I shift between 3 and 4 stars with this one, but lean more to 4. House of Blight is the definition of gothic romance.

Edira, the fmc, has a unique gift as a healer, but each time she uses her ability there is a price to pay. When Ediras brothers contract a virus’s called the blight, the one thing her magic cannot cure, Edira will stop at nothing to find a way to save her family. Edira begins to team up with the mysterious Evers family in hopes of discovering a cure and there she finds herself mixed up and in between the two ever brothers.

This book reminds me a lot of Crimson Peak with a hints of the Fall of the House of Usher in atmosphere. I loved the dark gothic vibes and the atmosphere to match. The idea behind the magic/ healing system was interesting and unique.

Edira is a strong and determined character. She is driven by her need to save her family. The fact that she gives a bit of herself each time she heals a stranger and yet cannot help her brothers adds a bit more complexity to her inner turmoil.

While I liked the characters, including the the brothers, Orin and Rorik, the idea of a love triangle didn’t sit too well with me. Love triangle’s are not my favorite trope though. That being said, there’s no denying the chemistry between the characters.

The chapters are long which was a deterrent to me at the beginning and felt like the story lagged because of it, although once the progresses, the pacing settled in.

Overall, this was a good start to the series and I do want to know more of what’s to come. This would be a good addition to anyone’s spooky season book lists

In House of Blight, Edira, a gifted threadmender, is desperate to save her brothers from a deadly magical illness. So desperate that she agrees to work for the reclusive Ferngloves, a powerful family with dark secrets where her healing gift may become more of a curse for her rather than a chance to save her brothers and many others affected by the blight

I really enjoyed the concept of this one and I think it lived up to the promises it made. It was gothic, dark and genuinely creepy at times with vivid often unsettling descriptions that might make you feel a bit sqeamish. Even though the plot was a bit predictable the way it played out kept me hooked and once I got invested I didn’t want to put it down. The romance and overall storyline gave me definite ACOTAR vibes but in the setting of something like The Shepard King. Overall it was an enjoyable read with the right balance of magic and mystery. There is definitely setup for a sequel and I think I would continue with the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for this e-ARC that I chose to read and review

This is a beautifully written story with lyrical prose. The world and its characters are vivid, bringing the narrative to life. The book possesses an eerie, darkly creative quality. Who can resist a romantic gothic fantasy? You'll be hooked right from the prologue! 🌖 This is the perfect blend of magic, romance, and darkness—the ideal "romantasy" every reader should have on their shelves.

Thank you so much, Avon and Harper Voyager, for an ARC of this book. I can't wait to read it.

Pub Date: Apr 08, 2025

**hoping to reread in future, but for now I will leave this at 4 stars.

This book was excellent!!! I was completely absorbed in the world and characters. I love anything remotely gothic leaning and this hit everything I was hoping it would. The magic system is like nothing I have read before and the overall tone was eery yet cozy. I absolutely loved it and would recommend it to anyone who love gothic romantasy!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest reviews.

ARC Review - 4.5 ⭐

First off, a huge thank you to the Nerd Fam and the author for providing me with this ARC! I have to say, House of Blight is hands down one of the best ARCs I've read so far, and I am eagerly awaiting the second book!

This story is filled with twists and turns that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The author has done a fantastic job of striking the perfect balance between detail and imagination. You get just enough description to fully picture the world without being overwhelmed by unnecessary information. The pacing is on the medium side, but I was captivated from start to finish.

What really stood out to me is how unique the world and plot are. This isn’t your typical fantasy story. The author has created an imaginative world with its own rules and a captivating narrative that keeps you guessing.

If you're a fan of thrilling, Dark fantasy, romance, with gothic vibes, this is definitely a book you’ll want to check out!

A fun read full of atmospheric world that was super interesting.
The magic system was very unique in this world . The characters were so well done , especially since this is a Romantasy it was * chefs kiss * ! The mystery that develops throughout was done at such a well pace , I was shocked near the end !
I can’t wait for the second book !

