'The Unseen': A Must-Read for Horror Fiction Lovers

(*This review contains Amazon affiliate links.) 

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp with the whisper of approaching Halloween, publishers unleash a veritable deluge of horror fiction upon us, eager readers. Among this season's offerings is *The Unseen, a spine-chilling new novel from the bestselling #HorrorBookTok sensation, Ania Ahlborn, renowned for her modern classic, Brother. Published by Gallery Books, this novel has been heralded by none other than Seanan McGuire, author of the Ghost Roads series, as a creator of “some of the most promising horror I’ve encountered in years.”

At first glance, the cover art captures a haunting landscape: a foreboding house looming under a cloaked sky, shadows that seem to stretch and swirl like restless spirits, all wrapped in an eerie, unsettling atmosphere. It’s the kind of imagery that invites you to linger but warns you to tread carefully.

The heart of the story follows Isla Hansen, a mother grappling with the shattering aftermath of a profound loss. Her world is shattered when a mysteriously orphaned child appears on the outskirts of the Hansens' secluded Colorado property—an unsettling blessing that breathes new life into Isla's weary existence. Yet, as the child settles in, an undercurrent of tension begins to ripple through the household. Isla's husband, Luke, and their five children find themselves increasingly disturbed by peculiarities hinting at something far from ordinary. Reality begins to tangle at the edges, and with every passing day, the atmosphere thickens—something sinister lurks, and it seems all too cozy in the Hansen home.

Now, I must confess that I'm typically not a fan of multiple perspectives in literature. It can feel like a jarring shift, pulling me away from the main narrative and causing my focus to waver like a flickering candle. But then comes *The Unseen, where the shifting point of view feels intuitive, almost necessary; it weaves backstories that deepen the mystery and enrich character relationships. I found myself pondering questions like: Who is Luke, really? Where did he come from? Is he just another ghost hiding in plain sight among the many missing children? These thoughts clung to me like a tenacious fog as I journeyed through each chapter, craving answers.

Ania Ahlborn is undeniably gifted, her prose radiating vivid descriptions that I crave in a horror tale—like a gourmet meal for a famished mind. Every sentence pulses with emotion as she masterfully draws us into her world. *The Unseen is a slow burn, a careful dance of tension and dread. I savored each word, relishing the emotional connection I forged with the characters, as if I were experiencing their haunted moments alongside them.

Ahlborn expertly infuses a Gothic vibe into her storytelling, wrapping us in an atmosphere rife with dread that seeps into the very marrow of every character. It’s an intensity that rattles your bones and keeps your spine tingling—like a ghost dancing just out of your sight, teasing you with its presence. I devoured The Unseen—every haunting word, every shuddering chapter, every moment steeped in terror. I can’t help but recommend it to those brave enough to embrace the darkness that creeps within its pages.

Get ready to be enthralled; just remember to keep the lights on. ╌★★★★★

⁓B.J. Burgess