THE UNSEEN by Ania Ahlborn

୨⎯ BRIEF SYNOPSIS ⎯୧
Isla is a mother of five caught in a state of depression after another miscarriage, when a child wanders onto their property and seems to call to her, pulling memories from her haunting past.

୨⎯ MY REVIEW ⎯୧
I am one of Ania’s biggest fans, and I stand by that claim even though this book wasn’t one of my favorites. Though rife with Ahlborn’s signature gloom and eerie storytelling abilities, this book wasn’t very scary. If you’ve read The Bird Eater or The Devil Crept In, you know that she can write SCARY, but this one just didn’t quite hit. I love a good creepy kid, but this one almost felt wrong to be creeped out by, because when we first meet him, he is just a kid with physical deformities. He is also nonverbal and seemingly unable to comprehend what others are saying, and writing those traits as “creepy” feels like we’re treading in ableist territories. Maybe I’m just overthinking that part, and I’m sure that wasn’t the author’s intention, but it kept me from fully sinking into this as a horror story. With all of that being said, I thought the reveal/twist was unique for the horror genre, and I am still an avid Ania Ahlborn pusher!


My overall rating:
⤑ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

📀 PUB DATE: August 19th, 2025 💿

‎‧₊˚✧[ thank you to NetGalley & Gallery Books for this advance reader’s copy]✧˚₊‧

**Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the eARC of this spooky as hell title!!**

The Unseen is one of the creepiest books I have read in a long time. With an ending I didn’t see coming, and so so much horror packed in - this book is going to be in my top 10 for 2025.

I actually haven’t read Ahlborn before despite having several of her books downloaded. I will 100% be stalking her entire backlist now (and any future releases.)

Check this one out if you love horror, creepy little kids, and suspense!!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Unseen.

"" Minor spoilers ahead **

The Unseen is neither terrifying or horrifying; some people scare easily, which is understandable, but I am not one of those people.

I knew the narrative would go sideways for me when I saw it contained not 2 or 3 POVs, but 7!

Yes, seven POVs - the parents and all five sibs.

I'm not a fan of more than 2, at the most 3 POVs because it's not easy to write but most of all, it's repetitive, distracting and tedious.

And that's what happened here; repetitive writing, tedious monologuing, and constant rehashing of spiraling thoughts from each perspective.

The parents' voices were easy to differentiate but with the exception of the oldest and only son's POV, it was hard to remember who was who among the sisters and where they fell in the birth order.

Now we move on to the narrative:

What is it about really?

The mother, Isla's deteriorating mental health, her PTSD, the loss of her babies, which are all triggering and heartbreaking.

But what does that have to do with the story?

Or is the real story her disappearance back in the 90s? Why?

Why is she singled out? What makes her so special?

I don't think the author knew, either.

The narrative started out decent and kind of creepy; a boy with no past or history shows up out of nowhere.

And strange things begin to happen when he's around.

The strange things are trope-y; weird feelings, dogs acting up because animals can sense things humans can't, people being attacked, electronics buzzy a la Poltergeist.

Same old same old.

Was I scared? No.

Was I bored? YES.

The narrative goes back and forth between each family member, I guess the author is hoping this will increase suspense and tension, but it drags the pacing of the story down, which is already slow to begin with.

Then many things happen at the end and...what exactly happens?

This isn't horror...it's sci-fi?

Alien abduction? That's what all this was leading toward?

Ho-hum. I wasn't spooked at all.

If you want to be spooked, watch old episodes of The X-Files.

The writing is good, but wordy, long, and read as filler.

It felt like the author was writing just to write, and any cohesive storyline got muddled as a result.

At the end of the husband's chapter, right before he's 'taken,' the author describes that he finally understands it all.

I didn't. I still don't.

I read and liked the author's novel Brother, but this wasn't for me.

Maybe this author isn't for me but I appreciate the opportunity to read this before its release.

Creepy! A story of heartwarming moments as a family takes in an unusual child. He’s different, doesn’t eat, and gives off strange vibes. But you can’t possibly blame a child for the strange happenings under a household of seven. This story had me despising the mother, Isla, and yelling at the dad because they weren’t listening to their children. Even though it’s not difficult to see where the story takes us the path to the end is creepy. I found myself skimming pages just to get further along, either from my nerves or the excitement. I was happy to receive an advanced copy, I’m a fan of the author, and I wrote this review voluntarily.

I have so many mixed feelings about this book. When you finally find out what the big bad is, I’m not gonna lie I was disappointed. I just don’t like that in a book usually. That being said, I thought it was really well done here. I loved how you got everyone’s POV in this, and the sense of dread just poured off the pages. I have a love-hate relationship with the ending and I think that type of ending is for very specific readers, but again I think it was done pretty well. Overall, very enjoyable and hard to put down. Will definitely read more by this author!