The main character here should actually be the magical universe that was meticulously built to feature uniquely gifted characters. There is definitely a ton of potential for the next one and I’m already excited to read the next one!

I loved the gothic vibes of this book and the magic system was super interesting. I really loved the idea of magic taking something from the user every time they use it. There were lots of twists that kept me intrigued throughout. I really enjoyed all of the character interactions and it really added to the story.

BOOK I | THE THREADMENDER CHRONICLES
With its deeply unique premise and mesmerizing prose, House of Blight reveals a striking tale of romance where darkness blooms within its many dangerous creases.

A story that grows increasingly eerie and delectably dark, Martineau spins an entrancing drama where the lore of Fae, healing magic & beyond are realized in a wildly creative manner while underscoring each stage with a striking grim tone that hints at certain character suspicions and motives. A meticulously crafted cast of characters, who each leap off the page with their clever quips, insults and exchanges,
vividly color the dialogue in this tale which is equally as radiant as the lush atmosphere that snakes around it all.

CLOSING NOTES // With threats abound, magic and emotions carefully manipulated, romantic feelings flourishing and insects fluttering (and meddling!) about, House of Blight offers an incredibly entrancing reading experience from beginning to end — trust me, you won’t be able to think of anything else after. This is the kind of novel I need on my shelf to enjoy many times again. Utterly magnificent — a tale that needs to be read by all romantasy enthusiasts & admirers of lushly plotted tales of dark mystery.

Ps — I hope to see more of Ywena in Book II, she was such an unexpectedly adorable delight throughout!

My greatest thanks to author Maxym M. Martineau, Harper Voyager and Netgalley for this lovely ARC opportunity. 🪲♥️

Thank you to the Nerd Fam and Harper Collin’s for the e-arc that I received.


Sorry for the late review. House of Blight felt a bit different to me. Not sure if it was a good or bad feeling. I found the story original which is refreshing. However, it took a bit for it to really catch my attention. But, when it did, it becomes a page turner.

The world, the magic, the characters; everything was done beautifully. Our FMC is a strong (even when she doesn't want to be) character who will do anything to protect her brothers. Even if that anything lands her with the Evers who she has grown up to mistrust and hide from.

I had a great time with this book, and I didn't want to put it down. I just had to know what was happening next! I can't wait for it to be released so the rest of the book community can fall in love with the book as well.

If you are looking for something different with gothic vibes, Fae, unique magic, hidden secrets, a fierce FMC, intense sibling rivalry, and power that feeds on its wielded, then you HAVE to pick up this book.

Maxym kept me on the edge of my seat with this tale of Edira and her dangerous magic that could cost her everything. Throw in some gorgeous yet dangerous and arrogant Fae males who have entrapped Endira, forcing her to use the very power she’s fought to keep hidden, and I was sold!

What if saving a life costs you your own? Would you still do it? What if it was the lives of your brothers? And what if a Fae Lord made you a deal to keep them alive until another option was found - you just have to agree to use your power for him? What would you choose?

Edira is a bold, brave and strong-willed woman who refused to lose what family she has left. But she’s fighting against her own power while trying to navigate the dangerous world of Fae that comes with more deception and hidden secrets than she was prepared for, all while battling the growing chemistry between herself and a certain male. And time isn’t her friend.

I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2! I’m waiting with bated breath for the completion of this story and what comes next for these characters.

PICK IT UP. READ IT. It’s honestly not even a choice at this point, just do it!

I enjoyed this book. It was the first I have read from this author and I definitely will be reading more. I can not wait to read the next book! I loved the love triangle and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

I received an ARC from NerdFam to enjoy and I 100% enjoyed this.
I was addicted very early on to the story line. The writing was beautiful and descriptive and I kept wanting to read.
Edira was powerful and strong. The family dynamics were intriguing and mysterious.
Highly recommend!
Doesn't end on a cliffhanger but I'm definitely wanting to read the next book in the duology.
This would also make an incredible movie.

3.5 ⭐️! If you liked ACOTAR, you will LOVE this!

When will the girls in fantasy books learn that they should never trust the first magical man who’s interested in them! It never ends well!

