This is a genuinely fantastic book that I've been interested in since Wiswell mentioned it on social media, and I'm happy to confirm he manages to walk the line between eldritch monstrosity, monster fuckers, and the real villain, trauma and your abusive family! I was not expecting how deep this goes into how family can shape and confine you, and how what our parents teach us ends up shaping a lot of who we are. The book does swing a bit too towards CHILDREN ARE THE SOLUTION TO ALL YOUR PROBLEMS for my personal taste towards the back half of the book, but that's more my personal beliefs than a failure on Wiswell's part. There's lots of body horror, confusing feelings, and families being fucking awful, but it still comes together well as a story, and will definitely be on my books to recommend a preorder for this spring.

Holy moly! This is one unique story!

This is a story of monster-hunting, told from the POV of the monster and including a sapphic romance. It is GRISLY, full of body horror, but also rather charming and sweet. It tackles so much, including issues in regards to healthy relationships. It touches on autonomy, consent, and working through trauma; love, sexuality (and asexuality), and diverse feelings toward begetting and raising offspring. These things are masterfully woven into a story that is complete with a(n) (anti)hero, truly awful villains, romance, harrowing fights, and many things besides. This book may churn your stomach at times, but it is also guaranteed to warm the cockles of any fantasy-reader’s heart and/or egg sac (that’s a little monster humor there, you’ll have to read the book to be in on the joke.)

I can honestly say I’ve never read anything else quite like this before, and am truly impressed!

Thank you for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will post my review to Goodreads shortly, then to my blog and Bookstagram account on the book’s publication date.

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the arc!
3.5 I struggled with this one. Had a great premise, but I found it sloggy. Love the rep, but was often confused about concepts and it might've been the POV, as Shesheshen didn't know literally anything ever but I would've like a teensy bit more insight.

Well.

What was that.

I mean.

What.

I had a hard time not thinking about this book every second I wasn’t reading it. It hit me with that classic deadly case of “just one more chapter”-itis.

It’s got everything you could ask for: memorable characters, a sense of humor, fun plot twists, and a satisfying conclusion. But it has a depth to it that I wasn’t expecting. The important of self-care, acceptance, and growth are major themes in this book, and it also had some really poignant quotes that hit me hard.

Uh—but the book was also super gross and disgusting and probably gave me wrinkles from the constant grimacing. The monster’s… anatomy… ? … was very cleverly designed and unique. The author was never afraid to go there, and be weird and nasty, but it always came with a warm slice of wholesomeness.

“Nasty” and “warm slice” should not be in the same sentence yet that’s the kind of writing you’ll find in this book. It’s awesome! It’s awful! You’ll love it!

A wonderful horror/fantasy/queer romance, about a wyrm who, through a series of grisly events, somehow ends up with a human companion, who happens to have ties to the family that most wants to destroy it. It's a character study of a monster who isn't as monstrous as they think they are, and a kind of a mystery, as to why the family is so obsessed with killing the wyrm (although, to be fair, the town is terrified of it). There are twists, and a unique take on shapeshifters. Pay attention to the content warnings, but I can't see anyone not having a great time with this one.

I can’t stop reading this book. It draws me in from page one, like the main character herself, Shesheshen, throughly absorbing my heart and imagination. Our heroine happens to also be a monster and not just any monster but an clever, creative, and elusive shapeshifter that absorbs her victims and uses their bits and pieces to form disguises to walk among those she hunts, who also hunt her. For the most part she would be quite happy to be left alone in her dark lair, but this becomes no longer an option once monster hunters interrupt her hibernation to slaughter her in her sleep. Having lost her mother to hunters, she is grimly aware of how persistent Humans can be and has little respect for them until she meets kindly , gentle Homily who worms a way into her borrowed heart. Unfortunately, Homily has her own secrets that threaten Shesheshen’s existence and her family is the stuff of nightmares that makes a monster seem positively humane by comparison, even one that eats people. I was enthralled with original , often funny, and decidedly unique fairy tale. The enchanting and adorable parts are evenly countered by a fair amount of violence, gore, and squeamish inducing horror not for those with a weak stomach and yet one can not help but cheer on our star crossed lovers as they attempt to find happiness together with all forces trying to tear them apart. This is indeed a warm, cozy, often bloody nest to sink into and enjoy and I loved it.

Shesheshen is a monster who eats people. When monster hunters nearly kill her, she falls into the lap of a woman that she first wants to lay eggs in, then wants to keep alive (though she’s still fine with eating other people). Lots of squishy body parts are involved; the monster’s eye view of human society is funny (as the object of Shesheshen’s affections keeps saying). But they both have to survive the legacy of past abuses. Good if you are ok with body horror and unrepentant murder, at least of the deserving.

You all. This was flipping fantastic. 5 stars. I loved the absurdity of the premise and the book definitely delivers. It is hard being a hated monster who eats a murderous home invader one day just to meet and fall in love with his sister the next. Shesheshen needs to fool everyone into thinking she is a normal human so she can stay with Homily, the woman she loves. Meanwhile all the people around her are actively hunting the monster, aka Shesheshen, including herself. The plot is full of twists and turns that keep amping up the beautifully orchestrated chaos.

