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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyager for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A woman with a chip on her shoulder and vengeance in her heart with a monster whispering in her ear? Yes, the description for this book was exactly what I was looking for but sadly the book itself didn’t live up to my expectations.
The world and story itself were highly imaginative and had great potential. I loved the idea of the deeply competitive, envious aristocratic family scraping their way to the top. I loved the idea of a bastard FMC using her family’s endless power-grabbing to enact her revenge for her mother. I also LOVED the idea of her working with an eldritch monster to reach her goals. The execution just didn’t hit quite right.
The story starts with an 11 year old Alma, as she sacrifices herself to join her neglectful father and devote herself to House Alvera, and its Beast, in order to save her mother. When her mother dies she vows to work with the eldritch beast, Aster, that’s been pestering her in order to bring her father down. Then 8 years pass and we see none of the character development nor do we experience Alma’s bond with Aster strengthening over time. The result left me feeling like Alma never really developed into an adult and I had to keep reminding myself she’s 19 not 11.
As for the rest of the characters, they all felt a little 2-dimensional and only there to serve the plot. Even Aster (the monster) fell pretty flat as he manifested as just a cute boy with a crush on Alma for 95% of the book.
Personally, I do think this book could have used a little bit of editing back. There were so many moments where Alma is having a conversation and right in the middle her thoughts explain something else that slightly relates. There was a lot of exposition like this that just threw me off in the middle of a scene. Since much of the world-building was done this way and all of it was interesting/important, just not presented well, this book would have benefitted from the use of epigraphs at the beginning of the chapters.
Where Wong’s writing really shines though is in the action scenes and gruesome descriptions. All of the competitions and especially the last 30% in the Umber Gate with the grotesque monsters were immaculate. The descriptions were visceral and I could see everything happening like a movie in my head. It made me ultimately very interested in what she will write next given this is her debut novel.
Truly I did find the overall book intriguing with so much promise. I am excited to see what Michelle Wong comes up with next.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyager for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC copy of House of the Beast by Michelle Wong.
I was not sure what to think of this book initially. I went in blind, knowing very little about the story. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I had a really great time reading it, and it kept my attention throughout.
I found the magic system to be so interesting. The fact that vessels of each house were sent to try and kill a falling star in order to gain power- it was unique to anything I've read before. I will admit, besides the house of the beast, I had trouble fully understanding the other houses. I'm not sure if that was in any way the fault of the book, or if it was just a problem with my comprehension. Overall, it didn't really detract much from the story. There are also a few little twists towards the middle and end that I didn't anticipate, and were a shocking, but welcome, surprise.
I loved the main character, Alma. From her humble beginnings living with her mother, to the person she molds herself into by the close of the story- her character arc is just phenomenal! Her relationship with Aster is so complicated, but at the same time, not. The way she cares for him so much, but understands that to continue on the path they are headed will turn her into someone she doesn't want to become. It's honestly heartbreaking.
I will definitely be recommending this book!
I really enjoyed this one! It gave me all the different feels where I was rooting for certain characters, but also conflicted over them. It was tragic, it was healing, it was funny, and more. Sometimes the writing reads a little YA, but that didn't bother me (it's not YA though). Add this to your TBR!
Thank you @harpervoyagerus for this #gifted book and art work for House of the Beast by Michelle Wong! This is the deluxe edition and it's SO beautiful! Definitely one of the best deluxe editions I've seen.
If you enter the House of the Beast, prepare to find:
· Morally grey characters
· Toxic, codependent relationships (M/F, M/M)
· Vengeful female main character
· Chaotic evil trickster god
· Family rivalries
· Court intrigue
· Deadly trials
· Nightmare realm full of monsters
· Violence!
· Stunning black-and-white art by the author woven through the text
Thank you @harpervoyagerus for this #gifted book and art work for House of the Beast by Michelle Wong! This is the deluxe edition and it's SO beautiful! Definitely one of the best deluxe editions I've seen.
If you enter the House of the Beast, prepare to find:
· Morally grey characters
· Toxic, codependent relationships (M/F, M/M)
· Vengeful female main character
· Chaotic evil trickster god
· Family rivalries
· Court intrigue
· Deadly trials
· Nightmare realm full of monsters
· Violence!
