This book was insane. First you get the prologue that tells you nothing but leaves you with sooooo many questions and then you're dropped into this beautiful and atmospheric world where literally nothing is as it seems.

Every time I thought that I had figured out where things were going it twisted and I was completely wrong. At no point did I really know what was going to happen and I am obsessed with that. Edira really deserves more good things than anyone else. She's readily willing to die to save her brothers and just ugh my heart 😭. She takes care of everyone else at the expense of herself.

The brothers 👀. Orin knew just the right things to say while Rorik is the broody and flirty one. Oh no whichever shall she choose?? And the slow burn of it all made it that much better.

The vibes in this were immaculate. Dark romantasy but make it gothic?? I eat it up every time. I will be absolutely frothing at the mouth for book two.

This story follows a human, Edira, although she isn’t just any human, she is a Threadmender, a healer, and when her brothers catch the blight she finds herself in a deal with a very powerful Ever. Can she find a way to cure the blight?

I absolutely loved this story. When Ediras brothers caught the blight my heart broke for her after she had already lost the rest of her family.

The Evers are very similar to Fae but Maxym has made it so original and intriguing. The lore and the magic system are so well thought out and exciting I couldn’t get enough.

I can’t wait to read more of this series!

This was such an interesting read! The plot moved at a pace that kept me engaged the entire time & had me fully immersed by the gothic atmosphere. The magic system also had a unique twist to the typical elemental aspect with the Blight & threadmending powers our FMC had. I loved the slow burn romance, & our FMC, Edira, was very likable. Overall I would rate this a 4 star reads & I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!

I usually hate prologues. I can't stand them. This is by far THE BEST prologue I have ever read in my entire life. If you're talking about a scene that will hook you right in and will make you HAVE to read more... this is it.

I am seriously so impressed by that.

The writing of this author is great, I became a immediate fan and I can't wait for more of her. I especially loved how she created a setting and atmosphere and immersed the reader into the page. It felt mysterious and cozy and dark. Strange combo but always works.

Her descriptions are perfect, not too much and not too little, but she knows how to weave words together to make it sound beautiful. The characters were also great.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. House of Blight was a FUN read. I loved the gothic backdrop and the characters were interesting, I was engaged the whole time, and know so many people that are dying to read something like this story. I can't wait to get a copy in my hands!

5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1/5🌶️

What to Expect:
🏰Dark Gothic Romantasy
🔮Intricate Magic
🏰Haunted House
🔮Forced Proximity
🏰Slow Burn
🔮Moth Pet
🏰Touch Her & 💀
🔮Suspense!

I devoured House of Blight from the moment I cracked open that eerie, bone-chilling prologue until the very last letter. Maxym M. Martineau doesn’t ease you into this world—she throws you into it HEAD FIRST, haunted manor and all, and I couldn’t stop. Edira, our fiercely loyal and emotionally complex heroine, is a threadmender—a healer whose power comes at a devastating price: her own life trickling away. Every time she saves someone, her own thread of life frays a little bit more. When her twin brothers are infected by the deadly, incurable blight, she’s forced to strike a deal with the mysterious Fernglove family and enter their twisted world… and that's just her first mistake.

The Ferngloves? UTTER CHAOS. PURE DYSFUNCTION with a capital D. Gothic mansion full of secrets, love-bombing immortal lords, power-hungry matriarchs, and a tangled family tree that had me questioning everyone's motives. I absolutely loved all the drama. The dynamic between Edira, Orin (charming and manipulative - narcissist much?), and Rorik (broody, snarky, and suspiciously helpful-ummm… yes?) was tense, slow-burn deliciousness. I kept yelling at Edira to run the other way—and of course, had to keep the pages flipping to find out what bad decision she’d make next. The lore was SOOO WELL DONE—unique, well-woven, and gave me total fae politics vibes. And don’t get me started on the moth familiar/pet… totally obsessed. I always love a good pet in the story!!!

The pacing shifts midway, but stick with it because the final 20%? Jaw. Dropping (think SJM… always saving the best for last). Plot twists came at me like knives and I absolutely could not and would not dodge. Everything clicks into place in the most painful, satisfying way. I gasped. I was very close to tears. And now I’m screaming into the end waiting for book two. So, if you're into gothic romantasy, morally grey fae, secret magic, beastly transformations, and a slow-burn romance full of red flags and yearning… just say yes!

Thank you HarperCollins, Netgalley, and Maxym M. Martineau for the chance to read this amazing start of a series!!!

"If you think I can't stab you while wearing skirts, you're sorely mistaken."

House of Blight is a fun romantasy with threads of gothic woven in!

Edira is a Threadmender; a healer who can cure at great cost - losing pieces of her life essence. She has spent years hiding her powers to avoid being taken away to work for the powerful and mysterious Evers. But when her brothers contract the strange and incurable blight, Edira has no choice but to accept an Ever's offer and enter his employ.

I enjoyed the fast pace of this book! I flew through it in one sitting! My only complaint was that it was tad predictable, but still fun and I will still be watching out for book two!

Packed with magic and betrayal, I would recommend this book to any romantasy fan!

