A Speculative Horror Debut with a Unique Tone

Speculative horror is one of my favorite subgenres, so when I saw Listen to Your Sister marketed for fans of Jordan Peele and Stranger Things, I was immediately intrigued. Neena Viel’s debut novel blends family trauma, unsettling horror, and unexpected humor in a way that sets it apart. While the book didn’t fully land for me, there’s a lot to admire about its ambition and execution.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the Advanced Reader’s Copy for review: all opinions are my own.

The Story: Family Bonds and Horror

At its heart, Listen to Your Sister is about sibling relationships—particularly the weight of responsibility placed on an elder sibling. Calla, the 25-year-old protagonist, has been parentified and is solely responsible for raising her 16-year-old brother, Jamie. Meanwhile, their middle sibling, Dre, is off living his own life, leaving Calla to shoulder everything alone. Viel deeply explores themes of trauma bonding, the loss of self in caregiving, and the messy reality of sibling dynamics. These elements are some of the book’s strongest aspects, and Viel’s insight into the emotional toll of these relationships is both powerful and painful.

The Horror and the Unexpected Humor

One of the most surprising things about this book is its humor. Horror often has moments of dark wit, but Viel really leans into laugh-out-loud moments that contrast with the novel’s heavier themes. This tonal mix makes for an unpredictable reading experience—sometimes it works brilliantly, adding levity to an otherwise grim narrative. Other times, it undercuts the tension, making it harder to stay immersed in the horror aspects.

Does It Deliver on the Horror?

The horror elements are definitely there—there’s gore, an army of Calla doppelgängers wreaking havoc, a terrifying cabin in the woods, and enough body horror to give me the constant ick (how many times can Calla shove broken glass through her heel). For readers looking for a slow-burning psychological horror with deep emotional stakes, this will be a pass. For fans of the slasher genre (think The Indian Lake Trilogy by Stephen Graham Jones) this might be a real winner for you.

Content Warnings

This book doesn’t shy away from heavy and potentially triggering content. Some major themes and moments include:

• Racism and racial violence
• Gore
• Political violence (including an intense protest scene with police brutality)
• Child death

If any of these are deal-breakers for you, proceed with caution.

Final Thoughts: A Mixed but Promising Read

For me, Listen to Your Sister was a mixed experience. While I loved its deep exploration of sibling relationships and the unique tone Viel brings to horror, I didn’t always feel fully engaged with the execution. The humor, while refreshing, sometimes clashed with the horror, and I wanted a bit more intensity from the speculative elements.

That said, Viel is clearly a talented writer, and I’m curious to see where she goes next. I’d rate this one 3.5 out of 5 stars—it’s worth a read, especially if you like horror that leans heavily into slasher territory.

Let’s Discuss!

Have you read Listen to Your Sister? Did the humor work for you? Drop your thoughts in the comments!