Review Copy

THE UNSEEN is the newest novel by the eminently readable Ania Ahlborn. This author does not seem to write about the same thing twice, the one thing her books have in common is that they will shake you up - and they are meant to!

This story is about Isla and Luke who want nothing more than to live in the beauty of the Colorado countryside and raise a large family. What happens to them will slowly twist your stomach and curdle your guts and have you screaming to yourself, NO!

Gallery Books is publishing THE UNSEEN this August. Check it out!

This was the first book I've read by Ania Ahlborn, although I know her by reputation.

A mother is grieving the loss of her child, and a little child walks out of the forest. Could he take the place of her child Adam? And will her family of five kids accept him? One thing is for sure...the dogs are freaked out by him, and dogs know! Just sayin'.

Even though I went into this book blind (no pun intended), I felt like I knew where it was headed. I wanted to scream "what the heck are you waiting for, give that kid back!". The writing was atmospheric, and you could picture the house, its isolation, and the woods behind it. There is a scene with wasps that had me squirming, and a few scenes where there is so much noise I could almost hear it. I did have some trouble distinguishing between the younger kids when they presented their points of view, but it didn't detract from the story. Unlike some others, I didn't have a problem with the ending, although again, it was predictable to me.

So even though it wasn't my style of horror, I'm rounding up from 3.5 for the creepy kid factor, the atmospheric writing, and the uniqueness of the setting.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advance reader's copy!

*Please note, I was a beta reader for this book in its early stages, this is my second time reading/reviewing
4.5 stars!
Basic Info:

Title/Author: The Unseen by Ania Ahlborn
Pub date: August 19th, 2025
Publisher: Gallery Books
Page Count: 384
Affiliate Link:
Format Read: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978166805...
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- Mixed media formats/news clippings (articles)
- Multiple POVs
- Domestic drama and family dynamics/marriage issues/large families
- Motherhood/parenting/mental health/pregnancy
- Creepy kids/orphans/mute children
- Missing children
- rural living/farmhouse
- "don't go in the woods"
__
Minor complaints:
- The family does tolerate a lot of strange or unexplained behavior that they readily dismiss or overlook BUT I would argue that this is a horror book and how can horror exist without some kind of absence of logic or reasoning
- I know that horror has a reputation for not believing kids when they say something paranormal or supernatural is going on, even when the kid draws a monster or something freaky but I feel like it's such a prevalent trope at this point, characters in film or books should know about it by now--like zombies (everyone knows what a zombie is and that they are called zombies)

Final recommendation: 
I have read so many Ania Ahlborn novels. There are plenty of reasons why I consider her to be one of the leading voices in horror but my favorite one to share with other readers is Ania's ability to draw the reader in close with her signature storytelling style. I would say readers can usually expect multiple POVs in alternating chapters, authentic dialogue, and dynamic character development mostly done with a unique flare for inner monologues.
The Unseen is Ania Ahlborn working at the top of her game in her wheelhouse--what she knows best: Domestic drama with underlying dread building in escalation for an unsettling reading experience.
Not to put too fine of a point on the plot by sharing too many details but this is the story of a family, rocked by grief and loss, who find a young boy on their property and open their home to him. it's a large family and everyone has different feelings about his presence and experience his behavior with their own perspectives so there is a lot of tension between characters as they try to deal with this mysterious child.
I have to be honest and say I didn't make an emotional connection with the main adults: Isla or Luke but I loved August's (Gus) chapters. As the mom of two boys (now grown men) I almost always gravitate toward a compelling male teen in peril and in this case, I got attached.
"He’d scared the hell out of Willow and Sophie at the dinner table with stories of feral kids cannibalizing their hapless adoptive families."
I love Gus for this, he's so real.
My favorite aspect of this book is the use of the creepy child trope. It is so good! Creepy kid horror lovers *must* add this to your TBR.
"And when their eyes met, he canted his head just slightly, then forced a chilling sort of smile. An imitator. An echo."
Lastly, I'm not one to figure things out--if an author crafts a masterfully plotted blindside, It will work on me, 100%. This one got me. I did not see the end coming AT ALL

Location: Colorado
Comps: The Push by Ashley Audrain, Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin, elements/vibes of The Omen (1976 movie) and the Apple TV+ show, Servant.

I'm always excited to jump into a new Ania Ahlborn book and I was beyond thrilled when I read the description for The Unseen- it sounded like EXACTLY my kind of book. Unfortunately, this one did fall short for me. It's still one I'm recommending, though, so let's talk about it.