Very predictable and not very noteworthy. While the world was interesting as soon as we were introduced to the Evers and how just dumb and childish they were, I lost all interest in them. I think maybe the author was going for a "don't trust the fae" kind of people but I was more annoyed then anything.

A gory story with a peculiar magic system.

The magic system in this book was different and interesting. Edira is a fierce FMC determined to protect her family. The other characters? Well let's just say they are very deceiving. Unless we talk about Ywena, that little moth companion is perfect. The story is medium paced, but towards the middle of the book the pace starts to slow down and then picks up again towards the end. It did have a good ending that sets up for the next book. The author gives us vivid descriptions of their gothic cottagecore world and character traits, making it easy to immerse in their world. Those vivid gory descriptions were really well written. The romance in this story wasn't my favorite, but it is understandable in the end.

If there was something loved in this story, it was the prologue. You may not understand it until you finish the book.

I have to give a HUGE thank you to Nerdfam, Netgalley, and of course, the author for sending this ARC my way. I started the book today and literally couldn't stop reading. I kept thinking about it every time I put it down. It's been a while since a book affected me so much. I knew I was hooked after the prologue.

In this book, there are healers called threadmenders. They can see the threads of life and the pain/injury on them. Edira is a threadmender in hiding. After her aunt was taken from the family, she was told to stay hidden and never mend. However, a Blight has broken out over the land, and many are dying. There is no cure.

Her brothers are all she has, and when they fall ill, she is forced to make a deal with the powerful Evers. They take her in and agree to keep her brothers alive in a stasis in exchange for her learning to cure the Blight as their elder is dying from it. As it turns out, the Evers aren't as immune as Edira previously thought. 

This book is loaded with Gothic eerie vibes coated in just the right amount of magic. There's a bit of slow burn, and when I say the ending has me, Feral for book two, I mean it!

Thank you to Harper Voyager for the ARC and Harper Audio for the ALC.

The House of Blight is a gothic fantasy focusing on Edira, a healer—except when she heals someone, she loses minutes, days, months of her own life. And she’s living in secret, until the fae leader (Orin Fernglove) finds her and makes her a bargain she can’t refuse and she’s moved to their castle/home.

I imagined their home on the moors; foggy, decrepit, filled with the Ferngloves but no staff. Creepy. Meanwhile, Orin and his family are basically at each others’ throats at all times, particularly his brother Rorick. Nothing like a bit of fae family feuding to make a human feel at home?

I’m suspicious at baseline so I kept side eying some of Edira’s choices; but I get it girl, you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. I loved how she kicked ass at the end, she finally took charge and was the strong HBIC I knew her to be.

While this is the first in a series, it still felt like a complete story, with just enough of a cliffhanger to keep me hooked and on board for more. And I hope to read the next as audio! Alexandra Hunter (and the tiny parts of Stephen Dexter) fit the characters so perfectly, it made the reading experience that much more enjoyable.

I loved this book! It took me a minute to fully settle into the world, but by chapters 5–7, I was absolutely DEVOURING it. The atmosphere? Immaculate. The tension? Constant. I didn’t trust anyone—every character felt like they were hiding something, and I was desperate for answers.

The plot kept me on edge, second-guessing every interaction. And somehow, I didn’t just read about Edira—I became her. Her confusion, her suspicions, her intensity? I felt all of it in my bones.

If you’re into slow-burn suspense, morally gray characters, and that delicious feeling of unraveling secrets bit by bit… this one’s for you.

In book one of this new gothic fantasy duology, we are introduced to a threadmender named Edira Brillwyn. She has been hiding her ability to cure disease and heal injuries in the blink of an eye. from the powerful Fernglove family, who she knows will exploit her abilities if she is found out. The Ferngloves are charming, beautiful, possess powerful magic, and don’t take no for an answer—especially Orin, the head of these ruling elites. When both of Edira’s brothers unexpectedly contract blight, an incurable deadly virus too strong for her to heal them both, Orin offers to help. Together at his estate they’ll research a cure while Orin slows their sickness and Edira hones her magic. His kindness and honesty surprises Edira, as does her undeniable attraction to him. But the other Ferngloves may be more dangerous than the ever-present disease. The longer Edira stays within the confines of the Manor, the more the family’s pristine exterior begins to crack—until Edira discovers a terrifying secret and must choose who she can save and at what cost…

I thought when I first started this book it would be more of a horror story, but it was actually more 90% fantasy 10% horror. The author did an excellent job with world building and character development. I loved how fearless Edira was - even when faced with an impossible choice. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, that sets it up for the second book, so I am excited to delve into that as soon as it becomes available. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves fantasy fiction!

I liked this one. Not as much as I hoped to but I think it has potential with the remainder of the series.
I live for a unique magic system. So the threadmending was pretty dang cool. I am interested in seeing where this story goes next. If you like ACOTAR, then yeah... same vibe with the main love interest.. if you know, you know. And instead of a winged shadow daddy, you get a winged insect daddy, nice!

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this!! If you like gothic tales with creepy mansions and puzzling over who you can trust, pick this one up.

