The Unseen
A Novel
Published on 11. September 2025
Book
Hardback
384 pages
978-1-6680-5766-7 (ISBN)
Description
A terrifying new novel from bestselling #HorrorBookTok sensation Ania Ahlborn-the acclaimed author of the modern classic Brother.
Hailed as a writer of "some of the most promising horror I've encountered in years" (Seanan McGuire, author of the Ghost Roads series), Ania Ahlborn delivers a novel that pushes the boundaries of horror into a new realm.
Isla Hansen, a mother reeling from a devastating loss, is beside herself when a mysteriously orphaned child appears on the outskirts of the Hansens' secluded Colorado property. Although strange and unexplainable, the child's presence breathes new life into Isla. But as the child settles in, Isla's husband, Luke, and their five children notice peculiarities that hint at something far beyond the ordinary-anomalies that challenge the very fabric of reality itself. The tension within the Hansen household grows, and with it, the sense that there is something very wrong with the new kid in the house.
The Unseen is a haunting tale that walks the line between the familiar and the unknown, drawing us into a chilling narrative where reality itself feels just out of reach.
Hailed as a writer of "some of the most promising horror I've encountered in years" (Seanan McGuire, author of the Ghost Roads series), Ania Ahlborn delivers a novel that pushes the boundaries of horror into a new realm.
Isla Hansen, a mother reeling from a devastating loss, is beside herself when a mysteriously orphaned child appears on the outskirts of the Hansens' secluded Colorado property. Although strange and unexplainable, the child's presence breathes new life into Isla. But as the child settles in, Isla's husband, Luke, and their five children notice peculiarities that hint at something far beyond the ordinary-anomalies that challenge the very fabric of reality itself. The tension within the Hansen household grows, and with it, the sense that there is something very wrong with the new kid in the house.
The Unseen is a haunting tale that walks the line between the familiar and the unknown, drawing us into a chilling narrative where reality itself feels just out of reach.
Reviews / Votes
"Haunting and unsettling, choked with tension, The Unseen takes you down a long, dark hallway of familial terror. Ania Ahlborn is horror's next superstar." -Richard Chizmar, New York Times bestselling author of Memorials and Chasing the Boogeyman "Ania Ahlborn is in top form with The Unseen. A tapestry of mounting horror and otherworldly suspense, Ahlborn knows how to turn that screw to keep her readers constantly on edge, proving once more that she is a writer who has mastered the art of the creeping dread. This unsettling gem comes highly recommended." -Ronald Malfi, bestselling author of Senseless and Small Town Horror "Ahlborn's creative riff on the haunted child genre takes plenty of unexpected twists and turns. This is the perfect page-turner that is brimming with darkness." -Variety "The trauma of motherhood and ever-shifting family dynamics are at the heart of this terrifying narrative. Combining the uncomfortable truths of grief with tense, speculative horror, The Unseen is chilling, unsettling, and absolutely riveting." -Tanya Pell, author of Her Wicked Roots and Cicada "An intense masterclass in the unexpected, the uncomfortable, and the unforeseen, Ahlborn's latest novel proves once again that she's a virtuoso of the craft and Queen of the unsettling. Put it on your TBR immediately." -Gemma Amor, Bram Stoker and British Fantasy Award nominated author of Dear Laura, Full Immersion and Itch! "Both riveting and unsettling, Ahlborn's latest is a fresh take on a classic horror trope....a spine-chilling atmosphere that crackles with anticipation. Ahlborn does not sacrifice character for plot, as each individual attempts to reckon with the family dynamics and secrets amid horrors that lurk in the shadows. The result is a creepy thrill-ride that belies the familial grief and longing bubbling just below the surface. Ahlborn's writing is all-consuming, dragging readers into a world filled with unseen terrors...This compulsively readable book deserves a spot in horror collections." -Library Journal "Scary...Ahlborn's take on the classic changeling narrative should have readers talking for years to come." -CrimeReadsMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York, NY
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Dimensions
Height: 237 mm
Width: 158 mm
Thickness: 37 mm
Weight
549 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6680-5766-7 (9781668057667)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
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Other editions
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Person
Ania Ahlborn is the bestselling author of the horror works Brother, If You See Her, The Devil Crept In, Within These Walls, The Bird Eater, The Shuddering, The Neighbors, and Seed, the thrillers Good and Joyful Things and Dark Across the Bay, the novella collection Apart in the Dark, and the novellas Palmetto, I Call Upon Thee, and The Pretty Ones. Born in Ciechanow, Poland, she now lives with her family in North Carolina. Visit her at AniaAhlborn.com or follow the author on Facebook (@Ania.Ahlborn.Author) and Instagram (@AniaAhlborn).