Edira is a threadmender, a special ability that allows her to cure injuries and illnesses, but at the cost of shortening her lifeline. Even more unfortunate, there is one illness her magic cannot cure, the blight that kills almost instantly. She has to keep her power hidden.
Edira finds herself at the Fernglove manor where one of the Ever families live. The Evers are immortals that need her assistance. But something seems strange within this beautiful manor with its beautiful residents.

This was marketed for SJM and Rachael Gillig fans. I’m usually weary of descriptions like this as these are typically a miss for me. Except, this was a hit and I think the marketing is spot on.

This was like a gothic ACOTAR with a real blight, rather than a curse. It was gruesome at times with descriptions of the illness. This author really captured the “gothic house” in regards to that constant feeling of “wtf is actually going on here. Everything is off. Something is wrong.” It was a great vibe & atmosphere the whole story. At times I thought Edira was making poor decisions but don’t we all? Especially when we’re blinded by pretty & happy things. I also appreciated the slow burn throughout this and man o’ man, I’m excited for a 2nd book. This doesn’t end on a wild cliffhanger but it does leave it where this author can add onto the story. I’ll be revisiting this world for sure.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Voyager Publishing, and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

this was a fantastic first book of a duology — i really enjoyed the suspense of edira trying to find a cure for the blight that troubles the immortal beings that recruited her for her healing powers.

i love when magic systems have repercussions for the user — i find it to add a level of complexity for the characters; they just can’t use their powers to achieve their goals without thinking ahead to consider the future consequences. to have the ability to heal others, only to feel the pain of the wound and lose seconds, minutes, days, weeks or even months and years of your life was unique!

i also listened to the audio as i read and the narrator did a great job!

3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for this advanced copy.! You can pick up House of Blight now.

This book was REALLY a mixed bag for me. It came highly recommended from several friends with similar tastes, so I expected to fall in love with it as much as they did. And it does, truly, have all the elements of a wonderful romantasy book: magical human hiding her power, invited to join the immortals to cure a devastating blight. Fascinating magic and politics within the immortal world, and glamoured beings whose beauty hides the ugliness within and without. Two heartthrob love interests, both with scarred pasts and high hopes for her future.

And while all of these elements were well executed, I just didn't connect with them the way I wanted to. I felt detached from Edira, our main character, and I found all of her choices (and the overall plot) to be predictable. Sometimes I don't mind that in a book, but in this case, I hoped to be surprised.

The best parts of this book were by far one of the main relationships (I won't spoil which one) and the ending. The last 10% of the book went CRAZY and increased the stakes in a way I wish the rest of the book had mimicked. And the romance between Edira and one of the immortal brothers was the perfect combo of snarky banter and vulnerability, which was fun to read.

Overall, I think the romantasy girlies will EAT this book up, and my take is likely the exception and not the rule. I'm still curious enough from that ending to see where the sequel goes!

The story was lacking a little bit for me. It just felt like something was missing. There were so many things going on, but they were all pretty surface level. I think this is an excellent story for someone coming to romantasy for the first time or if you want a fantastical novel that doesn't ask the reader to a lot of work to understand the world and magic system they're in.

Why do you do this to me? A cliffhanger ?!? Kill me now. Call me crazy, paranoid, or distrustful but not once did I feel myself settle. With great power comes great responsibility, the mc heals sickness but not without consequences. Having no other choice but work with the Evers, she finds herself in an intertwined plot of lies and deception. She tries but our girl is blind, half the time I wanted to shake her. I liked the characters but there wasn’t enough information or depth. I could feel the anger, frustration, and motivation through the pages. My biggest annoyance is the sly manipulation because I saw it a mile away but please, is this your first encounter with a man? And that was the biggest hurdle of the story don’t let it deter you. It was great I’m in love and I need more.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager I received a ARC for an honest review !

Thank you so much to the Nerdfam, Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for the ARC!

Imagine having an incredibly rare healing ability that makes you coveted by the most powerful beings in the land. But every time you use it, it’s at the cost of time shaved off of your own life. That is what Edira has to balance in House of Bight. But if the Evers find out about her abilities, they’ll take her into their employment like her aunt, and she’ll never come out again. But when the blight threatens her family, Orin Fernglove may be the only one who can help her.

The vibes in this book were immaculate. I never wanted to put it down. This was gothic romantasy at its finest, with a dark and eerie atmosphere and a world I’m dying to see more of in book 2. I’m really looking forward to learning more about the Evers as the story continues.

