Synopsis: Ana and Reid, who are new parents, win a housing lottery and move into a new apartment. However, things are not what they seems.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is creepy and complex. The author was kind enough to include a content warning at the front of the book and I would suggest taking a look at that for readers with any triggers.

This book has a lot of gross things but it is clearly intentional and intended to add to the story. Bug related things are a huge part of this book.

I really enjoyed the characters. Ana became a wheelchair user following issues with her daughters birth and throughout the book she has to deal with complex feelings about motherhood. There is great discussions about ableism in this book.

Reid similarly was an interesting character who had to weigh his wife's needs against his child's needs and his own needs. He is the one most enthusiastic about the move and most curious about their new home to the point he even gets a book to learn the history of the creepy building.

While I really enjoyed the characters I had some issues with the pacing of the book. I felt like parts of this book dragged and there were several times I didn't even want to pick it up and read it. I would say this book had a really interesting start and an interesting finish but was a bit too slow and quiet in the middle.

I liked the concept of the reveals at the end but I was a little confused as well.

I think this book is creepy and if you are reading it for the vibes it might really work for you. I enjoyed the vibes but I didn't come away feeling like I really understood the ins and outs of the reveal at the end. ( )

Thank you for the ARC Netgalley!

First, I have to get it out of the way...

JUST GET TO HOME DEPOT.

Alright, I very much enjoyed this! I got into easily since I recognized the similarities to Rosemary's baby, but the ending surprised me! A great mix of atmospheric, haunting, and of course, just straight up gross. Fun! ( )

Nat Cassidy is just not for me. ( )

“Twenty Fucking Twenty-One”

Horror story of the year is what’s promised on the cover of this 2nd novel by the amazing
author of Mary, an awakening of terror. Did Nat Cassidy deliver his promise? Well of course he did!

This novel feeds you the horrors of the genera with eerie and unsettling events. Things that go bump…I mean…screaming the night. Things that lurk in the shadows and hang from the ceiling. He also serves up plate after plate of the human condition and it’s most horrible, sad, and loathsome flavors. There are moments in this book, like his first, that will remain with me.
One element that sticks with me specifically about this author, being a man, is that he has the ability to write about women, from a woman’s point of view…..and not be wrong. I know this is my opinion and I KNOW I’m not alone on this. How the fuck does he do it? Impeccable research? The youngest of 6 sisters? I mean…anyway, I digress.

I will point out that, again my opinion, there are trigger warnings that even are published prior to the opening chapter, and I would not recommend this to a ‘new to horror’ reader.

Mazel tov ( )

Rosemary's Baby with bugs, Jews, wheelchairs, and architecture. Very engaging. ( )