Cassidy brought us Mary and it still sends chills down my spine. Now, Nestlings, is being compared to the paranoia found in Rosemary's Baby and the urban horror of Salem's Lot. If you love reading a book that will provide you with incredible dread with every page you're in for a creepy and intense spooky read.

Nestlings by Nat Cassidy is PERFECT for horror fans like me. It’s dark, atmospheric, and seriously unsettling—exactly what I was hoping for after loving Cassidy’s Mary: An Awakening of Terror. If you’re into horror that’s layered with tension and a creeping sense of dread, this one is for you. The blend of classic horror vibes à la Rosemary’s Baby with Cassidy’s unique twist made this a highly anticipated read, and it didn’t disappoint.

The story of Ana and Reid, dealing with a nightmarish post-birth reality and a move into a too-good-to-be-true Manhattan apartment, had me hooked from the start. The building’s ominous presence and Ana’s growing paranoia pull you in, and the subtle, unsettling moments—like those mysterious bite marks—keep you on edge throughout. It’s not just a scary story; it’s well-written and layered with psychological horror that makes it stand out.

If you’re a fan of horror that’s both chilling and thought-provoking, Nestlings is a must-read. I highly recommend it.

I originally requested Nestlings on NetGalley, but I bought a physical copy as well when I met Nat Cassidy. I really enjoyed the base story of Nestlings; a bit of Rosemary's Baby and Salem's Lot. I loved the new take on vampires and related stories, and I am glad that he decided to add in disability rep. I can tell that he took his time gathering his research for that portion of the book, and that makes me enjoy it even more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this advanced review copy. Thanks to Nat Cassidy for making me feel seen.

This was a delightful surprise and my first experience with this author. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, finding it to be a fresh and captivating take on the horror genre.

What stood out to me was Cassidy's inventive spin on Rosemary’s Baby. Instead of relying on devil-worshipers, the story introduces a unique monster element, adding a new layer of intrigue and dread to the narrative. This creative twist not only sets the book apart but also revitalizes the classic horror themes in a way that feels both original and engaging.

The characters in Nestlings are well-drawn and relatable, which enhances the overall impact of the story. Their development adds depth to the narrative, making the horror elements all the more effective. I particularly enjoyed the slow buildup of tension, which skillfully leads to a powerful and satisfying climax. The gradual escalation of horror creates a palpable sense of unease that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Another fun and creepy horror novel from Nat Cassidy. The research he conducts while writing the characters is apparent and makes more a much more relatable and genuine reading experience, especially in this case for female readers. I will continue to read anything by this author.

So many thoughts ran through my mind as I read @catnassidy’s NESTLINGS. Most prominent was that I wish it had been published earlier in the month because it’s such a good horror book for the month of October!

Ana and Reid are struggling with their new life as parents but their winning the affordable housing lottery for The Deptford in NYC is a dream come true! Ana is trying to come to terms with her loss of independence not only as a first time mom but as newly paralyzed due to a misfortune during labor. Reid is juggling a job he hates, being an even more hands on dad than expected, and a postpartum wife. Together they try to be the happy family they always thought they would be.

Ok, I don’t know why I keep reading books that trigger my postpartum lol. Ana was such a strong character, though. Yes, she had her faults, however her being paralyzed but still taking care of the baby is amazing - not to trivialize her struggles tho. Especially because she is new to both life changes! There is that one horrible night that they don’t talk about which is understandable but only for Reid to throw it in her face later on - that really irritated me. In fact, he was really annoying by that point. I struggle to not fall into the whole “Reid was such a helpful dad!” because he’s just as much of a parent as Ana and SHOULD be helpful, esp given his wife’s condition. But it just shows just how low our expectations are for men. And for him to constantly forget to get what she needs from Home Depot, not telling her his career change, and act like he needed to constantly go out as if SHE literally wasn’t a prisoner?

Oh and the horror of what’s going on in the building just added to the tense atmosphere. It’s funny how I am more worked up over the marriage than the actual monsters of the book but that’s how well I feel the author wrote the family dynamics 😅. I can’t ignore the fact that there were scenes that were terrifying. Esp when they described the creatures that roamed the building.

Loved it! This felt like old school horror. Really good book and I would recommend others to read and enjoy this one.

Thank you Netgalley and to the publisher.

"Nestlings" by Nat Cassidy is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the dark side of a seemingly perfect new beginning. After a traumatic birth leaves Ana paralyzed and struggling, her family's fortune changes when they win an apartment in the prestigious Deptford building. This should be their dream come true—luxurious living with breathtaking views—but instead, it soon becomes a nightmare.

