Book Review | The Devil Crept In by Ania Ahlborn

The Devil Crept In is the latest horror novel from Ania Ahlborn. Just in time for Women in Horror Month!

An unforgettable horror novel from bestselling sensation Ania Ahlborn—hailed as a writer of “some of the most promising horror I’ve encountered in years” (New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire)—in which a small-town boy investigates the mysterious disappearance of his cousin and uncovers a terrifying secret kept hidden for years.

Young Jude Brighton has been missing for three days, and while the search for him is in full swing in the small town of Deer Valley, Oregon, the locals are starting to lose hope. They’re well aware that the first forty-eight hours are critical and after that, the odds usually point to a worst-case scenario. And despite Stevie Clark’s youth, he knows that, too; he’s seen the cop shows. He knows what each ticking moment may mean for Jude, his cousin and best friend.

That, and there was that boy, Max Larsen...the one from years ago, found dead after also disappearing under mysterious circumstances. And then there were the animals: pets gone missing out of yards. For years, the residents of Deer Valley have murmured about these unsolved crimes…and that a killer may still be lurking around their quiet town. Now, fear is reborn—and for Stevie, who is determined to find out what really happened to Jude, the awful truth may be too horrifying to imagine.

Yes.
Yes. Yes.
Yesyesyesyesyes.
YES.

Character driven horror. Do I need to say anything else? My enjoyment level was at full capacity throughout this entire book.

The Devil Crept In is divided into three parts. The first part follows Stevie and Jude, cousins and best friends. Jude goes missing and Stevie is left trying to piece together what could have happened and where his best friend could be.

Part two follows Rosie as she raises her son Otto alone. Normally when a book suddenly drops one storyline for another, I'm left reeling, but that was not the case here. Despite the abrupt shift in the story, I was immediately sucked right back in.

I'm not even going to tell you what part three was about. You will have to read it yourself.

I'll admit there is a bit of a slow burn to The Devil Crept In, but I was too busy wallowing in the characters to care.

As always, the ending was not what I expected. With Ania Ahlborn I never get what I am expecting. That's my favorite thing about her books. Honestly, the characters could have all lined up and jumped off a cliff at the end, and I would probably still be recommending this book.

The Devil Crept In is really one of those books where it's best going in with a clean slate. I never knew what was coming, and it was one of those hand over mouth, wide eyed type of reads you just don't get very often.

I can't recommend this to everyone. If you are squeamish or can't handle bad things happening to good animals, turn around and run away. If, however, you've been craving some amazing character driven horror, you need to get your hands on The Devil Crept In (immediately).

9/10: Highly Recommended

Review copy provided by publisher

Book Review | Seed by Ania Ahlborn

Seed is the debut novel of Ania Ahlborn. Seed was originally a self-published phenomenon before being scooped up by the Amazon imprint 47North. More on that after the review!

Book Description

With nothing but the clothes on his back—and something horrific snapping at his heels—Jack Winter fled his rural Georgia home when he was still just a boy. Watching the world he knew vanish in a trucker’s rearview mirror, he thought he was leaving an unspeakable nightmare behind forever. But years later, the bright new future he’s built suddenly turns pitch black, as something fiendishly familiar looms dead ahead.

When Jack, his wife Aimee, and their two small children survive a violent car crash, it seems like a miracle. But Jack knows what he saw on the road that night, and it wasn’t divine intervention. The profound evil from his past won’t let them die…at least not quickly. It’s back, and it’s hungry; ready to make Jack pay for running, to work its malignant magic on his angelic youngest daughter, and to whisper a chilling promise: I’ve always been here, and I’ll never leave.

Country comfort is no match for spine-tingling Southern gothic suspense in Ania Ahlborn’s tale of an ordinary man with a demon on his back. Seed plants its page-turning terror deep in your soul, and lets it grow wild.

I have had Seed sitting on my Kindle for over a year now begging me to read it. I am so glad I didn't wait any longer. Seed is a great scary novel to read this October (or any time!).

I don't get the creeps very often. I wish I did, but it's pretty hard to freak me out. Seed gave me the creeps. I actually wrote "aaaaaahh" and "don't go!" in my notes. (Yes, notes, whatever.) I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into specifics - like why I really, really wanted my dog to stop scratching on the door.

If you are looking for some fresh, new horror, I highly recommend Seed. On top of being fast paced and suspenseful, it's an atypical horror story and it is completely unsettling. I loved it.

9/10: Highly Recommended

Amazon Studios announced yesterday they have selected Seed as their first novel to option for film. I'm super excited because 1) I obviously loved Seed and 2) Amazon chose a great horror story for its first film adaptation. So many good things rolled up into one.

Have you read Seed? Do you have plans to read anything scary for October?

Wishlist | The Neighbors by Ania Ahlborn

This week I am anxiously waiting on The Neighbors by Ania Ahlborn. I just read her first novel, Seed, and loved it. (Expect a review of Seed soon.)

The Neighbors is another stand alone novel and will hopefully be just as suspenseful as Seed!

Andrew Morrison sacrificed everything—his childhood, his education, and the girl of his dreams—to look after his alcoholic mother. But enough is enough, and now he’s determined to get out and live his life. That means trading the home he grew up in for a rented room in the house of an old childhood friend— both of which are in sorry shape.

The only thing worse than Drew’s squalid new digs and sullen new roommate is the envy he feels for the house next door: a picture-perfect suburban domicile straight out of Norman Rockwell, with a couple of happy householders to match. But the better acquainted he gets with his new neighbors—especially the sweet and sexy Harlow Ward—the more he suspects unspeakable darkness beyond the white picket fence.

At the intersection of Blue Velvet and Basic Instinct lies The Neighbors, an insidiously entertaining tale of psychological suspense and mounting terror by the boldest new master of the form, Ania Ahlborn.

The Neighbors will be published November 27 so I still have a while to wait!

Have you read Seed? Are you dying for The Neighbors? What are you waiting for this week?

This post is being shared as part of Breaking the Spine's "Waiting for" Wednesday.