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**"House of Blight" by Maxym M. Martineau** is a gripping dark fantasy that plunges readers into a world of intrigue, betrayal, and forbidden secrets. The story follows a young protagonist navigating the treacherous world of the Blighted Houses, powerful factions corrupted by dark magic. As alliances shift and danger looms, the protagonist must uncover hidden truths while grappling with their own inner darkness. With high stakes, morally gray characters, and a richly built world, this book is a thrilling journey from start to finish.

Martineau excels at crafting an atmospheric and immersive setting, with vivid descriptions that bring the Blighted Houses to life. The characters are well-drawn, their complex relationships and shifting allegiances keeping the tension high throughout. The pacing is solid, blending action, mystery, and emotional depth in equal measure. Themes of power, corruption, and identity are explored in compelling ways, adding layers of meaning to the plot.

While the story is engaging, some twists were a bit predictable, and a few subplots could have been expanded for greater impact. However, these minor flaws don't detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

**Rating:** ★★★★ (4/5)

*House of Blight* is a dark and enthralling fantasy that offers a compelling blend of action, mystery, and character-driven storytelling. Fans of morally complex tales and richly imagined worlds will find much to enjoy in this captivating read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review!

Quick Thoughts

House of Flame & Shadow by Sarah J Maas. I can’t believe I finally finished these books! Crescent City is sprawling & inventive, with lots of characters battling the big decision of safety versus compassion & freedom. This is my least fave series of hers & contains the main romance arc I was least invested in, but with that being said, it’s still great fantasy & a very high bar to try to reach. 4.25 ⭐️.

Miss Amelia’s List by Mercedes Lackey. Miss Amelia’s List dragged in many ways, & I can’t say that I fully loved any of the characters, who sometimes veered on stuffy, but it’s also an oddly interesting story of manners in a magical England. 2.5 ⭐️, out now. (Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.)

Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma. This has been a great contemporary series with friendships that I really love. My fave is book 2, but this is a solid, if not 💯 ending, & I’m definitely looking forward to reading more. 4 ⭐️.

House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau. The vibes are there in this fantasy, but the heroine forgives & forgets way too quickly for me in this one. I grew frustrated at her decision-making. Still, the visceral descriptions paint an effective fantasy setting where the stakes are high, even if I was not cheering for the love triangle romance tension. 3.25 ⭐️, out 04/08/25. (Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.)

📖 have you read any of these or are any on your TBR?

I felt at the beginning that this had the potential to become a new fantasy favorite but unfortunately it did not deliver for me.
The unique magic system with amazing potential drew me in immediately. The gothic manor setting could not be improved upon. I loved the descriptions as well as the lore that was revealed about the house and grounds, perfectly placed in all its revelations. But none of that could make up for the lack of interesting characters, all but one were so incredibly dull or mere carcitures of a hundred other fantasy characters that I have read about in other books. Now Rorick was fascinating to me. I wanted to learn more about him but of course he was the one we spent the least time with. But I have to say the plot point that kept me from enjoying most of the story was how quickly our main characters emotions changed. Without spoiling the who in this review I will only say that it takes all of 1 entire day for her to go from hating the person who was responsible for harming her entire town and taking her aunt, to having feelings for him. It was maddening. I wish I got more from the characters because the setting could not be beat.

Thank you to the publisher for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book left a lot to be desired and much of it felt nebulous. I wish this could’ve been for me but it wasn’t.

Aaaah yes, something refreshing for the fantasy/romantasy genre. This a pretty original spin on fae and healing magic, much to my delight. The characters all had very distinct personalities and were very distinguishable from each other (a problem I have a lot in fantasy books is that the side characters tend to have flat to no personality at all). The progression of the plot was very engaging and had no lagging points. While in some ways it was predictable (we have a new Tampon ladies and gents) it didn’t take away from the story, and in fact made me feel justified about my feelings about a certain… someone. I expect this to be a huge hit for 2025! Thanks to NetGalley for ARC access!

Now THIS was a lovely, unexpected surprise! Having approached this book with zero expectations, I found myself pulled in, and quite enjoyed the unique world-building. Love the two leads (Rorik, squeeeee) and will happily recommend this book for fantasy lovers looking for something different!