Edira is a determined, caring, sassy FMC who definitely needs some more pointers on how to deal with fae sometimes. While overall I really enjoyed her character, there were times her naivety would make me think maybe I COULD survive in a fae world if I can figure this out. I was rooting for her the whole way, but how many times do you need to be reminded to not trust an Ever? 😂 Let’s be honest, I probably wouldn’t do much better if I kept getting distracted by the hot males.

I really enjoyed her relationships with the other characters in this book. The entire Fernglove family plays their different roles in the story, and many of them grew on me as the story developed. Seville especially was a standout character for me. I need her to be happy and loved. And special shoutout to Ywena, who proved to me that not all bugs have to leave me shuddering.

The plot of this book was definitely what kept me hooked. It was well paced and twisty at times, with enough kept in the dark that reveals always had unexpected details.

I like how this book feels wrapped up nicely while leaving me excited to see what is to come. A slow burn romance gets me every time, and I need to see where this goes! I absolutely recommend this book for gothic fantasy lovers, especially those looking for similar vibes to One Dark Window or Belladonna.

When the blight, infiltrating the land infects the brothers of Edira, a mortal girl with the ability to threadmend, she cannot risk using her magic to save her brothers without knowing what the consqences of that healing will have on her own life.
In come the Ferngloves, a family of Evers, immortal beings with powers of their own, a people who Edira had been trying to hide her true identity from her entire life. But when they barter a deal, in exchange for them using their magic to slow the progression in Edira's brother's, Edira agrees to join them in their home. She agrees to allow them access to her power, as long as they help her find a cure for the Blight.

Maxym's world building so easily transported me to this mythical world with magical healers and immortal Evers, I was quite literally hooked from the first chapter. With so many twists and turns, putting this book down was near impossible. The use of magic was incredibly creative, adding to the spooky air and mysterious true intentions of Threadmender's healing powers.

Its the perfect little package all wrapped into one.
✔Dark spooky vibes
✔A mysterious and incurable illness
✔Immortal beings with magical powers
✔Familial secrets
✔A romantic entanglement
✔A manipulative bad guy with ulterior motives

House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau was wonderful gothic romantasy story!
This is the best type of fantasy! I don’t think I can quite put into words.
Martineau‘s writing is captivating. She knows how to pull the reader into a magnificent and intriguing place.
The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb.
The attention to details in her writing really set the scene and tone.
I can’t wait for book two in The Threadmender Chronicles duology.

This was a nice gothic fantasy that I rated 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was mesmerizing and gets you hooked already the first few chapters where it has you picturing this setting in your head as you’re reading.

I love that the FMC would do anything for her family and it gave off vibes from ACOTAR. If you like a good slow burn with magical bargains, then I would suggest checking this one out!

Edira has the ability to heal but it steals her life to do it. When her brother gets sick with the blight she must make a bargain with the fae to try and save him but secrets and romance and danger lay ahead. This was a fun read and the ending is a can't put down thrill ride. cant wait for the next book.

4.25⭐️2.75🌶️

1st POV
New Adult Fantasy
High Romantasy
Witchcraft
Immortals
Magic
Insect/Animal Familiar
Orphan FMC
Family First
Magical Vows
Generational Magic
Secrets
Disease
Very Slow Burn
High stakes

The cover of The House of Blight is jaw-dropping, and the prologue sets the tone perfectly. After reading it, I knew I was going to enjoy this book.

The magic system is unique and intriguing. As the first book in a new series, there’s so much room for growth. Threadmending is only just beginning, and the FMC is learning her craft, which leaves plenty of space for development.

The Evers are an interesting take on Fae, with their immortal lifespans, glamour, magical vows, and self-centered personalities.

The setting moves from a small, isolated town to a mysterious gothic manor, adding an element of suspense where nothing is quite as it seems.

The writing is rich and fitting for the story, even if the middle dragged a bit.

The characters are well-developed with strong growth. The FMC is often frustrating in how she overlooks red flags, but the reclusive Evers are all independently fascinating, and their family dynamics and histories add layers to the plot.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for gifting me the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Why are you walking… and not running to the bookstore for this new release? I absolutely loved this book, and lost sleep over it. It was woven so well and it pulled at my heartstrings on a number of occasions. I also loved that this romantasy didn’t go the route of the typical fae, werewolf, or vampire—but rather had unique “monsters” for main characters. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings!

I am sitting in my room wide awake at 1am wondering how exactly I'm supposed to exist until book two, and how I'm supposed to read anything else between now and then. This book FAR exceeded my expectations, and I completely understand why people are saying this is going to be the next big sensation. The author's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions inched their way under my skin and I will not rest until I've consumed every bit of fan art this will rightfully collect. At each point I truly thought I knew what was next and I was wrong most of the time, and truly couldn't be happier I was. What a story, and what a world created. I will be on pins and needles until I can visit again.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title!!

