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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed House of Blight! The magic and gothic feel of this world and story was really interesting and unique. The characters were well-developed, and there was a strong (and stubborn) female lead.
There were a couple of things that bothered me, though. We are just supposed to accept this is the way the world is with alien/monsters and modern-day cursing in a gothic tale. I suppose I wanted a little more introductory world building to help guide us into this space. Also, like with ACOTAR, I breezed through this because of the story but had trouble with some aspects of the romance. I don’t like the idea of a man claiming a woman—and she’s fine with it. Roar at someone else, please.
The ending completes the story but also hints at what’s coming in book 2. I look forward to the next chapter of Edira’s story!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It reads like a fairy tale. , immersive setting and descriptive. I loved the writing. The Fae are fantastical and lean heavy into lore. There are easy plot hints and a twist I didn’t see coming. I had a fun time and can’t wait for book 2.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
The House of Blight grabbed my attention immediately with the gothic tones, visceral emotion, and forbidden magics.
Edira, who is what is known as a Threadminder, possesses the ability of healing, but her magic comes with a cost: with each life she mends, she exchanges a piece of her own.
When the incurable blight infects her brothers, she realizes that she cannot save them both and must rely on the Ferngloves, an influential family, and their leader Orin. After an offer of assistance. Edira is drawn to Orin, agreeing to a deal that beneficial to both of their interests. What lengths will she go to save those most dear to her heart?
I really enjoyed this story and I’m definitely interested in reading book 2.
Thank you NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.
Edira, who is what is known as a Threadminder, possesses the ability of healing, but her magic comes with a cost: with each life she mends, she exchanges a piece of her own.
When the incurable blight infects her brothers, she realizes that she cannot save them both and must rely on the Ferngloves, an influential family, and their leader Orin. After an offer of assistance. Edira is drawn to Orin, agreeing to a deal that beneficial to both of their interests. What lengths will she go to save those most dear to her heart?
I really enjoyed this story and I’m definitely interested in reading book 2.
Thank you NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
This is a deeply intriguing fantasy that hooked me from the very first page. The gothic atmosphere is masterfully crafted - eerie and unsettling at times, threaded with mystery and layered with secrets begging to be unraveled. While there is a thread of romance, the plot takes center stage, striking a satisfying balance that kept me fully invested.
The characters are wonderfully written and developed. Edira is a standout FMC - fiercely loyal to her brothers, curious, determined, brave, and unwilling to passively accept the strange and sinister events around her. She questions everything, and I loved watching her unravel the truths hidden beneath the surface.
The Fernglove family dynamic adds another compelling layer. The rivalry is sharp, the relationships tense and veiled in mystery. I especially appreciated how Edira’s interactions with each family member were distinct and nuanced, with their development unfolding in such an interesting way. The plot twists genuinely caught me off guard, and the pacing was consistent and engaging throughout.
The world-building is immersive yet easy to follow, with a unique and compelling magic system that unfolds organically as the story progresses. I love the way Edira’s magic comes with consequences - those stakes made it even more fascinating. I’m also eager to learn more about the Evers and their powers in future books.
And that ending… I need book two. I’m absolutely dying to see where this journey leads next!
A quick note on the audiobook: the narration is phenomenal. Catrin’s voice is a perfect match for Edira and the overall tone of the story. The prose is already vivid and atmospheric, but her performance adds another level of immersion, bringing the eerie, gothic world to life in a really special way.
The characters are wonderfully written and developed. Edira is a standout FMC - fiercely loyal to her brothers, curious, determined, brave, and unwilling to passively accept the strange and sinister events around her. She questions everything, and I loved watching her unravel the truths hidden beneath the surface.
The Fernglove family dynamic adds another compelling layer. The rivalry is sharp, the relationships tense and veiled in mystery. I especially appreciated how Edira’s interactions with each family member were distinct and nuanced, with their development unfolding in such an interesting way. The plot twists genuinely caught me off guard, and the pacing was consistent and engaging throughout.
The world-building is immersive yet easy to follow, with a unique and compelling magic system that unfolds organically as the story progresses. I love the way Edira’s magic comes with consequences - those stakes made it even more fascinating. I’m also eager to learn more about the Evers and their powers in future books.
And that ending… I need book two. I’m absolutely dying to see where this journey leads next!
A quick note on the audiobook: the narration is phenomenal. Catrin’s voice is a perfect match for Edira and the overall tone of the story. The prose is already vivid and atmospheric, but her performance adds another level of immersion, bringing the eerie, gothic world to life in a really special way.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am pleasantly surprised. I loved the blend of Gothic, Fantasy, and Horror. It made for a wonderful, creepy atmosphere. I didn't like the romance sub plot. It wasn't believable to me. Other than that I really liked the story.
mysterious
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence
"Edira Brillwyn is a threadmender. She holds a rare, lifesaving power that can cure disease and heal injuries in the blink of an eye. But magic always comes with a cost, and saving anyone sacrifices a sliver of her own life." How could you not be drawn in by this blurb!
Edira's magic is so interesting and nothing like what I've read before. The uniqueness of her healing abilities kept drawing me in, the way the author describes it is so good! Edira lives in a world where she hides her threadmending abilities, lest someone take advantage of them. When she is discovered as a healer by the family of Evers that lives nearby, she is forced to go and work with them to discover how to heal the blight, for the sake of her brothers, who've been afflicted.
The gothic vibes mixed with the 'girl goes to live in a mansion' trope is delivered flawlessly here. I know when I read about the girl whisked away by a magical being, I squeal and kick my feet, so this was perfect. Orin, the head of the Ever family, the Ferngloves, is sweet, thoughtful and protects Edira while helping her to find a cure for her brothers while the rest of the family are hostile and obstructive, and Edira wonders how she'll ever find a cure. Things aren't as they seem and Edira has to learn more about the blight and her abilities while keeping herself safe, as her threadmending powers are slowly eating away at her own life.
I thought the plot was well thought out, the writing was excellent and I enjoyed the imagery of the setting (it reminded me a bit of Belladonna).
I devoured this book, I absolutely loved it and cannot WAIT to get the second instalment!
Edira's magic is so interesting and nothing like what I've read before. The uniqueness of her healing abilities kept drawing me in, the way the author describes it is so good! Edira lives in a world where she hides her threadmending abilities, lest someone take advantage of them. When she is discovered as a healer by the family of Evers that lives nearby, she is forced to go and work with them to discover how to heal the blight, for the sake of her brothers, who've been afflicted.
The gothic vibes mixed with the 'girl goes to live in a mansion' trope is delivered flawlessly here. I know when I read about the girl whisked away by a magical being, I squeal and kick my feet, so this was perfect. Orin, the head of the Ever family, the Ferngloves, is sweet, thoughtful and protects Edira while helping her to find a cure for her brothers while the rest of the family are hostile and obstructive, and Edira wonders how she'll ever find a cure. Things aren't as they seem and Edira has to learn more about the blight and her abilities while keeping herself safe, as her threadmending powers are slowly eating away at her own life.
I thought the plot was well thought out, the writing was excellent and I enjoyed the imagery of the setting (it reminded me a bit of Belladonna).
I devoured this book, I absolutely loved it and cannot WAIT to get the second instalment!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes