As someone new to Martineau’s work, House of Blight was an interesting introduction to her dark fantasy style. The world-building is rich with haunting imagery, and the concept of the Blight slowly corrupting the land is both eerie and creative. However, the pacing felt uneven, with some sections dragging while others rushed through key plot points.

Overall, while the book offers a solid glimpse into Martineau’s storytelling, it didn’t completely hook me. Fans of dark fantasy might enjoy it, but it didn’t leave me eager to immediately pick up her other books.

This book gave me whiplash but in the best way. Hear me out!

The first ~55% is really interesting and well paced. It’s light and well written, but there was a clear and thought-out plot.

I definitely started to get severely annoyed at the characters and aspects of the plot after this point, though. The dialogue and how some scenes progressed throughout the entire book is often clunky, or not well-explained. I would have preferred more use of exposition, but this was me being very nick-picky at the time of reading. I was considering skimming the rest. HOWEVER, I am so glad I didn’t!

The last 20% really gripped my attention again. The plot twists were PLOT TWISTING and whilst I saw some of them coming from a mile away I still audibly gasped multiple times. I realised then that everything I had read previous was intentionally set up for me to feel crushing pain by the last chapter 💀🫠 I almost cried, and now i’m really looking forward to the next book!

4.5 ⭐️ (rounded up) I am speechless. From the beginning this story had me in a vise grip. From the intriguing premise to the vibrant world building, I was hooked. The FMC, Edira has that don’t mess with me vibe I adore. And it is an absolute ride understanding who exactly she can trust and rely on. Because it is really impossible to tell. I loved how the author made it so that all the characters had their good and bad moments; it made the concept of who is “good” v “evil” so very complex. And the ending - my flipping heart. I’m ready for the next book!

Highlights:
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Hidden Identity
✨Insect Familiars
✨Vibrant World Building
✨Compelling plot twists

Favorite Quote: “I’d rather work for myself than work to be someone else’s version of ‘suitable.’”

“The only pain I’d intentionally inflict on you is the agony of making you wait to feel the pleasure of release.”

Thank you to the author, The Nerd Fam, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

I devoured the first 55% of this book and then immediately hit a wall and could not read past it. It took me over 4 weeks to get back into it and then once I did, I devoured the rest of the book. I thought it was unique and it had me hooked on the story (despite my break). I'm looking forward to the next story and seeing how Edria deals with blight in the future

House of Blight, book one in The Threadmender Chronicles
By Maxym M. Martineau
Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫
4.5 stars, rounded up.

This book is my introduction to author Maxym M. Martineau and I was not disappointed. Fanstasy is my first book love and through the decades and evolutions of genres and sub-genres, Gothic Romantasy has become a sweet spot for me!

I was immediately drawn in by one of the eeriest prologues I’ve ever read and at that point I already knew I would finish the book no matter what because I needed to know how the prologue tied into the rest of the novel.

Edira (FMC,) is a Threadmender hiding in plain sight. She has lost her parents to The Blight, her Threadmender Aunt to the Fernglove family and is living quietly with her twin brothers and runs an apothecary out of her home. Her magic enables her to heal wounds and cure most illnesses but it comes at a cost to herself. Each time she heals the life threads of others, she expends her own, shortening her lifespan. Her magic is in high demand by the Evers, a group of immortal founding families (each with their own specific magic set such as earthly, galaxy/stars etc…) that rule over the lands. Edira’s aunt was taken by The Ferngloves and made Edira promise to hide her magic at all costs. But when The Blight comes for her brothers and Orin Fernglove presents an opportunity to find a cure for Blight and save her brothers, she comes out of hiding and moves to the Fernglove Manor.

I loved the world building and character development and I was a fan of all the lore! The history of Threadmending, of the immortal Ever families and especially the Ferngloves was fascinating. The Ferngloves are dysfunctional with a capital D. They are all darkly mysterious, sneaky and insufferable in their own ways. There were many times I wanted to grab Edira and shake her around, she made so many bad decisions and ignored so many red flags but such is the way when you deal with a Narcissist that is a master at love bombing and manipulating her. I am a forever fan of Rorik’s blunt, truth telling snarkiness and I’m rooting for him.