Read this series if you like:

▪️Forced Proximity
▪️Enemies to Lovers
▪️Clever, Intelligent FMC
▪️Palatable Love Triangle Between Brothers
▪️Family Curse
▪️Dysfunctional Family Dynamics
▪️Unique Magic System
▪️Adorable Moth Companion (that shocks her)
▪️Fascinating Lore and World Building
▪️Moody Cottagecore Vibes
▪️Cinnamon Roll and Dark Broody MMCs
▪️Immortals with Unique Origin Story
▪️Mystery with Lots of Twists
▪️Beastly Forms Concealed with Glamour


Wow! I ate this up in one sitting. One of those where you look up and it’s 6 AM and the birds are chirping outside.

The main setting was a massive manor that was both cozy and eerie. There was lush imagery and vivid descriptions, so well-written that it appealed to all senses. The vibes were equally whimsical and dark, much like Orin and Rorik. I related to Edira with how she always puts the needs of others first and often forgets to fill her own cup. I loved seeing her growth throughout the story. The characters all had unique and specific personalities that made them memorable, and I found myself liking even the antagonistic ones.
The mystery and lore kept me captivated and the romance was like an extra perk. The love triangle was done in a palatable way that even those that don’t normally like them (like myself) will find it enjoyable. The threadmending was fascinating and the way it was explained painted a perfect picture that I could see vividly in my mind. I would love to see this in art or even video.

I will absolutely be reading the next installment and can’t wait to see where it goes from here!

A slow burn gothic story about a girl who can cure sickness being drawn into a house riddled with disease, secrets, and beautiful immortals. Edira Brillwyn is a threadmender, she can cure disease and heal injuries by manipulating the life threads of people... but it comes at the cost of her own life. Her abilities must stay a secret because so many would want that... yet when her younger brothers are stricken by Blight, a incurable virus killing people throughout town, that is even too powerful for her to heal, she finds herself meeting the powerful head of the Fernglove family, Orin. The Ferngloves are charming, beautiful, and possess magical abilities... and are also known as Evers, immortals who stop aging around their 30s and have fae like features. Orin strikes a deal with Edira, if she comes to his home and help work on a cure for Blight he will help her save her brothers with some of his magic. Yet the moment she steps into the Fernglove home she realizes Orin is not what he truly says he is and she can trust no one in this house... and the deeper she digs the more lies she uncovers. Can she make it out of this house alive with her brothers? I really liked this first installment in a duology, and cant wait to see how the next book ends. I will say I hated the love triangle and the whole switch was so obvious but like they truly lacked the romantic aspect and it was so slow burn I hope the next book picks it up more on the romance part. Another thing that kinda got under my skin was that Edira, despite being 25, acted like a 16 year old girl. Like come on, the way she was acting and behaving just felt so juvenile and childish, it kind of grated at me. I am curious to see how she grows in the next one though. I liked Rorick from day one and can't wait to get more of him, I desperately hope he gets more POVS in the second book. Its a slow burn gothic fantasy and has a bit of creepy moments. I do think that fans of gothic fantasy will have a ton of fun with this.

Release Date: April 8, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Harper Voyager for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

"Welcome to Fernglove, Edira. May you live to see something else."

Blight. Merriam-Webster defines blight as a disease or injury of plants marked by the formation of lesions, withering and death. It describes something that impairs. Destroys. Deteriorates. But, what if blight affected people in the same way.

House of Blight is book one of The Threadmender Chronicles duology by Maxym Martineau. The story evolves around the lives of a family of immortal "Evers" and their newly acquired threadmender, Edira. Threadmending is a rare ability to cure disease and heal injuries. But threadmenders sacrifice bits of their own lifespan, to help in the healing of others. And, threadmending is illegal.

Edira is a threadmender, but she has been in hiding since her aunt was taken by the Ferngloves when she was a child. Orphaned by their parents, and removed from their only surviving relative, Edira and her brothers are forced to find their own way in the world while thwarting the Blight that taken over their lands.

When Edira's brothers become infected with blight, she enters into a binding contract with the Evers in an effort to keep her brothers alive until she is able to find a cure. She is thrust into a world unlike anything she has ever known, where nothing can be taken at face value...including the people within the walls. Reflecting on the works of those threadmenders before her, Edira sets out to find a cure to this insatiable disease. But, can Edira find a way to save her brothers, and herself?

House of Blight is a must for fantasy, romantasy, and gothic romance readers. It's got the banter and longing of your favorite romance novel, infused with the magic and intrigue of the best fantasy reads.

