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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
From the opening lines of this book, the author grabbed my attention. This is an action-packed, never dull fantasy with a well-crafted world and relatable characters. The main character grapples with matters of revenge, power, forbidden love, and morality as she embarks on a journey to become the next leader and protector of her people.
If you love a good fantasy world and lots of action, this book is for you.
If you love a good fantasy world and lots of action, this book is for you.
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
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book really delved into toxic codependency in a way that’s unique for YA stories. It had a lot of interesting elements and world building— so many, in fact, that I wish we got to dive deeper into the other houses and gods.
Alma had a pretty strong character arc exploring the pursuit of moral goodness amidst a world that is cruel and unfair. Maybe I’m too petty to appreciate it (this is probably the case), but I think I simply prefer stories with more vengeance and justice. Learning to let go of rage is definitely powerful, seeing our MC get mistreated and undervalued by society at large (with a handful of found family exclusions) wasn’t quite satisfying for me.
Alma had a pretty strong character arc exploring the pursuit of moral goodness amidst a world that is cruel and unfair. Maybe I’m too petty to appreciate it (this is probably the case), but I think I simply prefer stories with more vengeance and justice. Learning to let go of rage is definitely powerful, seeing our MC get mistreated and undervalued by society at large (with a handful of found family exclusions) wasn’t quite satisfying for me.
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
I have mixed feelings about this one, there are parts I really liked but then other parts DRAAAGED.. It had an interesting plot full of political intrigue and machinations but I found Alma to be a bit irritating as a main character.
I dual-read this with the audiobook, and I can't recommend that enough! Jeanne Syquia's narration was incredible. She brought so much emotion and depth to Alma's story, capturing her pain, rage, and resilience. The illustrations in the book were so beautifully done as well!
The atmosphere was rich and eerie, and I was immediately drawn in. Alma's desperation and grief were so raw that I couldn't help but stay with her, hoping that she would find a way out. Her sacrifice, which bound her to a terrifying god to try to save her mother, only to end up trapped with her father broke my heart! Aster, the beast she's bound to, is both her protector and the cause for so much more heartbreak. Their connection is intoxicating
The immersive worldbuilding was layered and full of unsettling horrors. The divine Houses, the rituals, and the estates all felt fully realized without being overexplained. It added so much depth to the story and made the stakes feel that much heavier.
If dark fantasy, gothic vibes, and being emotionally wrecked are your vibe, then this is absolutely worth reading!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and to Harper Voyager/Harper Audio for providing an ARC for my honest review.
The atmosphere was rich and eerie, and I was immediately drawn in. Alma's desperation and grief were so raw that I couldn't help but stay with her, hoping that she would find a way out. Her sacrifice, which bound her to a terrifying god to try to save her mother, only to end up trapped with her father broke my heart! Aster, the beast she's bound to, is both her protector and the cause for so much more heartbreak. Their connection is intoxicating
The immersive worldbuilding was layered and full of unsettling horrors. The divine Houses, the rituals, and the estates all felt fully realized without being overexplained. It added so much depth to the story and made the stakes feel that much heavier.
If dark fantasy, gothic vibes, and being emotionally wrecked are your vibe, then this is absolutely worth reading!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and to Harper Voyager/Harper Audio for providing an ARC for my honest review.
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
WOW!!!!!! THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Talk about everything I was craving wrapped up in one dark, decadent, and dangerous bow. I have never been so vehemently behind a character--whether they're making right decisions or wrong--than I was with Alma. The story starts when she is still a child and on the cusp of the most frightening, formative period of her life. Then, we flash forward and meet the young woman forged in those trials and desperate for revenge against those who inflicted them. Her story broke my heart and stitched it anew </3
That's not even to mention the quality of every other character in the book who were all so well formed and written. Aster has my heart forever. That is all I will say at this time. I loved coming to love Fion and Kaim; Sevelie and Six brought much needed comic relief and companionship when the going got tough; and boy did Zander provide the perfect villain to hate to the bitter end. All of it was so beautifully crafted and effortlessly executed, giving me a story that I inhaled in two sittings but will remember for the rest of my life.
Rich in worldbuilding, character development, mystery, political intrigue, and inventive magic systems, this book shines like obsidian or onyx. It glimmers with beauty born of darkness and, though precious as any other gem, stands distinct from its peers. Honestly a required reading for anyone who has ever loved dark fairy tales, lessons in revenge, or fantasy stories in general.
