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dark
medium-paced
Thank you Michelle Wong, Avon Books, and Epic Tastemaker for the stunningly gorgeous gift!
A dark fantasy debut that weaves horror, heartbreak, and revenge into a hauntingly beautiful tale.
Alma’s story tore at my heart. Her fierce love for her mother, her crushing loneliness, and her burning desire for vengeance made her an unforgettable heroine. The horror elements were genuinely spooky, enough to make me wary of reading this right before bed. But beneath the chilling atmosphere, there’s a deeply emotional story about resilience, sacrifice, and the power of unlikely love.
Michelle Wong’s storytelling is exquisite. Her prose is vivid and immersive, making it impossible to put this book down. And the deluxe edition is a treasure! Her own illustrations scattered throughout add a magical, almost storybook quality that perfectly balances the dark themes.
For fans of dark fantasy with emotional depth, intense combat, and twisted romance, House of the Beast is a masterful debut that lingers long after the last page.
A dark fantasy debut that weaves horror, heartbreak, and revenge into a hauntingly beautiful tale.
Alma’s story tore at my heart. Her fierce love for her mother, her crushing loneliness, and her burning desire for vengeance made her an unforgettable heroine. The horror elements were genuinely spooky, enough to make me wary of reading this right before bed. But beneath the chilling atmosphere, there’s a deeply emotional story about resilience, sacrifice, and the power of unlikely love.
Michelle Wong’s storytelling is exquisite. Her prose is vivid and immersive, making it impossible to put this book down. And the deluxe edition is a treasure! Her own illustrations scattered throughout add a magical, almost storybook quality that perfectly balances the dark themes.
For fans of dark fantasy with emotional depth, intense combat, and twisted romance, House of the Beast is a masterful debut that lingers long after the last page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore
Moderate: Violence, Grief
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Your next dark fantasy obsession! An amazing debut!
"If you use all your ever energy fighting yourself, how shall you defend against the ones who actually mean to hurt you!"
This story had me entranced! I loved Alma and Aster! The author sure knows how to break your heart!
The song "All that really matters" is Alma & Aster's song!!! I've heard this song about 20 times since l finished this book (maybe cried a couple of times)
Thank you Harper Voyager for this ALC!
"If you use all your ever energy fighting yourself, how shall you defend against the ones who actually mean to hurt you!"
This story had me entranced! I loved Alma and Aster! The author sure knows how to break your heart!
The song "All that really matters" is Alma & Aster's song!!! I've heard this song about 20 times since l finished this book (maybe cried a couple of times)
Thank you Harper Voyager for this ALC!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Blood
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Cast out by the town and neglected by her father, Lord Avera, Alma and her mother have learned to survive. Until her mother falls ill and Alma must resort to her absent father for help. He agrees on the condition she becomes a vessel for his Elder God - The Dread Beast, the strongest of the four Elder Gods, and a ruthless butcher. So begins Alma's new, even lonelier life with a family who despise her and a life purpose she doesn't want. Until a familiar voice in her head grows into a trustful friend, Aster.
As Alma bears the weight of grief and guilt over the years, she feels the power of The Beast open to her with great and terrible power. Her path is clear, her resolve for vengeance guiding her, along with the charming and cunning Aster close at her side. Can she control The Beast's gift of power and achieve her purpose, or will those around her destroy her for their own gains?
👏GET👏THIS👏RIGHT👏NOW👏
The Eldritch terrors, the inclusivity, the diverse cast and characters, THE REDEMPTION ARCS 🤌 if you're a fan of horror, fantasy, or 90s anime (Akira fans represent), House of the Beast gives all that and more. The world building is elegant but easy to follow; the lore behind the Elder Gods and their worshippers is fascinating; the imagery Wong weaves is incredible in itself, but this also has illustrations to really give depth to the characters.