What I didn't expect from this horror/fantasy/rom-com was to feel seen and represented. Shesheshen's battle with her body's natural inclinations and her lack of enough social knowledge to fit in with humans reads as Autistic. Acting human is a literal performance for her in the way that neurodivergent folks mask their differences to fit in. The asexual representation took me by surprise. Rarely do I read about book couples fall in love without explicit or implied allosexuality. The request "Can we not kiss for a while?" as a way to spend time together as a couple really hit me in the feels. I really enjoyed that the author took the time after the chaos calmed down to show Shesheshen and Homily establishing their queer romantic happily ever after.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I think the main draw--and the main reason I liked it--was Shesheshen. She's just such a fun and empathetic character. Her observations on humanity (and their hypocrisies and weirdnesses) were some of the highlights for me. While I do think the romance could've been a little smoother, it was, overall, very sweet and I loved the asexual representation. I also liked the varying discussions on grief and abuse and family. There's a conversation that Shesheshen has with Homily that really punched me in the gut.

There were a few things, though, that I think could've been done a little better. The first is that the pacing needed a little bit of work, especially towards the end. This also ties into another critique I have which is that Shesheshen goes from not being able to identify certain human emotions to being able to identify the finer details of some of the things Homily is going through. While I don't mind monster characters taking on a more human perspective to offer empathy and compassion, I do wish that that transition had been explored a bit more. Because, as it is, it sort of came out of left field a bit. I wish Shesheshen had either: a) not been so much of a recluse and, instead, done a bit more snooping on humans or b) spent a bit more time among humans before the main plot kicked in to get a bit more insight on their behaviors. There was an attempt, but I don't think it quite matched up to the level of empathy and compassion Shesheshen reaches in later parts of the book. Which, don't get me wrong, I really loved those moments from her, but I wanted it to be a bit more earned than it felt like it was.

Again, though, this was highly enjoyable and I'd recommend it if you like kind of gory monster stories with a sweet sapphic center.

Easily one of my favorite books this year! Shesheshen is a delightfully funny and surprisingly romantic monster. Homily is so lovely and warm and I want to be her best friend. Not only did this book entertain me, but it also sparked some questions about parenthood, desire, and grief that I'll be ruminating on for a while.

An unexpectedly cozy-like fantasy horror. This was such a fresh take on the monster hunt trope with Shesheshen, the monster, as the main POV. Her views on humans and civilization are funny while she is also, eventually, very supportive and understanding of someone who had experienced trauma.

I had initially thought that the book was dragging on towards the end, but the ending was very much worth it.

Different in many ways from the norm, but in all the best ways! A must-read for any fan of queer fantasy. Thank you for the ARC!

Judging by the blurb, I was expecting Someone You Can Build a Nest In to be a weird, creepy-cute, original bit of literary fun. The concept sounded great, and the story sounded like it might offer something truly different than from what we normally see coming out of mainstream SFF publishers. It was most definitely weird and original, more creepy than cute, but I’m afraid fun is a word I can’t use to describe it.

Critically, I’m sure John Wiswell’s debut will receive all sorts of accolades for its originality and its messaging. It is indeed like nothing I’ve ever read before, and I’m pleased that DAW took a chance on such a book. Shesheshen is a well-developed monster, a truly ‘other’ creature whose biology is like nothing we’re familiar with. Initially, she even seems to think differently, which I admire, but it made it hard to connect with her as a narrator. Eventually, Wiswell does fall into the trap of simply putting familiar thoughts into unfamiliar bodies, making the story more accessible, but there are still shadows of that otherness.

Personally, I regret to say I didn’t enjoy it. The narration didn’t engage me, the pacing made it difficult to get invested in the story, and I never really connected with any of the characters. As for the romance, I never bought into it, never felt anything between the characters, and that’s a huge disconnect for me. There was so much potential, so many other ways Wiswell could have approached it, but I freely admit those choices would have taken away from the otherness of the book. It didn’t work for me, didn’t engage me as the fun read I expected, but I can see how others (especially sci-fi fans who are used to alien otherness) might have a far different reaction.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In didn’t work for me. I struggled to keep reading, and found myself reluctantly returning to the story. That’s just me, though. It’s admirable in what it does, and other readers have given it rave reviews, so give it a chance – if it works for you, it’ll likely work very well.

such a clever, smart read! loved it, very athmospheric, loved the worldbuilding, a masterpiece! VERY well written, funny and sharp, absolutly delightful!!

A short, fun, and sweet story full of action and a lovely romance. The POV of a monster usually promises a good time, and this book certainly delivered. I really enjoyed the way this story described human anatomy, the depiction of organs, flesh, and bones, especially when Shesheshen engaged in simple acts of affection like holding hands or hugging and narrated it as meat clasping meat, or kissing as a failed attempt at cannibalism. Someone You Can Build A Nest In simply makes for a very entertaining story.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Song on loop: Mountain - Message To Bears

Somehow simultaneously gory, sweet, funny, compassionate, and exciting all at once! Combining a horror fairy-tale with kind of absurd humour, as our main character, a monster, tries to go unnoticed disguised as a human.