House of Blight is a gothic romance fantasy that follows Edira Brillwyn, a threadmender, and loving sister to her two brothers. Being a threadmender, Edira can heal others, however by doing so, she shortens her lifespan. Having this rare ability she stays in hiding. Edira’s brothers contract a virus known as blight, when a member of the Fernglove Ruling Elites, Orin, offers Edira an opportunity to research for a cure. Edira is out of hiding and working for the Fernglove family to find a cure for blight, and survive the Fernglove family.
I enjoyed every minute of this story of survival and what we would give up to heal our loved ones. This story tugs at your heart strings and sends the reader on a fantastic journey to a world where things are not always as they seem. The world was so easy to imagine, and the characters were amazing. The magic system was unique, in a gothic mystique. I loved the slow burn, found family, and high stakes vibes. I am really looking forward to continuing this story.
Thank you so much Harper Voyager US and NetGalley for allowing me an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Great start to a new series. I cannot wait to do an immersion read with audio on this when audio is available.

Lovely this romantasy which is giving me ACOTAR vibes. It’s unlike anything I have read before. It has aspects of magical elements. I enjoyed the fact that we got everything tucked away in this book. I despise when they end on a cliffhanger.

My first 5 star of the year! I can’t believe how amazing this book was, everytime I wasn’t reading it it was all I could think of! Genuinely want to read everything now by this author

House of Blight is an absolute must-read for gothic fantasy fans who crave mystery, secrets, and surprising twists. This story had me hooked from the very first page with its eerie atmosphere and captivating characters.

Edira is the heart of this novel. Her loyalty, protectiveness, and fierce love for her brothers make her such a compelling protagonist. As a threadmender, her rare and dangerous magic adds incredible stakes to every choice she makes. And the Fernglove family? They’re a perfect mix of charm and menace, with layers of secrets waiting to be unraveled.

The worldbuilding is lush and haunting, brimming with moody gardens, strange magic, and simmering tension. The relationship between Edira and Orin adds an intriguing dynamic—one full of tension, vulnerability, and danger. The longer she spends at the Fernglove Manor, the more cracks start to show, leading to betrayals and decisions with devastating consequences.

With themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the cost of power, House of Blight delivers a story that’s both darkly enchanting and deeply emotional. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves an atmospheric and gripping fantasy!

Thank you Harper Voyager for an ARC of this book!

I enjoyed this — although it was not the best fantasy book I’ve read, I can tell that it will be popular upon its release. The tropes in this novel are very popular in romantasy right now — enemies to lovers, a lush storyline and descriptive settings, and a well fleshed out heroine. This is very similar to ACOTAR, and it’s being pushed to audiences as a darker Spring Court with beast forms and what not, but with much different stakes for our MC.

The magic that is described in our MC is very unique to the story, and the lore of the magic and how it is used holds up well throughout the entire plot. The cast, while having many characters, has been well thought out with no attention displaced from Edira. I enjoyed her as a character; reasons for characters motivations must be strong to have a well developed main character, and I thought hers were interesting and kept me reading. I thought the Ferngloves as a whole were very interesting, as well; the emphasis on beauty and strength in their looks and magic was entertaining, and kept the secrets deep in the novel until they were revealed.

This Gothic romantasy will be a favorite once it comes out, and I’m very excited for you all to read it!

it physically pains me to say this but unfortunately dnf at 37%. i was so unbelievably excited for this one as i loved maxyms beast charmer series, it remains one of my favorite trilogies to this day but this has fallen so flat for me it is like pulling teeth to keep reading it 😭

being 37% in one would think that we are well on our way through plot progression, we can remember who is who, we know our surroundings & we are just simply getting SOMEWHERE. however that is not the case for me, i feel like where i am still stuck in the first 10% of the story. clearly know this is setting up to be a love triangle but i dont understand who the hell is what guy… i simply cant keep them straight? there isnt anything thats making me want to continue this journey and see what becomes of edira, her brothers and her power.

its really a shame because the prologue hooked me really good however i dont really even understand how it correlates with the actual story? i guess maybe if i had gone further it may have tied it in? i havent fully decided whether or not i will give this a try again in the future through an audiobook or if ill just read spoilers from others reviews once its out and amasses a lot of different opinions but yeah im just overall really disappointed with this one 😭

I was hooked at the prologue!

I could not put this book down. A world with intrigue, magic, romance and of course, blight- a disease none survive. It has taken the FMC’s parents and threatens all around her, including her last remaining loved ones. Edira is a threadmender, a person with the rare ability to heal -though at a cost. She must hide her abilities in order to keep herself safe from the Evers, glamored magical beings that want access to her power. She finds herself in their world and it’s nothing like she expects. Edira ends up in quite the romantic situation and it’s anything but typical. This book kept me guessing and with plenty of mystery and magic, darkness and light, and love and loathing.

