so scared so quick and easily, but it sneaks up on me and it’s so good.

in short – it feels nice to read a horror book and be able to feel that it’s a horror book right away.

this book is the definition of having that gut feeling that something is wrong. you’re not sure what, but something is there. it’s truly atmospheric and eerie and perfect if you want something spooky, especially in the colder months.

i have already mentioned that i like horror and this book gives me an excuse to talk about a certain aspect of horror i really really love – body horror. nothing quite gives me as many chills as a body moving or bending in ways it should not be able to. i don’t want to give away too much but i did really love the monster and the idea of it! i would love more of it, but it’s also where i have some critique – when we started getting too many descriptions or weird descriptions, it didn’t feel as spooky anymore, since a lot of the spookiness relied on the not knowing part. but more stuff happened and it’s still an eerie and creepy book.

the cast of characters was quite small but filled with fun personalities and cute friendships; sometimes a family is an asexual girl with anxiety, a gay guy, a monster, and a pet mouse and that’s okay.

if you’re looking for something spooky and atmospheric to read and you’re okay with body horror (check tws) then this is the book for you. it is also quite fast paced and it’s nice with the dual timelines, so if you’re struggling with a slump or if you want something quick to read, pick it up when it comes out September 27!

a big thanks to alison ames and netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Book Review
Title: It Looks Like Us by Alison Ames
Genre: Young Adult, Horror
Rating: 4.5 Stars
All I knew about It Looks Like Us before getting into it was it was young adult, queer, horror compared to The Thing which I loved especially it’s ambiguous ending and Wilder Girls which I didn't really enjoy as it was too vague. However, I was excited to see where this book was going to go especially after the let-down that was My Heart is a Chainsaw and I really want some good horror for the spooky season. The opening was interesting as it begins at the end with the destruction of the facility and Riley being picked up and questioned since no bodies were recovered as there should have been six of them. We then learn she was chosen to take part in an Antarctic research project for SladeTech along with Nelson, Ilse, Luke and Dae-sung alongside their chaperone, Asha and the scientist, Greta. For the first day they take samples but quickly Riley and others begin seeing a creature around the facility although no one really talks much notice of this until it begins watching them.
As we approach the ¼ mark in the novel, things are moving very quickly which is to be expected since the whole book takes place over less than a week and we are already into days three and four. After the spotting of the creature although no one not even Asha knows what it is, Greta is sent out to retrieve a shipment coming into the station and Asha seems very secretive over it. After this Riley and Luke who have become close in the past few days notice that Greta is sleepwalking. Initially it is Riley who finds her and Riley thinks she sees something wrong with Greta’s face but Luke doesn’t notice anything different so she writes it off. However, the next day Greta goes missing again and this time when she returns Riley can see there is definitely something wrong with her and she believes that Greta is sick. She quickly deteriorates to the point where she attacks Luke and gets injured in the process before hiding again. Riley, Luke and the others try to track her down, Riley has the best luck tracking Greta into the vents and to the disused side of the station where she sees a strange glowing box which must have been the one Asha was so secretive over when it was brought in. It is obvious to see that Greta has most likely been possessed by the creature although no else has made the connection between the two things yet and I am excited to see where it goes.
As we cross the ¼ mark in the novel, Greta is still missing and the group are left to figure out where she is and what to do now especially since Asha seems to have gone AWOL as well. In Asha’s room they uncover many thing specifically documents relating to them and their pasts including their individual arrests and mental health issues along with an email from the man coordinating the project, Anton Rusk letting Asha know that the creature needs to be contained and that everyone including herself is expendable in this mission. They learn that they have been studying the creature for at least a year and it has the ability to transform itself into whatever it eats which means the real Greta is dead and the one running around the facility is the creature in disguise. When Asha returns they learn that she has also been contaminated by the creature presumably through “Greta’s” blood and she attacks Nelson. The others try to help him attacking the creature with everything they can but they also know not to get close because it contaminate them meaning that Nelson is soon taken by the creature leaving four of them behind with no idea how to contain it, fight it or avoid it since the facility is a little maze like especially in the unused part.