What I did really love about the book is, of course, the writing. Ahlborn has such a captivating, unique way with words that makes her books an experience rather than just something you read, and that's fully on display here. The Unseen gives us a cast of characters that are far from perfect but who are ((mostly)) trying, and it's easy to get invested in them for the most part. I did struggle with Isla and could not connect with her through this book, but that honestly may be more about me than anything involving the writing.

The setting is also atmospheric and easy to visualize. The house, the surrounding woods- it's very well-written and adds just the right sense of foreboding. I also found the pacing to be excellent. Things begin to slowly escalate even from the beginning, and the reader starts to feel that strong sense of dread building early on.

Now, what didn't work for me: I LOVE most horror, but I do not love ALL types of horror. The Unseen veers into a horror trope that is one of ((if not my main)) least favorite ever. This is why I am still strongly recommending the book- because I know there are a lot of people who are going to love this take and who are going to be so excited by the direction this story goes. And you SHOULD be! As I mentioned, the writing is excellent, and Ahlborn did an incredible job here. But this one just wasn't for me, and that's okay!

If you're a fan of Ahlborn's writing, horror/sci-fi, or fascinated by unexplained disappearances in/near wooded areas, pick this one up! Get in or your TBR, preorder, request with your local library, just get it! And please share your thoughts- I'd love to hear what you think!

((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, Gallery Books, & Ania Ahlborn for this complimentary copy.))

Thank you @gallerybooks for the advanced reader copy of this book! I am a sucker for anything Ania Ahlborn writes and I was so excited for this one!

The Unseen was not what I expected at all. In the beginning, I felt all the emotions and so much empathy towards Isla and what she suffered through. When the strange looking boy wandered onto their property, I had my suspicions about what direction this story was heading. About halfway through, it took a turn into the other direction!
There were quite the number of twists within this book, told in multiple perspectives between the parents and children. I really liked the way some of the creepy things that were going on was written, very descriptive so you could picture it.

Overall, this was entertaining! I always love the way Ania Ahlborn tells stories and this book was a fun ride!

3.5 stars

✨This was quite the chilling and unsettling story of one family and the horrors that befell them.  The author’s descriptions were very vivid, and she truly delivered on creating an uncomfortable and tense environment for the reader.  Those who enjoy the creepy kid trope are going to devour this book because WOW was that kid ever creepy. 
 
✨What kept this from being a favorite for me was the confusion among the sister characters (they were very difficult to differentiate), the extreme unlikability of the parent characters and the unexpected plot direction shift that didn’t quite work for me. With that said, this was a sufficiently spooky read that I finished fairly quickly and rather enjoyed. 
 
✨I will advise that there is pregnancy loss, so please be aware if this is a sensitive topic for you. 
 
🌿Read if you like:
✨Speculative fiction
✨Spooky stories
✨Family drama
✨Creepy kid tropes
✨Multiple POV
✨Colorado settings

🥰 Thank you Galley Books and Ania Ahlborn for the opportunity to read this one early in exchange for my honest review.

💥⚡️💥⚡️💥⚡️💥

The Unseen by Ania Ahlborn
Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Unseen is a haunting tale that walks the line between the familiar and the unknown, drawing us into a chilling narrative where reality itself feels just out of reach.

Ahlborn is a concsiencious creator of the creep. Every tree, every word uttered, every emotion evoked is placed solely to add to the vibe. And the plot was absolutely delicious. A small town where a boy just appears out of nowhere while other children are going missing, and the boy happens to be the creepiest child to ever exist. 😮‍💨

My favorite element had to be the multiple POVs. Crawling into the mind of a six year old who is scared of the dark and then passing the respective to all the others in the house just added to the haunting atmosphere.

I took a star off because I felt like the ending was a bit of a letdown, as horror stories so often are, but overall I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of psychological horror.

🏷️

#horror #thriller #aniaahlborn #psychologicalthriller #creepy #haunted #vibes #tbr #earyreview #readmorebooks #bookstagram #goodreads #arcreview #fourstarreview

Absolutely wild ride and quite terrifying. Definitely felt the creep factor here and this authors books never fail. I didn’t love the ending and that’s the only reason I marked it down. I feel like this left things hanging quite a bit where as I prefer usually for things to be wrapped up in a neat now but I realize that’s not always going to happen especially in horror book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for a review!