This book is definitely for you if you love Gothic Romantasy, Beast forms, a moth familiar, slow burn romance, unique magic systems and magical vows, lore, dysfunctional family dynamics and even some female rage.

I’m definitely watching for the announcement of the next book.

Thank you to The Nerd Fam, NetGalley and Harper Voyager US for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

New obsession: unlocked 🔓

Thank you so much to Harper Collins for a digital ARC of this book!

This book was just what I needed. It was a lush, gothic tale full of magic, romance and mystery.

The magic system in this was SOOO unique, I couldn’t get enough! Edira is a threadmender, who can heal others by healing their life strands, but doing so cuts time off of her own life. I can confidently say that I have never read anything like this before.

I also loved the twists and turns in this book! The foreshadowing and world building were done so so well and made it such a fun read. The characters were also expertly crafted and each one of them really added to the story.

If you love romantic fantasy, READ THIS BOOK 😍

Maxym M. Martineau delivers an utterly captivating fantasy in House of Blight, blending dark magic, rich world-building, and an unforgettable cast of characters. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into a world brimming with intrigue, danger, and a touch of forbidden allure.

The novel masterfully balances action, romance, and mystery, creating a fast-paced yet immersive read. The magic system is unique and well-developed, adding depth to the world and making every twist even more compelling. Martineau’s prose is vivid and atmospheric, making it easy to get lost in the dark, enchanting setting.

The characters are wonderfully complex, each with their own motivations, secrets, and emotional depth. Their relationships—both the tension-filled and the tender moments—feel authentic and keep the pages turning. There’s a perfect mix of suspense, heartache, and hope, making House of Blight a truly addictive read.

Fans of dark fantasy and morally gray characters will absolutely devour this book. I cannot wait to see what’s next in this world!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. House of Blight is a must-read for fantasy lovers who enjoy a touch of darkness and a whole lot of magic!

4.25 stars!
House of Blight is a romantic fantasy with an intriguing magical aspect and entertaining characters.

Edira is a strong and determined protagonist. While terrifyingly naive, she is determined to save her brothers no matter the cost. The Evers are incredibly intriguing with their own magical abilities and mysterious personalities. Orin is very friendly that it is off-putting. Rorik is the average broody brother. My personal favorites are Rorik and Seville.

The main plot is for Edira to find a cure for the blight plaguing Orin’s grandmother, but it feels like there was no actual focus on her training her abilities—the breathing trainings with Rorik seems to be the only ones in depth until nearing the end. I do think one of my favorite parts of the book is the masquerade ball. While I found this book a bit predictable, it is written in a satisfying way that I cannot wait to see what the next book holds!

Overall, this was an enjoyable book with well written characters. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the early copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dark, haunting, and beautiful! I loved the gothic atmosphere with layers of secrets and mystery woven throughout. This is for fans of Sarah J Maas and Rachel Gillig. I was really interested in the glamours used, and found the magic system to be unique! There were a few predictable moments and some questionable critical thinking on the fmc’s part, but considering everything Edira was dealing with, maybe we should all give her a break 😅 I definitely recommend rereading the prologue once you finish!!

🪡 life consuming magic
🪲 hidden generational ties
🦋 forced proximity & tension
💗 moth familiar/companion

thank you to netgalley, harper voyager and the nerd fam for an advanced uncorrected e proof of this beautiful book! i can’t wait to read book two in this duology!

Rorik is everything!! I'm completely obsessed
I cannot wait for the next book.
I'm almost mad that I read the ARC since it means waiting even more time to get to book 2!

This story was everything I love in romantasy. The strong Heroine and tortured Hero..... chefs kiss!