This was such an interesting read. It was decently slow paced at the start but then really picked up towards the end. The magic system is a little confusing to me, I feel like the Ever’s magic wasn’t explained very well, but I still found it cool nonetheless. The main character, Edira, has such a strong connection with her family and it’s so heartwarming to see how she will do anything for her brothers. Overall this was a great fantasy book and I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what happens in future books!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this E-ARC for my honest review.

Review: House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau

Thank you to NetGalley, Maxym M. Martineau, and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Darkly enchanting and impossible to put down, House of Blight weaves a tale of sacrifice, deception, and gothic allure that lingers long after the final page.

Edira Brillwyn is a threadmender—a rare healer whose gift comes at a devastating cost: every life she saves steals a piece of her own. When her brothers fall victim to the blight, a merciless plague ravaging their world, she’s forced into the orbit of the Ferngloves, a powerful and enigmatic fae family. Orin Fernglove, as magnetic as he is dangerous, offers her a bargain: train under his watch at Fernglove Manor, and her brothers may yet survive. But the manor’s opulent halls hide secrets as insidious as the blight itself, and the tension between Orin and his brother Rorik crackles with barely restrained hostility—think ACOTAR’s Rhysand and Tamlin, but with even sharper edges.

Martineau’s world-building is immersive, blending gothic atmosphere with intricate magic. The blight is a visceral, creeping threat, and Edira’s internal conflict—weighing her self-destruction against her love for her brothers—is heartbreakingly rendered. The slow-burn tension between her and Orin simmers with delicious complexity, neither purely romantic nor purely adversarial.

Fans of morally grey characters, lush gothic settings, and high-stakes magic will devour this. House of Blight is a standout debut, and I’ll be eagerly awaiting whatever Martineau writes next.

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐ – Dark, addictive, and utterly captivating.

House of Blight is a slow burn, gothic romantasy that follows Edira, a threadmender. She is able to heal others' sicknesses and injuries at the cost of time off her life.
After her brothers contract blight, the deadly sickness that is taking over Willowfell, she is employed by the Ferngloves-a powerful, immortal family. They want to use Edira's power to cure blight.

This was great—such a unique story about a sickness that spreads fast. House of Blight is like medieval Europe overtaken by the black plague but with magic in the mix.
Edira is an admirable main character. She will do anything it takes to heal her brothers, even if it means taking years off her life. A small love triangle forms between Edira, Rorik, and Orin. Orin is the powerful head of household.
This fantasy is pretty low stakes. There aren't any crazy action scenes, but the ethereal setting and descriptions really sell the book.

I do wish there was more information about the characters. While Edira had great character growth, I felt like her personality was kind of flat, along with the other Ferngloves. I wanted to get attached to these characters.

Thank you Harper Collins and Epic Reads for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy of this book. I didn’t know what to expect, but oh my god!!!! Easily the best book I’ve read this year!

House of Blight kept me wanting more and more at the end of each chapter. The writing was smooth and well written, the magic was enchanting, the spice and the tension throughout was addicting. The plot was so intriguing & had me in a steel grip.

The author did a phenomenal job creating such a strong and witty FMC. I found myself cheering for the main character the entire time and wondering how the problem was going to resolve itself.

The ending was beautiful and beyond satisfying.

I cannot WAIT for the next book of the series!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn’t influence my review.

Tropes:
Hidden identity
Gothic romantasy
DNF
No chemistry
Book didn’t pull me in

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

3.5 stars!

A new magical world that was addicting for me! I found this story reminding me a lot of my first true love, The Cruel Prince. Edira has secrets of her own but finds herself allowing help from the Evers. She would normally stay away from them, but when a threatening situation calls for their help she can’t deny them. What’s even more troubling is how she finds herself interested in the dark brother. HELLO I ATE EVERY SCENE OF THEM UP.

The only reason I lowered a star is because this was highly predictable. I was able to predict the plot twist and ending. However, the author’s writing style was so beautiful when weaving this new world and characters, that I didn’t want to stop reading it regardless of the predictability.