As we approach the halfway mark in the novel, the others are now on their own since they have no way of knowing whether Nelson has been taken absorbed by the creature or not. They also have bigger problems since Rusk knows that both Greta and Asha have fallen to the creature and the kids have no hope of stopping it so he is doing his best to prevent them from leaving the facility in order to protect himself. This also changes the interrogation happening to Riley right now in the present since they are working for Rusk and want the truth since they don’t believe her story so there might be something more going on here. Meanwhile, they prepare to eat and sleep in shifts in order to rest before trying to head to another facility, however, on Riley’s shift she hears Nelson speaking to her. He explains that he is one with the creature now and it is allowing him to speak to her because it knows they have no way of beating it which seems to be the case and why they are preparing to run. They take a vote after Dae is injured and decide to head to the closest station even though they know the creature has been there before but Riley is noticing things like when did Ilse get Asha’s phone and how did she know the combination since Asha can’t have been that stupid to have it in her phone the entire time when Rusk could have been watching her like the kids.
As we cross into the second half of the novel, I was so invested in this story and it seems perfect for the spooky season and I can’t wait to see how Riley ends up being the last one standing and what happens to everyone else. The group end up making the short trip over to the Leviathan Station where they learn it is also owned by SladeTech and Rusk has bought or bribed every station they could possibly get to into not helping them claiming a disease which none of the other scientists are going to want to risk in such an isolated region and in an enclosed space. This means they have no choice but to return to the monster infested station and pray it doesn’t get to them. The kids are smart and are going to try trapping it but Rusk seems to know they are up to more than that since their lives are on the line and prevents them from trapping the creature as he wants it to kill them now and then he will sort out the problem himself and now the race is on to see how Riley ends up the last one standing. Throughout these encounters we can see that Dae isn’t doing well and they barricade themselves in a room to wait out the storm before heading over to one of the nearest station since Ilse lied to them but it might just get Dae the help he needs before it is too late. Obviously, something major is going to go down pretty soon for Dae, Ilse and Luke to not be in the picture when Riley is picked up from the station and questioned by Rusk’s people.
As we approach the ¾ mark in the novel, things are steadily moving towards the climax of the novel but it is being to seem less original. Apart from Riley’s interview happening in the present it is beginning to feel like a copy and paste job of The Thing. I say this because from the creature’s growing intelligence and how it controls and possess the people it takes over is directly like The Thing and then we have a seen where Ilse comes up with a way of detecting whether they are infected in the exact same way they do in the movie and she also comes up with the plan of trying to kill the creature with fire and making a flamethrower with again is identical to the movie. Despite loving the book so far I do have the sinking feeling that the ending of the book might be identical to the movie with the face off between two people potentially Riley and Luke since Dae is dead and Ilse knows she is infected but Luke is missing and it ending with something happening as Riley burns down the station or there could be a really big twist towards the end that I haven’t seen coming at all but I am excited to find out.
As we cross into the final section of the novel, Riley’s story comes to a close and we can see the consequences of everything that has happened so far. While I did like the twists and turns the novel took especially towards the end, it wasn’t satisfying for me. I felt there was a lot more that could have been done with the ending but it seems like the author wanted to leave it ambiguous even though she could have stretched this out with another 50-100 pages and it probably would have been the best book I have read all year. If you are a fan of the movie, The Thing, then you definitely need to pick up It Looks Like Us but don’t be fooled by the similarities to the movie since it goes wild in the some place that not even the movie dared to go. I have read two of Alison Ame’s books now and one was ok and one was really good so I am excited to see what she comes out with the in the future especially if it is similar to this or a different form of horror.

