carolinekreads 's review for:

House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau

4.25

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

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Absolutely spellbinding! If you loved One Dark Window and The Thirteenth Child, this gothic fantasy romance will absolutely sweep you into its dark embrace. The magic system is unique, the world building is rich and immersive, and the themes - sacrifice, secrets, power, and the fragile nature of trust - are woven through the narrative with precision. This is a familiar and slow paced story (with some predictable beats) and while it lags a bit in the middle, the story ignites in the second half, racing toward a finale that made it impossible to put down!! The tension, twists, and simmering romance were executed well. And let’s not forget the delightful addition of a mysterious companion moth, because every great gothic tale needs an eerie animal sidekick! Consider me utterly obsessed and counting down the days until the sequel!