This was an insane ride. It wasn’t at all what I expected, I give props to the author as a debut but it felt like it was all over the place,

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am an avid horror fan and sadly this book just did not work for me. I felt like it skipped around too much. I did finish, but thought about DNFing a few times and it did get me in a bit of a slump. I appreciate St. Martin's Press and NetGalley giving me access to this title. All opinions are my own. Sadly, I just did not connect.
2 star

This is so so well done, especially for the authors debut book. There's equal parts family drama, and eerieness, the characts are vivid and relatable. I did find that it took me a little bit to get invested in the story but it really picks up around the middle. Once I hit that point I just wanted more of it. I definitely agree with other reviewers that it gives the vibe of a Jordan Peele movie, and to me the settings and descriptions were so unsettling I did have to take a couple breaks. But in a horror style book I didn't feel like it was a bad thing. I will definitely be interested in whatever this author comes up with next

Thanks to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for this e-arc that I chose to read and review

If you have siblings, this book gets you. If you’re a sister with two brothers? This book might just send you into therapy.

Calla Williams is 25 going on 55, carrying the weight of raising her 16-year-old brother, Jamie—who she loves but also kind of wants to strangle (affectionately). Meanwhile, their middle brother, Dre (23), swore he’d help but, in true middle-child fashion, is MIA when it actually matters. When Jamie’s latest act of teenage recklessness lands them on the run, the three siblings take cover in a sketchy remote Airbnb that practically begs to be in a horror movie. But the real nightmare? Calla’s terrifying visions—ones she’s had for years—are starting to come true.

This book hits deep with all the messy, complicated truths of siblinghood—childhood trauma, unfair expectations, guilt, and abandonment, all wrapped in supernatural terror. If you’ve ever thought, "I’d Spartan kick the gates of Hell open for my siblings to save them"… but also, "If you eat my leftovers, I will end you", then this book is for you. Because, at the end of the day, only you can roast your siblings—anyone else tries? Hands will be thrown.
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC! 3 stars!

This book was a crazy ride. I absolutely loved how Neena showed the struggles of raising your siblings during a hard time. I did struggle through the first bit of the book as each chapter jumped around the siblings POV. But as things started to come together, I was hooked, and the "Nightmare" was intense but heartbreaking as we learn everything Calla gave up to help her siblings and the struggles she had as the oldest sibling.

LOVED this book! I know it will be in my top 10 of the year. I love that it’s not just a horror, but has literary and sci-fi elements too. It was so creative and imaginative.

It definitely took me a minute to get into this story. There’s a lot of trippy things going on at the beginning, and I had so many questions. I kept reading because I was intrigued, and I’m glad I did. Explanations start to trickle in and it brings the pieces together. Still very trippy, but I appreciated the high stakes and the commentary on being the oldest sibling/sister. I haven’t read a lot of horror, but to me, this plot definitely checks the horror box.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced eARC.

Debut Author -> Autobuy Author

I loved loved loved how weird this got! It was definitely equal parts family drama and horror, but I was just as invested in the sibling relationships as the nightmare horror. I had to put this book down a few times because I was so mad at the brothers' behavior, and also the immersive nightmare horror got so tense. I think the Jordan Peele comp is totally accurate, and I cannot wait to read more from Neena Viel.

4 out of 5 Stars! Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this eARC of Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel.

Wowza, this is my first book by this author and it did not disappoint! I got this when it was during "read now" and I'm so glad I did. The characters were people I could relate to and the eerie setting felt pretty real while I read this. It had a mix of some dark humor that I may have to admit that I weirdly enjoyed haha.

I also have to admit that it started out pretty slow and boring, but I'm really glad I stuck it through! As much as I hate that, I'm so glad that it went that way because it does build up the characters and their relationships with each other. Then add in a couple of plot twists and you got yourself a wonderful read! Very beautifully done! I will be keeping an eye on this author!

Viel is a mastermind and this book is a work of raw, terrifying, heartbreaking, resonating art. There were so many powerful and well written lines, I probably highlighted over half the book. Viel has such a way with words, evoking imagery and emotions that stick with you long after you read.

