Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Nestlings by Nat Cassidy

44 reviews

curlydanreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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blacksphinx's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

When it was pitched to me as "Rosemary's Baby meets Salem's Lot in New York City", I was interested. When I listened to Nat Cassidy talk about this book and he said it was, in part, a Jewish vampire story, I was sold. It more than delivered on those promises with a building that feels alive, some of the most horrific body horror I've ever read, and an extremely satisfying series of Chekov's guns going off at the end. 

Please publishers, give us more disabled protagonists and more Jewish horror!
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lattelibrarian's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Holy shit. HOW is Nat Cassidy SUCH a good writer?? From the get-go I was squeamish. I mean, there's bugs. Lots of 'em. There's also gargoyles, vampires, and insectile appendages, so really, there's no shortage of grossness. Still, even with the gross factor, this book is incredible.

Our new parents finally win the housing lottery to live in the most coveted building in New York City. But there's little known about it, and delivery workers refuse to enter it. Regardless, it's enviable. Even if it feels a little...off. 

On top of being a new mother, Ana is recently disabled due to her labor. She struggles to cope and is frequently barraged by the ableism she faces. Reid, her husband, refuses to admit that he hated taking care of both his newborn and his wife and is so incredibly relieved that both parties are doing much better. Reid thinks that the Deptford is the chance of a lifetime. Ana is more pessimistic, though she'd argue it's simply realism. Still, it feels a little...off.

These characters are memorable and their flaws are integral to the book and equally integral to their successes and failures. This couple is far from perfect, and the differences between their internal lives and what they share are vast. 

Included within the horror is bugs, motherhood, blood, vomit, more bugs, antisemitism, and a cast of characters who are as fun as they are terrible. Love this book.
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kkalicky94's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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aparker89's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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bookb1itch's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I'd like to thank the random bookshop who posted a picture on FB of a display of "Horror novels NOT by Stephen King."  I looked up a couple of titles, wondering "who is Nat Cassidy?"  A very good writer, that's who!  I loved the terror and humanity of this book.  It's essentially about dealing with misfortune and desperately wanting to belong.  The apartment building, the Deptford, is a character and although I don't want to be responsible for "spoilers" let's just say I want to research further about estries and the Jewish Vampire lore.  One of the best trigger-warnings I've ever read, which mentions various things including anti-semitism, depression and various other themes, but ends with "There's also a character who's a real racist, sexist piece of shit".  Frank is, unfortunately, so very believable.
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ripxreads's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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bookzombiee19's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Nat Cassidy is a wizard and I'm raptured by his writing. And his author's note is so heart touching. 
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kari_f's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

If unsettling books are your jam, you need to check out Nat Cassidy’s writing.

It felt reminiscent of a classic Stephen King novel, where its horror has mysterious, thriller-esque vibes. Add in the discomfort of a book like School for Good Mothers, and that might come close to describing the feel and tone of this novel.

While it definitely falls into the horror genre, there are so many deep topics that are explored through the writing. Just some of them include the grief of sudden disability, the difficulties of being a caretaker, complicated ideas on motherhood, postpartum depression, generational trauma, economic inequality, modern Judaism and antisemitism, and the overwhelming desire to fit in. Because of this, the book is quite heavy even before the urban horror aspects start to come into play.

I loved the creeping dread the author was able to infuse throughout the book; even after the reader has an idea of what’s going on, the tension and paranoia practically drip off every page. The descriptions are vivid enough to imagine oneself right there with the characters, which only added to the atmospheric unease. Be sure to read/listen to the afterward from the author - it’s quite powerful.

I will say that, much like a Stephen King novel, it took me a while to get into the story. But once I was invested, there was no way I could put this book down! It was a perfect spooky season read, and now I need to go pick up something light and happy!

*Note: I was given the advanced audiobook edition of the book, and I felt that Cassandra Campbell’s narration gave the perfect voices to the characters and added to the dread and unease of the book.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy!


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bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense

4.5

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for the eARC!

First let me preface by saying I loved that there’s content warnings at the beginning of the book, I think it’s something all authors should do! Now onto the review.

The book is told through switching POVs between Ana and Reid mostly, but occasionally we get POVs from some minor characters. I was immediately pulled in and didn’t want to put this one down! The writing is atmospheric with Very tense, eerie vibes. I had goosebumps, felt like I was being watched and general creepy crawlies while reading (do not recommend reading at night right before bed) 🫣

It slowed a bit in the middle but overall the pacing was well done! The character development was also fantastic, I really liked Ana and watching her grow throughout the novel. Although both MCs were well written, Ana was so complex and had great depth to her 😍

This novel is incredibly written in its exploration of grief and motherhood. The topics of postpartum, disability, and infertility were well written/handled with care! I can’t speak for the disability community but the infertility rep made me feel so seen. 

I loved the acknowledgements as well! I’ve never been so moved by an authors note 💗

Nestlings is a unique horror novel in terms of the plot and adding to some horror lore with a new twist. If you like horror novels or movies/shows, I’d highly recommend! Nestlings is marketed as Salem’s Lot meets Rosemary’s Baby, but it also gave  me Midnight Mass vibes 👻 I’ll definitely be checking out more of Cassidy’s horror novels!

Rep: Jewish MCs and author, paraplegia FMC, infertility rep
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