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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I absolutely loved this. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC. This wasn’t something I usually would have picked up for myself but I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read it.
Alma is an ostracised girl sent to live with her narcissistic, uncaring father. At the beginning of her story she has no friends, save for her ‘monster.’ Her monster describes her as ‘the worst of the worst.’ She doesn’t seem to care to make friends and her only focus is seeking revenge on her father.
As the story develops, she learns to trust and care for others, much to the ire of her monster. Her monster almost seems like a metaphor for her fighting her inner demons. Despite being described as the worst of the worst, Alma has always battled herself over her guilt and her unwillingness to hurt others even if it will achieve her goals of revenge against her cruel father. There was a line that really stuck with me when I read this; “if you spend all your energy fighting yourself, how shall you defend against the ones who actually mean to hurt you?”
I could not have predicted the ending of this at all and I really thought it was such a great twist. I felt like this was a very powerful story about Alma overcoming her inner struggles and learning to be her own person. It was well written and the illustrations throughout were really beautiful
Alma is an ostracised girl sent to live with her narcissistic, uncaring father. At the beginning of her story she has no friends, save for her ‘monster.’ Her monster describes her as ‘the worst of the worst.’ She doesn’t seem to care to make friends and her only focus is seeking revenge on her father.
As the story develops, she learns to trust and care for others, much to the ire of her monster. Her monster almost seems like a metaphor for her fighting her inner demons. Despite being described as the worst of the worst, Alma has always battled herself over her guilt and her unwillingness to hurt others even if it will achieve her goals of revenge against her cruel father. There was a line that really stuck with me when I read this; “if you spend all your energy fighting yourself, how shall you defend against the ones who actually mean to hurt you?”
I could not have predicted the ending of this at all and I really thought it was such a great twist. I felt like this was a very powerful story about Alma overcoming her inner struggles and learning to be her own person. It was well written and the illustrations throughout were really beautiful
adventurous
dark
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
House of the Beast
by Michelle Wong
Fantasy New Adult
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Aug 5, 2025
Avon/Harper Voyager
Ages: 16+
When Alma's mother becomes ill, Alma contacts her father. Even though she is his bastard child, shunned by society, he agrees to help her mother only if she comes to live with him.
Agreeing, she leaves her mother and goes with her father to his home, finding out that he is from House Avera, one of the four noble families that serve the gods, and her father is a vessel of the Dread Beast, the most frightening god. Being his child, Alma must sacrifice her left arm to the Beast, binding her to the house and to the Beast.
But still a bastard child, she is despised, and she finds that she is a pawn in her father's goals.
Her only friend is her imaginary friend from childhood, who may be more than just imaginary.
A lot of readers who were considered outcasts because of their looks, disabilities, being poor, or other things that made them different from everyone else could relate to Alma. I know I did.
She was a nice kid until she got fed up with being used and 'abused', and decided to get revenge. Her father was the one who hurt her most. I completely understood her. (I'm not agreeing that violence is acceptable, and just because she wanted revenge, doesn't mean she went out and hurt anyone and everyone).
I disliked her father right away. And Alma's imaginary friend... spoilers..., but I did like his character. Very creative.
The plot was unique, and the ending reminded me a little of the 'Hunger Games', but sadly, there needed to be more to that 'world' and to the 'Gods'. While they and the history were highlighted, I felt a lot was missing from them. The Beast was highlighted because it was a main focus, but his history still felt vague. The other three Gods, I can't tell you much about them because not much was said to make an impact. I don't know the importance of the female God at the end. She seemed important, but why, I don't know.
Those missing elements are why this book didn't reach the next star.
There is a lot of violence, but I think mature readers sixteen and older would enjoy this story.
3 Stars
by Michelle Wong
Fantasy New Adult
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Aug 5, 2025
Avon/Harper Voyager
Ages: 16+
When Alma's mother becomes ill, Alma contacts her father. Even though she is his bastard child, shunned by society, he agrees to help her mother only if she comes to live with him.
Agreeing, she leaves her mother and goes with her father to his home, finding out that he is from House Avera, one of the four noble families that serve the gods, and her father is a vessel of the Dread Beast, the most frightening god. Being his child, Alma must sacrifice her left arm to the Beast, binding her to the house and to the Beast.
But still a bastard child, she is despised, and she finds that she is a pawn in her father's goals.