· Stunning black-and-white art by the author woven through the text
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Though some of the elements of this book fell flat, I enjoyed the story enough. There were a few twists I didn't predict, and an ending that was wrapped up, but in a messy way that was far from "happily ever after".
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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:
No
Let’s start from the assumption that everything I’m about to say regarding this book comes from my personal taste. The plot and the concept intrigued me a lot at the beginning, and the fact that I didn’t enjoy the execution is simply due to the author making plot choices that almost never align with my preferences. Objectively, this is a good book, a well-constructed standalone with excellent potential. Subjectively, I wanted to throw my phone against the wall.
I found the first 50% slow: the first half is largely dedicated to building up the tension for the trial that’s been mentioned since the beginning of the book. On one hand, I understand the need to build the plot and the characters before the plot twist, but on the other hand, I really struggled to get through the first half.
After the 50%, the book improved a lot for me: there was so much at stake, the tension was high, and there was an additional slightly macabre element that I really enjoyed. Alma finally shows what she’s made of and what she’s willing to do to get her revenge.
Unfortunately, all of this changed for me when a plot twist at the end turned everything upside down. In one sense it was predictable, but still well constructed and objectively brilliant if one doesn’t see it coming.
Subjectively? I didn’t want it to happen, it ruined the blast I was having in the second half and left a bitter taste in my mouth. Was it an element that served the plot and made the book unique? Absolutely yes, but that doesn’t change the fact that I hated the ending.
The writing is solid, excellent in my opinion for this kind of dark fantasy. I liked how she wrote the characters and their motivations. The worldbuilding really inspires me with its almost steampunk connotations and its divine system.
I still recommend reading it, even though I didn’t like it, because I’m sure it’s a very valid book and capable of making an impact.
It’s not a gothic romance mind you, but a dark fantasy.
Thank you to netgalley and Harper Voyager for the arc. all opinions are my own
It’s not a gothic romance mind you, but a dark fantasy.
Thank you to netgalley and Harper Voyager for the arc. all opinions are my own
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
2025 reads: 195/300
i received an advanced listening copy and a finished copy from the publisher. i am voluntarily leaving this review.
born out of wedlock and shunned by society, alma has only ever relied on her mother. when she grows ill, then, alma is determined to do anything to keep her alive…including striking a dangerous bargain with her estranged, noble father. with the promise of her mother receiving life-saving medication, she feeds her left arm to the beast in a ceremony that forever binds her to the house and its deity. her mother soon passes, though, leaving her to the mercy of her father’s family’s grand estate, where she is despised by all. well, all except her god, a monster appearing as a prince who only she can see. with his help, alma sets out to destroy the house that stole everything from her.
this book had me hooked from the moment i read its description, so i was very grateful to receive copies of it from the publisher! the promise of power-hungry noble houses, vengeful gods, and toxic family dynamics appealed to me, and these were all executed very well, in my opinion. this book was such an emotional rollercoaster, from the start with alma sacrificing herself for her mom’s health all the way throughout the rest of the book when she continues having to make sacrifices or other tough decisions.
i read this via audiobook, narrated by jeanne syquia. i’m sad to see that she hasn’t narrated many other audiobooks as her performance was absolutely incredible, with so much emotion imbued. however, this means i didn’t get to see the lovely illustrations as i read. luckily, i had the hardcover handy so i could just skim through it to see these illustrations! i highly recommend this book on any format.
A dark fantasy debut with a toxic codependent relationship emphasis on these 3 words because it is not a romantasy. We follow Alma, who writes a letter to her estranged father begging to save her father. She strikes a deal with the house and it’s diety… and sacrifices her left arm to the beast, to save her mother. Sounds familiar? Because it's very much full metal alchemist coded. Alma is then now trapped within the house of the beast and being used for her father’s schemes. It’s filled with family rivalry, court intrigue, deadly trials, and REVENGE.
The author did a great job with the world building with the inclusion of the illustrations sprinkled throughout the book. I loved how the author intertwined the story between the main character, Alma & Aster, the beast. Aster was an accurate representation of her grief & rage molding into vengeance. Although their relationship was complex, toxic and codependency, it was also filled with tender care for each other at times which made it all the messier. I did wish I felt a little more connected to the characters, unfortunately I wasn't so I did not have an emotionally catalyst experience as others did.
In the end, I still enjoyed the book and recommend the book to folx looking for a dark fantasy with toxic codependency and fma vibes.
