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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5/5 Stars!
To think this was a debut novel makes me excited to how Michelle Wong would grow as an incredible Fantasy author.
House of the Beast was a book that I bought on impulse - and I was genuinely glad I did. It's rare for me to buy books without prior knowledge, but I found the cover of this special edition to be intriguing, and the premise entirely captivating.
House of the Beast follows the story of a young girl, Alma, as she journeys her life being put into one of the ruling houses of Kugara. From there, she faces challenges that defines her morality, tests her own capabilities and introduces who her allies and enemies are in her story.
Michelle Wong was able to create a character that you end up rooting for, combined with clever plotting and political intrigues. The intricacies in the plot were also supported by the creative although very seldom illustrations that I wish were more prominent all through out the novel. Overall, it was a satisfying read, one I would also recommend to those looking for standalone fantasy novels with a hooking story to tell.
To think this was a debut novel makes me excited to how Michelle Wong would grow as an incredible Fantasy author.
House of the Beast was a book that I bought on impulse - and I was genuinely glad I did. It's rare for me to buy books without prior knowledge, but I found the cover of this special edition to be intriguing, and the premise entirely captivating.
House of the Beast follows the story of a young girl, Alma, as she journeys her life being put into one of the ruling houses of Kugara. From there, she faces challenges that defines her morality, tests her own capabilities and introduces who her allies and enemies are in her story.
Michelle Wong was able to create a character that you end up rooting for, combined with clever plotting and political intrigues. The intricacies in the plot were also supported by the creative although very seldom illustrations that I wish were more prominent all through out the novel. Overall, it was a satisfying read, one I would also recommend to those looking for standalone fantasy novels with a hooking story to tell.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly, the main reason for my middling rating comes down to the mis-marketing of this book. So many posts say this features a vengeful FMC. However Alma is more so a hurt girl looking for acceptance wherever she can find it - and despite the text SAYING she’s full of rage, I never felt like I believed it. Because her actions said otherwise.
This ended up being the biggest aspect that I had to readjust my expectations around - how this book approached what was supposed to be a messy and angry FMC. House of the Beast simply does not lean into the nuances or commit to the unlikeability of such a character. Alma was annoyingly…good hearted 😅 I wanted her RAGE and instead I got a pretty stable young adult all things considered who only occasionally had fits of anger (which would quickly dissipate as she worried if she was still a good person). I found myself craving more backstory and focus on the messier characters like Alma’s vicious cousin or Aster himself!
However, those key things aside…I did enjoy the setting and political/religious structure. Especially once we entered the Umbral plane! The illustrations throughout truly add to the story and I wish more novels could have this element! I would say this felt like a fun mix of Full Metal Alchemist with Studio Ghibli-like vibes (if it leaned into horror?).
This ended up being the biggest aspect that I had to readjust my expectations around - how this book approached what was supposed to be a messy and angry FMC. House of the Beast simply does not lean into the nuances or commit to the unlikeability of such a character. Alma was annoyingly…good hearted 😅 I wanted her RAGE and instead I got a pretty stable young adult all things considered who only occasionally had fits of anger (which would quickly dissipate as she worried if she was still a good person). I found myself craving more backstory and focus on the messier characters like Alma’s vicious cousin or Aster himself!
However, those key things aside…I did enjoy the setting and political/religious structure. Especially once we entered the Umbral plane! The illustrations throughout truly add to the story and I wish more novels could have this element! I would say this felt like a fun mix of Full Metal Alchemist with Studio Ghibli-like vibes (if it leaned into horror?).
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Veered on too dramatic but overall I had a good time with this and predictably loved the side romance between Kaim and Fion...
I was reminded a lot of Kerstin Hall's Asunder which was tbh actually very dark & properly body horror. In comparison, House of the Beast feels well suited to a YA audience.
I was reminded a lot of Kerstin Hall's Asunder which was tbh actually very dark & properly body horror. In comparison, House of the Beast feels well suited to a YA audience.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Epic fantasy with good world building. The stakes are high and the reactions of the characters makes sense. The resolution felt earned.