This book is basically The Apothecary Diaries but set in a fantasy world with immortals and magical powers.
The FMC, Edira, reminds me a lot of MaoMao. They are both apothecaries who try to solve the problems that royals have because of a contract that forces them to. The difference is that Edira is only trying to solve one problem which is the Blight (an incurable sickness) that has affected the world.
This is a slow paced book. It is a clue gathering story but even I couldn’t figure out what was going on. Every time I tried to fit the pieces together it wouldn’t work because new information would arise and change it or there wasn’t enough information. I will say that everything does have a reason and it will be brought up again!
The only thing I really had an issue with was that I didn’t really feel connected to any of the characters expect Edira. The Ferngloves (the royal family) were suspicious the whole time so I never really connected with them expect Orin’s (the MMC) brother intrigued me.

HOUSE OF BLIGHT is a witchy-adjacent gothic romantasy, filled with magical healing (with a cost), magical vows, tensions and a bit of a love triangle (between brothers 😏) The romance is swoony. The world is cottagecore. The characters are magical. It’s a lovely start of a duet that will leave you counting the days to book two. Perfect for readers of Rachel Gillig.

Thanks to Harper Voyager for the gifted copy!

Edira Brillwyn is a threadmender -- she has lifesaving power, but it comes at the high price, taking slivers of her life as she uses it. When her brothers get sick with Blight, she endes up at Fernglove Manor, working with the powerful head of the household, Orin, to find a cure.

I LOVE a fantasy duology, but am not sure that gothic fantasy is always for me... it's just a little too slow-moving. I did love the side characters, especially the little mothy pet creature, Ywena, the magical vows, and the slow burn romance. This was definitely a unique take on a fantasy with the "insect daddy" and cottagecore aesthetic, and I think a lot of readers will appreciate these vibes. I did find some of the plotlines a bit predictable and wanted more of a certain brother, but we'll leave that for the next book ;)

If you are a lover of the darker, more gothic side of fantasy, this is your next favorite read! I devoured House of Blight in a few days and I was captivated throughout. This story follows Edira, who is a rare mortal healer called a threadmender, as she navigates the dazzling and dangerous world of the Evers. A devastating blight has spread across the land and has begun to even affect the seemingly immortal Evers. As Edira begins to work on finding a cure, she must balance her gift against the cost of shortening her own life, all the while navigating complex feelings surrounding two Ever brothers, Orin and Rorik. Martineau expertly gives life to this story, painting rich scenes and complex characters into the perfect gothic and spooky backdrop. The intricate magic system was very believable and made the book that much more immersive. I’m so excited for book two, I need it yesterday!! Everything that glitters is not always gold, and perfectly crafted exteriors could hide rot within.

As always, thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for access to this eARC for review; all thoughts are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

House of Blight has all the pieces to make a great Romantasy read! Hidden magic, mysterious fae, a problem to solve, tension between not one but two hot fae men (and brothers at that!), and a sense of urgency. I completely flew through the first third of this book, but then the pacing slowed considerably and I honestly put it down for months. That is completely a personal issue though, others may not find the writing to be too slow or detailed. The ending was satisfying yet also set up the second book nicely. As I saw a lot of twists coming, and was so slumped when reading this, I unfortunately won’t be sticking around for book two.

“What was made for the deceased but comforted the living? A silk-lined box.”

✨ Overall Rating 5/5
📈 Plot 5/5
🖊️ Writing 5/5
👤 Characters 5/5
⚖️ Interpersonal Relationships 5/5
🗺️ World Building 5/5
🔥 Spice 0.5/5
😭 Emotional Damage 2/5
🤩 Entertainment 5/5

Themes:
🖤 Dark Romantasy
🖤 Slow Burn
🖤 Which Brother to Choose?
🖤 FMC with Special Powers
🖤 Cursed MMC & Family
🖤 FMC as a Saviour
🖤 Sassy FMC

I can’t say there is a single thing I disliked in this book. What an amazing piece of work! I’m wholly impressed and pleased.

The pace of the book was perfect, the story line is great!

Orin was great but I love the chemistry between Edira and Rorik!! I think the villain in the story was written well and was so hard to notice at the start but once the facade started to crack, we could see the underlying blight within him in more ways than one.

I will absolutely be recommending this and can’t wait for the next instalment!

“One of these days, Rorik, I’ll pin you to the ground beneath my boots, and you’ll pray I’m wearing a skirt so you at least see something nice before I spit in your face.”