I was impressed with this storyline. It sorta reminded me of The Thing. We have five teenagers who get to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They all get to go to Antarctica to help with a research project sounds pretty fun, right? Well, that might not be the case. We learn from the get-go of the story that Riley seems to be the only survivor, but how she becomes that sole survivor will probably haunt her.
Something is living in the ice; the way the author described it and the scenes were pretty amazing. I don't think I would have survived; I need to be able to leave when I can. Being stuck on a continent with something. And the person who gave you the trip has something up his sleeve. So I will say I would probably be the first just to die.
A few F-bombs dropped, so I am trying to think of where this book will be going in my library for my students, as I am sure quite a few of them will enjoy this book. Of course, survival is the primary key in this book, but at the same time, we see how these kids end up trusting each other, especially with all their "issues" going on themselves. Yet, they still try to help each other and don't judge. The great thing about these characters is they came from all different walks of life.
The author casually mentioned Riley's and Luke's sexuality, which had no play in the story. I understood why she did it, but it could have been omitted.
This book was delightful. I will say the ending had me go back and re-read twice to make sure it was supposed to end that way.

Five teenagers are selected for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the artic with only two adults to chaperone. Things are not going to end well.

Riley our main character, the one who is telling this story, from the beginning has the constant feeling that something is off, however, she tries to brush it off as just her anxiety... But when they spot something out on the ice, something that looks very wrong, everything begins to go downhill.
The eerie feelings and tension ramp up as the story progresses, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

I haven't read Alison Ames's other book, but after reading this one I will definitely be picking it up, and I can't wait to see what she will come out with next.

I was chosen to partake in a book tour and was ecstatic because this book looked incredible but I was thoroughly disappointed when I reached the halfway mark.

First of all, Riley felt completely one-dimensional. I can't speak for everyone because everyone has different experiences. Still, as someone who suffers from panic attacks during the worst possible moments, I feel like I'm a bit qualified to point out that the anxiety/panic attack rep felt unrealistic.

Speaking of unrealistic, are we just going to ignore that a group of high school JUNIOURS are being shipped off on an expedition in ANTARCTICA?? first of all, no university, let alone a high school, will do that because it required years of intense training until you're qualified to take part in an expedition and trust me, they aren't going to send you to Antarctica for your first mission??

I, however, loved (that makes me sound awful but you get it right?) the author's descriptions. The body horror was described vividly and DEFINED horror right there. Also, I love the cheeky little head turn to elon musk. I hate him too, Alison Ames

Thank you Page Street Kids and NetGalley for sharing a copy of this book!
This was quite the monster horror book! It was nonstop suspense and I liked the scenes that cut to the present day and then the flashbacks.

I think this may be my favorite read of the year!

Five teens picked to go on an Antarctic research expedition learn they are not truly alone on this chunk of ice. Along with a scientist and a chaperone, it’s just the seven of them out there… and when bad things start to happen, they have to come to terms with the unthinkable.

This was utterly perfect! The intensity the crests through this book is amazing. This book will make your heart race and eyes seek out what’s hidden in the dark corners of the room. I was on the edge through the entirety of this book, feeling all the isolation, the claustrophobia, the fear… and loving every single minute of it.

The characters were written so well. You feel like you really get to know them in such a short time. And you really become intensely invested in their fight. Everything about IT LOOKS LIKE US was amazing. And I know I’m definitely going to be reading this again.

I absolutely adored Alison Ames’ debut, To Break a Covenant, when I read it last year, which was why I was thrilled to learn that she had a new book coming out in 2022. It Looks Like Us promises more of what readers might have already come to love and expect from Alison Ames' books: the kind of horror that ranges from the deeply unsettling to the outright terrifying—and I’m here for it!

In an attempt to escape her anxiety-riddled thoughts during the school holidays, Riley, the protagonist of It Looks Like Us, spontaneously applies for a research trip to Antarctica, where she is to collect samples for one of the largest tech companies in the world. She’s surprised to be accepted, and to find herself among a group of other teenagers, all of which have their own reasons to embark on such an unlikely—and very much isolated—journey. But things escalate quickly upon their arrival—because, despite the remote setting, the group soon fears that they might not be entirely alone . . .