Ana’s growing paranoia and the disturbing events that unfold in their new home, including inexplicable needle-like bite marks on their baby, add a chilling layer of suspense. Reid’s initial dismissal of Ana’s fears contrasts sharply with the increasingly unsettling occurrences, creating a tension-filled narrative. Cassidy skillfully intertwines themes of psychological torment and supernatural horror, keeping readers on edge as the true nature of the Deptford’s dark secrets slowly comes to light. The plot’s twists and revelations build to a haunting climax, making "Nestlings" a compelling and eerie read.

This was such an atmospheric, unsettling, and eerie book. Loved every minute of it, and Nat Cassidy'd work will now be at the top of my reading list in the future.
The creeping dread, the vivid imagery... masterfully written psychological horror blended with the classic haunted house supernatural vibes. Not many authors can induce such an intensely unsettling backdrop. It's all feelings/vibes for me, and this book KILLED it. I can concur with others that have said this feels reminiscent of Rosemary's Baby, in the best way.

Nestlings is so much more than I thought it was. I was interested but wary to begin with and came out of this book feeling as shell shocked as the main characters. Nat Cassidy's writing is propulsive and highly engaging. I could not put this down until I was done and it did just once make me late to work because of that.

"Nestlings" by Nat Cassidy is a chilling horror novel that combines supernatural elements with a deeply unsettling atmosphere. The story centers on a couple who move into a seemingly perfect apartment, only to find that something sinister lurks within its walls.

Cassidy does an excellent job of building suspense and creeping dread. The writing is vivid and immersive, making you feel the eerie presence that the characters experience. The couple’s descent into fear and paranoia is portrayed with a lot of emotional depth, making you genuinely care about their fate.

The novel's blend of horror and psychological tension is gripping, and Cassidy's knack for creating spooky settings really shines. However, some parts of the plot feel a bit familiar if you’re a seasoned horror fan, but Cassidy’s execution keeps it engaging.

Overall, "Nestlings" is a great pick if you’re looking for a spine-tingling read that will keep you up at night. It’s well-written, atmospheric, and perfect for fans of supernatural horror.

Cassandra Campbell did a great job with the audio, giving life to each character and the horrors that follow.

A lottery pick they never thought they’d win, Ana and Reid just won a spot at the Deptford. The affordable apartment seems too good to be true, and even after the birth of their first child left Ana paralyzed from the waist down, they decide to accept, regardless of the single elevator and high floor. Moving isn’t easy on anyone, but harbored resentments, a nearly one year old, and perhaps some evilness, all culminate into one wicked transition.

For me, with the old building, the famous, richer inhabitants, and the down-on-their-luck newbies, this had reminiscent notes of Sager’s Lock Every Door. And while I have not read Salem’s Lot or Rosemary’s Baby (yet), I can tell that those comparison titles are where Cassidy imbues his horror elements over Sager’s thriller feels. And I really enjoyed how the author bleeds anxiety and paranoia into his characters differently. Ana takes on the more literal approach, with her suspecting something is wrong and trying to get away. And then Reid is the slower, irritability that permeates over time. His job, his wife, his friends, the littlest things start to tip him over, and I feel like the author handles that very well.

This sort of slow burn infestation of fear works really well for this novel. Reid just wants to provide and do what’s best for his family. A few things going terrible wrong? Well that can just be chalked up to the moving stress, can’t it?

While trying to stay as spoiler free as possible, the twist in the end with how each parent differed, did surprise me in the best way and I’m glad I rooted for who I did. Old buildings and history are the heart of NYC, just make sure the ones you move to don’t have a literal heart…

You might enjoy this if you like
-Creepy old people
-Rosemary’s baby
-Buildings with a dark history

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

This was a fun read. It gives big Rosemary’s Baby vibes but with somewhat of a twist.

Overall the plot moves kind of slow, but its pretty eerie and mysterious which kept me engaged. There were enough ~weird happenings~ to make it a tense read that keeps pulling you back. It does take awhile for thing to happen, but when they do... 👀

And then the ending? Way out of left field and I loved it. Made the whole story worth It. A totally unique and creepy read.

The “real life” problems in this gave it such an edge. Felt like a literary fiction blended with horror which was perfect!

I was initially hesitant once I saw the inspiration mashup, but I absolutely shouldn’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 aren’t on your shelf, I would absolutely recommend changing that.

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 treasure—and fear!

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!

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!

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 😳

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!

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.