Her only friend is her imaginary friend from childhood, who may be more than just imaginary.
A lot of readers who were considered outcasts because of their looks, disabilities, being poor, or other things that made them different from everyone else could relate to Alma. I know I did.
She was a nice kid until she got fed up with being used and 'abused', and decided to get revenge. Her father was the one who hurt her most. I completely understood her. (I'm not agreeing that violence is acceptable, and just because she wanted revenge, doesn't mean she went out and hurt anyone and everyone).
I disliked her father right away. And Alma's imaginary friend... spoilers..., but I did like his character. Very creative.
The plot was unique, and the ending reminded me a little of the 'Hunger Games', but sadly, there needed to be more to that 'world' and to the 'Gods'. While they and the history were highlighted, I felt a lot was missing from them. The Beast was highlighted because it was a main focus, but his history still felt vague. The other three Gods, I can't tell you much about them because not much was said to make an impact. I don't know the importance of the female God at the end. She seemed important, but why, I don't know.
Those missing elements are why this book didn't reach the next star.
There is a lot of violence, but I think mature readers sixteen and older would enjoy this story.
3 Stars
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’ll be honest, this book took me a few chapters to get into, but once I hit about chapter 3-4, I was hooked! I really loved how this story had a mysterious, dark, and gothic feel and atmosphere. There’s a good mix of folklore, generational trauma, and quiet horror that builds in such a unique and satisfying way. Nothing is overly flashy or in-your-face, but the tension that simmers just beneath the surface, and when things hit, they hit hard, and I was all for it. I really loved the FMC, she felt so raw and honest and so different from other female main characters I’ve read recently. If you’re into gothic fiction with strong vibes, layered storytelling, and a bit of dark romance, I highly recommend giving this one a read. This is one I will definitely be adding to the re-read list! Thank you NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC!
This is an ARC Review. I want to thank Michelle Wong and Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me the chance to read this book ahead of release day! This book was a bit out of my normal realm of reading but oh how I enjoyed it! I will say I struggled to immerse myself into the fantasy world itself however the pictures did provide some assistance! Who doesn’t want to read a little toxic love?! I have such a soft spot looking at the glimpse into Alma and her mom’s relationship. Then to see the relationship with her and her father’s in a complete contrasts. It makes all the sense why Alma wants to do everything her father has taken time to build up. Alma and her “imaginary” friend Aster have been peas in a pod majority of her life but throughout reading I just kept thinking was Aster the villain or the hero in this story. The book was less romance than anticipated and left me wanting for more of an ending.
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Harper Voyager, for providing me with an ARC! I was so excited to be approved for this one!!
When I first read the premise of this book, I knew it was going to be different. It was dark and unique, and honestly there was a lot packed into this book.
Fans of The Serpent and the Wings of Night will appreciate the high-stakes trials and complex father-daughter dynamic, while the eerie, monster-within element evokes the same gothic allure as One Dark Window.
At its core, this is a story about devotion, love, and the fierce struggle for self-determination. The protagonist doesn’t just face trials; she claws her way through them, fighting to carve her own path in a world that seeks to define and shame her.
If you’re craving a dark fantasy that’s original and bold, pick this one up!
When I first read the premise of this book, I knew it was going to be different. It was dark and unique, and honestly there was a lot packed into this book.
Fans of The Serpent and the Wings of Night will appreciate the high-stakes trials and complex father-daughter dynamic, while the eerie, monster-within element evokes the same gothic allure as One Dark Window.
At its core, this is a story about devotion, love, and the fierce struggle for self-determination. The protagonist doesn’t just face trials; she claws her way through them, fighting to carve her own path in a world that seeks to define and shame her.
If you’re craving a dark fantasy that’s original and bold, pick this one up!
dark
mysterious
tense
I stumbled with this to start because I think I was expecting a more mature voice. I wouldn’t say this reads as YA necessarily but very much skirting the line with New Adult. Once I shifted my expectations I quickly fell in love. I grew to care about all of the characters, even being moved by the minor Dreadguards.
I love Alma, and the story handles the complexity of Aster so well. I sobbed through the ending and am absolutely wrecked now. This is one of the worst book hangovers I’ve had in recent history.
I love Alma, and the story handles the complexity of Aster so well. I sobbed through the ending and am absolutely wrecked now. This is one of the worst book hangovers I’ve had in recent history.