Thank you for this ARC. I adored Audre's character and I loved being able to follow and read her story. I definitely would categorize this book as young adult.

QUEER HORROR!! I love it. I'm such a scared cat and this is my kind of horror. It's not anything crazy scary but it's also the most terrifying because it's so realistic. This kinda stuff really happened in the 80s and 90s and it's wild.

This is technically historical because it takes place in 1996 but that makes me feel super old 😂

I'm so thrilled to see a number of books lately that address religious trauma in the queer experience. While we often see how religious trauma affects a character's experiences later in life, I don't feel that we often get to witness it as it's occurring, which is what we see with Elle in this novel. I appreciated how smart this book is too. My only real criticism of the book is that the anachronisms were pretty rough. I imagine it's difficult to write a book about kids in the 90s for young people in the 2020s without relying on current slang and mannerisms, but a copy editor should have caught these things.

I went into this with pretty low expectation based reviews I'd seen from colleagues - but overall, I really liked it.

I definitely have some issues with it. My biggest is that I found it very hard to believe Audre would go to such lengths for someone she barely knows - I really could have used more world building in the beginning to that relationship more. I'm also not sure the 90s was the best setting- I don't think cell phones would have really hindered the story, or I think if it really needed to be historical to draw on the Satanic Panic it should have been in the 80s instead.

But I really like the themes in the book and think that a lot of teens who are feeling disenfranchised with religion will enjoy this one. I liked that there was a redemption ARC for some of more religious characters while still not excusing the harm perpetuated by the church.

As any YA thriller/horror worth it's merit, there are some over the top moments, but this one does feel pretty grounded in reality.

Overall, very pleasantly surprised and am looking forward to seeing what Griffis does next.

The Wicked Unseen was an incredible debut novel! Satanic Panic, cults, and an overarching mystery I think this book is great for any audience despite it's YA category.

This was a 5 SCREAM read for me all the way till the end!

Audre and her family move to a small town in Pennsylvania and this is where her life will change forever!
When she meets Elle a school mate she is instantly attracted to her and she cant tell her.....her Father is a priest and Audre is looked down upon in town because she loves horror, has a nose ring and her family has an Ouija board collection! Yes. This starts out GREAT. With Halloween coming up, and when it does, Elle ends up missing after going to a halloween party, and you guessed it.....Audre and her family are the first suspects!

I listened to the audio book of this and was blown away by Griffis's writing. This is labeled as YA and I have no idea....plus I did not care because that is how good this book is.

When the town explodes with what seems to be Satanic Cult rituals being performed in their local woods.....this book does not stop. There were some GREAT scenes of gore and murder and I would recommend this book and it's author to anyone who likes a well written horror story. Pick it up and read or listen to it! You will be glad you did.

5 Sceams!

This would be such a great resource for teaching about certain U.S. events like Satanic Panic and The Salem Witch Trials. I think this would really help students understand mass hysteria in a very tangible way.

I had the honor of chatting with Gigi for my podcast. I really appreciated that she wrote savvy teenagers who care about the world they live in, with insightful opinions on religion, social justice, the environment, etc... It's accurate. Too often, people underestimate teenagers but I was a high school librarian for 15 years, and they are absolutely aware of these things. I also appreciate that Gigi Griffis understood writing this way was a risk in these censorship times, but felt it was important to address. She also wrote a fun horror story, and one that teens will enjoy.

Recall the wave of Satanic hysteria that swept the late 80s and 90s? In her captivating YA LGBT horror mystery novel, Gigi Griffis skillfully weaves that very hysteria into a narrative that keeps you hooked from start to finish. This book masterfully combines intelligence, suspense, and a nostalgic nod to the 90s.

Meet Audre, the distinct newcomer in town who stands out like a sore thumb. With her nose ring, unique style, love for horror films, and a peculiar Ouija board collection in her family, she's the odd one out in the small Pennsylvania town they've just moved to. The locals are convinced that hidden in the nearby woods is a secret Satanic cult performing sinister rituals. Audre and her family, however, don't buy into such beliefs.

Audre forms a bond with Elle, whose father is a preacher, and David, an aspiring journalist who's also gay. Audre secretly harbors feelings for Elle, who mysteriously vanishes on Halloween night. As the police begin to cast suspicion on Audre's parents, Audre and David take it upon themselves to unravel the mystery behind their friend's disappearance. Are Satanic cults truly to blame for Elle's vanishing act, or is the mention of cults a smokescreen for something darker lurking in the town's shadows?