Talk about everything I was craving wrapped up in one dark, decadent, and dangerous bow. I have never been so vehemently behind a character--whether they're making right decisions or wrong--than I was with Alma. The story starts when she is still a child and on the cusp of the most frightening, formative period of her life. Then, we flash forward and meet the young woman forged in those trials and desperate for revenge against those who inflicted them. Her story broke my heart and stitched it anew </3
That's not even to mention the quality of every other character in the book who were all so well formed and written. Aster has my heart forever. That is all I will say at this time. I loved coming to love Fion and Kaim; Sevelie and Six brought much needed comic relief and companionship when the going got tough; and boy did Zander provide the perfect villain to hate to the bitter end. All of it was so beautifully crafted and effortlessly executed, giving me a story that I inhaled in two sittings but will remember for the rest of my life.
Rich in worldbuilding, character development, mystery, political intrigue, and inventive magic systems, this book shines like obsidian or onyx. It glimmers with beauty born of darkness and, though precious as any other gem, stands distinct from its peers. Honestly a required reading for anyone who has ever loved dark fairy tales, lessons in revenge, or fantasy stories in general.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
More books should have illustrations. That was a nice touch.
This is a fun bit of gothic fantasy. I really enjoyed the lore and the ways that lore was twisted. Our main characters are horrible and likeable in turns. It was a fun dynamic to sit with. (I also enjoyed the toxic gay rep in the side characters.) I've seen it described as gothic Howl's Moving Castle, if Howl were a bit of a psychopath. Fairly accurate.
This wasn't entirely what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it all the same.
This is a fun bit of gothic fantasy. I really enjoyed the lore and the ways that lore was twisted. Our main characters are horrible and likeable in turns. It was a fun dynamic to sit with. (I also enjoyed the toxic gay rep in the side characters.) I've seen it described as gothic Howl's Moving Castle, if Howl were a bit of a psychopath. Fairly accurate.
This wasn't entirely what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it all the same.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
I don’t want to talk to anyone after finishing this book 😭
House of the Beast by Michelle Wong held me in its grip right until the dreaded end. With the dark and gothic atmosphere, Wong introduces readers into an alluring and unique fantasy world. This book is a great balance of whimsical magic with wicked and visceral fighting scenes. The pacing was just to my liking, however, I do think the last 100 pages of the book could have been prolonged. I loved the Umbral Plane and wanted to read more of Alma’s navigation through this monster-filled shadowland.
Alma… MY SHAYLA! My girl was well and truly fighting demons. Her angst, inner turmoil, and morality made her development enjoyable. While Alma treks down a road of vengeance, there is a softness to her which is refreshing.
While I see this book being marketed to focus on the relationship between Alma and Aster, I was more intrigued by Alma herself. Again, Alma’s story of self-discovery was what held my attention. So for my peeps who are looking forward to a romantic book, look somewhere else because you ain’t finding it here 💀
Genuinely loved this book and would 100% recommend to my fantasy fans.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
In a world where 4 Gods rule in 4 noble houses and carry the powers of their Gods, Alma discovers she is a part of the house of the Dread Beast. Her father, who has never acknowledged her before, takes her arm to bind her to the house. Alma, along with her childhood imaginary friend Aster, took 8 years to train and take her revenge against her father.
Aster is very mysterious as he seems very real but can't be seen by anyone except Alma. There are trials to slay a "fallen star" and to become First Hand of the Beast that has Alma pitted against powerful people that have their own agendas, no matter who it might hurt.
I was taken by surprise at some of the ending and felt bad for Alma at some of these discoveries.
I loved that there were illustrations throughout the book. I was a tad disappointed in the end as it was a little lackluster after the journey throughout the rest of the book.
Aster is very mysterious as he seems very real but can't be seen by anyone except Alma. There are trials to slay a "fallen star" and to become First Hand of the Beast that has Alma pitted against powerful people that have their own agendas, no matter who it might hurt.
I was taken by surprise at some of the ending and felt bad for Alma at some of these discoveries.
I loved that there were illustrations throughout the book. I was a tad disappointed in the end as it was a little lackluster after the journey throughout the rest of the book.