I am BEGGING on my hands and knees for book two and the first the first one isn’t even out yet. This a creative gothic fantasy that features vivid world building, cool bugs (i promise!!!), and a treacherous and infectious blight that is basically a character on its own. This book had excellent vibes! I savored every word of this story and kept avidly turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next.

Thank you to Harper Voyager, William Morrow, and HarperCollins for the eARC!

Edira has a secret, and she lives her life hiding it until she doesn’t have a choice when her brothers catch blight and will doing anything to save them. She’s forced to enter the mysterious and magical Fernglove Manor and deal with Evers and how dysfunctional immortal beings can be. Edira is thrust into the mess of the Ferngloves while also trying desperately to figure out how to save her brothers. Combing magic, a deadly sickness, and family drama make House of Blight and unputdownable read.

“If you think I can’t stab you while wearing skits, you’re sorely mistaken.”

Oh Edira, how I loved your attitude and determination. This story focuses on Edira, Orin, and Rorik. I feel like all the characters are fleshed out nicely and I enjoyed seeing how their character’s progressed (or became unraveled 👀). We have a sort of love triangle going on, but it really is no competition. I will not be saying any more on the subject other than I am wholly team insect daddy now. 🪲

This writing of House of Blight fully immersed me in the story. From the atmosphere, the plot, and the romance, this book has it all and I ate it up! I highly recommend picking this one up on April 8th, 2025.

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to the nerd fam for the gifted e-arc!

Right off the bat the story started off grabbing my attention and kept it till the very end. I admired Edira’s willingness to do whatever it took to help save her brother from the blight taking them. I also loved Vora and her dedication to helping Edira to see the truths of fernglove manor. The ending!? I am excited to see what happens next with book 2!

I had the chance to read the ARC of House of Blight through NetGalley & couldn’t be more grateful. This book is a MUST read for fantasy + romance lovers.

There is a unique magic system, a human who can potentially help solve a multigenerational disease & more than one MMC 😍

The threadmendor chronicles are an instant buy for me after the first in the series.

If you love a slow burn, plot twists & magical men, you will love this book!

Maxym’s “the beast charmer’’ series is one of my favorites out there, so I was STOKED to see they’ve written more- super excited to have gotten an arc by NetGalley!!


This one does NOT disappoint. The house of blight is a gothic horror novel, with creepy sicknesses, curses, lies and deceit. It is a decently sized book, but moves so flawlessly I was able to devour it in one sitting. The ending leaves on a cliffhanger- but not to the point you want to throw the book. Excited for the rest!

Thank you NetGalley, publisher, and maxym for allowing an arc in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars rounded up

i loved this one! it was such a unique storyline with deep gothic moody vibes. imagine if belladonna and crimson peak had a love child—this would be exactly it! the world building was rich with vivid imagery and incredibly atmospheric. the main characters were likeable and the stakes were high for all (which is suuuuper important for me when reading).

the first 50% or so was a slow build up, but once we kicked off, i was so immersed i couldn’t stop reading. the tension and intrigue between characters was palpable, and even though everything was fanning out as fine, i had an underlying feeling the whole time that something was not adding up. around 65% in, i started piecing everything together, and immediately turned on orin. he really had me in the first half im not going to lie—the banter was bantering and at first he seemed like a good dude. i should know better after reading as much fantasy romance as i do that things are never as they seem. the reveal, while i did predict most of it, was really well written full of proper action and drama. i was SCREAMING to myself “heartbond with rorik!!! it’s the only way!!!!” and when it happened i was soooooooo thrilled. while obviously rorik was more deeply involved in the ploy than edira initially though which is devastating for their relationship, it was clear he had her best interests in mind once he got to know her and cared for her. i’m excited to explore their relationship in the second book and see where it takes us. they very clearly yearn for each other regardless of the betrayal, so i am very ready for them to come back together with forgiveness and conquer the true enemy.

i will say one thing that threw me a bit is this book read a lot more YA that i anticipated. i remember it being marketed as adult fantasy, but the spicy scenes were pretty illusionary and non-descriptive. this isn’t a negative thing by any means, just an observation.

i am also deeply interested in finding out more about the lore described in the prologue. it seems like this is going to be an evers vs. death itself plot line since the blight refuses to fully go away, and that is very intriguing to me. i will definitely be looking forward to book 2!

note to publishers, i plan on making a promotional instagram post in support of the release date and will update my links when completed.

When I finished reading House of Blight, my first thought was “wow, that was really unique” followed closely by “and when does Book 2 come out?” In a world of shadows, I confess I now just want a man who loves bugs and tells me “you’re brighter than the moon and just as steady.” The entire book is racing against a blight that is killing everyone it comes in contact with, except for Edina, a rare threadmender. When her brothers catch the blight, Edina finds herself working with the Evers to find a cure. I am keeping this spoiler free, but this books has so many twists and turns and moments where I questioned whether Edina can trust anyone but herself. If you are looking for a unique magic system and interesting world-building, and some slow burn romance, then you should definitely read House of Blight. I don’t think I am the only one who will finish this book desperate to find out what happens between Edina and a certain man.