Thank you St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, Netgalley, and and the author for a complimentary copy of this ebook. I am leaving a voluntary review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

"Listen to Your Sister" follows three siblings, Calla, Dre and Jamie. After losing their father in an accident, and having a mother who is unable to care for her children, Calla legally became guardian for her youngest brother, Jamie. Her other brother, Dre, promised to help but ultimately doesn't live up to that promise causing even more stress for Calla. After Jamie gets in some trouble, Calla's nightmares come to life in an intriguing way.

I feel like this book has an interesting premise but it also has a lot going on. I didn't feel that connected to it overall and by the end, I felt like I was just sticking it out only to see what happened and not being I was dying to know.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for selecting me for this ARC. I think it was an interesting debut for sure.

Listen to Your Sister
by Neena Viel

5⭐️

The story explored generational/ eldest sister trauma and racism. I really enjoyed this book, the dialogue, characters and eerie setting of the story was all so enjoyable. Not only horror but comic with a big side of psychological trauma. I honestly felt like I was in the room with the main characters as Neena Viel set such an eerie and unjust setting.

Listen to Your Sister is an eerie and gripping mix of horror, family drama, and dark humor. The story follows Calla Williams, a 25-year-old who suddenly becomes responsible for her teenage brother, Jamie, after their parents disappear. Struggling with anxiety and terrifying nightmares about losing her brothers, Calla does her best to keep things together, but Jamie’s rebellious streak only makes things harder. When a protest gone wrong forces them to go into hiding at a secluded cabin, they soon realize their biggest dangers may not just be outside—but within their own fractured family.

Neena Viel does a fantastic job crafting a tense, emotional story that blends supernatural horror with the real fears of responsibility, loss, and trauma. The sibling dynamic feels raw and authentic, making their struggles relatable even when the horror elements creep in. The writing is sharp, filled with moments of suspense, dark wit, and unsettling imagery that sticks with you.

The pacing starts off slow, allowing time to develop the characters and their relationships, but things escalate quickly in the second half. Some readers may find the shift a bit jarring, but it keeps the tension high. The blend of psychological horror and surreal moments adds to the book’s unsettling tone, though it does require close reading to fully appreciate.

Overall, Listen to Your Sister is a unique and haunting story that delivers both emotional depth and eerie chills. If you love horror with strong family themes and psychological suspense, this one is worth picking up!

I saw the comparisons to Jordan Peele and immediately hopped aboard! And I’m not going to lie this one did it for me. It was (to put it frankly) insane? But in the best way possible. The way that the author writes the trauma/aftermath of the trauma into the characters is beautiful.

I am late to this party at this point, but I wanted to show up anyway.
As a child, I loved the tale of Baba Yaga. I don't know if it's because the book I read from back down looked similar, or just some ineffable artistic mastery, but the moment I saw the cover of this book I thought of that beloved tale, and I went into it expecting something similar. I wouldn't say that it ended up being quite that - the comps are on point in terms of the tone and attitude the story brings to its subject matter - but I can't say I'm dissapointed. This is a chilling, utterly bizzare book that touches on some heavy, dark themes in an artful way, but does not quite manage to go all the way for me.

❛𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝.❜

.

**sʟɪɢʜᴛ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀs**

.

It took a bit for crazy shit to happen lmao but once it did I was hooked!

The book is about three siblings & weird shit that happens in a dream world starts seeping into the real world because of the sister, Calla.

Calla, the oldest, takes custody over Jamie, the youngest, when their father dies & their mother is unfit (she's emotionally & physically abusive) to take care of the kids. Dre, the middle child promises that he'll help Calla with their brother, but he often blows her off.

When she reaches her breaking point because of her brothers shit starts to get real 👀

It was an interesting read! The movies that came to mind when I was reading this book were Split (2016) & Us (2019). I haven't seen the movies but I know a bit about them, and bits & pieces of them reminded me of Calla's doppelgangers.

𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨/𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙨:

- eldest daughter trauma
- racism
- doppelgangers
- feminine rage
- sibling bonds
- comic relief
- touch her brothers & you die
- multiple POVs

Calla’s dreams aren’t just dreams. They’re changing things for her and her brothers in ways they can’t ignore. With the story shifting between the three siblings, you get a real sense of how their world is twisting as the supernatural starts creeping in. It’s a good mix of family struggles and eerie tension, and it draws you in without trying too hard.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc.

I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately I had to DNF because it just didn't work out for me. I will try again to read it when I'm in the mood for a thriller and hopefully I can change my mind about it.