Thank you for sending me this incredible arc!

House of Blight is a gothic Romantasy following a gifted healer named Edira navigating a world ravaged by a disease known as “The Blight”. Edira has spent most of her life hiding her healing gifts from The Evers - immortal beings with immense magic, who lord over the country. When tragedy strikes within her home, the Ferngloves (who lord over her city) promise to assist her in exchange for Edira’s help in researching a cure for the blight. Will working with the very people she has spent her life hiding from be worth the sacrifice, or will she lose everything?

This was one of my favorite reads in so far this year. The gothic atmosphere, fantastic world building, and excellent pacing of the story kept me engaged and invested in Edira’s journey. There are some major plot twists that had me audibly gasping.

As for the romance, this is a slow burn, enemies to lovers, with spice and delicious banter. It is top tier, perfection. I highly recommend picking this one up on release day, and I’m really hoping for a special edition of this one.

Edira is a human with a unique magical ability to heal. She hides this ability from everybody except her brothers, after her aunt warns her to never show it to anybody shortly before she disappears.
One day, shortly after the town’s market day which is visited by the highly powerful Fae-like creatures, her brothers both come down with a deadly illness that has been spreading throughout her town and in a desperate moment, she attempts to heal them both only to be discovered by one of the Fae creatures who enters into a magical deal with her that he will slow the disease of her brothers if she agrees to come to their land and help heal his grandmother

The good: I really enjoyed the Threadmaker magic and how it is described in the book. I really enjoyed the detail that was put into the world and the characters. The moth is my favorite character in the whole book.

The bad: I knew from the second she entered the Fae world where this was going and what was going to happen. It was very trope based and very obvious. The moth is my favorite character, because the characters are all pretty unlikable. It didn’t feel as advanced as some of the comparison authors like Sarah J. Mass and Rachel Gillig

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC.

OK, this new series has me very intrigued. House of Blight is a new fantasy series that is being called the Threadmender series and theeadmenders are humans that have the power to heal. They can heal just about anything and they live in secret. They are told to hide because if they found out the Evers will take them away to basically put them in their service. The Blight is here and basically that is how our female main character gets caught. She’s been very good not using her powers to heal anyone. But one day when her brothers come home from the mines and they are infected she is caught.
I was thoroughly intrigued from the beginning and this red super fast when I got very close to the ending I’m like I really don’t see how this could continue on being a series. I do have a few questions that could be answered in the last. Bit but I’m happy it got left open and that the series is gonna continue on because I really wanna know more about the world and I can’t wait to find out more!
Thank you Harper Voyager for providing me with a review copy for an honest and unbiased review!

House of Blight is a hauntingly beautiful gothic fantasy that weaves magic, mystery, and romance into an intricate tapestry of intrigue and sacrifice. From the moment I stepped into Edira Brillwyn’s world, I was captivated by the dark atmosphere and the unique magic system that Martineau has crafted.

Edira is a compelling protagonist—her ability to heal at the cost of her own life force makes for a fascinating dynamic, constantly pushing her to weigh her own survival against the needs of those she loves. When the powerful Fernglove family offers her a dangerous deal to save her brothers from the blight, she’s thrust into a world of secrets, power plays, and a slow-burning romance that kept me on edge.

Orin Fernglove is enigmatic and alluring, the perfect mix of charm and danger. His relationship with Edira is layered with tension and uncertainty, making every interaction between them feel meaningful. As the story unfolds, the gothic mansion setting, filled with hidden agendas and eerie undertones, becomes almost a character in itself—adding to the creeping sense that something sinister is lurking beneath the surface.

Martineau’s writing is lush and immersive, painting vivid pictures of both beauty and decay. The world-building is detailed without being overwhelming, and the stakes feel real, with Edira constantly faced with impossible choices. The plot twists are well-executed, keeping me guessing about the true nature of the Fernglove family and the origins of the blight.

If I had one critique, it would be that some parts of the story felt a little predictable, especially if you’re familiar with gothic fantasy tropes. However, the strength of the characters and the emotional weight of their struggles more than made up for it.