The writing is well written with a great plot and good character development. There’s room for growth with the world building but the writing is pleasantly descriptive without carrying on. I could see through some of the plot but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend! Gothic, romance, fantasy lovers will like this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

At first I wasn’t completely convinced this book would be a hit, but about halfway through I was completely hooked! In the beginning I was critical of the rushed enemies to lovers trope between the main characters because it all felt a bit rushed and underdeveloped. After reading, I understand that the story was meant to read that way, as if things weren’t as clear and predictable as they seemed to be. Overall, I loved the plot, the magic-system, the complexity of the characters, the love story, and the FMCs growth into her power. The last 20% of the book was completely action-packed and had me on the edge of my seat. This is the first book in a duology that I cannot WAIT to continue.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyage for sending me this ARC!!

First off, thanks for the arc!

It's a duology

I'm halfway through and thinking: how do you choose between them...

Everything she did, she did it for her family.

I liked the style from the get-go, it's light but well-written, you can tell a lot of effort went into it.

The atmosphere is wow, and the family's a real crazy house. Reminded me of the family in "A Winter's Promise," but at least some of them turned out good in the end.

By the end, I was shouting, "How could you trust them?"
Then I realized I'm kinda like that too, so I get her.

I loved how the Fernglove family's magic hides someone with wings, horns, and tails.

By the end, the plot had me hooked; I couldn't sit still!

I felt a bit detached from the characters, but that's just me.
Can't wait for part two!

A girl with the magical power to heal at the cost of her own life threads, a family needing healing, brothers who are infected—everyone has the same goal, but there are always sacrifices. People can be toxic, no one to trust, but feelings will lead to decisions.

🪲Dark fantasy with romance
🪲From hate to love
🪲Forced proximity
🪲Secrets and intrigue
🪲Healer
🪲1st POV
🪲Gothic castle
2🌶

⭐️For emotions: 4.5/5

Mark my words! This book is going to EXPLODE in 2025!

The first book in this duology introduces us to Edira, a young woman whose outward appearance suggests a life of dedication and selflessness, shaped by a painful history of illness and heartache. But beneath the surface, Edira conceals a remarkable truth: she is one of the rare humans blessed (or cursed) with the extraordinary power of Threadmending. With her extraordinary ability, Edira can weave into the fabric of a person's existence and repair damage. However, this power exacts a heavy toll. Every healing comes at the cost of an unknown chunk of Edira's own lifespan. She conceals her powers to protect herself and live a normal life with her siblings, but fate seems to have other plans. Her brothers soon contract the very same illness, Blighy, that claimed her parents. Desperate to save her brothers, Edira unleashes her power and tries to threadmend. As she radiates with moonlight, Orin Fernglove discovers her and proposes a deal: in exchange for her brothers' safety, Edira must live with the powerful and immortal Ferngloves and help find a cure for Blight.

This world is a captivating blend of enchantment and darkness. The enigmatic Fernglove family draws you in, conjuring a mix of fascination and unease. This family is brimming with drama and cattiness that is just begging for a modern day reality TV show; it’s that addicting. This is a tale of shattered dreams, forbidden passions, dark mysteries, and overwhelming expectations. I highly recommend this book to fans of forced proximity, slow burn romance, and a blend of gothic and fantasy elements. I'm fascinated by the magic system and the history of the Evers; I hope it's explored even further in the next book. I’m eagerly awaiting the release of book two!

A huge thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

The House of Blight grabbed my attention immediately with the gothic tones, visceral emotion, and forbidden magics.

Edira, who is what is known as a Threadminder, possesses the ability of healing, but her magic comes with a cost: with each life she mends, she exchanges a piece of her own.
When the incurable blight infects her brothers, she realizes that she cannot save them both and must rely on the Ferngloves, an influential family, and their leader Orin. After an offer of assistance. Edira is drawn to Orin, agreeing to a deal that beneficial to both of their interests. What lengths will she go to save those most dear to her heart?

I really enjoyed this story and I’m definitely interested in reading book 2.

Thank you NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.

This book keeps you reading from the very start, from the very beginning it keeps you engrossed in the plot line. I love that the author can catch you off guard with the different characters in the book.

Damn was this good! I saw the twist coming from the start because regardless of what creature they are, men are the worst. Excited for where this story goes though. Was really enjoying the romance.