I loved the main character, Shesheshen! The descriptions of the ways she manipulates her body while shapeshifting and her various biological functions were great, and made for a believable species. As she isn't human, she comes across blunt and a little clueless, which resulted in funny interactions with other characters, but she also has a sweet nature. This allows for the introduction of the theme that perhaps it is the humans who are the most monstrous for the way they treat other beings like Shesheshen.

There is romance in this novel, and it is the main focus. However, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to romantacy fans because there isn't really any flowery romantic dialogue or explicit scenes. While not directly stated, both of the characters involved in the romance are likely on the asexual spectrum. Personally, I'm not a big romance reader and I usually prefer it to be secondary (or tertiary...) to other elements of the plot - but I really loved this book and didn't feel put off by the focus on the relationship. The narrative had some great twists and an exciting climax, and dealt with some themes like childhood trauma in a sensitive way.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In is a literary chimera, stitching together romance, body horror, fantasy, and a smattering of sci-fi into a narrative as unconventional as its shapeshifting protagonist.

At its heart (Or is it?) is Shesheshen, a monster whose introspections on her next meal are as gruesome as they are fascinating. Wiswell doesn't shy away from the graphic; he dives headfirst into the visceral inner workings of his creature. The descriptions are lengthy, detailed, and not for the faint of heart. Yet, they're not gratuitous. Each gory detail serves the plot, highlighting a stark contrast between Shesheshen's monstrous nature and the unexpected humanity that emerges from her relationship with Homily.

The romance at the core of this tale is warm and genuine, an ironic twist considering it involves a monster contemplating devouring her lover. Wiswell navigates this complex dynamic with a deftly, ensuring the reader remains invested in their unconventional love story.

However, the book does, at times, stumble in its ambitious attempt to juggle its myriad elements. The landing isn't as solid as one might hope, leaving a sense of a narrative that, while intriguing, doesn't quite coalesce as seamlessly as it could have. However, these moments are more than made up for by the warmth and humanity that shine through.

This is not a book for everyone. Its graphic nature might deter some, but for those with a stomach for it, the book offers a unique reading experience. It's a story that, despite its flaws, leaves a lasting impression, with its better parts outweighing the sum of its whole.

This novel might not resonate with everyone, but for those it does, it has the potential to become a cult classic. Wiswell's bold storytelling and the poignant humanity he weaves into the narrative make this one that will not be soon forgotten.

Thank you NetGalley, John Wiswell, and DAW Books for allowing me early access in exchange for an honest review.

Someone You Can Build a Nest in is a great way for me to start the new reading year! It has all the gore, dark comedy, and tender romance of Gideon the Ninth wrapped in a gross, beautiful sapphic romance.

I seem to be drawn to sapphic fantasy and sci-fi books recently, and Someone You Can Build A Nest In will easily become part of my collection. I really liked how the gore and descriptions of am amorphous blob body were described - it truly made Shesheshen feel otherworldly. The way the worldbuilding and the main plot became interwoven was also really creative. I know the year has only just started, but I think this may have raised my reading expectations for the rest of the year.

Fun, funny, monstrous, and affecting. The POV “monster” Shesheshen is more human (and humane) than most of the humans in this book, and her voice was pitch-perfect, carrying the novel crisply from start to finish. This book won’t be for everyone, being equal parts fairytale, fantasy, romance and horror, but the target audience will LOVE IT! If you’ve read and enjoyed Wiswell’s short fiction, you’ll surely be in that appreciative audience. If you’re up for inventive worldbuilding, creative POVs, and offbeat meet-cute (meat-cute?) stories involving overcoming trauma, found family, more than a bit of body horror, and confusing social cues, give this a go. I bet you’ll like it.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In was for sure one of the weirdest books that I had the pleasure of reading this year, and I am not complaining at all!

I am a HUGE fan of making non-human characters decidedly other, so Shesheshen was an absolute delight to behold. Wiswell went all-out on making this monster truly monstrous, while still toeing the line of keeping her relatable and likeable. It was a joy to discover not only the mechanisms of her body and being, but also her inner thoughts and feelings.

I really enjoyed the dynamic of the main relationship, I believe ace characters don't get the spotlight enough, so it was fun to see Homily taking centre stage and being such a loving, kind person while taking no real pleasure in sex and the like - I can't truly comment on the quality of the representation as I myself am not ace, but it felt genuine and positive to me.

The story sadly suffered from some pacing issues, which did make the book drag on much more than it needed to. Honestly, I think if this was cut down to like 3/4 of it's length, it would have been much more fun to me, personally, The way it was, I often had to sit down and force myself to read on through parts of the story I didn't much care for, so that obviously tampered my enjoyment.

I still had a good time with this book and would definitely recommend it to people looking for an unique take on fantasy, or looking for monstrous main characters!