readingwithjd 's review for:

House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau

5.0

dark mysterious tense medium-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

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This book grabbed me from the prologue! After that opening scene, I knew I had discovered something amazing. This book feels vaguely reminiscent of that one certain red book but does it SO much better: immortal fae-like beings with political/court intrigue, a magical bargain, and one of the most unique and well-described magic systems I’ve read in a while. This book feels familiar but wholly unique at the same time. 

Edira and her human brothers toil away in the shadow of the Ferngloves: a family of immortal beings known as the Evers. Edira is a threadmender, a human who possesses the power to heal and cure any ailment. But this power comes at a cost to her own life, and has its limitations: it cannot cure Blight, a terrible disease that preys upon the humans. When her brothers fall victim to the Blight, Edira makes a bargain with the Ferngloves in the hopes of harnessing her power to save her brothers. 

My favorite aspect of this book was the magic system. I loved the idea of the threadmenders and how their magic works. As a healthcare professional myself, I’ve always had a soft spot for main characters with healing magic. I too, attach much of my self-identity to my ability to heal others and found Edira to be an extremely relatable main character. She is inquisitive, intelligent, and dedicated to her family and her practice of healing others, often to her own detriment. Even the magic of the Evers was very interesting and I can’t wait to get more in book two.

The vibe of this book was another strong element. It felt dark, unsettling, and mysterious. Readers who also enjoy the horror genre may find some crossover with the tone and overall mood of the story. The house and the surrounding land is even its own character, playing an important role in the story-telling. Add to that the fraught family dynamics and politics—I couldn’t stop reading! 

Bottom line: I couldn’t get enough of this! 5/5, eagerly anticipating the next book! 

Immense gratitude and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Harper Collins, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.