Wong has perfectly captured the complexity of people, none more so than in our reluctant, vengeful heroine, Alma. She traverses through grief, guilt, and rage, and shows everyone what they should have seen from the beginning - she is formidable and a force to be reckoned with, even without The Beast's power. Love a slow burn? Hoo boy, are you going to love this! While Aster yearns for Alma, she believes herself unworthy and won't give into her true feelings - why won't she listen to him when he tells her it's the world that's not worthy of her 💀
Outstanding debut novel from Michelle Wong - now I need the sequel, the comic, the anime, and the film!
House of the Beast is out now!
Thanks to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for access!
As Alma bears the weight of grief and guilt over the years, she feels the power of The Beast open to her with great and terrible power. Her path is clear, her resolve for vengeance guiding her, along with the charming and cunning Aster close at her side. Can she control The Beast's gift of power and achieve her purpose, or will those around her destroy her for their own gains?
👏GET👏THIS👏RIGHT👏NOW👏
The Eldritch terrors, the inclusivity, the diverse cast and characters, THE REDEMPTION ARCS 🤌 if you're a fan of horror, fantasy, or 90s anime (Akira fans represent), House of the Beast gives all that and more. The world building is elegant but easy to follow; the lore behind the Elder Gods and their worshippers is fascinating; the imagery Wong weaves is incredible in itself, but this also has illustrations to really give depth to the characters.
Wong has perfectly captured the complexity of people, none more so than in our reluctant, vengeful heroine, Alma. She traverses through grief, guilt, and rage, and shows everyone what they should have seen from the beginning - she is formidable and a force to be reckoned with, even without The Beast's power. Love a slow burn? Hoo boy, are you going to love this! While Aster yearns for Alma, she believes herself unworthy and won't give into her true feelings - why won't she listen to him when he tells her it's the world that's not worthy of her 💀
Outstanding debut novel from Michelle Wong - now I need the sequel, the comic, the anime, and the film!
House of the Beast is out now!
Thanks to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for access!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
If you start this book, it will be your experience, your world will be consumed by it.
Prepare in advance with water, something good to drink and a hydration drink.
Snacks are good. Preferably a premade meal or sandwich you can grab without putting the book down. I was not prepared! I went into this blind. I didn't want anyone else's experience to sway mine. Heed my warning or don't, free will. (More? Ok)
I don't even know what to say. This world is insane! Morally gray characters? Try black as sin. Monsters inside and out. The only difference is, it's harder to tell on this side of the gate.
I don't even know what to say. This world is insane! Morally gray characters? Try black as sin. Monsters inside and out. The only difference is, it's harder to tell on this side of the gate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Blood, Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
House of the Beast is a dark fantasy novel with a haunting, gothic atmosphere.
The story follows Alma, a young girl who lives with her mother on the outskirts of society, shunned due to the questionable circumstances of her conception and their refusal to participate in the region’s religious observances. When her mother falls ill, Alma begins searching for a way to save her—and in the process, uncovers the truth about her lineage. She is the illegitimate daughter of a direct descendant of House Avera, one of the four High Houses of Kugara and vessels of the Dread Beast, one of the eldritch gods that rule their world. Alma agrees to leave behind her old life and train under her father in exchange for the care her mother desperately needs. But she is despised by her new family and soon realizes that her father has no intention of keeping his promise, instead planning to use her as a pawn in his political schemes. Lost in despair, Alma finds an unexpected purpose through her peculiar connection with the Dread Beast, which sets her on a path to reshape their world and destroy those who took everything from her.
The story was incredibly unique with an intriguing premise and fantastic world building. There were moments when the story felt akin to an anime or video game, which makes sense given Michelle Wong’s history as a graphic novel illustrator.
I adored the sketches included in the story throughout, which added to the overall reading experience. More books should have illustrations! I also appreciated the complex relationship between Alma, the morally gray protagonist, and “Aster”, her eldritch god companion.