In this upcoming novel from Ania Ahlborn, we follow Isla and Luke Hansen, who live in a secluded Colorado farmhouse with their five children. Isla is in the throes of a devastating loss when a mysterious child shows up on the outskirts of their land. The child is seemingly orphaned and the couple end up fostering him. For some strange reason, this boy gives Isla new motivation. Perhaps it would be good for her to have a new purpose the help her in her grief … right? Well, true to horror fashion, THINGS start happening. Weird and creepy things. The tensions in the house reach a fever pitch and the last 1/4 of the book is just absolutely unhinged. Ania took the creepy kid trope and ran with it. I do not want to divulge any of this plot because you will see for yourself. HOLY. HECK. I devoured the last 2/3 of this book in one day because par is the course for me reading Ania's stories. This book was so stressful and eerie. I had a stomach ache several times and my final thought? Isla enraged me so much, like I swear I have never hated a character this much. I call that a win for the author because I don't think one is intended to like her. Thank you so much to Gallery Books for sending me an ARC and to NetGalley for the eARC copy! You need to get your hands on this book when it drops August 19, 2025!!

The Unseen is a story of loss - loss of unborn children, loss of family, loss of control - in the trappings of a creepy-kid horror story told from the perspectives of the family of seven whose lives are disrupted by the appearance of an apparently abandoned child at their home. The story propels quickly as the chapters follow Luke and Isla Hansen and their five children (ages 5-17) in alternation to the conclusion that Ania Ahlborn teases with clues throughout. This was an engaging read that I did not want to put down, and, though at first, I wondered at the choice to give Isla five children, Ahlborn’s decision to tell the story through each of their eyes made each character distinct and their fates equally important. Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the review copy.

I'm a fan of Ahlborn and was excited to see this novel on NetGalley. That cover is threatening and completely irresistible.

After suffering several miscarriages (if that's a trigger for you, I recommend skipping this read), Isla's grief is overwhelming. When a child appears on their secluded property, Isla feels an immediate connection, and soon the child, Rowan, joins their family. Her husband, five children, and even the family dogs know something is inherently wrong feel the unsettling vibes surrounding Rowan - but not Isla. As her obsession with him grows, she places his welfare above the rest of her family. Needless to say, Isla isn't a likeable character. Husband Luke sees what's happening, and I kept waiting for him to step up and say something. Th slow unraveling of their family begins the moment Rowan steps out of the forest. It's painful to watch but impossible to look away.

The chapters alternate between the seven family members' POVs, which some readers may not care for. I admit to confusing the two middle sisters. As the story progresses, the tension is heavy and nearly palpable. Ahlborn is a master at creating unsettling, disturbing scenes. A hint around the midpoint of the novel made me wonder if the story would take a certain direction, and it did. It's not one I was crazy about, but that's personal preference, and I'm in the minority compared to other reviewers.

Recommended to fans of dark, insidious tales and stories you may hesitate to read at night.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

AA is the queen of unusual horror. I’ve read and enjoyed most of her books, and this was no exception. Creepy and unsettling, this was a super fun ride from beginning to end. No notes.

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
I just finished The Unseen by Ania Ahlborn, and WOW. Huge thanks to @NetGalley and @gallerybooks for the opportunity to read this early—this book shook me. 😱

A chilling, emotional rollercoaster blending grief, motherhood, adoption, and a dash of paranormal/alien terror 👽👻. I don’t scare easily when it comes to horror, but this one got me. I was creeped out, emotionally wrecked, and absolutely glued to the page.

This was my first read by Ania Ahlborn, and I’m OBSESSED. Her writing? Immaculate. The detail? Bone-chilling. The story? 10/5 stars. 🌟

If you love horror that hits deep and lingers long after the last page, The Unseen is a must-read. I’ll be recommending it to everyone. 💀📖

#ARCReview #AniaAhlborn #TheUnseen #NetGalleyReader #GalleryBooks #HorrorReads #CreepyBooks #ParanormalThriller #AlienHorror #SpookyReads #Bookstagram #BookReview #ReadThisBook

Thank you net galley so much for this arc, this is my third book by this author, one of my all time favorite horrror book from this author is brother, that was such an amazing book. but this was also so good, the horror was just intense, unsettling. isla delt with a lot of tragic things gut wrenching

Let me preface this by saying, this was my second read of Ania Ahlborn’s and I LOVED IT!

This is PERFECT FOR FANS of the good old creepy kid trope! Creepy kid books are some of my favorites! I will also add, that I’m pretty picky when it comes to this trope. Ahlborn knocked it outta the park 👏

Isla and Luke Hansen have had many tragedies when it comes to losing children. Even though they have a household full of kids, Isla wants another one. Only thing is, she keeps having miscarriages.

Then, one day, a boy magically shows up on their property. He looks disheveled, unclean and doesn’t say a word. With the help of family services, they are able to foster the child, since no one has claimed him missing.

Soon, the other children begin to notice something just isn’t right with him. Terrible things start to take place and more and more children are coming up missing. Just who is this boy and what does he want?

I absolutely loved it! This was creepy, unhinged and very unsettling. My only quibble was that I wasn’t ready for it to end.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub date - 8/19/25