**Review: *Listen to Your Sister* by Neena Viel – A Bold, Nightmare-Fueled Exploration of Family and Fear**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

Neena Viel’s *Listen to Your Sister* is a whirlwind of family drama, social horror, and nightmarish terror, blending humor, heart, and surreal horror in an unforgettable debut. Fans of Jordan Peele’s films, *Stranger Things*, and *The Other Black Girl* will find much to love in this genre-defying novel that balances biting social commentary with a gripping supernatural horror story.

At its core, *Listen to Your Sister* is a story about family—specifically, the strained, loving, and often frustrating bond between Calla and her younger brothers, Jamie and Dre. At just 25, Calla is exhausted from holding her fractured family together, acting as guardian to rebellious 16-year-old Jamie while Dre, the middle child, conveniently distances himself from responsibility. To make matters worse, Calla is plagued by horrifying nightmares in which she watches helplessly as her brothers die over and over again. When Jamie gets caught in the chaos of a protest gone wrong, the siblings flee to a remote cabin—a setting straight out of a slasher film—where Calla’s nightmares bleed into reality in terrifying ways.

Viel’s writing is a standout feature, effortlessly balancing sharp, witty dialogue with unsettling, dreamlike horror. The sibling dynamic is the heart of the book—raw, messy, and painfully real. Calla is a phenomenal lead, carrying the weight of her family’s burdens while struggling to keep herself afloat, and her brothers, while infuriating at times, feel equally well-drawn and complex. The interactions between them feel lived-in and natural, making their emotional journey as gripping as the horror elements.

And *oh, the horror*. *Listen to Your Sister* does not hold back—there are moments of body horror, surreal nightmares that twist reality, and a growing sense of dread that builds into an explosive climax. Viel takes big risks, crafting a fever-dream narrative that occasionally spirals into chaos, but the sheer creativity of the horror keeps it compelling. At times, the nightmare sequences become so abstract and disorienting that they risk losing their emotional weight, but Viel’s tight grip on her characters ensures that the reader remains invested.

If there’s one flaw, it’s that the pacing falters toward the middle. The transition from grounded family drama to full-blown supernatural horror feels slightly abrupt, and some of the later horror sequences can be difficult to follow. However, the novel’s climax and resolution deliver in a deeply satisfying way, making any narrative hiccups feel minor in the grand scheme of things.

**Final Verdict:** *Listen to Your Sister* is a stunning debut that blends dark humor, psychological horror, and deeply personal family drama into a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying. Neena Viel is an exciting new voice in horror, and this book is a must-read for fans of socially charged, character-driven horror with a surreal, nightmarish twist. If you love horror that makes you think *and* makes your skin crawl, you’ll want to listen to your sister—and pick up this book.

"Listen to Your Sister" is a deep, emotionally complex horror story of three siblings, black in America, trying to survive. As the eldest, 23-year-old Calla has taken on guardianship of her 16-year-old brother, Jamie, after their family falls apart - a dad dead from a life of vice, and a mom who has rejected her children at every turn. Although she has the nominal assistance of the middle brother, Dre, everything in fact falls upon Calla's shoulders to deal with. The rent, the bills, the crappy job, a younger brother that just can't seem to stay out of trouble.

All of this "normal" life, if you can call it that, quickly turns sour as the siblings begin to experience visions - a strange young girl, an even stranger granny, paintings dripping blood. And when Jamie runs into trouble with the cops after a protest rally turns deadly, the siblings escape to a cabin in the woods that has to be the worst thing that's happened in print since Kirsty decided to play with the puzzle box and summoned the Cenobites. There are a lot of surreal scenes of blood, gore, and human excrement flying around, as well as the requisite broken bones, sliced flesh, and punctured limbs. And it all comes down to the three siblings to try to figure out what is really going on and how to survive the Nightmare that's been created.

There's a lot to process here, almost too much. I enjoyed the story of the strong siblings, but I also became annoyed at them at the same time. Calla was too self-sacrificing, Jamie too much of a boo-hoo, self-entitled prick, and Dre was too much just neglecting everyone but himself. The Nightmare was also a mess, and truthfully, I'm glad when it ended. I'm sure the siblings did as well.

For a debut novel, the author deserves my hearty congratulations! Kudos! She also deserves a better book cover - it's too "Cabin in the Woods" and less the psychological Nightmare head trip that this story was really about.

My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for the arc.