That said, there were a few areas that didn’t land as strongly. As is often the case with debut novels, the pacing was inconsistent. The story dragged in places, and the major climax—the pilgrimage into the Umbral Plane—doesn’t occur until the final quarter of the book. As a result, some of the most anticipated conflicts felt rushed or anticlimactic.
Also, while the book is marketed as adult or new adult, the tone and character dynamics felt more aligned with upper YA. Aside from the dark themes and graphic scenes, little about the story’s structure or dialogue reads as truly adult. I think this book would be best suited for a mature upper YA audience.
Overall, House of the Beast is a unique and atmospheric debut that blends gothic fantasy, mythology, and emotional character work into a richly imagined world. While the pacing and tonal balance may not be perfect, Wong’s distinctive voice, striking visuals, and morally complex characters makes this a memorable read. I’m excited to see what she creates next, and I’d gladly return to this world if she ever revisits it.
Thank you to Harper Voyager for access to an eARC via NetGalley!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Violence
Minor: Bullying, Child death
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Alma is no stranger to solitude. She was born out of wedlock and her father’s identity has remained a secret. Other members of their village believe this is reason enough to ostracize the two. As long as the two of them have each other, it’s enough.
However, that small comfort is too fragile to endure the tribulations fate has in store for them. When Alma’s mother grows ill and her condition rapidly worsens, Alma becomes desperate. Digging and grasping for any possible solution, she uncovers the identity of her father. He’s a noble lord of House Avera, sworn to the elder god The Dread Beast. He has the resources to provide for the treatment that Alma’s mother will die without. So she writes him a letter begging for his help. He agrees, but now that he knows of his daughter’s existence, he demands that in exchange she come live in the Avera palace and adopt their surname. For her mother’s sake, she agrees, but it’s not enough to save her.
Once there, she must offer herself as a vessel for the Beast through the sacrifice of her arm. If he accepts her offering, she will be able to make use of a prosthetic. By devoting her life and herself to him fully, she may even be lucky enough to hear his voice and instruction. At least, that’s what her father tells her. That’s why it surprises her when she hears him almost immediately, and can even see him in the room. She’s even more surprised to recognize him as her imaginary friend from childhood. He promises to guide her to her revenge.
I knew I was going to love this book before I’d even read halfway through the synopsis. At the very end of the blurb was where I saw the author’s credentials. Although this is a debut novel, Michelle Wong has been telling amazing stories for a while now. Prior projects she’s been a part of include Goosebumps and The Legend of Korra. Both series are near and dear to my heart.
It’s very easy to see the influence of anime on this story. I’m the type of reader who will get a very vivid visual experience when reading a well-written story. This time, those visuals even appeared animated. From the choreography of battle scenes to facial expressions on characters, it’s astoundingly easy to picture the way an animators would portray the narrative. I believe this would have been true even without the included illustrations, which were absolutely lovely. I’m not certain whether those are in both the deluxe and standard editions or only the deluxe. If the latter, the illustrations alone are more than worth upgrading your purchase for.
The worldbuilding is both rich and unique. I found it utterly fascinating, and the characters even more so. Those familiar with my book reviews already know how much I appreciate complicated characters. This story had an abundance of them. Much like the real world, nothing and no one felt truly clear-cut or overly neat. If it ever appeared so, there was always another layer of complexity to uncover. The pacing felt flawless as well. I felt neither bored nor inundated at any point, and each section flowed very naturally to the next.
House of the Beast was another five-star read. I absolutely devoured it, and I’m hungry for more. I will be anxiously awaiting any and all future titles from Michelle Wong.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
House of the Beast is a dark, haunting standalone that sinks its teeth into you with gothic atmosphere, rich prose, and a heroine who won’t go down quietly.
Michelle Wong weaves a compelling tale of power, betrayal, and survival set within the crumbling walls of the House of Avera—a once-great institution fractured by secrets, ambition, and internal strife. The house is anything but unified, and its divisions simmer beneath the surface, threatening to consume everything.
