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.