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A review by stacey_unchecked
House of the Beast by Michelle Wong
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This story opens with a pretty shocking prologue of an 11 year old Alma having her arm cut off by her father so she can join his house of the Dread Beast. This DB then comes to her in the guise of a young boy to be her friend and confidant but what he really is, is evil and controlling.
The story skips ahead 8 years, so we join Alma again when she's spent that time in her awful, abusive fathers home (along with his wife who is worse) and trains for the pilgrimage. This is something that she's not supposed to compete in. Her father is destined to be the next First Hand of the God and she is just to be silent and support that. But he left her mother to die and so Alma has harboured revenge in her heart and is set to see that revenge bear fruit. There is a ton of training, trials and political machinations. All the while the Dread God, now her closest invisible friend/love Astor is manipulating Alma like a puppet.
As we get closer to the actual Pilgrimage the pace picks up quite a bit finally. I loved the battles and twists that the story brings in this section. I do think that Alma would be a bit more blood thirsty at this point...as she's getting closer to her goal of revenge against her father. That doesn't seem to come across in feelings though and so it fell flat for me.
This wants to be dark and wants to be fantasy but didn't really hit either mark for me. There is a lot to like for sure...the audiobook was beautifully narrated by Jeanne Syquia and the production quality is top tier and lush!
My rating is 3.75 rounded
I want to thank Avon and NetGalley for the ARC and HarperAudio for the ALC opportunity to read/listen and review. My thoughts are my own.
The story skips ahead 8 years, so we join Alma again when she's spent that time in her awful, abusive fathers home (along with his wife who is worse) and trains for the pilgrimage. This is something that she's not supposed to compete in. Her father is destined to be the next First Hand of the God and she is just to be silent and support that. But he left her mother to die and so Alma has harboured revenge in her heart and is set to see that revenge bear fruit. There is a ton of training, trials and political machinations. All the while the Dread God, now her closest invisible friend/love Astor is manipulating Alma like a puppet.
As we get closer to the actual Pilgrimage the pace picks up quite a bit finally. I loved the battles and twists that the story brings in this section. I do think that Alma would be a bit more blood thirsty at this point...as she's getting closer to her goal of revenge against her father. That doesn't seem to come across in feelings though and so it fell flat for me.
This wants to be dark and wants to be fantasy but didn't really hit either mark for me. There is a lot to like for sure...the audiobook was beautifully narrated by Jeanne Syquia and the production quality is top tier and lush!
My rating is 3.75 rounded
I want to thank Avon and NetGalley for the ARC and HarperAudio for the ALC opportunity to read/listen and review. My thoughts are my own.