At its core is a girl trapped by a cursed bargain and forced to live with a monstrous, mysterious host. But nothing in Avera is as it seems—not the beast, not the house, and certainly not the truth behind the deal.
Wong’s writing is lyrical and evocative, perfect for readers who crave emotionally charged stories with creeping tension and slow-burn connections. The horror and fantasy elements blend seamlessly with themes of autonomy, sacrifice, and the monstrous within.
Perfect for fans of twisted fairy tales and morally grey characters, House of the Beast delivers a complete and satisfying punch in a single, unforgettable volume.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Toxic friendship
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
"He'd followed me all my life. He had seen for himself all the most terrible parts of me. And yet here he was, looking at me like I was something precious -- like there was some worth in me despite it. Or maybe because of it." (pg 57)
New adult sci-fi fantasy, horror w/touch of romance, supernatural/paranormal.
Alma was an outcast. She had her mother but always felt alone. She harbored within her dark, violent feelings and thoughts that she struggled to suppress. When her mother takes ill, she contacts her estranged father for help. He is an aloof stranger who gives her no choice. He would take care of her mother and Alma would be initiated into House Avera - House of the Beast as his illegitimate daughter. It would come with a violent sacrifice... her arm.
Then she finds that her mother has passed away. Now Alma is further isolated, her new family despises her, and her father just wants to use her in his quest for power. Through her dispair and the ghosts lurking in the shadows, an old friend resurfaces. The ethereal imaginary friend from her childhood -- a steadfast companion and incorrigible trickster, but he's more than that now. Aster has manifested into something real and tangible... at least to her, as no one else can see him.
They go on to grow and train together, their connection and awareness of each other deepening. Until it's time to exact revenge. But there are things unseen, and her world is about to explode and be filled with nightmarish otherworldly monsters, political agendas, vengeful deities, diabolical and malicious plots and twists. Will Alma have strength enough to survive? Can her world withstand it?
This is a macabre fantasy world deftly filled with terrifying beasts and monsters, boundless cruelties, and chilling horrors. Written masterfully with deep, well-crafted characters. I wanted to both love and hate Aster. In reading this, felt just as trapped and incapacitated as Alma, but there is a level of understanding and a silent outcry for all the injustices. I did not end the book without feeling a little shattered.
4.5🌟 NetGalley eARCreview.
New adult sci-fi fantasy, horror w/touch of romance, supernatural/paranormal.
Alma was an outcast. She had her mother but always felt alone. She harbored within her dark, violent feelings and thoughts that she struggled to suppress. When her mother takes ill, she contacts her estranged father for help. He is an aloof stranger who gives her no choice. He would take care of her mother and Alma would be initiated into House Avera - House of the Beast as his illegitimate daughter. It would come with a violent sacrifice... her arm.
Then she finds that her mother has passed away. Now Alma is further isolated, her new family despises her, and her father just wants to use her in his quest for power. Through her dispair and the ghosts lurking in the shadows, an old friend resurfaces. The ethereal imaginary friend from her childhood -- a steadfast companion and incorrigible trickster, but he's more than that now. Aster has manifested into something real and tangible... at least to her, as no one else can see him.
They go on to grow and train together, their connection and awareness of each other deepening. Until it's time to exact revenge. But there are things unseen, and her world is about to explode and be filled with nightmarish otherworldly monsters, political agendas, vengeful deities, diabolical and malicious plots and twists. Will Alma have strength enough to survive? Can her world withstand it?
This is a macabre fantasy world deftly filled with terrifying beasts and monsters, boundless cruelties, and chilling horrors. Written masterfully with deep, well-crafted characters. I wanted to both love and hate Aster. In reading this, felt just as trapped and incapacitated as Alma, but there is a level of understanding and a silent outcry for all the injustices. I did not end the book without feeling a little shattered.
4.5🌟 NetGalley eARCreview.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, War