Thematically, It Looks Like Us is quite different from To Break a Covenant (TBAC is a summer book, for one, and ILLU is a winter book), but there are enough similarities there, to clearly recognise Alison Ames as the author, which I love—I adore books that so clearly come from the same author's pen. Both books are horror with fantastical elements, both books feature claustrophobic settings (although in very different ways), and both books focus on a group of teenagers, on whose shoulders lie all the responsibilities.

But back to It Looks Like Us. One of the things I found really compelling about it was the fact that the prologue already tells the reader how this story will end—now the only thing left to find out is why things happened like they did. More than that, even: Riley tells the story, and we experience a part of it through her memories and words, and the very last of it alongside her. This makes for a fast-paced, breathless reading experience—if you’re looking for a book to get you out of a reading slump, I would definitely recommend this one!

I also loved the fact that Riley so clearly has anxiety and experiences panic attacks. She takes medication for it, too, and is seeing a therapist. We desperately need more mental health representation in books, and I thought Alison Ames did a phenomenal job in portraying Riley's anxiety. The way it manifests and how she tries to deal with it is sure to feel familiar to many who suffer from anxiety as well: her almost constant spiralling, from one anxiety attack into the next, and the way her thoughts always drift into whichever direction might possibly be the worst; her need for escapism, often in form of music or audio books; the way she is intensely aware of herself and her surroundings. So, for this kind of representation alone, I love It Looks Like Us already. Especially, because Riley's mental heath struggles don't make her weak.
In general, It Looks Like Us has quite a diverse cast of characters. There are multiple queer characters: Riley is sapphic and asexual, an important side characters is gay. Aside from the queer representation, there's also a side character who is Korean.

A question I find incredibly interesting in every genre, but for some reason especially in horror, is: who is the real villain of the story—the monster or the things humans do to each other? There is a monster in It Looks Like Us, and initially a lot of the terror that’s built up in the first chapters comes from its existence, the threat it poses to the main characters’ lives, and the general worry of what it wants, what it’s capable of. But as the story progresses, it quickly becomes clear that the monster might be the one doing the killing, but the people—the person, really—in power is the one who doesn’t do anything to stop it (despite being more than able to).

Overall, It Looks Like Us is a must-read for fans of Alison Ames' To Break a Covenant, and for fans of YA horror as a whole. It's an utterly atmospheric book, which also makes it all the more terrifying. Even after just two chapters, I decided that I was probably better of reading it during the day. I loved a lot of things about this book: the questions it raised about power, morality, and responsibility; the fact that it featured a wonderfully diverse cast of characters, with a protagonist who has anxiety and experiences panic attacks; the way this group of misfits comes together and how they find something almost like family among each other (Riley and Luke's friendship, especially, was wonderful). If you've read Alison Ames debut, you likely know what kind of ending to expect here—I'd recommend to brace yourself for an emotional roller coaster.

What a wild ride. It took a few chapters to get into the story, but once I kept going, I couldn’t stop. A mix of Stranger Things, Lost and Hunger Games, this book will keep you reading until you finish.

Okay, where to start here.

I am not into monster books, but this one got my attention.

I know a lot of people said this book was creepy, but this felt more like a graphic novel - the only thing missing is the illustrations.

Kind of slow going at times and I had to suspend my disbelief means that this book was not a hit for me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC! I liked this book a lot; the characters all had unique personalities and mannerisms that felt more real than some books tend to be, and the story was horrifying and gripping. If I had to describe it in one sentence, it would be, "This is John Carpenter's The Thing, but with teens." A solid 4.5 stars! Full review coming to Maeflower Reads blog at a later date.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this novel. I am rating this book based the stars due to lack of time to leave a full review. #ItLooksLikeUs