The author did a great job with the world building with the inclusion of the illustrations sprinkled throughout the book. I loved how the author intertwined the story between the main character, Alma & Aster, the beast. Aster was an accurate representation of her grief & rage molding into vengeance. Although their relationship was complex, toxic and codependency, it was also filled with tender care for each other at times which made it all the messier. I did wish I felt a little more connected to the characters, unfortunately I wasn't so I did not have an emotionally catalyst experience as others did.
In the end, I still enjoyed the book and recommend the book to folx looking for a dark fantasy with toxic codependency and fma vibes.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing: 3.5/5
Engaging? Yes—haunting and visceral narrative that leaves you wanting more
Thank you to Harper Voyager for the ARC!
Perfect for fans of gothic revenge tales, divine bargains, and illustrated fantasy that bleeds with symbolism. House of the Beast is a bold debut that weaves cosmic horror and familial betrayal into a coming‑of‑rage fantasy drenched in atmosphere.
Plot –
Alma, the bastard daughter of the feared priest of the Dread Beast, sacrifices her arm to an eldritch god in a desperate bid to save her mother—only to lose her anyway. Plucked from the countryside and forced into service with her aristocratic family, she rapidly becomes enamored with Aster, her mythical companion—and her key to revenge. Together they embark on a Pilgrimage into a nightmarish realm to challenge her father’s power and rise within House Avera.
The opening and final acts rush by with ritual violence and cosmic stakes; the middle can drag at times, especially during political intrigue in the capital. I found it hard to stay with the story during these slower parts. The illustrations throughout helped me get through but when momentum builds, it crashes forward like a tidal wave.
Characters & Writing –
Alma’s voice is raw and filled with fury. Her transformation is the engine of the story. Aster, the spectral god‑companion, is as enigmatic as he is dangerous—setting up a romance layered in power imbalances and haunted devotion. And while the supporting characters occasionally feel sidelined, their overall arcs are consequential to the story and make you want to see more.
Overall, Wong’s prose is lush and evocative, but does read like a debut novel. Some descriptions lean on visual intensity more than emotional clarity but are reinforced by the illustrations throughout the book, however, I can see the potential.
“A story is a mouth. You decide what it devours.”
If you crave haunting, morally complex tales where gods demand sacrifice and grief fuels revolution, House of the Beast is a beautifully grotesque fairytale to get lost in. Not perfect—but powerfully unforgettable.
Characters: 4/5
Writing: 3.5/5
Engaging? Yes—haunting and visceral narrative that leaves you wanting more
Thank you to Harper Voyager for the ARC!
Perfect for fans of gothic revenge tales, divine bargains, and illustrated fantasy that bleeds with symbolism. House of the Beast is a bold debut that weaves cosmic horror and familial betrayal into a coming‑of‑rage fantasy drenched in atmosphere.
Plot –
Alma, the bastard daughter of the feared priest of the Dread Beast, sacrifices her arm to an eldritch god in a desperate bid to save her mother—only to lose her anyway. Plucked from the countryside and forced into service with her aristocratic family, she rapidly becomes enamored with Aster, her mythical companion—and her key to revenge. Together they embark on a Pilgrimage into a nightmarish realm to challenge her father’s power and rise within House Avera.
The opening and final acts rush by with ritual violence and cosmic stakes; the middle can drag at times, especially during political intrigue in the capital. I found it hard to stay with the story during these slower parts. The illustrations throughout helped me get through but when momentum builds, it crashes forward like a tidal wave.
Characters & Writing –
Alma’s voice is raw and filled with fury. Her transformation is the engine of the story. Aster, the spectral god‑companion, is as enigmatic as he is dangerous—setting up a romance layered in power imbalances and haunted devotion. And while the supporting characters occasionally feel sidelined, their overall arcs are consequential to the story and make you want to see more.
Overall, Wong’s prose is lush and evocative, but does read like a debut novel. Some descriptions lean on visual intensity more than emotional clarity but are reinforced by the illustrations throughout the book, however, I can see the potential.
“A story is a mouth. You decide what it devours.”
If you crave haunting, morally complex tales where gods demand sacrifice and grief fuels revolution, House of the Beast is a beautifully grotesque fairytale to get lost in. Not perfect—but powerfully unforgettable.