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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Terminal illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting
Wow. I was kind of skeptical because it's a duology with a cliffhanger and just came out this month (April 2025). But the story is resolved for now-ish at the cliffhanger rather than ending during the climax parts. So that's nice.
The magic system is interesting and something I've not seen before. The characters are interesting and most of them have complexities woven throughout their appearances. Are the twists predictable? Yes. But I think thats likely intentional given the hints we are given as the story progresses.
Those things aren't well hidden from the reader, nor our FMC. She just fails to open her eyes and pay attention to the warnings. Which honestly was the only thing that drove me insane.
Why can the FMC never be aware of what's happening? Seriously ladies listen up: if there are 2 men involved and one says "trust no one, but you can trust me" and one says "trust no one at all" it should be really obvious which one of them is the honest one....... or maybe I'm just too jaded at this point.
The magic system is interesting and something I've not seen before. The characters are interesting and most of them have complexities woven throughout their appearances. Are the twists predictable? Yes. But I think thats likely intentional given the hints we are given as the story progresses.
Those things aren't well hidden from the reader, nor our FMC. She just fails to open her eyes and pay attention to the warnings. Which honestly was the only thing that drove me insane.
Why can the FMC never be aware of what's happening? Seriously ladies listen up: if there are 2 men involved and one says "trust no one, but you can trust me" and one says "trust no one at all" it should be really obvious which one of them is the honest one....... or maybe I'm just too jaded at this point.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
I really struggled with the first 70% of this and I wanted to DNF multiple times. But the last 30% was so much better and I’m liking where the story is going. I think that I’ll enjoy book 2 more, which is funny since the first book of a series usually ends up being my favorite.
Felt too similar to some other fantasy books I've read.
House of Blight is the first book in Maxym M. Martineau’s fantasy duology, and I had such a great time with it! The world-building was spot-on, with a cozy yet eerie gothic manor that instantly pulled me in. There’s this constant sense of unease that really adds to the magic of the story.
I’m thrilled that there’s more to come because, let’s be honest, I totally fell for the love interest. But now I’m frustrated—I devoured this book in one night, and the wait for Book 2 is going to feel like forever!
For my first read from this author, I was seriously impressed. The story struck the perfect balance between being familiar enough to feel comforting, while still delivering twists and tension that kept me guessing. I was completely immersed, trying to figure out who to trust and loving the way everything unraveled.
Edira was smart, determined, and super relatable—though she could be a little too naive at times. I laughed, I worried, and I fully connected with her journey. Her fierce determination to save her brothers made her even more lovable, and I was hooked as we uncovered the secrets of Fernglove Manor together. The villain? Obvious from the start and a total jerk. The love interest? Perfection. I’m definitely hoping for more of him in the next book! He’s got that ideal blend of broody with great banter.
The pacing was great, though the ending felt a touch rushed. Still, it left me eager for more! Overall, House of Bligh* is a refreshing fantasy with lush world-building and characters that leap off the page. The magic and healing elements were enchanting, and I can’t wait to see what Maxym M. Martineau does next!
Thank you to NetGalley, Maxym M. Martineau, and the Avon and Harper Voyager team for the ARC opportunity.
I’m thrilled that there’s more to come because, let’s be honest, I totally fell for the love interest. But now I’m frustrated—I devoured this book in one night, and the wait for Book 2 is going to feel like forever!
For my first read from this author, I was seriously impressed. The story struck the perfect balance between being familiar enough to feel comforting, while still delivering twists and tension that kept me guessing. I was completely immersed, trying to figure out who to trust and loving the way everything unraveled.
Edira was smart, determined, and super relatable—though she could be a little too naive at times. I laughed, I worried, and I fully connected with her journey. Her fierce determination to save her brothers made her even more lovable, and I was hooked as we uncovered the secrets of Fernglove Manor together. The villain? Obvious from the start and a total jerk. The love interest? Perfection. I’m definitely hoping for more of him in the next book! He’s got that ideal blend of broody with great banter.
The pacing was great, though the ending felt a touch rushed. Still, it left me eager for more! Overall, House of Bligh* is a refreshing fantasy with lush world-building and characters that leap off the page. The magic and healing elements were enchanting, and I can’t wait to see what Maxym M. Martineau does next!
Thank you to NetGalley, Maxym M. Martineau, and the Avon and Harper Voyager team for the ARC opportunity.
dark
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-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:
Complicated