"The Wicked Unseen" is an exceptional and enthralling read that instantly draws you in and refuses to let go. The handling of Elle's disappearance mystery is commendable, and the gradual revelation of character complexities adds depth to the plot. What truly befell Elle? The answers lie within these pages.

While categorized as a YA novel, this story has broad appeal, transcending age brackets. Those who experienced their teenage years during the era in which the book is set will particularly relish the 90s references that add an extra layer of nostalgia and meaning to the narrative.

I love Gigi Griffis work. This was amazing and I can’t wait to get a physical copy. I recommend everyone give this a shot!

The Wicked Unseen is a creepy and eerie read perfect for spooky season. It's subtle with its horror aspects, but it it still has the ability to keep you up overnight

This was wickedly creepy and had you really thinking what goes on in those small towns! The pacing was perfect.

A great page turner that is spooky and eerie without being too in your face. I loved the cover and what's inside is just as great!

This book was AMAZING!

I'm usually pretty weary of religious/cult based horror, but something about this one just really caught my attention and so I thought I would give it a try, and I am so dang glad I did. I enjoyed everything about this book. The characters, the plot, the creepy atmosphere and, most excitingly, the queer rep!!

This book is definitely in my list of favorite reads of the year. It was so refreshing to read a book with such a strong supportive family- I adored them so much. Especially, Audre's little sister and her bat obsession. So cute! Speaking of lovable characters, I also have to mention David! His character is fantastic and I adore the bond he forms with Audre.

This book does such an amazing job of making you feel the horrors of satanic panic and over zealous, corrupt church leaders. The terror and emotions I felt along side Audre was immense- from the "haunted house" the church puts on, to the sermon and kidnapping. The lengths people will go to justify their terrible actions in the name of their god and religion is a very real sort of horror.

Also-I had no idea how awful Alfred Hitchcock was and this book led me to reading up on some of the things he did and I'm just so shocked.

All of that to say, I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone that loves YA horror, or religious horror.

**Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the audio copy of this book. All opinions are my own.**

Audre, the new girl in town, finds herself in a community consumed by rumors of a secret Satanic cult lurking in the woods. As she struggles to fit in, her horror movie obsession and family's Ouija board collection only make her stand out more. When her crush, Elle, mysteriously goes missing during Halloween weekend, Audre becomes determined to uncover the truth, even if it means facing accusations from the town.

The atmosphere and setting of rural Pennsylvania are expertly crafted, creating a chilling backdrop for the unfolding mystery.

Audre is a fantastic protagonist, fiercely independent and determined to find her friend, despite the odds stacked against her. The characters are well-developed and each holds their own secrets, adding depth to the story and leaving you guessing until the very end.

The plot is masterfully executed, keeping the reader guessing and gasping with every revelation. THE WICKED UNSEEN is reminiscent of the classic Fear Street series, evoking a sense of nostalgia for fans of the genre while offering a fresh and modern take on the chilling mystery.

With its compelling narrative, unexpected twists, and a touch of the supernatural, this book is an absolute page-turner. THE WICKED UNSEEN is a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling and atmospheric story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. I highly recommend this gripping tale to all lovers of suspense and mystery.

5 out of 5 stars

This story was one of the lightest I have read in this year 2023. With a good balance in its narration, easy descriptions where the story takes place and a good team of characters. The book promises and delivers in a very elegant way..

Audre does not fit in nor does she want to. She likes her outspoken family and off the main stream path. But when this lifestyle lands her family in a witch hunt, Audre must clear their name. The Wicked Unseen touches on some high pressure topics but fails to weave these themes in to the over all mystery plot. When Griffis hits a groove with setting up a suspense atmosphere she knocks the reader with heavy topics and does little to expand on deeper substance. Everything is done with a heavy hand except for the depth and personality of the characters. Even the dynamics between characters is loose and flimsy.

What a great young adult thriller. It wasn’t too graphic or inappropriate for younger readers. This cover is everything!

So unexpected!! I really enjoyed the tone, the characters, and god, what good pay off. Spooky without taking itself too seriously and a general, overall, excellent read.

The Wicked Unseen was a page turner that keeps you wondering if it's really something supernatural or religious zealots, and which one is more scary?

It's fun, it's creepy, it keeps you on the edge of your seat. I enjoyed the main character/narrator and the cultural horror references. The author included a historical endnote and I strongly recommend you read it - it adds even more creepy light to a horrifyingly good story.

"So this is a horror novel. It's fiction. The characters, the story, the mystery -- it's all made up. But the scariest, most unbelievable bits were stolen from real life."

This was Gigi Griffis' debut and I can promise that I'll be reading her future novels.