Slow Burn | Banter | Touch-Her-and-Die | Forced Proximity | Enchanted Manor | Family Secrets |Magical Bonds | Bonded Marriage | "Mine"

4.5 Stars
House of Blight is book one of The Threadmender Chronicles. A gothic fantasy duology following Edira, a threadmender with a rare power that can cure disease and heal injuries in the blink of an eye. Magic comes with a cost though, so every time she saves someone she sacrifices a sliver of her own life. She’s kept her abilities hidden until her brothers unexpectedly contract blight, a deadly virus too strong for her to heal, and the powerful Fernglove family discovers her secret. To save her brothers she makes a deal with Orin Fernglove but soon finds out the Ferngloves are harboring secrets of their own.

This was dark, atmospheric and captivating from start to finish. I devoured it!
I loved the hauntingly beautiful world-building and unique magic system. Ediras threadmending magic was intriguing and I loved following along as she tried to save her brothers. The mystery surrounding the blight and its effects on both humans and Evers was very well done.
I don’t want to spoil anything about the romance so I’ll just say there’s a slight love-triangle and that I loved Rorik! He was easily my favorite of the Evers. I never thought I’d find a moth adorable but I loved Ywena, Ediras familiar.

The events leading up to the ending had me on the edge of my seat and I can’t wait for book two!
I highly recommend picking this up if you love gothic romantasy full of secrets, betrayal, slow-burn romance and surprising twists.

I requested this book from NetGalley as I kept seeing good things on Instagram from other readers who had similar taste in me. Plus the cover is stunning! In this book we follow Edira who is a threadmender in a city where Blight infects citizens but there is no cure. The city has mortals and immortals called Evers who are part animal/part human. Edira loses some of her life every single time she uses her threadmending abilities to save/mend another human being. Her twin brothers fall ill with the Blight and they are all Edira has left. An Ever sees her trying to heal her brothers and makes her a deal; become his threadmender and his brothers will be saved. Edira has never been a fan of the Evers but she will do anything to save her brothers.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book. The main issue that I have with this book is that it is categorized as Adult but reads very Young Adult. I questioned quiet a bit as I was reading if it was Adult/Young Adult. I know this is the beginning of a series so the next few books may read Adult, that is unknown at this time. I was expecting more character development, more banter, just a little more of everything. I will be continuing on in the series and am curious to see what the author comes out with next.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Review Copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon/Harper Voyager, and Ms. Martineau for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

This is my first book by Ms. Martineau, but I was really impressed. I went straight back to Goodreads to see what else she has written because I really like her writing style. The world building was terrific, the interactions seemed realistic, and the characterizations overall were very good. I particularly liked that the Fae (or Evers, as they call themselves) were of the nastier variety, the types to twist bargains and backstab and craft glamours to mask all kinds of nastiness. Not enough of those types of fae, in my opinion. The settings were VERY well done too, I felt like I was completely part of the struggling village and then trapped in the moldering old house. Very gothic flavor. Loved it.

Edira, the female MC, is a human healer who heals by taking illness and pain inside her, which results in each healing she performs costing her some of her life. She comes to the attention of the local Ever (Fae) family and is talked into a bargain with the family head, Orin, when her brothers contract the fatal Blight disease. Orin's bargain is basically, he'll keep the brothers in stasis until Edira figures out how to cure it, then after she helps him they'll cure the brothers. Of course Orin's entire family is untrustworthy at best and downright murderous at worst. And there are, as one would expect, plenty of dark secrets.

Apparently this is a duology? I will be first in line to see how it finishes up. A certain character (don't want to spoil!) has his work cut out for him to fix his broken relationship with Edira. I'd also love to see what Edira does with her newfound abilities. This was REALLY good and (IMO) a really original take on the genre; I was glued to the story and finished it at record speed. Highly recommended to readers who like romantasy but are tired of the same old formula.

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Thank you to Maxym, Netgalley, and the Nerd Fam for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

Fun fact about me is that I go into most books completely blind. I'm sure I read the summary of this book before applying for the ARC, but enough time went by that I had no idea what to expect from this book.

And HOLY SHIT. It did not disappoint! I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It's dark and unique. Full of secrets, magic, and drama. I loved it!!! Fantasy girlies looking to be whisked away to dark manors full of secrets will love this!

This book is for you if you love:
*dark fantasy romance
*Hidden powers
*Dark "wild fae" vibes with elemental magics
*Bug familiars (in a non-creepy way, I promise.)
*SO. MANY. SECRETS.
*Risking it all for your loved ones

Martineau's writing was fantastic and easy to read. The world unfolded in my mind easily. The tension between the main characters was fantastic! Even I couldn't predict what was going to happen. This is book one in a series, but we get most things resolved at the end (with no large cliffhanger) but we get the sense that the story isn't over yet.